A Word With

In this special edition of A Word With, and in the spirit of #InternationalDayoftheGirl, Tanvi Mishra, our Communications and Influence Manager, interviews EMpower's President and CEO, Cynthia Steele, about her storied journey with EMpower. Cynthia paints a vivid connection between her own evolution and EMpower’s, weaving the threads of past, present, and future together, and offering a glimpse into the heart and conviction behind two decades of purpose-driven leadership.

EMpower President and CEO Cynthia Steele recently spoke with Radhika Bharat Ram, Founder, KARM for Young Indian Women, Jt. Vice Chairperson, The Shri Ram Schools, and EMpower India Board Member, whose work is reimagining what it means to support adolescent girls as leaders in their own right. They discussed how Radhika's experiences shaped her belief in community-led change, why women-led philanthropy matters, and how long-term support can drive systemic transformation.

EMpower President and CEO Cynthia Steele recently spoke with Nicolette Naylor, EMpower UK Board Director and a global philanthropic leader with deep roots in social justice work across the African continent. They discussed the urgent need for philanthropy to adapt in a time of shrinking civic space, what it means to support sustainability for civil society, and how investing in young people—especially those left behind—can help reimagine the future.

EMpower President and CEO Cynthia Steele spoke with Liliana Dearth, EMpower UK Board Director and Head of Emerging Markets and Asian Equities at Newton Investment Management, about her decades of experience working across emerging markets, the transformative power of education, and how local, community-driven action continues to fuel her optimism for the future.

EMpower President and CEO Cynthia Steele spoke with Jonathan Bell, EMpower UK Board Director and Founder of Cape Ann Asset Management. They talked about how Jonathan's family legacy in international development shaped his worldview, and what it means to "Futurefit" financial strategy in an organisation like EMpower.

EMpower President and CEO Cynthia Steele spoke with Patricia Ahn, EMpower US Board Director and a seasoned Institutional Equity Sales professional at Goldman Sachs. They discussed what motivates her philanthropy, how finance professionals connect with EMpower's mission, and how being a parent shapes her view on youth development.