By Tammi Lambert - Executive Leader for Derrick Wood Foundation

Leadership is more than just making decisions—it’s about inspiring people, fostering growth, and creating lasting impact. As an executive leader with the Derrick Wood Foundation, I had the privilege of attending the Pan African Leadership Institute’s (PALI) Corporate Leadership Professional Program in February 2025. This experience deepened my understanding of emotional intelligence, strategic leadership, and mentorship, reinforcing how critical leadership development is to the work we do at the Derrick Wood Foundation.

A Transformative Leadership Journey

At PALI, I gained invaluable insights into Emotional Intelligence (EI) and how self-awareness, empathy, and adaptability strengthen leadership effectiveness. My background in the military and corporate sectors had conditioned me to lead with efficiency and precision, focusing on results and execution. However, through this course, I realized that effective leadership is also deeply relational—it requires listening, understanding, and creating spaces where people feel valued and motivated.

One of the most impactful lessons was the power of storytelling in leadership. I learned how the And-But-Therefore (ABT) storytelling framework can help leaders connect with their teams, build alignment, and drive engagement. Instead of simply outlining tasks and objectives, I now use storytelling to illustrate why our mission matters—both to our team and the communities we serve.

How My Leadership Growth Aligns with the Derrick Wood Foundation’s Mission

The Derrick Wood Foundation is built on the belief that strong leadership transforms communities. We exist to empower individuals to lead, grow, and create meaningful change through leadership development, mentorship, and transformative experiences. The insights I gained at PALI will directly impact the work we do by:

• Enhancing Our Leadership Development Programs – By integrating emotional intelligence, storytelling, and generative listening, we can better equip emerging leaders to navigate challenges, build relationships, and inspire action.
• Strengthening Mentorship Initiatives – Understanding the role of self-awareness and social awareness allows us to tailor mentorship approaches to meet people where they are, fostering more effective and meaningful mentorship relationships.
• Driving Greater Community Impact – Leadership is not just about individual success; it’s about creating ripple effects that uplift entire communities. By training, mentoring, and equipping future leaders, we expand our impact beyond a single individual to a network of changemakers.

Why Leadership Development is Worth the Investment

Attending PALI reaffirmed that leadership development is one of the most valuable investments we can make—not just for individuals but for entire communities. When we equip leaders with the right tools, mindset, and support, they empower others, drive innovation, and create sustainable change.

This is precisely why the Derrick Wood Foundation is committed to providing leadership training, mentorship, and growth opportunities to those ready to step into positions of influence. But we can’t do it alone.

Join Us in Building Leaders & Changing Worlds

If you believe in the power of leadership to transform communities, we invite you to support our mission. Your investment—whether through donations, partnerships, or mentorship contributions—helps us equip the next generation of leaders with the tools they need to succeed.

Together, we can build leaders. Together, we can change the world.

🔹 Get involved today: Become a Sponsor at our Annual Ball