“Who you admire, mentor, laugh with, and learn from forms your circle of growth and relevance” A passionate leader, coach, author, and a catalyst for change, Priscilla's career is rooted in taking action, spanning executive roles at General Motors, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and Xerox, as well as positions in government. She also served as Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Boston Public Library from 2017 - 2024. In this interview with Women Who Win for our Fall Trailblazers series, Priscilla reflects on her own leadership philosophy, what it means to be "woke" in today’s world, and how the future of leadership is rooted in compassion, connection, and the courage to disrupt the status quo. Check out her story below!

“The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.” – Michel de Montaigne

Big dreams propelled me fearlessly into a future where I often found myself as the first and only black woman in business, government, and academia. Growing up in Bedford, Massachusetts, as the youngest of six—on a pig farm, no less—shaped much of who I am today. My mother took great pride in naming each of us, and with initials like PHD, she set the course for my future. Her advice was simple yet profound: never let anyone "call you out of your name." Words matter. They hold power and are key to our identity.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I completed my second book, *Woke Leadership: Profits, Prophets, and Purpose*. Choosing the title was a deliberate act, knowing it would stir conversation. The term "woke" has been demonized and weaponized, yet I clung to it to send an important message. Being "woke" isn't new; it originated with blues singer Lead Belly in 1938 as a warning to stay aware, particularly in the South. In my Boston Globe Op-Ed from March 2023, I wrote about the resurgence of "woke," noting that 56% of those surveyed by USA Today agreed with my definition: alertness to important facts and issues, especially social change and injustice. Simply put, "woke" means staying awake to what's happening around us.

My mother, born in Waycross, Georgia, was acutely aware of the KKK. Images from Jet Magazine, including those of Emmett Till, delivered a harsh reality to our home in Bedford. Growing up, I was always aware of structural and systemic racism, which is why I’ve never allowed others to define me. That’s a message I pass on to others—stay vigilant and define yourself.

Woke leaders are those who leverage their experiences as outsiders, extending empathy and the ability to belong in different  places and spaces.  They anticipate the future and bring it into being because they’re deeply connected to the global ecosystem, especially if multi-lingual.  To be successful leaders operate in a  continuum of noticing, appreciating, internalizing, and acting; woke leaders are stewards of a regenerative and equitable economy. They are sentinels for change, living at the nexus of consciousness and compassion. As disruptors and innovators, they wake up those around them, leading and following in a way that creates dynamic and inclusive organizations where people can grow, contribute, and enjoy their work.

Books were a treasure in my house, and I was a voracious reader with a boundless imagination, especially science fiction.  It’s no surprise that when Mayors Marty Walsh and Michelle Wu appointed me to the Board of Trustees for the Boston Public Library and later as Chair, I accepted with honor. The free public library was my gateway from Bedford to a full scholarship at Northeastern, a doctorate with distinction from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, and an appointment as a White House Fellow, serving as Special Assistant to FBI Director William Webster. There, I put my skills in organizational behavior to work.

People often ask how I accomplished so much. The answer is twofold: I always had more than one job, and I was driven by a work ethic ingrained from farm life, where no work meant no food. I didn’t take vacations until my thirties when I finally stopped working every weekend. As an executive coach, I share my learnings, urging others to explore, try new things, and truly rest during vacations. My insatiable curiosity, openness to learning, and expansive interests have been my compass. Whether skiing, scuba diving, cycling, or enjoying the theater, I embrace a life of action and making the world a better place.

Who you admire, mentor, laugh with, and learn from forms your circle of growth and relevance. I encourage my coaching clients to focus on relationships; the company we keep mirrors who we are and who we aspire to be. My life has been shaped by key decisions—pivot points-- and the mentors who supported my path. They saw the future me through a lens of possibility and unconditional love—love is a word often absent in professional conversations but essential in my journey. That love fueled my greatest contributions: creating the Domestic Violence Commission and Hate Crimes Task Force as Assistant Secretary for Public Safety, Commonwealth of Massachusetts and publishing the first hate crimes report. ending predatory lending as Secretary of Consumer Affairs and teaching adults to read.  

So, what’s next?  Following the Golden Rule and living the values of “ubuntu”:   Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. What’s good for the bottom line can only be good if all benefit:  employees, customers, stakeholders and the community.  As Werner Erhard put it, " a world that works for everyone, with no one or nothing left out."

A reminder:   The future isn’t some distant place. It emerges from the relationships we cultivate, our connection to the planet, and our values and behaviors today. Through our actions, we create the future for ourselves and others. Woke leaders understand there isn’t just one future. A singular viewpoint is limiting in our multilayered, connected world. Their networks and connections take them across disciplines, industries, and experiences where the future is being imagined and created. They break molds, disrupt narratives, and create new coalitions and conversations. 

Every morning begins with a blank slate.   I take a moment and decide how I will light up the world with my wisdom, caring and with my smile.   You can count on me to stay woke, embrace change, and continue working toward a future that includes everyone, leaving nothing and no one behind.

Thank you Priscilla for sharing your inspiring story with us! We are honored to have you in our global women’s network!

Bio: Priscilla H. Douglas is a renowned leader and an action catalyst, addressing the changing business landscape with energy, insight, and understanding. Her decades-long career in government, academia, and business—where she often led the way as the first woman and the first African American—has informed her holistic and forward-thinking view. A sought-after speaker, Priscilla fully engages her audiences, igniting conversations, driving contribution, and inspiring action for maximum influence. Priscilla has been the keynote speaker at conferences worldwide, from the prestigious Aspen Institute and Club of Rome to forums in Singapore, Australia, South Africa, Japan, and beyond. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Boston Public Library, International Women’s Forum, Massachusetts Women’s Forum, American Repertory Theater, and the Boston Museum of Science, and she has been elected by her peers to serve on the White House Fellows Alumni Association. In executive roles at General Motors, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and Xerox, Priscilla led and introduced innovative practices and programs. She was the special assistant to William H. Webster, director of the FBI, as a White House fellow, and for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, she held a number of key positions. As assistant secretary and then cabinet-level secretary of consumer affairs and business regulations, she developed a framework for the deregulation of the electric utility industry; provided consumer protection to end predatory payday loans and usury check cashing fees; and implemented total quality management practices across the agencies. And as assistant secretary for public safety, she created the Task Force on Domestic Violence and the Hate Crimes Task Force, which have been supported and expanded by each Massachusetts governor and replicated in other states. Priscilla is also the author of Woke Leadership, Profits, Prophets & Purpose published in April 2021 and Getting There & Staying There.