Tim welcomes Dr. Monica G. Williams, the inaugural president of Texas Woman’s University’s Houston campus. Tim continues his conversation about Leaders From the Brink, exploring how Dr. Williams navigated significant life challenges and developed her approach to leadership. She shares candid stories from her upbringing, including her experience as a teenage mother and the support systems that helped her redefine her path.

Dr. Williams discusses the influence of family, mentors, and community in her development as a leader. She covers mistakes she made early in her career, especially around not demanding the resources needed for her teams, and how these lessons have shaped her current leadership style. The episode also features insights into her work in various educational institutions, the importance of nurturing those who are often overlooked, and her commitment to kindness, grace, and student-centered leadership.

Resources Discussed in this Episode:

Texas Southern University: https://www.tsu.edu/ (her alma mater)

Prairie View A&M University: https://www.pvamu.edu/ (her alma mater)

UNICEF (where she worked) https://www.unicef.org/

Rice University (where she worked) https://www.rice.edu/

Bob Mong, Former University of North Texas At Dallas President (former boss referenced and still prominent in DFW today) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Mong

University of North Texas at Dallas https://www.untdallas.edu/ (where she worked)

Texas Woman’s University Main Campus https://twu.edu/

(125-year anniversary in 2026, educating women for the workforce since 1901)

Where Dr. Monica serves as the inaugural President:

Texas Woman’s University, Houston Campus https://twu.edu/houston/

To learn more about Tim and his work, visit: www.BonafideLeaders.com

Key Topics Discussed

• Dr. Monica G. Williams’ early life, family background, and experiences growing up
• Becoming a teenage parent and the impact on her personal development
• Importance of mentors, family, and community support
• Lessons learned from leadership failures, particularly not advocating for necessary resources
• The role of grace, kindness, and empathy in effective leadership
• Experiences at different educational institutions, including historically black colleges and international non-profits
• The mission and impact of Texas Woman’s University, particularly in empowering women and underserved communities
• Encouragement for leaders to meditate, reflect, and give themselves grace during challenging moments

Tim sits down with Richard Miles to hear his powerful story of wrongful conviction, survival through incarceration, and his commitment to helping others re-enter society. Richard recounts his arrest at age 19 for a crime he did not commit, the 15 years he spent in the Texas prison system, and the persistence required—emotionally and legally—to eventually prove his innocence and regain freedom.

The conversation explores the psychological toll incarceration takes, particularly on those who are innocent, and highlights the role of hope and community. They discuss the importance of support systems both inside and outside prison, and Richard describes how his experience led to the founding of Miles of Freedom, an organization dedicated to supporting formerly incarcerated individuals. The discussion also touches on broader themes of faith, perspective, leadership, and how small acts of empathy can transform lives.

Resources:

The Richard Miles Act https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/87R/billtext/pdf/HB01125I.pdf

Movie - Shawshank Redemption summary on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shawshank_Redemption

Movie - Just Mercy summary on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_Mercy

Miles of Freedom Non Profit Website https://milesoffreedom.org/ & Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/milesoffreedomorg/

Key Topics Discussed:

• Richard's wrongful conviction and arrest at age 19
• The pre-trial and trial process and challenges of the criminal legal system
• Emotional impact and psychological survival during lengthy incarceration
• The importance of support, hope, and mindset while navigating prison life
• Turning points: discovering exculpatory evidence and regaining hope
• The long legal process toward exoneration and release
• Experiences readjusting to society after release
• The founding and mission of Miles of Freedom
• The role of faith, self-worth, and active hope in overcoming setbacks
• Advice to listeners facing adversity

Tim sits down with Michael Horne, President and CEO of Parkland Health Foundation. Michael shares his upbringing in New York, highlighting the influence of family, the arts, and early experiences with educational inequities that shaped his passion for service and leadership. They discuss Michael’s early professional roles, his transition from education to healthcare, and the key lessons that he’s carried throughout his journey.

In line with this season's theme, the conversation focuses on a major setback Michael faced during his doctoral studies—a near-dismissal from Harvard due to difficulty balancing a full-time job, family, and academic research. Michael explains how he confronted the challenge, leaned on his support network, especially his wife, and developed a disciplined plan to finish his dissertation. Michael also shares reflections on transparency in leadership, the value of failure, and his current work at Parkland Health Foundation, including a call to action for community involvement.

Resources Mentioned:

Parkland Health - https://www.parklandhealth.org/home

Parkland Health Foundation - https://parklandhealthfoundation.org/

KIPP Texas - https://kipptexas.org/

Key Topics Discussed:

• Michael Horne’s upbringing in New York and family influence
• The role of arts and culture in shaping leadership values
• Experiences with educational inequity and tracking in schools
• Career journey: from education to healthcare leadership
• Setbacks faced during doctoral studies at Harvard
• Importance of support systems and transparent communication
• Turning failure into leadership growth
• Practical advice for leaders facing setbacks
• Overview of Parkland Health Foundation’s mission and community impact
• How listeners can support or get involved with Parkland