I never questioned if I belonged in leadership. Generations of women in my family showed me I did.

Susie Cranston says the women in her family shaped her. Courtesy of Susie Cranston Susie Cranston said she always knew women could be leaders because of her upbringing. Susie's mom is a retired CEO and lawyer, whose twin is a cardiac surgeon. Their examples helped her expand her comfort zone with confidence, she says. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Susie Cranston, CEO of Cresset. It has been edited for length and clarity. There's a famous story in my family: my mom an...