Lead Like a Mother: Liz Brown on Power, Policy, and Parenthood

Liz Brown has never separated her leadership from her life.

Host Nan Whaley sits down with Liz Brown, a former Columbus City Councilmember and current President & CEO of YWCA Columbus, to talk about what it means to lead with both conviction and care.

From running for office while pregnant to advancing policies that support working families, Liz has built a career rooted in advocacy, equity, and community impact. Now in nonprofit leadership, she continues to drive change for women and families across Ohio.

In this candid conversation, Liz reflects on how motherhood shapes leadership, the policies families can’t wait for, and why mentorship and representation are critical to building a stronger future.

Their conversation covers:

• Moving from public office to nonprofit leadership while staying grounded in community impact
• How motherhood and lived experience shape more effective policymaking
• What families need most right now - affordable childcare, housing, and paid leave
• The role of mentorship, representation, and solidarity in women's leadership
• Local, community-driven approaches to challenges like homelessness and housing
• How family and mentors influence a lifelong commitment to service

Resources Mentioned:

• YWCA Columbus
• Innovation Ohio: Paid Parental Leave White Paper
• US Department of Labor: The Cost of Doing Nothing Report
• City Year AmeriCorps

About Our Guest: Liz Brown is the President and CEO of YWCA Columbus and a former Columbus City Councilmember who served as President Pro Tempore. She has led efforts to expand paid family leave, protect reproductive healthcare, increase affordable housing, and support working families across Ohio.  

At YWCA Columbus, Liz advances work in housing, childcare, and social justice, continuing her commitment to economic security and equity. A proud Ohioan and mother of three, she brings her lived experience into her leadership and advocacy.

About the Host: Nan Whaley is a longtime community leader and public servant. She’s currently the CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio. She served as Mayor of Dayton, Ohio, from 2014 - 2022. Nan has also presided over the United Conference of Mayors. She’s a feminist, daughter, aunt, sister, and friend. 

About the Show: Carry As You Climb is focused on elevating the voices of women in leadership from Ohio and the rest of the United States. The podcast features guests who give special attention to not only busting through doors to lead but also hold the door open for more women behind them. In other words, they carry as they climb. We focus on leadership development and leadership lessons. Plus, we share personal experiences to inspire the inclusion of more diverse leaders in business, government, and the nonprofit sector.

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Produced by: Collective Change Communications - Kelly Sakalas & Jeni Keeler

Note: The opinions expressed by host Nan Whaley on this podcast are hers alone and do not reflect those of any organization with which she is affiliated.