International Women’s Day is a chance to celebrate the leaders who strengthen our organizations, uplift their communities, and pave the way for the next generation of professionals.
This year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” speaks to a simple but powerful idea: when leaders pour into others through mentorship, collaboration, and shared knowledge, everyone rises.
We sat down with five remarkable female leaders, dedicated to advancing professional communities, to hear their personal stories. From the pivotal moments that shaped their careers to the ways they’re opening doors for others; each story is a testament to the ripple effect of leading with generosity.
Karen Bernstein
Vice President, Learning & Development | International Coaching Federation (ICF)
Karen Bernstein’s leadership journey is a testament to the power of openness, adaptability, and lifelong learning. After decades in nonprofit work, she transitioned into the association world — embracing a new environment, new perspectives, and new opportunities for growth. Karen really enjoyed that transition, feeling part of a diverse community and building relationships with people from all over the world.
Authenticity is at the core of Karen’s leadership philosophy. She believes that being accessible, genuine, and an advocate for her team creates the strongest foundation for growth. For Karen, leadership is less about directing and more about empowering — helping others build confidence, take on new challenges, and evolve into leaders themselves.
“The most rewarding part of my work is seeing people grow,” she shared.
Karen also emphasizes the importance of taking the time for professional development and surrounding yourself with diverse perspectives to continuously learn from others, whether through mentors, peers, inspiring authors or new experiences.
Her approach reflects the heart of Give to Gain: investing in people and creating environments where others can thrive.
Carrie Hartin
President | MCI USA Association Solutions
For Carrie Hartin, leadership is grounded in openness, trust, and a willingness to step forward — even when the path isn’t fully clear.
Her interpretation of Give to Gain centers on sharing ideas freely and creating space for others to contribute.
Carrie’s career has been shaped by leaders who encouraged her to take on challenges before she felt fully ready — an experience that now influences how she leads today. She encourages others to embrace opportunities, even when they feel uncertain, and to view growth as something that happens through action, not perfection.
She also highlights the role of professional communities, like ASAE, PAR and AMC Institute, in expanding perspectives, building connections, and accelerating leadership development—reinforcing the idea that no one grows alone.
Carrie also shared that podcasts are a great way to fuel growth. Here are a few that have inspired her.
Tarn Kaur
Vice President | American Chemical Society (ACS)
Tarn Kaur approaches leadership with a strong belief in the power of community, perspective, and continuous growth.
Rather than pointing to a single mentor, Tarn describes her support system as a “board of directors”—a diverse group of individuals who provide guidance, challenge her thinking, and help her navigate complex decisions.
Her leadership style reflects both strength and empathy. She emphasizes the importance of making difficult decisions with respect and integrity, ensuring that even challenging moments are handled with care and dignity.
Tarn also sees professional communities, like the ASAE committees she serves on, as essential to leadership development, offering not only a sounding board for challenges but also new ways of thinking and approaching problems.
A strong advocate for lifelong learning, she encourages women to continuously invest in their own growth:
Rachael DeLeon
Executive Director | AFCPE (Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education)
Rachael DeLeon’s leadership philosophy is deeply rooted in service, empathy, and an abundance mindset.
From early in her career, she was shaped by leaders who saw her potential and encouraged her to pursue opportunities she may not have otherwise considered. Today, she carries that same approach forward — supporting her team not only as professionals, but as individuals.
Rachael also challenges the idea that success isn’t limited or competitive. Instead, she believes in expanding opportunities for everyone: “When your team shines, you shine.”
She also learned a great lesson from one of her mentors, her AFCPE Executive Director predecessor.
Her work at AFCPE reflects this philosophy, focusing on building community, expanding access to education, and creating meaningful impact through partnerships.
Kelly Cusick
Chief Growth Officer | Holmes Corporation
Kelly Cusick believes that leadership starts—and succeeds—with people.
After building a successful career in marketing, Kelly stepped into the role of Chief Growth Officer through an opportunity that challenged her to think beyond her traditional path. That moment reinforced a belief she carries into her leadership today: growth happens when we are willing to step into the unknown and trust the people around us.
She shared insights on how to focus on your own growth:
She credits much of her success to the mentors and colleagues who challenged her, supported her, and helped her grow—and she brings that same mindset to her own leadership. By encouraging diverse perspectives and fostering collaboration, Kelly creates an environment where both individuals and teams can succeed.
Kelly’s perspective on Give to Gain is rooted in collaboration.
Together, these leaders demonstrate what it truly means to Give to Gain—not just as a concept, but as a daily practice in how they lead, support others, and build stronger professional communities.
