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Dismissed but not Disposable: Healing Workplace Trauma and Preparing for What’s Next
Chinyere Oparah explores how leaders can recover from abrupt transitions, heal workplace trauma, and chart a new path forward.
Chinyere Oparah
Sep 296 min read
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When Leading Courageously Means Stepping Away (Leadership Transitions Series)
Former VPAA Dorothy Mosby shares her battle with the "Four Horsemen of Higher Education leadership" and the lessons she learned from having the courage to leave.
Dorothy Mosby
Sep 2211 min read
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Negotiation as Purposeful Leadership: Staying True to Your Vision When the Pressure Is On
Award-winning mediator Alice Shikina explains how to own your power by stepping up your negotiation skills.
Alice Shikina
Sep 86 min read
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Leading Through Disruption Without Losing Yourself: A Liberated Approach
Disruption is everywhere—but we don’t have to lose ourselves in the chaos.
Equity-driven leaders are facing mounting pressure, but leading through it doesn’t have to mean powering through on fumes. We need new models—trauma-informed, emotionally intelligent, rooted in purpose and replenishment.
In Chinyere Oparah's latest blog, she shares five practices for leading through disruption without abandoning your vision, your values, or your wellbeing.
Chinyere Oparah
Sep 23 min read
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Rising Together: Transforming Women’s Leadership in East African Higher Education
Dr. Naomi Lumutenga and Prof. Margaret Khaitsa share how they confronted deeply rooted structural and cultural barriers, co-founding HERS-EA, a transformative Ugandan-based organization that equips women with the skills, networks, and confidence to lead. In this reflection, they invite equity‑oriented women in academia to challenge the status quo across borders—and rise together, purposefully and powerfully.

Dr. Naomi Lumutenga
Jul 257 min read
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Is it Time to Quit?: Advice for Overwhelmed Leaders
Chinyere Oparah shares some timely advice for leaders who are wondering if it's all just too much.
Chinyere Oparah
Apr 34 min read
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Conquering Anxiety and Leading with Courage in 2025
Chinyere Oparah offers tips to conquer anxiety about the upcoming year and inspires leaders to take bold and creative action.
Chinyere Oparah
Jan 24 min read
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Leading for Equity at a Time of Backlash
Chinyere Oparah provides innovative and politically-savvy strategies for leaders who are navigating the backlash against DEI.
Chinyere Oparah
Nov 25, 20248 min read
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How to Lead Effectively During Conflict
Rhonda Fitzgerald shares a proven methodology for facilitating dialogues in high-stakes situations

Rhonda Fitzgerald
Sep 16, 20246 min read
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Deep Collaboration as a Tool to Liberate Your Leadership
Walter R Jacobs explores what it means to go beyond paying lip service to collaboration, and how to navigate resistance to sharing power.

Walter R. Jacobs
May 6, 20247 min read
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Is Focusing on Your Strengths Sabotaging Your Success?
Julia "Chinyere" Oparah explains how knowing your derailers is an essential superpower for every leader in higher ed. If you were raised...
Chinyere Oparah
Mar 10, 20248 min read
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Leading for Equity and Justice
Chinyere Oparah offers strategies to help women of color transform higher ed as senior administrators without sacrificing their careers...
Chinyere Oparah
Mar 4, 20247 min read
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Getting Free from "Grind Culture"
Welcome to FreeToLead, the blog of the Center for Liberated Leadership. I’m so excited that you’ve chosen to join us! I’m Chinyere and...
Chinyere Oparah
Mar 1, 20243 min read
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