“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.

Kate Ferrian

Empathy has always been an innate strength of mine — I came into the world with a tender heart and a deep ability to feel what others were feeling. But growing up in a household steeped in judgment and criticism, I learned early on that sensitivity wasn’t safe.  Read More>>

Kyan Cheung

From a young age, I always had an understanding that music held more meaning than just harmonious sounds coming from instruments. I was able to convince myself that regardless of its initial intention, a piece of music was able to convey a story. Read More>>

Lynne McEniry

A voracious reading life and a home full of love… my parents were very young when I was born. Neither of them graduated from high school, but they were dedicated to a life of learning and were avid readers… Read More>>

Khrystyne Khaliqi Jaspers

I would never have described myself as an “empathetic” person. Growing up, I was the kid who got in trouble for being sassy and perpetually stuck my foot in my mouth. By nature, I am a fixer. If I can’t fix it with my words, I feel lost and helpless. Read More>>