Women's Public Leadership Network (WPLN) is excited to continue our podcast series, Tips From The Trail, hosted by WPLN Founder & President Larissa Martinez, where we explore the path to political office, from the decision to run to election day.
This special episode was recorded live at WPLN's 2026 National Summit in Philadelphia and features a conversation with Iowa Senate President Amy Sinclair, who shared her remarkable journey from local office to one of the highest leadership positions in state government.
Throughout the conversation, Amy reflected on the opportunities, challenges, and lessons that have shaped her leadership—and why saying "yes" changed the course of her life.
See highlights from the discussion below and listen to the full episode for additional insights.
Sometimes Leadership Begins with One "Yes": Amy never expected to serve in public office. After moving to Iowa, she attended her first caucus and was asked to run for county supervisor against a popular incumbent. She was told she would probably lose—but that every race deserves a choice. Instead of focusing on the outcome, Amy simply said yes. She won. That willingness to step forward, even without guarantees, became the foundation for her entire leadership journey.
Opportunity Often Comes Before Confidence: Amy's path to becoming President of the Iowa Senate wasn't carefully planned. Instead, she consistently accepted opportunities that challenged her, took on difficult assignments, and proved herself through hard work. Her advice was simple: don't wait until you feel completely ready. Often, the people asking you to step into leadership already see potential that you haven't yet recognized in yourself.
Women Bring Different Perspectives to Public Service: The panel highlighted the value of having women at decision-making tables. Women often enter politics with different life experiences, professional backgrounds, and motivations for serving. These experiences shape how they approach policy challenges and help ensure that a broader range of perspectives are represented in government.
Leadership Means Doing the Hard Things: Throughout her career, Amy has led on some of Iowa's most challenging and high-profile issues. Rather than avoiding difficult conversations, she encouraged women to embrace them. Leadership, she explained, isn't about waiting for the perfect moment—it's about being willing to do the work when it needs to be done.
Motherhood Isn't a Barrier to Leadership: As a mother of four boys who entered public office while raising young children, Amy spoke candidly about balancing family and leadership. Her story reflects one of WPLN's core beliefs: women don't have to choose between serving their families and serving their communities. Their lived experiences make them stronger leaders.
Don't Let Others Define Your Future: Perhaps the most memorable moment of the conversation came when Amy shared advice she once gave a young woman who asked how she handled criticism. Her response: "I will not let someone else's opinion of who I should be determine my destiny." It's a reminder that leadership requires confidence, resilience, and a willingness to define success on your own terms.
If you're considering public service, don't wait until you have every answer. Say yes to opportunities, embrace challenges, and trust that your experiences have prepared you to lead.
WPLN is here to help you take that next step. Explore our free candidate training resources on our website to learn more about how you can take the next step and check out our upcoming events where you can register for virtual and in-person programs and connect with a national network of women leaders.
Check out the full episode on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts!
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Amy Sinclair serves as President of the Iowa Senate, becoming the first woman to hold the position. First elected in 2012 after serving in local government, she has built a reputation for tackling complex policy issues and mentoring the next generation of leaders. A mother of four, Amy is passionate about encouraging women to embrace opportunities, lead with confidence, and never let someone else's expectations define their future.She currently serves as the vice chair of the Rules and Administration Committee.
WPLN, is a national nonprofit educating, organizing, and inspiring center- and right-leaning women to seek public office at all levels across the U.S. and become effective leaders. The views and policy positions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not represent endorsement by WPLN.