From a student activist placed on a no-fly list to White House policy leader to an equity-driven consultant in Canada, Chris Harley shares how a lifetime of intersectional leadership shaped her mission to help organizations lead with courage, clarity, and care.

Chris is a nonprofit leader, fractional executive, and strategic advisor with more than fifteen years of experience guiding mission-driven organizations through growth and transition. A mixed-race Asian American and Indigenous woman of color with Korean and Piscataway heritage, she brings an equity-centered lens to everything she does. From her formative years at Oberlin College to earning her MPP at the University of Chicago, Chris’s leadership has always been grounded in justice, proximity, and lived experience. Her path has taken her from grassroots activism to the White House and now to her own consulting practice serving U.S. and Canadian organizations.

She shares the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership: organizing one of Ohio’s largest interfaith protests after 9/11, advocating for Asian Pacific American Studies as a student, and later leading health equity work at the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders under President Obama. Chris recounts addressing toxic exposures for immigrant women in nail salons and ensuring millions could access the Affordable Care Act through culturally responsive outreach. Her journey continued as President & CEO of a national sex education nonprofit, where she led through the pandemic and racial reckoning while building a values-driven culture that doubled the organization’s budget and impact.

Chris offers powerful insights for leaders navigating uncertainty: grounding yourself in your identity, prioritizing psychological safety, and focusing on what truly matters during change. She speaks candidly about the decision to relocate her family to Canada for safety and stability, and how getting comfortable with the unknown has been central to her leadership. Her story is a reminder that lived experience is not a limitation but a leadership asset.

This conversation is a masterclass in values-aligned leadership, resilience, and building organizations that reflect the justice we hope to see in the world. Tune in to hear how Chris’s journey can inspire you to lead with greater authenticity and impact.

Chapters:
00:42 👩🏽‍💼 Meet Chris Harley and her courageous leadership journey

01:48 📚 Publish your book at https://leveragepublishinggroup.com

03:01 ✊🏽 Identity, activism, and finding her voice as a leader

17:59 🏛️ Navigating policy work through a social justice lens

22:55 🧭 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at booksthatmatter.org

28:45 🧩 Understanding the foundations of racial justice

31:55 💬 Leading through the challenges of sex education work

35:43 🌈 Practicing intersectionality as a leadership strength

43:04 🧠 If you are a leader or a changemaker looking for support, check out geniusdiscovery.org

44:33 🍁 Relocating to Canada for safety, values, and a new beginning

58:51 🎙️ Want a podcast just like this one? Check out podcastsmatter.org

Links:
Website: www.csyharleyconsulting.com/home

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/christine-soyong-harley

Connect with Chris Harley to explore her consulting work and learn how she helps organizations navigate growth, equity, and leadership with intention.

Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapatalo
Check Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473

Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.com
Publish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.org
Start a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.com
Go from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org