Episode 357: The Bin of Legos: Designing Leadership in a World Without Blueprints

Leadership doesn't come with instructions, it's created piece by piece.

In this episode, Chastity Lord, President & CEO of the Jeremiah Program, reveals how she has built a career by embracing uncertainty, dismantling inequities, and leading with courage.

From her early years as a first-generation college graduate raised by a single mom, to leadership roles at The Posse Foundation, Achievement First, and Color of Change, Chastity has shaped opportunity at every level. Today, she leads Jeremiah Program, one of the most impactful organizations for single mothers and their children, growing it by more than 300% in just five years.

Tune in to learn how to lead when no roadmap exists, why storytelling is a powerful lever for systems change, and what it takes to design leadership that thrives in a world without blueprints.

Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.

The key moments in this episode are:

[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [01:17] Chastity Lord's Leadership Journey [04:02] Early Life and Education [07:14] Career Beginnings and Mentorship [12:31] Joining the Jeremiah Program [14:38] Navigating Uncertainty and Leadership [25:10] Finding Comfort in Discomfort [26:07] Parenting and Leadership [26:46] Feedback and Public Leadership [28:34] Navigating Messy Leadership Moments [39:10] The Power of Community [40:00] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts