The Lie Ambitious Leaders Believe About Identity & Success | Maricella Herrera - E46
Wed Feb 04 2026
She built her dream career, but then walked away. Dusty Holcomb sits down with Maricella Herrera—former COO and CEO of Elevate Network and host of the podcast Oh Shit, I Just Quit My Job—for an honest, deeply human conversation about identity, integrity, and the courage required to walk away from a life that no longer fits. From her early career in finance in Mexico to business school at Columbia and more than a decade helping build the world’s largest professional community for women, Maricella reflects on the mentors who shaped her, the leadership philosophy rooted in transparency and modeling behavior, and the quiet burnout that followed years of purpose-driven work. She unpacks the tension between loyalty and self-leadership, the moment of clarity that led her to step away without a plan, and why alignment—not prestige or performance—became her north star. Together, she and Dusty explore redefining success on your own terms, the power of community and reflection, and why giving yourself space to listen is often the bravest leadership move you can make. Maricella shares how quitting became a catalyst for reinvention—through teaching, storytelling, and building a portfolio career grounded in mission, curiosity, and working with smart people who lead with care—reminding listeners that you are not what you do, but why you do it.
Key Timestamps:
(00:00) – Marella Herrera's Bold Career Moves
(08:15) – The Power of Mentorship
(15:46) – Journey to Elevate Network
(24:25) – The Decision to Leave Elevate
(34:28) – The Breaking Point: Realizing the Need for Change
(37:04) – Advice for Those Wrestling with Identity and Alignment
(43:53) – Teaching and Defining Non-Negotiables
(52:18) – Rapid Fire Questions: Books, Advice, and Daily Practices
(58:57) – Defining Success and Supporting Causes
Key Topics Discussed:
Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Self-Leadership, Leadership Coaching, Leadership Clarity, Organizational Leadership
Mentions:
Website: https://maricellaherrera.substack.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maricellaherreraa/
Mentions:
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
More of Leadership Unlocked:
Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/
Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com
More
She built her dream career, but then walked away. Dusty Holcomb sits down with Maricella Herrera—former COO and CEO of Elevate Network and host of the podcast Oh Shit, I Just Quit My Job—for an honest, deeply human conversation about identity, integrity, and the courage required to walk away from a life that no longer fits. From her early career in finance in Mexico to business school at Columbia and more than a decade helping build the world’s largest professional community for women, Maricella reflects on the mentors who shaped her, the leadership philosophy rooted in transparency and modeling behavior, and the quiet burnout that followed years of purpose-driven work. She unpacks the tension between loyalty and self-leadership, the moment of clarity that led her to step away without a plan, and why alignment—not prestige or performance—became her north star. Together, she and Dusty explore redefining success on your own terms, the power of community and reflection, and why giving yourself space to listen is often the bravest leadership move you can make. Maricella shares how quitting became a catalyst for reinvention—through teaching, storytelling, and building a portfolio career grounded in mission, curiosity, and working with smart people who lead with care—reminding listeners that you are not what you do, but why you do it. Key Timestamps: (00:00) – Marella Herrera's Bold Career Moves (08:15) – The Power of Mentorship (15:46) – Journey to Elevate Network (24:25) – The Decision to Leave Elevate (34:28) – The Breaking Point: Realizing the Need for Change (37:04) – Advice for Those Wrestling with Identity and Alignment (43:53) – Teaching and Defining Non-Negotiables (52:18) – Rapid Fire Questions: Books, Advice, and Daily Practices (58:57) – Defining Success and Supporting Causes Key Topics Discussed: Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Self-Leadership, Leadership Coaching, Leadership Clarity, Organizational Leadership Mentions: Website: https://maricellaherrera.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maricellaherreraa/ Mentions: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry More of Leadership Unlocked: Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/ Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com