Lives of Leaders
Follow this link to learn about inspiring, forward thinking and transformational leaders. Leaders were asked a set of questions, starting with “what are three words that describe your leadership style?”
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Lives of Leaders
Leaders all answered the same list of fourteen questions in a format similar to the famous Proust Questionnaire. Click on each one to see how they answered questions like “What is the best advice you ever got?” and “What was your earliest memory of injustice?”
Hector, I will miss you, compañero
Thursday night we lost a long-time friend and colleague, Hector Figueroa, who passed away unexpectedly at the young age of 57. Hector was the President of SEIU Local 32BJ representing janitors, doormen, and airport workers in NYC and across the ... read more
Unstoppable, joyous, exhausted
Bob Lawson b. 1944 in Midland, Texas In 1966, Bob went to Chicago to work with JOIN (originally an SDS community organizing project building a multi-racial movement of the poor) and organized a group called Uptown Goodfellows and later they started an organization in Chicago called Rising ... read more
Remembering Treston
As we celebrate the New Year, I want to also be sure to celebrate the life of Treston Davis-Faulkner. Treston was the National Field Director of Jobs With Justice who passed away in October. His entire, too-short life serves as a ... read more
Open, collaborative, curious
Elizabeth Bunn In her current role as Organizing Director of the AFL-CIO, through two terms as Secretary-Treasurer of the UAW and throughout her career, Elizabeth Bunn has been blazing a trail for women leaders and women's rights in the labor movement. Organizing non-traditional workers into unions and fighting ... read more
Passionate, loving, open
Sofia Campos b. 1989, Peru Heading up the “United we Dream” network of youth-led immigrant organizations is a very personal act of love for this organizer, teacher, student, writer, and dancer who looks in every way to lead by example. 1. What three ... read more
Passion, commitment, courage
Ka Hsaw Wa b 1970, Rangoon, Burma As Executive Director of Earthrights International, Ka Hsaw Wa works for environmental and human rights by combining international legal action, grass roots training and advocacy campaigns. 1. What are three words that best describe your ... read more
Interdependent, Values-driven, Grounded
Austin Thompson b. 1986 Dayton, Ohio The first Millennial Coordinator at SEIU International is a positive force who who leads with both humor and hope based on deep roots and regular reflection. 1. What three words describe your leadership style? Interdependent, Values-driven, Grounded 2. What are you best ... read more
Collaborative, honest, with an openness to learning
Valarie Long b. 1962 in Lorain, Ohio The Executive Vice President of the 2-million member union SEIU sees collaboration as the most important route to a better life for her granddaughter and all future generations. 1. What three words describe your leadership style? Collaborative, ... read more
Assertive, open, decisive
Steve Fantauzzo b. 1955 Detroit, Michigan Assistant to the national President of AFSCME doesn't let his dislike of false accusations or false pretenses get in the way of doing what has to be done for the members. 1. What three words describe your ... read more
Empathic, open, driven
Helene O'Brien b. 1963, New York, NY. She's been organizing for justice since her first rebellion in kindergarten, but the President of the Louisiana local of SEIU makes time to dance and read to her son. 1. What three words describe your leadership ... read more