Charli K. Matthews doesn’t just talk about leadership—she lives it, celebrates it, and helps others uncover it in themselves. In this engaging and uplifting episode, Lindsey Schultz welcomes Charli to “Ore-atory” to unpack the transformative power of community and the story behind Empowering Brands and Empowering Women.
Charli takes us back to her roots in advertising sales, where a connection to the pump industry sparked a journey that would evolve into building a media company. As she climbed through technical spaces often dominated by men, she noticed a glaring gap: a lack of women in leadership roles in her network. That realization led to her founding Empowering Women—a platform not only to support women in heavy industries, but to amplify their voices and build spaces of celebration, learning, and connection.
Listeners get an inside look at Charli’s deeply personal motivations, including her battle with impostor syndrome and the turning point when someone told her, “You are a leader.” From there, her work has been guided by the philosophy that if you can’t find your hero, be the hero.
Throughout the episode, Lindsey and Charli delve into themes that resonate deeply across all industries: the challenges of discussing our successes, the importance of making time for reflection, and the joy of being seen by people who truly understand. Charli’s conference stories—like the shy engineer who blossomed into a confident leader by the day’s end—highlight the life-changing potential of simply creating the right environment.
Charli also discusses how coaching became a natural extension of her work. With her signature empathy and deep curiosity, she helps people move from overwhelmed to empowered. Her coaching is rooted in action and authenticity, encouraging leaders to find confidence through storytelling and community support.
And yes, there’s a twirling baton. In high heels. At a pump industry conference. Because leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all, and that’s the point.
Whether you’re an engineer, entrepreneur, student, or just someone searching for purpose in your profession, this conversation is a joyful and powerful reminder that leadership is not about fitting into a mold—it’s about showing up as your whole self, and helping others do the same.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: ⏱️
00:00 Empowering Connections: The Drive Behind Leadership
02:43 The Birth of Empowering Brands and Women
06:01 Creating Safe Spaces for Women in Industry
10:16 Celebrating Wins and Building Confidence
13:02 Upcoming Events: Empowering Women in Action
19:18 Transformative Moments: Stories from the Conference
21:51 Authenticity in Leadership: Embracing Your True Self
25:17 Balancing Work and Fun
28:00 The Importance of Coaching
32:12 Empowering Women in Leadership
36:30 Creating Unique Conference Experiences
44:39 Connecting and Celebrating Success
Connect with us on LinkedIn and check out monthly episodes of Ore-atory: Elevating Mining Minds on Apple Podcast or Spotify, where we continue to explore the mining industry workspace.
Tune in and be part of the conversation that’s shaping the future of mining!
Are you a job seeker looking for your next opportunity or an organization looking to hire your next team member? If you have time for a quick chat about your goals MRC can help connect with us.