Top Leadership Lessons in Today’s Chaotic Landscape

A recent article in Forbes by Laurel Donnellan explores the 2026 SXSW Innovation Conference through the lens of compassionate leadership. Highlighting five influential women, the piece examines how they are using technology, healthcare, and advocacy to put humanity at the forefront of their respective industries.

At a time when global movements for women face political and economic challenges, these five leaders offer a roadmap for leading with empathy and purpose:

1. Aparna Chennapragada (Microsoft): Focus on the human at the center of technology. AI should be used to automate mundane tasks, freeing people to pursue more meaningful work.
2. Monica Cepak (Wisp): Trust your intuition. Your “gut” is a lifelong collection of data points that serves as your most reliable internal AI for decision-making.
3. Ashley Tyrner-Dolce (HLM Investment Partners): Maintain your “North Star.” Do not sacrifice your core values or vision for the sake of quick capital or investor demands.
4. Jennifer B. Wallace (Author): Prioritize “mattering.” Beyond food and shelter, humans need to feel valued and know they add value to combat burnout and loneliness.
5. Jane Fonda (Activist): View activism as a source of joy and freedom. Regardless of age or status, everyone has a role to play in protecting democracy and the planet.

A Deeper Dive Into These Messages

The Tech Humanist: Aparna Chennapragada

As Microsoft’s Chief Product Officer for AI Experiences, Chennapragada is the architect of Copilot Cowork, an AI agent designed to handle administrative drudgery like expense reports and receipt filing.

According to Chennapragada, leadership in the age of AI requires deep empathy. She argues that technology is only successful if it makes life more human, emphasizing that tools should serve the community rather than just showcase technical flash.

2. The Healthcare Disruptor: Monica Cepak

After helping lead Lyft to its IPO, Cepak transitioned to digital health as the CEO of Wisp. She has grown the company toward $100M in revenue by making reproductive and fertility care affordable—offering $300 ovulation support as a viable alternative to $10,000 IVF cycles.

Cepak emphasizes the importance of listening to your gut. She views intuition as the ultimate data model. Whether advocating for your own health or making a business pivot, your internal signals are grounded in a lifetime of experience.

3. The Visionary Investor: Ashley Tyrner-Dolce

Tyrner-Dolce’s journey is one of radical resilience, moving from food stamps to selling her company, FarmboxRx, for $50 million. She pioneered the “food as medicine” movement for Medicaid and Medicare recipients and now mentors founders as an Operating Partner at HLM Investment Partners.

Tyrner-Dolce says to never lose sight of your “North Star.” She famously turned down unfavorable investment deals for a decade to protect her company’s mission, proving that bootstrapping and conviction can lead to a more impactful exit.

4. The Connection Expert: Jennifer B. Wallace

A journalist and bestselling author, Wallace’s work focuses on the toxic nature of achievement culture. Her latest research highlights “mattering”—the psychological necessity of feeling valued by others and adding value to the world.

Mattering is a basic need. In a high-pressure world, the antidote to burnout is not more achievement, but a sense of intrinsic self-worth that isn’t tied to external success.

5. The Ageless Activist: Jane Fonda

At 88, Jane Fonda remains a titan of social change. At SXSW, she spoke alongside the ACLU to discuss the intersection of art and the First Amendment, continuing her lifelong mission to advocate for the climate and democracy.

According to Fonda, activism is fun and freeing. She encourages leaders to find their voice and get involved, suggesting that engagement in social causes provides a sense of purpose and vitality that transcends career success.

Why Does This Matter?
CC: Exclusive Analysis

No matter how big or small your company is, leadership matters and your approach to understanding the impact of the current climate (political, global, … the actual climate) on your team will directly affect your success on multiple levels. Being a good leader isn’t as cut-and-dry as it used to be. Expectations of a leader are much higher than in the “get it done, I don’t care how” days of the past. Being a leader isn’t for the weak of heart, and the most information and inspiration you have from others in different spaces, the more equipped you will be to thrive in your leadership role.