Advice for Aspiring Leaders

If there’s one thing these women agree on, it’s this: Leadership doesn’t come with a rulebook. But they’ve got some wisdom to share:

• Coleen: “Reinvention is always an option. No career path is set in stone.”
• Gloria: “Your story is your strength. Own it, trust your voice, and lead authentically.”
• Lynette: “Surround yourself with great people, pray for direction, and be persistent.”
• Melinda: “Leadership is about lifting others. Share your network, your influence, your time.”
• Nicole: “Listen first. Lead by example. And don’t forget to provide the tools your team needs to succeed.”
• Vidya: “Ignore criticism from people you wouldn’t go to for advice.”

By SARA QUALLS, Neighbors of Four Points

March is Women’s History Month, the perfect time to celebrate the unstoppable force that is women. And let’s be honest, the Four Points area is teeming with them—women who don’t just check boxes—they’re changing lives, breaking barriers, and proving that leadership takes heart and hustle. These six women don’t just break the mold—they redefine it. 

Take a peek behind the curtain of their lives to uncover invaluable gems on leadership with heart, innovation, and courage: Coleen Brighton, Gloria Gonzales-Dholakia, Lynette Haaland, Melinda Garvey, Vidya Moorthy, and Nicole Tomaszewski.

Leadership: More Than Titles, It’s Impact That Matters

Forget corner offices and polished resumes. True leadership is raw. It’s heartfelt. It’s about rolling up your sleeves and doing the hard work to make a difference. These six women remind us that leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence, purpose, and leaving the world a little better than you found it.

Take Nicole Tomaszewski, Executive Director of the West Austin Chamber of Commerce and Owner of Kale Me Crazy, for example. After 21 years at IBM, she traded the corporate grind for Austin’s sun-dappled charm in 2015. She didn’t just embrace the local scene—she dove in headfirst. Now, Nicole is the glue connecting businesses, people, and ideas. “Leadership is about helping others succeed,” she says. It’s a belief she put into action by creating the Best of West Austin contest, giving small businesses the stage they deserve.

Then there’s Vidya Moorthy, President of Austin Business Woman, whose leadership radiates collaboration. When Vidya moved to Austin in 2021, she didn’t wait for opportunities to knock—she built the door. “Leadership means helping others become their best selves without expecting anything in return,” she explains. Vidya’s focus on business education, affordable marketing, and fostering collaboration rather than competition has already changed the game for countless women.

For Melinda Garvey, Founder of Austin Woman and InHer Circle Peer Advisory for Women, leadership is all about visibility. “If you can see it, you can be it,” she says, a mantra that fuels her work. Melinda knows the power of lifting others as you climb, and her work reflects a deep commitment to creating spaces where women can see themselves succeed.

Gloria Gonzales-Dholakia, Ph.D., Vice President of Alumni and Public Policy for Jeremiah Program and President of the Leander ISD Board of Trustees, believes leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about legacy. “It’s the impact we have and the opportunities we create for others,” she says. From championing education equity to breaking the cycle of poverty, Gloria’s leadership exemplifies how purpose-driven work can transform lives.

Turning Challenges Into Superpowers

Behind every great leader is a story of overcoming challenges. These women have turned obstacles into opportunities and emerged stronger, more determined, and more compassionate.

For Coleen Brighton, Executive Director of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation (LEEF), leadership was born from reinvention. She made a major career shift when she moved to Four Points, trading high-tech PR for nonprofit leadership. “I never thought I’d become an Executive Director of a nonprofit,” she says. But her work at LEEF shows how embracing uncertainty and taking risks can lead to incredible impact.

Lynette Haaland, Publisher and Editor of Four Points News and Northwest Austin News, encountered a workplace environment at one news station that tolerated inappropriate behavior. But she wasn’t about to let that slide. She recalls how she spoke up and drove some culture change within the organization. Her resilience helped her improve the workplace. Later career-mom milestones inspired her to mentor young moms through faith-based program MomQ.

Vidya, was the first Indian woman in public relations in Michigan. “I had to work twice as hard to prove I belonged,” she recalls. Those battles with stereotypes inspired her to help other women navigate spaces where their voices aren’t always welcome. 

Anchored in Community: A Shared Vision

What makes these women so remarkable is their unwavering commitment to community. It’s more than a mission—it’s a way of life.

Coleen, for instance, learned from her family that the real question isn’t if you’ll help, but where you’ll help. At LEEF, she ensures the foundation plays an essential role in public education by funding district-wide initiatives that state budgets don’t cover. These include College & Career Coaches at all seven Leander ISD high schools and entrepreneurial curriculum in over 25 campuses. “That’s why I do what I do,” she says, recalling a graduate’s gratitude for the program that shaped her future.

Nicole, too, finds her greatest joy in community connections. Whether it’s helping small businesses thrive through the Chamber of Commerce or mentoring students in Junior Achievement, she’s driven by a desire to make a difference. And when she opened her health-focused café, Kale Me Crazy, in 2020, she proved that business and community can go hand in hand.

Through Austin Business Woman, Vidya has created a thriving network of nearly 1,000 women entrepreneurs. “It’s about building meaningful relationships,” she says, “and creating opportunities where none existed before.”

Gloria focuses on education as a tool for transformation. Whether mentoring students or championing education access initiatives, she’s driven to lift communities. “When we lift each other, we transform communities,” she says.

For Lynette, her community impact starts with stories. “I want families to see themselves in the paper,” she says of her work with Four Points News. Her passion for local journalism goes beyond headlines—it’s about celebrating milestones, connecting neighbors, and promoting local businesses.

And Melinda’s decades-long career has been all about empowering women. Through platforms like Austin Woman and InHer Circle, she’s helped countless women build networks and break barriers. Her work with the Texas Woman’s University AccelerateHER program, a 15-week initiative for female startup entrepreneurs, exemplifies her belief in leveling the playing field for women.

Fueling the Future with Purpose

What fuels your own fire? What gets you out of bed in the morning? What inspires you to keep going even when challenges arise? Whether it’s your family, your career, or a passion for making a difference, your unique drive is what makes you valuable. Start small, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to take risks—you might just inspire someone else along the way.

These six women exemplify the strength, resilience, and vision that drive the Four Points community forward. Their stories, though unique, intertwine through shared values of empowerment, connection, and service. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let’s honor their contributions and draw inspiration from their journeys to continue building a brighter future together.