Event Highlights Authentic Leadership, Emphasizing Genuine Connection and Integrity
In July 2025, the U.S. Chamber and Russell Reynolds Associates hosted the "Lessons in Leadership: Featuring Women of Washington" event. The panelists, including Brittany Masalosalo, Chief Public Policy Officer of HP, and Karen Harbert, President and CEO of the American Gas Association, shared insights on authentic leadership, personal brand building, networking, and refining leadership styles.
Masalosalo found it meaningful when colleagues wanted to be like her, viewing it as a call to action to always be authentic and herself. She emphasized the importance of embracing true value in advocating for others, especially in mentoring and supporting career development for emerging leaders.
Harbert, who discussed her experiences serving on boards for both non-profit and for-profit companies, emphasized the importance of giving back and sharing expertise as a way to empower others and build leadership capacity. She encouraged attendees to proactively think about positioning themselves, lean on mentors, and strive for the next step.
The speakers at the event also emphasized the importance of balancing authenticity and assimilation when joining an organization. They suggested not staying too long in any job and taking advantage of every opportunity that comes their way.
Tomasso, one of the hosts, stated that women often lose sight of their accomplishments and personal stories. She encouraged women to focus on advertising their accomplishments instead of their families or personal lives. The panelists also encouraged women to embrace authentic advocacy and to give back by offering their expertise.
The panelists advised attendees to master their current position rather than focusing on job jumps, as emphasized by Stacey Bernards, Senior Vice President of Global Government Relations at Honeywell International Inc. Marlene Colucci, CEO of The Business Council, also shared her experiences with board service.
The key attributes of authentic leaders discussed at the event include smart, strong, resilient, and compassionate, among other traits. Building and owning one's personal brand, giving back and sharing expertise, authentic advocacy, balancing authenticity with assimilation, and taking advantage of opportunities and avoiding complacency were also highlighted as important aspects of authentic leadership.
The panelists reminded attendees to balance their personal and professional lives while branding themselves effectively. They suggested networking as a core component of authentic leadership, emphasizing its role in personal growth, career advancement, and empowering others.
In conclusion, the "Lessons in Leadership: Featuring Women of Washington" event provided valuable insights into authentic leadership, personal brand building, networking, and refining leadership styles. The panelists emphasized the importance of balancing authenticity and assimilation, giving back and sharing expertise, building and owning one's personal brand, and taking advantage of opportunities and avoiding complacency. They also encouraged attendees to master their current position, network, and balance their personal and professional lives while branding themselves effectively.
[1] Source: Event proceedings and panelist discussions.
- Brittany Masalosalo emphasizes the value of authenticity in advocacy, particularly in mentoring and supporting the career development of emerging leaders.
- Karen Harbert encourages attendees to proactively position themselves, lean on mentors, and strive for the next step, emphasizing giving back and sharing expertise as essential for leadership capacity.
- Speakers at the event highlight the importance of balancing authenticity and assimilation when joining an organization, advising attendees not to stay too long in any job and to take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way.
- Tomasso encourages women to focus on advertising their accomplishments instead of their families or personal lives, while panelists also encourage women to embrace authentic advocacy and give back by offering their expertise.
- Stacey Bernards advises attendees to master their current position rather than focusing on job jumps, while Marlene Colucci shares her experiences with board service.
- In terms of essential qualities, the key attributes of authentic leaders discussed include smart, strong, resilient, compassionate, and more, as well as building and owning one's personal brand, authentic advocacy, balancing authenticity with assimilation, and taking advantage of opportunities.
- The panelists recommend networking as a core component of authentic leadership, emphasizing its role in personal growth, career advancement, and empowering others.
- The "Lessons in Leadership: Featuring Women of Washington" event provides insights into authentic leadership, personal brand building, networking, and refining leadership styles, highlighting the importance of balancing authenticity and assimilation, giving back and sharing expertise, building and owning one's personal brand, and taking advantage of opportunities while offering practical advice for mastering current positions, networking effectively, and balancing personal and professional lives.
