Major Takeaways
• Leadership requires accessibility and adaptability. Dr. Ellis emphasizes that strong leaders remain connected to the people they serve while navigating change and uncertainty.
• Influence comes with responsibility. Women leaders must walk with confidence and humility while recognizing that the next generation is watching.
• Legacy is built through mentorship and service. True leadership ensures that future leaders inherit stronger systems and clearer paths to success.
Leadership Lessons from Dr. Portia Ellis on Women Leadership, Legacy, Influence, Public Health, and Mentorship
Q&A With Felicia Brookins• WHM Presented By Urban City Podcast 7 min read
Architects of Impact: The Executive Legacy Conversation
About the Architects of Impact Series
Architects of Impact is an executive spotlight series highlighting accomplished women 50+ who lead
with strength, softness, and strategic clarity. These in-depth conversations go beyond titles to
uncover the “why” behind their work, the responsibility of influence, and the intentional legacy they
are building for the next generation.
Architect of Impact: Dr. Portia Ellis
Full Name: Dr. Portia E. Ellis
Current Title: Mississippi State Director of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority,
Incorporated
Organization/Institution: Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated
Occupation/Professional Field: Public Health Program Manager
Number of Years in This Profession: 6
You occupy spaces where decisions carry weight and consequence. How would
you define your leadership philosophy, and how has it evolved as you have moved
into positions of greater authority?
Response:
My leadership philosophy has always been focused on being accessible and adaptable.
First, you must be people centered. Though leadership comes with tough decisions,
every decision must be made with care, wisdom and the idea of doing what’s in the best
interest of the people. You have to be accessible and understanding of the people who
you serve, and you must also be adaptable to the various changes, challenges, and
unforeseen circumstances that may arise at any given moment.
I have learned that everyone may not always agree with your decisions, but your
responsibility as a leader is not to necessarily make everyone happy, but to always do
the right thing in the spirit of integrity and transparency.
The most defining moment of my leadership journey was having to serve during the
COVID-19 pandemic during 2020-2021. While the world was facing unprecedent times,
it was my responsibility to ensure that the women I led stayed motivated to continue to
serve through these very challenging times. It was at this moment, that I reached the
“turning point” and noticeable evolution of my leadership style even when life gives the
whole world lemons, figure out a way to make lemonade!
Titles describe what you do, but rarely capture why you do it. What is the deeper
“why” that anchors your work and how does it influence the way you show up each day?
Response:
The “Why” behind the title is the inner joy that you feel when you realize that you have
been an instrumental part of making the world around you and the communities that are
producing our next generation a better place.
I was thrust into a leadership position at a very young age. At 26 years old, I was
appointed to lead a couple of thousand women who were older and much more
experienced within the organization than I was. I used this opportunity to be inclusive of
their wisdom, knowledge, and expertise as I reassured them that I had the maturity to
step into the role and to represent them with the highest degree of poise and
professionalism.
Years later, I was elected, then re-elected to continue to serve them, and their trust in
me, respect for me, and support of me have been my why. Having the love, support and
respect from those you lead makes the job easier and happier, and it encourages you,
with the help of The Lord, to continue to lead another day.
The late nights, early mornings, thousands of miles traveled, and many other sacrifices
are bearable when you see that the ones who are serving with you are making just as
many sacrifices to ensure that we are serving the communities that we live in and
making the world a better place. It is not about the “glitz and glamour” of the title, but
about the impact and the legacy that can be made regardless of age or background.
As a woman in executive leadership, how do you interpret the responsibility that
comes with influence?
Response:
The most important thing to have is self-confidence. For many years minority women
have been in spaces where we were underrepresented and overlooked. We have had to work harder than any other race and gender to have the same seats at the table with
stakeholders and decision makers. Working harder than others has allowed us an
opportunity to gain traction, influence and affluence. I have learned that you must know without a shadow of a doubt who you are, and whose you are. You must walk into a
room with a certain level of both humbleness and confidence. You must realize that
confidence is not synonymous with arrogance, but a demonstration that as a woman in
leadership, you have the same rights and privileges as your male counterparts.
You must remember that there is a little girl, or young lady who is watching you and who
will one day have to display that same level of confidence to make movement in spaces
that may not always be open or welcoming.
Leadership extends beyond institutional walls. Please share the organizations or
causes you are actively involved in and why they matter to you.
Response:
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated is a community-conscious action-oriented
organization founded on the principles of scholarship, service, sisterhood and Finer
Womanhood. My service to this organization has developed me as a leader and allowed
me to service the community as a change agent. My faith in God has allowed me to
navigate all aspects of leadership and I am a proud member of the Church of God In
Christ, Inc., where I serve in various leadership and ministry capacities.
Lastly, my professional affiliations and certifications within public health and health
education have allowed me to have the perfect balance while allowing me to work
toward the greater good of the community through volunteer, professional, and faith-
based affiliations.
When the next generation studies this era of leadership, what do you hope they
will understand about the women who led during it?
Response:
The best advice that I can give the next generation is to unapologetically be the best
that you can be! There are so many ahead of them in the current and past eras who
have already gone through the fight for them to have more opportunities and a better
pathway for achieving success.
Every day you must give it 1,000%, and go forth in leadership like it is your very last
shot at accomplishing your goals. You must have strong faith and a meditation life that
will keep you rooted and grounded and encourage you to walk the straight and narrow.
Be kind and honest, while being stern and confident. The sky is forever the limit!
Closing Reflection
What does legacy mean to you, and how are you intentionally building it?
Response:
Legacy means ensuring that you leave things better than how you found it, and that you
are there to help the next set of leaders every step of the way. When I leave this office, I
vow to ensure that the person who comes behind me has a smooth transition with
“lessons learned” of experiences that I had to overcome, and that they can possibly
avoid! This is the essence of leadership and mentorship while ensuring that lasting
legacies are preserved forever!
