Embodied Leadership with Lori Lennon

Lori's Pathway to Success

Lori Lennon is a modern trailblazer in her own right. Upon meeting her, she was a woman who could see the true potential in a person. Now, she is an award-winning member of the 2025 Northeastern Women Who Empower cohort. Having graduated from the University in 2004 with her Bachelor's in Journalism, she spent nearly a decade in television news. Furthermore, Lori also joined Northeastern’s College of Science, where she served as the Director of Communications. 

    After making the transition to become a full-time entrepreneur, Lori established the science communications firm, Thinkubator Media, in 2019. She brings her dynamic personality along with 20+ years of expertise to budding brands and innovators. Lori’s specialty is synthesizing unique, complex, and important information to help people better understand and appreciate the hidden gems in STEM. From the early stages of Thinkubator Media, Lori and her growing team have supported several brands and thought leaders across STEM industries as they develop their output.

    Her hand-selected team brings a plethora of experiences and personalities to draw from, giving Thinkubator Media its cutting edge. She has traveled internationally to provide hands-on training in communications and brand development. Her most recent venture brought her all the way to China! Lori continues to collaborate internationally with several notable women across various sectors, from astrophysics to medical innovation. 

The newest addition to Lori's family and the Thinkubator Media team, Sadie!

Looking Forward

    Lori is on a continuous quest to create her own path and support others who are doing the same in the name of a better world. Her open heart and mind have made it possible to make and facilitate lasting connections through Thinkubator Media and beyond. As a woman who manages so much, it is no wonder that Lori is truly an inspiration, an adored friend, and a trusted mother. Now, she is also a recipient of the 2025 Northeastern Women Who Empower Innovator Award!

    Although the judges mainly considered specific industries, they made a special place for Lori for her commitment to “empowering women in STEM through branding and coaching.” Along with 30 other winners, Lori has been selected for a unique fellowship opportunity in honor of the Innovator Awards’ fifth year running. Thereupon, each recipient receives funding along with global networking and training opportunities to support further development and programming. After 9 months, the program will conclude with the 2026 Northeastern Global Leadership Summit in London. 

Congratulations, Lori! Here’s to a fruitful experience with your fellow recipients of the 2025 Northeastern Women Who Empower Innovator Award.

The Strength of Empathy in Leadership

Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

I was in a group meeting years ago where we did those typical personality tests that large gatherings usually entail. As we were broken into groups based on our main personality trait, two of the 10 women in the group, including me, were put in the empathy corner.

When others in the group were asked about how they felt about empathy as a leadership quality (this felt like a setup), a woman stated that empathy is a sign of weakness and isn’t ideal for a leader.

I hope at this point in the story, everyone is yelling, “Come on! That’s not true!”

Because it’s not true! Empathy is a superpower.

But to be fair, I understand why people might misunderstand empathy. To some, it might seem soft or unstructured—qualities that don’t align with the stereotypical image of a leader who is decisive, commanding, and unflinching. However, true leadership isn’t just about making quick decisions or barking orders. It’s about understanding people, building trust, and creating environments where teams can thrive. Empathy is the bridge to all of that.

Empathy allows leaders to listen more deeply. It helps them consider the perspectives and challenges of others, even when those perspectives differ from their own. This isn’t weakness—it’s a form of strength that leads to better decisions, more cohesive teams, and organizations where people feel seen and heard.

Let’s face it: people don’t follow titles. They follow people. And the leaders they choose to follow are often those who connect with them on a human level. Empathy enables that connection.

Empathy is what helps leaders recognize the unspoken struggles of a team member and offer support before it’s even asked for. It fosters innovation because when people feel safe and understood, they’re more likely to take creative risks. It’s also what ensures leaders don’t just solve problems but solve the right problems—the ones that matter most to the people they’re leading.

So, if someone ever questions whether empathy has a place in leadership, I encourage you to think of the leaders you’ve admired most. Chances are, their ability to listen, connect, and care was a big part of why you respected them. Empathy isn’t a liability—it’s the foundation of trust and understanding.

Empathy doesn’t make a leader weak. It makes them unstoppable.