258: 12 Years In - Lessons in Leadership

258: 12 Years In - Lessons in Leadership

From Find Your Spark by The SPARK Initiative

March 10, 2026 · 25 min · Episode 258

About this episode

Brooke Wheeldon-Reece reflects on her 12-year journey with The SPARK Initiative, sharing lessons in leadership and the impact of purpose-driven work.

In this episode, best friends and coworkers Brooke Wheeldon-Reece and Ashley Hunt sit down to reflect on Brooke’s 12-year journey with The SPARK Initiative. As President and CEO, Brooke has helped shape SPARK’s vision, programs, and impact from the ground up — guiding its growth while staying rooted in the mission of helping people understand the power of their own minds. Together, Brooke and Ashley share an honest conversation about what twelve years inside an organization like SPARK really looks like: the lessons in leadership, the challenges and growth along the way, and the moments that have made it all worthwhile. From building programs and partnerships to watching the impact unfold in classrooms and communities, Brooke reflects on the experiences that have shaped both her leadership and SPARK’s evolution. It’s a candid look at purpose-driven work, long-term commitment to a mission, and what it means to grow alongside an organization you believe in.

People in this episode

Host: Brooke Wheeldon-Reece

Topics covered

  • leadership
  • non-profit growth
  • personal development
  • organizational impact

Keywords

  • SPARK Initiative
  • leadership lessons
  • organizational growth
  • community impact

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