“Historic! There is no other word to describe the 2025 She Leads America and U.K. Summit’s impact on multiple levels, as hand-chosen women from both countries who work on the front lines of our culture gathered as delegates.” —Kathleen Cooke, Co-Founder – The Influence Lab/Global Director – Influence Women
Thank you, Influence Lab and Influence Women partners! Kathleen recently returned from London and the She Leads America/UK Summit.
Here’s her impact report: I was honored to stay at the 955-year-old Windsor Castle St. George’s House on the castle grounds. It shares the historic space with St. George’s Chapel, the official burial site of Queen Elizabeth II, where she chose to live, and where Harry and Megan were married. The library and event site where I was privileged to speak was built in the 1400s so that Queen Elizabeth I could watch William Shakespeare perform the first viewing of his play, The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Kathleen shares from Windsor Castle – Watch video here!
Highlights of the She Leads America/UK Summit focused on the dignity of women and life, ethnic harmony, the effective use of media, and prayer for the many who are being persecuted in our world today because of their faith and in war-torn areas. We particularly prayed for the faith communities under attack, both in Israel and in global cities.
Media Mindset in a Cluttered Media Culture I was one of four women chosen to speak on media and how to communicate effectively. I spoke on Media Mindset: Creativity & Strategy in Today’s Cluttered Media Culture. I focused on three key aspects for the women attending who lead influential organizations and nonprofits globally to concentrate on as they plan their media strategies. They included breaking through media clutter, keying in on relationships and safety, and the effect of AI and how it is changing our life’s landscape and consumption of media.
I encouraged the women to be creative, tell provocative stories, ask hard questions, and think more about using comedy to communicate. If you laugh at it, you subconsciously agree.
Thank you to all who supported my trip and continue to support The Influence Lab and Influence Women. I am truly grateful. You are making an impact in more ways than you will ever know. —Kathleen Cooke
“Be creative. Tell provocative stories, ask hard questions, and think more about using comedy to communicate!” – Kathleen Cooke
Partner with us! Your prayers and financial support make opportunities of impact like this possible. Give your gift here.
Special offer!Give today and choose a book by Phil Cooke as our “thank you” for your generous support.
Make this a summer of learning! Are you a pastor, ministry leader or nonprofit executive? Phil Cooke’s Church on Trial – Crisis Management will give you the training you need to manage a crisis well. Creative leader or creative artist? Phil’s Ideas on a Deadline Masterclass will unleash your creativity this summer.
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Taught by media expert and crisis management consultant Phil Cooke, this masterclass will equip you with the tools to create a transparent culture as a defense against crisis—and the wisdom and skills to respond quickly, appropriately and positively should a crisis happen.
What you’ll get: 12 Video Lessons – Downloadable Resources – Bonus Study Guide. A crisis does not have to break your church! Sign up today with code SUMMERSAVE here.
Ideas on a Deadline Masterclass Unleash your creativity in powerful ways with Phil’s Ideas on a Deadline Masterclass. You don’t have to wait for a once-in-a-lifetime eureka moment. This masterclass is about making breakthrough ideas happen under the pressure of a deadline.
In it, you’ll gain proven techniques to “prime the pump” of your creativity so you can deliver great ideas when you need them most. Features over three hours of content that will help your creativity soar. Sign up today with code SUMMERSAVE here.
Turn your pool time into “cool” time this summer! Elevate your creative leadership skills with Masterclasses by Phil Cooke.
Phil Cooke, Ph.D has been called “one of the most innovative communicators of our generation.” As a media producer, writer, speaker, and consultant, his client list includes major film studios and TV networks as well as major Christian organizations like Voice of the Martyrs, The Museum of the Bible, The Salvation Army, and others. CEO and co-founder of Cooke Media Group and The Influence Lab, Phil has coached and consulted with many of the most influential churches and nonprofit organizations in the world, helping them use media to tell their story.
About the Influence Lab: A nonprofit organization founded by Phil and Kathleen Cooke, The Influence Labtrains Christian pastors and leaders around the world in media and digital strategies to share the gospel more effectively.
She Leads America Tennessee recognizes Kathleen Cooke, Global Director of Influence Women, with the “Woman of Distinction” award for her transformative leadership in media, entertainment, and faith-based initiatives for women in creative and artistic industries.
Franklin, TN – March 27, 2025 – Kathleen Cooke, global director of Influence Women, has been selected to receive the prestigious “Woman of Distinction” award by She Leads America Tennessee. Honoring Christian women making a significant impact in their sphere of influence, Cooke is recognized for her impact in media and entertainment through the faith-based initiative of Influence Women. The award ceremony will take place at the Richland Country Club in Nashville, Tennessee on April 24, 2025, at 6 PM.
Reflecting on this achievement, Kathleen Cooke remarks, “I am truly honored and humbled to receive this award. This recognition is not just a personal achievement for me but a celebration of the women who work in media, entertainment and leadership who often go unseen.”
Cooke’s contributions in media and entertainment have been recognized in the past. In 2022, she was awarded a national congressional award from She Leads America for “Distinguished Work in Media and Entertainment.” In 2024, she was invited to lead the media sessions for a strategic gathering of 50 women of influence from the U.S. and UK at Windsor Castle in London. She has been invited again to Windsor Castle to lead the media sessions in May 2025.
Kathleen is invited to lead the media sessions at the She Leads America/UK Summit this May.
She Leads Tennessee seeks to honor women of faith and their influence in various spheres, including business, education, government, Christian ministry, media and entertainment. Past recipients of the “Woman of Distinction” award include Kathie Lee Gifford, Karen Kingsbury, Francesca Battistelli and Dr. Carol Swain.
As a 2025 recipient, Kathleen comments, “I dedicate this honor to all the women who boldly chase their dreams and break barriers. May we continue to lead with courage, compassion, and a deep commitment to bring glory to God through our efforts.”
About Kathleen Cooke, Founder/Global Director – Influence Women Kathleen Cooke is an award-winning producer, actor, speaker, writer, and co-founder of Cooke Media Group and The Influence Lab. She leads Influence Women, a nonprofit organization for Christian media professionals offering mentorship, career development and a faith community for women in the film, television and arts industries. Author of “Hope 4 Today: Stay Connected to God in a Distracted Culture,” she has appeared on top national and international radio, podcast and television shows including CBN and TBN, and her articles carried by Avail Leadership and Charisma Magazine. Find out more at KathleenCooke.com and InfluenceWomen.org
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Influence Lab partners! Here’s an opportunity to show your support and help send Kathleen to London for the She Leads America/UK Summit. Give your generous gift here.
51 Nations… and many lives impacted! Phil and Kathleen Cooke recently returned from Greece and a rare opportunity to inspire influential leaders in crisis management.
An invitation-only gathering of high-profile Christian leaders in ministry and in the marketplace, Phil spoke at the conference on the theme of his book, “Church on Trial – How to Protect Your Congregation, Mission, and Reputation During a Crisis.” He also hosted a panel that featured pastors, business leaders and an attorney to discuss crisis situations in the church and the marketplace.
Phil shares: “There were pastors and marketplace leaders here from 51 nations including Russia, Africa, Asia, India and the Middle East.” He adds, “I had a HUGE response to my session based on my book.”
Phil shared crisis management concepts from his book, “Church on Trial.”
Free Resource Offered Because of the tremendous response, Phil made his Church on Trial Crisis Management Masterclass available to these pastors for free. The online training will help these pastors and their leadership teams safeguard against crises – and if one does happen, prepare them to respond appropriately and positively.
The free resource represents a very practical and powerful example of how the mission of The Influence Lab plays out in the field.
The meetings in Greece was invitation-only for high-profile leaders.
Kathleen reports: “The joy of the Lord is our strength! As global leaders met in Athens, Greece, they shared stories of God’s protection, provision and miracles as challenges mount globally. Phil and I spent time with a pastor who has faced incredible opposition – including imprisonment – and has taken his church underground. Yet – his joy was unbelievable.
His story underscored the importance of The Influence Lab’s mission. We must continue training these pastors and ministry leaders to communicate the gospel through effective media and digital strategies as brick-and-mortar churches are threatened.”
A Special Request to Influence Lab Partners Thank you to all who prayed and partnered with us financially for this Greece outreach trip. Your gifts impacted highly influential pastors and marketplace leaders from 51 nations!
Phil speaks to the gathering of influential pastors and marketplace leaders.
Kathleen adds a special request: Your sacrifice in partnership means so very much in so many lives. The Influence Lab’s finances are very lean, and we have had increased expenses to cover the hard costs of these international outreaches.
Can you consider an extra sacrificial gift this month? Invitations for 2025 are outstanding to London, Peru and Russia as we continue to GO and fulfill the mission of The Influence Lab. We trust God to provide and ask you to please – pray and ask the Lord how you can contribute.
Anna Zielinski has over 15 years of experience producing faith-based and family films, spending her entire career at Pinnacle Peak Pictures. Anna began her producing career in 2010, partnering with David A.R. White and Pure Flix Entertainment to produce multiple films, including Marriage Retreat, Apostle Peter and The Last Supper, and Brotha White, and made her directorial debut with The Book of Daniel (2013). In 2014, Anna served as a producer on the faith-based hit God’s Not Dead, which became the highest-grossing indie feature of that year. Anna continued her momentum in 2014 with Dancer and the Dame and the sitcom Hitting The Breaks, and in 2021, Anna produced and directed Courting Mom & Dad. She went on to expand her portfolio as executive producer on The Encounter and Sons of Thunder: Redemption, Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters, Nothing’s Impossible, Revelation Road: The Series, and God’s Not Dead: In God We Trust (2024). Throughout her career, she has successfully led the production of both original films and series, solidifying her reputation as a leader in faith-based entertainment. Now solid with wisdom and knowledge and wanting to see others excel in the industry, Anna launched The Producers Desk, a YouTube channel providing aspiring producers with practical tips and strategies to bring their creative visions to life.
INNER VIEW
Kathleen Cooke:There are many challenges as a producer and director. What’s one of the most significant recent lessons God has taught you?
Anna Zielinski: One thing God has recently taught me is the importance of surrendering control and trusting His timing. As someone who loves to plan and organize every detail, I’ve learned that trying to control outcomes often leads to unnecessary stress and frustration. God has been reminding me that His plans are always better than mine, even when they don’t align with my timeline. When I choose to let go and trust Him, I find peace and clarity, even in uncertain moments. This lesson has been significant as I navigate new opportunities and challenges in my life, reminding me to lean into faith and not fear.
Kathleen: A producer’s job requires a calm hand on the steering wheel. This means one must manage one’s time and responsibilities and align priorities. What tips can you share on how to do this?
Anna: Prioritizing my time starts with a clear hierarchy: my health and well-being come first, followed by family, community, work, and finally, guilty pleasures. I’ve learned that if I’m not at my best—physically, mentally, and spiritually—I can’t fully show up for the people and priorities that matter most. My day always starts with exercise. If I don’t get it done first thing, it’s easy for it to fall by the wayside. From there, I move on to the day’s goals, prioritizing tasks in order of importance. For work, I choose to schedule calls within specific timeframes and often conduct them as “walking” appointments to ensure I’m staying active throughout the day. Evenings are reserved for fun and connection—playing pickleball, scrolling Instagram for delicious recipes, or enjoying movie time with my son. This intentional approach allows me to stay productive, maintain my health, and make space for the lighter, joy-filled moments that recharge me. By structuring my day this way, I’ve found balance and alignment with what truly matters while still leaving room for flexibility and spontaneity.
Kathleen: Time management and getting your priorities in line requires drawing boundaries. What have you learned about staying within those boundaries in our 24/7 world?
Anna: Drawing boundaries starts with knowing my values and priorities. I’ve learned that saying “yes” to everything often leads to burnout, so I’ve become intentional about protecting my time and energy for what truly matters—my health, family, work, and personal well-being. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that boundaries are not about shutting people out; they’re about creating space to show up fully for the things and people that matter most. For example, I set clear limits on when I take work calls, ensuring I have uninterrupted family time in the evenings. I’ve also learned the importance of communicating boundaries respectfully but firmly so that others understand and respect them. Keeping boundaries requires consistency and self-awareness. It’s easy to let them slip, especially when I feel the pressure to meet everyone else’s expectations. I’ve found that regularly checking in with myself helps—am I staying aligned with my priorities, or am I overcommitting? Ultimately, boundaries are about maintaining balance. They allow me to give my best to the areas that matter while still leaving room for rest, joy, and connection.
Kathleen: The films you have produced and directed have influenced many. What have you learned about the power of influence and having one that is everlasting?
Anna: One thing I’ve learned about influence is that it’s less about what you say and more about who you are. True, lasting influence comes from character—the way you treat others, the integrity you show in your actions, and the kindness and humility you carry with you. People may forget your words, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel. To be a “sweet aroma” of influence means leaving a positive impression whenever you leave the room. It’s about being intentional with your presence—listening more than speaking, offering encouragement, and treating others with respect and grace, even in challenging situations. Ultimately, influence isn’t about power or position; it’s about the legacy you leave in the hearts of those around you. When your actions align with your values and reflect God’s love, you create a lasting fragrance that inspires and uplifts others long after you’re gone.
