Pivoting with Purpose | Dr. Susan DeWoody

She Impacts Culture

In this episode of She Impacts Culture, we're joined by Dr. Susan DeWoody, who shares her straightforward yet powerful insights on leadership. Through her journey, Susan discusses the loneliness that often comes with being at the top, the importance of staying true to oneself despite external pressures, and why making mistakes is crucial to growth and innovation. Her experiences shed light on the realities of leadership and the unexpected benefits of embracing imperfection. Today's episode is all about Pivoting with Purpose!

We specifically chat through:

• Embracing Pivots: Susan shares how she navigated shifts and steered her career in new directions, highlighting the strength of flexibility and growth from welcoming new opportunities.
  
• Navigating Leadership's Lonely Path: Susan sheds light on the isolation that can accompany leadership roles and how she found her way through it, offering insights into building connections while leading.
  
• Breaking Free from Expectations: Susan shares her journey of discarding conventional expectations to embrace her true identity, highlighting the importance of authenticity in leadership and life.
  
• The Value of Mistakes: Learn from Susan's perspective on why making mistakes is essential for growth and innovation and how embracing them can lead to unexpected success.

Leadership is not just about guiding others but also about navigating one's path with the courage and confidence God has instilled within us. Susan's journey reminds us that while leadership can be a solitary road, it is also an opportunity for impactful personal growth and connection. By being fully who God created us to be, acknowledging our imperfections, and learning from our mistakes, we can lead with greater impact and authenticity. Let's walk our leadership paths with faith, embracing the lessons God places before us to impact culture through our faith, work, and leadership!

Connect with Susan:
Website: https://strataleadership.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susandewoody/

Dr. Susan DeWoody is a proud first-generation college graduate, lifelong learner,

solution finder and champion for the underdog.

Prior to joining Strata Leadership as President, Dr. DeWoody was part of the non-

profit leadership sector of CarterBaldwin Executive Search, a firm listed among

the top 1% of search firms in the nation by Hunt Scanlon. For the past 20 years,

she has served in multiple areas on college and university campuses: recruitment,

advising, campus life, NCAA DII athletics, and academic affairs to name a few.

Her most recent academic post involved serving on the president’s cabinet at

Oklahoma Baptist University as the first female Provost in the institution’s more

than 113-year history.
Dr. DeWoody earned the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership in

Higher Education Administration from Dallas Baptist University. She earned

the Master of Science in College Student Personnel Services from Northeastern

State University where she completed a graduate assistantship for the Dean of

Enrollment Management. She earned the Bachelor of Science in Education from

Arkansas Tech University and an Associates of Arts degree from University of

Arkansas – Fort Smith.
Although she has also lived in Arkansas, Texas, and North Carolina, her heart

and her roots are firmly planted in Oklahoma. She has been married to Dr. Dale

DeWoody (English PhD and educator) since 2003.
Dr. DeWoody believes deeply in the never-ending pursuit of learning and has a

strong desire to inspire others to be intentional about finding their purpose.