Dear Reader,

Because Women Deserve to Be Paid

As someone who has spent a career advising Silicon Valley CEOs, developing global leadership programs for a $59B Fortune 200 tech company, sitting on nonprofit boards championing justice and inclusion, and working in a rapidly-changing environment of tsunami relief in Indonesia, I know the value I bring. I’ve led leadership summits across North America, China, Taiwan, and Europe. I’ve built programs that help executives grow their EQ and CQ, coach managers on building psychologically safe and high-performing teams, and future-proof our workforces in this era of AI.

But I’ve also walked through fire.

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Years ago, a toxic work environment nearly made me give up on this path. And yet here I am—leading, building, speaking and writing. Not just surviving. Thriving.

After several years of writing freely on Substack, I’m making a shift—one that aligns deeply with my values and lived experiences.

From now on, I’ll still offer free content, but some of my more in-depth pieces will move behind a paywall. This decision didn’t come lightly, but it is one rooted in conviction: women deserve to be paid for our work.

We’ve all seen it—how women are expected to give endlessly: unpaid labor at home, in our communities, in our organizations. And when we do ask to be paid, we're met with silence, skepticism, or worse—subtle accusations of being unlikable or self-serving. Questions are whispered, "Who does she think she is?"

Let’s be honest: women are still punished for being both competent and confident. However, I’ve learned to trust that competence, to believe in myself as much as I believe in you, and I hope you will too.

Why I Write and Speak

What I write on Substack now reflects lessons learned over decades. From boardrooms in Silicon Valley to relief work in post-tsunami Indonesia, from global nonprofits to local startups, from a childhood in Venezuela and Costa Rica to expat years in Singapore and Sumatra—these stories are rooted in grit, grace, and global experience.

This newsletter isn’t just about me. It’s about us—a community of leaders, learners, builders, and bridge-makers. As I expand into this next season, I invite you to join me as a paid subscriber. Your support allows me to write sustainably and continue elevating conversations around leadership, belonging, and the future of work.

You'll still get insights, stories, and tools for growth in your inbox—even if you choose to stay with the free version. But if you’re ready to go deeper, I’d be honored to have you as part of this next-level journey. I'm so honored, that I'm charging not only the lowest price Substack allows right now, I'm also including 20% off for a limited time to let those of you who want to get in first to have a better deal.

I’d love to hear from you in the Substack comments or DMs. Your perspective matters here. Always.

Thank you for walking with me—and for believing in a world where women’s wisdom is not only welcomed but compensated.

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If this resonated with you, I’d love for you to subscribe to my Substack so you never miss a post. Together, we’re building a community that challenges the status quo, embraces different perspectives, and makes a real impact in our workplaces and beyond.

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​A World of Difference by Lori Adams-Brown​

​As a tech executive, podcast host, a polyglot I'm here to share my perspective, and also here to hear yours. When we bring different types of brains around the table and deeply listen, we can do outstanding things together that make the world better.​
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🎧 Listen & shareA World of Difference podcast for more conversations that matter.

💬 Join the discussion—drop a comment, share your thoughts, and pass this along to someone who needs it!

Let’s keep making a difference—together. 🌎

With gratitude and vision,
​Lori Adams-Brown​
Host of A World of Difference | Global Talent Development Executive | Board Leader | Leadership Futurist

🔗 Become a Paid Subscriber on Substack​