Leading With Heart: How Growth, Grit, and Grace Shaped My Journey

From a team of two to a powerhouse organization raising over $1 million a year. Mia’s 14-year journey at Dress for Success Austin is a masterclass in growth, grit, and grace. As Executive Director, she’s learned firsthand that leadership isn’t a title, it’s an evolution.

In this heartfelt and inspiring talk, she’ll share how creativity, emotional intelligence, and a deep commitment to empowering women have shaped her leadership, and how those same principles can help you expand your own impact, both personally and professionally.

Takeaways:

• How to embrace leadership as an ongoing evolution, not a destination.
• The power of creativity and vision in driving real growth.
• Why leading with emotion is one of the strongest things you can do.

This is more than a talk. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to grow something meaningful, sustain it with purpose, and lead with heart.

Featured Speaker: Mia Johns

A recognized change-maker, nonprofit leader, and social advocate, Mia brings with her 17 years of nonprofit experience, which includes collaborating with individuals, foundations, government agencies, and corporate partners.

After earning a degree in communications and public relations from Texas State, Mia used her degree to become a writer, trainer, researcher, editor and marketer.

After joining Dress for Success Austin in 2011, it didn’t take long for her to see the opportunities were endless, and that the community wanted to support DFSA’s mission.

To handle the workload with just two paid employees, she grew the volunteer workforce from 25 to 300 and called on corporate volunteer groups to help with special projects. She started DFSA’s signature event, the Little Black Dress Soiree, which raised $8,000 in its first year and now raises $250,000 annually.

Mia has contributed to every area of DFSA: volunteers, programs, events, operations, inventory, and fundraising, which makes her an effective executive director who is known not only for creating lasting connections.

Personally, Mia is married to JD and has two loving adult children and an adorable dog, Georgie. Mia practices yoga every chance she can get, and she and JD restored a home built in 1904 in Taylor, TX.

Mia has been featured on several television networks, including local affiliates of major national stations, and was recognized as a 2025 Change Maker by Austin Woman Magazine for her work fostering equity throughout Austin and surrounding areas.

She was a featured panelist at the Fierce 100 3rd Annual Women’s Conference with keynote speaker, Loni Love.

Our featured nonprofit is Dress For Success Austin. DFSA empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing professional attire, a supportive network, and career development tools.

They offer programs like the "Path to Employment" and "Professional Women's Group," which include mentoring, job readiness training, and ongoing support to help women secure and advance in their careers. The organization provides these services free of charge to women through referrals from various community agencies.

More tickets available here: https://www.ladieslifestylenetwork.com/event-details/leading-with-heart-how-growth-grit-and-grace-shaped-my-journey