The Gaia Leadership Project: Mission
Founded in 2011, the Gaia Leadership Project is a world-renowned leadership consulting firm that propels transformational change for our clients and the world.
Steeped in equity, fueled by bending the arc, and committed to building a better future for our clients and ourselves, we work with leaders who believe that they should be a part of the solution, not merely agents of the status quo.
We don’t believe in stuffy old-school models of leadership. We believe the future is diverse, equitable, and kind. We’re here to make you, your organization and your leadership more effective and true to your ideals.
Whether you want to create a better culture at work, a stronger voice for change in the world, or a community where everyone is free and safe, we’re here to guide you toward creating what you want and what you believe in.
Work with us one-on-one, hire us for a talk, or let us build an entire leadership training program for your staff. We’re here to make sure your goals are met and exceeded.
Possibilities. Realized.
Equity Matters.
Those who create the future will not be the same as those who dominated the past. We know that leadership is only as good as its commitment to diversity. And we walk our talk— our team is multi-racial, multi-gender, and committed to growing equity everywhere we live and work.
Our Founder
Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin is the Founder and CEO of The Gaia Leadership Project.
Recognized worldwide for her leadership consulting and coaching, Elizabeth has worked with a multitude of Fortune 500 companies, including healthcare, entertainment, and financial services behemoths. She has consulted for numerous non-profits, political causes and campaigns, including on campaigns for the U.S. Senate, the House of Representatives, and significant state and local races, as well as on issues surrounding immigration, voting rights, abortion rights, and racial justice.
Elizabeth has appeared on CNN, CNBC, NPR and HuffPost Live, in The Washington Post, The New York Times and Forbes, and on numerous nationally recognized podcasts. Her first book, Becoming Heroines: Unleashing Our Power for Revolution and Rebirth (Penguin Random House/Portfolio) was named one of Amazon Editors’ Top Ten Business and Leadership Books of 2021.
Elizabeth’s political and public commentary has been lauded by some of the most significant media and political figures of our time. Her podcast, Living Through It, has welcomed guests such as Representative Joaquin Castro, U.S. Senate candidate Malcolm Kenyatta, cultural critic Anand Giridharadas, author Sarah Kendzior, and legal eagle Elie Mystal. Her political and personal opinion pieces are read by tens of thousands of subscribers weekly via The Newsletter with ECM.
A former Wall Street trial lawyer, Elizabeth spent 15 years in the trenches of top tier law firms as a securities fraud litigator. Her pro bono work included human and civil rights litigation on behalf of victims of gender and race-based violence and abuse, as well as representation of families who lost loved ones on 9/11 before the Victims Compensation Fund. She also taught at Columbia University Law School for two years. In 2022, she was honored by the New York City Bar Association with the EPIQ Women Award for her work in law and leadership over twenty-five years.
Her lifelong mission is to change the world for the better, and to work to create a safer and more equitable society for all people.
The Courage to Change
We believe in perpetual curiosity and growth as foundational qualities of effective leadership. We lead our clients through dynamic programs that breed reflection, awareness, humility and transformation. Self-aware, grounded and courageous leaders build teams and coalitions that are driven to succeed in alignment with their values.