We were lucky to catch up with Sara Ann Todd recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sara Ann, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

After 15 years in government service, I made the difficult decision to step away from a stable, well-established career and launch my own business. For much of my career, I believed deeply in the mission of public service and the ability of government to make a positive difference. But over time, the environment changed in ways that no longer aligned with my values or my vision for leadership. I found myself in a space where staying meant compromising the very principles that had guided my entire professional journey: integrity, authenticity, and service.

Leaving government was not an easy decision. I had a dependable career, strong relationships, and a predictable future. But I also knew that personal alignment and purpose matter more than comfort or security. Taking that leap required courage and faith.

My faith played a huge role in helping me take that step forward. I truly believe that when we act in alignment with our values and trust in God’s plan, better things lie ahead, even if we can’t see them yet. That reassurance gave me the strength to trade certainty for possibility.

That belief led me to found Leadership Investments LLC, where my mission is to help leaders and organizations grow with purpose, integrity, and courage. The name reflects my philosophy: that leadership is not just about titles or authority, it’s about intentionally investing in yourself and others to create lasting impact.

Starting over was challenging, but it has also been deeply fulfilling. Every new opportunity, every client success, and every personal milestone has reaffirmed that this was the right path. I’ve learned that real leadership sometimes means stepping into uncertainty, guided by faith that what’s ahead will be greater than what you left behind.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m the Founder and CEO of Leadership Investments LLC, which is dedicated to helping individuals and organizations lead with clarity, integrity, and purpose. Before launching my business, I spent 15 years in government service, where I had the privilege of leading diverse teams, managing complex programs, and witnessing firsthand how effective (or ineffective) leadership directly impacts people and outcomes.

Over time, I noticed a pattern: many organizations struggled not because they lacked talent or resources, but because they lacked intentional leadership with leaders who truly invest in their people, build trust, and create environments where others can thrive. That realization, coupled with my desire to align my career with my personal values and faith, inspired me to start Leadership Investments.

Our services include customized leadership development programs designed to maximize individual and organizational impact. Our offerings include tailored Leadership Investments programs and DiSC® Assessments and Workshops. By blending proven methodologies with personalized support, we empower leaders to navigate complex challenges, drive meaningful change, and achieve lasting results. We work with leaders and organizations that are ready to grow and who understand that leadership is not about authority, but about influence and investment. Whether it’s helping an executive strengthen their leadership presence, guiding a team through cultural transformation, or helping an organization align its strategy with its values, our goal is always the same: to help people lead well and lead authentically. Our personalized leadership coaching helps professionals unlock their full potential and navigate complex challenges with confidence. Through one-on-one sessions tailored to our clients’ unique goals and strengths, we provide actionable insights, accountability, and support to accelerate your growth. Whether our clients are stepping into a new role or aiming to enhance their existing skills, our coaching drives meaningful, lasting transformation.

What sets us apart is our values-driven approach. We don’t offer cookie-cutter leadership models or one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, we partner deeply with clients to understand their unique challenges and help them build systems and mindsets that create lasting change. Our work is adaptable to the needs of our clients and grounded in the belief that leadership is an investment. An investment that pays dividends in organizational health, employee engagement, and long-term success.

I’m most proud of the impact we’re already making. Seeing a client regain confidence, transform their leadership style, or rebuild a struggling culture is incredibly rewarding. Those moments remind me of why I took the leap to start this business in the first place.

At the heart of Leadership Investments is a simple but powerful belief: that leadership is both a privilege and a responsibility. My faith has always reminded me that when we lead with purpose, humility, and courage, we create ripples that extend far beyond our immediate circle. That’s what I want people to know about me and my business: we exist to help leaders lead better, so their people and their organizations can flourish.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to unlearn is the idea that success is measured by task completion. Early in my career, especially in government service, there was a strong emphasis on productivity, efficiency, and checking boxes. I equated getting things done with being effective. If I completed the list, hit the deadline, and met the metric, I felt successful.

But over time, I began to realize that leadership isn’t just about what gets done; it’s about who you bring along in the process. I started noticing that teams who felt seen, valued, and supported consistently outperformed those that were simply focused on output. The strongest results didn’t come from pushing harder; they came from connecting deeper.

That realization shifted everything for me. I had to unlearn the mindset that leadership is about control, precision, and completion, and instead embrace that it’s about people, relationships, and growth. When you invest in people first, the results take care of themselves.

Now, through Leadership Investments, that philosophy shapes everything we do. We help leaders and organizations move from being task-driven to being people-centered, because I’ve lived that transition myself. True leadership isn’t about managing tasks; it’s about inspiring people to reach their potential. That’s where the real impact happens.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I like to say that perfecting the pivot is one of the most important leadership skills anyone can develop. Life and business rarely go exactly as planned, and our ability to adapt with purpose often determines our success and fulfillment.

My biggest pivot came when I decided to leave government service after 15 years and start Leadership Investments. I mentioned earlier that this was a deeply personal and values-driven decision. For most of my career, I believed I would retire from public service. Public service was stable, predictable, and honorable work, but as time went on, I found myself increasingly out of alignment with the environment and the values being modeled around me. Staying would have meant silencing parts of myself that I wasn’t willing to compromise.

That’s when I realized I had to pivot; not just professionally, but personally. I had to redefine what success meant for me. Instead of measuring it by security or structure, I began measuring it by alignment, impact, and authenticity.

Making that pivot required courage, faith, and a willingness to start over. But it also reaffirmed one of the core lessons we now teach leaders: that pivots are not signs of failure or instability, they’re evidence of growth. When you pivot with clarity and purpose, you open the door to opportunities that align more closely with who you are and what you’re called to do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.leadershipinvestments.biz
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-ann-todd
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leadership-investments-llc