Lisha Bell, LaTanya Mapp, Jeanine Abrams McLean – PowerFULL and PlayFULL Women Leading with Love

Aug 7

Lisha Bell, LaTanya Mapp, Jeanine Abrams McLean – PowerFULL and PlayFULL Women Leading with Love

Host Kristine Michie gathers three powerhouse alumnae—Lisha Bell, LaTanya Mapp, and Jeanine Abrams McLean—for a joy-filled, soul-nourishing reunion on The PlayFull Podcast. This rich conversation navigates the balance between bravery and burnout, and why joy, imagination, and even well-timed pranks are essential tools for resilience in the social impact sector. Whether you're feeling stretched thin or rethinking your next bold move, this episode is a timely reminder of the sacred power of play, purpose, and showing up for yourself—and each other.

Key Takeaways:

Rest isn’t abandoning responsibility, but reimagining work through passion and presence instead of burnout.
AI-generated gospel music and video in creative activism can deeply engage communities and make civic action culturally resonant.
Staying true to your mission amid systemic resistance is both courageous and a form of strategic, long-term resistance.
Playfulness and humor are essential tools that boost morale, build connections, and sustain leadership through uncertainty.
Racial equity investing requires a steadfast commitment to closing wealth gaps and uplifting historically underfunded communities.
Rest, as emphasized by Tricia Hersey and Octavia Raheem, fuels imagination, clarity, and creativity vital to visionary change.
Joy often emerges from struggle, reminding us that celebration and resistance can powerfully coexist in dark times.
Prioritizing joy, laughter, and play with loved ones becomes a vital wellspring of strength during challenging moments.

"We have to be imaginative to get to the future that we want to see." — Jeanine Abrams McLean

"Rest is not to stop... it really is just to do the things that you're incredibly passionate about." — Latanya Mapp

"Take naps. Take a sabbatical, take that time away, because life will keep life-ing all the time, and I just really want to encourage people to just take a break from things." — Lisha Bell

About our Changemakers:

Jeanine Abrams McLean is the President of Fair Count, where she leads national efforts to ensure equitable census participation, redistricting, and year-round civic engagement. Drawing from her previous experience as a scientist at the CDC's STD prevention lab, she combines data, culture, and community power to strengthen democratic participation. [LinkedIn]
Latanya Mapp is a global philanthropy leader and former U.S. Foreign Service Officer with decades of experience in international development. Currently in a period of professional reset, she serves on the boards of Chanel and Luminate, teaches at Columbia University, and continues to coach and support professionals navigating career transitions. [LinkedIn]
Lisha Bell is a seasoned tech innovator and economic justice advocate who leads PayPal Ventures’ $100M Economic Opportunity Fund, co-hosts the Sisters with Ventures podcast, and champions capital access for underrepresented founders through investments, storytelling, and ecosystem-building. [LinkedIn]

Connect with Kristine:

Website: https://www.impactfullinc.com/

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-breese-michie/