Bellamy Young on the difference we can make when we care

She Leads with CARE showcases leaders who might not fit the conventional Western idea of leadership. How has this process expanded your understanding of what it means to be a leader?

“Leader” is one of those words that we sometimes get lazy about. Leadership is often framed as a title—an elected official, a CEO, someone in charge. But what I’ve learned through these conversations is that leadership is a verb. Through these conversations, I’ve seen that leadership is about action, participation, and creating change, often in ways that are far more impactful than policy alone. The women in She Leads with CARE are making life-changing impacts—whether it’s improving nutrition, securing education, or ensuring community safety. Their leadership is immediate, tangible, and transformative. They aren’t waiting for permission to lead; they’re driving survival and progress in ways that policymakers often can’t reach. That’s what I carry with me now when I think about what it truly means to lead.

You’ve said that CARE’s approach can be difficult to summarize because it’s so community driven. What stands out to you about the way CARE operates?

How hands-on it is! CARE works in partnership with people from the communities they’re helping. They don’t assume; they listen. They don’t dictate; they collaborate. And that’s why their work is so effective. It’s not about parachuting in with a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s about empowering people to build the futures they want for themselves—real, lasting change led by the people living it every day.

One of my favorite examples from the podcast is Lilian from Tanzania. She’s helped create over 700 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), changing tens of thousands of lives. In one community, when she asked women what would improve their lives, their answer wasn’t money or jobs—it was childcare. They knew they could be more efficient if they didn’t have keep bringing their children out to the fields while they worked. So, they began a daycare program. And now, in that community, there’s not just a daycare program—there’s a growing brick-and-mortar school, a thriving savings group, and second-generation women joining VSLAs to build their own futures. It’s incredible to see how listening and responding to people’s needs can ripple forward for generations.

What do you hope people take away from listening to She Leads with CARE? 

I hope people feel the same hope and inspiration I do when I hear these stories. Yes, the challenges are big, but the solutions—the courage, the innovation, the leadership—are already out there. And I hope it moves listeners to action, whether that’s supporting CARE, advocating for women’s rights, or just shifting the way they think about leadership and resilience in their own communities. If you walk away from an episode feeling even a fraction of the admiration and determination I do, then we’ve done our job.

She Leads with CARE: A Podcast Hosted by Bellamy Young

She Leads with CARE is a limited podcast series hosted by actress and producer Bellamy Young. From Vietnam to Ukraine to Tanzania, community leaders share their life experiences to show how local empowerment programs are changing lives. Join Bellamy to learn about the difference we can make in our own lives – and the lives of those around us – when we care.