I had the honor and privilege of dialoguing with two extraordinary leaders: Christine Benero, President and CEO of Mile High United Way, and Tatiana Argüello, President and General Manager of Telemundo Colorado and Utah. Together, we explored the evolution of female leadership, the challenges women face, and the progress we’re making. Within that we discussed purpose, inner confidence, intuition, the important role of men and community. Below is a summary of our conversation.
You can also watch or listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube.
Leadership Anchored in Purpose
I believe great leadership is supported by a deeply personal “why,” and Christine and Tatiana embody this truth. That’s why my very first question to them was: What do you do, and what is the essence of why you do it?
Christine shared the pride she takes in her organization’s legacy:
“We take great pride that we are the first United Way in the world…The entire movement started here in Colorado with one extraordinary woman and four men supporting her.“
She described how this history underscores the power of community and collaboration in solving complex problems, which remains central to her leadership.
“In a time in our country, particularly right now, where we seem to not be able to hear each other or learn from each other, and yet there are so many needs in our community, I think my “why” is the real mission of the United Way. What happens when we take a step back, we pause, and we unite together for the common good?”
Tatiana’s “why” is shaped by her identity as “100 percent American and 100 percent Latina.” This unique perspective allows her to bridge two worlds and lead in a way that celebrates cultural richness and community connection:
“As a Hispanic, not only am I part of the fastest-growing segment of the U.S., representing nearly 20 percent of the population, but I also embody a very dynamic community that can navigate two worlds…with ease and cultural awareness.“
Her work at Telemundo emphasizes empowerment through information, which she sees as a direct extension of her purpose:
“The information my team delivers every single day helps to empower the community we serve to make decisions that will have a lasting effect on themselves and their families. Never did I know how much my heritage and upbringing and life experiences would contribute to that and very much become part of my purpose.“
Reflecting on their journeys, I couldn’t help but think about the connection between leadership and authenticity and how they link their work to their heart.
Bringing Our Whole Selves to Work
Being anchored in purpose also means bringing all of yourself to the table. For Christine, this has been a gradual shift:
“I just learned really early on that I didn’t have the capacity to separate those things. Sometimes it works in your favor, and sometimes it doesn’t. I think now, it is more acceptable for women to be who they are. There was a time when it wasn’t okay to connect those parts of our lives. That’s one of the positives I’ve seen over time—feeling more confident I can be all of me.“
Tatiana added,
“And I think a lot of that is acceptance of ourselves. And generationally, things have changed quite a bit,”
Though she noted that while progress has been made, challenges remain:
“And as women, and especially women of color and Latinas, it often seems like we still have to prove ourselves in the same role as our male counterparts.”
Both women spoke about how embracing their full identities—and encouraging others to do the same—has been transformative in their leadership journeys, though this takes inner confidence.
Inner Confidence and Trusting Intuition
We often hear about data and strategy in leadership, but Christine and Tatiana emphasized an additional and equally powerful tool: intuition. Christine explained:
“The biggest mistakes I have made in my career or decisions I have made have been ones when I have gone against my own gut…If I had only taken that moment to believe in myself.”
Tatiana spoke about overcoming insecurity and learning to trust herself:
“One of the women I most admire said to me, ‘Tatiana, I’ve seen the result of your decisions—you make good ones. Especially when it comes to building strong teams and thinking outside the box. Trust yourself.’”
Christine’s mother’s story of standing up to workplace inequity also highlighted the importance of trusting yourself. When her mother discovered she was being paid significantly less than her male counterpart, she confronted her boss:
“She took it to her boss and said, ‘I don’t understand.’ And his response was, ‘Well, I’m sure you’re going to have a husband someday who supports you.’”
Her mother’s courage left a lasting impact:
“She taught me to stand up, trust my decision-making, and say, ‘This is not right.’”
The ability to trust intuition is a uniquely powerful aspect of women’s leadership, blending heart, head, and instinct to drive impactful decisions and authentic connections.
Mentorship, Men, and Multiple Perspectives
A recurring theme in our conversation was the importance of mentorship from both women and men. Christine shared how diverse perspectives have shaped her growth:
“We need men and women as mentors to help guide us, challenge us, and champion our growth.”
Tatiana pointed out that we often surround ourselves with female mentors and other women who are like us. However, she emphasized that involving men in conversations is essential:
“We need to bring not only our full selves to the table but also men to the conversation.”
Christine agreed, noting how her early supporters included men who amplified her voice:
“Some of my biggest supporters have been men. It’s about surrounding yourself with people who believe in your potential.”
This is the power of integrating traditionally male and traditionally female energies in leadership, by bringing the mind and the heart. We need to bridge both of those, and it’s not just women’s work, men need this too. It is powerful work for everyone.
The Challenges of Progress
The Leadership Circle data reveals a compelling truth: women consistently score higher in conscious leadership assessments, particularly in leading by example and fostering strong relationships. Yet, the gap between leadership effectiveness and representation at the highest levels remains.
Christine highlighted how structural barriers persist, preventing extraordinary women from stepping into leadership roles they are fully capable of excelling in:
“In our state, we have yet to have a woman governor. We’ve never had a woman mayor of Denver. And we’ve never had a woman president in this country. Something is still structurally keeping women who are extraordinary from stepping into other roles.“
Her mother didn’t back down – she confronted the inequity head-on, setting a powerful example for Christine about the importance of standing up for what’s right.
“It’s conversations like that with my mother, who stood up and believed enough in herself, her decision-making, and her ability to say, ‘This is not right,’ that have shaped me. It’s about challenging what’s unjust and creating space for others.“
Tatiana added another dimension to the challenges women face: the internal struggles with confidence and self-doubt. She noted how women often hesitate to go after opportunities unless they feel 100% qualified:
“As women, we look at a job description and think, ‘I don’t have 100 percent of the qualifications, so I’m not going to apply.’ Whereas men might think, ‘I’ve got 60 percent. I’m perfect for the job.’ It’s that confidence we need to cultivate.“
Both women emphasized the need to take risks and surround yourself with a supportive community. Tatiana shared how building her “village” of mentors and allies has been critical to her success, allowing her to embrace change and find balance in the midst of challenges:
“You will find balance. Depending on whatever project you’re working on at the time, you’ll find the harmony you need. Surrounding yourself with people who can support you makes it that much easier.”
Christine underscored what her mother taught her, how crucial it is to celebrate progress while continuing to push for equity:
“We have to not only celebrate how far we’ve come but also recognize there’s still a ways to go. It’s about breaking cycles—not just for ourselves, but for the generations of leaders to come.“
Tatiana spoke to the importance of adaptability in today’s rapidly evolving landscape:
“Change can be daunting, but it’s essential for growth and ensures we meet our communities where they are.“
This conversation made clear that progress comes from both internal and external transformation. It’s about breaking through the structural barriers, overcoming the internal doubts, and paving the way for others by showing what’s possible. As Christine powerfully stated:
“It’s not just about having a seat at the table. It’s about transforming power structures so everyone has a voice.“
Takeaways: What Can We Do to Evolve Leadership?
Throughout our conversation, we returned to a few core ideas about evolving leadership:
- Trust Your Instincts: Whether it’s making tough decisions or embracing change, listen to your gut.
- Build Your Community: Surround yourself with mentors and allies who challenge and uplift you.
- Celebrate Progress While Moving Forward: Acknowledge how far we’ve come, but don’t let that stop us from striving for equity.
- Bring Your Whole Self to Leadership: Authenticity is more than a value; it’s a differentiator and a strategy for building trust and fostering meaningful connections.
I am inspired by these women and what I believe defines true female power: It has heart, it has head, it has gut. It’s the most beautiful definition of power I know.
This is how we change systems—by showing up fully and paving the way for others to do the same.