Megan Dalla-Camina is an accomplished author, speaker, and the visionary founder of the Women Rising program and movement. Her career began in the corporate sector, where she held senior executive roles in strategy and leadership at major global companies like IBM. Despite her achievements, Megan found herself at a crossroads, feeling the weight of burnout and realizing that the corporate path didn’t align with her personal values. This moment of clarity led her to take a leap and devote her work to a new purpose: empowering women to lead with authenticity and rise to leadership positions on their own terms. Today, Women Rising is a globally recognized program that has inspired thousands of women to step into their power and take on leadership roles with confidence.
Megan’s passion for women’s empowerment grew from her firsthand experiences with the challenge’s women face in professional environments. She observed the systemic inequalities that often hold women back and recognized that many women experience self-doubt and an inner critic that can limit their potential. Megan’s goal became clear—to create a supportive space where women could find community, resources, and encouragement to navigate these challenges. Her vision for Women Rising is to break down the barriers that women face, both externally and internally, and to support them in becoming the leaders they aspire to be. Reflecting on her journey, Megan identifies some of the toughest challenges she encountered on her way to becoming a leader. She highlights the paradoxes of power, including what she terms the “Confidence Paradox”—the idea that women are encouraged to be confident but are often criticized for being too assertive when they express it. Another obstacle was the “Empowerment Paradox,” where women are urged to be empowered within a system that may disempower them. Burnout also played a significant role in her early career, as Megan initially adhered to corporate ideals that prioritized success over personal well-being.
To overcome these challenges, Megan redefined leadership on her own terms, moving away from conventional models to embrace a holistic approach. She began focusing on well-being, mindfulness, and purpose, reshaping her perspective on leadership to integrate these values. Through this journey, Megan discovered the importance of addressing self-limiting beliefs and learned how to navigate the contradictions in leadership with strength and clarity. This transformation inspired her to create the Women Rising program, where she shares these insights and supports other women in overcoming similar challenges. One defining moment in Megan’s career was her decision to leave a secure corporate role to fully dedicate herself to Women Rising. This choice marked a turning point, aligning her professional goals with her purpose of empowering women. Although the transition was daunting, it opened up opportunities for Megan to lead with authenticity and to build a program that genuinely supports women’s growth and leadership.
Throughout her career, Megan has been fortunate to have mentors who provided guidance and inspiration. One of the most impactful pieces of advice she received was to trust her intuition and pursue her vision without waiting for permission. Role models like Brené Brown have also influenced Megan’s approach to leadership, encouraging her to lead with vulnerability and authenticity. In her view, the most critical qualities of a good leader are empathy, resilience, and authenticity. Empathy enables leaders to connect with their teams on a personal level, understanding the human side of decision-making. Resilience is essential, as leadership often involves navigating difficult situations and overcoming obstacles. Authenticity builds trust within teams, creating a culture where people feel comfortable being themselves. Megan also emphasizes the importance of continuous personal growth and the willingness to challenge one’s assumptions as crucial aspects of effective leadership.
“True leadership is about sustainability—it’s about leading from a place of inner balance and strength, aligned with your values and purpose.”
Megan balances her professional and personal life by establishing clear boundaries and prioritizing self-care. Having experienced burnout, she recognizes the importance of nurturing her mind, body, and spirit. This includes setting aside time for meditation, exercise, and rest, and ensuring that her personal life aligns with her values. Megan believes that good leadership begins with leading oneself well, which requires a commitment to self-care and mindfulness. To stay motivated and inspired, Megan connects with her deeper purpose and reflects on the impact of her work. Hearing stories from women whose lives have been transformed through Women Rising keeps her energized and focused. She also maintains her enthusiasm by engaging in continual learning, including her PhD research, which fuels her intellectual curiosity and commitment to personal development.
One of the most challenging decisions Megan faced was leaving her successful corporate career to pursue her passion for women’s empowerment. Although the decision was difficult, Megan handled it by trusting her intuition and focusing on the bigger picture. She navigated the uncertainty by surrounding herself with supportive people and reminding herself of her purpose, which ultimately helped her embrace this new path. Megan’s career is filled with accomplishments, but she is particularly proud of the Women Rising program. Unlike traditional leadership programs, Women Rising addresses both the external and internal obstacles that women face, including gender bias and self-doubt. Her latest book, Women Rising: The Forces That Hold Us Back, The Tools to Help Us Rise, explores these themes, examining the paradoxes of power and providing tools to help women navigate these challenges. Together, the program and the book offer women the clarity, confidence, and conviction to step into their leadership potential.
When asked what advice she would give to young women aspiring to leadership roles, Megan encourages them to trust themselves and follow their intuition. She advises them not to wait for permission to lead or speak up and to be clear about their values and the impact they want to make. Megan emphasizes that leadership is a journey of growth and learning, and that personal well-being is as important as professional success. Looking ahead, Megan sees the landscape for women in leadership evolving towards more inclusive models. She observes that more women are breaking through traditional barriers and stepping into leadership positions across various industries. The conversation around gender equality is also becoming more nuanced, with an increasing focus on intersectionality and engaging men as allies. Megan believes this shift will result in new and innovative approaches to leadership, ultimately creating a more equitable workplace for future generations.
As a final thought, Megan underscores the importance of well-being in leadership. She points out that many women feel pressured to prove themselves by overworking, which often leads to burnout. Megan believes that sustainable leadership requires inner balance and strength, and she encourages women to consider their personal well-being alongside their professional ambitions. Leading from a place of inner balance not only benefits individual leaders but also sets an example for others to follow. In her journey, Megan Dalla-Camina has shown that leadership is not just about titles or positions; it’s about staying true to one’s values, creating meaningful impact, and inspiring others to do the same. Through Women Rising, she continues to empower women worldwide to embrace their potential and lead with confidence, empathy, and resilience. Her work is a testament to the power of authenticity and purpose in creating a more inclusive and equitable world for all.
Megan Dalla-Camina is the Founder and CEO of women’s leadership and empowerment company Women Rising, and the author of the new book Women Rising: The forces that hold us back, the tools to help us rise. Megan supports thousands of women in 63 countries step into their power through a unique fusion of science, spirit and practical tools designed to help women rise. Her work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets globally. You can connect with Megan on socials @megandallacamina and read all about her new book at womenrisingbook.com.
“Leadership is not about being perfect; it’s about showing up, learning, and growing along the way. Trust yourself and don’t wait for permission to make your voice heard.”