Hello Friends,

The time has come to celebrate my daughter's successful graduation from high school and trek to San Diego State University. No matter how much you plan for or hear about this important rite of passage there is nothing that equals the actual emotional experience. Many of you have walked this important journey with me as I embraced the very important job of child-rearing while building the Institute for Women's Leadership as a legacy, for not only Chelsea, but all children who stand to gain from our leadership. Thank you for your partnership, love and support over the years.

I have always said that I want Chelsea to inherit a workplace that provides the same kind of nourishment for her full potential as she received at home. Yes, things have improved in the past 18 years but not nearly enough. I remain committed to the vision that a sustainable world is only possible through the full partnership of women and men; the workplace is a perfect environment to forge that partnership. Until Chelsea graduates and moves into the workplace full time I will continue to lead IWL to fulfill that mission. I don't envision 'retiring' from my life's work but once she has acquired her first post-college job, gets married and has kids I will re-evaluate how much time I spend at IWL versus being the best grandma I can be to the next generation. Needless to say I'll be around for awhile!

Speaking of next generation, IWL's Helen Waters birthed to a beautiful daughter named Alexandra Kendal Waters. She arrived June 10 at 11:57pm, weighed 6lbs. 8oz and was18 inches long. She's a real beauty and other than keeping her parents up at night for feeding and cuddling, she, her big brother Wyatt and Daddy Crick are all doing really well. Helen will remain on maternity leave until mid-September and we miss her very much. We also love the fact that she and her family are experiencing an extended welcoming and transitioning process with Alex.

Summer marks the launch of the fabulous new book, Enlightened Power: How Women Are Transforming the Practice of Leadership. It has received rave reviews and I just completed a highly successful book launch in Honolulu as a guest of the Oahu YWCA. WLC alumna, Cheryl Ka'uhane Lupenui, president and CEO of the YWCA sees both Enlightened Power and Contextual LeadershipT as cornerstones in the world-class curriculum at their soon-to-be renovated Leadership Center . We will also be convening a book launch at Stacey's Book Store in San Francisco , CA and the Eileen Fisher store in Palo Alto , CA later this Summer.

We've just returned from Alaska where we continue to work with the amazing women from Alyeska Pipeline Services (APS). They now have a community of over 70 women who have participated in either Women Leading Change or our one-day program, High Performance Leadership (.pdf). APS has also made the work of Contextual LeadershipT available to several not-for-profits in Alaska as an expression of their commitment to being partners in the larger Alaskan community.

As you know I have the great pleasure of sitting on the Women's Leadership Board (WLB) at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. This Spring I joined some WLB colleagues and convened a special leadership day for students seeking master's degrees in public leadership. I was also invited to present at the Stanford Graduate School of Business Women's Leadership Club and find that working with young college women really makes my heart sing. They have such a huge appetite for making a difference and they ask the best questions! We are committed to working with Harvard and Stanford in future endeavors and share it with you as it unfolds.

Our Executives Leading Sustainable Change (ELSC) program continues to exceed even our highest expectations. The leaders have created a community of support unlike any I have ever seen in the executive ranks of corporate America. Thanks to their inspired leadership, IWL has been invited to work with their teams and organizations on truly groundbreaking work in culture change and high performance leadership. We plan to be publishing some success stories so that other companies can see what is really possible when women and men forge true partnership in the service of a powerful vision.

I want to close this letter with a strong encouragement that you pay particularly close attention to your health and well-being. I had a recent scare that awakened me to taking better care of myself. I am eating a very healthy diet, exercising every day, completing all of my annual medical exams and generally enlisting friends and family to help keep me fit and conscious of the gift of good health. If we don't take care of ourselves we are not much good for others. I dodged a bullet this time and learned my lesson so please listen to the wisdom of experience.

I will be on vacation for the month of August but am reachable if you have an opportunity to call or send an email. I consider hearing from you one of the blessings that keeps me happy and present to the difference I have been fortunate to make in so many lives.

Here's wishing you the best summer ever and lots of love and appreciation from all of us at IWL!

Take care and God bless,

Rayona Sharpnack
CEO and founder
Institute for Women's Leadership