Early on in her career, Courtney Stanley often found herself in environments where she felt the need to shrink.

“Success looked like fitting into a mold, staying agreeable and keeping my head down,” says Stanley, a keynote speaker and executive presence coach and host of the women-inspired podcast “Dare to Interrupt.” “I learned to perform instead of lead, to edit my voice instead of trust it. And while I was achieving on the outside, I was losing touch with my most powerful asset: my authentic self.”

Stanley says it takes practice—and a lot of unlearning—to break free from people-pleasing, imposter syndrome and the fear of being “too much.”

“But that journey has helped me rediscover who I am, what I stand for and how I want to show up in the world,” she says. “I stopped waiting for permission and started leading with purpose, vulnerability and truth.”

Confidence, visibility and authenticity take center stage in a live recording of Stanley’s Meetings Today podcast Dare to Interrupt during https://www.mpi.org/events/imex-americaSmart Monday, powered by MPI, on Oct. 6, the day before IMEX America begins in Las Vegas. In advance of this recording, we caught up with her to discuss empowering women and being an advocate for inclusion. 

You’ve been focused on empowering women for a while now. Can you tell us how the landscape has evolved over the past few years following a pandemic, some changes in the public discourse, etc.?

The landscape for women in the meetings, hospitality and tourism industry has transformed in complex ways over the past few years. The pandemic was a major disruptor; women disproportionately lost jobs across the sector, and while the industry has rebounded economically, the recovery hasn’t been equally felt.

According to Forbes, women in hospitality remain significantly underrepresented in leadership, with only 30% of leadership positions being held by women, and just 6% of CEOs in hospitality are women. 

At the same time, something powerful has been happening. Women have started raising their voices and not just asking for better but demanding it. We’ve seen women mentoring each other, starting their own companies and choosing authenticity over assimilation.

That’s where conversations like Dare to Interrupt matter. Because representation without voice isn’t enough. We need spaces where women can speak freely, lead boldly and shape the future of our industry without being talked over or boxed in. And we need companies and conferences to support that with action, not just intention.

We’ve come a long way, but there’s still work to do. And that work starts by listening. 

How can others (women and men) be advocates for a more inclusive meeting and event industry?

Inclusion isn’t a trend; it’s a responsibility. And it doesn’t fall on the shoulders of one gender, one title or one department. Everyone has a role to play in creating a culture where all voices are seen, heard and valued.

Being an advocate starts with awareness, taking a moment to look around the room and ask, “Who’s missing?” “Whose voice isn’t being heard?” and “Whose contributions are being overlooked or taken for granted?” Once you see the gaps, the next step is action. That means choosing to bring in speakers with diverse perspectives, not just familiar names. It means noticing when someone is interrupted and creating space for them to finish their thought. It means sponsoring someone’s growth behind closed doors, not just offering encouragement in public.

For those in leadership, it’s about building teams and decision-making tables that don’t just look diverse, but think, lead and challenge the norm in diverse ways.

This industry is built on connection, and when we’re intentional about inclusion, we create experiences that are more impactful, more human and, ultimately, more successful. Being an advocate means using your voice and your influence to ensure others have the chance to do the same. That’s where real change begins. 

What do you hope attendees take away from your session/live podcast recording at Smart Monday?

I hope attendees walk away feeling seen, inspired and empowered, not just by what they hear, but by what they feel. Dare to Interrupt is about creating space for honest, unfiltered stories from women who have navigated real challenges and shown up anyway. These conversations aren’t rehearsed. They’re raw, real and deeply human.

My hope is that everyone in the room, whether they identify with the stories or are hearing a new perspective for the first time, leaves with a renewed sense of confidence in who they are, what they bring to the table and how they choose to lead and live.

It’s not just a podcast, it’s a moment to pause, reflect and remember that your voice matters. And when you use it with truth and purpose, you give others permission to do the same.