The Power of Impact & Imprint

What's in this episode

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we explore how lived experiences shape leadership and influence the way impostor syndrome shows up at work. My guest this week is Natanja Craig-Oquendo, Executive Director of the Boston Women’s Fund. Natanja shares her journey from a childhood grounded in community organizing and allyship to leading mission-driven work focused on social, gender and economic justice. She reflects on how early messages about identity and belonging shaped her sense of what was possible and how those messages continue to influence her inner dialogue today. In our conversation, we talk about the power of representation, the impact of environment on confidence and how focusing on service can shift attention away from self-doubt. Natanja also introduces the idea of “imprint vs. impact,” reminding us that while impact builds over time, imprint happens in every interaction through how we show up and support others. We also discuss what it takes to lead with honesty and humanity, why creating space for real conversations matters and how to move away from compartmentalization toward more authentic leadership. About My Guest Natanja N. Craig-Oquendo is CEO of Bos