“Empathy is the starting point for creating a community and taking action. It’s the impetus for creating change.” – Max Carver

We think Max Carver got it right and that if we truly care about community building and making positive changes in the world, we have to invest in learning about how to become even more empathic as empathy is at the heart of true understanding. We asked some deeply empathic leaders to share their perspectives below.

Michelle Arencibia

My empathy was shaped by the hardships, abuse, and trauma I experienced as a child and adult. Going through those struggles made me deeply aware of pain, isolation, and the need to be truly seen. I want others to know they are not alone that their experiences matter and that healing is possible. My faith and trust in the universe, in God’s plan for me, have been guiding forces in my journey. They’ve helped me transform my pain into understanding, compassion and purpose allowing me to hold space for others with an open heart. Read more>>

Yvellise Lambert

I’ve always had a bleeding heart – I brake for squirrels, cry at weddings…you know the type. That’s why documenting life has always been so important to me. When I’m lost in a moment of joy, there’s always a subsequent sadness in knowing the moment is fleeting. Read more>>

Kenza Fourati

I was born in France but grew up in Tunisia, and my life journey has been shaped by moving to France, the UK, then the US and working across the globe—from Australia to Brazil and Japan. This rich tapestry of experiences exposed me to a multitude of cultures, perspectives, and human stories. Constantly bridging communities, languages, religions, and ways of thinking, I learned to see beyond superficial differences and understand people at their core. This multicultural life taught me that the key to thriving amidst diversity is to truly walk in others’ shoes, to embrace their perspectives, burdens, and experiences. This mindset is deeply rooted in the philosophy of “Walk Online In My Shoes,” the guiding principle of OSAY (Our Stories Are Yours), an ethical, artisan-based luxury footwear brand that I co-founded. Celebrating sustainability and shared humanity, OSAY is dedicated to connecting people through storytelling and empathy. By consciously stepping into someone else’s world, we cultivate deeper empathy, humanism, and understanding, creating a space where connections are built not despite our differences but because of the shared humanity that unites us all. Read more>>

Kionna Lemalle

As an author, empathy is critical to my creative work. To write fiction well, I have to get outside of myself and enter both the heart and head spaces of characters who are nothing like me. That requires understanding and even validating characters’ emotions, even when they are unlike my own. Effective narrative bends towards its characters–not just towards their habits and dialect, but also towards their world view, as well as their historical experiences and traumas, which can (and should) be quite unlike my own. So, without empathy, I can’t create what I create. Empathy is key. Read more>>

Ricardo Ceballos

In 1998, I had the profound experience of serving a year in the military in my home country, an experience that shaped me in ways I never could have anticipated. It challenged me, humbled me, and, most importantly, opened my eyes to the vast spectrum of human experiences. Sharing daily life with people from all walks of life, individuals whose backgrounds, struggles, and aspirations were so different from my own. It gave me a deeper appreciation for resilience, camaraderie, and the power of perspective. Looking back, it was more than just a year of service; it was a transformative chapter in my life and one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Read more>>

Mia Zhang

I believe empathy is something that grows through both solitude and experience. As a child, I often found myself alone at home, and books became my closest companions. Through them, I was able to step into different worlds, understand diverse perspectives, and cultivate a deep sense of empathy for characters and their emotions. Read more>>

Amy Amdahl

I think that growing up in very humble beginnings is what helped shape me into becoming a very empathetic person. I was raised by a single mother who had mental health issues and battled with addiction. We lived in a ran down two-bedroom trailer that was infested with bugs and rodents. Because of our living conditions, I was often bullied. I know what it feels like to be the underdog. I remember what it was like to be teased for things that were outside of my control. I recall thinking if they only knew what my life was like maybe they wouldn’t be so mean to me. Read more>>

Melissa Ohden

Going through a life-altering experience.
Hearing from others who have related to that experience in some way, and being entrusted with their stories.
My faith.
Personal experiences with trauma but also my professional experience as a Clinical social worker.
Motherhood also expanded my empathy.
Diligently seeking answers, reading research, “knowing what I don’t know” and being willing to look for answers, be curious and open to it, which includes connecting with other people’s needs, strengths and struggles. Read more>>