By Emma Slay
Deidre Clark did not enter Momentum Works looking for any improvements. She entered it looking for connection, perspective, and the chance to learn alongside other women who were doing meaningful work, like her, in Birmingham. What she found was a reminder of what she has always believed about leadership and how often that belief shows up in small, intentional actions.
She first heard about Momentum Works through a LinkedIn post from a Momentum alumna. She shared that something about the way it was described stayed with her and led her to filling out the application.
“I figured if she had good things to say then it must be worthwhile,” she said. As someone who considers herself a lifelong learner, Deidre feels like there is always room to grow. It had been five years since her last leadership development program, and she felt ready to step into a new space of growth.
In her day-to-day work, she spends much of her time connecting with nonprofit executives. While that work is fulfilling, it can also be isolating. She rarely gets the opportunity to engage with peers doing similar work. Momentum Works offered something different. It was a chance to be in community with other women who were also building, leading, and serving.
She also knew Momentum’s reputation carried weight. That alone made her curious. When Deidre reflects on her experience in the program, two moments stand out most clearly. The first is when she intentionally supported and uplifted another woman in the cohort.
She shared lunch with one of her Momentum Works sisters, where they talked openly about goals and future direction. During that conversation, her peer mentioned an interest in personal branding and resume writing work. Deidre did not just encourage her in the moment. She took it further.
“I reminded her of the MW sisterhood and committed to letting the group know what she was building,” she said. She encouraged others who were interested to reach out directly, and she continued to show up for her peers online by engaging with her LinkedIn posts, increasing her reach.
For Deidre, support is not a one-time gesture. It is an ongoing presence.
The second moment that stayed with her was about creating space for someone else to be heard.
In a previous leadership role, she made a practice of asking her team to give her honest feedback, including the things she did that were not working for them. One staff member shared that when she gave multiple instructions at once, it felt overwhelming and difficult to manage.
Deidre listened and made a change to her leadership style.
From that point forward, she adjusted how she communicated so that the work environment was not unnecessarily stressful. For her, that moment was a reminder of something simple but often overlooked. People need to know their voices matter, and more importantly, that their leaders will act on what they hear. Even the little things can make a huge difference in someone’s experience.
“Feedback without adjustment is just performance,” she said.
When asked how her perspective on leadership has shifted through Momentum Works, Deidre is clear that it has not changed her core beliefs. Instead, it reinforced what has always guided her.
For her, making room for others has never been optional.
She referenced a quote from Toni Morrison that continues to anchor her approach: “If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else.”
That idea shows up in how she leads, how she listens, and how she chooses to show up for others. Momentum Works did not introduce her to that belief. It gave her more space to practice it in community with others who are doing the same.
