For Vera Cherepanova, ethics isn’t an abstract principle—it’s the foundation of good business. As the Executive Director of Boards of the Future, she’s leading a movement to bring ethics and compliance expertise into corporate boardrooms.

With over 18 years in the field of ethics and compliance, Vera has seen firsthand how businesses struggle to balance ethical decision-making with financial and operational pressures. Too often, compliance is treated as a checkbox exercise rather than a driver of long-term success. Changing this perception has been one of the biggest challenges of her career.

A Reluctant Beginning, A Lifelong Commitment

Vera’s journey into compliance started in an unexpected way. Early in her career, she worked as an Internal Auditor, enjoying the structured approach of financial oversight. Then one day, her General Manager handed her a new responsibility: “Headquarters wants us to do compliance. I don’t know what it is, but you will do it.”

What began as an assignment quickly became a passion. Vera watched as the field evolved from a narrow focus on anti-corruption laws to a broader, more dynamic role that considers corporate culture, ethical leadership, and governance. Over the years, she moved from calling herself an “anti-corruption compliance person” to a “compliance person,” then an “ethics and compliance person,” and now, an “ethics advocate.” Each shift in title reflected the growing importance of ethics in business decision-making, moving from compliance oversight to reshaping how businesses think about ethical leadership.

Her contributions to the field are undeniable. She authored Corporate Compliance Program, the first book on compliance in Russian, which is now a leading textbook in universities across Russian-speaking countries. She has coauthored books on anti-corruption law and compliance leadership and written hundreds of articles featured in major publications like the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, and Compliance Week.

Shifting the Conversation in the Boardroom

Despite the progress in compliance and ethics, Vera saw a major gap in corporate leadership with many boardrooms still treating ethics as an afterthought. Many board members she encountered openly admitting they had never heard the word “ethics” discussed in their meetings.

That’s where Boards of the Future comes in. Founded just six months ago, the non-profit is already gaining traction, engaging with recruiters, investors, and board nomination committees to elevate the role of ethics in governance. Vera’s goal is to change the perception that compliance is a roadblock to business growth. Instead, she wants to show that ethical leadership prevents crises, strengthens corporate reputation, and drives sustainable success.

The Role of Collaboration and Inclusion

For Vera, ethics is not a solo endeavor—it’s a collective effort that requires engaging multiple stakeholders. Through strategic partnerships and advocacy, Vera is equipping boards with the tools to integrate ethics into governance, ensuring that companies operate with integrity.

She rejects the outdated idea that ethical failures are caused by a few “bad apples.” In nearly every case, systemic issues—not individual actors—are the real problem. The solution? A shift in corporate culture that prioritizes ethical decision-making at every level.

This is why Boards of the Future is focused on an often-overlooked aspect of diversity: the need for ethics and compliance expertise in leadership. While many organizations work toward demographic representation in the boardroom, Vera is advocating for diversity in knowledge, experience, and perspective—ensuring companies don’t just look inclusive but operate with integrity.

A Call for Ethical Leadership

The urgency of Vera’s work is clear. Recent reports show that trust in business leaders is at an all-time low. The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer found that two-thirds of people believe executives intentionally mislead through false or exaggerated statements. Meanwhile, a Gallup survey revealed that only 12% of people rate business executives’ honesty and ethics as “very high.”

This isn’t just a PR problem—it’s a leadership crisis.

Rather than addressing these concerns at their root, many companies turn to damage control—hiring PR firms, crafting better messaging, and hoping the issue fades. But Vera sees a deeper solution: embedding ethics into leadership itself. Until companies prioritize ethical decision-making as a core competency, scandals, distrust, and systemic failures will continue.

Looking Ahead

As she expands Boards of the Future, Vera is focused on increasing her presence in the U.S. and introducing governance practices from Europe, such as board apprenticeship programs. She plans to continue engaging in global conversations about governance, risk, and ethical leadership, ensuring that ethics isn’t just a conversation happening on the sidelines—but at the head of the table.

Ultimately, Vera’s vision is simple but powerful: a business world where integrity isn’t optional—it’s essential.

To help boards build stronger ethical foundations, Vera has created the Boardroom Assessment Tool: A Self-Assessment Framework for Ethical & Purpose-Driven Board Leadership. This resource is designed for board members and executives who want to evaluate and improve their governance practices with an ethical lens.

Download it here: Boardroom Assessment Tool

Connect with Vera Cherepanova

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/follow-vera-cherepanova/
• Website: https://veracherepanova.com/
• Website: https://newboards.org/

Matt Ley isn’t just a consultant—he’s a builder, a thinker, and most importantly, a person who believes that work should be fulfilling. As the co-founder of Inflection Point Nexus (IPN) Consulting and author of Manage Your Gaps: Reclaiming the Awesomeness of Management, Matt helps organizations navigate moments of change, optimizing their efforts so they can create more impact with less energy. He calls this Fulfillment ROI—the idea that true success happens when the value we create exceeds the energy we invest.

But Matt’s journey to this philosophy wasn’t a straight line. He’s worked across tech startups, nonprofits, heavy manufacturing, and consulting, always driven by a deep curiosity and a desire to help people move through pivotal moments in their careers and businesses. His experiences—both wins and failures—have shaped the way he leads and the way he helps others lead.

Lessons from Failure: The Power of Alignment

Matt’s perspective on leadership and business growth is rooted in real-life lessons. In a previous venture, he brought in three friends to help scale a business. At first, things looked promising—they had clear conversations and defined their roles. But there was one critical gap: they never aligned their expectations or ownership.

Without a shared vision, everything funneled back to Matt. Instead of multiplying their impact, they struggled to move forward. When they lost their main client, the business unraveled. It was a tough experience, but one that taught him invaluable lessons—about setting clear expectations, aligning ownership, and building a structure that supports real collaboration.

Now, with IPN, he’s applied those lessons intentionally, ensuring that partnerships are built on mutual strengths and a shared vision. And he’s bringing that same clarity to the organizations he works with as they answer the question of whether they are looking for partners or leaders.

The Magic of Collaboration

For Matt, collaboration is the key to sustainable success. No one can do everything alone—and they shouldn’t have to. True impact happens when people understand where they thrive and where they need support. When the right partnerships form, something incredible happens: 1 + 1 = 3.

That’s the kind of math that fuels great businesses. It’s not just about individual contributions but about how teams work together to create something greater than the sum of their parts. This belief shapes how Matt and his team guide organizations through change, ensuring that leaders, teams, and structures are set up for long-term success.

Redefining Work-Life Balance

Matt doesn’t buy into the traditional idea of work-life balance. Instead, he operates from two core principles:

1. There are no costs, only investments. Every decision—where we put our time, energy, and attention—is an investment. The key is to invest wisely.
2. Fulfillment equals sustainability. When we align our energy with meaningful value creation, we build careers and lives that are not just successful but sustainable.

This perspective has shaped both his professional and personal life. With three children and a thriving business, Matt doesn’t see work and life as competing forces. Instead, he focuses on making deliberate choices that lead to greater satisfaction, impact, and fulfillment.

Driving Change at Inflection Points

Matt’s work is centered around inflection points—those moments when the old rules no longer apply, and the stakes feel high. These are the moments that define careers and businesses.

Organizations often struggle when they hit these transitions because change is uncomfortable. What worked in the past doesn’t always work moving forward, and without a clear strategy, teams can get stuck. That’s where Matt and IPN come in.

By blending organizational health with operational excellence, they help businesses:

• Understand shifting dynamics
• Manage the emotional impact of change
• Optimize energy investment
• Foster alignment and efficiency

It’s not just about reacting to change but making deliberate, strategic moves toward lasting success.

The Bigger Picture: Building a More Connected World

Beyond business, Matt has a broader mission: helping people reclaim wonder in the way they see and engage with the world. He believes that too many conversations are driven by division, suspicion, and fear. His work—whether in business, leadership, or community impact—is rooted in fostering curiosity, understanding, and connection.

At the core of it all is a simple truth: when we invest our energy into meaningful work and relationships, we don’t just succeed—we thrive.

And that’s what Matt Ley is all about.

For a deeper dive into Matt’s leadership philosophy and practical strategies, check out a sample of his book, Manage Your Gaps: Reclaiming the Awesomeness of Management at https://www.manageyourgaps.com 

Connect with Matt Ley

• IPN: https://www.ipnadvisors.com
• Manage Your Gaps: https://www.manageyourgaps.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattley/

Glenda Benevides has always known that music was her calling. From a young age, she felt a natural pull toward singing—something her parents wholeheartedly supported. With a voice that blends the raw emotion of Janis Joplin, the depth of Bessie Smith, and the soulfulness of Heart, Glenda’s music is more than just a performance—it’s an experience.

As an award-winning, GRAMMY®-nominated singer-songwriter and Recording Academy voting member, Glenda has spent years captivating audiences across the globe. But for her, music is not just about the melodies or the applause—it’s about impact. It’s about telling stories, inspiring others, and creating a ripple effect of positivity.

Now, as part of the 2025 Women Leading the Way Changemaker Interview Series, celebrating Women’s History Month, Glenda Benevides takes center stage—not just as a musician, but as a storyteller and changemaker.

A Journey of Self-Discovery Through Music

Glenda’s career has been a journey of learning, growth, and self-discovery. Touring the world taught her a vital lesson: longevity in music isn’t just about talent—it’s about depth. She realized that to sustain her passion, she needed to create music that was deeply moving and personally fulfilling. It wasn’t just about entertaining—it was about connecting.

Her approach to music has always been from the inside out. She believes that true transformation doesn’t come from fixing external circumstances—it comes from within. Through patience, forgiveness, and self-reflection, she has cultivated a career that is not only successful but also meaningful.

Defining Success on Her Own Terms

For Glenda, success is not a destination or an accolade—it’s a state of being. It’s about doing what she loves, following her passion, and staying true to her values. The moment she acknowledges that she is living her purpose, she is already successful.

During difficult times, she reminds herself that nothing is permanent. She takes a deep breath, embraces gratitude, and focuses on the support of those who believe in her. Staying aligned with her purpose is what keeps her moving forward, no matter the challenges.

Leadership Through Clarity and Alignment

As a leader, Glenda believes in clear alignment. Whether she’s working with musicians, producers, or collaborators, she ensures that everyone is on the same page. When people understand the vision, they can give their full creative energy without hesitation. This approach fosters an environment where creativity thrives, and the best work comes to life.

Giving Back Through Music and Action

Glenda’s commitment to making a difference extends beyond music. Through her business, she donates a portion of her sales to One Tree Planted, an organization dedicated to reforestation efforts. She sees this as a reflection of a bigger truth: nothing exists in isolation. The well-being of the planet is interconnected with our own.

Her motto—Music. Unity. Action.—is a call to wake up, get involved, and recognize that we all have a role to play. Whether through music, activism, or everyday choices, we have the power to create change.

Expanding Her Impact

Currently, Glenda is working on multiple projects that align with her vision of empowerment and connection. She is designing a retreat in Dover, UK, focused on clarity, courage, confidence, and community—elements she believes are essential for personal growth. She is also continuing to tour and collaborate with fellow musicians, including the talented Fred O’Neil from Scotland and her longtime music partner Gene Williams in California.

Each of these projects is a reflection of Glenda’s deep commitment to inspiring others. She listens to her community, creates what they need, and uses her insights to craft music and experiences that move people to action.

Glenda Benevides: A Legacy of Inspiration

Glenda Benevides is more than just a musician—she is a storyteller, a leader, and a force for change. Through her music, books, and activism, she reminds us that success is not about reaching a final goal—it’s about being true to yourself every step of the way.

Her journey is proof that when you align with your passion, embrace your unique gifts, and take action, you can create an impact that lasts far beyond the stage.

For more about Glenda’s work, music, and upcoming projects, visit glendabenevides.com.