Every once in a while, I interview inspiring women who are contributing to changing our perceptions and advocating for the needs of women in leadership. For this piece, I interviewed the president of the National Organization of Women (NOW), Christian F. Nunes, M.B.A., M.S., LCSW, who was also a former NOW board member and committee chair, as well as a licensed clinical social worker, consultant, and woman-minority business owner. Christian is the second African American president in the organization’s history, the youngest person of color, and the youngest president in more than 40 years. She focuses on the intersection of mental health, sexism, and racism.

Her interview below offers inspiration to other Black women, as well as to leaders aiming to create a more inclusive and just world. She also provides a compelling understanding of the connection between mental health, reproductive rights, and employee well-being and outcomes for organizations.

I see leadership as the ability to authentically guide, inspire, encourage, and influence others to believe in your vision and/or work collaboratively so you all can reach a common goal. At the core of leadership are trust, integrity, and accountability. If I want to be able to guide, inspire, and encourage others, I must make sure at the very beginning that I am setting up a path for trust and accountability.

The mind, body, and soul are interconnected, so we cannot piecemeal our existence. Each part of our health (including mental health and reproductive health) is affected by each other, and each contributes to the body’s sense of homeostasis.

For example, if you are depressed or stressed, it will affect your........

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