Beronda L. Montgomery, vice president for academic affairs and dean at Grinnell College, discusses her perspectives on leadership and cultivating a vision of purpose. Montgomery’s research interests include plant biochemistry, equitable mentoring, and progressive leadership. Named one of Cell's 100 Inspiring Black Scientists in America, Montgomery won the 2021 Cynthia Westcott Scientific Writing Award and the 2022 Adolph E. Gude Jr. Award for outstanding service to the science of plant biology for her book Lessons from Plants.