Tangie Newborn

I attribute my success to a combination of a personal foundation and professional guidance.

At the core of who I am is my mother, who served as mayor for 20 years. Watching her lead—with strength, courage, and a deep commitment to her community—shaped my understanding of leadership at an early age. She showed me what it means to stand firm in your values, to serve with purpose, and to lead with both confidence and compassion. That example stayed with me and continues to influence how I show up in my work today.

Throughout my career, I was also fortunate to work under strong women leaders who challenged me to grow. They didn’t just support my career; they pushed me to step beyond what I thought I was ready for. One pivotal moment came when the President and CEO of the American Medical Women’s Association promoted me to Deputy Executive Director and told me I was ready to lead. She gave me the opportunity to broaden my experience and step into the next level.

Those experiences—both at home and in my career—gave me the confidence to move forward and become the leader I am today.

The best career advice I’ve ever received was to be like a tree. Stay grounded in who you are. Stay connected to your roots. Bend when you need to—but don’t break. Never stop growing.

That perspective has guided me through every stage of my career—from leadership roles to major life transitions. It reminds me that success isn’t just about standing tall—it’s about being rooted, resilient, and open to becoming who you’re meant to be next. This also aligns deeply with my Opening Doors philosophy—the belief that each new chapter in life requires both the strength to stay grounded and the courage to step into something new. Growth isn’t always about knowing what’s ahead but about being willing to move forward anyway.

I would encourage younger women to focus on opening doors to their best life—not just building a career but creating a life that feels meaningful and aligned. Be intentional, stay open to new possibilities, and trust yourself enough to walk through the doors that call you forward.

One of the biggest opportunities—and challenges—in my field today is the pace of change.

The world is evolving quickly, and so are people's needs. On the one hand, this creates incredible opportunities to rethink how we live, work, and grow. People have more access than ever to information, tools, and new ways of doing things.

At the same time, much of this change is unfolding so rapidly that many people feel forced to adapt before they’re ready. That can lead to uncertainty, overwhelm, and decisions made under pressure rather than intentionally.

We’re seeing this especially with the rise of AI and technology. It’s transforming every industry—from how people work to how they seek guidance and make decisions. While it offers efficiency and access, it also raises questions about trust, connection, and the role of human insight. For many, particularly those who didn’t grow up amid this level of digital transformation, it can feel as if the rules are constantly shifting. That’s where the real opportunity lies—not just in keeping up with change, but in helping people navigate it with clarity, confidence, and a strong sense of who they are becoming.

The values that guide my work and personal life are empathy, honesty, and a deep commitment to pouring into others.

I believe in meeting people where they are—listening, understanding, and creating space for them to grow without judgment. Honesty is equally important to me because real growth requires truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.

At the heart of everything I do is a desire to invest in people. I’m passionate about helping others build confidence, strengthen their skills, and reach their full potential. Much of that stems from the leaders and mentors who poured into me along the way—and I see my work as a way to continue that cycle.

For me, it’s not just about success, it’s about impact. It’s about helping people move forward with clarity, confidence, and a deeper sense of who they are and what’s possible in their lives. In many ways, that’s what my work is about—helping people open the doors to the lives they’re meant to live.