S3, Ep. 10 | Breaking Barriers, Building Leaders

As the 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the U.S. Air Force, JoAnne Bass made history as the first woman and the first person of Asian American descent to serve as the highest-ranking noncommissioned officer in any U.S. military branch. In this powerful conversation, she shares the lessons that helped her rise to the top — from embracing every season as preparation for the next, to leading with humility and character, to building teams that thrive on trust and accountability.

You’ll walk away inspired to:

• Lead from your best self by aligning strengths with purpose
• Invest in mentorship and strategic relationships that expand your impact
• Recognize the power of mindset in navigating change and career transitions
• Remember that true legacy is about how you make people feel

Whether you’re charting your next leadership move or simply looking for the motivation to keep going, JoAnne’s story offers both wisdom and encouragement for every modern leader.

Want to hear how to develop, engage, and align your high-potential leaders while driving team performance?

Join Susan MacKenty Brady and JoAnne Bass for an immersive leadership development experience at the Linkage SHRM Institute, September 28–30 in San Diego, CA.

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