The Crisis You Don’t See: Power, Vulnerability, and Women Who Lead | Featuring Dana Codispoti

What if some of the most powerful women in leadership are quietly navigating crises no one ever sees?In this episode of Possibilities with Monique de Maio, Monique sits down with Dana Cotispoti, a global HR executive, Chief People Officer, coach, and co-founder of the nonprofit HIGHER, for a raw and necessary conversation about leadership, personal crisis, and what it really means to be resilient.Dana shares her personal experience leaving an abusive relationship while holding senior leadership roles in financial services, and how that journey reshaped her understanding of power, empathy, and vulnerability in the workplace. Together, Monique and Dana explore why personal crisis isn’t defined by circumstances, but by how it feels, and why so many high-achieving women suffer in silence.In this episode, we explore:Why crisis doesn’t always look like failure, and often looks like success from the outsideThe hidden personal battles women carry into leadership rolesWhy vulnerability is not a liability, but a leadership strengthHow shame and fear prevent women from asking for helpThe long-term impact of COVID on confidence, anxiety, and resilience at workWhy community and “finding your tribe” are essential to healing and growthDana also introduces her RISE Method (Resilience, Intuition, Self-care, Empowerment) as a framework for empowerment, and shares how HIGHER supports women navigating moments when life feels overwhelming.This is a conversation about leadership without armor.Strength without performance.And resilience built through honesty, community, and self-trust.If you’ve ever felt like you had to hold it all together while falling apart inside, this episode is for you.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction to Dana Cotispoti and her leadership journey02:08 – The mission behind HIGHER and redefining what “personal crisis” really means05:18 – Why crisis doesn’t look the way we expect (and why no one is immune)07:26 – Navigating leadership while living through an unseen personal crisis10:31 – How HIGHER works: coaching models, cohorts, and community support13:05 – From industrial engineering to Chief People Officer: Dana’s career path16:54 – Vulnerability in leadership: where strength and humanity meet19:41 – Confidence, imposter syndrome, and becoming comfortable in your own skin22:07 – The emotional cost of pretending at work and why authenticity matters25:01 – What “personal crisis” looks like inside modern organizations27:38 – The post-COVID confidence crisis and loss of workplace resilience29:54 – Why society is failing survivors and misunderstanding abuse32:09 – The RISE Method: resilience, intuition, and self-care explained34:44 – Motherhood, legacy, and teaching the next generation resilience38:06 – Introversion, empathy, and leadership energy39:08 – Advice Dana would give her 30-year-old self40:02 – Final reflections, resources, and how to connect with DanaABOUT OUR GUESTDana Cotispoti is a global HR executive, Chief People Officer, certified coach, and co-founder of the nonprofit HIGHER, which supports women navigating personal crisis. With more than 25 years of leadership experience across financial services and global organizations, Dana brings a rare blend of operational expertise, emotional intelligence, and lived experience to her work.This podcast is part of our mission to amplify women who are redefining work, life, and leadership.Follow Monique for More Possibilities:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moniquedemaioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquedemaioNewsletter: https://www.moniquedemaio.com/newsletter-sign-upBook Monique as a speaker for your next event: https://www.moniquedemaio.com/contactGrab her award-winning, bestselling book The 7 Secrets to Creating a Life You Love: A Practical Guide for Women in Leadership:https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Creating-Life-You-Love/dp/B0CLHV526G