Developing strong leaders is her business

WHO: Gwendolyn R. Webber-McLeod, former Black River resident and president and CEO of leadership development company gweninc. The consultant and motivational speaker is presenting a conference today in Syracuse designed to support the ongoing leadership development of professional women of color titled, "You Can't Fail... Because Your History Says You Can't."

She is the author of "The Leadership Journey," a monthly newspaper column for the Citizen in Auburn, where she resides, and she has held executive and senior level positions at Wells College, the National Women's Hall of Fame and the Cayuga/Seneca Community Action Agency. Ms. Webber-McLeod received the Academy of Diversity Achievers award in 2008 and the Phyllis Goldman Encouragement Award for Women in 2009.

Ms. Webber-McLeod's parents are retired Carthage Central School teacher Barbara Webber and the late Lt.-Col. Charles E. Webber of Fort Drum. They were the first African Americans to be elected to the Jefferson County Legislature.

What's your connection to Black River?

"My father was stationed at Camp Drum in 1969, and so my family has continued to live there since then. I went to Carthage Central High School."

Do you think growing up in Black River had an affect on the path your life has taken?

"Absolutely. It was a very interesting time of my life. The community was not very diverse at that time. Being among a very small group of African-American girls in the area at that time taught me how to strive being the first and only in many situations. Also, being a military kid, you have to have a lot of social skills because you move every two years. I developed lifelong friendships that I continue to have this day. I'm a proud north country girl."

What is gweninc?

"Gweninc is a leadership development corporation, and I say that I'm in the business of supporting individuals who desire to be confident, competent, courageous and calm in the profession of leadership.

"I have a regional resource center for leaders and it's called the Leadership Connection. The resource center offers business book clubs, one-on-one professional mentoring and coaching. I have a consulting practice that's part of gweninc. My clients are emerging and established leaders in organizations and businesses throughout Western and Central New York."

When did you join gweninc and how did you become its president and CEO?

"I think of myself as a serial entrepreneur. This is the third business I've actually owned, and I incorporated gweninc in June 2008."

What other organizations are you involved in?

"I actually have a very busy civic life. I serve on the board of directors of the Auburn YMCA and I'm on the board of directors of the Booker T. Washington Community Center. I'm a teen adviser to the Community Health Foundation of Western & Central New York, and I'm a former board chairwoman for the regional Planned Parenthood. I actually started my career in the Planned Parenthood in Watertown."

Did you go to school in New York state?

"I have a B.A. in psychology from Potsdam State University and I have a master's in business management from Keuka College."

Why is leadership development important to you?

"It's important because I see leaders everywhere I go and I've come to understand that organizations, and frankly I think families too, are only as successful as the people who lead them. I really enjoy helping develop the behavior and skills to become effective leaders."

What would be your single most important leadership tip or piece of advice for people?

"My most important leadership tip would be to really inspire people to lead with their head, their heart and their gut. Employees and your children really want you to be authentic and real with them. I find that people who have that as the core of their leadership are highly effective in both their life and their leadership."

If you have an idea for a Times' Q&A, contact the Time's Currents editor Judy Jacobs at jjacobs@wdt.net