EP 98: Finding Purpose, Building a Legacy: Denise Mannix’s Commitment to Gender Equity

Atalanta Diaries Breakthrough Women in Conversation with Enma Popli

Denise Mannix is a pioneering leader in DEI, renowned for her expertise in leadership, talent, and transformation, with a deep commitment to advancing gender equity and inclusion.

Her passionate interest in difference and gender equity has seen her find Equity in Leadership purposed to achieve executive and board equity for women and to be President of Lean In Network Energy a global, nonprofit dedicated to challenging, changing, and collaborating elevating women and advancing gender equity in the energy sector and beyond.

Underpinning the knowledge and research she brings to her agency, advocacy, and influence is her soon-to-be-completed PhD by Research focusing on gender equity in executive leadership.

Denise is a speaker, conference chair, and moderator at global conferences and most recently led the Lean In Network Energy team in their segment on Bloomberg TV’s Advancements with Ted Danson.

Denise is an original and inspired thinker, defined by her tireless energy and commitment to making real change by creating a legacy of advancing gender equity. She is frequently described as a ‘straight-talker’ and ‘inspirational’.

Key themes emerging out of our conversation:

• Going on a voyage of discovery.
• You're not ever going to please everyone.
• A journey created out of a sense of difference. Living across multiple countries shaped my understanding of identity and inclusion.
• Systemic bias rooted in gender and age despite qualifications and effort. The impact of 'isms' is revealed through experiences of sexism and reverse ageism.
• Leadership is rooted in humanity, not gender—what do you offer that inspires others to listen and be influenced?
• The desire to leave a meaningful legacy fuels the will to keep going.
• Facing ovarian cancer, a profound confrontation with mortality. Cancer is merely an antagonist in the story.
• Refusing to dwell on blame or pity, finding purpose became a mission. Rejecting the label of survivor.
• PhD is about developing critical thinking to generate ideas and drive action.
• Focusing on shared challenges rather than differences unites women across cultures, races, and religions.
• Progress lies in collaboration and partnership, not one-upmanship.
• Women are navigating leadership in systems never designed by or for them.
• Change requires acknowledging and collaborating with those in power.
• It’s not only about It's not about getting diverse voices. It's about bringing voices that drive change and impact.
• Working silently won’t get us far; we need to unite and speak a common language.
• Addressing cognitive dissonance to ensure true inclusion.
• Stop disenfranchising men who could be valuable allies in the journey toward equity.

Connect with Enma Popli on Linkedin:

>> https://www.linkedin.com/in/enmapopli/

Visit Enma Popli's website

>> http://www.enmapopli.com/