The $140K poverty line, women Lean Out, and 2026 essential skills for leaders with Michele Kawamoto Perry

Michele Kawamoto Perry of the Forward Project, joins Nadia and Rob to reflect on the year in leadership that was 2025 and to help us think about what will matter most in 2026. Nadia and Rob also check out an investment analysts' assessment that the federal poverty line should be $140K and discuss the latest McKinsey/Lean In survey on the state of women in the workplace. Later, the rare double rant Nadia rants SHRM's less than model employer behavior and Rob cheers on Costco.

Articles referenced in the show:

Poverty Line: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/12/03/poverty-line-140000-green-affordability-inflation/87573416007/

Mckinsey/Lean in: https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2025-12-09/why-are-women-leaning-out-of-workplace-advancement?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Connect with Michele: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelekawamotoperry/⁠

Learn more about The Forward Project: www.theforwardproject.co

Learn more about Expressions of Leadership Podcast:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/expressions-of-leadership-show/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/expressions-of-leadership/id1787230408

https://open.spotify.com/show/47UGcBb1aMOBA4wqvIuZI0

Find season 5 episode transcripts here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bP3N6QYBG0UkzdRm5GwiFfoQLvGtIRrK?usp=sharing

 

Connect with us: Visit http://www.nazconsultants.com to learn more about Dr. Nadia Butt’s work in leadership, culture, and organizational effectiveness, and check out http://www.tekanoconsulting.com/ to explore Rob Hadley’s approach to data-driven inclusive strategy.

Send us your thoughts or topic ideas at inclusivecollectivepodcast@gmail.com

Follow Inclusive Collective

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/inclusivecollective/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@inclusivecollectivepodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inclusivecollectivepodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InclusiveCollective/

Connect with Nadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadianazbutt/

Connect with Rob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-hadley-utah/