What does it really take to lead with purpose, rise through multiple sectors, and keep going when people underestimate you?

In this inspiring episode of Start the Week With Wisdom, Bridget Burns and Sarah Custer sit down with Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace to talk about leadership, service, resilience, career growth, and the journey behind her new book Made for This.

From higher education leadership to state government, diplomacy, philanthropy, and national impact, Dr. Burns-Wallace shares the values, lessons, and personal experiences that shaped her path. This conversation is for anyone interested in leadership development, women in leadership, higher education, personal growth, career advancement, overcoming adversity, and building a legacy of service.

If you’ve ever wondered how to stay grounded while stepping into bigger opportunities, how to turn being underestimated into fuel, or how to lead people with empathy, intention, and courage, this episode is for you. Packed with wisdom on mentorship, purpose-driven leadership, storytelling, career transitions, and the power of sharing your journey, this is a motivating conversation for leaders at every stage.

You’ll Hear:

→ Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace share how her early leadership training came from family, church, community, and a deep belief in service.

→ How writing Made for This began as a leadership book and evolved into a leadership memoir after she realized that her personal story was just as important as the lessons she wanted to teach.

→ The conversation explores how Dr. Burns-Wallace navigated roles across higher education, the Foreign Service, state government, and philanthropy while staying rooted in access, opportunity, and economic mobility.

→ Dr. Burns-Wallace also opens up about what it means to be underestimated, how to keep that from becoming internalized, and how great leaders create policies, cultures, and opportunities that prevent others from being limited in the same way.

→ You’ll also hear a memorable discussion about the music behind each chapter of her book, how songs can capture seasons of life, and why storytelling matters so much in leadership.

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This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here.