Influential Woman · Leadership development and consulting
Dana C. Lewis
Founder and Owner, Essential Leader
Lee’s Summit, MO 64082
Her Story
About Dana
Dana C. Lewis is the Founder and Owner of Essential Leader and an accomplished operations, transformation, and strategic leadership executive with more than 25 years of experience helping organizations improve performance through operational excellence, vendor management, project governance, and leadership development.
Recognized for her ability to bring clarity to complex environments, Dana partners with executive leaders to design scalable systems, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and cultivate high-performing teams. Her expertise spans strategic sourcing, enterprise project management, organizational transformation, executive coaching, and cross-functional leadership, making her a trusted advisor to organizations navigating growth and change.
Through Essential Leader, Dana provides consulting, executive coaching, leadership development, conflict management, and organizational effectiveness solutions to businesses, nonprofit organizations, and public-sector clients. She works alongside leadership teams to improve communication, strengthen governance, optimize operational workflows, and develop strategies that drive sustainable success.
Prior to founding Essential Leader, Dana spent more than 13 years with GEHA Health, where she held several director-level leadership roles overseeing enterprise project management, vendor management, provider data modernization, and organizational transformation. During her tenure, she established the organization's first Vendor Management Office, led the transformation of its Enterprise Project Management Office, implemented governance frameworks that improved enterprise execution, achieved more than $1 million in strategic sourcing savings, and successfully led large, multidisciplinary teams through complex organizational initiatives.
A passionate advocate for leadership development and community impact, Dana is committed to equipping individuals and organizations with the tools to lead with integrity, confidence, and purpose.
She is a Certified Leadership Trainer, Coach, and Speaker, as well as a Certified DISC Behavioral Analyst through the John Maxwell Team. In addition to her consulting work, has served on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City as a Vice President, where she helped shape initiatives that empower future generations of leaders. Guided by a people-first philosophy, Dana is dedicated to building cultures of trust, accountability, and continuous improvement that enable both organizations and the people within them to thrive.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Dana
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience, a commitment to lifelong learning, and developing genuine leadership skills rather than simply holding leadership titles. Experiencing significant personal loss at a young age taught me how to adapt, persevere, and lead through adversity. Those experiences shaped my belief that authentic leadership begins with self-awareness, understanding others, and intentionally investing in personal and professional growth. I strive to lead with purpose, empathy, and a continuous desire to learn and improve.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received has come not from one individual, but from the experiences that have shaped my professional journey. Through years of navigating both corporate and nonprofit leadership roles, as well as overcoming personal challenges, I’ve learned that resilience, continuous growth, and leading with authenticity are essential to long-term success. Those experiences have inspired my commitment to mentoring others and investing in the development of the next generation of leaders.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to first take the time to truly know who you are. Develop a strong sense of self-awareness, understand your personality and leadership style, and recognize your unique strengths. Just as importantly, embrace the Platinum Rule: communicate with others in the way they want to be communicated with. Building meaningful relationships through empathy, adaptability, and effective communication will strengthen your leadership, foster trust, and create opportunities for long-term success.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I see is that many organizations promote individuals into leadership roles without equipping them with the skills needed to lead people effectively. While technical expertise is important, successful leadership also requires strong communication, emotional intelligence, and the ability to build meaningful relationships. I see a tremendous opportunity to close this gap through intentional leadership development, coaching, and practical training that helps leaders create healthy, high-performing workplace cultures. I also believe digital literacy has become an essential leadership competency, and I'm passionate about empowering entrepreneurs and older adults with the knowledge and confidence to navigate today's technology-driven world safely and effectively.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide both my work and personal life are authenticity, integrity, service, continuous learning, and intentional leadership. I believe the best leaders create environments where others can thrive by first understanding themselves and then taking the time to understand the people they lead. I'm passionate about helping individuals discover their strengths while fostering organizations built on trust, open communication, accountability, and a genuine commitment to helping others succeed.
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