Leading with Heart: Sandra Kapell of Trakehner Leadership On The Power of Authentic Women’s Leadership
Authority Magazine Editorial Staff | July 10, 2026
Sandy Kapell, our CEO and founder, shares her perspective on authentic leadership, career transformation, and the power of bringing humanity, clarity, and fun into the workplace. Drawing on decades of experience leading HR, operations, and organizational change at major companies, Sandy reflects on the mentors, challenges, and values that shaped her leadership journey.
In the interview, Sandy discusses how women can lead authentically by embracing their strengths rather than conforming to outdated models of leadership. She highlights the importance of listening deeply, creating inclusive spaces, balancing empathy with accountability, and empowering teams through trust, purpose, and shared success.
I really believe having fun matters and if people are having fun, they work harder, feel better and give more.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into our discussion about authentic, feminine leadership, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
Like many HR people of my generation, I sort of accidentally, thankfully found the career. I am from very rural Washington State and wanted to be a writer. I moved to New York City and was working in sales and working as a paralegal. A very special woman advised me to get my master’s degree at Teachers College, Columbia University. There I was exposed to the power of policy decisions, adult learning, organizational learning, and more. I wanted to get my PhD and really focus on making education accessible and credible for everyone.
I was working as a paralegal in-house, supporting the HR function in employee legal matters. The head of HR, in the single greatest act of mentorship in my career, pulled me aside and told me that I needed to apply for the HR Manager job on her team because being in legal had a ceiling if I wasn’t a lawyer. So, I did it and I got the job. She was an authentic, empathetic, amazing woman leader, before any of those words were popular or really even used. I recently reconnected with her and was able to thank her for changing my life.
Once I got to HR I never really looked back. I have loved my career, and it has been there for me through every iteration of my life as I got married, had kids and now grandkids.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
I have had the very good fortune to be at some really special companies during fascinating times…