For over 30 years, Phil and Kathleen Cooke have carried the mission of The Influence Lab internationally, teaching and training pastors, ministry leaders and Christian communicators in digital and media strategies to share the gospel.
On these international trips, women frequently ask Kathleen how they can continue to grow their skills, keep up with the latest trends, and stay inspired to create projects and programs that will reach their nations for Christ. Often, these women are in isolated regions with limited access to media training and other like-minded people of faith.
They tell Kathleen, “We feel so alone and isolated.”
Now they are no longer alone…
Announcing the new Influence Women online outreach! Influence Women launched a new ONLINE chapter group this August. Led by IW chapter director Selah Cohen, the online group connects women worldwide so they can collaborate, create for Christ, and change the culture — no matter where they live!
This is a dream YEARS in the making!
What began in Kathleen’s living room in Hollywood now has an international impact. India – Ghana – Egypt – UK – Greece… the door is wide open for women around the globe to benefit from the mission and mentoring opportunities Influence Women offers.
Connect now! Are you a woman in media, arts, entertainment or leadership? No matter where you live, Influence Women offers a place to connect and grow in your profession. Become a member today and find a chapter group near your city – OR – connect with the new ONLINE Chapter! Best of all – it’s free! Join here.
(Watch for a recording of the Online Launch coming soon on the Influence Women YouTube channel. In the meantime, check out other teaching and training resources here.)
THANK YOU, INFLUENCE LAB AND INFLUENCE WOMEN PARTNERS! Your generous gifts help make outreaches like this possible. Together, we CAN change culture through media. It all begins with connection. Partner with us today! We’re asking all our friends to consider becoming a monthly partner. It’s easy to set up. Click here!
Any gift helps support the mission of The Influence Lab and Influence Women… give your generous gift here and check out the special offers!
“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.
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
###
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.
Known for its Mediterranean climate, beautiful coastlands and rich ancient history, Athens, Greece will be the meeting place for Kingdom-minded leaders this March as pastors and marketplace leaders gather for an invitation-only global conference. Phil Cooke has been asked to speak at this influential gathering.
As we’ve seen in the news with recent scandals, a crisis can destroy a ministry or organization. Phil’s book offers these international pastors and business leaders the insight and information they need to create a culture within their organization to avoid a crisis – and if one does occur – the wisdom and tools to navigate through it appropriately and positively.
As Phil is oft-quoted, “A crisis does not have to break your church. Rather, it can be an opportunity to strengthen your church or organization to weather the storms.”
Although we can’t share the names of the businesses and ministries that will be represented at the meetings in Greece, these are names you know and high-profile businesses you would be familiar with. As Christian leaders, they have a long-standing track record of integrity and positive impact; many of them are on first-name basis with Phil and Kathleen Cooke from years of interaction and relationship.
“A crisis does not have to break your church…” -Phil Cooke
Can you help cover the expenses of this trip? You can have a far-reaching impact when you support the mission of The Influence Lab and particularly this unique opportunity to strengthen pastors and marketplace leaders.
Your partnership makes a difference! Give your generous gift here.
What leaders are saying about Phil’s book “Church on Trial” (and why it’s so important to share his message with pastors and marketplace leaders in Greece): “We live in a time of increased confusion and chaos, and Phil Cooke’s latest playbook is an excellent guide to navigating a crisis.” —Caltha Seymour, Global Business Development Leader, Eaton Corporation
“Every church, ministry, and believer must read this—particularly in light of the times we are in, as we seek to live lives worthy of the Lord’s calling.” —Jacinta Tegman, CEO – The Crista Family of Ministries
“Anyone who’s committed to fulfilling the Great Commission should have this book.” —Commissioners Ken and Jolene Hodder, USA National Leaders, The Salvation Army
“This book will make you think and save your life and those of other leaders you love.” —Sam Chand, Leadership Consultant, Avail Leadership
Join us in this unique opportunity. Partner with The Influence Lab here.
P.S. The 2025 calendar is filling up with invitations to Peru, London and Russia. Your gifts have a worldwide impact. Give your gift today! Special offer: Partner with The Influence Lab today and we’ll send you one of Phil’s book as a special “thank you.” Find out more here.
