From History to Practice: Building Cultures That Endure

Dear Leaders,

February invites us to pause and look more closely at how leadership is shaped. By history, by identity, and by the choices we make every day inside our organizations. Whether you are guiding teams through change, rethinking your people strategy, or preparing for what’s next in your own career, this month offers space for reflection and intention.

I’m glad you’re here.

Leadership Beyond the Calendar

This month, my weekly Substack newsletter, Beyond Heritage Months: Sunday Reflections, explores how leaders can move beyond symbolic moments and build cultures of inclusion that endure all year.

These reflections connect history to today’s workplace realities and focus on practical leadership decisions that shape belonging, trust, and performance over time. Topics include:

• Integrating equity and belonging into everyday leadership practices

• Understanding how historical context informs modern workplace dynamics

• Learning from professionals who are building inclusive environments with clarity and accountability

If you’re leading teams and want inclusion to be embedded rather than episodic, these reflections are written with you in mind.

You can read and subscribe HERE.

Looking Ahead: Women’s History Month

Partnerships, Conversations, and Strategic Leadership

As Women’s History Month approaches, I’m collaborating with organizations that want to move beyond celebration and into meaningful, future-focused dialogue.

Current areas of focus include:

• Afro-Latina leadership and identity in the workplace

• Resilience and leadership sustainability

• Women leading in an AI-influenced world

• Navigating career transitions with intention and clarity

Each session is designed to balance reflection with application, grounded in real organizational challenges and leadership realities.

If you’re planning programming or conversations for March and beyond, I welcome the opportunity to explore alignment.
Speaking and workshop inquiries can begin here: Talkadot referral link (Give it a try!)

Upcoming Events

March 8, 2026

International Women’s Day Live Conversation
📍 Coach Dora’s YouTube Channel

March 18, 2026

IGEPS Women’s History Month Panel
📍 John Jay College of Criminal Justice, NYC

This panel brings together leaders and practitioners examining equity, leadership, and professional growth through lived experience and applied insight. More details to come. If you’re in the New York area, I’d love to see you there.

More Ways to Connect

Building Leadership Community Podcast

The Building Leadership Community Podcast continues to feature conversations with leaders navigating complexity and change across industries.

Upcoming Episodes Include Discussions with:

• Leaders redefining traditional leadership norms

• Professionals who’ve navigated significant career pivots

• Thought leaders working at the intersection of AI and leadership

• Practitioners advancing inclusive workplace cultures

Watch and Subscribe Here

Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

A Look Back

January’s edition of Coach Dora’s Insights, Leadership, Belonging, and Sustainable Care, continues to resonate with leaders who are thinking deeply about how care, accountability, and performance coexist.

If you missed it or want to revisit, access January’s edition HERE.

Closing Reflection

As you move through February, I invite you to consider this question:

What becomes possible when leadership is guided by both courage and curiosity?

Leadership rarely requires perfect answers. It does require intention, reflection, and a willingness to evolve.

Thank you for continuing this journey with me.

With gratitude,
Coach Dora

P.S. If your organization is exploring leadership strategy, culture, or people operations support this year, I’m always open to thoughtful conversations about what partnership could look like.