The Power to Rise: Where Women's Leadership Takes the Spotlight

Chicago Women's Leadership Accelerator
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The Power to Rise is a leadership podcast brought to you by the Chicago Women’s Leadership Accelerator (CWLA), a mission-driven initiative dedicated to narrowing the leadership gap and expanding access to meaningful, inclusive leadership development for women across industries and career stages. Hosted by CWLA co-founders Cindu Thomas-George and Alicia Del Real, each episode features recognized senior leaders and explores the lived experiences, leadership journeys, challenges, and lessons that shape how women lead and how they rise in today’s workplaces and communities.

Episodes

  1. Betting on Yourself: Dr. Kathleen Caliento on Leadership, Risk & Reinvention

    May 27

    Betting on Yourself: Dr. Kathleen Caliento on Leadership, Risk & Reinvention

    In this episode of The Power to Rise, we sit down with Dr. Kathleen Caliento CEO of The Revel Group, for an inspiring conversation about career inflection points, taking bold risks, and rising to the C-suite with intention and courage. Kathleen shares her journey from the delivering newspapers to executive leadership, reflecting on the pivotal moments, challenges, and decisions that shaped her path. Together, we explore what it means to lead authentically, embrace reinvention, and navigate high-stakes leadership spaces as women forging their own way forward. This episode is a powerful reminder that growth often requires courage, clarity, and a willingness to bet on yourself. Coming Next: Our next featured guest will be Pauline Chow, a fierce champion of women's leadership development and Managing Director and Principal of Birch Lake. 🎧 Subscribe, follow, and join us as we rise — together.

    53 min
  2. Rising Beyond Self-Doubt: Kimberly Manuel Dickens on the Path to the C-Suite

    Apr 16

    Rising Beyond Self-Doubt: Kimberly Manuel Dickens on the Path to the C-Suite

    In this episode of The Power to Rise, we sit down with Kimberly Dickens to explore her journey to the C-suite and the role that overcoming self doubt played along the way. Kimberly unpacks what it takes to step into bigger opportunities before you feel fully ready, build confidence over time, and find your voice in high-stakes leadership spaces. Kimberly shares powerful insights on navigating imposter syndrome, taking risks, and positioning yourself for executive leadership. She also reflects on the importance of lifting others as you rise and how leaders can better support women stepping into their power. This conversation is both honest and empowering, offering practical wisdom for anyone navigating self-doubt and working to grow into their next level of leadership. 🎧 Subscribe, follow, and join us as we rise — together.

    45 min
  3. Resilience, Relationships, and Rising with Desiree Vargas Wrigley

    Feb 23

    Resilience, Relationships, and Rising with Desiree Vargas Wrigley

    In this episode of The Power to Rise, we sit down with Desiree Vargas Wrigley— Co-Founder of the Chicago Women's Leadership Accelerator (CWLA), Founding GP of Velocity Catalyst, Co-Founder of The Josephine Collective, and serial entrepreneur behind GiveForward, Pearachute, TechRise, and Capital Summit. Desiree shares how resilience has shaped her leadership through both professional success and personal hardship. She unpacks the power of energy management, how to leverage relationships to expand access and opportunity, and why women must think differently about wealth and influence. She also offers practical insight on spotting and developing junior talent — helping emerging leaders rise before they fully see their own potential. This is a conversation about strength, strategy, capital, and what it truly means to lead with intention.

    43 min
  4. When Women Rise Together: Building Community, Leadership, and Change

    Feb 3

    When Women Rise Together: Building Community, Leadership, and Change

    Welcome to the very first episode of The Power to Rise. In this premiere episode, co-hosts Cindu Thomas-George and Alicia Del Real introduce the heart behind the Chicago Women’s Leadership Accelerator (CWLA) — how it began, why it exists, and the vision driving it forward. They share their personal leadership journeys, the urgent need for accessible and inclusive leadership development for women, and what makes CWLA different from traditional leadership programs. This episode sets the foundation for the conversations to come — featuring thoughtful, accomplished women leaders sharing real stories, practical insights, and lessons from their leadership journeys. In this episode, you’ll hear about:• The origin story of CWLA and how friendship turned into a leadership movement• Why early- and mid-career women need more equitable access to leadership development• The research behind persistent gender gaps in leadership• What makes CWLA’s model unique — emotional intelligence, inclusive leadership, and community• What to expect from future episodes of The Power to Rise Coming Next:Our first featured guest will be CWLA co-founder and strategist Desiree Vargas Wrigley, sharing her leadership journey and lessons. 🎧 Subscribe, follow, and join us as we rise — together.

    26 min
  • 4 Episodes

About

The Power to Rise is a leadership podcast brought to you by the Chicago Women’s Leadership Accelerator (CWLA), a mission-driven initiative dedicated to narrowing the leadership gap and expanding access to meaningful, inclusive leadership development for women across industries and career stages. Hosted by CWLA co-founders Cindu Thomas-George and Alicia Del Real, each episode features recognized senior leaders and explores the lived experiences, leadership journeys, challenges, and lessons that shape how women lead and how they rise in today’s workplaces and communities.

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