Meet Fran Nunes

What path led you to Henley Leadership Group?

Over the years, I’ve worn a number of different hats at Henley Leadership Group. In my current role as Thought Leadership Coordinator, I get to do what I love most—write and contribute my insights, creativity, and experience to our thought leadership and marketing efforts. I help write our blogs and articles and pitch in with the monthly newsletter, ensuring that what we share reflects Henley’s mission and vision - the heart of what we do.

What do you bring to your work?

I’ve worked in a variety of small, fast-paced businesses, from a political consulting firm in D.C. to a fashion advertising and design/build firm in Seattle. I also co-founded a textile company that sold high-end fabrics to designers and architects across the country. All of these experiences taught me to be flexible, resourceful, and a good team player—skills I use every day in my work here.

What are you learning right now?

There’s definitely a theme to my current reading list: slowing down and avoiding distractions, and the importance of ritual and routine. I’m re-reading an oldie (but a goodie!): Sabbath by Wayne Muller, which is a good reminder to weave rest and balance into busy lives. I’m also reading Slow Productivity by Cal Newport and The Siren’s Call by Chris Hayes, both exploring the attention economy and how easily we get pulled in different directions. Each book encourages self-reflection: to do one thing at a time, focus on what truly matters, and protect our time and energy with intention and discipline.

What are you most proud of personally?

I am most proud of things that don’t show up on a résumé—tackling my fear of heights by taking Outward Bound wilderness courses in the Canyonlands and southeastern Oregon, or learning Italian by moving to Italy to go to school and live with a local family in Firenze. I love that I am part of two different creative writing groups with my colleagues at HLG, and I continue to deepen my yoga practice after completing my 200-hour yoga teacher certification. But I am especially happy that I am closely connected with all six of my adult children and stepchildren.

And professionally?

Professionally, I’m proud of summoning the courage to return to school mid-life to study interior design, and co-founding a natural fiber textile company that ended up in some of the best designer showrooms in the western U.S. I’ve volunteered and served on several boards while raising kids and working, and I’ve been an Airbnb Superhost for 10 consecutive years—which has been a joy. At Henley, I’m especially proud of helping start our Free Write group, where we amplify the many wise voices within our extraordinary team.

What’s something people might not know about you?

I travel to Afghanistan to visit my sister, who has helped run an NGO (PARSA) in Kabul for two decades. We lived there as children, so it’s a deeply personal connection. Travel has always been a big part of my life—it continues to shape the way I am in the world.

What grounds your work at Henley?

I love this quote by Rumi: “Your heart knows the way. Run in that direction.” It grounds me and captures how I aspire to live my life and show up in my work—with heart, enthusiasm and a commitment to lifting up the voices of others.