WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE LEAD FROM OUR FULL SELVES

Season 2

Jun 2

Written by Erin Davis

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UNAPOLOGETIC · SEASON 2 / EPISODE 18

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE LEAD FROM OUR FULL SELVES

WITH ELLI MCDINE

ABOUT THE EPISODE

In this episode of Unapologetic, I sit down with Elli McDine — a leader, educator, storyteller, and community builder whose work lives at the intersection of authenticity, innovation, and belonging.

Together, we explore what it means to lead while navigating visibility, identity, and systems that were not always designed for everyone to thrive within them. Elli shares reflections from her leadership journey, the experience of transitioning publicly, and the power of storytelling to create deeper understanding, connection, and change.

We also talk about the tension between safety and authenticity, the importance of building spaces rooted in care and community, and why representation alone is never enough without systems that truly support people once they arrive.

This conversation is thoughtful, grounding, and deeply human — a reminder that leadership is not about perfection, but about the courage to show up fully as ourselves.

MEET THE GUEST

Elli McDine is a strategist, researcher, community builder, and storyteller with more than a decade of experience in organizational transformation, innovation, and inclusive leadership. She has held senior leadership roles across the nonprofit, public, and post-secondary sectors, including serving as Executive Director of the Alberta 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce, where she has worked to strengthen economic opportunities and connections for queer and trans-owned businesses.

Elli also teaches Intrapreneurship and Innovation at NAIT's JR Shaw School of Business and is the co-director and co-creator of Coming Home, a documentary series exploring gender transition and queer joy. As a trans woman, parent, and community advocate, she brings lived experience to her work, emphasizing the human side of change and the importance of creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to be themselves.

Website: https://ellimcdine.com/

Connect with Elli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellimcdine/