A Leadership Style with Latisha Owens

A Leadership Style with Latisha Owens 

A Leadership Style this week is focusing into the life of a true trailblazer—Latisha Owens, the dynamic Founder and President of Guiding Light Mentoring, a nonprofit making waves in the Greater Cincinnati area.

From Vision to Reality

Latisha founded Guiding Light Mentoring in 2014. Driven by a divine calling and armed with determination, she kickstarted the organization with just 5 mentors, 5 mentees, and zero budget. Latisha's initial investment, both in terms of money and dedication, laid the foundation for what Guiding Light Mentoring has become today.

Despite the doubt and long nights, Latisha stayed the course, and the organization has flourished. Guiding light mentoring provides 4 essential services: Mentoring, Tutoring, Wellness and Leadership.  A parent of a participant in her mentoring program writes:

“The mentor program first and foremost has been an awesome opportunity for my daughter. I love that my ideas and opinions are valued when it comes to the things that my child needs from Guiding Light. I love the positivity and the energy that not only the mentors have but the mentees as well as other staff that are part of Guiding Light, especially Latisha Owens”

We are inspired that Latisha has given so much of herself to this organization and we ask ourselves the question- how does she strike a work life balance while running Guiding Light Mentoring?

Latisha believes that in fact the most crucial aspect of her personal wellness journey is finding this healthy balance. With a steadfast commitment to keeping office hours from 8 am to 5 pm during the week, she has mastered the art of not letting work seep into her personal time. And guess what? She even got a separate work phone to reinforce that boundary. 

Her biggest piece of advice for women is to learn to choose yourself. Embrace the power of 'no.' By declining things that don't align with your priorities, you're essentially saying yes to your well-being. It's a simple yet transformative concept that Latisha swears by, and we're here for it!

Another mantra close to Latisha's heart is about self-compassion. "Give yourself your grace," she says. Acknowledging imperfections, learning from mistakes, and avoiding self-judgment are crucial elements of Latisha's personal philosophy. 

In the spirit of Latisha's advice, let's take a moment to appreciate ourselves for the small and big victories in our lives. Whether it's maintaining a work-life balance, saying 'no' when needed, or giving ourselves the grace we deserve—Latisha Owens is a beacon of inspiration for all women navigating the challenges and triumphs of life.

Here's to finding our guiding lights and embracing the journey with open hearts!

Learn more about Latisha and Guiding Light Mentoring by visiting her website https://www.guidinglightmentoring.org/ . There are several ways to get involved such as: volunteering at an event, becoming a mentor, or referring a youth to the program! 

“A Leadership Style” is a column authored by WISe Wellness Guild and powered by Crunchmaster Crackers aimed at celebrating female leaders who have advanced in their careers because they have integrated work and life through whole-self wellness.