Page 8 - Free Yourself From

Acknowledgments vii

A special thanks to Helen Thomas, who once told me that I
needed to write this book. I told Helen that I had never written a
book but she said simply, “you have something to say so you should
start writing,” and I did. And to Frances Hesselbein, a woman who
I met serendipitously when checking out of my hotel in San Fran-
cisco in 1999 after we both had spoken at the same leadership con-
ference. We immediately connected and she picked up on my passion
and vision for women leaders. From that day forward Francis has
been a dear mentor and a source of my energy to pursue my vision
and get the word out through my book.
My deepest gratitude and respect for the members of SHAM-
BAUGH’s Executive Summit—a wonderful and accomplished com-
munity of women who have in many ways been the wind beneath my
wings and who provided tremendous support and energy throughout
the entire process of writing this book.
There are also a number of dear friends and colleagues who have
either participated in the book or who have believed and supported
my vision and passion for it and inspired me in other ways. Special
thanks to Anne Altman, Susan DeFife, Elizabeth Lewis, Tina Sung,
Kathleen Alexander, Jim Lafond, Susan Colantuno, Mary Ann Fisher,
Karla Leavelle, Leslie Tracey, Anne Hacket, Cindy Ingram, Doug
Ingram, Kathy Clark, Deborah Shore, Lota Zoth, Christine Dingivan,
Jan Cooper, April Young, and Dan Bannister for sharing your enthu-
siasm for life and your intentional support and friendship.
I also want to thank all the senior executives and CEOs I
interviewed for this book. Thank you for your openness as well as
the realistic perspectives and practical approaches which were
invaluable.
Writing this book has provided me such rich and wonderful
experiences—a memorable journey in my life. My hope is that this
book will touch the hearts and minds of others as much as the
process of writing this book has inspired me.