Leader Spotlight - Liz Gordon-Canlas

Our Leader Spotlight includes advice and insights from our clients and friends. It is our pleasure to shine the light on leaders who inspire growth, collaboration, and impact.

Meet Liz Gordon-Canlas, Managing Director, Zora's House

Most important lesson you’ve learned about building and leading a team:

“The most important lesson I’ve learned is that clarity and care go hand in hand. A great leader sets a clear vision and expectations and at the same time also creates space for people to bring their full selves to the work. When your team understands both where you’re going and why it matters, they show up with purpose and creativity.”

One piece of advice for leaders who want to create a workplace where people can flourish:

“Lead with humanity. When people feel seen, valued, and trusted, they’ll bring their best ideas forward. Creating a flourishing workplace starts with modeling empathy, transparency, and accountability, so your team knows that excellence and compassion can coexist.”

Mindset that has helped you lead with confidence, and how it has influenced your team:

“I remind myself that leadership is a practice of learning, not perfection. Staying curious, open to feedback, and willing to admit when I don’t have all the answers creates psychological safety for my team. That mindset helps us innovate, recover quickly from setbacks, and build a culture rooted in growth rather than fear of failure.”