From Fear to Bold Vision: Lindsey Garner on True Leadership Development

Leadership development isn’t always bold, sometimes it’s quiet, personal, and fiercely compassionate. In this conversation, we meet a leader who left nothing on the table.

In this raw and uplifting episode of Inner Work, host MaryAnn Means-Dufrene sits down with Lindsey Garner, CEO of Communities In Schools of Greater Tarrant County. For over a decade, Lindsey has carried a bold vision to serve students through compassion, consistency, and community, even when it meant breaking through her own fear barrier.

They talk about what it really takes to lead through change: midlife reckonings, ethical tension, parenting neurodiverse children, and launching a capital campaign that changed the game for her organization. It’s a story about staying grounded in humility while building something that matters.

Whether you're leading a team, a nonprofit, or just trying to show up for your life, this one will stay with you.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

• 00:23 Welcome and Introduction

• 00:37 Communities in Schools: New Building and Mission

• 03:08 Leadership Journey and Personal Growth

• 05:05 Facing Midlife and Embracing Change

• 14:34 Balancing Professional and Personal Life

• 16:28 Creating Support Networks

• 26:05 Humility and Continuous Learning

• 31:22 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

About the guest

Lindsey Garner is President and CEO of Communities In Schools of Greater Tarrant County. With nearly 20 years in the nonprofit sector, she leads a 108-person team across 11 districts, advocating for students and supporting at-risk youth. She’s also the founder of Mom Strong FW, a 500-member group for mothers raising children with autism.

👉 Want to explore your own leadership shift? Book a 1:1 with MaryAnn: https://collectivegrowthleadership.com/book-call