Connecting with Dee Poku Spalding

Dee Poku Spalding is the founder and CEO of The WIE Suite , a membership club redefining how women leaders achieve success by providing the community and tools they need to thrive. An innate community builder, Dee has created platforms that have attracted global business and cultural icons, including Queen Rania and Nancy Pelosi. Her initiatives, from The WIE Network to Black Women Raise , champion diversity, accelerate women’s advancement, and transform the leadership landscape. A former senior marketing executive in film, she now drives innovation at the intersection of leadership, community, and culture.

How have relationships influenced your professional development and leadership style?

I make it a priority to be intentional about the company I keep. Consciously or unconsciously, we absorb lessons from the people around us. Their attitudes, actions, and perspectives shape our approach to challenges, our outlook on life, our ideas, and even our sense of self-belief.??

So I seek out people who inspire me, challenge me, and have valuable lessons to share. As a lifelong learner, I’m always looking for opportunities to grow as a leader, and much of my insight comes from observing real-world examples of best practices. This extends not only to mentors and role models but also to the friendships and colleagues I choose to nurture. Surrounding myself with the best people helps me stay curious, motivated, and continuously evolving.

Do you have any tips for maintaining and building strong relationships?

It's not about the quantity of interactions but the quality. Every encounter is an opportunity to create something meaningful, and that starts with being fully present. Show up with your full attention, practice deep listening, and make others feel truly seen and valued. When you approach interactions this way, even brief moments can leave a lasting impact.

How have you intentionally built inclusiveness into your circles?

I grew up as an outsider so I never take belonging for granted. I consistently do the work of creating belonging, not just for myself but on behalf of the people around me. Additionally, I have always had wide and inclusive circles because I gravitate towards people and spaces that challenge me. I don’t like the status quo. I find it interesting to be in places where I’m a little outside my comfort zone and I have to figure out how to build connection.?

This approach extends to how I engage in group settings. When I’m in a room full of strangers, I make it a point to meet as many people as I can instead of sticking with the familiar. I encourage my team to embrace the same mindset, ensuring there’s a healthy mix of interactions with new people and familiar faces. It’s a deliberate effort to create inclusive, dynamic spaces where everyone feels seen and valued.

What community or communities are you proud to be a part of?

I’m proud to be a part of The WIE Suite community. And yes I know it’s my company but it actually feels like OUR community – mine and the members. The members are so protective and such active participants in how the community runs and grows, and that’s been instrumental to our success. They are also so smart and so knowledgeable that it's a privilege to learn from them every day. I’m lucky. I built the community I wished I’d had as a woman in leadership.?

Who’s a Connector that's made a difference in your life??

I would say Bethann Hardinson. She is an activist who works at the intersection of racial equity and fashion and I admire her ability to speak to different communities and create unity and harmony. She speaks her mind but she doesn’t judge. She doesn't shout. She just quietly and assuredly finds solutions and common ground. And because of that, she’s always surrounded by the most interesting people. Everyone wants to be in her orbit.

I also particularly love that Bethann is a generation above me. I’ve been gravitating more and more to people of different generations. I love hearing how my 12 year old son sees the world, and equally, how the women who came before us navigate the challenges of today. Life is cyclical and it gives me peace of mind to know that ultimately, no matter the issues, everything can work out for the best.

It's an honor to feature inspiring change-makers across industries who share their stories and words of wisdom about how to build meaningful relationships. Catch up on #CONNECTED with our previous guests, including Jay Geneske , Tracy Gray , Abigail Disney , and more!

Susan McPherson is a serial connector, seasoned communicator and founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, a communications consultancy focused on the intersection of brands and social impact. She is the author of The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships.

Follow Susan on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram and order her new book, The Lost Art of Connecting, also available on Kindle and Audiobook.