In our most recent Global Women in Leadership webinar, we had the privilege of sitting down with Sharmi Surianarain, Chief Impact Officer at Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator. A bold systems thinker and jazz vocalist, Sharmi brought a refreshing mix of sharp insight, warmth and realness to our conversation on what it means to truly own your power as a leader.
From storytelling to song, Sharmi reminded us that the most powerful leadership is grounded in who we are, not in who we think we should be.
Her Journey: Power Rooted in Place and Purpose
Born in India, raised in Nigeria and now based in Kenya, Sharmi’s life and leadership are informed by deep cultural crosscurrents. Her career has spanned Harvard classrooms, African youth movements and the global stage. Yet her message remains simple: “lead from where you are, with what you have”.
Sharmi shared how loss, love and music helped her find her literal and figurative voice and how stepping into that voice has opened up new possibilities not just for her, but for others around her.
Key Takeaways from the Conversation
1. Your Difference is Your Superpower Whether it’s your identity, your background, or your perspective, own it. Sharmi reminded us that we don’t need to sound like anyone else to be effective. We need to sound like ourselves.
2. Hold the Door Open One of Sharmi’s eight leadership commitments: don’t just walk through, hold the door for those coming behind you. Leadership is legacy work.
3. Authenticity is Contagious Being real, especially in times of crisis, creates space for others to do the same. Sharmi shared how admitting what she didn’t know and showing up fully human, has strengthened her teams and her leadership.
4. Inclusion is Not a Side Project Inclusion is a daily discipline. It means asking: who’s not in the room, and why? And then doing something about it. Not as charity, but as a necessity for excellence, creativity and equity.
5. Make Space for Younger Voices – Sharmi emphasized the importance of intergenerational learning, sharing how her leadership has been shaped and strengthened by the insights of younger colleagues. “I’ve probably learned more from those who report to me than those I’ve reported to,” she noted. Creating space for younger voices, especially those unafraid to speak truth to power can challenge assumptions, shift systems and help us lead with greater clarity and compassion.
6. Find Joy and Claim Space for It For Sharmi, joy shows up at the piano after her kids go to bed. For others, it might be running, gardening, or dancing. Whatever it is, give it space. It’s not indulgent, it’s sustaining.
Sharmi reminded us that leadership is never a solo act, reflecting on the invisible network of mentors, trailblazers and supporters whose efforts make our own presence possible. “You represent those who opened the door for you and those who are waiting to walk through next.” It’s a powerful call to action not only to own our space but to hold that space open for others.
If this session resonated with you, we invite you to, sign up for our newsletter to be the first to hear about upcoming webinars, watch the full conversation with Sharmi EIC Webinar on Owning Your Power w/Sharmi Surianarain (Global Women in Leadership) and share this with someone who’s finding their voice
Thank you again to Sharmi for her vulnerability, her vision, and her voice and to everyone who joined us live. See you at the next session.
