In this episode, Alex Tremble sits down with Laurie J. Fitzmaurice, Independent Board Member and Consultant, who brings 30+ years of experience building and leading $7.5B+ in energy infrastructure projects across the U.S. and Latin America. She’s led companies, sat on 8 boards, and currently serves on the board of Saavi Energía, the largest private power generator in Mexico.

This conversation gets real about trust breakdowns at the leadership level—and how CEOs unintentionally create them.

You’ll learn:

• Why executive teams say “yes” in the room but disagree in the hallway
• How side conversations and small-group alignment quietly erode trust
• How to force productive disagreement in the room, not after the fact
• Practical ways to build transparency so decisions actually stick
• How to structure communication so your team owns decisions without you re-stepping in

This is for you if:

• You feel like decisions don’t hold once the meeting ends
• Your leadership team is strong—but not fully aligned
• You’re still the one reconciling conflicts and re-making decisions
• There’s more politics or hesitation than you’d like at the top

This episode will help you build the kind of trust that speeds up execution—and gets decisions to stick the first time.

Listen now and share this with another operator who’s tired of carrying every decision.

Take the free Executive Leadership Diagnostic here: www.gpsleadership.org/diagnostic

In this episode, Alex sits down with Suzanne Devenport, CEO of Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) and lifelong advocate for rural and Indigenous communities. Suzanne has spent decades building organizations that bridge resources to underserved communities across 45 states and now leads a 275-person team serving 13 Western states.

The conversation goes beyond nonprofit leadership and into a challenge every CEO faces: how your own leadership habits can quietly create bottlenecks and slow execution.

Suzanne breaks down how even highly experienced leaders can unintentionally limit team ownership by trying to solve too many problems themselves, over-optimizing, or stepping in before their leaders have fully thought things through.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why seeing yourself as a steward, not just a CEO, changes how your team responds
• How “strategic optimism” helps you focus on what you can control without reacting to every challenge
• The link between professional maturity and building trust in your leadership team
• How lessons from rural culture—and even rodeo life—can sharpen leadership and decision-making
• Why showing up authentically for your team and community accelerates impact

This is for you if:

• You still feel like the final decision-maker on too many issues
• Your leaders bring problems, but not fully thought-out solutions
• Execution slows down because everything routes back through you

If you want a team that thinks, owns, and executes without constant oversight, this episode will show you where to start.

Take the free Executive Leadership Diagnostic here: www.gpsleadership.org/diagnostic

In this episode, Alex sits down with Court Lorenzini, Founder & CEO of FounderNexus and a serial entrepreneur behind companies like DocuSign, who has raised over $300M and built multiple startups across decades.

The conversation goes beyond startup success and into a problem every operator CEO faces: how your own leadership habits can quietly reduce ownership on your team.

Court breaks down how even high-performing CEOs unintentionally limit proactivity by solving too quickly, optimizing too early, or stepping in before their leaders fully think things through.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Why “being the smartest problem-solver in the room” reduces team ownership
2. How to identify your leadership superpower and its hidden downside
3. A simple mental pause that increases team contribution and initiative
4. How to structure roles around strengths to drive better execution
5. Why the right community accelerates better decisions (and reduces costly mistakes)

This is for you if:

1. You still feel like the final decision-maker on too many issues
2. Your leaders bring problems, but not fully thought-out solutions
3. Execution slows down because everything routes back through you

If you want a team that thinks, owns, and executes without constant oversight, this episode will show you where to start.

Listen now and share this with another CEO who’s ready to step out of the bottleneck and build a team that runs faster without them.

Take the free Executive Leadership Diagnostic here: www.gpsleadership.org/diagnostic

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, Alex D. Tremble sits down with Darrin Kayser, Executive Vice President at Edelman, the world’s largest communications firm. With over 30 years of experience across government, military, and global organizations, Darrin shares what most executives misunderstand about communication at the highest levels.

Together, they unpack why communication failures, not capability, are often the root cause of misalignment, resistance, and slow execution inside executive teams.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Why communication must be two way, not just top down
2. How empathy and listening build trust across stakeholders
3. Why misalignment often comes from how messages are received
4. How to structure communication that actually drives action
5. Why avoiding hard conversations creates bigger execution problems

This episode is for you if:

1. Your executive team is capable but not fully aligned
2. Conversations feel harder than they should
3. You’re still clarifying decisions after meetings
4. Miscommunication is slowing execution across your organization

If you want to better understand where trust, proactivity, and productivity may be breaking down on your team, take the free executive leadership diagnostic at gpsleadership.org/diagnostic.

Listen now to learn how strategic communication builds trust, reduces friction, and helps your executive team move faster without everything rolling up to you.

Follow and share this episode with another senior leader working to align their team.

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, host Alex D. Tremble, founder of GPS Leadership Solutions, sits down with Stephen Hightower, Chairman and CEO of Hightower EV Solutions and President and CEO of Hightowers Petroleum Co. Stephen built his company from a small family business into a nationwide operation serving major enterprise customers across the United States.

Together they explore what it really takes to scale a company over decades while navigating market shifts, supply chain challenges, and the pressure of leading at the top.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Why great companies are built on high performing teams, not individual effort
2. How trusted industry relationships create scalable supply chains
3. Why executives must learn to work on the business instead of inside it
4. How to build resilience when markets, economies, and industries shift
5. Why leaders must continuously pursue new opportunities while protecting existing customers

This episode is for you if:

1. You’re still the primary problem solver in your organization
2. Growth feels limited by your own time and attention
3. Your team is capable but not fully owning outcomes yet
4. You want to scale your company without increasing your personal workload

Listen now to learn how strong teams, trusted relationships, and strategic supply chains help executives build organizations that grow far beyond the leader.

Follow and share this episode with another senior leader navigating the challenge of scaling their organization.

And still lose influence.

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, Alex D. Tremble, executive coach and founder of GPS Leadership Solutions, breaks down a hard truth for senior leaders: at the executive level, perception is the operating system of influence.

In $50M to $750M organizations, leaders often believe communication is about clarity and authority. But if stakeholders do not trust your intent or misunderstand your positioning, execution slows, resistance rises, and decisions require more effort than they should.

In this episode, you will learn:

- Why perception, not intent, determines trust at the executive level

- How misalignment quietly increases political friction

- How to reduce resistance before major decisions

- When to leverage allies instead of presenting ideas yourself

- Why 360 perception awareness is critical to faster execution

This episode is for you if:

- You are still the primary problem solver for your executive team

- Conversations feel heavier than they should

- Smart ideas face unnecessary resistance

- You sense political tension but cannot pinpoint why

If you want more trust, faster alignment, and fewer decisions rolling up to you, this episode will reshape how you approach executive communication.

Listen now and share with another senior leader who values influence over noise.

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, Alex D. Tremble sits down with Jim Iyoob, President of ETS Labs and Chief Revenue Officer at Etech Global Services. Jim shares how mentorship, servant leadership, and real execution—not just effort—are what truly develop high-performing teams.

Starting his career as a call center agent and growing into a global executive, Jim explains how great leaders identify will over skill, invest in the right people, and create systems that drive behavior change at scale.

You’ll learn:

1. Why will and hunger matter more than raw skill in leadership development
2. How to mentor without overextending your time and energy
3. The importance of discovery before solving team problems
4. Why effort and intelligence don’t automatically produce results
5. How servant leadership builds long-term loyalty and performance

This episode is for you if:

1. Your team is working hard but outcomes feel inconsistent
2. You’re mentoring leaders who say they want growth but don’t execute
3. You want to build a self-driven, accountable leadership pipeline
4. You’re scaling teams across cultures or global environments

Listen now to learn how disciplined mentorship and discovery create teams that execute, not just stay busy.

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, Alex D. Tremble sits down with Alejandra Castillo, Senior Fellow for Economic Development at Purdue University NW and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. Alejandra shares her decades of leadership experience across three presidential administrations and explains how human-centered leadership drives alignment, innovation, and team performance.

You’ll learn:

- How to quiet your mind and lead with clarity under pressure

- Strategies for aligning multi-generational, AI-impacted teams

- Why empathy and human connection accelerate performance

- How to empower your team without over-relying on technology

- When to push forward and when to allow space for others to catch up

This episode is for you if:

- You’re managing teams across generations or tech disruption

- Your team struggles with alignment or communication

- You want to maintain humanity in an AI-influenced workplace

- You want to drive results while reducing burnout and friction

Listen now to discover how human leadership is your most powerful strategic advantage.

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, Alex D. Tremble sits down with Jason Monczka, Head Honcho, Jr. (Rainmaker) at Pomeroy Group. Jason has built a career around long-term, trust-driven relationship building that has generated hundreds of millions in opportunity flow without transactional networking.

Together, they unpack what real trust looks like in business and why most executives misunderstand networking entirely.

You’ll learn:

1. Why trust is built over time, not through short term tactics
2. How intentional relationship building creates predictable revenue
3. The difference between fishing in the right pond versus wasting effort
4. How empowering others reduces decision load at the top
5. Why embracing struggle builds credibility and long term leverage

This episode is for you if:

1. You feel like deals still rely on your personal effort
2. Your network feels wide but not deep
3. Opportunities seem inconsistent
4. You want growth without adding more to your calendar

Listen now to learn how trust, built intentionally over time, becomes your greatest strategic advantage.

Follow and share with another senior leader who’s tired of chasing growth alone.

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, Alex D. Tremble sits down with Brad Eckerdt, Fractional Corporate Development Officer at Emerson Consulting, LLC. Brad brings decades of experience across military leadership, investment banking, M&A strategy, and corporate development, with over $20 billion in capital markets experience.

Together, they explore how executive mindset, personal accountability, and emotional intelligence shape team performance. Brad shares lessons from his upbringing, his time as a Naval aviator, and his work advising leadership teams navigating complex decisions and high pressure environments.

This conversation dives into why bad situations rarely fix themselves, how leaders must address misalignment early, and why professionalism and expectations matter more than personality conflicts. Brad also explains how leaders can balance high standards with empathy, motivate teams without lowering the bar, and create cultures where people take ownership rather than escalate every issue.

If you are a senior leader who wants a team that thinks critically, communicates clearly, and operates with trust and accountability, this episode offers grounded, real world insight on how leadership presence and mindset shape results.

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, Alex D. Tremble sits down with Mugdha Tipnis, Senior Vice President and Transportation Business Line Leader for the Mid Atlantic South at WSP. Mugdha leads complex, high stakes teams across major infrastructure projects where trust, patience, and judgment matter daily.

Together, they unpack what it actually takes to build trust on executive teams, especially when decisions carry real risk.

You’ll learn:

1. Why patience is a leadership strength, not a delay tactic
2. How leaders unintentionally train teams to wait instead of decide
3. When to step in and when to let leaders learn through experience
4. How trust accelerates alignment and reduces decision bottlenecks
5. What strong leaders do after mistakes to reinforce accountability

This episode is for you if:

1. You’re still the default problem solver for your executive team
2. Decisions keep rolling up instead of being owned
3. Your leaders are capable but hesitant

Listen now to learn how trust unlocks faster execution, stronger ownership, and a leadership team that runs with you, not through you.

Subscribe and share this episode with another senior leader who’s feeling the same pressure..

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, Alex D. Tremble sits down with Ann Dunkin, CEO of Dunkin Global Advisors Inc. and Distinguished Professor of the Practice & Distinguished External Fellow at Georgia Institute of Technology. With experience leading across government, the private sector, and academia, Ann breaks down what actually restores trust inside complex executive teams.

This conversation explores:

- Why capable leaders avoid difficult conversations and the cost of that avoidance

- How misalignment shows up before performance drops

- The role shared norms and behavioral agreements play in rebuilding trust

- Why trust must be intentionally stewarded, not assumed

- How executives can reduce politics without becoming passive or combative

This episode is for C-suite leaders and senior executives who feel stuck mediating personalities, resolving tension, or absorbing decisions that should be owned by their team.

Listen now to learn how trust, not structure, is the lever that unlocks ownership, alignment, and faster execution. Subscribe and share this episode with another senior leader navigating executive team friction.

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, host Alex D. Tremble sits down with Nathan Ohle, President and CEO of the International Economic Development Council, who brings decades of experience leading complex, member-driven organizations where trust and ownership are non-negotiable.

Nathan shares what he’s learned about building executive teams that don’t wait for permission and why trust, not talent, is often the missing ingredient.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

- Why capable executives still defer decisions upward and what that signals

- How CEOs unintentionally train teams to rely on them

- Practical ways to increase trust without losing control

- How to encourage ownership and initiative at the executive level

- What changes when leaders stop being the default problem-solver

This episode is for you if you’re leading a smart executive team but still feel like the final stop for decisions, approvals, or problem-solving, and you know that model won’t scale.

Listen now to learn how trust unlocks proactivity, speeds execution, and frees you from being the bottleneck.

Follow the show and share this episode with another senior leader navigating the same challenge.

As a seasoned Chief Human Capital Officer in the SaaS industry, Jessica has built people-first, performance-driven cultures across rapidly scaling organizations and complex M&A transitions. In this episode, she breaks down how leaders can balance compassion with accountability using a simple but powerful lens: Product, Profit, and People.

You’ll hear proven strategies for advocating meaningful policies inside organizations, even when budgets are tight. Jessica explains why the best HR leaders act as a bridge between employees and the business, how to make “yes” easier for decision-makers, and how creativity—not rigid cookie-cutter thinking—creates loyalty and long-term retention.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

-How to evaluate workplace culture holistically through the “3Ps”

-Why HR must be a strategic partner from day one of any merger or acquisition

-Practical ways managers can support employees even without formal policies

-How to disarm executives by pairing ideas with cost-saving solutions

-Mindset shifts that help leaders scale organizations without burning out

This conversation is perfect for leaders navigating fast-growth environments who want to influence better decisions, protect their teams, and create workplaces where people thrive alongside the bottom line.

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, Brian Mason, President of Pivot Cycles, shares how he’s navigated leadership challenges from early sales roles to running an international organization. You’ll hear how aligning with a founder’s vision, building high-accountability teams, and embedding core values into every part of the business drives both growth and engagement.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- How to balance ambition and hard work with recognition and preventing burnout.

- Why learning from employees at every level strengthens your leadership impact.

- How to scale a global organization without losing culture or purpose.

- The role of mentorship and feedback in accelerating growth and accountability.

- How pursuing work aligned with passion fuels long-term performance and engagement.

Whether you lead a team of 10 or 500, this conversation is packed with practical lessons for building high-performing, motivated teams while staying grounded in purpose, passion, and perspective.

You’re not off, but you’re not fully on either. Your executive team slows down, emails pile up, and your brain keeps asking, “Should I be doing something right now?” This episode explains why that tension is normal—and how to use it strategically.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- Why forcing clarity or decisions during this decompression period leads to fatigue, not insight.

- How to create mental space for strategic thinking without rushing resolutions.

- A simple exercise to capture your persistent thoughts without judgment, letting real insight emerge naturally.

- How to protect yourself from burnout while giving your executive team room to regroup.

- How to use this pause to enter January with focus, perspective, and energy.

This episode is for C Suite leaders, VPs, and Division Presidents of $50M–$750M organizations who are tired of carrying all the thinking while their teams slow down.

Happy Holidays and a strong New Year! Take advantage of this quiet period to pause, recharge, and set yourself and your team up for success.

As we head into the Christmas holiday, Mohamed shares his remarkable journey and the lessons in resilience, focus, and high-pressure decision-making that now shape his work with executives and leadership teams.

Senior executives often find themselves buried under decision overload, struggling to trust their teams, and trying to execute effectively while juggling personal and professional complexities—especially at this time of year. Mohamed offers practical insights on how leaders can build executive teams that operate with true ownership and autonomy, so fewer decisions roll up to the top.

Listeners will learn:

- How to foster a culture of proactivity where leaders and teams make high-quality decisions independently

- Strategies for guiding your team through transitions, change, and complex business environments—without micromanaging

- Ways to reduce bottlenecks and accelerate execution across departments

- Techniques for managing leadership stress while staying fully present for your team

If you’re still the chief problem-solver for your executive team—constantly firefighting or overwhelmed by decisions that shouldn’t need your attention—this episode is for you.

🎄 Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a peaceful holiday season as you listen, reflect, and prepare for the year ahead.

Senior executives often feel like they’re the only ones making critical decisions, slowing execution, and creating unnecessary bottlenecks. In this festive edition, the Bulls discuss practical ways to encourage proactive leadership and faster execution, even during high-stakes projects and year-end pressures.

Listeners will discover:

- How to encourage your team to own problems without constant oversight

- Strategies to reduce decision load on top executives

- Ways to improve execution speed while keeping alignment

- Tips for ending the year strong with more empowered leaders

If you’re still the chief problem solver for your exec team or feel like everything rolls up to you, this episode is for you.

Celebrate the season by learning how to create a proactive, high-ownership executive team and make your calendar lighter for the year ahead. Listen now and share with another senior leader!

In this episode, Alex D. Tremble breaks down how executive teams can navigate layoffs with clarity, dignity, and strategic intent, so you protect trust today and preserve execution capacity for tomorrow.

You will learn:

• Why poorly executed layoffs create long-term cultural and operational damage
• How to communicate hard news without gaslighting and avoid the common mistakes that erode trust
• How to protect dignity for those leaving and psychological safety for those who remain
• Strategic questions every senior executive must answer before deciding who to cut
• Alternatives to layoffs many leaders overlook that can preserve trust and talent
• A real coaching example showing what compassionate, high-clarity executive leadership looks like in practice

This episode is for C suite leaders, senior executives, VPs, and Division Presidents running $50M–$750M organizations who are tired of carrying the emotional and operational weight of difficult decisions alone.

Listen now to rethink how your executive team navigates its hardest moments.

Share this with another senior leader who is facing tough decisions this season.

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, I sit down with Kenya Brock, Director of Sales & Sales Development at Comcast Advertising, to talk about what it really means to lead with confidence, clarity, and authenticity.

Kenya’s journey, from navigating constant change as a child to becoming a high-impact leader in media, marketing, and advertising, is filled with lessons every leader can use.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ Why leaders must confidently communicate their accomplishments

✅ How to continually reintroduce yourself as you grow

✅ The role childhood experiences play in shaping your leadership identity

✅ Why intention, values, and courage drive long-term success

✅ How authenticity fuels influence, connection, and opportunity

Because here’s the truth: leadership isn’t just about strategy.

It’s about knowing who you are, embracing your evolution, and leading with intention every single day.

🎧 Listen now!

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, RSS Feed, and YouTube.

#TheExecutiveAppeal #LeadershipPodcast #AuthenticLeadership #CareerGrowth #GPSLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #WomenInLeadership #ProfessionalGrowth

In this special Thanksgiving episode of The Executive Appeal, I’m opening up about something deeply personal, the mentors, coaches, and friends who shaped my journey and the important lesson I learned about expressing gratitude while people are still here to hear it.

And before anything else, I want to say this clearly:

Thank you, Dirk Baxter, for being a one of a kind mentor, coach, and friend.

I miss you and our conversations so much.

🎯 In this episode, I share:

✅ Why gratitude is one of the most underrated leadership skills

✅ How unspoken appreciation can quietly erode relationships and team culture

✅ Why we need to “give people their roses” while they’re still with us

✅ A simple practice you can use today to strengthen your relationships and your leadership

Here’s the truth I’ve learned over the years:

Leadership isn’t just about strategy, decision making, or performance.

It’s about connection.

It’s about appreciation.

And it’s about saying the words people deserve to hear before it’s too late.

🎧 Listen now!

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, RSS Feed, and YouTube.

#TheExecutiveAppeal #AlexDTremble #LeadershipPodcast #GratitudeInLeadership #ThanksgivingMessage #GPSLeadership #MentorshipMatters #GiveThemTheirRoses

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, Alex D. Tremble, CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions, sits down with Celeste Warren, former VP and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Merck and founder of Celeste Warren Consulting LLC, to explore how authentic leadership, encouragement, and inclusive practices shape team success and workplace culture.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ Why leadership is about connection, not just delegation

✅ How creating a sense of belonging strengthens engagement and performance

✅ The importance of checking in and empowering your team every day

✅ Why leaders succeed when they build environments where people can show up fully

Because here’s the truth: leadership isn’t just about managing work.

It’s about showing up for your people, fostering trust, and helping them thrive.

🎧 Listen now!

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, RSS Feed, and YouTube.

#TheExecutiveAppeal #AlexDTremble #CelesteWarren #LeadershipPodcast #AuthenticLeadership #DiversityAndInclusion #GPSLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamEmpowerment

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, I (Alex D. Tremble, CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions) share how our most painful seasons often prepare us for our greatest breakthroughs and why what feels like punishment may actually be preparation.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ Why growth rarely feels good while it’s happening

✅ How to reframe pain as a teacher, not an enemy

✅ The mindset shift that turns adversity into opportunity

✅ How real leaders use hard seasons to build resilience, empathy, and strength

Because here’s the truth: You’re not being punished, you’re being prepared.

Every challenge carries a seed of growth if you choose to look for it.

🎧 Listen now on your favorite platforms!

#TheExecutiveAppeal #AlexDTremble #LeadershipPodcast #GrowthMindset #Resilience #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeThroughPain #GPSLeadership

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, Alex D. Tremble, CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions, sits down with Angel Baltimore, Senior Vice President of Information Technology at the National Apartment Association, to explore how authenticity, vulnerability, and connection shape the way we give and receive as leaders.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ Why leadership is an art, not a science, and why the best leaders adapt with empathy

✅ How authenticity in the workplace builds trust and strengthens teams

✅ The power of sharing who you are, not just what you do, in leadership

✅ How personal stories and human connection help leaders truly receive and not just give

Because here’s the truth: leadership isn’t just about giving direction.

It’s about giving yourself permission to be seen, heard, and human.

🎧 Listen now!

Available on multiple platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, RSS Feed, and YouTube.

#TheExecutiveAppeal #AlexDTremble #AngelBaltimore #LeadershipPodcast #AuthenticLeadership #WomenInLeadership #GPSLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #HumanConnection

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, I (Alex D. Tremble, CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions) explore the power of proximity, why being in the room with the right people can shift your mindset, open doors, and expand what you believe is possible.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ How proximity shapes your goals and accelerates growth

✅ Why the right rooms matter more than the right credentials

✅ How leaders use relationships to expand possibility and open doors for others

✅ What it really means to surround yourself with people who challenge and champion you

Because here’s the truth, you are one conversation away from a completely different life.

But that conversation won’t happen if you’re not in the room.

🎧 Listen now!

Available on multiple platforms: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, RSS Feed, and YouTube.

#TheExecutiveAppeal #AlexDTremble #LeadershipPodcast #ProximityMatters #GPSLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #NetworkingForLeaders

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, I (Alex D. Tremble, CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions) talk about one of the hardest and most freeing leadership lessons: learning to stop carrying emotional weight that was never yours to begin with.

🎯 What you’ll learn:

✅ Why taking things personally drains your peace and power

✅ How to recognize what’s yours to carry and what isn’t

✅ The leadership cost of holding onto resentment

✅ Three steps to release emotional baggage and lead lighter

✅ Why letting go doesn’t mean forgetting, it means freeing yourself

Because true leadership isn’t just about managing others, it’s about mastering what you hold inside.

#TheExecutiveAppeal #AlexDTremble #LeadershipGrowth #EmotionalIntelligence #LettingGo #LeadershipDevelopment #GPSLeadership

But here’s the truth: real leadership growth doesn’t start with starting.

It starts with stopping.

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, I (Alex D. Tremble, CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions) dive into one of the most overlooked, yet transformational, leadership tools: the Start–Stop–Continue assessment — and why the “stop” step is the secret to sustainable success.

🎯 What you’ll learn:

✅ Why saying “no” is often the most strategic move you can make

✅ How stopping creates space for clarity, creativity, and growth

✅ The hidden cost of adding without removing

✅ A real-world story of an executive team that learned to stop — and finally made progress

✅ How to identify what no longer serves you (and lead more intentionally)

🎧 Tune in now to discover how knowing what to stop can help you lead with more focus, balance, and impact.

Listen on your favorite platform — Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, or via RSS:

🔗 https://the-executive-appeal.captivate.fm/

#TheExecutiveAppeal #AlexDTremble #LeadershipDevelopment #LeadershipSucksSometimes #ExecutiveCoaching #MindfulLeadership #GPSLeadership

But what if the key to calmer, more effective leadership isn’t fighting reality, it’s accepting it?

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, I (Alex D. Tremble, CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions) reflect on what turning 40 taught me about leadership, acceptance, and the messy truth behind “staying calm under pressure.”

🎯 What you’ll learn:

✅ Why acceptance—not control—is a leader’s greatest strength

✅ How to shift from chaos to calm

✅ Why “we don’t see the world as it is, but as we are”

✅ The real reason leadership sometimes sucks—and how to lead anyway

✅ How to use the Executive 360 Snapshot to see yourself through others’ eyes

💬 “True leadership begins the moment you stop fighting reality and start leading within it.” — Unlocking the Executive Advantage

🎧 Tune in now to discover how embracing “what is” can help you lead with more clarity, empathy, and authenticity.

Listen on your favorite platform — Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, or via RSS:

https://the-executive-appeal.captivate.fm/

#TheExecutiveAppeal #AlexDTremble #LeadershipSucksSometimes #LeadershipDevelopment #MindfulLeadership #AuthenticLeadership #GPSLeadership

Have you ever thought you were being collaborative, only to find out your team experienced you as distant or dismissive?

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, I (Alex D. Tremble, CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions) explore the gap between intentions and impact and why great leaders don’t assume alignment, they check for it.

🎯 What you’ll learn:

✅ Why technical skills don’t guarantee leadership effectiveness

✅ How unconscious biases and blind spots distort perception

✅ Three tools for alignment: peer word-checks, micro-feedback loops, and boss check-ins

✅ The secret to ensuring your leadership presence lands as intended

Because perception "not intention" shapes your reputation and effectiveness.

🎧 Tune in and find out if your leadership is truly landing the way you think it is.

#TheExecutiveAppeal #AlexDTremble #LeadershipImpact #IntentionVsImpact #GPSLeadership

“Did I do enough?”

“Should I bend just this once?”

For many leaders, the temptation to compromise feels small until suddenly, your integrity is on the line.

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, I (Alex D. Tremble, CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions) talk with Timothy J. Hansen, RPRA, MNAA, owner and principal of Blue Ridge Valuation Services, about the courage it takes to hold firm when others push you to cut corners.

Timothy shares why he’s been called “obstinate” or “hidebound” and why refusing to bend on values is often the smartest risk management strategy. He walks through how to educate decision-makers, keep emotions in check, and lay out the real consequences of compromising standards.

Because here’s the truth:

Leadership isn’t about pleasing everyone.

It’s about protecting your integrity while guiding others toward the right path.

🎯 Here’s what you’ll take away:

✅ How to stand firm when values are under pressure

✅ Strategies for framing ethics as risk management

✅ Why objectivity and clear communication build influence

✅ The reality of leading in politically complex environments

This episode isn’t about being rigid.

It’s about being principled, especially when the stakes are high.

🎯 Reflect & Reset:

🔹 Start: Framing values as safeguards, not obstacles

🔹 Stop: Doubting yourself when others push for shortcuts

🔹 Continue: Educating, guiding, and leading with integrity

🎧 If you’ve ever wondered how to stay steady in the face of pressure, this conversation will give you the tools to lead with conviction.

#TheExecutiveAppeal #AlexDTremble #EthicalLeadership #IntegrityInLeadership #GPSLeadership

It’s not the packed calendar.

It’s not the ability to juggle ten things at once.

It’s the courage to slow down, choose intentionally, and show up as fully human.

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, I (Alex D. Tremble) talk with Tonya Cornileus, Senior Vice President of Learning & Talent Solutions at The Walt Disney Company, about what it means to lead with presence and humanity.

Here’s what we dive into:

✨ The surprising leadership power of meditation and mindfulness

✨ Letting go of the multitasking myth to become fully present

✨ Building equity through personalized leadership, not one-size-fits-all

✨ Creating space on your calendar for growth, connection, and reflection

💡 Tonya reminds us: leadership isn’t about perfection, but it’s about partnership, empathy, and conscious choices.

🎯 Reflect & Reset:

🔹 Start: Creating intentional space for mindfulness and reflection

🔹 Stop: Believing multitasking makes you more effective

🔹 Continue: Leading with empathy and equity, not one-size-fits-all

🎧 If you’ve ever struggled with slowing down in order to lead more effectively, this episode will show you why presence is your greatest leadership advantage.

#TheExecutiveAppeal #LeadershipWithPresence #HumanCentricLeadership #MindfulLeadership #GPSLeadership

You’re not alone. Most leaders are constantly busy, but not always effective. And here’s the hard truth:

Being busy isn’t leadership. Being intentional is.

In my latest episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast, I uncover the hidden trap of poor prioritization and why managing your time and energy is the most critical skill for today’s leaders.

🎙 Join me, Alex D. Tremble, CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions as I reveal:

✅ How to cut through distractions and focus on what actually matters

✅ The secret to protecting your energy so you don’t burn out

✅ Time-management strategies top leaders use to stay ahead

🎧 Listen now to learn how to:

Take back control of your calendar

Prioritize the work that drives results

Lead smarter, not harder

This episode is your executive playbook for regaining control of your time, energy, and leadership impact.

👥 Know a leader who needs this? Share this episode with them.

👇 What’s your #1 strategy for protecting your time and energy?

#ExecutiveLeadership #TimeManagement #EnergyManagement #LeadershipStrategy #AlexDTremble #TheExecutiveAppeal

You’ve seen technology evolve faster than ever.

You’ve led teams through uncertainty.

You’ve balanced strategy, culture, and communication under pressure.

But what if the key to thriving as a leader isn’t resisting change

It’s embracing it, even when it feels uncomfortable?

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, I (Alex D. Tremble, CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions) sit down with Tara Blythe, Chief People Officer – Culture, Strategy & Communications at Infotech, to explore how leaders can navigate rapid innovation, leverage AI as a tool for learning, and adapt their approach to meet the needs of diverse audiences.

Because here’s the truth:

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers.

It’s about creating the space for the right answers to emerge.

🎯 Here’s what you’ll take away:

✅ How to turn AI into an ally for growth and learning

✅ Why adaptability is the new leadership superpower

✅ The link between culture, communication, and innovation

✅ How to lead with empathy while driving transformation

This episode isn’t about fearing what’s next

It’s about stepping into it with clarity and courage.

🎯 Reflect & Reset:

🔹 Start: Seeing change as a leadership advantage

🔹 Stop: Leading with fear in uncertain times

🔹 Continue: Listening deeply and leading inclusively

🎧 If you’ve ever wondered how to stay relevant and impactful as the world changes, this episode will give you the roadmap.

#TheExecutiveAppeal #AlexDTremble #TaraBlythe #LeadershipInChange #AIInLeadership #CultureAndStrategy #GPSLeadership



You’ve worked hard.

You’ve overcome obstacles.

You’ve checked the boxes you thought would guarantee success.

But what if the very failures you’ve tried to forget are the ones that make you a better leader?

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, I (Alex D. Tremble, CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions) sit down with Brian Campbell, Vice President at Truist | Purpose Driven Leader, Inspirational Speaker and a Legacy Builder, to talk about how repeated setbacks, personal challenges, and even career pivots can mold leaders into who they were meant to be.

Because here’s the truth:

Your past isn’t baggage.

It’s the blueprint for your growth.

🎯 Here’s what you’ll take away:

✅ How failure builds resilience and perspective in leadership

✅ Why gratitude and self-care are essential to long-term impact

✅ The six pillars of Brian’s Banker’s Blueprint for personal and professional growth

✅ How to let go of “what’s yours” to create opportunities for others

This episode isn’t about pretending failure doesn’t hurt

It’s about seeing how it transforms you into someone stronger.

🎯 Reflect & Reset:

🔹 Start: Viewing failure as feedback, not defeat

🔹 Stop: Carrying old baggage into new opportunities

🔹 Continue: Growing inward before leading outward

🎧 If you’ve ever wondered if your missteps disqualify you, this episode will remind you: they’re what make you ready.

#TheExecutiveAppeal #LeadershipGrowth #ResilientLeadership #BankersBlueprint #PurposeDrivenLeadership #GPSLeadership

Ever been stuck between two executives at odds?

Do you stay quiet? Do you pick a side?

Or is there another way to lead through the chaos without losing your credibility or your people?

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, I (Alex D. Tremble, CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions) share practical strategies to help you survive and even thrive when senior-level politics threaten to derail your team’s focus and success.

You’ll discover:

✅ How to recognize shifting power dynamics before they affect your team

✅ Why neutrality can protect your credibility and still position you for influence

✅ Practical ways to keep your team grounded and focused amid uncertainty

✅ How to transform chaos into an opportunity to strengthen trust and alignment

These aren’t theories, they’re real-world tactics used in high-stakes boardrooms and executive suites where decisions happen fast and silence speaks louder than words.

If you’ve ever felt caught in senior-level conflicts you didn’t start or couldn’t stop, this episode will help you lead steady, stay visible, and keep your people moving forward.

#TheExecutiveAppeal #AlexDTremble #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutivePresence #ConflictManagement #LeadershipGrowth

Leadership isn’t just about performance reviews and quarterly goals.

It’s about trust. Discipline. Judgment. And how you show up when no one’s watching.

👉 But if you’re only focused on what you do, you might be missing the deeper power of how you do it.

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, I (Alex D. Tremble, CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions) sit down with Herman E. Bulls, Vice Chairman, Americas International Director at JLL, to talk about leadership beyond the job description and why the quiet skills often matter most at the top.

But we didn’t just talk business.

We talked about family.

Faith.

Burnout.

Discipline.

And what it really means to lead with integrity when no one’s keeping score.

Because here’s the truth:

The best leaders don’t just manage outcomes, they shape experiences.

🎯 Here’s what you’ll take away:

✅ Why "doing what you ought to do" is the real definition of discipline

✅ How body language can make or break trust before you speak

✅ Why listening well is more powerful than speaking first

✅ How real relationships *not pitches* create lasting opportunity

✅ The critical difference between quantitative and qualitative judgment

This conversation went far beyond tactics—

It’s about who you are when the pressure is on… and when no one’s looking.

🎯 Reflect & Reset:

🔹 Start: Building trust before influence

🔹 Stop: Thinking presence is about volume

🔹 Continue: Listening with intention, not just strategy

🎧 If you’ve ever felt like leadership is more about who you are than what you do, this episode will feel like home.

#TheExecutiveAppeal #AlexDTremble #HermanBulls #PurposefulLeadership #ExecutivePresence #DisciplineAndTrust #LongGameLeadership #GPSLeadership #RealRelationships #LeadershipWisdom #ListenToLead

You did everything right.

You surrounded yourself with sharp, inspiring people. You showed up ready to grow.

👉 But suddenly, you’re questioning if you even belong there.

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, I (Alex D. Tremble, CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions) sit down with Rizwan Jan, Vice President and Chief Information Officer at The CNA Corporation, for a raw conversation about imposter syndrome, pressure, and learning to lead even when you don’t feel “ready.”

Because here’s the truth:

You don’t have to know everything to be a great leader.

You just have to be present, patient, and willing to listen.

🎯 Here’s what you’ll take away:

✅ Why imposter syndrome shows up even when you’re qualified

✅ How slowing down can actually build more credibility

✅ When to speak—and when to just be a sponge

✅ Why it’s okay to say, “Let me get back to you”

✅ How growth begins at the edge of your comfort zone

This episode isn’t about having all the answers—

It’s about being honest enough to admit when you don’t… and wise enough to seek them.

🎯 Reflect & Reset:

🔹 Start: Listening with curiosity instead of pressure

🔹 Stop: Thinking you have to prove yourself every time

🔹 Continue: Owning your journey with humility and strength

🎧 If you’ve ever felt like the “least smart person in the room,” this episode will remind you:

You’re there for a reason. And you’re not alone.

#TheExecutiveAppeal #AlexDTremble #RizwanJan #LeadershipDevelopment #ImposterSyndrome #GrowthMindset #LongGameLeadership #HumbleLeadership #OwnYourJourney #GPSLeadership #ExecutivePresence #ListenFirstLeadWell

You’re told to hustle.

Own the house. Land the title. Hit 6 figures by 30.

👉 But what if that pressure is stealing your peace and your long-term potential?

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, I (Alex D. Tremble, CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions) sit down with Jay Goninen, Co-Founder and President of WrenchWay, to talk about what real success looks like—and why chasing it too fast might be the very thing holding you back.

Because here’s the truth:

A strong foundation beats fast wins. Every time.

🎯 Here’s what you’ll take away:

✅ Why the pressure to “arrive early” can cause burnout

✅ What retirement really does to your sense of purpose

✅ How building slow and smart creates generational impact

✅ Why patience is the secret to playing the long game in leadership and life

Jay’s story goes beyond business—

It’s about knowing when to go hard… and when to go wise.

🎯 Reflect & Reset:

🔹 Start: Building from values, not just urgency

🔹 Stop: Equating speed with success

🔹 Continue: Stacking skills, savings, and stability brick by brick

🎧 If you’ve ever felt like you’re behind—or burning out trying to stay ahead—this one’s for you.

Stay patient. Stay purposeful. And lead for the long haul.

#TheExecutiveAppeal #AlexDTremble #JayGoninen #WrenchWay #PurposeDrivenLeadership #LeadershipGrowth #BuildSlowGrowStrong #LongGameLeadership #GPSLeadership #FinancialWisdom #BurnoutPrevention #RealSuccess

What if “better” was more important than “perfect”?

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, I (Alex D. Tremble, CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions) sit down with Evan J. Schwartz, Chief Innovation Officer at AMCS Group, to talk about the future of leadership in a world of agentic AI.

Evan breaks down how AI agents are transforming how we lead, make decisions, and scale impact:

➡️ It’s not about replacing people.

➡️ It’s about amplifying what already works — and multiplying it.

We dive into what it means to lead when your success isn’t based on perfection… but on agility, adaptability, and impact.

🎧 If you’re leading people or responsible for performance, you need to hear this.

#ExecutiveLeadership #AgenticAI #LeadershipProductivity #EvanJSchwartz #AlexTremble #TheExecutiveAppeal #LeadershipPodcast #AIinBusiness

You’ve taught them the skills…

👉 But do they have the tools, the time, and the support to use them?

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, I (Alex D. Tremble, CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions) sit down with Regina Blair, Human Resources and Talent Strategy Executive, to explore what it actually takes to empower leaders—not just train them.

Because here’s the truth:

Leadership development doesn’t work if it ends at the workshop door.

Here’s what you’ll take away:

✅ Why good leadership training fails without the right support

✅ How to shift from information-sharing to actual empowerment

✅ What organizations must do to remove barriers to success

✅ How “perfection” might be slowing your team down

🎯 Reflect & Reset:

🔹 Start: Looking at what’s missing from your leadership programs

🔹 Stop: Assuming effort equals readiness

🔹 Continue: Creating environments where leaders can actually lead

🎧 This one’s for HR leaders, executives, and anyone ready to move from theory to transformation.

Stay sharp. Stay real. And above all—stay supportive. 🎯

#TheExecutiveAppeal #AlexDTremble #ReginaBlair #LeadershipSupport #GPSLeadership #PeopleDevelopment #HumanResources #RealLeadership #EmpoweredManagers #LeadershipTransformation #PerformanceMatters

In this powerful episode of The Executive Appeal, I sit down with Mathew Knowles—Founder & President of Music World Entertainment, brand architect of Beyoncé, Solange, Destiny’s Child, and dozens of award-winning artists—to talk about how real success is built from the inside out.

Real-world leadership insight:

✅ Passion is nothing without consistency

✅ The right habits are more powerful than hype

✅ Leaders don’t wait to be inspired—they create the energy

Mathew opens up about the mindset and work ethic behind his legacy—and how you can apply the same principles in your own leadership journey.

He breaks down:

💥 Why clarity on your passion leads to focused action

💥 How internal motivation beats external praise every time

💥 What separates those who try from those who train

🎧 If you’re serious about doing what you love—and doing it well—this episode is for you.

👇 Drop a 🔥 if you’re committed to becoming the best at what you love.

#MathewKnowles #ExecutiveAppeal #AlexTremble #GPSLeadership #BuiltFromWithin #LeadWithPurpose #WorkThatMatters #AuthenticLeadership #GrindWithGrace

In the latest episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast, I sit down with Keith Parris, Vice President of Contact Center Operations and Technology at BCU, to explore one of the most underrated leadership accelerators: taking on roles that stretch—and sometimes frustrate—you.

✅ How a finance role at BP revealed what wasn’t his zone of genius

✅ Why early career “misfits” are often the clearest teachers

✅ And how mentorship is more about perspective than prescriptions

🎯 “Even if you don’t like it—it’s a lesson.”

Keith shares how one of his toughest professional experiences became the foundation for discovering his true strengths—and how that clarity fuels his leadership today.

But this conversation isn’t just about tough jobs and career pivots.

Keith also opens up about how he builds high-performing teams, empowers others through mentorship, and balances tech strategy with heart-centered leadership.

He reminds us that:

Success doesn’t follow a straight line

Growth often starts with discomfort

And the best mentors don’t just guide—they walk with you through the chaos

🎧Tune in to hear how Keith’s journey shaped his leadership—and how his insight can shape yours.

👥 Know someone early in their career—or guiding someone who is? Tag them below.

👇 What’s one role you struggled through that shaped your leadership?

#LeadershipGrowth #ExecutiveAppeal #MentorshipMatters #KeithParris #BCU #CareerClarity #AlexTremble #GPSLeadership #LeadingWithGPS #ResilientLeadership

Let’s cut through the noise:

👉 If you want different results, you have to do something different.

Too often, leaders chase mindset shifts or new strategies—while repeating the same daily habits.

In the latest episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast, I (Alex D. Tremble, CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions) share why behavior change is the true foundation of transformation—in life and leadership.

Here’s what you’ll walk away with:

✅ Why slowing down your reactions can unlock better decision-making

✅ How to lead from your ideal self, not your current habits

✅ The power of small, consistent changes that lead to massive impact

✅ A real-world story of a leader who transformed one habit—and everything else followed

You don’t need to do more. You need to act intentionally.

🎯 Reflect & Reset:

🔹 Start: Taking one intentional action daily

🔹 Stop: Operating on autopilot

🔹 Continue: Aligning your actions with your highest self

🎧 This episode is for anyone serious about growth, leadership, and long-term success.

Let’s lead the change—starting with what we do.

Stay strong. Stay positive. And definitely—stay moving. 🚀

#TheExecutiveAppeal #LeadershipGrowth #BehaviorChange #ExecutiveCoaching #AlexDTremble #LeadWithIntention #LeadershipDevelopment #GPSLeadershipSolutions #HabitsOfGreatLeaders #IntentionalLeadership #HighImpactHabits



Let’s be real—no one enjoys tough times. But here’s the truth most leaders miss:

👉 The struggle isn’t a setback—it’s a signal.

A signal that you're on the edge of real growth.

In the latest episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast, I (Alex D. Tremble, CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions) break down what separates the truly great leaders from everyone else during high-stress, high-stakes moments.

If you're facing pressure right now—don’t shrink. Lean in.

Here’s what you’ll gain from this episode:

✅ The mindset shift that helps leaders stay focused when everything feels uncertain

✅ Why fast, high-quality decisions beat perfection every time

✅ How to turn crises into credibility and setbacks into strategy

✅ Real-life proof that adversity isn’t the end—it’s the launchpad

Tough seasons reveal your leadership capacity.

The question is: Will you ignore it, or will you rise?

🎯 Reflect & Reset:

🔹 Start: Leading the story—not reacting to it

🔹 Stop: Letting hesitation stall progress

🔹 Continue: Seeing adversity as fuel for transformation

🎧 Tap into this episode now—and come out of your challenge stronger, smarter, and more confident.

Stay strong. Stay positive. And definitely—stay moving. 🚀

#TheExecutiveAppeal #LeadershipGrowth #ResilienceInLeadership #ExecutiveCoaching #AlexDTremble #LeadershipUnderPressure #LeadThroughCrisis #DecisionMaking #LeadershipMindset #KeynoteSpeaker #AdversityToAdvantage

Letting someone go is never easy—especially when they’ve done good work.

In my latest episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast, I sit down with Anne Tomkinson, Senior VP of People & Culture at the National Apartment Association, to unpack what it really feels like to navigate reductions in force—and how to do it with empathy, clarity, and integrity.

We dive into the real cost of these conversations—the emotional toll on leaders and team members—and why the how matters just as much as the decision itself.

🎧 Tune in now to learn:

✅ How to communicate hard decisions without dehumanizing people

✅ What to say (and what not to say) when someone's role is affected

✅ Why empathy isn’t weakness—it’s leadership

If you’re in a decision-making seat, this is required listening.

👥 Know a leader who’s facing tough calls right now? Tag them below.

👇 What’s the hardest part about managing layoffs with compassion?

#ExecutiveAppeal #LeadershipWithHeart #Layoffs #DifficultDecisions #EmpathyInLeadership #AnneTomkinson #GPSLeadershipPod #PeopleFirstLeadership

Most leaders don’t fail because they lack ambition—they fail because they resist the very thing that could take them to the next level: feedback.

On today’s episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast, join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & #KeynoteSpeaker) as we explore how high-performing executives use feedback as a competitive advantage—and how you can too.

Why You Need to Listen:

Feedback isn't just about performance reviews—it's your most direct path to growth, credibility, and long-term influence. But only if you know how to receive it, apply it, and ask for it strategically.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ Why most leaders get feedback wrong—and how to shift your mindset

✅ The power of “feedforward” and why it’s a game changer

✅ How to give and receive feedback without damaging trust or confidence

✅ The simple feedback habits that separate stagnant leaders from those who grow fast

Real Talk, Real Growth

Your Next Move:

🔹 Start: Embracing feedback as a strategic tool for your growth

🔹 Stop: Taking feedback as a personal attack

🔹 Continue: Asking for diverse input to uncover blind spots

🎧 Listen now to turn feedback into your leadership superpower.

Stay strong. Stay positive. And definitely—stay moving. 🚀

#TheExecutiveAppeal #LeadershipDevelopment #FeedbackForGrowth #ExecutiveCoaching #AlexDTremble #Feedforward #LeadershipStrategy #KeynoteSpeaker #LeadershipPodcast #GrowthMindset

Most leaders don’t advertise their scars—but the ones who rise with purpose know how to:

✅ Transform personal loss into leadership fuel

✅ Build meaning from hard experiences

✅ And lead in a way that pulls others up with them

In my latest episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast, I sit down with Chuck Thompson, AVP at Sutherland—a global leader in AI, automation, cloud engineering, and digital transformation.

What began in grief evolved into clarity.

Chuck reveals how her influence became the catalyst for everything he is today—and how he’s used that experience to weave a powerful, purpose-driven leadership story.

🎧 Listen in now to learn how to:

– Turn jading experiences into deep connection

– Lead from a place of honesty, not armor

– Make your journey the very thing that attracts others to follow

This episode is your reminder: the struggles you’ve survived may be your greatest leadership asset.

👥 Know a leader who needs to hear this? Tag them below.

👇 What’s one hard experience that shaped your leadership?

#ExecutiveLeadership #AuthenticLeadership #ResilientLeadership #TheExecutiveAppeal #ChuckThompson #AlexTremble #GPSLeadership #LeadingWithGPS #LeadershipWithHeart #LegacyLeadership #GreatPeopleStrategies

Strong results. Solid trust. High engagement.

That’s when most teams start drifting—and leaders don’t see it coming.

In my latest episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast, I break down the hidden danger in teams that are doing well—and why “good” is actually the most vulnerable state.

🎙 Join me, Alex D. Tremble—CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & #KeynoteSpeaker—as I reveal:

✅ Why high performance decays when left unchecked

✅ The 3 moves every exec must make to protect what’s working

✅ Real-world insights from top orgs who caught decline too late

🎧 Listen now to learn how to:

- Strengthen trust before cracks appear

- Design systems that reinforce what’s working

- Keep your team aligned, engaged, and growing

This episode is your executive guide to sustaining peak performance—without waiting for problems to show up.

👥 Know a leader who needs to hear this? Tag them below.

👇 What’s one thing you proactively do to maintain team performance?

#ExecutiveLeadership #HighPerformanceTeams #OrganizationalHealth #LeadershipStrategy #AlexDTremble #TheExecutiveAppeal #KeynoteSpeaker

Most execs aren’t marketers—but the ones who rise fastest understand how to: ✅ Position their ideas for buy-in

✅ Build influence inside their org

✅ And make their wins impossible to ignore

In my latest episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast, I sit down with Allison Windon, Head of Marketing, Pre-Sales & GTM Strategy at Paylocity —one of the fastest-growing publicly traded HCM companies.

We break down the marketing skills every non-marketing executive needs to stand out and lead at the next level.

🎧 Listen in now to learn how to:

-Amplify your leadership brand

-Communicate value beyond your team

-Get your work recognized at the top

This episode is your executive playbook for making more strategic noise—without sounding like you're selling.

👥 Know a leader who needs to hear this? Tag them below.

👇 What’s one marketing skill you’ve had to learn as a non-marketer?

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#MarketingStrategy hashtag

#Influence hashtag

#LeadershipBrand hashtag

#TheExecutiveAppeal

When you’re an executive leading through change, here’s one truth you must understand:

People aren’t always working against you—

they’re working for what they believe is in their own best interest.

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, I sit down with Janet M. Stovall—one of the most respected voices in the space of DEI, leadership, and organizational behavior—to talk about the hard truths leaders face when navigating organizational shifts, resistance, and internal politics.

We dig into:

🔹 What to do when change feels personal, but it’s not

🔹 How to recognize the motivations behind other people’s decisions

🔹 Why assuming positive intent can still be strategic

🔹 How to lead with clarity and courage—even when the ground is shifting beneath you

This episode is a must-listen for every executive navigating power dynamics, culture change, or political complexity at the highest levels.

Most leaders talk about managing teams. But what if the real game-changer in your career isn’t just managing down... it's managing up?

🎙️ On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & #KeynoteSpeaker) learn how to build real influence with decision-makers.

You’ll learn:

✅ How to align your work with your boss’s goals

✅ The secret to adapting to executive communication styles

✅ What it really means to be a proactive problem-solver

✅ How to position yourself as a trusted, indispensable asset

💡 Plus, he shares real stories, practical tips, and strategies straight from his bestselling books like Unlocking the Executive Advantage.

Listen. Learn. Lead up.

Tune in now! 🎧

#ExecutivePresence #LeadershipDevelopment #ManagingUp #Influence #TheExecutiveAppeal

Most executives don’t fail because they lack skills—they fail because they don’t know how to play the game. Are you making the same political missteps that cost top leaders their careers?

On today’s episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast, join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & #KeynoteSpeaker) as we uncover the brutal truth about political savvy—the unspoken skill that separates rising executives from those who get stuck (or worse, forced out).

Why You Need to Listen:

Your influence is your currency. If you don’t understand how to use it—or worse, if you ignore the game altogether—you’re already at a disadvantage. This episode gives you the mindset and strategy to win.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ The #1 reason executives sabotage themselves without realizing it

✅ How being "too nice" can destroy your credibility

✅ The key relationships you need to protect your career—before you need them

Real Talk, Real Results

Your Next Move:

🔹 Start: What’s one action you’ll take today to increase your political savvy?

🔹 Stop: What habits are making you politically vulnerable?

🔹 Continue: What leadership strengths should you double down on?

🎧 Listen now and take control of your executive future.

Stay strong. Stay positive. And definitely—stay moving. 🚀

Is your team overwhelmed? Are your change efforts stalling? Are you ready to stop guessing and start leading with certainty?

On The Executive Appeal Podcast, Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & #KeynoteSpeaker) reveals the strategies that actually work.

Discover:

✅How to address resistance head-on, without the fluff.

✅How to crush change fatigue with strategic, actionable steps.

✅How to deliver a vision that resonates and drives results.

✅The game-changing "Start, Stop, Continue" assessment for maximum impact.

Ready to lead change that actually delivers? Tune in.🎙️

#ExecutiveLeadership #ChangeManagement #LeadershipDevelopment #CEO #BusinessStrategy #TheExecutiveAppeal #GPSLeadeshipSolutions

In today’s episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast, Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & #KeynoteSpeaker) reveals The Hidden Currency of Executive Leadership: How High-Performers Leverage Relationships to Win.

Let’s be real—you’re smart, you work hard. But without strategic relationships, you’re limiting your own success.

🎙️ Tune in to discover:

✅ How to go beyond surface-level networking

✅ How to identify and connect with key influencers in your industry

✅ How to build relationships that unlock new opportunities

🚫 Don’t wait for opportunities—create them!

Stay strong, stay positive, and keep moving forward. 🚀

🎧 Listen now!

#Leadership #Networking #ExecutiveSuccess #CareerGrowth #Podcast #TheExecutiveAppeal #AlexDTremble #SuccessMindset #ProfessionalDevelopment

Leadership isn't just about spreadsheets; it's about navigating the messy, human side of tough calls. Choices that help some, hurt others – that's the real test. How do you reconcile your inner beliefs with the demands of the world?

That's why I (Alex D. Tremble, CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & #KeynoteSpeaker) sat down with Eric Pliner, author of 'Difficult Decisions', Executive Advisor & Coach of Arcade Leadership Advisory to dive deep into the heart of ethical leadership.

🔥 In this episode, we break down:

✅ How to recognize that difficult decisions are fundamentally human, where choices inevitably impact individuals differently.

✅ Why balancing your personal morality with the diverse interests of stakeholders is the ultimate leadership challenge.

✅ How to move beyond surface-level strategies and confront the emotional and moral implications of your decisions.

✅ The importance of fostering a culture of curiosity and inclusion to mitigate the risks of harmful choices.

✅ How to maintain authenticity without compromising professionalism in high-stakes situations.

💡 Stop treating decisions as purely logical exercises. They're about people, values, and the impact you leave behind. If you're ready to lead with moral clarity, this episode is for you.

🎙️ Listen now & lead with unwavering integrity!

📢 Let’s connect—visit GPSLeadership.org to see how we can help you navigate your leadership journey.

Stay principled, stay human, and keep leading with purpose! 🚀

#MoralLeadership #EthicalDecisions #HumanCentered #LeadershipPodcast#ValuesDriven #EricPliner #ExecutiveSuccess #GPSLeadership #SeniorExecutives #DecisionMaking #Authenticity #AlexDTremble

Losing your job—especially when you’ve dedicated years to an organization—can feel overwhelming. With federal government layoffs and job cuts happening across industries, many professionals are asking: “What now?”

That’s exactly why I sat down with Doretha Polite, Human Resources Executive at the Texas Civil Rights Project, former executive leader at Geico, and author of Layoff to Layup: Finding Your Next Shot and The Job Search Blueprint.

 In this episode, we break down:

•  The first steps to take after being laid off (before panic sets in)
•  How to turn a layoff into a strategic career pivot
•  The biggest mistakes people make when job searching (and how to avoid them)
•  How to rebuild confidence and take control of your next career move

 Losing your job isn’t the end—it can be the beginning of something better. If you or someone you know has been affected by recent layoffs, this conversation is a must-listen!

 Listen now & take charge of your future!

 Let’s connect—visit GPSLeadership.org to see how we can help you navigate your leadership journey.

Stay strong, stay positive, and definitely stay moving! 

#CareerTransitions #LayoffRecovery #Leadership #JobSearch #FederalGovernment #DorethaPolite #ExecutiveSuccess #GPSLeadership

On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & #KeynoteSpeaker) and Kevin Clayton (Executive Vice President, Chief Impact and Equity Officer for Rock Entertainment Group) for a dynamic conversation that goes beyond buzzwords and delves into the practical strategies for building truly inclusive organizations.

Kevin Clayton brings a unique and powerful perspective, especially considering his groundbreaking work. Since joining the Cavaliers in 2019, he has spearheaded efforts that have positioned the organization as a trailblazer in the sports industry. How do his experiences translate to valuable lessons for your business?

In this episode, we'll explore:

✅ How can you define what inclusion means for your specific organization?

✅What are the risks and rewards of implementing inclusive strategies?

✅How can you navigate the complexities of sales and marketing with diverse audiences in mind?

✅How can you tie inclusive practices to tangible organizational outcomes?

✅How can you grow your career by understanding and implementing inclusive business practices?

Whether you're a seasoned executive or just starting your career, this episode will provide you with actionable insights and a fresh perspective on building successful, inclusive organizations. Are you ready to elevate your leadership?

🎙️Tune in to the Executive Appeal Podcast and find out!

Let’s connect—visit GPSLeadership.org to see how we can help you navigate your leadership journey.

Stay strong, stay positive, and definitely stay moving! 🚀

#LeadershipJourney #InclusiveBusiness #CareerGrowth #BusinessStrategy #TheExecutiveAppealPodcast #GPSLeadershipSolutions

On today's Executive Appeal Podcast, I, Alex Tremble, CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions, explore why truly successful leaders learn from everyone – even those they may not agree with or personally like.

We discuss the critical skill of detaching emotion from information to leverage insights from any source.  

"Ego blinds us to opportunity. True leaders extract value from every source, regardless of personal preference." - Alex Tremble

🎧 Tune in now for a practical discussion on maximizing your learning potential and expanding your leadership capacity.

#SuccessMindset #ExecutiveAppealPodcast #LeadershipDevelopment #GPSLeadershipSolutions #AlexDTremble

GUEST BIO

Kevin Sligh supports clients working in disaster/crisis management and the energy sector, particularly within the offshore renewable and conventional energy space, including leading efforts in diversity, equity, Inclusion, and accessibility at all levels.

Prior to starting his consultancy (Promethean Global Consulting Group), Mr. Sligh served as a Biden-Harris political appointee as the Director of the Bureau of Safety & Environmental Enforcement, leading its offshore wind market businesses. Previously, he served in numerous career roles as the Deputy Regional Administrator for FEMA Region 5 and, subsequently, as Deputy of the Coast Guard’s Office of Marine Environmental Response at Coast Guard Headquarters. He also served as the Director for Response policy in 2017 for the White House National Security Council. His responsibilities included shaping the nation’s response and recovery efforts to Hurricanes HARVEY, IRMA, and MARIA by leading the Executive Office of the President’s headquarters-level response. During his 2-year assignment as the FEMA Region 5 Acting Regional Administrator, he was instrumental in providing over 6 billion dollars in Stafford Act funding to disaster survivors. In addition, he has also deployed multiple times to Hurricanes KATRINA, RITA, and GUSTAV in various senior leadership roles.

Last, he served 13 years between the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard within the enlisted corps. During his last 10 years on active duty, he served as a commissioned officer, where he deployed multiple times in support of the Coast Guard’s response to the DEEPWATER HORIZON tragedy in 2010. At the height of the response, he led over 40,000 responders.

Too many high-performing executive leaders stay stuck in workplaces that don’t recognize their worth. They’re overworked, underappreciated, and disengaged—waiting for someone else to see their value.

Here’s the truth: If you don’t know your worth, no one else will.

On today’s episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast, Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & #KeynoteSpeaker) breaks down:

🔹 How to identify when your workplace is limiting your growth

🔹 The mindset shift successful leaders use to break free from disengagement

🔹 Proven strategies to position yourself for new opportunities and career advancement

If you’re tired of feeling stuck and ready to step into your full potential, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now and start thriving beyond a disengaged workplace!

#LeadershipDevelopment #KnowYourWorth #CareerGrowth #ThrivingAtWork #AlexDTremble #TheExecutiveAppealPodcast #GPSLeadershipSolutions

If you’re finding it hard to retain top talent, engage your employees, or inspire proactive behavior, there’s one root cause you can’t ignore: trust.

Without trust, even the best strategies fall apart. Teams become disengaged, performance drops, and leaders are left wondering where they went wrong.

In today’s episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast, Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & #KeynoteSpeaker) dives into:

• Why trust is the foundation for employee engagement and proactivity
• Common mistakes leaders make that break trust
• Practical strategies to build trust that drives retention and performance

If you’re ready to unlock the secret to building stronger, more effective teams, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now and start transforming your leadership approach!

GUEST BIO

Major General (RET.) Christopher P Hughes is a result-driven Consultant and Executive Coach with expertise in strategic planning, innovation, leadership, and operational and organizational design. Chris has spent the last five years helping C-Suit executives improve and train their junior leaders in the business and federal domains.

Christopher Hughes brings 35 years of leadership experience in the U.S Army, from platoon leader to Commanding General.

Over the course of his career, Chris served as the Executive Officer for the Secretary of the Army, the Army Senior Liaison to the U.S. House of Representatives, and he commanded an Infantry Battalion from the 101st Airborne Division during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Chris is the author of the book “War on Two Fronts” that recounts his experiences in Iraq and the Pentagon. He assisted in the creation of five major organizations within the Department of Defense and served as an investigator on the USS Cole Commission in 2000.

After retiring from military service, Chris became the President and CEO of Northwest Consulting, LLC. He's also the author of 'War on Two Fronts: an Infantry Commander's War in Iraq and the Pentagon'. Of which he was awarded the Army Historical Foundation's Distinguished Writing Award for Excellence in U.S. Army History Writing in 2008.

Guest BIO

Tony currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at the Center for international Private Enterprise

With over 30 years of experience as a dedicated HR practitioner, Tony has worked in the private, for-profit, and non-profit sectors. Before joining CNFA, he served as the Director of Human Resources and Administration for Cardno Emerging Markets, overseeing operations in Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East. His career also includes senior director roles at a federal government contractor in Northern Virginia and at the largest international public-sector labor union. A U.S. Army veteran, Tony served at military installations in Heidelberg, Germany; Yongsan, South Korea; and across the United States.

Tony holds a Master of Business Administration in Human Resources from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He is certified as a Senior Certified Professional in Human Resources by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and as a Senior Professional in Human Resources by the HR Certification Institute. Tony is a founding member of the SHRM Executive Network, currently serves as President-Elect on the board of the District of Columbia Chapter of SHRM, and is an official member of the Forbes Human Resource Council and the HR Leadership Forum.

In his spare time, Tony is an active member of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and enjoys volunteering, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Guest Bio

Tim currently serves as the Director, Integrated Talent Management at QinetiQ US. Tim began his career in the Air Force as a communications systems operator but soon was selected as an Airman Leadership School instructor, teaching first-line supervisors how to lead and develop their subordinates. He would ultimately be promoted to serve as the Chief of Enlisted Developmental Education, managing professional military education for 250,000+ members of the Air Force and finally, Command Chief Master Sergeant for Air University, providing strategic advice to the Commander on human capital management and mission execution. After leaving the Air Force in 2019 he started his current leadership journey at what is now QinetiQ US.

His passion for leadership and professional development led him to move to the corporate office where he’s been leading those efforts for the company. That includes everything from running our flagship mentorship program to executive development... and anything that fits into the leadership and learning and development portfolio.

Guest BIO:

Scott Sell is a strategic and innovative talent acquisition leader that has led teams within the technology, executive search, hospitality, and health care sectors. He currently serves as the Chief Talent Acquisition Officer for Mercy, where he’s recognized for his proven ability to build and manage high performing, diverse teams across a multi-state area. As a seasoned professional with more than 25 years of recruitment experience, Scott is known for driving employment brand growth, maximizing operational excellence and providing a premiere candidate experience. Scott also serves as a Board Member on TALK (Talent Acquisition Leadership Keynotes) which is the world’s largest society of Talent Acquisition professionals. And prior to his current Chief role he served as the Director of Talent Acquisition and Administration at Ameristar Casino.

Guest BIO: Proven Human Resource professional, who works to translate business strategies into HR actions that drives business results, and who also focuses on developing efficient processes using knowledge of HR Information Systems, employee relations, benefits and industry best practices to accomplish organizational goals. Core competencies include:

Project Management~Benefits Administration~ HRIS~Employee Relations~Performance Management~Strategic Planning~ Client Relations

Guest BIO:

With over ten years of experience in human resources and operations, I am a passionate and strategic leader who drives organizational excellence and employee engagement. As the Senior Director of Human Resources at Fundrise, I oversee the People function for a high-growth, direct-to-investor alternative asset management platform, overseeing talent acquisition, performance management, compensation and benefits, learning and development, and diversity and inclusion initiatives. I hold a SHRM-CP certification and am graduate of the People Leader Accelerator, a program that equips HR professionals with the skills and tools to create high-performing and inclusive teams, and the Redefining HR Accelerator - Charlie Cohort. Previously, I held various HR and operations roles at Asurity Technologies, NJI Media, Social Tables, and Hukkster, where I supported the growth and success of different organizations in the technology, media, and retail sectors. I have a strong background in retail management and organizational leadership and learning, with master's degrees from the University of South Carolina and the George Washington University. I also hold a diversity and inclusion certificate from Cornell University, and I am committed to fostering a culture of belonging and respect at Fundrise and beyond.

Guest BIO:

Jason Risoli is an accomplished Human Resources professional with over 20 years of experience in various industries. He has a proven track record of driving business improvements through employee engagement, enhancing company culture and strategies initiatives.  

Jason's career began with a dual Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management as well as Management and Organizational Behavior from Rider University. He then went on to complete a Master's degree in Labor and Employment Relations from Rutgers University. 

Since then, he has worked with a variety of top organizations, including large corporations and small businesses, to develop and implement effective HR strategies. In his most recent role as the Sr. Director People Operations Head of HR at Transformco Sears Home Services, a leading Home Services company, Jason oversaw all aspects of HR operations, including employee relations, while strategically partnering with Talent Acquisition and Total Rewards subject matter experts. He has also played the lead role in developing and implementing employee engagement and retention strategies at the company. Throughout his career, Jason has demonstrated a passion for employee development and engagement. He is an advocate for ongoing learning and development, and has led numerous training sessions on topics such as leadership development and conflict resolution and has mentored countless people throughout his career and personal life. 

Outside of work, Jason is nature lover and enjoys spending time with his family. He is also actively involved in his community, volunteering with local non-profit organizations including being Merit Badge Counselor with the Boy Scouts of America for 6 Eagle Merit badges as well being a mentor for HR students attending Rutgers University.

Guest BIO:

Peter Bonner is a public, non-profit, and private sector innovator, working at the crossroads between these sectors in the areas of human capital, workforce development, leadership effectiveness, and operational excellence. He recently led the federal agencies tasked with hiring the technical, management, and staff talent to implement the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS and Science Act. from his role as the Associate Director, HR Solutions at Office of Personnel Management. This resulted in hiring, in less than two years, more than 6,000 engineers, program managers, contracting and grants management specialists, to help build the roads, bridges, cell towers, water treatment facilities, and semiconductor plants that will improve the quality of life for Americans for generations to come. As OPM’s HR Solutions team executive, Peter led customer experience and innovation for USAJOBS, USA Staffing, USA Performance, USA Hire and other shared services that help federal agencies recruit, hire, train, and manage the performance of the federal workforce. Peter’s particular expertise is in interagency and inter-sector initiatives that meld the sometimes disparate missions and outcomes of federal agencies, NGOs, and the private sector. He has demonstrated this through work on OPM’s interagency hiring surge innovations, federal Energy Star programs, Veterans employment initiatives, evidence-based decision making, the OMB/USDS DITAP Program, and OPM shared services.

Peter has led consulting organization functions in senior executive roles at ICF and ASI Government that focus on strategic planning, leadership development, learning, and organizational development. Peter supports federal agencies s they chart new courses and direction in times of great volatility and change. His familiarity with federal consulting, contracting, HR, and workforce management helps agencies efficiently and effectively create and align objectives and goals in response to diverse stakeholder needs and requirements. Mr. Bonner’s experience demonstrates his ability to get results and make agencies even more effective.

Peter can be reached at

peter@bonnerenterprises.com

Guest BIO:

Donna Miller, Co-founder and CEO of Purse Power and Chief Growth Officer - Human Capital Management of Xyant Services, has had more than 30 years of hands-on experience as an entrepreneur and executive in Fortune 500 companies. She is an award-winning talent management consultant and a formally trained executive coach. The theme of Donna's career has been around initiating, driving and managing organizational transformations.

Her expertise lies in Human Capital Management consulting, organizational development, executive coaching, talent management, leadership development, and team building. With a background as a former HR executive, extensive experience is brought to optimizing technology recruitment, fostering diversity and inclusion, and facilitating large scale change. Close collaboration with clients ensures alignment of workforce strategies with business objectives, providing strategic guidance and customized solutions. Additionally, a collaborative approach extends to advisory and consulting services, assisting clients in areas such as digital transformation, cloud migration, data analytics, and cybersecurity. Passion for delivering impactful results drives the ability to help organizations thrive by unlocking the full potential of their human capital.

Guest BIO:

Emmy award winning television journalist and media/presentation/video coach Jane Hanson has spent over 30 years helping people learn to communicate better. Hanson focuses on three core elements: what you say, how you say it, and how your body language keeps it all in sync.

Among her clients: top tier leaders in finance, insurance, startups, pharma, technology, education, fashion and media; chefs, sports figures and restaurateurs. She hosts programs on cable, digital and life streaming channels. And she is a frequent speaker, emcee, and panel moderator.

Jane spent most of her broadcast career at NBC New York, including anchoring "Today in New York”, appearances on the Today show, reporting on every major event from the tragedy of 9/11 to the joy of Yankees victory parades to Wall Street and Washington. She also hosted Jane’s New York that traveled the world; and later New York Live. Jane has won 9 Emmy Awards. She's been honored by New York's Police Detectives, New York's Firefighters, and numerous other groups, and has served on the board of several philanthropies.

Guest BIO:

Q is a trusted advisor to founders, boards, C-Suites, people executives, VCs and reputed global accelerator programs like Techstars and PeopleTech Partners. He is a mission driven business-minded leader, public speaker and executive coach with a focus on people strategy and business operations. He provides valuable insights and drives sustainable change from his extensive first hand experience across his own startups, venture growth, private equity, management consulting, and Fortune 100 companies across 25+ countries.

Guest BIO:

Chikara is an entrepreneur, transformation coach, veteran and accomplished HR leader with two decades of partnering and collaborating with executives at some of the most iconic companies in the world. At the start of her impressive career, she led a small team administrative providing HR support to a squadron of United States Air Force fighter pilots in North Carolina. She leveraged her HR knowledge and unique leadership skills in her next role as a strategic HR consultant at Westinghouse Electric Company. While at Westinghouse, her innovative leadership during a period of unprecedented growth and expansion into the Chinese nuclear industry led to her selection as the first and only HR professional to take on an extended international assignment at Toshiba HQ in Tokyo, Japan.

In the last decade, Chikara’s senior leadership roles at EY and Meta (formerly known as Facebook) have given her the opportunity to lead teams of senior HR business partners while simultaneously co-creating talent strategies with senior executives to address emergent business challenges. AT EY, she led the HRBP team supporting the US-Central Region Strategy and Transactions practice of nearly 800 professionals for nearly seven years. During her Meta (formerly known as Facebook), Chikara was responsible for the leadership of HRBP teams developing dynamic talent strategies that supported the astounding 200% growth of the company’s global recruiting organization followed by the rapid reduction of 80% of the organization within a 5 year period.

As an entrepreneur, Chikara is a co-owner of the Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services of Springfield-Woodbridge and the founder and CEO of Power Coaching and Consulting. She is passionate about helping clients recognize and harness the power of their personal agency to design and direct their personal and professional lives. She recognizes that this process will inevitably be different for each person and organization, and the foundation of her coaching is helping clients identify what truly matters to them.

Chikara graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Georgetown University and a Masters of Administration with a HR concentration from Central Michigan University. She’s recently relocated back to the Washington DC area and re-acclimating herself to our nation's capital. She is passionate about traveling, health and wellness and leading with positivity and her heart.

Guest BIO:

Jamail D. Carter, MBA, M.Sc., Ph.D., is an analytical executive and strategic planner with consistent track record of success impacting the visibility, profitability, and performance of diverse organizations through strategic design and execution of innovative training, planning, research, and communication initiatives.

Guest BIO:

Randy Conley serves as Vice President & Trust Practice Leader for The Ken Blanchard Companies.

He is Blanchard's subject matter expert in the field of trust, co-author of Blanchard's Building Trust training program, and works with organizations around the globe helping them build trust in the workplace. Trust Across America has recognized Randy with a Lifetime Achievement Award as a Top Thought Leader in trustworthy business behavior and he is a founding member of the Alliance of Trustworthy Business Experts. Inc.com named Randy a Top 100 Leadership Speaker & Thinker and American Management Association included him in their Leaders to Watch in 2015 list. He holds a Masters Degree in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego.

You can follow Randy on Twitter @RandyConley or connect with him via his blog, Leading With Trust, at www.leadingwithtrust.com.

Guest BIO:

Doretha Polite is a dynamic and charismatic force of inspiration. With an unwavering commitment to igniting the flames of potential in others, Doretha Polite has dedicated her life to empowering individuals to overcome obstacles, seize opportunities, and live their best lives. In her spare time, she loves writing, cycling, and spending time with her husband, Brett.

Born with an unquenchable thirst for personal growth and a deep-seated belief in the human spirit, Doretha has triumphed over her own challenges and emerged as a beacon of hope for countless others. From humble beginnings in Gary, Indiana to soaring heights, her journey is a testament to the transformative power of resilience, determination, and unwavering faith in God.

Doretha Polite has spent over 25 years as a business leader and as a Senior Human Resources executive. She is the owner and CEO of Polite Consulting where she provides executive leadership coaching, life coaching, and Human Resources expertise. As a seasoned leader and motivational speaker, Doretha has graced stages, leaving audiences spellbound with her electrifying presence and powerful words. With a unique ability to connect on a profound level, she has touched hearts and sparked change in the lives of thousands. She currently serves as the Human Resources Director for a Civil Rights Organization in Texas where she is using her skills to support Texas Civil Rights Project in their quest to serve the community.

With boundless energy and an infectious enthusiasm for life, Doretha Polite has the remarkable gift of turning adversity into advantage, setbacks into steppingstones, and dreams into reality. Her messages are not just motivational; they are life-altering and transformational, providing individuals with the tools and mindset needed to embrace their potential and create a future filled with purpose and fulfillment.

Doretha Polite is more than just a leader and speaker; she is a catalyst for transformation, a guide for those seeking the path to greatness, and a living testament to the extraordinary heights one can reach with the right mindset and unwavering determination. Doretha Polite is a journaling enthusiast. She believes in the power of writing down your dreams and goals so you can see them and then achieve them. She is the author of several journals. Her favorite journal is the “Moments of Reflection Journal.”

Prepare to be inspired, motivated, and moved. Doretha Polite is here to empower you to rise above, dream big, and live your best life. Your journey to greatness begins here.

Guest BIO:

Jessica Rivera is a Business and Mindset Coach based in New York.

She helps leaders master their mindset, enhance their communication, and set successful strategies so that they can lead their business without stress.

Prior to starting her business, Jessica climbed the corporate ladder in a competitive industry for a top five international bank. She found that Coaching, not managing people made Jessica and her team successful in attaining goals and cultivating meaningful relationships with each other and their clients.

Coaching and developing has always been a huge passion of Jessica, and she believes her process has helped her clients achieve more in their businesses with ease and flow.

Guest BIO:

A HR professional whose journey is marked by a remarkable blend of business acumen, leadership prowess, and a relentless drive for growth. With a passion for cultivating talent and fostering positive change, Danielle's on a mission to leave both organizations and individuals in a better place than she found them. As a devoted wife and a mother of three young and active children, she embodies the essence of life balance and is a role model for "doing it all" not being a realistic expectation.

Guest BIO:

Prior to working at the Office of the Borough of Queens, Ebony was the Chief Operations Officer of The Ladies Of Hope Ministries, and served as President of The Lonely Entrepreneur, a non-profit.

Guest BIO:

Kenneth A. Goodwin Jr. is the Managing Partner of Jeanensis Ventures, a private investment capital and digital asset advisory firm. Ken is also the Chief Investment Officer for the 144 Trail Blazer Digital Impact Fund targeting cash flow positive growth to Series A+ digital transformation and emerging technology firms. He is also the Co-Founder of Oqulus Tech LLC (a Cyber Security and AI platform development and testing firm). Ken serves on several public and private advisory boards.

Ken is a widely sought after executive with global banking and capital markets experience - achieving multi billion dollar results in venture capital, digital transformation, big data, innovation and technology and risk management.

Ken is a TEDxTALKS Speaker, a 10 to Know Global Game Changer, U.S. White House Business Council/Forward TPP member, Aspen Institute Nakasone and Mike and Maureen Mansfield Fellow, PhD Project Member, Ronald E. McNair Scholar (twice) and Harvard Model Congress Member.

Ken is a globally recognized lecturer with over 60+ courses and 1200+ students as a college adjunct professor on Economics of Digital Assets, Blockchain Investment, International Trade, Forensic Methods and Corporate Ethics.

He is an award winning curator, moderator and trailblazer of global digital assets and capital markets events:

Curator of 1st Founders Day Event for Black History Month (2023) at NYSE

Moderator of 1st HedgeWeek Digital Asset Summit (2022)

Curator of 1st Women Leaders in Blockchain Symposium (NYC) and

Curator of Globally Local FinTech, AI and Blockchain Symposium ( won Wealth & International FinTech 2020 Award).

Ken is a public figure and a Digital Asset Contributor of FinTech TV with appearances at NYSE, NASDAQ, Bloomberg, Reuters, Money Magazine-Malta, NHK, Fujisankei, The Street.com and several publications.

Prior to his role at Jeanensis Ventures, Kenneth served as Co-Founder at Oqulus Tech LLC, and Adjunct Professor of Finance-Graduate School at New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Guest Bio

Wendy R. Bradford is Counterpart International’s Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Culture. She brings to the organization expertise in strategic planning, talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, human resource processes, performance management, employee relations and conflict resolution – both domestically and internationally. Bradford is responsible for overall domestic and international human resource functions. She is also a member of the Society for International Development’s board of directors.

Before joining Counterpart International in 2018, she was Vice President of Human Resources and Operations at the QED Group, where she directed all of the ‘people functions’ of the organization, including talent acquisition, orientation, employee relations, compensation, benefits, learning, and talent development. Prior to that, Bradford was the Director of Human Resources at Creative Associates International, where she developed and implemented international and domestic human resource programs, procedures, and processes related to benefits, compensation, employee relations, performance management, and recruitment.

Guest BIO:

Mark Turpin is the President of Duperon Corporation, a leading provider of simple solutions for common wastewater treatment challenges. With over seven years of experience in this role, he has led the company through six product launches, reaching historic milestones and achievements for the business. He has a strong background in organic growth, new business development, and strategic transformation. Turpin is passionate about making a difference for people, water, and the planet, and has stayed true to the company's family-centric culture and commitment to philanthropy. He inspires his team with strategies that feel like adventures, and fosters a work environment where people go for a sense of community and worth. Under his leadership, Duperon has been recognized with multiple awards and honors from various organizations and associations, showcasing its innovation excellence and social impact.

Guest BIO:

James Rhee is a high school teacher and Harvard Law School graduate turned private equity investor and CEO. James’s leadership story first grabbed global attention during his unlikely seven-year tenure as Chairman and first-time CEO of Ashley Stewart. After his radical and yet intuitive approach fueled a transcendent, unprecedented reinvention story for the company, James concretized his leadership philosophy and operating system—kindness plus a little math—in the form of red helicopter, his media-education platform. He bridges math with emotions by marrying capital with purpose, while composing systems that bridge peoples, disciplines, and ideas. His transformational leadership has been recognized by leading civic and business organizations. Rhee teaches at Howard University, where he serves as the Johnson Chair of Entrepreneurship, MIT Sloan School of Management, and Duke Law School. His TED Talk and Dare to Lead interview with Brené Brown have captured the imagination of millions. He is the author of red helicopter (HarperOne; April 9, 2024). He lives outside of Boston, Massachusetts.

Guest Bio:

Claire Milligan is a problem-solver to her core. Whether she’s helping businesses transform their cloud spending or volunteering as a ski patroller, she’s always seeking best-in-class solutions. After Claire got her BA in Psychology and MA in communications from Stanford, she worked in a variety of businesses from marketing to UX to General Manager of Tallie and SpringAhead. At each job, she gained training and skills that prepared her for her biggest challenge to date: becoming the CEO of startup Aimably.

Most businesses spend more than they need to on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud for services that they either don’t understand or don’t need. Claire wanted to help those companies determine what configuration of services they actually require and help them get the most bang for their buck. At Aimably, the goal is to help growing businesses spend smarter and minimize their cloud billing pains. Claire’s ability to distill complex subjects into teachable ideas has made it easier for scaling leaders to leverage cloud cost insights that will help their companies thrive. When she isn’t solving problems for her clients, Claire enjoys spending time with her wife and two kids, doing needlepoint projects, advocating for organizations focused on immigrant’s rights, and hitting the slopes at Alpine Meadows.

Guest Bio:

Kim Lonas is a distinguished professional in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Currently serving as the Global Diversity and Inclusion Program Lead for DCC Technology / Exertis Group, she has been instrumental in developing and implementing Exertis' DEI strategy, impacting c. 5000 employees. Her role emphasizes embedding ownership and accountability within business units through local leadership and Exertis’ global Diversity & Inclusion Council.

Kim's professional journey includes tenure as the Director of Human Resources for Exertis NA. Her expertise spans a variety of skills, including labor and employment law, emotional intelligence, DEIB, cultural transformation, strategic planning, public speaking, organizational leadership, executive coaching, and change management.

With a rich cultural experience encompassing numerous countries, such as France, Ireland, Sweden, the U.K., and many more, Kim brings a global perspective to her work in DEI. Her speaking engagements are marked by profound insights and practical knowledge, drawing from her extensive experience in various cultural contexts.

Her academic accomplishments in DEI further enhance Kim Lonas's expertise in the field. She holds a Stanford University certificate on "Leverage Diversity and Inclusion for Organizational Excellence." This program has equipped her with advanced strategies and insights into leveraging diversity to drive organizational success. Additionally, Kim earned a certificate from Cornell University in "Diversity and Inclusion for HR," which underscores her deep understanding of integrating diversity and inclusion principles in human resources practices. Complementing these achievements is her SHRM-CP designation, reflecting her commitment to professional excellence and staying abreast of the latest trends and practices in human resource management. These certifications underscore Kim's dedication to fostering inclusive environments and her ability to translate academic knowledge into practical, impactful organizational strategies.

Kim has been a prominent speaker at notable industry events, including Integrated Systems Europe. She is a seasoned panelist, frequently participating in discussions related to DEI, sharing her knowledge and experiences, inspiring and educating audiences on the importance and implementation of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Her talks are known for their depth, relevance, and ability to resonate with diverse audiences.

Guest Bio:

Darrell Williams is a member of the White House Communications Agency Hall of Fame. He is also a keynote speaker, certified coach, and workshop facilitator who provides clients with expertise in the realm of leadership, relationships, and purpose. His leadership background includes 30 years of federal service highlighted by his selection as Department of Defense Outstanding Mentor and Human Resources Team Member of the Year. His leadership coaching is based on a stellar 20-year military career, where he traveled as an Operations and Vice Presidential Communications Officer, leading over 500 White House missions. Following the tragedies of September 11, 2001, Darrell was selected as 1 of 5 key leaders, from 30 senior managers to direct emergency action communications for the Vice President of the United States, to include duties as an Air Force Two Command Representative.

Guest Bio:

Collin Gehl is a Human Resources professional from Buffalo, New York. In 2021, Collin was named Say Yes Buffalo’s first full-time Human Resources Director in 2021. As HR Director, Collin is responsible for the overall administration of the HR Department. He ensures that the department supports the agency’s strategic and business plans, and as well as complies with all federal, state, and local employment regulations. In addition, Collin oversees all agency trainings, hiring practices, and the salary/market assessments. As HR Director, he sits on the agency’s Senior Leadership Team, Racial Equity & Inclusion Committee, and Self-Care Committee. Collin developed and facilitated the organization’s Leadership 101 program for emerging leaders within the organization. Leadership 101 was awarded the inaugural SHRMLab’s Better Workplace Challenge Cup Champion---Member Track.

Collin is the President of the Board of Directors of the Buffalo Niagara Human Resources Association, having served on the board since 2018. He has a background working in non-profit organizations in roles such as education administration, museum management and project management. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University at Buffalo and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Medaille University. Collin is also on the board of directors for Just Buffalo Literary Center. He is a member of the Emerging Philanthropists of Color (under the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo) and an alumnus of Leadership Buffalo (Rising Leaders ’04).

Guest Bio:

Trish Vassar currently serves as the VP of Global Learning and Development at Coca-Cola where she leads an amazing global team to support the Coca Cola workforce and mission. Prior to this role she served as the Chief Learning Officer at Cigna, Vice President, Organizational and Leadership Development at Express Scripts, and the Global Lead / Senior Director, Leadership and Talent Development at Monsanto Company.

Guest Bio:

Simone D. Ross is a visionary leader and community builder with a passion for catalyzing human thriving through effective and integrative change management. As a Colorado native raised in Denver' s Park Hill neighborhood, Simone' s strong sense of the importance of community, family, and investing in each other's success and dreams has guided her career and life. Simone is the CEO of the Colorado Women' s Chamber of Commerce and the Executive Director of the Colorado Women's Chamber Foundation, where she actively works to advance women in business and make Colorado the top state for women in business. She is also the founder of Simone D. Ross, LLC, a consulting firm that specializes in change management, the CEO of SDR Events, and the Founder and CEO of Youth United University, an inclusive leadership education program for middle school students.

BIO

Jourdan Hathaway currently serves as the Chief Marketing Officer at General Assembly is a senior executive with expertise in developing and scaling organizations for growth, with a focus on meaningful digital transformation. And, prior to this role she served as the Sr. Vice President for Operations at Wiley University Services. Jourdan has demonstrated success in multiple divisional leadership roles with P&L accountability over operations, marketing, enrollment, retention, product, and change management. Over the years, she has also racked up a proven track record of delivering results in matrix organizations (remote, in-person, and hybrid models).

Bio

Charmayne began her career as an HR Associate and progressively advanced, holding a variety of roles with increasing responsibilities in Human Resources, including focusing on employee engagement initiatives, talent management, employee relations and recruitment. September 2023, Charmayne joined Old Republic Insurance (ORI) as the Vice President, Talent leading Talent Management, Recruitment, Learning and Development, Culture, Employee Relations, and Diversity & Inclusion. Prior to joining ORI, Charmayne served as the Vice President, Sr. HR Business Partner at The Federal Home Loan Bank Chicago (FHLBank Chicago). During the six years at FHLBank Chicago, Charmayne was responsible for the strategic leadership of HR initiatives impacting Community Investment and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Finance, Internal Audit and Risk. In partnership with the Business Group Heads, Charmayne provided comprehensive and integrated business solutions that drove continuous improvements in employee engagement, performance, organizational efficiency, leadership development and succession planning. In addition, Charmayne served on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, alongside a diverse group of employees, responsible for developing strategies and garnering support for DEI initiatives. Charmayne also played a key role partnering with Senior Leaders identifying areas of opportunity to improve staff engagement and overall culture. As part of this process, Charmayne collaborated with people managers to develop their skills as effective leaders within their teams, set expectations and deliver candid feedback in a manner designed to drive a trusting and transparent culture.

Charmayne is an inspiring, highly collaborative, trusted Leader with 20 years of diverse experience in various industries, including the non-profit sector. Charmayne brings deep knowledge of building strong inclusive culture and employee experience, process redesigning, employee relations and modernizing human resources departments. She prides herself on being an authentic leader, with a natural ability to relate to others on all levels, which is critical in cultivating strong and sustainable relationships. She has a thoughtful business approach, sound ability operating in ambiguity, extremely innovative and proven results improving overall employee engagement, empowering leaders, helping employees reach their full potential, deepening diversity and inclusion and driving organizational strategy forward.

Outside of work, Charmayne enjoys hanging out with her twin sister, hot Pilates, meditation, dance, and gardening.

Bio

Tony Franklin is VP, of Advertising Sales, and Client Partnerships at DIRECTV. Tony is a seasoned professional with over 26 years of media experience leading teams and driving innovation, revenue & and transformation across sales organizations. Tony has a long and successful record of coaching and building high-performing sales teams.

Tony has been with the AT&T Family since 2020 (Xandr/WarnerBros Discovery/DIRECTV). In his current role, he is responsible for driving advertising revenue from Holding Companies as well as Independent/Mid-Market Agencies and Clients for DIRECTV and DIRECTV STREAM products and solutions.

Throughout his career, Tony has worked in TV, Print, and Digital Advertising Sales. Tony started his career in 1997 as an Account Executive selling Cable TV advertising for TCI Media Services and Cablevision Rainbow Advertising. He also served as the VP for Global Sales at JustPremium

Bio

Nicole joined MedStar Medical Group, LLC in 2016 as an HR Business Partner providing support primarily to specialty service lines and in 2019, she was promoted to HR Manager and began providing HR guidance to a team of HR professionals. In 2021, Nicole was again promoted to Director, Human Resources and currently oversees HR support for almost 4,000 associates, leaders and physicians.

Throughout her career, Nicole has conducted many leader trainings in healthcare and human resources, served as a presenter in several Leadership Development Forums, worked as one of the primary trainers for many of MedStar’s HR initiatives and served as a strategic partner in assisting with the development of career ladders for many entry-level healthcare positions.

When asked why she has always worked in healthcare and never tapped into other industries, Nicole stated that she believes there’s nothing more important than providing care for those who care for patients! Prior to her role at MedStar Nicole served in leadership positions at HCR ManorCare and The League for People with Disabilities.

Bio

Elizabeth Massing, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) of 14 West and the Agora Companies, is a seasoned professional with an innate ability to connect with authentic individuals and foster human connections. With over 20 years of global experience, she embodies women leadership working her way through Agora’s ranks from intern to C-suite. Her journey began like many in the publishing industry, evolving into a fulfilling career marked by passion for people and innovative workplaces.

Elizabeth is a matchmaker by nature who supports a range of strategic partnerships on behalf of Agora, addressing challenges from talent acquisition to brand awareness. Beyond her corporate role, she's deeply committed to community service, recognized as the 2019 Ally Partner of the Year by the Maryland LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

In her role at 14 West, Elizabeth builds inclusive workplaces globally and educates on leadership. Her journey from intern to a key leader showcases her commitment to diversity. She actively supports Baltimore organizations, championing women's leadership and the arts community. Elizabeth's story is not just about climbing the corporate ladder but reshaping it for others.

Discover how executive leaders achieve success for themselves and their companies by strategically convening the right people. Join host Alex D, Tremble in conversation with expert Brooks Rainwater as they delve into the art of effective leadership through assembling the perfect team. Tune in for insights, strategies, and actionable advice on driving success through strategic convening.

Brooks serves as President and CEO of the Urban Libraries Council, an outcomes-driven research and innovations network of more than 160 leading North American public libraries. Under his leadership, ULC champions the future of public libraries by engaging and uplifting members, focusing intently on equity and inclusion and leading on core policy issues that drive our communities forward. Throughout his career, Brooks has worked to advance urban policies that expand local democracy and provide funding for local programs related to economic opportunity, entrepreneurship, infrastructure and sustainability. Prior to joining ULC in July 2022, Brooks served as Senior Executive & Director, Center for City Solutions at the National League of Cities where he drove the organization’s research agenda and oversaw technical assistance efforts and leadership education. Brooks holds a Master of Public Administration from The George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Discover how executives can forge deeper connections with employees through increased transparency. Join us as Jamie Fischer shares invaluable insights and strategies to foster trust and collaboration in the workplace.

Jaime is an award-winning executive, a mentor and a visionary leader in the automotive industry. Serving as the Vice President of Operations for DriveTime Automotive group headquartered in Tempe, Arizona she leads and manages diverse teams across various functions to deliver exceptional results and customer satisfaction while driving innovation and transformation in their operations. She is originally from Florida, has a Masters degree from the University of Alabama and, more importantly, is a mother of two teenagers and a proud wife of 20 years.

Prior to her role at Well, Beth served as the Managing Partner at Contemporary Leadership Advisors; Vice President, Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness (LOE) at AlixPartners; and Senior Faculty at the Center for Creative Leadership. Beth also received her Ph.D., in Clinical Psychology from Duke University and B.A. from William and Mary.

Prior to their current role, Raimondi held positions of increasing responsibility at The Hollister Group. Michael served as the Vice President of Administrative & HR Staffing, where they developed and executed talent acquisition and hiring processes for the entire organization. Michael also oversaw EEO compliance training. Before that, Raimondi was the Division Director of Administrative & HR Staffing, responsible for leading a team and managing the division's recruitment, hiring, and performance management processes.

Raimondi's earlier experience includes serving as a Recruiting Director for Administrative & HR Staffing, where they provided efficient customer service, oversaw job postings and recruiting strategies, and ensured a diverse candidate pool. Michael also worked as a Higher Education Recruiter, responsible for full-cycle recruitment for various positions at colleges and universities.

Prior to their tenure at The Hollister Group, Raimondi worked as an Admissions Representative at Le Cordon Bleu College, where they led a team of recruiters and guided prospective students in choosing the right educational program. Michael also worked as a General Manager at West Elm Variety, overseeing day-to-day operations, customer service, purchasing, and budget analysis. Raimondi started their career in customer service as a part-time employee at Ellsworth Supply.

Overall, Michael Raimondi has a diverse and well-rounded background in HR, staffing, recruitment, and operations management.

Michael Raimondi pursued their education in the field of Business Administration and Management. Michael first obtained an Associate's degree in Business Administration and Management from Quincy College, where they studied from 2001 to 2004. Michael then pursued a Bachelor's degree in the same field from Bridgewater State College, completing their studies from 2004 to 2006. Making further progress in their educational journey, Michael earned a Master's degree in Business Administration and Management from Eastern Nazarene College, studying from 2011 to 2012. In addition to their formal education, Michael Raimondi also obtained a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification from HRCI in March 2021.

HR Generalist with experience in HR shared service, benefits administration, HR business partnership, organization design, change management and strategic HR as well as Mergers and acquisition. He is a trusted advisor and executive team member and has a proven track record of building leadership capability within HR and strong business partnership. Ability to lead.

Prior to this role, Chad served in various leadership roles such as the HR Director for North America Exploration and Production at Chevron.

She is a known thought leader for advancing corporate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. She has led DEI and social innovation initiatives for large, complex organizations nationally and globally. Additionally, she has served as the leader of a non-profit national organization, with global affiliates, providing certification and development for minority owned businesses.

Adrienne began her work in inclusion at Toyota Motor North America, where she worked closely with the company’s senior leadership team in developing advocacy and accountability measures to integrate DEI processes across the organization’s business operations. During her tenure, she aligned diversity, equity and inclusion with the business strategy to help position Toyota as the #1 sales leader in the African American, Hispanic American and Asian American markets. She also worked closely with the company’s external diversity advisory board, chaired by the honorable Alexis Herman. She led the company’s rise on the DiversityInc Top 50 list from #42 to #25 in two short years. She also firmly solidified the company’s recognition by third party advocacy organizations such as Black Enterprise Best Companies for Diversity, Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility, and the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Adrienne oversaw Toyota’s Supplier Diversity initiative from 2005-2012. In this role, she grew the company’s diverse supplier base to reflect an increase in spend that exceeded 300 percent, topping nearly $3B in spend with diverse suppliers. Toyota received numerous accolades under Trimble’s direction, including Corporation of the Year by the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) as well as Corporation of the Year honors from several of the organization’s affiliates. In recognition of her efforts to advance economic development for diverse suppliers, The Rev. Jesse Jackson, founder and CEO of Rainbow PUSH, presented Adrienne with the Corporate Leader Award and Women in Leadership Award.

Securing the future and recognizing supplier diversity as part of the larger goal of economic inclusion have been enduring truths in Adrienne’s career. She served as an executive on loan as the president and CEO for the National Minority Supplier Development Council from August 2018 – February 2021. One of the hallmarks of her leadership with NMSDC was to re-establish the long-term vision for the organization. Within 18 months, she reversed the organization’s decline in corporate members and certified minority business enterprises. In the spring of 2019, Adrienne testified before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Financial Services Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion, to further underscore the economic benefits of supply chain inclusion.

A graduate of Wilberforce University, Adrienne holds a Bachelor of Science in organization management. In 2014, she was appointed to the board of trustees of her alma mater. Other board and committee leadership positions include The Herndon Institute Corporate Board Director Development Cohort, VisitDallas Diversity Advisory Council, and The Collin County Business Alliance. Previous executive committee roles include the Billion Dollar Roundtable, and Unidos, the leading civil rights organization for Hispanic and Latino Americans. Adrienne has previous human resources leadership experience in financial services, healthcare and media broadcasting industries.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

00:00:06 - Introduction to The Executive Appeal Podcast

00:03:15 - Personal Reflection on Visiting a Gravesite

00:05:18 - Discussing Expectations and Personal Choices

00:06:06 - Leadership Roles and Personal Expectations

00:07:05 - Making Decisions Based on What's Right

00:07:37 - Personal Anecdote on Leadership and Expectations

00:08:40 - Adrienne's Nontraditional Career Path

00:10:18 - The Importance of Taking Opportunities

00:11:17 - Encouraging Others to Pursue Their Potential

00:12:11 - The Impact of Role Models in Leadership

00:13:17 - Adrienne's Experience with Career Changes

00:14:29 - The Importance of Taking Risks in Career

00:15:33 - Alex's Personal Reflection on Parenting and Judgments

00:16:28 - Alex's Professional Speaking and DEI Focus

00:17:08 - The Importance of Being in the Room Where Decisions Are Made

00:18:07 - The Impact of Taking on Extra Work

00:19:25 - Withholding Judgment from Leaders

00:20:08 - The Complexity of Executive Decisions

00:21:05 - The 80% Rule in Decision Making

00:22:03 - The Expectations of Higher Leadership Roles

00:22:52 - Advice for Aspiring Senior Leaders

00:24:20 - The Cost of Climbing the Career Ladder

00:25:25 - Taking Risks and Stepping Out on Faith

00:26:29 - The Value of Helping Leaders

00:27:27 - Adrienne's Personal Loss and Team Support

00:28:38 - Encouraging Action and Adding Value

00:29:25 - Final Thoughts and Encouragement from Adrienne

Reflecting on 2023: Explore the power of reflection as we delve into the lessons learned and experiences gained in the past year. Discover effective strategies to leverage these insights for personal and professional growth.

Goal Setting: Overcoming Barriers: Delve into the psychology of goal setting and uncover the reasons why many people hesitate to set ambitious goals. From the fear of failure to navigating the noise of life, we dissect the societal influences that may discourage setting bold aspirations. Our exploration includes a fascinating discussion with experts from the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

Words Have Power: The Oakkah Example: Discover the profound impact of words on our mindset, aspirations, and relationships. In a touching personal story, our host shares a powerful example involving their son, Oakkah, showcasing the transformative influence that positive language can have on shaping our lives. Get ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and actionable insights to propel you towards your best year ever! Tune in now and unlock the keys to a successful and fulfilling 2024. visit GPSLeadership.org to learn how GPS Leadership Solutions can help you reach your leadership goals and AlexTremble.com to book Alex D. Tremble to speak at your next event! 

Dominique Taylor recently joined Veho as Chief People Officer to build and scale the People function by creating exceptional experiences for employees.

Dominique joined Veho from Axios, where as Chief People Officer she built their People function from the ground up and spearheaded their diversity and inclusion efforts. Notably, during her tenure, the percentage of people of color at Axios increased from 14% to 40% and the percentage of female employees rose from 53% to 60%.

Prior to Axios, Dominique was the Managing Director, Talent & Operations at 1776 and the Senior Vice President, Talent & Culture at EverFi. And before she discovered the exhilarating world of start-ups, Dominique spent the first half of her career as a Management Consultant, primarily with the Advisory Board Company.

Dominique Taylor has a BSBA from Georgetown University. Hoya Saxa.  

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

00:04:10 Embrace individuality and express yourself.

00:07:06 Be your authentic self.

00:08:36 Be kind and be gracious.

00:15:39 Support leaders in rebuilding trust.

00:20:54 Take care of your people.

00:21:35 Excel in your current role.

00:26:18 Don't hesitate to apply.

00:31:26 Career is like a jungle gym.

Purchase your copy of "Relationships that Work" on Amazon today at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CD2KJX17?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

Melissa Richardson is a proactive, results-driven, talent and HR business partner who drives team success at Kleer. She has an innate passion for building highly effective teams and is the very definition of a servant leader. She believes wholeheartedly in empowering people with the right tools and resources needed to drive growth in an organization. Strategist, talent branding aficionado, performance coach, and (on some days) in-house therapist, are adjectives that have been used to describe her. She loves jumping into chaotic situations headfirst and slowly putting the process improvements needed in place to build a thriving culture. 

Prior to joining Kleer, Melissa successfully scaled Deacom — an ERP software company — from 30 technology professionals to a global organization. Over the years, she has been recognized for her ability to combine her out-of-the-box creative thinking with an operationally focused mindset, which she uses to attract and retain extremely skilled talent. Melissa received her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Saint Joseph’s University and is a proud wife and mother to her two daughters, Roe Roe, and Bella.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

[00:00:55] Developing diverse executive leadership.

[00:06:36] Servant leadership.

[00:09:26] Servant leadership and appreciation.

[00:12:57] Impacting someone's life positively.

[00:15:07] Feeling unappreciated.

[00:20:45] Right versus right decisions.

[00:24:21] Courageous conversations and honesty.

[00:28:45] The role of family.

[00:31:41] Imposter syndrome and self-belief.

[00:35:46] Internal promotions and retention.

[00:40:29] Bringing others to the table.

Purchase your copy of "Relationships that Work" on Amazon today at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CD2KJX17?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

Kelly has spearheaded a global team of talented marketing professionals dedicated to reimagining the customer experience by infusing human connections into every interaction. She led integrated marketing planning, global and field marketing, business development, and branding initiatives. Under her guidance, digital experiences, including website and MarTech strategies and performance media channels, were flawlessly integrated to create a compelling end-to-end journey, earning unwavering customer loyalty.

Notably, Kelly's transformative impact extends to her tenure at L'Oréal, where she held multiple digital and brand marketing roles, culminating in her influential position as Vice President of Digital Marketing for L'Oréal USA – Consumer Products Division. Her leadership was instrumental in establishing the Chief Digital Marketing Office and designing the team structure through a dynamic organizational change management program.

Kelly's remarkable career commenced immediately after graduating from the University of Central Florida, where she honed her core Project Management skillset at an interactive advertising agency. The allure of New York City beckoned her to explore opportunities at some of the nation's premier advertising and consulting firms, including prestigious tenures at Digitas, Ogilvy, and Accenture Interactive, further shaping her prowess in the marketing landscape.

Beyond her professional achievements, Kelly is deeply committed to giving back to her communities. An avid annual volunteer for the New York City Heritage of Pride Organization, she is equally devoted to fostering education through her active membership in the UCF Dean's Advisory Board at the College of Community Innovation and Education. As a founding board member of Bridge to Grow, an educational nonprofit, she passionately advocates for standardized testing preparation and math tutoring programs to support those in need. She is also a DEI advocate, delivering keynote speeches on this passionate topic. Lastly, Kelly has recently joined as the NYC Chapter co-leader for the CMO Collaborative. 

Kelly holds a master's of business administration from NYU Stern School of Business, complementing her bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida. Her relentless pursuit of excellence and her dedication to enriching the lives of others exemplify the essence of Kelly Buchanan Spillers—an exceptional marketing trailblazer with a profound commitment to both her profession and her community.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

[00:04:09] L'Oreal kids and nostalgia.

[00:09:39] Mental toughness and diversity.

[00:12:43] Career trajectory changes.

[00:15:37] Networking and giving value.

[00:21:57] Comparison and its impact.

[00:23:02] Personal satisfaction and career trajectory.

[00:27:27] Changing mindset towards work-life balance.

[00:30:11] Breaking old ingrained habits.

[00:35:05] Expanding personal network.

[00:38:16] Investing in Yourself and Conferences.

Purchase your copy of "Relationships that Work" on Amazon today at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CD2KJX17?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

Michael McQuerry is a current Capitol Hill Communications Director for Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett and has over 20 years of communications and legislative experience. He has worked for four Members of Congress. He has also worked at the Department of Transportation and also as a Lobbyist here in Washington, DC over the past 20 years. Michael graduated from Jackson State University (Jackson, MS) in May 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

As the Senior Legislative Assistant for Congresswoman Barbara Rose Collins of Michigan he primarily handled postal, education, transportation, children, veteran’s affairs, judiciary, immigration and crime issues. He then worked for Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas. As her Senior Legislative Assistant. Michael contacted and conferred with Members of Congress and staff, and other holders of public office, in reference to legislation favorable to client's interest as a lobbyist for Holland and Knight, LLP. Later Michael focused on lobbying for the Association of American Railroads (AAR) as their Manager of Congressional Affairs. Michael then began working for the U.S. Department of Transportation (FTA) as a Congressional Relations Specialist where he prepared Op-Ed’s, press releases, speeches, newsletters and talking points for the Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration. He then went on to work for as the Communications Director for Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas.

Michael then served as the Special Assistant to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) in the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer for the United States House of Representatives. Michael then returned to the Office of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas as the Senior Advisor and Communications Director. In October of 2016 Michael went to work for Make Room as Director of Advocacy Communications.

Michael currently works for Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett as her Communications Director. Michael is one of the co-host of one of he most exciting Podcast out there – Hip-Politics – which is a discussion/fusion of hip hop and politics in America.

Main Takeaways:

00:00:06 Podcast focuses on executive career advancement.

00:08:26 Access and relationships are crucial.

00:10:25 DC is a competitive and transient city.

00:15:02 Political theater is scripted and strategic.

00:21:33 Importance of effective communication.

00:24:24 Hire young, tech-savvy communicators.

00:32:22 Take time to slow down.

00:34:21 Lobbyists have multiple interests.

00:41:48 Take chances and seek advice.

Purchase your copy of "Relationships that Work" on Amazon today at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CD2KJX17?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

Jared Nypen leads the human resources and recruiting resources departments for Great Clips, Inc. as the Vice President of Talent. He is responsible for delivering on the Great Clips, Inc. employee promise: “We fuel your drive for greatness.” This includes strategically managing recruiting, community involvement, employee performance and development, employee relations, compensation and benefits, employee engagement and organizational effectiveness.

As the head of recruiting resources, Jared leads best-in-class employer branding efforts for the entire Great Clips system. His team also provides salon owners with tools and resources to help them attract top stylists within their markets.

Jared joined Great Clips Inc. in 2015 and was named Vice President of Talent in 2018.

Previously, Jared spent 14 years at Target Corporation and Best Buy Co, Inc., where he led college recruiting teams, built human resources strategies and directed technology implementations for talent management.

Jared has a bachelor’s degree in communications and business from Concordia College –Moorhead. He is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), as a Senior Certified Professional with the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM-SCP), and as a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE). He also represents Great Clips, Inc. on the Minneapolis Chief Human Resources Officer Governing Board, the Talent Marketing Board and the Minnesota Business Coalition for Racial Equity (MBCRE).

Outside of work, Jared enjoys traveling with his family, tackling home and yard projects and spending time on the lake. You can also find Jared on the sidelines, coaching one of his three children in their favorite sport of the moment.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

[00:01:57] Engaging with audience and algorithm.

[00:04:19] Mohawk hairstyles and self-expression.

[00:10:30] Million-dollar mistake.

[00:12:05] Rounding error budgets.

[00:15:01] Travel being a budget concern.

[00:19:49] The meetings before the meetings.

[00:23:10] Providing a safe space.

[00:25:24] Leaders and employee relationships.

[00:29:06] Blending recruitment and marketing.

[00:36:49] Staying on trend through networking.

[00:41:37] Bring this content to someone else.

Rosanne is committed to influencing strategic development of women and advocating for the advancement of high potential, diverse future leaders. As a lifelong learner, Rosanne is willing to rise to the challenge and embrace difficult tasks that foster personal and professional growth. Rosanne is currently the Senior Manager of Site Training for Constellation’s Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station. In this role, she is responsible for the oversight and management of the station’s Training Department, learning facilities, and providing principal training support for day-to-day site operations. She is accountable for providing competent personnel who can safely operate, maintain, and improve the performance of the plant. She leads a team of highly experienced instructional professionals and provides leadership in this area to ensure training and development opportunities are fully leveraged for improving knowledge, skills and behaviors of the workforce.

Rosanne has over 17 years of nuclear experience with a diverse background of technical and leadership experience.

Prior to her current position, Rosanne was the Nuclear Fuels Director of Core Design, where she was responsible for providing direction and oversight of reactor core designs for the Constellation (formerly Exelon) Nuclear Fleet of 21 nuclear power plants. She has also filled the roles of Senior Manager, Pressurized Water Reactor Core Design, Manager of Fuel Reliability, Spent Fuel and Decommissioning Senior Engineer, and Reactor Engineer at LaSalle Generating Station. Rosanne is an active member in various employee resource groups and has championed several development programs. Rosanne has served as Exelon’s Network of Exelon Women Kennett Square Chapter Treasurer, Women in Nuclear Kennett Square Chapter Sponsor, Meals on Wheels volunteer for the Coatesville area senior citizens, and active member of Chester County’s 100 Women of Downingtown. Rosanne has a passion for inspiring others to do their best by focusing on their strengths and being the connector that can align their interests to organizational opportunities. In this capacity, she has supported numerous mentoring programs and is an active mentor for several aspiring female professionals.

Rosanne was born and raised in Chicago. She currently lives in Downingtown, Pennsylvania with her husband Andrew, raising their three daughters. Rosanne enjoys running, cooking, and is an avid reader.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

00:09:20 Take risks and advocate for yourself.

00:14:30 Advocate for yourself, build relationships.

00:17:38 Importance of organic relationships.

00:27:20 Building relationships through common interests.

00:28:23 Promoting clean energy through nuclear.

00:34:45 Parenting can make you disgusting.

Purchase your copy of "Relationships that Work" on Amazon today at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CD2KJX17?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

Join us as we unravel the complex layers of the ongoing ground assault in Israel, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the situation's gravity and the human losses it entails. Mick Mulroy offers unique insights derived from his extensive background, shedding light on the geopolitical dynamics, military strategies, and the profound impact on the lives of those involved.

In this episode, we not only explore the military aspects but also delve deep into the human side of the conflict. Mick Mulroy guides us through the harsh realities faced by the people living under dire circumstances in Palestine, illuminating the challenges and struggles they endure daily. We discuss how the ongoing conflict impacts the lives of countless individuals, families, and communities, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable solutions and lasting peace.

Through our conversation, gain a deeper understanding of the Israel's Ground Assault and its far-reaching implications for Palestine and its people. Mick Mulroy's expertise provides a nuanced perspective on the unfolding events, highlighting the interconnectedness of global security, stability, and the pursuit of justice.

Tune in to this crucial episode to hear from one of the foremost experts in the field, offering invaluable insights that shape our understanding of the world's most pressing issues.

Purchase your copy of "Relationships that Work" on Amazon today at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CD2KJX17?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

“Dr. Gary” McGrath has been labeled a unicorn in leadership development.  He is sought after for his knowledge and expertise developing leaders and creating intentional cultures within companies built on leadership effectiveness at all levels.  His vast and diverse leadership, educational, and professional experiences create a unique skill set that he utilizes daily for the benefit of his clients.  

After serving in the United States Army he went into manufacturing for ten years then lead many corporate organizations before starting Statarius in 2009.   

Dr. Gary is a Certifies Speaking Professional with the National Speakers Association, a Certified Meditation Instructor with Chopra Global and is a Doctor of Business Administration in Marketing.  

He has authored two books:

• Mastering Sales Leadership – Learning to Herd Cats
• A CEOs Journey – The 7 Steps of Intentional Leadership

Today Dr. Gary coaches and develops executive leaders to be successful by balancing compassionate accountability.

After living in nine states and two foreign countries, Dr. Gary has settled in Durham, NC.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

[00:01:24] The Executive Build Podcast

[00:06:23] Struggle is not a bad thing.

[00:08:38] Self-awareness and leadership.

[00:11:35] Self-awareness and talents.

[00:16:41] Learning about other people.

[00:19:08] False limiting beliefs.

[00:22:23] Our past shapes our personalities.

[00:26:12] Small incremental improvements.

[00:30:11] Building relationships for career growth.

[00:34:36] Belonging and diversity.

[00:36:31] Supporting the show and community.

Purchase your copy of "Relationships that Work" on Amazon today at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CD2KJX17?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

Pete was originally educated in fine arts, earning an MFA from Cornell. After a complex career path, spanning a variety of fields, he began practicing human resources mid-career. He retired in 2022 after 20 years in HR leadership roles with Koch Industries. Throughout his HR career, Pete focused on working in the “servant leader” model and building ethics-centered human resources organizations. Roles included CHRO for Infor, a global, 17K employee, cloud-based ERP provider; as well as multi-year assignments in Tokyo and Shanghai as a division HR leader in electronics and chemical manufacturing subsidiaries. Pete is now devoting himself full time to development of the visual arts in Philadelphia and his personal pursuits as a painter.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

[00:02:08] New book release.

[00:04:26] Transitioning from intense work.

[00:10:22] Desire to contribute.

[00:13:39] Recombining in art and life.

[00:17:03] The importance of pattern recognition.

[00:21:28] Blinding ourselves to possibilities.

[00:26:11] The ultimate role, the CHR role.

[00:32:38] Immersion in different cultures.

[00:34:32] Profoundly changing a culture.

[00:39:45] Traveling and cultural immersion.

Purchase your copy of "Relationships that Work" on Amazon today at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CD2KJX17?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

Dennis entered the Organizational Development field in 2002 after a 10-year career in Health Care Management. Currently serving as Vice President and Chief Learning Officer in the Beverage Alcohol industry, Dennis is a frequent speaker at the Long Island Society for Human Resource Management, a panelist on sales coaching by the Corporate Executive Board and interviewed on the subjects Organizational Learning and Empathy in the Workplace by T&D Magazine and The Wall Street Journal.

Dennis is certified as a Master Trainer through Development Dimensions International (DDI) and the Association for Talent Development (ATD). In addition, Dennis is qualified as an Expert Coach through ATD and certified with Marshall Goldsmith’s Stakeholder Centered Coaching. In his coaching, Dennis employs Type, Style, Emotional Intelligence, 360 Feedback and Strengths tools and assessments.

Dennis also serves as Board Chair for Heritage Instructional Services, an Educational Co Op in Maryland and volunteers with Better Angels, a nonpartisan group that strives to find common ground in today’s heated political environment.

Dennis serves as our Pro Bono Consultant for non-profit and charitable organizations.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

[00:02:26] Building intentional connections in business.

[00:06:29] Surrounding yourself with brilliant people.

[00:07:14] Success and leadership development.

[00:11:01] Leaders derailing by making things better.

[00:14:20] Workforce of younger people.

[00:19:24] Replicating learning and development.

[00:24:07] Mentors and navigating politics.

[00:25:23] Mentoring in the workplace.

[00:30:59] Slow down and focus on finding out intention before you react.

[00:33:04] Understanding yourself through assessments.

Purchase your copy of "Relationships that Work" on Amazon today at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CD2KJX17?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

Steve found his calling as a life coach after becoming a successful entrepreneur. He felt a deep passionate calling for making a difference in other peoples’ lives and in his larger community. To help understand his calling, Steve became a student of the world learning and digesting teachings from some of the greatest teachers and coaches the world had to offer.

Steve has spent the last 18 years sharing his learnings and helping busy and successful entrepreneurs, executives and celebrities to create balance in their life and reach the next level of success both professionally and personally. Steve founded community oriented coaching group Belief Theory in 2015. Belief Theory has used group coaching programs to coach state and local governments, nonprofits, and fortune 500 sales teams.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

• [00:01:24] Determining the success of the program
• [00:07:15] The doubt comes from training
• [00:09:43] Lies about hard work
• [00:14:13] The unfairness of an eight-year-old courtroom
• [00:16:31] Being worthy or deserving
• [00:19:05] The difference between impossible and improbable
• [00:23:37] Fear of making decisions
• [00:26:24] Becoming childlike again
• [00:31:33] Being stuck in self-blame
• [00:34:38] Doubt is unnatural

Purchase your copy of "Relationships that Work" on Amazon today at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CD2KJX17?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

Erica Rooney is the Chief People Officer at iCi, a keynote speaker, Executive Coach and HR Consultant, host of the podcast "From Now to Next" and a wife and mom to two little kids!

Erica has over fifteen years of experience in varying areas of Human Resources, Employee Engagement, Health and Wellness, and Employee Experience. Her passion lies in elevating the employee experience through a holistic approach: focusing on growth and development, connecting passion with purpose, and aligning careers with core values. She lives in the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina with her husband, Dan, and her two children, Hudson and Halle. She enjoys running half marathons and reading historical fiction novels.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

• [00:01:51] The Executive Appeal's popularity.
• [00:06:24] Communication in the workplace.
• [00:08:28] Negative behaviors in the workplace.
• [00:13:16] The human experience.
• [00:15:09] Bad relationship baggage.
• [00:20:18] Building relationships with difficult people.
• [00:23:09] Being authentic in executive roles.
• [00:29:23] Having a choice in difficult situations.
• [00:32:24] Visualization and Manifestation
• [00:36:27] Serving others.
• [00:39:21] Relationships at Work.

Purchase your copy of "Relationships that Work" on Amazon today at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CD2KJX17?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

Samia is a Pakistani citizen with a rich experience of more than 16 years in Human Resources of multinational companies with multiple industries, which includes Healthcare, Management Consultancy,

Hospitality and Financial Services. In her most recent role, she’s working as a trusted partner for business.

Her purpose is nurturing talent for scalable business and sustainable planet. She cultivates workplaces by guiding leaders to engage, lead high performance teams, create Employee Value Proposition by building a competitive advantage, drive cultural transformations, and develop talent and leadership pipeline to deliver sustainable profits.

She has an innate passion for philanthropy through community outreach.

Samia’s Awards and Recognitions Include:

 Listed in the “South Asia’s Top 100 Power Women” –South Asian Business Excellence Awards (2022)

 Inducted into the WAW Hall Of Fame at the 5th annual WAW – Women Appreciating Women prestigious conference (2021)

 Inducted into The Global Library of Female Authors with 99 inspirational women (2020).

 Recognized by Women Economic Forum as “Exceptional Woman of Excellence” in Cairo (2020).

 Appointed as Global Goodwill Ambassador for Pakistan (2019).

Samia is a member of LEAD Alumni community for Stanford GSB. Also, she's a Senior Certified

Professional from Society for Human Resources Management, US.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

[00:01:30] Podcast's popularity and success.

[00:04:37] Growing up in Pakistan

[00:08:23] Disparity between men and women

[00:13:41] Bigger sense of purpose

[00:18:26] Confidence is your best accessory

[00:20:09] Asking for opportunities

[00:24:01] Professional development practices

[00:27:59] Prioritizing time for career exploration

[00:31:06] Taking action to reach goals.

Purchase your copy of "Relationships that Work" on Amazon today at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CD2KJX17?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

Jillian Murphy is a highly sought after sales and business mentor who has mastered the art of sales and scaling not only her own business, but has helped hundreds of other online business owners as well.

With over 22 years of business experience in sales/marketing and growing multiple businesses of her own, she has now made it her mission to help online business owners gain REAL results in sales and messaging. Sales is truly the oxygen of your business and the most important skill any business owner can acquire.

She has been able to grow her own business from 0 to 6 figures in 1 year; hit her first 6 figure month in 18 months and just under a half million by year 2. All without any fancy systems, ads, or even a website. It  was all done with the art of communication and the art of sales!

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

• 00:04:19 - "I was just unapologetic about who I was even back then being 22 years old. Like I just, I blazed a trail back then."
• 00:08:41 - "My superpower is like, I'm real as shit. I'm going to tell it to you like it is. I'm going to give you tough love, whether you like it or not. That's actually what sets me apart from 99% of the business coaches out there."
• 00:10:40 - "if you want to be a leader in this space, quit being a follower."
• 00:19:33 - "sales is truly the oxygen of your business and the most important skill any business owner can acquire."
• 00:22:20 - "When it comes to sales, it is like we want to remember that we are truly trying to help somebody."
• 00:24:39 - "Why does it feel easier to do these things when you are doing it on behalf of someone else versus yourself?"
• 00:27:14 - "It took time for Mike and I to build a relationship. It took time for Mike and I to build rapport, but that was actually the differentiator was like now he was buying from me, not the brand anymore."
• 00:30:59 - "AI will be able to help with content. Like that that's that is the reality."
• 00:37:29 - "I know you are meant for more. I know that you are someone who wants something big, but don't just be a big dreamer, be a big action taker and go get it."

Purchase your copy of "Relationships that Work" on Amazon today at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CD2KJX17?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

With 37 years of financial service experience, Dexter is currently the Principal/Owner of Noir Kith Consultants.

Noir Kith is a business and consumer financial management consulting firm assisting both businesses and consumers in the reach of their stated American Dream and Goals from Ideation to Implementation and Growth to Maturity. Noir Kith specializes in assisting it clients with access to capital, business/personal management, personal/business marketing, organizational development, corporate social responsibility, social justice, executive coaching and working with city and county government in creating community initiatives including small business development.

Hall’s greatest joy is being the Dad to his three presidential daughters, Reagan Alexandria age 26, a burgeoning entrepreneur as the owner/operator at The Make-Up Artistry where we get in-touch with your inner beauty to bring out your outer beauty, Kennedi Anna-Louise age 21, a junior at Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA studying Early Childhood Development in anticipation of her dream as the Principal and Educator of Raising Children Grandmother's Way in a Silicon Valley Environment to ensure they begin with a leg-up in this fast changing world, and Madison Olivia age 19, a Pre-Med major at Fisk University in Nashville, TN.

With a firm belief in whom much is given, much is required, Hall has served on numerous non-profit boards and as mentor/sponsor to many individuals on their journey to greatness.

With a deep faith in God, it is Dexter's firm belief that, "If any man aspires greatness, he must first be a servant."

It is with this belief that allows him to go forward each day undeterred to do what he can, while he can, to make this world a better place.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

00:04:21 American Dream is individually defined.

00:05:51 Exposure shapes the American Dream.

00:11:07 Importance of diverse sponsorship connections.

00:16:23 Create a safe space for vulnerability.

00:21:30 Representation matters for success.

00:29:09 Intentional legacy planning for children.

00:32:23 Open up about money conversations.

00:35:30 Importance of intentional DEI efforts.

Purchase your copy of "Relationships that Work" on Amazon today at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CD2KJX17?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

Sinan Eraydin is a Turkish American entrepreneur based in Washington DC. He holds BSc Software Engineering and MA International Relations degrees from the Istanbul Bahcesehir University, as well as an MPS Strategic Cyber Operations & Information Management degree from the George Washington University.

Mr. Eraydin runs cybersecurity and software development startups in Istanbul and Washington DC, developing infrastructure to train cyber operators in cyber intelligence, offensive and defensive cyber operations. He also serves at the NATO Center of Excellence Defense Against Terrorism as an Academic Advisor and an Instructor and continues his 2 nd track diplomacy efforts as a Senior Fellow at the Cyber Security Forum Initiative in United States.

Main Takeaways:

• Eraydin said privacy and security and what is acceptable are often dependent on circumstances and culture. People often make decisions based on their own experiences and precautions. It often changes with time and circumstances. 
• The show Black Mirror had an episode about rating citizens based on behavior. Eraydin said in Asia this is happening with citizens getting grades. The info must be safe and secure and used correctly. When a person feels like their country will use that info against them it becomes problematic. 
• There’s a huge expectation of truth when collecting information for the economy or safety, but even when doing the right thing, there’s a risk of cyber hacks, cyber terrorism, and breach of consumer information. With AI and advancements in technology, there’s always a risk of using helpful information against you (ie identifiable information) 
• Eryadin said all of our information is in digital files and some of it is valuable, accurate, and designed to be used to process for the customer and service providers to have better processes. Limiting the information may lead to mediocre services. However, the more identifiable the info is, the more likely it is to be valuable. How much accuracy and efficiency do you give up to protect against possible cyber threats?
• There are a lot of difficult questions about the balance of providing personal information and how it impacts your privacy and security. Eryadin said there are social norms about giving personal information ie social media. There are things people don’t mind everyone knowing, but also we are all liable for our decisions in what we share. 
• How do you train cyber security? Well first, the word “hacker” may be offensive to some, but it’s a phrase everyone understands. It will be a profession for some in the near future, like if someone was a doctor. Some will become what they call “ethical hackers” Hacking became the dark side when people began making financial gains, but before that, it was anarchists who wanted freedom of information. It was when people pirated so people would get free things. It was more “noble” in the past vs. hackers today who use their skills for nefarious illegal reasons.
• You have to learn to hack to know how hackers think. It’s called offensive cyber which is only legal through government authorities. You also have defensive cyber. 
• AI is misused a lot by non-technical people who may think it’s a magic wand. But AI is more technical and involves multiple techniques and plans to incorporate AI modules into cyber security and have multiple languages readily available for consumers. 
• People’s fear of AI becoming “self-aware” and making decisions for humans sounds scary. Eraydin is doing academic research about AI Ethics and said currently AI isn’t at the point of “agency”

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

• Celeste Interrante, CEO of Turf Envy, tried many paths as she progressed through her career and says she had the emotional resilience by working on her personal development along with coaches to help her overcome obstacles and achieve goals with success. She admits it’s not easy and taking breaks are essential. But leading her team means leading herself. Plus, wine helps. 🍷 😜
• Retention is part of good leadership. To elevate your team, you must elevate and lead yourself first. 
• Celeste brings her coaches in to talk to her staff (financial, health, and transformative coach) and motivate them as a team.
• Alex said having a marriage counselor helps him and his wife in good and bad times. It gives them the tools. They see the counselor together and separately and it gives a whole POV.
•  People first is the right way to lead a team. Influence is key because people will start to care about each other. It’s ok to care for your leader, too. 
• Brand Pillars are essential to being authentic when making decisions as a leader. 
• Value your employees. Check on them. Care about them. Celeste explains a situation where she was advised by HR to fire an injured employee. Instead of replacing such a good employee she cared, checked on him and was able to retain him as an employee. 
• Balancing caring about your employees vs tough business decisions. Celeste had to once let 6 employees go after a big client left and while not easy she had to outweigh the dollars and cents. 
• As a leader, in-person interactions help us know how people feel through their energy. Celeste developed a hybrid-work environment. It keeps good talent and gets the work done.
• Don’t give 8 hours to your job and yourself 10 minutes to eat. Being a busy person isn’t always good for your health. It can be being a high- functioning person dealing with depression. You have to take care of your mental health and balance your work and life in a way that contributes to your wellbeing.

Main Takeaways:

• “When you work hard for your money,” you need a person like Shari on your team! Shari works with Maryland residents who want to preserve and protect their wealth for future generations. She also oversees real estate transactions for business owners.
•  Most people don’t engage in estate planning. AmericansOver half of Americans, of all backgrounds, have wills. About 26% of African Americans have a will, not a full plan. It’s not surprising that people don't have estate plans and the number one reason is they say they can’t afford it. Shari said we afford what we value. We pay for what we want. Many don't value estate planning although it’s needed. 
• Another reason people don't have an estate plan is they don’t feel they have anything of value. Estate planning is a conversation about the purpose of life as some people see little value in the things they’ve worked hard for. 
• The third and prime reason people don't have an estate plan is because people don’t want to face their mortality. As Americans we don’t do a good job in dealing with death and it’s different in other countries.We have an arrogance that we are going to live forever and we don’t want to deal with it. We have to deal with who and what we are leaving and having a great plan will show that you care for your family. 
• Not estate planning can take the opportunity to grieve away from your family. It’s worth spending the money now. Estate planning is the last act of love, your last gift to your family. 
• Estate planning is detailed and includes death and disability. Shari gets people to consider the quality of life they want to have if they are incapacitated. 
• Shari said she keeps herself together so in her estate planning she has directions about her nails, hair, and the details for her funeral based on things that matter to her. 
• When these things aren’t talked about it leaves family in the dark and makes it harder. 
• Alex tells a story about a person who was incapacitated and the family was split on whether to resuscitate the person or not. It’s best to make that decision for yourself so families can be at peace.
• Black families need to have estate planning conversations regularly and recurring during holidays and family gatherings. Have difficult discussions early. 
• Have the decision with yourself first and once you’re settled with your decisions, then have the talk. 
• Shari said she was challenged that she wouldn’t succeed at estate planning because Black people don’t estate plan and don’t have wealth to pass along. She said the challenge has made her work harder to educate the Black community through her organization “Our Legacy Matters.” There’s a need for cultural translation of information for many people when it comes to estate planning. 

Jacklyn Osborne is Managing Director at Financial Services and a experienced Data Management executive responsible for the design, development, delivery, and adoption of a best-in-class Data Management program to ensure regulatory compliance, support operational efficiency, and facilitate digital transformation.

Osborne has over fifteen years’ experience in data governance, client data management, change delivery, and information security in the public and private sectors, including seven years at HSBC where she was the Global Banking & Markets, Chief Data Officer.

With a Bachelors in Business Administration and a Masters in Engineering Management from George Washington University Jacklyn is a member of the American Society of Management Engineers, the National Association of Female Executives, and National Association of Professional Women.

She lives in the suburbs of Connecticut with my husband, three young boys and beloved spirited pub Diesel. Weekends are the most cherished times and spends them doing everyday things like playing sports, hosting parties, and baking cookies with the boys.

As part of her own life journey, she started a Blog and have have recently launched a Podcast with the same name 52 Weeks of Me. The goal of the Podcast is to help others find their best self through a collection of open discussions with professional experts and well as individuals sharing their own success stories as we all strive for work-life balance.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

• Jacklyn is responsible for working with data, which people think involves her doing cybersecurity, database engineering or owning data- that’s not her job. What she actually does is enable and ensure the right data gets to the right place, and the right people at the right time.
• Her job also involves the hot topic AI and making sure the accurate data gets into the right place. AI is moving fast, with a lot of unknowns such as privacy, ethics and concerns about feeding private data into a public database. There’s definitely legitimate reason to think through AI, the “sexy legs” of data, Jacklyn said, and building that foundation of AI is not sexy.
• Jacklyn said trial by error (winning or learning), parenthood- the patience and persistence, and a self-care journey are things that make her a better leader and shape who she is at the moment.
• Immediately responding can have a negative reaction. Slowing down is imperative. Fun fact: Jacklyn was born in a car so her instinct to move fast and respond quickly was innate. Changing her perspective and slowing down helped her a lot. Opening the floor for others to speak and not worrying about always speaking and having an answer to everything immediately was forward thinking in her leadership journey.
• As a leader, you can burnout so making yourself “redundant” is being able to influence the collective community to function in your absence. When leaders care about people and try to do everything around the clock it can create a more stressed team. Leaders being able to go have self-care and allow the team to step up and be empowered should be the goal.. Taking vacation can empower your team.
• Vacation … affording it. Can you really not afford one due to the financial situation? Vacation or holiday can be staying at home and taking a break from work, chilling in your garden and not worrying or being at work.
• Jacklyn started her new job at the beginning of the 2020 pandemic and it made it harder to have connections with people. Only remote work will definitely affect the work relationships for this next generation.
• Perfection is not required for success. We’ve all made mistakes and can get back up. Executive leadership is about being human. - Jacklyn Osborne

Kwofe Coleman is President & CEO of the Municipal Theatre Association of St. Louis (The Muny). After beginning his Muny career in 1998 as an usher, he has advanced through the administrative ranks at The Muny, including staff accountant, house manager, digital communications manager, director of marketing and communications, managing director, and became president of the nation’s oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre since 2021.

As President & CEO, Kwofe leads the historic theatre into its 105th season of producing live musical theatre on a grand scale. He maintains overall accountability, responsibility and authority for the management of the business and affairs of The Muny in accordance with its mission. Through this role he continues to embrace and articulate the artistic and institutional vision, develop progressive income streams and new strategic initiatives to deepen the organization’s community engagement, educational and outreach efforts. Kwofe was instrumental in navigating the theatre through the pandemic. He also played a key role in The Muny’s successful $100 million Second Century Capital Campaign.

Kwofe is the board president of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) and is an active contributor to the St. Louis community, serving on the Commerce Bank Advisory Board, St. Louis University High School Board of Trustees, Cor Jesu Academy Advisory Council, and as a founding board member of Atlas School. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Saint Louis Club and supports various social service organizations.

In 2020 Kwofe was recognized by The St. Louis Business Journal in its “40 Under 40” class. He was a Fellowship Advisor for the DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the University of Maryland (2018) and a recipient of The St. Louis American’s Salute to Young Leaders Award (2015). In addition to his Muny work, Kwofe consults for various concerts, artist development, management and production projects, including executive producer for 2020’s A New Holiday, a short musical film created by LIFE Creative Group and broadcast on local PBS networks.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

• Alex worked at a women’s shelter in his early 20s, which he said was emotionally taxing at times. Kwofe was a death penalty investigator for the Southern Center for Human Rights and built relationships with each person he worked with to understand their unique situation. Kwofe said the work had great value to him and any discomfort he felt didn’t trump the client's reality. Doing the best job possible for the client required an emotional investment for the client to have trust in his work.  
• You can do everything right in a job and do your absolute best and there’s no change. You have to figure out how to advance over the issue. 
• Kwofe started from the bottom, but he’s now here, at the top. At 16 years old, he worked at the Muny as an usher and advanced through the administrative ranks at The Muny, including staff accountant, house manager, digital communications manager, director of marketing and communications, and managing director, and became president of the nation’s oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre since 2021. Kwofe said he stayed because it was a great opportunity and a community-based and important art institute in St. Louis.
• People are more aware of who they are individually and comfortable with who they are. The stories and plays at the Muny aren’t rewritten but show a wonderful world of diversity. 
• To prepare the leadership that comes up after you, train those who look and don’t look like you. Invest in the next generation. (ie have internship and education programs for college and high school students) and show them the art form and opportunities available to them. 
• When we get to positions of leadership, people are watching so do it the right way. Invest in others. Serve the community. Uphold your responsibilities to give back. 
• When you say, “The Youtube” It ages you. Lol!
• The biggest life lesson from theater for Alex was “The audience doesn’t know when you make a mistake. Don’t stop. Just keep going.”  
• Kwofe said his biggest life lesson from the theater is, “Nothing happens in a vacuum. You can’t accomplish anything by yourself. When you build a network or team and trust them to be experts in their area, it gets so much easier to do everything. You can accomplish so much together.”
• If you reference ER vs Gray's Anatomy…it also ages you. Lol!
• Art improves people. It gives them a balance. Opportunities to amplify unique talents require us to look outside of our lanes and learn from others. Find those things that expose you to something new. 

When discussing player determination in the realm of golf, the name Christian Heavens is most likely to be included. Christian keeps his nose to the grindstone and his eye on the ball in all aspects of his life as a pro golfer and CEO of Tour Line Golf. His tenure in the sport reflects a career-low round of 61, earned in a Florida pro golf tour event, and he’s accomplished 25 tournament victories, including the St. Louis Publix Open this past May.

Following a standout collegiate career, Christian made his mark professionally as a member of the PGA Tour Canada in 2012. The stealth player recorded his first two victories on the Florida Professional Golf Tour that same year and went on to compete on the Golf Channel’s Big Break, ABC’s Season 2 of Holey Moley, the Latin America Tour, and on Florida professional tours.

An alumnus of the First Tee of Greater St. Lous, Christian represented the organization at the 2006 First Tee Open at Pebble Beach and in 2010 competed in the U.S. Amateur at Chambers Bay. His outstanding academic and golfing skills earned him a First Tee Scholars scholarship to Georgetown College in Kentucky, where he captured the All-American Inaugural Gimmie Golf Professional Invitational in 2018.

A two-time, first-team All-Conference member of the Mid-South Conference, as a junior Christian won first place in the final individual standings at the MSC Championships. For his efforts, he was named MSC Golfer of the Year and went on to earn third-team NAIA All-America honors. In each of his final three seasons at Georgetown, he finished in the top 12 of the MSC Championships.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

• Christian Heavens isn’t your “traditional” golfer. He got into golf at a time when golf for a Black man was not the norm. His grandfather, Levester Heavens, a firefighter, taught him to play golf when he was a little kid. Christian shared his grandfather’s love for the game.
• Not compromising who you are despite the norm is important in maintaining your identity. Christian still loves hip-hop, and R&B and brings pieces of himself to the golf course. You can be you and still enjoy golf and feel welcome at a golf course or country club, he said. 
•  Alex tells a story about a joke he made during an interview, that the interviewer said they didn’t understand so they didn’t select him out of the top three candidates. Alex said he was just being himself and that should never change.
• Christian said the Black golf community is small and they talk. Code-switching is one obstacle they feel at a professional level. It can be exhausting as there’s sometimes pressure to adapt or code-switch in the golf world. Being himself is one of the things that drives them to make golf more accessible. 
• Alex said there’s a difference between code-switching and being various versions of yourself. Christian said he has an at-home, chill, country club side that makes him feel comfortable. 
• “You have to learn to go where you are celebrated not tolerated. Just being you, there will be people who rock with you and those who aren’t going to rock with you. Even if you put on a persona, it will still be people that like you and those that don’t. Be you and find and attract the people who genuinely like you. You can collaborate with your energies.”- Christian Heavens
• Confidence and building confidence, or faking it until you make it is key. Act as if you belong there and know where you’re going. It will get you through many doors. 
• Success breeds confidence.
• In golf, there are no coaches. On the golf course, the player can be their own worse enemy criticizing their techniques. But we have to speak to ourselves like we would someone else. You have to catch yourself and be aware of it to combat that. Be your own best friend. 
• Goal setting is important to beat imposter syndrome. Look at your progress and see success even if you aren’t at your goal. We will lose more than we win, but don’t let the losses beat you down in life. Let the wins, big and small, have more emotion attached and build yourself up. Let a loss teach you and appreciate it as a step towards your end goal. 
• Try. Shoot your Shot. Hit your Drive. Even if you don’t get 100%, don’t let it beat you down or make you quit. Let it get you to another level. Learn from it. You win or you Learn.

 Julie Owono is the Executive Director of Internet Sans Frontières (Internet Without Borders), an inaugural member of the Facebook Oversight Board, and the Executive Director of the Content Policy & Society Lab, a project of the Progam on Democracy and the Internet at Stanford University. At the intersection of Business and Human Rights, her work focuses on creating channels of collaboration between different set of actors of the Internet. She is particularly interested in finding policy and technical solutions to foster collaborations for a better content moderation on online platforms. Julie is an Affiliate of the Berkman Kleine Center on Internet and Society at Harvard University, a member of the Global Partnership on AI (AI) created by France and Canada, of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on AI for Humanity, of the WEF Council on the Connected World. She was also a member of UNESCO’s Ad Hoc Expert Group (AHEG) for the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, a Member of the World Benchmarking Alliance’s Expert Committee on Digital Inclusion, and a Civil Society member of the Global Network Initiative’s Board. Julie graduated in International Law from La Sorbonne University in Paris, and practiced as a lawyer at the Paris Bar.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

• Julie Owono has been defending freedom of expression for many years, especially so women of color can use the space to express themselves and their rights to dignity. 
• When advocating for the right to speak online, how do you navigate misinformation and hate speech on the internet versus freedom of speech? Alex asks.
• The purpose of the internet is to be a space where no government or company can stop us from expressing ourselves, but in 2016 it was recognized as needing some kind of intermediary intervention to make sure this space of expression doesn’t harm security & other values we care about, Julie responds.
• Julie, a Cameroon native, lived in Russia as a “visible minority,” and as a teen faced Neo-Nazis while in the park with friends. They talked to two to three Nazis who at first wanted to attack them. They were all just 15 years old. One of the Neo-Nazis said his favorite singer was Whitney Houston, a Black singer who looked like her. An important interchange occurred between the Black teens and Nazis teens that created dialogue about racism.
•  It’s important to be confronted with things you don’t agree with to educate and be educated. This must be done in a non-harmful way and dialogue should always prevail. 
•  It can be exhausting to fight against propaganda and misinformation especially when some are backed by the governments. At times, the internet and social media is used to influence government policy. Platforms will be weaponized and companies have to be proactive to keep spaces safe, Julie said. 
• People weaponize by stealing identities and creating deep fakes using AI. From comedians having Twitter accounts created in their name to presidents who were sick giving a speech the next day…there have been times when platforms have been misused.
• Metaverse can be exciting by breaking the physical barrier and giving youth and others learning opportunities beyond their reach 
• While technology can fix lots of problems, it may need guardrails, Alex said. We can’t look for technology to solve our social problems.
• It’s not the AI we worry about, it’s the creators. Who creates the AI and with what are they instilling it with.

Brown is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Spark the Journey. Khari joined Spark the Journey in 2001 as the organization’s Executive Director and became CEO in 2015.

At the time Khari joined, he was Spark the Journey’s only employee and has since built the organization from a niche program that reached only 50 students per year to a burgeoning organization that is currently supporting more than 500 students and has grown by 400% since 2012. By expanding its program offerings and leveraging the power of hundreds of trained volunteers on daily basis, Spark the Journey has been remarkably successful in helping its students overcome the barriers that limit most low-income students. Under Khari’s leadership, Spark the Journey has seen 61% of its graduates’ complete college on time, a rate that is nearly three times that of similar students nationally.

Khari received both a Bachelor’s degree in American Studies and a Master’s degree in Education from Tufts University. A two-time captain of the Tufts basketball team, he played professional basketball in Helsinki, Finland upon graduating from college. After his playing career ended in 1995, he spent six years coaching high school and college basketball in the Boston area. He also owned and operated a fitness and sports performance business serving individual clients and offering clinics and camps for high school and college athletes. Khari’s involvement working with urban teens through his various coaching experiences led him to pursue a career in expanding educational opportunities for low-income youth.

Khari and his wife are the proud parents of two children who attend DC Public Schools

His Personal Quote: “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” – Malcolm X

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

• Fun fact: Khari Brown played basketball with President Barack Obama at Camp David. He said he was invited by White House workers who also volunteered for Spark the Journey who were tasked with arranging basketball games for the president. 
• Deciding your strengths and weaknesses is tough. Khari said he started with what he liked to do and it drew him to his passion. Starting as a team-of-one, he brought in people to help with what he didn’t know. Lesson: Surround yourself with smart people to learn from and pick people who compliment your strengths. 
• When having to let an employee go, it’s not about harming the person, it’s about helping the team accomplish their mission. Making decisions as a leader may not always be a positive experience for stakeholders. You won’t make everyone happy, but use the information you have to make the hard calls to promote the mission of the organization and do what’s best for the team.
• Communication skills depend on the perception of others. You may think you’re a great communicator, but others may perceive you differently. Same as a leader. People may interpret your leadership skills differently than what your intentions are as a leader. Communication must be deliberate. You’ll make mistakes, but how you respond as a leader can lead to growth. 
• Set an example for the people on your team as to how you respond to internal and external challenges. The way you carry yourself is important, because your team will follow your cues and that’ll become part of the work culture.
• It’s easy to forget your progress. Take a second to stop and reflect. As a leader, don’t be dissuaded by your mistakes. Recognize your progress. Validate and recognize your team for the progress you all made.
• Build your team with people who believe in your mission and want to help. It creates your team culture. 
• When working with a volunteer workforce must be motivating with good leadership skills.
•  Visit sparkthejourney.org for more info about the organization.

Don Don Wettrick is the founder and CEO of The STARTedUP Foundation, which hosts Innovate WithIN- Indiana's innovation and entrepreneurship programming and competition. He is also the author of “Pure Genius: Building a Culture of Innovation,” which aims to create innovation mindsets in our schools. Don is known for his award-winning work as a teacher, educational and innovation consultant, and educational speaker.

Wettrick has also hosted a podcast for the past five years, where he has interviewed some of the top entrepreneurs, authors, and thought leaders in the country.  In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife of 27 years, Alicia, and his three children. 

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

• When researching it’s such a time for creativity and innovation. How do you engage yourself in new ideas and thought processes?
• Problems are opportunities for solutions- Don Wettrick. Complaining and talking about issues garner conversations and brainstorming. Conversations with people and solving challenges that people present can present opportunities to learn. 
•  If you don’t like something or know how to do something, know more people who do and have conversations with them about it. 
• Many people don’t make space in their day to learn, be inspired, or brainstorm. 
• Taking in information and uploading it is a mental process. It’s detrimental to our brains to overindulge in social media and pornographic content (still a taboo subject). People get stuck on the endless scroll. It’s damaging our brains and natural thinking process. 
•  The hardest things to do in the world are the things you say you are going to do.  
• If you want to set a goal, don’t tell anybody. You’ve told your brain you’re 90% there.”
• Fear sometimes keeps us from accomplishing the things we want to accomplish. We fear not reaching our goals. 

As a top leadership coach, keynote speaker, leadership development expert and Amazon best-selling author, Dr.Jun works with emerging leaders and executives to unleash their untapped power for themselves and their teams. During her 20+ years in the corporate world, she has helped leaders transform themselves from frustrated executives to insightful, impactful, and inspired leaders who are engaging employees in exciting new ways and driving their organizations to great success.

Sohee works with world-renowned Fortune 500 companies in entertainment, production & media, start-ups, gaming, financial services, and engineering -- helping high performing leaders, emerging leaders and executive teams identify and strategically capitalize upon moments of shift and challenge as opportunities for powerful growth and change.

Most recently, Sohee served as Executive Director of Organization and development and Change Management at Warner Bros. Entertainment. She previously held internal leadership positions at Countrywide Financial Corporation and Jacobs Engineering Group as well as various HR consulting positions at Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Washington Mutual.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

* There’s more success when you have fun with your work.

* All healthy relationships are transactional. Dr. Jun asks about the definition of transactional  and if it is just a 1:1 interaction. Alex said it should not ever be one-sided. Transactional means being willing to give of yourself in a healthy way and there’s a value in the exchange.

* There’s more room for giving when building relationships, but if it’s not reciprocated for too long in the workplace, the value shifts and the employee can feel like it’s not worth it.

* In the workplace, employees are the givers in the relationship but leaders must ask, do their employees  get value from them in the transactional relationship? It may not always be monetary, but can be kudos and appreciation. 

* Time and value are the best things to give in a relationship and it applies to the leader/employee relationship. Leaders must ask how they can provide support and help employees grow in their career. This is valuable to workers.

* Alex really likes Goku and would love a Goku t-shirt! However,  if he gave Dr. Jun a Goku t-shirt she’d be unimpressed. Of value to her would be a mani-pedi :) The example demonstrates that everyone doesn’t value the same things and leaders  have to do the work to learn what their employees value. 

* There are layoffs but it’s talent that companies want to keep due to their assets and they want to ask those players what they value in an intentional and purposeful way.

* How do you decide how to give someone what they need vs what they want when it comes to value? Dr. Jun comes upon this often in coaching and handles it by saying “yes” to what they want but “and” to what they need to support them better. “Yes, … and…” statements give them both. 

* Mindset is everything in how you define success. Success takes steps and time.

* Listening creates a level of validation. Feeling heard and understood can help shift mindset. Introducing other options and solutions may be easier to absorb.

* The thought of ”not negotiating with terrorists,” leads to no one talking and no one learning. It leaves leaders in conflict. Being willing to listen to ideas, not in line with ours, even if we don’t agree, can lead to more conversation and more value as we learn from one another.

* In the office, how hard do you push to get your point across? Dr. Jun said you have to look at how triggered you are and know how to handle the trigger. Take a step back and even ask to come back to it later. 

* The hardest thing is to look inward and see how you are centered and grounded, what’s your intention and if it’s not aligning what’s the next step? 

* Change is a process that occurs over time. It’s a progression that takes us being willing to forget ourselves. 

* Forget and forgive yourself. We can be harsh in how we perform and hard on ourselves when we misstep. We have to catch ourselves and then do better. 

* When you know better do better. There’s no reason to stress out. If you did the best you can don’t stress out. But also ask yourself, “Did I do the best I can do?” or “Did I do the best I was willing to do?” Do we challenge ourselves or blame people and obstacles for our failures? 

* We have to know our obstacles and know our goals. We must be willing to push ourselves to achieve our goals. 

* As minorities, there are obstacles, but moving forward in an intentional way where you have agency and extreme ownership in the situation will help you achieve success.

* Intentionality in refusing to allow anything to stop you from reaching your goals is how minority leaders can set their mindset.

* For Dr. Jun, parenting her 3 kids teach her to be the best version of herself and to treat them as unique individuals with different needs. 

* As a leader, you use the same concept for employees. Meet them where their unique personality is and tweak your style just a little for them.

He’s widely known for his work around the issue of loneliness in the digital age, founding and leading a movement, Our Family Dinner (Family Dinner Foundation), which reached nearly 50,000 young adults across nearly 40 cities around the world for over a decade.

His work has been featured in Ebony, Black Enterprise, Essence, The Chicago & Miami Tribunes and other nationally syndicated news and media outlets. He currently serves as Host and panelist for the Just Heal, Bro global tour for mental health and wellness amongst men, and hosts the show “Watch God Work.”

He is a licensed and ordained Minister (of the Gospel), a Prepare-Enrich Certified Marriage Counselor, Chaplain & Coach who leads a successful private gospel-based practice which specializes in one-on-one & couple-based spiritual advisory, direction, (pre) marital counseling & chaplain and life coaching services for professionals & professional organizations, in and out of season professional athletes, traveling healthcare and other remote professionals including deployed military and more. Lawrence began his career at McKinsey & Company, after being an All-American track & field athlete.

Lawrence holds a B.A., from Harvard University, an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business, an M.Ed from The University of Texas at Austin with distinction and a Masters of Divinity (M.Div) from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary where he was a faculty-selected recipient of the Preaching Award from the Division of Practical Theology and the John D. Tate awardee.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

• It [Community]still matters because humans need proximity, energy, and interaction to thrive. For example, showing up in times of crisis vs a phone call shows the need for connection and human interaction. Lawrence said, “hearing the claps of celebration in person satisfies proximity and connection.”
• We learned during the pandemic what we should never take for granted. 
• However the pandemic and the conditions it created opened up opportunities for connecting with people from all over the world. 
• When it comes to time management, Adjah expresses that everyone has a choice to make, and prioritizing your time is part of the way to make those decisions when it comes to your family and career.  
• We want to do it all but we have to prioritize and be comfortable with what we can’t do. If you try to do everything you end up doing nothing. 
• Trying to do it all at the same time is what Adjah calls the “Cheesecake Factory Effect”…we get so much information daily and we must choose. Time management is a struggle.
• It’s hard to have a quality life with depth and it involves choosing who and what to spend your life interacting with. We must make choices of what’s most valuable to us without feeling we are diminishing the value of other options.
• Living intentionally vs following the societal norm or traditions, is imperative to not have regrets.  Adjah said you can’t control regrets at the end and he decided to live more intentionally with his time because he wants no regrets if he has no more time left.
• Knowing you put in work to intentionally be present and intentionally act success. 
• If you think the cost of success is too high wait till you get the bill for regret.”
• We all desire to recreate ourselves and we must be honest that Ai and robot use is possibility. The motive behind it is important. How can using robots make humanity better and improve the good of society? It can be exciting but also makes us look at our values and ethics before it’s put into play. 
• Adjah was in a Cadillac commercial and was able to collaborate with GM and Cadillac “by grace” and represent the community. Adjah speaks of alignment and not overvaluing his contribution but the freeing power of knowing you are doing the best you can and adding value from someone wanting to work with you. 
• We are living in a time where things are happening economically and people are not time for fluff, they want everything straight to the point. There’s an instability present that can shift easily. Having faith helps when everything starts to go upside down Reading or (Listening to) your Bible can have a deep impact on your faith and help you to learn. 
• He also encourages everyone to have a living will, because life is not promised. Do people know what to do when a crisis happens in their life? Is there a task list of things to do?

He believes in cultivating the internal certainty and clarity that improve your outcomes financially in business, and emotionally in relationships. What motivates him daily is to see his clients’ success through his The AIM-Experience™. To date he has delivered more than 17,000 live sessions on The AIM-Experience™ worldwide in the last 15 years.

Uwe has worked with high achievers and their VIPs - Very Important Partners) in almost every industry, role, and lifestyle, helping them achieve lasting results in 8 hours or less

The Main Takeaways:

Michael Arena Ph.D. is the chief science officer and co-founder of the Connected Commons, a research consortium that brings together business and academic thought leaders to develop and apply organizational network solutions. He is also a faculty member in Penn’s Masters in Organizational Dynamics program. Arena most recently served as the vice president of talent and development at Amazon Web Services (AWS), where he leveraged network analysis to enable employee growth, organizational culture and innovation. 

Prior to joining Amazon, Michael was the chief talent officer for General Motors Corporation where he helped to facilitate the business transformation, which is highlighted in his book Adaptive Space. Michael also spent two years as a visiting scientist with MIT’s Media Lab researching human networks and he acted as a design thinking coach within the Stanford School.

Main Takeaways:

• Arena’s research centers around networks, how people interact with each other and how remote, hybrid, and in-person work environments impact employees and social culture within organizations.
• About 50% of daily influencers are identified as the informal networks within organizations and the influencers who may not be high on the organizational chart are often  highly trusted and valuable assets to their team and company.
• The two types of connections are bonding and bridging connections. Bridging connections are those who link up teams. Remote = a 30% loss of the bridge connections and building back in a remote environment has been a struggle.
• The debate of back in the office vs remote can be decided with science.  Arena says  employees love remote work and the flexibility, but  some companies have eliminated the remote model. A hybrid model can be good for well being, productivity and life balance. 
•  Looking  at data at the time of need is key in the debate about work models. A disconnection from workmates can occur with remote only, but a blend can contribute to connections being reestablished.
• A large amount of people want to work remote but also want to reconnect with colleagues. The autonomy to choose and have flexibility is what most desire, but it’ll take time to work the anxiety out of the in-office, remote or hybrid model debate for each company and team.
•  We are social beings that communicate through social signals and we lose that with remote only work.
• Moderation is needed to find the smart  balance for social connections within both remote and physical offices and teams and still enjoy our human existence.
• Hustle vs Human Experience… don’t let your soul be stolen by organizational goals. You can’t lose you in the midst of your success. Don’t let it override you. You have to set boundaries, goals and commitments to yourself. 
• In your career, don’t be scared to create personal boundaries.
• If you’re not pushing up against  that boundary of failure you’re not being your brilliant self. 
• Failure isn’t the opposite of success, it's part of it. 
• If you don’t dance with the boundary of failure you’re not breaking through. Push through and flirt with it and see what will happen. 
• The way you show up in your network matters as much to your success as your ability to perform and can account for 30-40% of your performance. 
• It matters to your career who you are around. Find the energizers and you can create a much better effect. 

Aronoff Trivella was the recipient of the prestigious Olympian Award sanctioned by the U.S Olympic Committee. The award is in recognition of athletes who have made significant contributions to the various Olympic disciplines. Additionally, she was elected to the United States Judo Association Hall of Fame as an outstanding female competitor.

Other honors include the Phyllis S Harper Sportsmanship Award from the United States Judo Federation in 1984, Resolution 10-1983 from the City of Yonkers New York in recognition of her excellence and contribution to the sports world, Metropolitan Judo Association for Outstanding Female Competitor for the year 1978-1979, and Coach of the Year at the New York State Championships for the year 2019. Aronoff Trivella has been the proud founder and owner of Eve’s Ultimate Body Training LLC since the 1980s, teaching private one on one fitness and or Judo sessions as well as group. She also has created a fitness Judo workout for beginners, intermediate or advanced, using a combination of fitness exercises and Judo techniques without a partner which has been very useful during the Covid 19 pandemic.

Main Takeaways:

• Women’s judo and the intricacies and strategies of the sport
• How the artful fighting sport of judo translates into the strategies of life. (Ie practice, preparation, and goals.) 
• The importance in organizing and balancing life, happiness and purpose when  managing a full plate in your career and personal lives. 
• Strategizing your health plays a direct role in your overall success and how it shouldn’t be last on our list. Exercise = energy 
• Overcoming life changing obstacles. At 6 years old, Eve battled rheumatic fever and a life threatening, debilitating and painful condition taking away her ability to walk. In that storm, she was introduced to the world of judo. 
• Being “stuck” in life or going through a painful situation can sometime lead to having to do awkward, uncomfortable things to build strength and change your life in the future. 
• Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, because taking the negative and turning into positive is the success. If you try there’s no failure. Achievement and success is in trying and winning.
• Navigating a male dominated sector: Eve’s place in the male dominant sport of judo and her advice to women. Be yourself, do your thing, do it to the best of your personal ability and drown out the surroundings. 
• Eve’s advice: Take a breath, focus, prioritize and take one step at a time especially when managing a busy lifestyle.
• Do things that make you happy. Things you enjoy and want to do all day. Build on that joy in your profession, life and daily routine.
• End  your day with something that makes you feel good and have faith and belief in yourself. 

M. Shane Canfield brings more than 25 years of experience in insurance and non-profit leadership to WAEPA.

Shane came to WAEPA in 2016 and served previously as Executive Director of the Council on Employee Benefits. He has spent most of his career in the pooled-risk group/affinity insurance industry. In his role as WAEPA CEO, Shane is responsible for strategic planning and leadership, managing stakeholder relationships, and serving our Board of Directors in organizational oversight. With extensive experience in coalition building, government relations, and reporting to Boards, Shane leads WAEPA by consistently prioritizing member satisfaction, membership growth, and retention.

He earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from George Mason University, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Washington Adventist University, and is a board member for the Council of HR Management Associations, member of LIMRA, PIMA, International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP), and is a past board member of the ASAE Business Services Inc. Additionally, Shane holds various certifications, including CEBS, RHU, CAE, SPHR, and SHRM-SCP.

Gail Adams is the Vice President of Communications and External Affairs at the EnerGeo Alliance, an international upstream energy trade association. She has more than 20 years of experience in the environment and natural resources public policy arena and working with states and local governments. She has more than 30 years’ experience in public affairs, non-profit organizations, and governmental affairs.

She is a former Presidential Appointee as Director of the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (OIEA) for the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Immediate Office of the Secretary where she managed relationships between the DOI and Governors, state and local elected officials and the more than 6000 stakeholders and organizations that represent interests related to DOI. She also had a key role on the President’s Task Force on Travel & Competitiveness and helped to craft the nation’s National Travel and Tourism Strategy which brought the United States from 10th in the world back to first in market share for world tourism.

Adams is a former television news anchor, public affairs show host, and radio personality. She is also a certified grants writer. Adams is a graduate of Louisiana State University.

Main Takeaways:

• A unique behind-the-scenes view of how the energy and life insurance industries are fairing through the recession. 
• There are a variety of ways to motivate people internally with training,  progressive opportunities and in the community through collaborative work.
• Programs that bring diversity, equality and inclusion should never be put on the chopping board due to budget cuts as these initiatives create a stronger and more talented workforce to move your company forward.
• Professional development during the recession may include innovative thinking, changes in career direction, and obtaining additional training to pivot for employees.
• Always use the ART method when interacting with your employees. Be Authentic, have Representation and show Transparency. 
• Learn the importance and spectrum of the energy industry and the imperative nature of life insurance. 

Alex began his career as the youngest Federal Government employee to create and manage three Federal Government-wide senior leadership development programs, and quickly went on to establish his own leadership development company, GPS Leadership Solutions LLC., while publishing two bestselling leadership books ("Reaching Senior Leadership: 10 Growth Strategies Every Government Leader Should Know” and “The GPS Guide to Success”) geared towards helping leaders gain influence and attain career success. Alex is honored to be a Fellow of The Aspen Institute's Socrates program. He is also a Leadership Center for Excellence 40 under 40 honoree, was spotlighted as a top leader to know by the International Association for Talent Development, and is passionate and committed to helping our leaders across the world reach their highest potential; personally, and professionally. Finally, Alex also serves as the Chief Culture Officer for America’s second largest national conservation corps; American Conservation Experience. Alex received his Bachelor's degree in sociology and psychology from William Penn University and his Master's degree in industrial and organizational psychology from the University of Baltimore. When he is not working, he enjoys reading, watching documentaries, and going on long hikes with his wife. Please visit AlexTremble.com to gain the tools and strategies your organization needs to develop the culture and leaders needed to accomplish its mission.

Main Takeaways:

• If people don't know you need help, they're not as willing to help you
• Be thankful for your bad supervisors
• Don't avoid the pain
• Find time for you

Mark Christopher Lawrence (MCL)is the 2012 recipient of the San Diego Critics Circle’s Craig Noel Award for Outstanding Actor Of The Year. He’s an international headliner that has worked with the likes of Sinbad, Jerry Seinfeld, Rodney Dangerfield, and Jeff Foxworthy as well as, having headlined clubs and colleges all over the USA and Canada.

MCL is best known for his series regular role as Big Mike on the NBC TV series CHUCK. He recently completed production on the hit ADULT SWIM TV show BLACK JESUS and is recurring on The PureFlix Show Malibu Dan The Family Man. He can be seen on the Disney Channel’s original TV movie LifE Is Ruff and guest appearances on Lab Rats, Good Luck Charlie, Heroes, Weeds, My Name Is Earl, Reba, Grounded for Life, Crossing Jordan, and Amazing America with Sarah Palin. MCL is in pre-production on several projects as a writer and/or producer and has just released on PureFlix.com his hilarious talk show Pure Comedy, which he also hosts. On video, you can watch MCL’s work in The Pursuit of Happyness, The Island, Garfield, Terminator II, Fear of a Black Hat, and Cooties to list a few.

Other awards and nominations that MCL has been blessed to achieve are as follows: 

• NAACP Award for Best Ensemble - Glasshouse
• 2010 San Diego Critics Circle Nomination for Best Actor - Boy Willie - Piano Lesson
• 2012 San Diego Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor of the Year - A Raisin In The Sun/TopDog UnderDog
• 2012 San Diego Critics Circle Nomination for Best Actor - Walter Lee - A Raisin In The Sun
• 2012 San Diego Critics Circle Nomination for Best Actor - Lincoln - TopDog UnderDog

Main takeaways from the episode:

Key Takeaways

• Failures can help you grow. Some people do not start off as great right off the bat while others could get success initially but get failures later on. The point is to learn from this.
• Whether you are doing comedy, public speaking or a presentation, you should always be prepared for what you are talking about. You should practice to a point that you come off as authentic and unscripted to your audience.You need to know your material so well that you can go off on a tangent ans still stay on track. Nothing does well if you are not prepared for it.
• Always learn, watch and grow while you are working with people that are in positions that you want to be in. You can learn from your peer’s achievements and failures.
• Always take time to reflect on your life. Celebrate the wins and achievements that you have made while appreciating the growth. Looking back on where you have been also helps to direct where you want to go in the future.
• Remember to control what you can and let go of what you can’t.
• If you have certain dreams or aspirations that are unfulfilled, you will regret it. Don’t leave them at the table, instead go out and try it. Win or lose, the point is to try.

Ryan is the founder and principal of the Changcoco Consulting Group. Prior to CCG, Ryan served as the Chief Executive Officer of CSurgeries and The Physician's Edge Group, as well as the Head of Product Strategy for Management Development and Director of Government Workforce at ATD. He also served in various lead positions at CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield and The Advisory Board Company.

Ryan's experiences as an executive and product strategist led to his effectiveness as a consultant for several organizations. Ryan has expertise in digital marketing and strategy, new product development, content development, and executive operations.

As former head of several startups, Ryan has led various efforts with seed-round and series A raises. 

Currently Ryan serves as a senior advisor to several start-up organizations and associations including: The Senior Executives Association (SEA), Oji Life Lab, and Bedrock Learning. He is also the executive producer of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, hosted by renowned professor and psychoanalyst, Dr. Robin Stern, co-founder of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. 

Ryan is also serving as an Executive in Residence of insights, innovation, and experience for LeadersUp, a non-profit organization funded by Starbucks and Google to bridge the racial and economic divide for BIPOC talent within the U.S.​

Main Takeaways:

• Checking your imposter syndrome
• Having a transparent partner /colleague for real feedback
• The importance of hiring
• Knowing when to pivot
• “Leadership and management is the hardest job you’ll love.”
• How to providing support beyond critical feedback
• Trusting & building with angel investors & VC’s
• “First, the heart”

For the past 20 years, Skot Waldron’s work for clients such as J.P. Morgan Chase, CDC, Georgia Tech, Royal Caribbean, Sesame Workshop, The Home Depot, and The Coca-Cola Company has included national and international communication programs.

Skot Waldron is an internal communication strategist who uses his extensive knowledge of brand development to build loyalty amongst individuals, teams, and organizations. Unlike most communication programs out there, Skot coaches leaders and employees to become liberators using programs that are simple, scalable, and sustainable for the long term. 

He believes the influence you have, your alignment as an organization, and your ability to execute effectively all begin with you and how you communicate.

Main Takeaways:

• A brand is its reputation. How others perceive you, what they believe about you, what you say when you are quiet, and what others say about you when you are not around, that’s your brand.
• For great brands, leaders must first induce positive first impressions, then maintain consistency, which will foster creditability and authenticity, and finally, trust, which will nurture loyalty.
• A multigenerational workplace is being created in order for both perspectives to contribute to the creation of something amazing.
• When you're not at your best as a leader, you can't give them your best because you can't radiate what you don't have. As a result, one must be conscious of himself, of others, and of the purpose to help others.

As Co- General Partner of High Street Equity Partners, Mitch's focus is on pre-seed and seed stage investments. While he reviews all categories at the early stage, he is particularly interested in the future of work, marketplaces, and health tech. Prior to founding High Street Equity Partners, Mitch worked with early and growth-stage companies as an investor and as an operator. Prior to venture, Mitch was the Chief Operating Officer of b2b SaaS company DSI. He started his career in corporate at FINRA and Caterpillar. Mitch holds a MBA from Florida A&M University, and lives in Washington, DC with his wife Cadene. 

Main Takeaways:

• How can you make your voice heard without yelling? Once you get more confident in yourself and your accomplishments, you dont feel the need to be loud or take up space but people will respect your confidence and being authentic to yourself.
• How can you build confidence when you dont feel like you belong in certain spaces? ON a personal level, Mitch believes in nurturing confidence from an early age.As our generation has kids and we look to raise the next generation we should be more intentional to raising confidence to our kids and encourage them to reach their full potential and celebrate them on their journey.
• If we are committed or dedicated to something we can overcome those feelings that want to hold us back. We need to believe that we are more powerful and capable of doing so much more than we think we can do.
• Be very cognizant of where you can learn from. Always keep learning and improving more about your craft.
• You should keep an open mind and heart and constantly keep evolving and adapting to change. By being more bond and courageous, all of us will be better with time.

A market research industry veteran of over 40 years, Wes earned his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BA in English from the University of Pennsylvania. In 2013, Wes launched Rare Patient Voice based on a novel approach to building a market research panel, one that enables patients and caregivers to share their voices with the researchers and companies developing products to improve patients’ lives. He structured the company on the core values of being a good resource for patients, a good partner to clients, a good employer to staff, and a good citizen in our community. Since then, Wes has seen the company grow, expanding from the US to Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, France, and Germany, completing thousands of projects, and providing customized service to hundreds of clients. He hopes that RPV’s work can help the lives of patients and caregivers who are able to participate in our studies, and of those who come after.

• Hobbies: Walking his dogs, piano, history, exercise
• Pets: Ace (mix of Beagle and Brittany) and Stanley the Chocolate Lab
• Likes: Hearing from patients who have enjoyed taking part in a study
• Dislikes: When no one qualifies for a study
• Fun Facts: Wes spent a year in Edinburgh, Scotland and ran cross country with the Hare & Hounds

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

• “You need to have a folder somewhere… where you say: IDEAS (...) Don’t loose track of these things”
• “Deadlines are important. We work towards deadlines. But you can negotiate, you can talk to them, let them know...”
• “You’ve got to look at what’s the fair amount. Somebody doesn’t deserve all of your time.”

Juliann Edwards is the Vice-President Energy Origination & Development at TC Energy, and in 2023 will be formally appointed to the Board of Directors of Bruce Power.

Currently Edwards is the Chair for U.S. Women in Nuclear, Family Advocate for RSRT where she has raised over $600,000 and awareness for Rett Syndrome Research Trust with the intent of helping irradiate Rett Syndrome, a disorder her daughter Lily was diagnosed with in 2017. 

She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and Marketing from the University of South Florida.

Main Takeaways From This Episode:

• Networking In The Beginning
• Goal setting practices
• Women In Nuclear - Micro mentoring moments
• "Do it scared." - Alex
• How to make time for networking & your passions
• "Hard is not bad, hard is just hard.” - Juliann

WAEPA CEO Shane Canfield joined the organization in 2016, having most recently served as the Executive Director of the Council on Employee Benefits. He has spent most of his career in the pooled-risk group/affinity insurance industry. He has an MBA from George Mason, is a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist from the Wharton School of Business and the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, and is a Registered Health Underwriter from the American College.

A 30-year career veteran, David Vela retired as deputy director, exercising the authority of the director of the National Park Service (NPS), in August 2020. In this role, he managed over a $3 billion dollar budget, more than 20,000 employees, and America's 419 national parks. In addition, Vela served as Chair for the Committee for the Preservation of the White House. 

Main Takeaways:

• First impressions are important impressions
• You are not born a senior executive. But rather you get to learn certain skills throughout your life and career that you use. This is a lifelong journey and you should be encouraging and mentor those that are starting out as well as prepare to be mentored in turn.
• There are certain expectations and realities of the workforce that you have to learn when you are starting out.
• You need to have a development plan for those who are starting out. Strive for a balance between building expertise and passion and temper it with the reality of the business or organization that you are in by providing mentorship, support and encouragement in the process.
• Be humble when you receive hard feedback. You need to analyze the feedback that you receive and discover the intent behind it. Remember that there is always something to learn from feedback, even if you do not agree with it.

Glenna Crooks, Ph.D., is a strategist, innovator, and trusted counsel to government and business leaders. In her latest venture, a story told in The NetworkSage: Realize Your Network Superpower, she describes a new way to help leaders succeed in their corporate, family, caregiver, and community roles as they navigate the complexity of modern life by leveraging the human capital available to them in the eight networks that support adults. 

Sue is the VP, Global Head of People Insights, Strategy & Culture at the Coca-Cola Company (TCCC). Reporting to the CHRO, she is responsible for leading the center of excellence and shaping the future of TCCC’s workforce by developing and executing the company’s long-term people, analytics and engagement strategy. Sue works closely with the leadership team to develop and lead global culture and change management efforts on the company’s journey to emerge stronger as a networked, agile organization. Additionally, Sue drives the creation and implementation of the people analytics vision and strategy. She is developing HR’s capabilities in using data and evidence to support more effective decision making to ensure the business delivers on its promises to shareholders and the communities in which it operates.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS FROM THE EPISODE:

• As a leader your delivery is the delivery of your team
• Balancing impact with personal needs
• Ways to deliver on your purpose
• Hardest lessons in your career
• When to know when to stay or 'tough it out' with a company
• Networking recommendations

Kathy Caprino, M.A. is an internationally-recognized career and leadership coach, writer, speaker and educator dedicated to helping professional women build rewarding, impactful careers of significance. A former corporate VP, she is also a trained therapist, seasoned executive coach, Senior Forbes contributor, top media source, and the author of two top-selling books -- Breakdown, Breakthrough and her latest, The Most Powerful You:7 Bravery-Boosting Paths to Career Bliss. With her Finding Brave podcast, books, assessments, coaching programs, courses and other key resources, Kathy’s been named a Top Career and Leadership Coach in the U.S. and abroad. Her ultimate mission is to support a “finding brave” movement that empowers professionals to close their power gaps and rise to reach their highest and most thrilling potential. Her new video training course, The Most Powerful You, based on her book, helps emerging and seasoned leaders and their teams achieve greater confidence, self-esteem, vision, impact, and key business results that align with their core values and personal missions. 

For more information, visit kathycaprino.com, findingbrave.org and follow Kathy on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

TOP TAKEAWAYS FROM THE EPISODE:

• Why we’re talking about Quiet Quitting
• “You have to do stuff for free” - Alex Tremble
• We’ve lost ability to say "I’m done" with work and now I want to focus on this - Kathy Caprino
• Working Within Scope of Job Description is a slippery slope - Kathy Caprino
• It’s ok if you don’t want to stand out but realize that you’re not likely to receive same attention as the people who are going above and beyond. - Alex Tremble
• "Doing your job well doesn’t mean you get a promotion ." - Kathy Caprino
• “We’re a person when we show up to work.” - Kathy Caprino
• “We can only control ourselves.” - Alex Tremble
• Triangulation Methods
• Kathy’s Book “The Most Powerful You”
• Power Dynamics in Leadership
• Communication from fear not strength - Kathy Caprino
• Alex's personal story of upbringing

https://kathycaprino.com/free-assessment

And for a number of other helpful free assessments, resources, guides, etc. you can send folks to:

https://kathycaprino.com/assessments

Her in-demand classes and accessible social media profiles have given Dominique a reputation as a personal finance expert who is engaging and makes complex financial topics, like investing, trendy and easy-to-understand. 

As an award-winning personal finance expert, speaker and the founder of Finances Demystified, she has a strong passion for working with young professionals, entrepreneurs and people of all ages to bring their Dreams2Reality. 

Her financial expertise comes from a lengthy history of studying, practicing and teaching personal finance. She began her career working at major, corporate brokerage firms such as UBS and Edelman, after earning her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in business and finance. Eventually, she walked away from clients investing $10 million+ and set out to spread investing knowledge typically reserved for Wall Street to anyone. 

Since founding Finances Demystified Dominique has been: 

• Named Top Money Expert by Go Banking Rates 
• Named on of the Top Financial Advisors in the United States for Millennials
• Top 30 Under 30 in Washington DC
• DC Future Business Leader of America Businessperson of the Year 
• Nominated for the Changemaker of the Year for her work with Financial Literacy
• Taught more than 10,000 students how to invest & create generational wealth
• Featured speaker at universities such as Georgetown University, Howard University and University of Maryland and corporations such as NBC Universal and numerous non-profits.

Dominique’s edgy and engaging financial advice, has been highlighted on TIME, NextAdvisor, Yahoo!, USA Today, Refinery 29, Baltimore Sun, Black Enterprise, Marketwatch.com, Ebony Magazine, SmartCEO, U.S. News, and other media outlets.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• When you have control of your money you feel more confident.
• Why people need to stop acting like money is not important
• “If you believe you can, you can.” - Dominique
• “Leaders focus on what we can control.” -Dominque
• "You only fail when you stop.” -Dominique

 Katie Watford is an entrepreneur working steadfastly to empower her clients around the globe. In 2018, she launched a fashion consulting agency to help bridge the gap between personal branding and  online shopping. To date, her clientele   has reached 25 major cities, 18 states, and 3 countries including the US, Canada, and Dubai. She has  remotely styled clients for press appearances for QVC, CMT Music Awards, BET Network, and international trips including Amazon Tokyo, Greece, London, Paris, Italy, and much more. In 2022, she expanded her consulting business into the online education to teach  her method with style education.

Katie Watford’s work is not about the labels or keeping up with trends -- it’s about identity.

She has a unique skill for harnessing style and its role in personal branding, career development,  and has a knack for being able to save her  clients thousands of dollars. Her process digs much deeper than surface-level by using complex ideas in a simple and natural manner, Katie eliminates the noise,  allowing her clients to  see themselves and their goals fully.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS FROM THE EPISODE:

• "You are a person and you have a personality, let's develop that" - Watford
• What gets you career advancement is bringing the best you to the table
• Establishing your personality through fashion helps you be the best version of you
• How building relationships is important in any industry, even fashion styling

Main takeaways from this episode:

• Tips on Curating the room 
• The reality of behavior for safe spaces
• If you want different results you have to do something different
• “We are better for going through the bad parts“ - Cordell

A Forbes Leadership contributor on the Future of Work, and an Inc. contributor on Relationship Economics, Nour’s unique insights have been featured in various prominent publications, including The Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Fast Company, Huffington Post Business, Entrepreneur, and Knowledge@Wharton. He’s also the host of the popular Curve Benders podcast.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

• Having fewer relationships but high quality relationships
• How to make stronger priorities
• "Curve benders are relationships that accelerate your path up that curve" - Nour
• Surveying your ecosystem
• "What does the best version of you look like?" -Nour

Main takeaways from this episode:

• Creating alliances can help us in areas that we're not as passionate about
• Authentically showing up in different ways to get over being "fake" or coming off as false
• How to control yourself when you're angry
• The intention and rewards of self advocating

Supervising is HARD and not all Great Leaders are great Supervisors. Today's guest, John Riordan (Senior Leadership and Organization Development Consultant) will teach you how to make the time to lead and supervise.

Today's Guest:

For over 30 years, John Riordan has been committed to challenging people and organizations to reach their full capacity – first as a leadership program founder and director in East Africa, and now as an organization and leadership development consultant. He has consulted with a broad range of federal, private sector and non-profit organizations conducting hundreds of planning, team building and training workshops ranging from large conferences (200+) to small intact teams.

Main Takeaways From the Episode:

Main takeaways:

• Tips on setting boundaries & blocking off time
• Being willing to say no
• Knowing what's urgent and what's important
• Establishing healthy boundaries (can't/ won't)
• The metaphor of alignment
• How to create your own core values
• "Be yourself, with more skill" - Riordan

She is also the cohost of the recently launched The Brown Table Talk Podcast, part of the LinkedIn Podcast Network. On the Brown Table Talk, Mita and Dee Marshall share stories and tips on how to help Women of Color win at work, and advice for allies on how they can show up.

A sought-after expert in emotional intelligence, Dr. Hamilton’s research has been published widely in peer-reviewed journals. She is the creator of the Curiosity Code Index® and Perception Power Index, as well as the author of five books sold worldwide: Cracking the Curiosity Code, The Power of Perception, The Online Student’s User Manual, How to Reinvent Your Career, and It’s Not You, It’s Your Personality. Her book regarding personalities was required reading at an Arizona-based university, where she was also nominated for an honorary doctorate in addition to her traditionally-obtained Ph.D. in Business Management.

Dr. Hamilton’s success in multiple industries, authoring books, and career as an MBA Program Chair and Assistant Professor propelled Dr. Hamilton into the speaking world, and now she is regularly hired by companies like Forbes to speak to organizations to increase engagement, improve productivity, and reduce conflict. Whether through her radio show, a webinar, or a live presentation, Dr. Hamilton presents to and interviews leaders from some of the top organizations in the modern workplace.

Incorporating her nearly four decades of real-world experience, Dr. Hamilton provides strategies that are ready to implement and create results. With a Ph.D. in Business, she has taught over 1,000 business-related courses and is a qualified Myers-Briggs and a certified Emotional Intelligence instructor.

When you are a leader your job is to get things done through the efforts of your team members. But, what do you do when you need the effort and resources of people who don't report to you? Today's guest shares how to build coalitions to help you reach your, & your organization's, goals.

Today's Guest:

Dr. Constantian is a retired VA SES member who returned to service with VA in May 2020 in a part time capacity. He is assigned to the Office of Technology Integration, where he uses his eight years of executive experience with the VA and other experience, particularly in the Health IT area, to address longstanding and strategic matters of interest to the CIO, such as the strategic use of middleware in the VA, the GAO High Risk List report, and VA responses to the COVID emergency. He is also involved in the OIT leadership development program and is sometimes called upon to speak on behalf of the Department at public forums. Prior to his retirement in January 2020, he was the Deputy CIO for Account Management, where he led the Account Management Office in their work with business partners across the Department. Prior to that, from 2016-2019, he served as DCIO (Account Manager for Health), advising the VA CIO on all matters associated with IT support for clinical operations, research and policy to the Veterans Health Administration, developing multi-year IT budgets in collaboration with VHA colleagues, establishing Joint Business Plans for critical activities, and addressing critical operational issues, when necessary.

Music: https://www.bensound.com/

Learn how to take responsibility as a leader, without potentially ruining your career. Our guest shares the advice no one talks about.

Today's Guest:

Damion Jones is the Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion for Bayer Company.  In his current role, Damion is responsible for outlining the inclusion strategy & partnering with business unit leaders in regions across the company’s global footprint.  This includes partnering to outline the global strategic framework, implementing cultural infrastructure and recommending action s in support of the functional & regional oversight of our company culture and operations.  In recent years, he has led strategic enterprise wide initiatives for Monsanto, prior to acquisition, regarding the diversity dashboard design, mentoring and Unconscious Bias training all of which have reached thousands of our leaders world-wide.  Currently he is working to integrate Business Resource Networks (ERGs) strategy which exist across 6 geographies.

Prior to his current role, Damion was matrixed between Monsanto Company’s Organizational Development/Talent Management & Talent Acquisition divisions and was additionally responsible for project managing the Executive Team talent review & succession planning process.  At that time, Damion was intimately involved in our corporate governance aiding updates to the Board of Directors concerning CEO/ET succession as well as global diversity.

Damion received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Morris Brown College (HBCU) and both his masters (M.S.) and doctorate (Ph.D.) from Saint Louis University specializing in the areas of both social and organizational psychology.   Outside his day job Damion is frequently asked to guest lecture and lead webinars on topics of inclusion, psychology and leadership within various corporate, educational and civic institutions.  In response to the Ferguson Commission Report recommendations to aid the socioeconomic stability for Black businesses within the metropolitan area the Heartland St. Louis Black Chamber of Commerce was established for which Damion was asked to sit as a founding board member.  He also sits on the board of The Biome, a Youth Learning Center STEAM charter school within St. Louis City that utilizes Carol Dweck’s work on “growth mindset” to instruct students in underserved communities.  He is also a frequent contributor to DiversityInc via articles, webinar facilitation and video career advice as noted on their website www.DiversityInc.com. 

Damion currently resides in St. Louis Missouri with his wife Marvis, sons Simon and Aiden and daughter Genesis.

Music: https://www.bensound.com/

With YOUR help we are now ready to take the next step in serving our community phenomenal ambitious leaders.

Noted author and entrepreneur businessman, Clifton L. Taulbert, shares strategies to help ambitious leaders reach their career goals, without turning into self-centered people.

Today's Guest:

According to Clifton L. Taulbert, noted author and entrepreneur businessman, he could have failed had he not encountered community builders and entrepreneurial thinkers early on in his life. Taulbert was born on the Mississippi Delta during the era of legal segregation where he completed his secondary education. Though opportunities were few and barriers were plentiful, Taulbert managed to dream of being successful, not knowing the shape that success would take. Today Taulbert is the President and CEO of the Freemount Corporation (a human capital development company) serving clients nationally and internationally-Fortune 500 Companies, small businesses, federal agencies, professional organizations, community colleges and K-12 leadership. Additionally, entrepreneur Taulbert is the President and CEO of Roots Java Coffee-an African-American owned national coffee brand, importing coffee from Africa. To pass his life lessons along, Taulbert shares his entrepreneurial journey with others as a Thrive15.com mentor.

Music: https://www.bensound.com/

Leadership experts share strategies to help leaders build trust within their teams and create a public reputation as a high functioning leader.

Today's Guest:

Lisen Stromberg is CEO of PrismWork, a workplace culture and leadership consultancy. She and her team work with clients to help them build next-in-class, 21st century cultures with the future-forward leaders their companies need to succeed. Lisen is also a best-selling author, award-winning independent journalist, and in demand speaker who has been on stage at numerous high-profile conferences including SXSW, TEDx, and more. She earned her BA at Dartmouth College, has an MBA from UC Berkeley's School of Business, and an MFA from Mills College. You can learn more about her at www.lisenstromberg.com

Corey Jones brings over 20 years of leadership in the creative and digital media industry to this conversation. As a leader, he’s built diverse teams that flourished by focusing on cultures of empowerment and belonging. His journey through corporate America allowed him to work with decision-makers at major household brands to craft relevant storytelling messages featured in various media. His insights give leaders the tools to connect cultural relevance to the decisions their brands make today with a vision of impact on tomorrow. Corey and his team help brands and leaders understand where they sit in the realm of 21st Century Leadership and how to create environments of belonging that allow everyone to participate and thrive.

Music: https://www.bensound.com/

Today's guest shares strategies leaders can use to manage their stress so that they do not "blow up" like Will Smith did at the Oscars. Leaders are people too and must learn how to manage the many stressors that life will throw at them.

Today's Guest:

Brenda Wilson is Vice President, Director of Federal Employee and Contractor Programs at FEDS Protection, a division of CRC Group.  Brenda began her insurance career over 25 years ago in her sweet home of Chicago providing brokerage and risk management services for an MGA specializing in high risk operations.  She developed into a niche industry expert in the Excess and Surplus lines industry during her tenure as a commercial wholesale broker with CRC Insurance Services, Inc. Over the last decade with FEDS Protection, Brenda has overseen all strategy, marketing and development aspects of the Federal Employee Professional Liability Insurance program and developed the Federal Contractor, HR218 LEOSA for Active and Retired Feds, Military Police Officer, Federal Task Force Officer, and State and Local Veterinarian programs in addition to starting up a new division to provide Defense Base Act Coverage for federal contractors. Her attention, intensity and passion to protect and educate federal employees about their professional exposures, and to ensure superior coverage, risk management, and customer service propelled FEDS Protection’s reputation of doing right by federal employees.

True to her Midwestern roots, Brenda’s outgoing nature is a natural fit for her Federal agency and association partnerships with the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), Women in Federal Law Enforcement (WIFLE), the Senior Executives Association (SEA), the Professional Managers Association (PMA), the Federal Managers Association (FMA), the FAA Managers Association (FAAMA), the National Council of Social Security Managers Association (NCSSMA), and other leading federal government associations including the ATF Association (ATFA), Association of Technical and Supervisory Professionals (ATSP), Diplomatic Security Special Agents Association (DSSAA), Executive Women in Government (EWG), FBI Intelligence Analysts Association (FBI IAA), Federal Court Clerks Association (FCCA), Federal Criminal Investigators Association (FCIA), Federally Employed Women (FEW), Federal Flight Deck Officers Association (FFDOA), Federal Physicians Association (FPA), Federal Wildland Fire Service Association (FWFSA), Interior Department Recreation Association (IDRA), National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys (NAAUSA), National Association of Black Narcotics Agents (NABNA), National Association of Credit Specialists (NACS-FSA & RD), National Association of Federal Veterinarians (NAFV), National Wildlife Refuge Officer Association (NWROA), and the Personal Services Contractors (PSC) Association.

Brenda is a regular contributor of FEDS articles for the Spotlight column in FEDagent, the Manager Matters column in FEDmanager, and exposure specific articles in federal association magazines and newsletters.

Music: https://www.bensound.com/