What happens when we step toward disagreement instead of away from it?
In this episode of Girl, Take the Lead!, Yo talks with Charlotte Reed, a communications professional, community organizer, and candidate for Menlo Park City Council, District 4, in California.
Charlotte’s path to public service grew from a lifelong commitment to service—and from seeing what can happen when neighbors who care deeply about their community begin talking past one another.
During one particularly difficult City Council meeting, Charlotte found herself thinking: there has to be a better way.
That experience helped move her toward running for office and toward a leadership approach grounded in listening, communication, and finding common ground.
Charlotte shares how she approaches people whose views may be very different from her own. Rather than beginning with disagreement, she tries to remember that we each bring our own lived experiences, information, and values to a conversation.
In this episode:
The conversation explores what it means to lead with grace without expecting everyone to agree.
We also talk about something Charlotte has learned from knocking on thousands of doors and talking with people throughout her community:
Sometimes leadership is simply about showing up.
- How a commitment to service led Charlotte toward public office
- The connection between communication, storytelling, and leadership
- What she’s learned from talking with thousands of people in her community
- Listening and finding commonality when views differ
- Why showing up matters
- Hope, community, and rebuilding trust
- Separating outcomes from our worth
- Charlotte’s reminder: “What’s meant for you won’t miss you.”
Why serious work still needs moments that make us laugh
About Charlotte Reed:
Charlotte combines a career in corporate communications with years of community service. She has led growth initiatives at multi-billion-dollar companies and has been a Junior League member for nearly a decade, helping build connections with elected officials and nonprofit partners around housing, food, and other community needs.
She holds a BA in Public Relations and Strategic Communication from American University, with a minor in Spanish Language and a certificate in Spanish Translation, and is a 2026 graduate of the Emerge California political candidate training program.
Connect with Charlotte
🌐 Website: charlotteformenlopark.com
💙 Campaign donations: Charlotte Reed campaign donation page
📸 Instagram: @thecharlottereed💼 Facebook: Charlotte Reed▶️ TikTok: @thecharlottereed🧵 Threads: @thecharlottereed🦋 Bluesky: Charlotte Reed
This Week’s Sound Bite
Charlotte’s approach to disagreement left Yo thinking about intention.
What happens when we enter conflict curious about another person’s intention—and equally willing to examine our own?
Conflict Resolution: Is Intention Enough?
Connect with Girl, Take the Lead!
🌐 Website: www.girltaketheleadpod.com🎧 Listen: www.girltaketheleadpod.com/listen▶️ YouTube: @GirlTaketheLead📸 Instagram: @yocanny💼 LinkedIn: Yo Canny📘 Facebook Group: Girl, Take the Lead!