Remarkable conversations. Meaningful collaborations. A community of women asking better questions about work, leadership, and the lives we're building. And underneath all of it, a real question: how do we sustain the energy to keep showing up well? This month's reflection is for every leader asking the same thing.

Going independent sounds exciting — until you realize you're now the CEO, the accountant, the marketer, and the IT department. Two founders who made the leap are getting real about what the transition actually looks like, what works, and how to build something that lasts without losing yourself in the process.

AI can write your résumé, but it cannot tell your story — that is your job.

Right now, many professionals are facing a professional identity crisis. In a world of layoffs, AI disruption, and career pivots, people feel unclear about what makes them valuable. They need language to position themselves confidently in interviews, networking, and promotions — and this session delivers exactly that.

I couldn’t have asked for a better group to share this experience with. The Begin Development team showed up with care, curiosity, humor, and grace — truly embodying what character and integrity look like in motion.

Each of them was handpicked because of the deep admiration I have for their talent, generosity, and spirit. They led with heart and excellence in every interaction, because the best kind of success is always shared. Watching them champion one another (and me) throughout the weekend was one of my favorite moments at Shine Away.

Ready to take the next step in your leadership journey? COLLAB is the professional supercharge that hundreds of executives and leaders have credited with their success.

In today’s world, communication isn’t a soft skill—it’s a power skill. That’s why we’re thrilled to welcome two incredible new voices to the Begin Team: Holly Mandel and Sharita Wilson.

Both bring decades of experience helping leaders build confidence, sharpen their message, and master the art of communication—not just in a boardroom, but in every room they walk into. Their arrival marks an exciting expansion of our executive presence programming, and we couldn’t be more energized about what’s ahead.

Missed our recent session with seasoned OD expert Michael Fischer? Catch a glimpse of the magic in action by watching the video below

Michael introduced The Strategy Map™ — a powerful one-page framework that helps leaders align purpose, define bold objectives, and drive real results. This session was packed with practical tools and real-world insight for anyone navigating complexity in leadership or organizational development.

Our recent Eventbrite on COLLAB Essentials brought together a dynamic group of leaders ready to sharpen their practice and show up with more presence, clarity, and impact. From practical frameworks to honest conversations, this session unpacked six essential tools that help leaders collaborate more effectively—especially in seasons of uncertainty and change.

In our conversation, Malika shared something that stayed with me. She said, “That was the best leadership development experience of my entire career, and that is my goal. That they look back, even a decade later, and say, that changed things for me.”

That is not a quick win. That is a long-view commitment to doing work that matters.

It made me think about what each of us is working toward. Will it last? Will it leave someone better, clearer, stronger? Or will it fade as soon as the moment passes?

Malika Begin, CEO and founder of Begin Development, an organizational development company that supports leadership development, retention, succession planning and company culture, has been named a winner of the 2025 Enterprising Women of the Year Awards, an annual tribute to the world's top women entrepreneurs. Begin will be recognized at the 23rd Annual Enterprising Women of the Year Awards Celebration & Conference, for her leadership. The event brings together dynamic women from around the world to share business insights, expand their networks and deepen mentoring commitments. It will be held from Thursday, March 27th to Saturday, March 29th, 2025 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.

New year, fresh goals… but let’s be honest—too many of us are already running on fumes.

Burnout isn’t just about working too much—it’s about working without recovery, clarity, or purpose. Here are some ideas we discussed last month to keep up our energy for creativity and collaboration.

This month, I am delighted to introduce Malika Begin, CEO and founder of Begin Development, a consulting firm based in Malibu, California. Malika shares her insights on the transformative power of generous leadership—an approach rooted in empathy and purpose—especially during crises like the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles.

With many people spending significant time at work, it’s no surprise that the workplace can have an effect on one’s mental health. This week, Dr. Patrice chats with Malika Begin - Founder and CEO of Begin Development - about pressures and divides at work and creating healthy team dynamics.

This year, Begin Development was featured in VoyageLA Magazine’s Community Spotlight, highlighting our origin story and mission to cultivate people-centered leadership and build thriving, resilient teams.

Begin Development has been busy leading Succession Planning Sessions across the globe this year, thanks to a client who requested a full program. As a result of this work, Forbes invited Malika to share insights on how to choose a second-in-command. Naturally, she emphasized the importance of aligning core values between leaders—crucial for building a strong, unified team that can thrive through any challenge.