Experiencias: Michele Levy on Growing Leadership Skills

While proving herself in those early years, she showed transparency and vulnerability. “Being vulnerable as a leader is one of the things that attracted people to me. I’ll tell you as it is. If it’s hard, I’ll tell you it’s hard…if I don’t know, I’ll tell you I don’t know and need help.” When you’re authentic, people want to help you, she explains, saying communication is key for a leader and entrepreneur, especially since great leaders are not necessarily great managers, she adds.

Getting an opportunity from superiors to build leadership early can be a big advantage. Levy recalled when Segal was her boss at Chase Capital Partners. “She had so much trust to let these 20-something [year-old] women run around and do their stuff,” she said.Now Levy is focused on building up a new enterprise as co-founder of Costa Brazil, a beauty line prioritizing natural ingredients and environmental responsibility. She urges young aspiring entrepreneurs: “don’t compromise on who you are…it might make your path a little harder,” but it’s worth it.

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• Listen to the first episode of Experiencias: Conversations with Women Leading the Americas, featuring former Panamanian Vice President Isabel de Saint Malo.
• Watch videos from the 9th Annual AS/COA Women’s Hemispheric Network Conference.

This episode was produced by Luisa Leme, Sarah Bons, and Elizabeth Gonzalez. The music in this podcast was performed at Americas Society in New York. Learn more about concerts online at musicoftheamericas.org.