Leading in the strength of who you are
with Christi Gordy
In this episode of the Be Worth* Following podcast, Christi Gordy, Founder and Executive Director of Canopy Life International, joins host Tim Spiker to share about her leadership of the organization. Canopy Life Academy is a boarding school dedicated to empowering vulnerable Kenyan children by equipping them with leadership skills, critical thinking, and innovation, aiming to lead their communities out of poverty.
Christi shares key moments that impacted her leadership approach, highlighting the importance of understanding one’s purpose, the transformative power of embracing one's identity, and the challenges and achievements of leading a nonprofit from thousands of miles away. Christi's story is a testament to the power of visionary leadership, the importance of being inwardly sound and others-focused, and the impact of nurturing the next generation of leaders through empathy, understanding, and innovative education.
Show Notes
Transcript of the episode
In this episode you’ll Hear:
Exceptional leaders allow their uniqueness to empower their leadership.
Leaders must learn to manage the tension between reality and vision.
Nurturing environments encourage innovation.
Belonging is knowing the place you have in your community and fosters the innovation that community needs for positive change.
Things to listen for:
[02:23] The leader who shaped Christy’s thinking the most
[04:15] Key moments that helped Christy identify her passions
[07:42] What Canopy Life is and how it is born
[14:20] Leading in the midst of challenges
[15:36] Ballroom dancing as a leadership analogy
[18:49] Leader as orchestra conductor
[23:17] Allowing trust to help manage leadership tension
[25:22] Posture of humility to address power plays
[28:19] 3-fold Canopy Life approach to educating for innovation
[32:49] Canopy Life approach to developing leaders
[33:57] Canopy Life values
[35:46] Christy encouraging for profit leaders to connect with developing leaders in other cultures
[38:11] Tim’s Take
Additional Resources
Connect with Tim on LinkedIn
Learn more about The Aperio
The Only Leaders Worth* Following
Connect with Christi on LinkedIn
Canopy Life
Cloudwalk Ministries
Design Thinking
Secure attachment
Dr. Tasha Eurich
John Ott
About Christi . . .
Christi Gordy graduated from Toccoa Falls College in 2001 with a degree in Christian Education. She has a passion for transforming lives through education, innovation and faith.
Prior to Canopy Life International, Christi worked for various nonprofits in the Atlanta area, primarily The 410 Bridge (410bridge.org) where she served for 2 years in Communications & Events and 5 years as the first director/tour leader of the Daraja Children’s Choir of Africa (darajachoir.org).
Ever since her first trip to Kenya in 2003, Christi’s love for the Kenyan people has grown into a passion to see vulnerable rural children become Godly innovators and agents of transformation. In partnership with her Kenyan colleagues, Christi founded Canopy Life International, Inc. in 2014 and launched Canopy Life Academy in January of 2015.
Christi lives in Atlanta with her husband Joe, her son Shep and their dog Fitz.