ADVANCE: Montgomery Women's Leadership Digest

August 2024

A Message from Leadership

Welcome to the month of August!

I like the month of August. Like New Year’s, it is an opportunity to reset. Think about those returning to school at the end of August: if organization was not their greatest strength the previous school year, guess what? It can be a goal this school year. In some cases, some students can “reset” their GPAs and aim higher.

At work, I use August to review which events were well received by the community, and which ones were not. Afterwards, with my team, we decide if we will bring certain events back or cancel them.

August also serves as a good point in the year to check in with yourself. August is my time to check on Ijeoma and see where she is mentally and physically. I review the goals I set at the beginning of the year and evaluate whether I have met my goals, come close to meeting them or have yet to address them. For the goals I struggle with, at this point of the year, there is still time to get back on track or make adjustments.

Over the years, this check-in has become a routine. It is even more important to me as a leader. Leaders should practice self check-ins and make time to do so.

When there is chaos around you, such as trying to manage the many activities and roles you have (dance mom, PTSA President, community engagement coordinator, Girl Scout Leader, mom, caretaker of parents, etc.), that chaos will manifest itself for others to see no matter how hard you try to mask it. It can show up in various forms: late for appointments, double booking, forgetting simple things, lack of concentration or the feeling of defeat. You will not feel comfortable leading if you do not have control of your personal obligations and no one will follow a leader that does not have it together.

Checking-in will reveal what matters and what does not. It allows you to get to know you. Checking-in with you can reveal that you can still be a super woman and not be president of every organization you join. Checking-in can reveal that you can still be fabulous and graciously decline to accept additional tasks from others when you know your time is limited.

More importantly, when leaders take care of themselves, those around you learn it is okay to make time for themselves too.

If you do not have a routine in place that allows you to check-in with yourself, I encourage you to do so. I use August, but you can use any month. The important thing is to remember to make the time to take care of you.

With warm regards,

Ijeoma Enendu

President, Montgomery Women

Member Spotlights

Fatmata Barrie

Founder,

The Barrie Law Center

Fatmata is the founder of the Barrie Law Center, a general practice firm born out of her passion for serving the community. She is a practicing attorney with more than 20 years of client-focused and result-centered experience and also has approximately 30 years of experience as a community and civil rights advocate and organizer, with a focus on civic engagement and coalition building.

Fatmata is also the executive director of the Montgomery County Police Accountability Board (PAB) and the Administrative Charging Committee (ACC). In this role, she works with law enforcement agencies to review, provide policy advice, and report on disciplinary matters stemming from public complaints about police misconduct.

Fatmata has been a member of several community organizations and boards including the Montgomery County African Affairs Advisory Group, Women’s Democratic Club, Friends of White Oak, the East County Citizens Advisory Board, the National Organization of Sierra Leoneans in North America, the African Immigrant Caucus, the Women of Color Coalition, and the Immigrant Community Services.

Cindy Gibson

Chief of Staff,

Montgomery County Council

Cindy is chief of staff to Council President Andrew Friedson who represents District 1 on the Montgomery County Council. She is in her 17th year at the Council where she previously served as chief of staff to former Councilmember Roger Berliner for 11 years.

At the Council, she oversees all communications, legislative work, constituent services, and strategic initiatives for the councilmember’s office and serves as a liaison to legislative offices and governmental agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. She is actively involved in the Council’s review of the county’s 7.1 billion dollar annual operating budget and the county’s six-year capital budget and manages a policy portfolio that includes land use, zoning, housing, economic development, and fiscal policy.

In her role as chief of staff, Cindy has served on a number of committees and boards, including the Board of the Glen Echo Partnership for the Arts and the White Flint Downtown Advisory Committee. She is a 2012 graduate of Leadership Montgomery and a 2013 graduate of the Urban Land Institute - Washington's Regional Land Use Leadership Institute.

Quick Tips

For the Everyday Leader

Research shows that today’s leaders are suffering from poor well-being and mental health issues more so than ever before. Too often, they put the needs of the business or their team before their own needs. Much like airline pre-flight instructions to “put your oxygen mask on first, before helping others,” leaders need to take a similar approach by managing their own well-being first.

By doing so, leaders can become role models for their employees and build stronger team relationships that lead to better health and productivity outcomes.

Here are five self-care strategies you can easily adopt as a leader:

1. Practice self-awareness to have more direction, purpose, influence, and success in your professional and personal life.

2. Set boundaries by recognizing what you need and asking for it.

3. Take care of your physical and mental health.

4. Give yourself grace by not putting so much pressure on yourself to be all things to all people.

5. Extend grace to others and show a genuine interest in the well-being of others.

Explore the Calm Business Self-Care Guide for more tips and best practices.

Have a leadership tip or resource you want to share? Click below.

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Key Updates

Mark Your Calendar: Annual Fall Kick Off Event

All members are asked to save the date for our annual Fall Kick Off. This event will be an opportunity to catch up with fellow members and find out what Montgomery Women has in store for the year over food and refreshments. More details and a formal invitation are forthcoming.

Our Newest Members

Welcome to all the new members who joined Montgomery Women over the past month! We are thrilled to have you as part of our vibrant and dynamic community: