At its core, the Women in Leadership (LeadHership) summit hosted by The Unity Collaborative Tuesday was designed to help “empower women to lead with purpose, authenticity, and influence.”
The four-hour summit, hosted at the Grecian Center in Southgate, featured a variety of experts, a pair of panel discussions centered on leadership and five Women in Merit awards handed out by TUC officials.
The collaborative, whose mission is to create a “space where voices are elevated, experiences are honored, and meaningful connections are cultivated,” drew hundreds of participants.
“Our vision is to build a community of leaders who are equipped, inspired, and supported to drive meaningful change within their organizations, communities, and across global landscapes—creating lasting impact across industries and generations,” TUC CEO Darlene King-Turner said in a welcome letter to the participants. “As we navigate this journey together, we are reminded that leadership is not a destination—it is an evolving process shaped by resilience, courage, and the willingness to lift others along the way.”
King-Turner moderated both panel discussions. The first, which focused “Finding Your North Star: Leading From Within,” featured:
- Chelsea Mayor Kate Henson
- Captain Melissa McClellan, the first female Division Commander with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department
- Melissa Kamara Liggins, Senior Director of Communications for Corewell Health
- Jenny Piatt, Bureau Division Director, Michigan Rehabilitation Services
The discussion turned to panelists’ experiences or what King-Turner termed “defining moments” shaped their leadership styles.
McLellan pointed out that “we are constantly competing, constantly facing challenges.” The important thing for leaders trying to keep themselves “aligned” is to “show up as a human being.”
“As law enforcement officers, many out in the community have to feel a level of trust,” she said. “So if you’re not showing up first as a human being, breaking down some of those barriers to help remove some of those challenges, that’s where we start to decline. And if you start off as a human being first, that’s your first hurdle.
“And then also you want to make sure that one, authenticity and integrity,” she added. “So many times today, we are not being challenged enough on what really is integrity, because really living in those authenticity and the integrity because that’s your focus.”
The second panel discussion, keyed on charting a path forward for growth, influence and impact, featured:
- Poppy Hernandez, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, Executive Office of the Governor, State of Michigan
- Tina Alonzo, vice president of Belonging, Peckham
- Trisha Zizumbo, Chief Operating Officer, Oakland Community Health Network
The segment focused on how leaders draw on experiences of growth, change and reflection to shape the way they lead.
“One of the most difficult aspects of driving systemic change is that folks want … There’s a sense of urgency around driving individual change that in my mind is sort of the enemy of driving systemic change,” Henderson said. “To do systemic change, you’ve got to keep your eye on the prize. And it requires a long vision.
“Essentially, if you want to go fast, you’re going to go alone,” she added. “But if you want to actually get things done and bring people along, you’re going to have to move at a slower pace.”
In addition to the panel discussions, TUC handed out five Women of Merit awards:
- Kecia Rorie, Director of Early Childhood Education at Starfish Family Services
- Dr. Rola Bazzi-Gates, Special Education Coordinator for Dearborn Public Schools
- Ellen Gilchrist, the CEO at BasBlue
- Dana Lasenby, CEO and Executive Director of the Oakland Community Health Network
- Sairy Garcia, Manager of Global Resources at Oakland Thrive
Keyla LaVeque, an administrative assistant and the chair of the Belonging Committee for Corewell Health, said she was in the crowd of hundreds of participants hoping “for inspiration.”
“I’m hoping to collaborate with other leaders to feel more empowered to lead our committee more confidently.”
Sandy Harvey, president of Exodus Consulting Group, which offers consultative strategic and leadership services, said events like the LeadHership Summit can be very impactful. “Women coming together, hearing how others succeed, and understanding that leadership and success can look very different,” Harvey said. “Coming together, with women and men supporting, is very important.”
