93. How Breast Cancer Changed My Leadership at Work and in Life with Johanne Morne, Executive Deputy Commissioner for the New York State Department of Health
Release Date: 01/16/2025
105. Lead Like an Olympian with Dr. Judith Brown Clarke, VP for Equity & Inclusion and Chief Health Equity Officer for Stony Brook University and Health System
Women of Color Rise
In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Dr. Judith Brown Clarke, VP for Equity & Inclusion, Chief Health Equity Officer, and Chief Diversity Officer for Stony Brook University and Health System. A 1984 Olympic Silver Medalist and former collegiate champion, Dr. Clarke now leads transformational change in health equity and inclusive excellence. Dr. Clarke shares how an Olympic mindset strengthens leadership: Focus on execution, not outcomes. In high-pressure moments—whether on the Olympic track or in a policy meeting—Dr. Clarke emphasizes executing core strategies...
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105. Lead Like an Olympian with Dr. Judith Brown Clarke, VP for Equity & Inclusion and Chief Health Equity Officer for Stony Brook University and Health System
Women of Color Rise
In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Dr. Judith Brown Clarke, VP for Equity & Inclusion, Chief Health Equity Officer, and Chief Diversity Officer for Stony Brook University and Health System. A 1984 Olympic Silver Medalist and former collegiate champion, Dr. Clarke now leads transformational change in health equity and inclusive excellence. Dr. Clarke shares how an Olympic mindset strengthens leadership: Focus on execution, not outcomes. In high-pressure moments—whether on the Olympic track or in a policy meeting—Dr. Clarke emphasizes executing core strategies...
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104. Faith and Leadership with Yordanos Eyoel, Founder and CEO, Keseb
Women of Color Rise
In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Yordanos Eyoel, Founder and CEO of Keseb, a nonpartisan organization advancing inclusive and resilient democracies through transnational civil society. An Ethiopian-American democracy entrepreneur, Yordanos is an Ashoka and Aspen Institute Fellow and has received awards from the Elevate Prize Foundation and Unorthodox Philanthropy. Previously, she was a Managing Partner at New Profit, where she rose from Portfolio Analyst—the first to do so in the organization's history. Her work has been featured in TED, NPR, and Harvard Business Review....
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103. Multi-Racial Coalition Building - Equity Week with Christian Green, Zainab Abbas, Ian Esquibel, Derek Burtch
Women of Color Rise
How can you make your voice heard? We’ve all heard the saying: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” This episode of Women of Color Rise is an example of that. I’m joined by fellow leaders Christian Green, Zainab Abbas, Ian Esquibel, and Derek Burtch—all part of the Culture of Health Leadership Institute for Racial Healing. Together, with Cecily Relucio, we’re supporting Equity Week 2025, a national movement grounded in collective action for justice. Each of my guests brings a powerful perspective: Derek Burtch, a high school...
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102. Strength in Blindness and Faith with Alia Abbas, Chief of Staff, New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
Women of Color Rise
How can leaders turn perceived limitations into strengths? On Women of Color Rise, I speak with Alia Abbas, Chief of Staff at New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. With a career spanning Estee Lauder, Warner Bros. Discovery, Prudential, and Citi, Alia has led in strategy, operations, and innovation—proving that disability and faith are not barriers but strengths. Alia didn’t realize she was blind until she was diagnosed in college, thanks to parents who instilled confidence and adaptability. She also made a pivotal choice in her career—to wear a hijab,...
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101. How to Turn Imposter Syndrome Into Your Superpower with Angie Kamath, Dean of NYU School of Professional Studies
Women of Color Rise
In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Angie Kamath, Dean of NYU School of Professional Studies. Under her leadership, NYU SPS has been ranked as a top higher education institution, recognized for its career-connected, industry-focused degrees and courses. Angie shares tips about how to turn imposter syndrome into your superpower: Reframe It as a Strength: Imposter syndrome isn’t a sign of failure—it’s proof that you’re growing. Angie explains that feeling like an outsider means you’re pushing yourself into new and challenging spaces where real learning...
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100. When to Say Yes with Christie Wong Barrett, Former CEO and Owner of MacArthur
Women of Color Rise
In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Christie Wong Barrett, former CEO and owner of MacArthur, a global manufacturer of innovative labels and functional components with operations in the U.S., China, Mexico, and Poland. Christie currently serves as an Independent Board Member for DMI Companies, a Lecturer at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, and Co-Director of AmplifyD, a nonprofit incubating startups led by minority and women founders. She has also advised on national manufacturing policy through her appointment to the White House Advanced Manufacturing...
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99. Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation with Dr. Gail Christopher, Former Vice President at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Women of Color Rise
How can we build connection and compassionate communities? In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Dr. Gail Christopher, the visionary behind the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) framework. Dr. Christopher is the Executive Director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity and a former Vice President at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, where she spearheaded transformative initiatives like America Healing and TRHT. Recognized as one of the 10 Most Influential Women Scholars in Health Promotion by the American Journal of Health Promotion in 2023, Dr. Christopher...
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98. From Pivot to Tony-Winning Theater Leader with Khady Kamara Nunez, Executive Director of the Perelman Performing Arts Center
Women of Color Rise
Aspiring to lead in theater? In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Khady Kamara Nunez, Executive Director of the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC). Before this role, Khady served as Executive Director of Second Stage Theater, where she was part of the leadership team that won a Tony Award for Take Me Out. Khady shares her inspiring journey from Senegal to the U.S., where a night at the theater changed her life’s trajectory. Though her decision to pursue theater initially caused friction—her mother hung up when she called to share the news—Khady...
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97. Navigating Tech Leadership: Entrepreneur to Boardroom with Sonita Lontoh, Technology Leader, Asian American Hall of Fame Inductee and Board Director
Women of Color Rise
How can you amplify your leadership in technology? In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I sit down with Sonita Lontoh, an inspiring technology leader and inductee into the Asian Hall of Fame and Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame. Sonita currently serves on the boards of Sunrun (Nasdaq: RUN) and TrueBlue (NYSE: TBI) and has held senior executive roles at HP, Siemens, and PG&E. Recognized by the White House and U.S. State Department, Sonita shares actionable insights on amplifying your career in technology. Sonita shares helpful advice to amplify a career: Embrace change...
info_outlineIs it possible for life-or-death news to bring hope?
In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Johanne Morne, Executive Deputy Commissioner for the New York State Department of Health. With a long career in public health, Johanne has been guided by her commitment to equity, social justice, and trauma-informed care.
At age 42, Johanne was diagnosed with breast cancer while transitioning into a major role she had worked tirelessly to achieve. Faced with the dilemma of prioritizing her health or career, she chose to reframe the question: How can I focus on both?
Now celebrating ten years of being cancer-free, Johanne shares how her experience transformed her leadership at work and in life:
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Focus on community: Johanne leaned on her strong community of family, friends, and faith, deepening those connections throughout her journey.
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Clarity on her legacy: Cancer clarified Johanne's desire to leave a meaningful impact, especially around equity. She became bolder, speaking out on hard truths about inequities while balancing this with levity. She also felt empowered to take calculated risks, asking herself, “If X happens, can I stand by it?”
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Bringing hope: Battling cancer taught Johanne the importance of hope—not just for herself but also at work. As she navigated difficult conversations, she realized balancing hard facts with hope and humor was essential to prevent despair. Even during COVID, she highlighted positive aspects, like the flexibility of remote work.
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Seeing life as temporary: Johanne embraced the idea that life’s moments—whether joyful or challenging—are temporary. This perspective allowed her to choose how she spent her time and aligned her actions with her values.
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Embracing authenticity: Cancer helped Johanne lean into her true self, becoming more confident and unapologetic in her leadership.
Thank you, Johanne, for sharing your inspiring story and bringing hope to all of us.
Get full show notes and more information here: https://analizawolf.com/ep-93-how-breast-cancer-changed-my-leadership-at-work-and-in-life-with-johanne-morne