by Merilee Kern, MBA
Relational leadership and management authority Cheryl L. Mason, J.D. is a force of nature. TEDx speaker, author and CEO, Mason his hell bent on helping C-suite executives, senior leaders, companies, and teams develop the skills and tools to lead with authenticity and empathy. As the fourth Presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed—and first woman and military spouse—to serve as the CEO/Chairman of the VA Board of Veterans' Appeals prior to starting her own Catalyst Leadership Management business consultancy, Mason is revered for leading with an impactful morale-boosting, people-centric approach—and teaching other managers how to do the same.
Mason brings a unique perspective on adversity and challenges by viewing them as pivotal moments for learning and growth. Additionally, she addresses and highlights the negative impact of invisible “phantom” leaders on the people and the organization. Her consultancy services help CEOs, senior leaders, companies, and teams develop the skills and tools to lead with authenticity and relate with empathy. Mason’s mission is to help other business leaders discover and embrace the power of authenticity—being real, caring, relatable, accessible and engaging with each leader’s most valuable asset: the people they lead and impact.
As an author and a TEDx speaker, Mason shares insights and stories about people, obstacles, purpose, impact and mindset along with tactical ways leaders can elevate results. Mason is more than a speaker; she's a dynamic force of nature. Her captivating keynote presentations have graced the TEDx stage and have left a profound mark on corporations and nonprofits alike. With her wealth of knowledge, real-world experience, and infectious enthusiasm for leadership, Mason has inspired countless individuals to reach their full potential and take their leadership skills to new heights. She shares her inspiring journey of overcoming life's challenges, while seamlessly incorporating valuable lessons on leadership, vulnerability, and courage. Her ability to connect with business and corporate audiences leaves a lasting impact, empowering others to face adversity with resilience and determination.
In her book, “Dare to Relate: Leading with a Fierce Heart,” which emphasizes the significance of cultivating strong relationships within your workforce, Mason shares her journey and unveils her unconventional, yet highly effective approach to leadership. The book highlights how investing time, technology and finances into the employee pool can spur long-term savings substantial bottom line results. The book highlights how relational leadership enhances staff well-being and drives success for leaders and their organizations at large. Through relatable personal stories and insights from her network, Mason's book not only encourages and guides aspirationals to find their own inner leader, but also emphasizes the importance of purposefully impacting the world today and tomorrow. Merilee Kern, MBA is an internationally-regarded brand strategist and analyst who reports on noteworthy industry change makers, movers, shakers and innovators across all B2B and B2C categories. Connect with her at LinkedIn www.LinkedIn.com/in/MerileeKern. Mason realized an exceptional career at the Department of Veterans Affairs, beginning as a young attorney and climbing the ranks to eventually become the first woman and military spouse—and senate confirmed—Chairman of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. As the CEO leading over 1200 people serving the veteran and stakeholder communities, she implemented technological innovations to benefit both her employees and customers. Through collaboration with her team, she achieved remarkable results, doubling customer outcomes and increasing morale, retention, and trust. Mason not only successfully grew and managed a large budget but also built and led the most diverse team of people in our history.
With over 30 years of dedicated federal service, coupled with her role as a USAF military spouse, Mason held various challenging positions in the legal and administrative domains. Her accomplishments include establishing an educational program for service members and their families in Germany, managing a diverse range of USAFE support programs encompassing contracts, personnel, budget, and IT, and spearheading a large-scale complex legal operation at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Throughout her career, she has earned a well-deserved reputation as an inspiring leader, placing utmost importance on her team, their families, and the successful accomplishment of their mission. As Chairman of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals at the VA, she led a team of 1200 personnel, including veterans law judges, attorneys, and operations and administrative professionals, and executed a budget of $228 million to meet the Board’s mission of conducting hearings and deciding appeals on benefits and services for veterans and their families. As a principal, she advised the Secretary of the VA on diverse matters, from wide-ranging veterans’ issues to stakeholder concerns. She implemented revolutionary technological innovations, streamlined processes, and created cost-saving solutions. She improved operations by creating consistency in management practices and championed the investment in personnel by securing more than 65 percent in budget increases over 4 years. She is credited with turning the Board from a dysfunctional organization with low morale and trust and lackluster results into a high-functioning organization, delivering results to veterans and increasing trust and morale in her employees through her people-focused leadership style. Mason served as Interim Principal Deputy Vice Chairman at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals where she was responsible for legislation, regulation, and policy, which included building a diverse political alliance to build consensus with VA leadership, stakeholders and Congress to gain passage of the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017. Additionally, Mason held a variety of positions, including Deputy Vice Chairman and Veterans Law Judge at the Board, attorney with the Federal Labor Relations Authority, and a Department of the Air Force civilian at HQ United States Air Forces in Europe at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Mason also served as a contract attorney investigator for the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division specializing in the Americans with Disabilities Act; a military services paralegal coordinator for Europe with Central Texas College; and an instructor at Central Texas College, Kapaun Air Station, Germany. She also served as a PREVENTS Task Force Ambassador, along with Lead Ambassador Second Lady Karen Pence. PREVENTS was the first national public health campaign to address suicide prevention. Mason also worked closely with First Lady Dr. Jill Biden’s Joining Forces initiative to address the challenges and issues of military and veteran families. In recognition of her fierce commitment and actions around military spouse employment and transitioning veterans, Mason received the Hiring Our Heroes 2022 Bonnie Amos Lifetime Achievement Impact Award from the US Chamber of Commerce. Mason was recognized by Disabled American Veterans as the 2021 Outstanding Federal Executive and received the FedHealthIT 2020 Leading for Impact: Women in Leadership Award. Mason’s extraordinary journey stands as a testament to her unwavering dedication and exceptional leadership prowess. Being a catalyst leader involves facing challenges, overcoming obstacles, and genuinely caring for and supporting your employees.
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