Our Story

MARY MAHER, FOUNDER

Over 20 years ago God put this vision on my heart. I can still remember the moment. Since that day, I’ve been praying for you. And here you are. It would be my greatest honor to welcome you to the Lydia Institute. I created this for you. Because you work so hard. Because you give so much. Because the world needs what you ARE.

God wants you fully alive. We need you fully engaged. As you pour yourself out for others, we want to pour into you. If you’re longing for a moment to pause and reconnect to all that is good, true and beautiful, you’re in the right place. If you’re looking for a community that will help you live, love and lead with greater intentionality, look no further. 

to stay grounded and resilient. It’s challenging to keep things in balance, to live from purpose not performance. 

Women are a gift. During my doctoral research I realized how critical professional women are to the workplace, the family, and society at large. The feminine contribution is invaluable. Female leaders are vital agents of change and growth, and the world needs more of them, more of you. But it’s tough out there. The daily grind is real. The bar is high and the pressure is intense. It’s hard to stay grounded and resilient. It’s challenging to keep things in balance, to live from purpose not performance. 

Women are a gift. During my doctoral research I realized how critical professional women are to the workplace, the family, and society at large. The feminine contribution is invaluable. Female leaders are vital agents of change and growth, and the world needs more of them, more of you. But it’s tough out there. The daily grind is real. The bar is high and the pressure is intense. It’s hard 

Women have huge hearts. We work hard because we love hard. We stop at nothing for our people. We leave it all on the field. Every single woman I know is stretched thin, wearing too many hats, juggling multiple responsibilities at work, at home, and in the broader community. Often pulled in a million directions, we set ourselves aside to care for others, often forgetting to pause and honor our own needs. If this is you, please keep reading.

Besides my family, which is heavy on the girl-gene, I’ve been blest with incredible friends who make my life so good. From the Yucatan jungle to metropolitan Chicago, from the southern border to the Twin Cities, I’ve seen women give it all and then some. I’ve witnessed the unique impact women make on people & projects, causes & communities, families & futures. I’ve watched women from across the globe show up, stand up, and speak up: advocating for the vulnerable, fighting for truth and justice, nurturing and defending life in all its forms, doing the right thing when everyone else looks the other way.

"I realized how critical professional women are to the workplace, the family, and society at large."

"As you pour yourself out for others, we want to pour into you."

I’ve been surrounded by amazing women my entire life.