Lessons from Leaders: Featured Guest Oussama Mezoui, CEO - Penny Appeal USA

05/17/21 • 20 min

I recently read an article about how the pandemic “leveled the playing field” for innovation. Small businesses took the opportunity to switch their beer and wine production to hand sanitizer, which grew their margins exponentially, restaurants were able to create space for customer “grocery shopping” experiences, and some have even called the pandemic an accelerant for the pace of social and technological change serving as ‘a great equalizer.’

Shortly after reading this article, I had a sit down with this week’s guest, Oussama Mezoui, the CEO of Penny Appeal USA, who started off our conversation with, “This is a great leveler. We as leaders can’t pretend we have ever been through a pandemic before. There is no tool kit we can google on how to lead through a pandemic.”

It is true, there has been no guidebook, no business blueprint on surviving and thriving in a global pandemic, however, in my experience there has been a new wave of leadership community. Vulnerability has replaced scarcity and conversations like the one I had with Oussama more valuable than gold.

I am grateful for this chat and I look forward to hearing your thoughts. You can expect to learn:

How the pandemic allows you to reflect and test values
The importance of questioning your assumptions
How to grow in your leadership skills

Thank you, Oussama for your time! Part one is now live.

I am grateful for this chat and I look forward to hearing your thoughts. You can expect to learn:

How the pandemic allows you to reflect and test values
The importance of questioning your assumptions
How to grow in your leadership skills

Thank you, Oussama for your time! Part one is now live.

Previous Episode

Lessons from Leaders: Featured Guest Emily Pryor, Executive Director of Data2X

When I started communicating with Emily Courey Pryor last spring, I knew right away that I wanted to have her on the podcast. Her previous experiences, her current work leading Data2X, and her passion for equality and leadership were all things that our listeners needed to hear. Then the pandemic hit, followed by a significant reversal of progress on gender equality, all while leading a busy organization and working from home with two small children. A year later, I am overjoyed to share with you what feels like the perfect episode for 2021.
"One of the important things that I have a learned as a leader, and as a working parent, is when you have to say 'I need a minute.'" This opening statement from Emily set the foundation for our conversation. Patience, awareness, and understanding are all qualities I am inspired by in Emily, not to mention her innovation, curiosity, and flexibility. The work Data2X is doing on gender data is just as intriguing as Emily’s leadership qualities. You can learn more about Data2X’s work here: http://data2x.org.
Thank you, Emily, for sharing "real life" during a pandemic as well as your passion for gender data and its relevance for the lives of women & girls everywhere. Enjoy!

During my sit down with Emily,

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 - 3:00 | Intro

3:00 - 7:00 | What is Data2x

7:00 - 10:00 | Gender Data

10:00 - 13:00 | Curiosity and Innovation

13:00 - 21:00 | Flexibility, Adaptability, and Empathy

21:00 - 25:30 | ROI on Empathy

25:30 - 30:00 | Motherhood Lessons in Leadership

30:00 - 35:00 | Advice to Emily's Younger Self

35:00 | Closing
https://youtu.be/0SeGXokwONQ

Next Episode

Lessons from Leaders: Featured Guest Oussama Mezoui, CEO - Penny Appeal USA, Part 2

His first episode has had a beautiful response and impact on leaders everywhere, and this week part 2 feels just as deeply valuable in its content.

I am back for Part 2 of my conversation with Oussama Mezoui, CEO of Penny Appeal USA. Oussama starts this second part off in a way that feels deeply reflective.

“Am I thinking about climate change in my decision-making? Am I thinking about gender issues or mental health issues? Am I thinking about racial issues in how I lead and are we a best practice organization?” Oussama mentions this is a shortlist to the many issues leaders are currently facing but what I found so impactful was the simplicity of his questions.

If we as leaders could think through this question lens before each decision, how would it change your day-to-day and outcomes? Thank you, Oussama, for this gentle but necessary reminder.

Here’s what you will learn:

Why racial justice deserves a closed conversation

Building organizational culture

Identifying your non-negotiables

Part Two is now live.