When Leadership Slows Down
Nichol Pham, United States Ambassador Classic Universe 2025–2026, entered pageantry from the sidelines. For years, she coached her daughters through their own competitions, guiding them through successful reigns and growth moments while never imagining she would one day compete herself.
After separating from their father and later divorcing, it was her daughters who encouraged her to step forward. They saw a woman who had spent years supporting others and needed space to reconnect with herself.
Pageantry became a practical decision rather than a symbolic one. Pham describes it as a way to rediscover her confidence, reconnect with her voice, and move forward with clarity after a period of personal transition.
“It allowed me to reconnect with who I was beyond the challenges I had faced,” she says.
Doing Too Much, Too Fast
When Pham began competing, she approached the role the same way she approached motherhood and entrepreneurship, fully committed and highly involved. She said yes to events, causes, appearances, and initiatives, believing that more activity would create faster change. Her motivation was service-driven, but the pace was unsustainable.
A judge’s comment during her journey shifted her perspective.
“You are trying to do too much, too fast. Relax and enjoy the process.”
That observation forced her to reassess how she was leading. She began to recognize that visibility without focus was not the same as impact.
Rather than continuing to operate independently, she started identifying where collaboration already existed and how she could contribute without carrying everything herself.
Founding The Collective Empowerment Project
That realization led to the creation of The Collective Empowerment Project, a nonprofit organization built to connect people, platforms, and causes already doing meaningful work. Its purpose is not to replace existing initiatives but to strengthen them through partnership.
The organization has supported and raised funds for a wide range of causes including domestic and sexual violence awareness, mental health initiatives, blood drives, cancer research, youth mentorship programs, animal shelters, and veterans’ services.
It has partnered with organizations such as Texas Breast Cancer Research, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Feeding the Homeless programs in Austin and Jacksonville, and multiple youth-focused ministries and nonprofits.
Pham describes the project’s guiding principle clearly.
“One person can make a difference, but a group of like-minded individuals can collectively create a global inspiration.”
Using Visibility as a Connector
Today, Pham’s role centers on connection rather than control. She attends events consistently, supports youth initiatives, collaborates with community leaders, and highlights organizations doing the work on the ground.
She does not position herself as the center of the platform.
“I am not the center. I have evolved to be the connector,” she says.
Her focus remains on sustainability, boundaries, and shared leadership.
“Always rise to empower others, because true leadership isn’t about being seen, it’s about helping others see their own strength and potential.”