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Your leadership bench just doubled in size, so why does alignment feel harder to hold onto, not easier?

Dianna Fioravanti is President of Kuehne+Nagel Canada, the first woman to hold the role, and author of Flip the Switch. Leading a matrix organization with 15 VPs across business units, she has seen firsthand how alignment breaks down as a leadership bench grows: priorities compete, messages get reinterpreted as they cascade through layers, and decisions slow because leaders wait for certainty or permission before acting instead of owning the call.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What actually causes alignment to erode as your organization scales

• Why explaining the "why" before you need execution is what keeps decisions from getting lost in translation

• How to run pre-mortems that surface risk before it costs you real downtime (including how her team managed an unplanned strike)

• How psychological safety changes whether your leaders hesitate or move without you

• Why staying close to the front line keeps your decisions grounded in what's actually happening at each location.

This is for you if your leadership bench has grown but alignment hasn't kept pace, if priorities get reinterpreted differently by the time they reach your locations, or if you've built a strong team on paper but execution still feels slower than it should.

Listen now, and take the free Scorecard Diagnostic to find your specific leadership bottleneck: https://gpsleadership.org/scorecard/.

Share this episode with another CEO whose leadership bench is outgrowing their alignment.

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If your leadership bench can execute but can't decide, you don't have leaders yet, you have very reliable followers.

This episode features Brice Ravussin, Vice President of Customer Care and Aftermarket at Demers Ambulances. Brice has led multi-site, multi-country customer support teams built out of company acquisitions, turning former competitors into one aligned organization focused on a single end game: an exceptional customer experience.

Brice and host Alex D. Tremble unpack what it actually takes to build a bench that owns decisions instead of routing them back up, even when that bench is spread across locations, cultures, or teams stitched together through growth.

You'll learn:

• How to give your leaders the clarity they need to decide without checking in first A simple three-step process for resolving customer conflicts without defensiveness or blame

• Why chasing full managerial coverage across your team is the wrong goal, and who to develop instead

• How to keep multiple locations or newly merged teams aligned to one end game, even when daily priorities differ

• Why treating customers "fairly, but not equally" protects both your top relationships and your team's time This is for you if you're still the one troubleshooting the toughest customer calls, if your regional or branch leaders wait for your sign-off before acting, or if growth has outpaced the clarity your bench needs to lead without you.

Listen now, and take the free Scorecard Diagnostic to find your specific leadership bottleneck: https://gpsleadership.org/scorecard/

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Most CEOs don't run out of good ideas as they grow, they run out of leaders ready to carry them. The real ceiling on your expansion isn't demand or capital, it's how many people you trust to make the call without you.

Brian Bruckner is President of Bruckner Truck and Equipment, a multi-location Mack and Volvo dealer with more than 45 locations across 10 states and over a thousand employees. He's spent his entire career in the family business, working his way up from the shop floor to leading one of the largest truck dealership groups in the country.

In this conversation, Brian breaks down what it actually took to move from a three-location shop to a 45-location operation without becoming the bottleneck on every decision. The core problem: as your company grows, you can't keep being the one person who has to sign off on everything. The fix isn't motivation, it's a deliberate system for building leaders before you need them.

You'll learn:

• How to spot "informal leaders" on your team before they hold a formal title
• A practical framework for developing an intern and emerging-leader pipeline, even at a smaller company
• Why letting go of decisions gets harder as you grow, and how to do it anyway
• How a culture of trust and integrity makes real delegation possible
• What changes on your calendar once your leaders start owning decisions instead of escalating them

This is for you if you're still the one every regional manager calls first, if you're not sure your team could run a location the way you would, or if you know your growth is capped by how much you personally can oversee.

Listen now, and take the free Scorecard Diagnostic to find your specific leadership bottleneck: https://gpsleadership.org/scorecard/

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If you're not hearing the truth from your leadership bench until something's already broken, this episode is for you.

Alex D. Tremble sits down with Mark Phillips, Vice President of Operations at Sharkey Transportation, Inc., a multi-entity trucking company running multiple shops, drop lots, and equipment lines. Mark walks through how he rebuilt trust with a newly assembled leadership team fast enough to get 90-day buy-in on a vision he originally expected to take six months, and why lasting trust starts with the CEO's own posture, not a new policy.

In this conversation, you'll learn:

• Why coaching people "with" them instead of "at" them gets you the truth sooner, not just agreement

• How treating team members as individuals with their own story, not interchangeable labor, builds ownership across locations

• Why redefining "toughness" from silence to honesty stops small problems from turning into resignations

• How leading with visible vulnerability, not authority, earns faster buy-in from a leadership bench you didn't hire yourself

• What changes across your locations once people stop filtering bad news on the way up to you

This is for you if your team looks solid on paper but you suspect problems get smoothed over before they reach your desk, or if you've inherited a leadership team and need real buy-in faster than the usual six-month runway.

Listen now, and take the free Scorecard Diagnostic to find your specific leadership bottleneck: https://gpsleadership.org/scorecard/

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Two years and a significant investment into a technology decision, Simon Kaye recognized it was the wrong call and walked away, even as his own vendor questioned how he could abandon that much sunk cost.

That willingness to admit a mistake and act on it is central to how Jaguar Freight has operated for over 33 years without every decision escalating back to Simon's desk.

Simon Kaye is the founder and CEO of Jaguar Freight, a global logistics company he built from a single office in 1993 into a fully distributed operation trusted by leading global brands, powered by his proprietary Cybertrax platform.

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, Simon discusses:

• Building a culture where employees are expected to challenge leadership decisions
• Why admitting a mistake early is a leadership strength, not a weakness
• How cutting a failing initiative early protects margin more effectively than defending it
• The hidden risk created by client concentration
• Where AI fits as a complement to people, not a replacement for judgment

This conversation is for CEOs and executives who are still the final approval on every major decision, or whose leadership teams tend to tell them what they want to hear rather than what they need to know.

Listen to the full episode and take the free Scorecard Diagnostic to identify your organization's leadership bottleneck:

https://gpsleadership.org/scorecard/

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You can't be in every branch, every day. So when something goes unresolved, your people fill that silence themselves, and it isn't always with the truth.

Matt Schroeder is President of Truck Equipment, Inc., a heavy-duty parts, repair, and equipment upfitting company with five locations across Wisconsin and Michigan, recently named 2025 Distributor of the Year at Heavy Truck Aftermarket Week.

In this episode, Matt gets candid about a challenge nearly every multi-location CEO faces: getting leaders across branches to actually own communication and development, instead of treating it as a distraction from "real work."

Matt and host Alex D. Tremble dig into what happens when a CEO can't be everywhere: how silence between locations gets filled with assumptions, how unresolved issues turn into stories nobody asked for, and why getting ahead of a conversation matters more than getting it perfect.

You'll learn:

• How to frame leadership development so resistant managers buy in instead of push back

• Why "assess before you fix" prevents CEOs from solving the wrong problem

• How silence between locations quietly becomes someone else's version of the truth

• A simple mental model for separating your expectations from actual facts

• How to build cross-branch collaboration so problems get solved locally, not escalated

This is for you if you're still the one making time to visit branches just to keep the real story straight, or if you suspect your leadership bench is filling in gaps you haven't addressed yet.

Listen now, and take the free Scorecard Diagnostic to find your specific leadership bottleneck: https://gpsleadership.org/scorecard/

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If you're running a multi-location, operations-heavy business in the eight-figure range and you still can't name three people who could step into a critical leadership role tomorrow, this episode is for you.

Alex D. Tremble sits down with Jamila Cowan, NA Public Sector Programs & Partnerships Strategy Lead at Dell Technologies, where she has spent nearly two decades in senior leadership roles spanning global service delivery, sustainability, ESG partnerships, and cross-sector strategy. Jamila has represented Dell at the United Nations, the World Bank, and the White House Leadership Development Program, leading high-stakes, multi-stakeholder initiatives across government, education, and industry.

In this conversation, Jamila and Alex dig into one of the most overlooked proactivity problems in growing companies: the failure to intentionally develop the next tier of leadership before the seat is empty.

You'll learn:

• Why reactive talent development leaves CEOs as the permanent decision bottleneck across locations

• How exposure, not just training, builds leaders who can represent you in the rooms you can't be in

• What happens to execution speed and trust when leaders are never brought into critical decisions before they need to make them

• Why the loudest person in the room is rarely the best choice for your next key role and what to look for instead

• How failing to communicate through change causes your team to fill in the gaps with their own conclusions, and why that kills execution

This episode is for you if: you've delayed succession planning because it never feels urgent until someone walks out the door, and you realize nobody is ready to step up.

Listen now, and take the free Scorecard Diagnostic to find your specific leadership bottleneck:

👉 https://gpsleadership.org/scorecard/

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If your team is talented on paper but problems still roll up to you before they get handled, this episode is for you.

Andrea Piering is the co-owner and president of Sun State Builders, one of Arizona's longest-running design-build general contractors. She started as a college intern, spent 25+ years working nearly every role in the company, and took the helm as president in 2024. She knows what it actually takes to build a team that executes without the CEO embedded in every decision.

In this conversation, Andrea and host Alex dig into the leadership behaviors that determine whether your team owns problems proactively or waits for you to find them. You'll learn:

• Why relationship investment with your leadership bench isn't soft, it's the foundation that makes honest feedback and hard conversations possible

• How Andrea's field teams catch and fix quality issues before she ever sees them, and the cultural standard that makes that repeatable

• What it actually looks like to model accountability as a president, including covering a midnight concrete pour when the team needed it

• How to start stepping out of day-to-day operations without losing touch with the business fundamentals that matter

• Why proactivity is a leadership standard you set, not a personality trait you hire for

If you're still the person who finds the problems first, still the one who has to push for ownership, or still watching decisions stall until they hit your desk, this episode gives you a clear picture of what a proactive, execution-focused culture actually looks like from the inside.

Listen now, and take the free Scorecard Diagnostic to find your specific leadership bottleneck: https://gpsleadership.org/scorecard/

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If your leadership team is always busy but never quite focused on the right things and you're still the one who has to sort out which initiatives actually matter, this episode is for you.

Teresa Duran, Chief Information Officer at Tree Top Inc., is an award-winning technology executive with over two decades of experience leading large-scale transformations across multiple industries, including biotech, pharma, and nonprofit. She was recognized with the 2023 SeattleCIO ORBIE Award for leading the largest transformation in Make-A-Wish America's 43-year history.

In this conversation, Teresa unpacks why organizations, even well-resourced ones, keep chasing the wrong priorities, and how the CEOs and CIOs who actually move fast build simple, repeatable filters so their leaders can make better calls without waiting for direction from the top.

You'll learn:

• Why "too many initiatives" is a leadership structure problem, not a workload problem and the top-five filter that cuts the noise fast

• How to tell the difference between what's important and what actually has impact at the company level

• What effective decision-making looked like when Teresa's team delivered a three-year technology roadmap in one year, during COVID

• Why bringing your technology leader into M&A and divestiture planning early reduces risk and increases your company's attractiveness to buyers

• How to prepare your leadership bench to stay ahead of AI disruption without chasing every tool that hits the market

If your regional managers or functional leaders are still running to you every time something feels uncertain, or your company is spending money on tools and projects that aren't moving the needle, this episode gives you a practical framework to change that.

Listen now. Then share this with another CEO or operator who's tired of sorting through the noise so their team doesn't have to.

📊 Take the free Executive Leadership Diagnostic and find out exactly where your leadership bottlenecks are hiding:

https://gpsleadership.org/diagnostic/

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If you're running a multi-location, operations-heavy company and you're still the person every major decision runs through, this episode is a direct conversation about why that's happening and what it actually takes to change it.

Anthony Apa, President of Mark-It Express LLC and a third-generation operator in transportation and logistics, built a portfolio spanning asset-based trucking, freight brokerage, warehousing, and supply chain services. He's done the hard thing: scaled past the point where the business runs on his daily presence alone. In this episode, he breaks down exactly how and how long it took.

You'll learn:

• Why most CEOs at this level hit a trust ceiling around the 80% mark, and why waiting for 100% certainty is what keeps you stuck

• How Tony vets outside advisors and coaches (the non-negotiable credential that disqualifies most of them immediately)

• Why venting down the org chart quietly destroys your team's confidence, and what to do instead

• How tolerating the wrong high performer costs you your best people and your culture

• What finally signaled to Tony, in a single moment after a dinner with his wife, that he had built the right leadership bench

If every high-stakes decision still lands on your desk first, if you haven't taken real time away without your phone running hot, or if you're not fully confident your regional and senior leaders will own the right calls without you, this episode gives you a framework, not a pep talk.

Listen now, and take the free Scorecard Diagnostic to find your specific leadership bottleneck:

👉 https://gpsleadership.org/scorecard/

Share this episode with another operator who needs to hear it.

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What happens when the CEO becomes the operational bottleneck, even with a strong team in place?

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, Scott Lovell shares how he transitioned from HR manager to President/CEO of SmithCo Side Dump Trailers and learned one of the hardest lessons for growing operations-heavy companies: if every major decision still depends on the CEO, growth eventually slows down.

With more than 25 years helping scale SmithCo, Scott breaks down how he moved from working in the business to building a leadership team capable of owning decisions, driving execution, and leading without constant oversight.

In this conversation, CEOs and operators will learn:

• How to reduce “everything comes back to me” leadership patterns

• Why high-performing leaders need space to lead instead of constant approval

• How trust and visibility impact ownership across the organization

• The operational risks of micromanaging multi-location teams

• How servant leadership increases accountability, buy-in, and execution speed

Scott also shares practical lessons on introducing automation without destroying trust, building leadership infrastructure before scaling, and creating succession readiness inside operations-heavy organizations.

This episode is for you if:

• Your managers still escalate too many problems to you

• Your company has strong people but inconsistent ownership

• You struggle to find time to work on the business instead of constantly firefighting inside it

• You want faster execution without personally carrying every major decision

Listen now and share this episode with another CEO or operator working to build a stronger, more proactive leadership team.

Take the CEO Scorecard here:

gpsleadership.org/scorecard

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In this episode of The Executive Appeal, Siri and Alex D. Tremble unpack what leadership really looks like when teams are moving fast, change is constant, and the pressure to adapt never stops.

Sirisha “Siri” Swahari is Vice President and PMSO Sector Leader for US Global Technology Operations at CGI, where she leads global infrastructure operations, oversees multi-million-dollar portfolios, and helps drive responsible AI innovation at scale.

They explore why leaders struggle with letting go, how proactive leadership creates ownership, and why resistance to change remains one of the biggest barriers to growth, even in high-performing organizations.

You’ll learn:

• How to shift teams from reactive execution to proactive ownership

• Why adaptability is becoming one of the most important leadership skills

• How leaders can make difficult “right vs. right” decisions with clarity

• What causes burnout in high-performing leaders and how to prevent it

• How AI is forcing organizations to rethink processes, governance, and leadership

This episode is for you if:

• You feel stuck solving the same problems repeatedly

• Your team works hard, but ownership still falls back on you

• You’re leading through rapid change and uncertainty

• You want to build a healthier, more sustainable leadership approach

Listen now and learn how stronger leadership habits create stronger teams, better decisions, and more resilient organizations.

Take the scorecard here:

gpsleadership.org/scorecard

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Michael Wright, Vice President of Strategic Growth at JANUS Research Group, has spent 25+ years helping organizations evolve from activity-driven execution to outcome-based performance in high-stakes environments.

In this episode, he and Alex D. Tremble break down a challenge most leaders of a multi-location, operations-heavy business doing roughly eight figures in revenue face: your team is busy—but you’re still the one driving results.

They explore how leaders get stuck in constant firefighting, why ownership breaks down, and how emerging tools like AI are forcing leaders to rethink how work—and leadership—actually happens.

You’ll learn:

• How to shift your team from activity to outcome-driven execution
• What it really takes to build ownership across your leadership bench
• Why leaders struggle to “let go” and how to fix it without losing control
• How to balance daily operations with long-term strategic thinking
• Where AI helps—and where it quietly increases leadership risk

This is for you if:

• You’re still the default problem-solver for your team
• Your leaders stay busy, but progress feels slow
• You struggle to step out of the day-to-day without things slipping

Listen now and start building a team that owns results—not just tasks.

If this hits home, share it with another operator who’s feeling the same pressure.

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If you’re a CEO of a multi-location, operations-heavy business doing roughly eight figures in revenue, you’ve likely felt this: you have solid managers but they still hesitate, filter information, or wait for you before making a move.

In this episode of Executive Appeal podcast, Alex sits down with Janis Middleton, Chief Inclusion Officer at 22Squared and founder of First, Not Only Network. With years of experience influencing senior leaders and building trust inside complex organizations, Janis breaks down why teams hold back and what leaders do that either builds or quietly erodes trust.

This isn’t theory. It’s what actually happens inside teams when people don’t feel safe to speak up or act.

You’ll learn:

• How to communicate in a way that keeps people engaged instead of defensive
• Why your managers hesitate to act and how to unlock real ownership
• How to create an environment where truth shows up early, not late
• What to do so decisions stop bouncing back to your desk

This episode is for you if:

• You’re still the one everyone waits on before acting
• Problems show up late instead of early
• You feel like you’re carrying too much of the decision load

If you want your team to move faster, take initiative, and stop relying on you for every call—this episode will show you where to start.

Take the free Executive Leadership Diagnostic here:

https://gpsleadership.org/diagnostic/

Listen now and share this with another operator who’s tired of being the bottleneck.

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If you’re a CEO of a multi-location, operations-heavy business doing roughly eight figures in revenue, you already know this: growth doesn’t break your business, misalignment and low trust do.

In this episode, Alex sits down with Ryan Changcoco, Principal at CCG and The Marketing Ronin, GP at Anchorage Pointe Ventures, and CEO of a fast-growing pediatric behavioral health organization expanding across multiple states.

Ryan shares what it actually looks like to lead through pressure, government shutdowns, layoffs, rapid expansion, and high-stakes decisions that impact both people and performance.

This is a conversation about trust under pressure and how CEOs either build it or break it when it matters most.

You’ll learn:

• How to use transparency to build trust even when delivering hard news

• A practical decision framework to handle “right vs. right” leadership calls

• How to get buy-in from your leadership team during uncertainty

• Why most teams hesitate and how to create real ownership instead

• How to move from emotional noise to clear, fast execution

This episode is for you if:

• You’re still the one carrying every hard decision

• Your team is capable but hesitates or waits for your call

• Growth is exposing cracks in alignment, trust, or execution

This isn’t theory. It’s what real CEOs do when the stakes are high and the business can’t slow down.

Listen now and learn how to build the kind of trust that drives execution not dependency.

Take the free Executive Leadership Diagnostic here:

https://gpsleadership.org/diagnostic/

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If you’re leading a $10M–$25M, multi-location, operations-heavy business, you’ve likely felt it: revenue slows down unless you step in and push.

In this episode, Alex D. Tremble sits down with Lara Shackelford, CEO of Hawksmoor.ai, where she architects AI-driven go-to-market systems for enterprise and mid-market companies. With deep experience across Oracle, Microsoft, and high-growth environments, Lara breaks down why most teams fail to act on the signals right in front of them and how that creates hidden bottlenecks at the top.

This conversation focuses on a core issue many operators face: a lack of proactive ownership across teams, leading to slow execution, misalignment, and too many decisions rolling back to the CEO.

You’ll learn:

• How to get your leaders to own revenue, not just their function
• Why sales, marketing, and operations must act as one coordinated system
• How to use real-time signals to trigger action without waiting for direction
• What it takes to build teams that move faster without constant oversight
• How better alignment reduces decision fatigue and execution delays

This episode is for you if:

• You’re still the one pushing revenue forward every week
• Your teams are smart, but not acting fast enough without you
• Execution across locations or departments feels uneven

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

Listen now to learn how to build a business that moves without everything running through you.

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If you’re leading a $10M–$25M, multi-location, operations-heavy business, you’ve likely seen it: your team aligns in the meeting… then decisions get questioned, reshaped, or quietly undermined afterward.

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

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If you’re leading a $10M–$25M, multi-location, operations-heavy organization, you likely have a strong team but still feel like too many decisions come back to you.

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

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If you’re leading a $10M–$25M, multi-location, operations-heavy business, you likely have a strong team but still feel like too many decisions come back to you.

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

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Strong communication isn’t about saying things clearly. It’s about being understood the way you intend.

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.

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Scaling a company is rarely about doing more work yourself. It’s about building the right people, partnerships, and systems that allow the business to grow without everything depending on you.

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.

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You can be clear. Logical. Strategic. Ethical.

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.

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Hard work doesn’t always lead to results. And for many executive leaders, that’s the real frustration.

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.

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Senior executives face unprecedented challenges: AI-driven processes, multi-generational teams, and constant change can make leadership feel overwhelming.

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.

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Senior executives don’t struggle because they lack intelligence. They struggle because growth still depends too heavily on them.

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.

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Senior leaders often focus on strategy, execution, and results, but the real differentiator at the executive level is self awareness and trust.

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.

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Senior executives often say they want their teams to “step up” but real ownership only happens when trust is intentionally built.

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..

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Senior executives rarely struggle because their teams lack talent. They struggle because trust erodes, hard conversations get delayed, and misalignment quietly turns into politics, leaving the CEO to manage conflict instead of strategy.

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.

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Many executive teams look aligned on paper, but behind the scenes, decisions still roll up to the CEO. Leaders hesitate to act, initiatives slow down, and the organization becomes dependent on one person to keep things moving.

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.

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Jessica Short joins Alex Tremble in this high-energy, real-world conversation about what it truly takes to lead with heart—while still driving business results.

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.

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Leading a global team and scaling a business while staying true to your passion isn’t easy, but it’s possible.

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.

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When trust is thin and every decision still rolls up to you, the week between Christmas and New Year can feel disorienting.

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.

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In this episode of The Executive Appeal, we welcome Mohamed Massaquoi, Founder of VESSOL, who brings deep expertise in leadership, mindset, and organizational performance.

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.

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This special Christmas episode of The Executive Appeal with Alex Tremble features Alex in conversation with Herman Bulls, Vice Chairman, Americas at JLL and founder of the Public Institutions Division, alongside his sons, Herman E. Bulls Jr., Senior Account Executive, and Jonathan Bulls, Account Executive at Microsoft. In the spirit of the season, they share lessons on giving the gift of autonomy to your executive team and helping leaders act independently while staying aligned on strategic priorities.

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!

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If you’re a senior executive preparing for or recovering from layoffs, you already know the truth. It is not the cuts that damage organizations. It is how they are handled. When trust fractures, proactivity collapses, execution slows, and your best people quietly start looking elsewhere.

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.

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Have you ever noticed how powerful leadership becomes when you truly own your story, your growth, and your voice?

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

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Have you ever realized how often you feel grateful for someone but never actually tell them?

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

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Have you ever noticed how much stronger teams become when people feel encouraged, valued, and supported?

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

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Let’s be honest, no one wants hard times. But almost every beautiful thing in life is born out of challenge.

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

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Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to lead and be led when people feel safe enough to be their authentic selves?

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

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Have you ever noticed how one conversation can completely change your direction in life or leadership?

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

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Ever found yourself replaying a hurtful moment over and over? A boss who overlooked you, a friend who drifted away, a parent who didn’t show up the way you needed?

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

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We’ve all been told to start doing new things — new habits, new priorities, new strategies.

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

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We’ve all had those moments as leaders where we think, “It shouldn’t be this way.”

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

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𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲?

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

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When the pressure’s on, it’s easy to second-guess yourself.

“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

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What makes a leader truly effective?

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

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Drowning in meetings, emails, and endless priorities?

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

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Are You Leading Through Change or Letting Change Lead You?

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

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Are You Letting Your Setbacks Define You or Shape You?



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

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When You’re Caught in the Crossfire, How Do You Lead Through It?

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

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Are You Building Influence or Just Filling the Role?

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

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Are You Feeling Behind—Even When You’re in the Right Room?

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

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Are You Living With Purpose—or Just Chasing Milestones?

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

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What if you could do 10x more without adding a single person to your team?

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

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Are You Really Empowering Your Leaders—or Just Checking the Training Box?

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

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You don’t need a title to lead. You need passion and follow-through.

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

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What if the job you disliked the most taught you what you were actually built for?

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

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Want Real Change? Change Your Behavior First.

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

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Is Your Struggle a Sign You're About to Level Up?



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

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Struggling with the emotional weight of layoffs or tough team decisions?

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

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Are You Ignoring the Leadership Advantage Hiding in Plain Sight?

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

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🚨 Executives: What if your greatest pain became your greatest catalyst?

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

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🚨 Executives: Think your high-performing team is “safe”? Think again.

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

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🚨 Executives: Want to drive bigger results—even if you're not in marketing?

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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🎙️ New Podcast Episode: Navigating Change, Power, and Self-Interest in Executive Leadership with Janet M. Stovall, former Global Head of DEI at NeuroLeadership Institute.

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.

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💼 The leadership skill no one talks about—but everyone needs.

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

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Are You Making This Executive Mistake?

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. 🚀

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Are You Wasting Time on Change Initiatives That Go Nowhere? (Stop NOW.) 🚨

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

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Are you working harder than everyone else but still feeling stuck? 🤔 What if the key to your biggest breakthrough isn’t more skills—but stronger relationships? 🤝✨

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

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🚨 Are your moral compass and your business decisions in a constant tug-of-war? 🚨

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

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Laid off? Here’s what to do next.

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

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How do you build a truly inclusive organization that drives real results? What does it mean to move beyond surface-level concepts and create a culture of belonging? And how can you tie inclusive practices to tangible business outcomes?

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

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Ever dismissed a valuable insight simply because of who it came from? It's a common leadership pitfall.

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

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & #KeynoteSpeaker) and Kevin M. Sligh Sr, MBA (Founder and CEO of Promethean Global Consulting Group) as they share expert insights on navigating high-stakes interviews, building leadership presence, and positioning yourself for top-tier opportunities. Whether you're aiming for the C-suite or a senior government role, these proven strategies will help you stand out.

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.

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Are You Undervalued at Work? Here’s How to Take Back Control.

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

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Do You Struggle to Build Trust with Your Team?

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!

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & #KeynoteSpeaker) and Chris Hughes, President & CEO of The Way Forward, delves into the essence of purpose-driven leadership. He explores the importance of aligning purpose with impact, coaching and developing teams toward shared goals, and preparing for future opportunities and challenges. Learn how to maximize your leadership potential, foster team growth, and create meaningful change in this insightful conversation.

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & #KeynoteSpeaker) and Tony L. Butler-Sims (Chief Operating Officer at the Center for International Private Enterprise) as they explore strategies for fostering proactivity in teams and the value of learning from diverse perspectives. Gain actionable insights on leadership and team dynamics from an accomplished executive and thought leader.

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & #KeynoteSpeaker) and Timothy Horn, Director, Integrated Talent Management as they discuss expertise on balancing information and intentionality in leadership and decision-making. Tune in to learn how to navigate complexity with purpose and clarity from a seasoned talent management professional.

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & #KeynoteSpeaker) and Scott Sell, Chief Talent Acquisition Officer at Mercy as they discuss how focusing on your passion can lead to greater fulfillment in your work. Gain valuable insights on aligning your career with your purpose from an expert in talent acquisition and leadership.

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & KeynoteSpeaker) and Kimberly Covington (Human Resources Director at Pathways to Housing DC) as they discuss navigating today’s fast-paced “microwave” world, finding balance in leadership, and embracing personal progress. Learn how to boost productivity with flexible strategies, patience, and a big-picture perspective on growth and success.

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

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & KeynoteSpeaker) and Sarah Ghessie (Senior HR Director at Fundrise) as they discuss how to create strong workplace cultures, build HR departments from scratch, and use data to predict trends. Dive into her journey of understanding diverse perspectives and the human side behind every data point in today’s evolving society.

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & KeynoteSpeaker) and Juan Ramirez (Regional Growth Director at Oak Street Health) as they discuss insights on defining your purpose, doing what's right, and taking actionable notes to drive change. Discover his approach to leading teams, understanding people, and creating a positive impact in HR.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & KeynoteSpeaker) and Jason Risoli (Founder of Grassroots Talent Solutions and Global Head/VP of Human Resources P&O) as they discuss powerful lessons on the realities of executive growth, balancing sacrifice with success, mastering self-discipline, and minimizing distractions. Learn how every decision shapes your journey in this inspiring episode for ambitious professionals.

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & KeynoteSpeaker) and Peter Bonner (President and Founder of Bonner Enterprises) as they discuss essential strategies for building strong work relationships in virtual spaces, integrating new team members, and fostering a collaborative culture. Learn how to enhance communication skills and bring teams together remotely!

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

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & KeynoteSpeaker) and Donna Miller (Chief Growth Officer - Xyant Services and Co-Founder/CEO and Webcast Host - Purse Power) as they discuss powerful insights on advancing into executive roles. Learn how to empower others, communicate your unique skill set, and build a strong network by connecting people and positioning yourself as a leader.

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & KeynoteSpeaker) and Jane Hanson (Former Host NBC'S New York Live, and CEO/Founder of HHH Productions) as they discuss the common topic of difficult conversations. Learn from Jane as she reveals her top strategies for handling tough talks with authenticity, empathy, and confidence. Discover how to face critical questions and navigate complex discussions like a pro!

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & KeynoteSpeaker) and Q Hamirani (Chief People Officer at HighLevel and Founder of PeopleGPT) as they discuss insights on building transparency, trust, and dealing with stakeholders. Learn how CPOs work tirelessly for employee well-being and how helping others can empower personal growth in this inspiring episode!

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & KeynoteSpeaker) Chikara Kennedy (Founder and CEO of Chikara Power Coaching and Consulting and Coach at The Human Reach) as she reveals key strategies for mastering communication, enhancing self-awareness, and embracing change. Learn how to become more open and receptive in this insightful episode packed with expert tips for personal and professional growth!

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & KeynoteSpeaker) and Jamail Carter (Vice President of Academic Affairs at the San Jose City College, President & CEO at Kayannus Consulting Group, Inc., and Senior Pastor and Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Greater Blessings Ecclesiastical Fellowship International) as they discuss insights on the "Triangle of Balance." Learn how to avoid burnout, recalibrate when needed, and maintain harmony in your personal, professional, and spiritual life. Don't miss this episode packed with expert advice for thriving!

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & hashtag#KeynoteSpeaker) and Randy Conley (VP & Trust Practice Leader at The Ken Blanchard Companies) as they delve into the secrets of effective people leadership. Discover how to build trust, grow personally, and stay in tune with life’s evolving terms in this insightful episode. Don’t miss these expert tips to elevate your leadership game!

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & KeynoteSpeaker) and Doretha Polite (Director of People at the Texas Civil Rights Project) as they explore the delicate balance between humility and confidence in leadership. Discover Doretha's insights on commanding a room with grace, interacting with authenticity, and fostering supportive teams by leveraging individual values and strengths. Tune in for actionable advice on building effective, empathetic teams.

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & KeynoteSpeaker) and Jessica Rivera (Business and Mindset Coach, Founder of Impact Leadership and JR Consulting) as they reveal transformative strategies for being culturally conscious and fostering diversity. Discover how to intentionally develop inclusive relationships that drive personal and professional growth. Don’t miss these game-changing insights on creating a more inclusive and impactful environment!

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & KeynoteSpeaker) and Danielle Deprey (Senior Director of Human Resources at Mattress firm) as they discuss how to navigate life's changing seasons and prioritize your needs effectively. Learn how to seize life-changing opportunities and build meaningful connections that can redefine your future. Tune in to uncover practical advice and transformative strategies that could revolutionize your approach to life and work.

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.

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Dive into our latest podcast episode with Ebony Young, Deputy Borough President of Queens, as she unveils the powerful strategies for building social capital and mastering decision-making as a leader. Discover how to forge valuable connections and make impactful choices that drive success and community transformation. Don’t miss this exclusive interview packed with actionable insights and leadership wisdom!

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & KeynoteSpeaker) and Kenneth A. Goodwin (Managing Partner of Jeanensis Ventures and Chief Investment Officer for the 144 Trail Blazer Digital Impact Fund) as they discuss how to silence the chaos around you and uncover your authentic self. Learn expert tips and transformative insights from one of the leading minds in investment and personal growth. Tune in now for a journey towards inner peace and self-realization.

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & KeynoteSpeaker) and Wendy R. Bradford (Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Culture at Counterpart International) as they discuss how #executive #HR leaders can effectively protect their CEOs, employees, and the company as a whole. Discover strategies for fostering a safe and thriving organizational environment through strong HR leadership.

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & #KeynoteSpeaker) and Mark Turpin (President of Duperon Corporation) as they share the importance of leaders placing themselves in situations bigger than themselves to foster growth. Learn how embracing challenges can drive personal and professional development, leading to more effective and visionary leadership.

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & #KeynoteSpeaker) and Join James Rhee (National best-selling author and former Executive Chairman and CEO of Ashley Stewart, Inc.) as they share powerful insights on when and how executive leaders should fight fiercely for their staff. Discover the key strategies to advocate for your team and foster a supportive, resilient workplace culture.

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & #KeynoteSpeaker) and Claire Milligan (CEO of Aimably) as they share expert strategies on effectively blending organizational cultures during mergers and acquisitions. Learn how executives can navigate cultural integration to ensure a smooth transition and foster a unified, thriving workplace.

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & #KeynoteSpeaker) and Kim Loans (Global Diversity and Inclusion Program Lead at DCC Technology / Exertis Group) as they discuss how leaders who need time to process information can still excel at the senior executive level. Discover strategies for leveraging thoughtful decision-making to drive success and foster inclusive leadership.

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & #KeynoteSpeaker) and Darrell Williams as they explore why leaders must be warriors for their beliefs. Discover the importance of championing convictions and fighting for change to drive organizational growth and success.

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & #KeynoteSpeaker) and Collin Gehl (HR Director at Say Yes Buffalo) as they explore the significance of intentional leadership. Discover why taking the time to reflect on personal goals is crucial for leaders to align their behaviors with their aspirations, fostering growth and effectiveness within their organizations.

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).

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & #KeynoteSpeaker) and Trish Vassar (VP of Global Learning and Development at Coca-Cola), as they explore the secrets to building exceptional organizational cultures. Discover actionable strategies for executive leaders to cultivate environments that foster innovation, engagement, and success.

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & #KeynoteSpeaker) and Simone Ross (CEO of the Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce), as they explore the evolving landscape of leadership and success. Simone Ross delves into the intersection of consciousness and millennial-driven workplace ideals. Gain valuable perspectives on how executives can adapt to meet the changing expectations of today's workforce while fostering personal and professional growth.

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & #KeynoteSpeaker) and Jourdan Hathaway (Chief Marketing Officer at General Assembly), an experienced executive leader, as they share essential insights on the importance of courage in leadership. Discover how taking calculated risks can lead to significant victories for your family, team, and organization, and learn how to navigate setbacks with resilience and growth mindset.

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).

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & Keynote Speaker) and Charmayne Beverly (Vice President Talent at Old Republic International) as they share invaluable insights on pushing ambitious employees beyond their comfort zones. Discover actionable strategies to unlock potential and foster growth within your team.

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.

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On this episode of The Executive Appeal Alex D. Tremble (Founder and CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & Keynote Speaker) and Tony Franklin (VP, Sales and Client Partnerships at DIRECTV) as they share invaluable insights on overcoming fear to achieve success in leadership roles. Discover practical strategies for managing and leveraging fear to drive towards your organizational goals effectively. Don't miss out on this empowering discussion!

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

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal join Alex Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & Keynote speaker) and Nicole Killette (Human Resources Director at MedStar Health) as they reveal powerful insights on eliminating distractions to discover authentic happiness. Learn actionable strategies to gain clarity, understand personal desires, and achieve fulfillment in both professional and personal spheres. Tune in to this enlightening episode and embark on a journey toward genuine happiness and self-awareness.

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal join Alex D. Tremble (CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions & Keynote speaker) and Elizabeth Massing (Chief Human Resources Officer of 14 West and the Agora Companies) as they reveal the pivotal role of curiosity in executive leadership. Discover how asking the right questions can propel your organization and team to new heights, paving the way for unparalleled success at the highest levels of leadership. Tune in to gain invaluable insights and strategies for achieving your leadership goals.

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal host, Alex D. Tremble, connects with Brooks Rainwater (President and CEO of the Urban Libraries Council).

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.

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On today's episode of The Executive Appeal our host Alex Tremble speaks with Jamie Fischer (Vice President of Operations for DriveTime Automotive group).

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.

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Today's guests are Amit and Dr. Kumar, of The Chintan Project. The Chintan Project, aims to empower businesses and CEOs in discovering their larger purpose and leveraging their unique strengths to create a positive impact on the world. They believe that each company's purpose, resources, strengths, and challenges are distinct, and their goal is to help businesses overcome thinking bottlenecks and embrace alternative models for growth and learning. Amit Chintan Ramlall, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, specializes in helping leaders transform challenges into opportunities and emphasizes the significance of focusing on one's unique purpose. Dr. Kumar Ramlall, an entrepreneur and physician, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his consulting work, having served over 70,000 patients and learned valuable insights about human behavior and success.

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Beth Gullette is Chief People Officer at Well and an executive board member at the Institute for Contemporary Leadership. She has served as a trusted adviser to senior executives, boards and investors and a thought leader on issues of individual and organizational change, culture, leadership development, executive selection assessment and cultivating high performance teams.

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.

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Michael Raimondi has accumulated extensive work experience in various roles and industries. At the time of this interview Michael currently served as the Vice President of HR Operations at The Hollister Group, where they collaborate with executive leadership to define the organization's long-term mission and goals. Michael is responsible for talent management, attraction, onboarding, training, and implementing technology solutions. Additionally, Raimondi manages the HR team and ensures compliance with employment laws and regulations.

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.

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Chad Thompson currently serves as the Chief People Officer at LanzaTech and has over 28 years of HR experience spanning 3 industries. LanzaTech is leading the development of clean and pollution free manufacturing. Global outsourcing, information technology, Energy and chemical manufacturing. Chad has extensive international experience having worked in the Caribbean , Latin America, North America and Asia Pacific and responsible for operations in Africa and Europe.

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.

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Meet today's guest Adrienne Trimble Vice President and Chief Diversity & Culture Officer for Sysco Corporation.

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

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Welcome to a transformative episode designed to empower you to make 2024 your most remarkable year yet! In this episode, we embark on a journey of reflection, goal-setting, and the profound impact of building meaningful connections.

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!

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Change is an inevitable and necessary part of life. One example of embracing change and expressing individuality can be seen in Dominique Taylor, the Chief People Officer at Veho.

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

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How does thoughtful expression is paramount in thought leadership? Guest Melissa Richardson shares her insights.

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

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Meet Kelly Buchanan Spillers, a visionary marketing executive with a remarkable 17-year journey in digital marketing and advertising across diverse leadership roles in both business-to-consumer and business-to-business arenas. Her expertise lies in harnessing the power of brands, crafting personalized experiences, and orchestrating unforgettable customer journeys across all touchpoints.

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

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Guest Michael McQuerry shares extensive experience in communications and legislative roles as a lobbyist & Congressional Relations Specialist for various organizations.

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

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Guest Jared Nypen talks about his current role at Great Clips & his experiences in building human resource strategies & leading college recruiting teams.

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.

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Rosanne is a collaborative leader focused on empowering teams to innovate solutions and seize new opportunities.

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

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In this deeply insightful episode of The Executive Appeal, we delve into the heart of one of the most critical and pressing global issues: Israel's Ground Assault. Our distinguished guest, Michael Patrick (Mick) Mulroy, Co-founder of the Lobo Institute and a seasoned expert in national security, brings his wealth of experience as the Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Defense, Retired CIA Paramilitary Officer, US Marine, ABC News National Security Analyst, and Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute.

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

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In this episode of The Executive Appeal, host Alex Trimble welcomes Dr. Gary McGrath, a highly respected expert in executive leadership. They discuss the importance of developing diverse and effective executive leadership teams and how organizations can achieve their DEI and leadership development goals.

“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

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Careers paths are often never linear. Hear how guest Pete Sparber navigated his path in Leadership as compass for those spearheading there own.

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

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One of the biggest challenges faced by companies is the transition of younger, less experienced individuals into leadership positions and the navigation of organizational politics. This challenge was brought to light during a conversation with Dennis DMaggio a Chief Human Capital Officer of a Fortune 100 company.

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

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Steve is a world renown Master Life Coach. Hear key takeaways in this episode of The Executive Appeal.

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

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Are you seeking to build mutually beneficial relationships in your workplace? Guest Erica Rooney shares simple steps to building intentional connections in business and in life.

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

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In this episode, guest Samia Qamar emphasizes the importance of surrounding yourself with people who both challenge and support you and the need to strategically spend time with individuals who can provide valuable help, advice, and advocacy.

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

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Ready to learn from the best? Join us as we interview Jillian Murphy, a sales and business mentor with a proven track record of success.

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

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A 28-year retired Wells Fargo team member, Dexter R. Hall has held numerous roles with the firm and most recently served as Regional Banking Manager in Wells Fargo’s Texas Region covering the Waco Brazos Valley Market with responsibility for over eighty team members and over $896 million dollars of assets under management not including property.

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

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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”

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Looking to embrace creation over preservation? MeetCeleste Interrante, CEO of Turf Envy who shares her professional insights on this topic.

• 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.

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How do you plan ahead for estate planning in your will? In this episode host Alex Trimble invites Shari Fleming, Maryland licensed estate planning attorney to The Executive Appeal table to talk about mortality, estate planning, and the benefits of estate planning and having a will.

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.

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Ready to unveil Game-Changing Secrets of Effective Leaders? Look no further than todays guest, Jacklyn Osborne.

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

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Today's guest expert shares insights on how large organizations can nurture and empower rising leaders and unready organizations.

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.

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Learn the Surprising Secret to Success from a Guest Who Reveals Why Being Your Own Best Friend is Key.

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.

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It's no surprise that ChatGTP is trending, but will it and the internet cause the rise or fall of society? Guest Julie Owono shares her insight on this valuable topic.

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.

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Ever wonder why leaders need to be more deliberate in communication?Special guest Khari Brown shares compelling insight on this specific topic.

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:

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Looking for ways to think more creatively? Guest Don Wettrick shares his insight on how we can think more creatively about your business or brand.

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.

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Wonder how to build positive relationships at work at home? Dr. Sohee Jun discusses tips to encourage you.

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.

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Lawrence E. Adjah, MBA, M.Ed, M.Div. is an Author, Spiritual Advisor, Host, Community Builder and relationship thought leader who has been on a mission to help high achieving professionals and communities establish and strengthen their most important relationships [with God, people & themselves (mind & body)].

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?

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Uwe Dockhorn is the CEO at Liberating Lifestyles, and the founder of The AIM-Experience™: a 3-step transformational experience for in-demand professionals and their spouses or life partners. 

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:

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How do you maintain company culture with remote workers? Special guest Michael Arena Ph.D. thoroughly explores this topic.

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.

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Eve Aronoff Trivella competed in the 56-kilogram weight division. To mention a few, she earned a Bronze medal in the 1982 World Judo Championships at the age of 19 and finished 7th in the 1987 World Championships. She was a member of the historical First Women’s Olympic Judo Team of 1988 where she earned 6th place. She medaled in 14 National Championships: 12 senior and 2 junior. She is a 5 time U.S Open champion.

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.

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How do you keep your team engaged in a recession? WAEPA CEO Shane Canfield and The EnerGeo Alliance's VP of Communications and External Affairs, Gail Adams unpack this topic.

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.

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Alex D. Tremble is an award-winning speaker, author, executive, and leadership expert who advises some of our nation’s most senior level leaders on how to shape their company’s culture to attract, retain and develop diverse and highly effective leaders. In addition to his speaking, coaching, and consulting, Alex is the host of The Executive Appeal podcast, which is focused on providing ambitious leaders with the leadership and career advancement skills required to excel as senior and executive leaders.

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

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Take it from a pro on how to stand out from the competition. Like professional comedian and award winning actor Mark Christopher Lawrence.

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.

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Are you challenged by comparison? Looking to overcome imposter syndrome? Guest Ryan Changcoco shares insight to tackle the challenge.

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”

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We all understand the importance of mental health. But why is giving grace good for mental health? Guest Mitch Brooks breaks this down in detail.

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.

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When you should you say no to a customer? Wes Michael shares a wealth of thought this subject and why you should think about it first. 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.”

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Looking for advice on overcoming your fear of networking? Let Juliann Edwards of TC Energy share her journey that will reshape your perspective! 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

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Ever wonder how leaders get ahead by mentoring and taking risks? Should you try? If so, when? Shane and David share valid points to consider beforehand. 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.

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Ever wondered how you can reach your goals with the right support system? Guest Glenna Crooks shares in full detail steps to build your own support system to shine brighter as an executive leader. 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. 

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How do you make positive change in the world? Coca-Cola VP Sue Lam shares her leadership insights on curating lasting impact for good. 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

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Today's episode addresses the trending topic of quiet quitting and whether or not you should do it. https://kathycaprino.com/ (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 -- https://www.amazon.com/Breakdown-Breakthrough-Professional-Claiming-Passion/dp/1576755592 (Breakdown, Breakthrough) and her latest, https://www.amazon.com/Most-Powerful-You-Bravery-Boosting-Career/dp/1400217482 (The Most Powerful You:7 Bravery-Boosting Paths to Career Bliss). With her https://findingbrave.org/ (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, https://mostpowerfulyou.com/ (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 https://kathycaprino.com/ (kathycaprino.com), https://findingbrave.org/ (findingbrave.org) and follow Kathy on https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathycaprino (LinkedIn), https://www.instagram.com/kathycaprino (Instagram), https://www.twitter.com/kathycaprino (Twitter), and https://www.facebook.com/ElliaCommunications (Facebook). TOP TAKEAWAYS FROM THE EPISODE: Why we’re talking about Quiet Quitting “You have to do self 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

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Looking for ways to better manager your money? Dominique Broadway is a provocative, financial literacy trailblazer on a mission to make wealth attainable for anyone. 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

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Katie Watford  is a celebrity stylist and style expert who has styled for some of  Hollywood’s most precious red carpet events such as the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Conan O’Brien, Today Show, Comic Con, BET Awards   and many more.   Her celebrity clients have been featured on the best dressed list  in  global publications such as In-Style magazine, Glamour, Daily Mail, and  Seventeen Magazine amongst others.    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

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Cordell Carter, Esq. is the Executive Director of the Aspen Institute Socrates Program, a global education forum for leaders learning from leaders and Founder of the Festival of the Diaspora, an annual LATAM based convening of leaders across the Americas and the Western Balkans. Cordell serves on the Board of Directors of Concordia; and the advisory boards of SkillStorm for whom he chairs their Upskill Together initiative, EVPassport, a manufacturer of EV charging devices and the Fvlcrum Fund, a private equity fund focused on scaling Black & Brown-led SMEs. In June 2021, President Joseph Biden appointed him as Commissioner to the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships. 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

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A senior leadership/board advisor, educator, executive coach, and bestselling author, David Nour is internationally recognized as the leading expert on applications of strategic relationships in profitable growth, sustained innovation, and lasting change. The author of eleven books, including bestsellers. 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

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Michael Wenderoth is an Executive Coach that helps leaders ethically leverage power and politics to ascend. He has written for Harvard Business Review, Forbes and been quoted widely in international media. He is also the author of the book, Get Promoted: What You're Really Missing at Work That's Holding You Back. Prior to becoming an executive coach, Michael served 20 years in senior roles on break-through businesses in the U.S., China and Europe. Michael holds an MBA from Stanford Business School and trained as an executive coach at Columbia University. 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

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Topic: 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.

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Mita Mallick is a corporate change-maker with a track record of transforming businesses.  She gives innovative ideas a voice and serves customers and communities with purpose. She is currently the Head of Inclusion, Equity and Impact at Carta. She was formerly the Head of Inclusion and Cross Cultural Marketing at Unilever.  She has had an extensive career as a marketer in the beauty and consumer product goods space.  Mallick is a LinkedIn Top Voice, a contributor for Entrepreneur and Harvard Business Review, and her writing has been published in Adweek, Fast Company and Business Insider. 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.

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In addition to being a nationally syndicated radio host, award-winning speaker, author, and educator, Dr. Hamilton is a thought leader in the fields of leadership, sales, marketing, management, engagement, personality, curiosity, and motivation. To help improve relationships in the workplace — and performance as a result — Dr. Hamilton draws on her decades of work experience in software, computers, corporate training, pharmaceuticals, real estate, mortgage lending, social media, education, and publishing. 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.

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Topic: 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/

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Topic: 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 http://www.diversityinc.com/ (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/

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"THANK YOU" to everyone who has supported the growth of this wonderful show over the past year!!! With YOUR help we are now ready to take the next step in serving our community phenomenal ambitious leaders.

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Topic: 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/

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Topic: 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 http://www.lisenstromberg.com/ (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/

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Topic: 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/

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Topic: Former Department of Homeland Security, Chief Human Capital Officer, Angela Bailey, shares advice and strategies to help leaders build effective teams that operate on trust and mutual respect. Today's guest: Angela Bailey is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AnandaLife, LLC.  Where her purpose is to elevate the power of “We” by enriching the journey of “Me.”  Life/executive journey guidance, retreats, collaborations and workshops are dedicated to helping all achieve their purpose, their path of joy, and ultimately, find their own way to co-create with the Universe. Prior to embarking on this new adventure, Angie was a senior executive in the Federal government for over 14 years, and prior to her retirement, after 40+ years of service, at the end of 2021, she was the Chief Human Capital Officer for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), serving over 250,000 dedicated public servants by providing overall agency human capital leadership to improve agency performance and achieve DHS’ mission and goals through human resources policy, systems, and programs for strategic workforce planning, recruitment and hiring, pay and leave, performance management, employee development, executive resources, labor relations, work/life, safety and health and diversity and inclusion.   Angie also served as the Deputy Associate Director for Recruitment and Hiring and Associate Director of Employee Services, prior to her position as Chief Operating Officer, at the Office of Personnel Management.  She also served in a variety of roles within the Department of Defense, including Labor Relations Officer and Human Resource Director for the Defense Contract Management Agency Angie accomplished her work through direct interaction and collaboration with the Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, Directors and other agency and component senior leaders, including the Chief Human Capital Officers, Chief Financial Officers, Chief Information Officers, Chief Acquisition Officers, White House staff; the Office of Management and Budget and various executive departments and agencies, including the Office of Personnel Management; good Government groups such as Partnership for Public Service and employee and labor organizations and associations; payroll providers and shared service centers: members of Congress, their staffs, and entities such as the Government Accountability Office; Federal managers and employees; media; and others. She has a Masters of Arts (MA) in Leadership from Bellevue University, attended Harvard University’s National Leadership Preparedness Initiative, served as a Board of Trustee for the United States Coast Guard Academy, is a National Association of Public Administration Fellow, a Reiki Master, and 2021 United States Coast Guard Meritorious Public Service Award, 2021 United States Secret Service Director’s Award, 2021 DHS Distinguished Service Medal, and the recipient of a 2017 Meritorious and 2021 Distinguished Presidential Rank Award. Music: https://www.bensound.com/

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Topic: Shane Canfield (CEO, Worldwide Assurance for Employees of Public Agencies) and Tinisha Agramonte (Chief Diversity Officer, Motorola Solutions) share strategies you can use to rise up the ranks and ideas to help your organization with succession planning. Today's guests: 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. Tinisha Agramonte, the Architect of the First Generation Professionals Initiative, a first of its kind Federal government diversity and inclusion program, is a highly regarded Civil Rights and Diversity Champion whose personal and professional mission is to advance equitable opportunities for all. She has 25 years of experience in the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), diversity, civil rights, and human relations arenas as a civil servant, consultant, university instructor, and trainer/facilitator.  Throughout her 23-year federal career, Agramonte held leadership positions with various Federal agencies, including the Departments of Commerce, Veterans Affairs, Army, and Air Force, and the U.S. Small Business Administration. As a principal advisor, she provided executive leadership, strategic direction and guidance, leading agencies through transformation efforts, strategically embedding and integrating innovative and forward thinking EEO, civil rights, and diversity programs into day-to-day agency operations. She led and implemented policies and programs that impacted workforces up to 300,000 employees and were recognized as best practices in the federal government.  Agramonte was appointed to the Senior Executive Service (SES) in 2013 and served in SES capacities for seven years before recently resigning to accept a position as the Chief Diversity Officer for Motorola Solutions, Inc. Early in her life, Agramonte was identified as an at-risk youth. With the help of mentors and educators who saw potential in her, she was able to overcome significant challenges. Because of their guidance, she realized the potential they saw in her and was encouraged to reach unimaginable heights. For this reason, and as a First Generation Professional, Tinisha is compelled to “pay it forward” by ensuring ALL people have the access, opportunities, encouragement and support needed to realize their fullest potential. Agramonte was an adjunct instructor for Chapman University, teaching senior-level Diversity Management courses.  She received her Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from California State University, Hayward and her Master’s degree in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Music: https://www.bensound.com/

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Topic: The VP for Talent Acquisition Strategy & Head of Recruiting at Navy Federal Credit Union, Britton Bloch, shares her advice to help you stand-out as the highest quality talent AND help companies attract the highest quality talent. Today's guest: Britt Bloch serves as the Vice President, Talent Acquisition Strategy and Recruiting, and joined Navy Federal in April 2021. Britt joined us from USAA where she was Head of Talent Acquisition Delivery – empowering senior leadership teams to restlessly reinvent the Talent Acquisition function to deliver maximum value to key stakeholders and enable Enterprise strategies. She has a broad background of recruitment expertise and was previously IBM’s North America and Canadian Client Innovation Centers’ Recruiting Leader. Prior to her 10 years at IBM, she held several leadership roles with Marriott and Fifth Third Bank and was responsible for creating, championing, and executing delivery recruitment strategies to achieve mission critical business objectives. In Chicago, Britt led a national recruiting firm, for over 13 years, and was highlighted as Crain top professional women in 2000. In her free time, she enjoys industry writing and has been published in Forbes, Newsweek, and HR Executive Magazine. Her son, Nick, is 21 and attends University of Central Florida’s Computer Science program. Music: https://www.bensound.com/

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Topic: ABC News National Security Analyst, Mick Mulroy, shares his in-depth knowledge of why Russia is threating Ukraine and What America and the World should do about it. Today's guest: Michael "Mick" Patrick Mulroy is the (former) United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for the Middle East and the co-founder of the  http://loboinstitute.org/ (Lobo Institute). Serving from November 2017 to December 2019. As DASD for the Middle East, he was responsible for Department of Defense policy for Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. He is a retired Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Paramilitary Operations Officer and United States Marine. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for Grassroots Reconciliation Group, a nonprofit to help rehabilitate child soldiers, an ABC News National Security Analyst and Contributor, and a Co-director of the Yemen Steering Initiative and Senior Fellow for National Security and Defense Policy for the Middle East Institute. Mick is also a leading proponent of the philosophy of stoicism and is on the board of advisors for Plato's Academy in Athens, Greece. Music: https://www.bensound.com/

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Topic: The CEO of The Steamboat Institute, Jennifer Schubert-Akin, shares her advice to help leaders have difficult conversations with their team members and how to have productive mentoring relationships. Today's guest: Jennifer Schubert-Akin is Chairman and CEO of The Steamboat Institute, an organization she co-founded in 2008. Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and received her M.B.A. from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. Jennifer was the CFO of a large health and human services firm in Austin and later founded a small business consulting firm in Steamboat Springs, working with a variety of non-profit organizations and small businesses. Beginning in 2014, Jennifer assumed a full-time role as Chairman and CEO of Steamboat Institute. Jennifer is a graduate of the Leadership Program of the Rockies and served on that organization’s Advisory Board for several years. In 2013, she and her husband, Rick Akin, received the “Leaders in Action” award from the Leadership Program of the Rockies in recognition of their work in founding and establishing The Steamboat Institute as a nationally recognized leader in advancing conservative thought and policy. Jennifer is a member of the Advisory Boards for the Bruce D. Benson Center for the Study of Western Civilization at CU Boulder and the Ed Snider Center for Enterprise & Markets at the University of Maryland. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Rebekah’s Angels, a non-profit organization helping children with post-traumatic stress disorder, founded by Boston Marathon bombing survivor Rebekah Gregory. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys competing in triathlons and trail running with her Alaskan Husky sled dog rescue, Cruiser. She has completed 3 Leadville Trail 100-mile Races and the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run. She has also completed 27 consecutive Boston Marathons and is a proud member of the Boston Marathon’s exclusive Quarter Century Club. Making each mile count, Jennifer has raised nearly $160,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society along the way. In 2019, Jennifer was presented with the Sportswomen of Colorado’s “Inspiration Award,” and, in 2021, she was recognized as a “Pipehitter” by former Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo during his remarks at the 13th Annual Freedom Conference. Music: https://www.bensound.com/

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Topic: If you are interested in moving up the career and leadership latter, but you don't know what you'll have to do to get there this today's guest has the right advice for you. Co-author of the book "Reaching Senior Leadership: 10 Growth Strategies Every Government Leader Should Know," James Ferguson, shares the everyday strategies you can use to reach your leadership and career goals? Today's guest: James Ferguson has a Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law, and a M.A. in Executive Leadership from Liberty University, School of Business.  James describes himself as a child of God, a developer of people, and a Native New Yorker. He currently lives in the Washington, D.C. area.  Music: https://www.bensound.com/

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Topic: Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings (Nonresident Senior Fellow at The Brookings Institution) shares advice to help accomplished, and aspiring, leaders navigate failure, communicate more effectively with those around them, and manage their energy so that they can consistently perform at their best. Today's guest: Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings is a nonresident senior fellow at Brookings Metro and the Founder, President and CEO of Global Policy Solutions. Dr. Rockeymoore Cummings is the author of the forthcoming book RAGEISM: Racism, Ageism, and the Quest for Liberation Policy (Routledge). A wealth, health, and education equity expert, Dr. Rockeymoore Cummings has conducted extensive research and policy analysis on aging, Social Security, the social determinants of health, and the racial wealth and achievement gaps. She also conceived and co-authored the first-ever study examining the labor market impact of level 5 autonomous vehicle technology. A frequent guest on prominent television and radio news shows, Dr. Rockeymoore Cummings has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, ABC News, CBS, BET, BBC, Al Jazeera, BNC, NPR, and Sirius XM among many other national and international outlets. She has also testified before the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and the Democratic National Committee platform committee on Social Security policy. Her articles, letters to the editor, and quotes have appeared in the Washington Post, New York Times, Fortune, The Atlantic, Baltimore Sun, Houston Chronicle, CNN.com, USA Today, Boston Globe, The Root and HuffingtonPost.com among many other news outlets.    Dr. Rockeymoore Cummings has worked as Vice President for Programs and Research at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, professional staff on the Social Security Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee, Chief of Staff for former Congressman Charles Rangel, Senior Resident Scholar for Health and Income Security at the National Urban League’s think tank, and Assistant to the Director of the Marion County (IN) Health Department. She earned her Ph.D. and M.A. in political science, with an emphasis in public policy, from Purdue University and her B.A. in political science and mass communication from Prairie View A&M University. She has taught at American University’s Women & Politics Institute and served as an Eastern regional panelist for the White House Fellowship program during the second term of the Obama Administration and the first year of the Trump Administration.   Dr. Rockeymoore Cummings has chaired the boards of the National Association of Counties Financial Services Corporation and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. She has served on the boards of the National Academy of Social Insurance, National Council on Aging, Economic Policy Institute, Public Health Policy and Law, and the Baltimore Museum of Art among other organizations. She has co-chaired the Commission to Modernize Social Security and the National Academy of Social Insurance Study Panel on Medicare and Disparities. Dr. Rockeymoore Cummings has been a member of the National Association of Black Political Scientists, American Public Health Association, Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management, National Association of Corporate Directors, Asset Funders Network Tax Policy Advisory Group, National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers, Women’s Information Network, American Political Science Association, and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People among other organizations. She was a founding member of the Council of Urban Professionals and the Experts of Color Network.   The recipient of many honors and awards, Dr. Rockeymoore Cummings has been selected as an Aspen Institute Henry Crown Fellow, a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Fellow, and a Woodrow Wilson Public Policy and International Affairs...

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Topic: Former FEMA Administrator, Craig Fugate, shares the strategies he used to build trusting relationships with influential decision makers and advance to one of the most sought after executive leadership positions within the U.S. federal government. Free https://learn.alextremble.com/courses/Networking (Strategic Networking Course) worth $479 If you would like to be entered to our monthly raffle for a online strategic networking course worth $479 all you have to do is: Step 1: Post a leadership or career advancement question on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment on one of my YouTube videos (youtube.com/alextremble) Step 2: Tag me LinkedIn: @AlexTremble Instagram: @AlexDTremble Twitter: @AlexDTremble Facebook: @AlexDTrembleGPS/

Step 3: Add the following hashtag, "TheATshow" to your post

Today's guest: Craig Fugate served as President Barack Obama’s FEMA Administrator from May 2009 to January 2017. Previously, he served as Florida Governor Jeb Bush’s Emergency Management Director from 2001-2007 and Governor Charlie Crist from 2007-09.  Fugate led FEMA through multiple record-breaking disaster years and oversaw the Federal Government’s response to major events such as the Joplin and Moore Tornadoes, Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Matthew, and the 2016 Louisiana flooding.  Fugate set a clear and compelling vision, mission, and priorities for FEMA and relentlessly drove the Agency to achieve better outcomes for survivors.  FEMA’s effectiveness in dealing with more than 500 Presidentially-declared major disasters and emergencies under Fugate’s leadership restored the faith of the American people in the Federal Government’s ability to respond to disasters.  Prior to his tenure at FEMA, Fugate was widely praised for his management, under Governor Jeb Bush, of the devastating effects of the 2004 and 2005 Florida hurricane seasons (Charley, Frances, Ivan, Jeanne, Dennis, Katrina, and Wilma). Craig currently provides senior level advice and consultation is the area of disaster management and resiliency policy through Craig Fugate Consulting LLC.  Craig also serves as the Chief Resiliency Officer at One Concern. Music: https://www.bensound.com/

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Topic: As the CEO of Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) and a Former U.S. Ambassador, Lisa Gable has consistently found ways to overcome tremendous leadership challenges while also maintaining a health personal life. In this episode Lisa will share her advise to help ambitious leaders reach their professionals goals while maintaining their mental health. Free https://learn.alextremble.com/courses/Networking (Strategic Networking Course) worth $479 If you would like to be entered to our monthly raffle for a online strategic networking course worth $479 all you have to do is: Step 1: Post a leadership or career advancement question on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment on one of my YouTube videos (youtube.com/alextremble) Step 2: Tag me LinkedIn: @AlexTremble Instagram: @AlexDTremble Twitter: @AlexDTremble Facebook: @AlexDTrembleGPS/

Step 3: Add the following hashtag, "TheATshow" to your post

Today's guest: Lisa Gable has served four U.S. presidents and two governors, counseled Fortune 500 CEOs, and represented global public-private partnerships and nonprofits with an end goal of moving organizations to higher levels of performance. As the former President of the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, Lisa created and led a coalition of food and beverage industry corporations and public health and government agencies resulting in the reduction of 6.4 trillion calories from the American diet. Lisa was appointed the first female U.S. Commissioner General to the 2005 Aichi World EXPO, holding the personal rank of Ambassador, served as a U.S. Delegate to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and served in the Reagan White House and Defense Department. Her corporate experience included serving as senior vice president of Global Public Policy at PepsiCo and 15 years in Silicon Valley. Among her varied volunteer activities, she has served on several boards including as a National Trustee for the Boys and Girls Club of America, a board member for Girl Scouts of the USA and as a member of the Institute of Medicine Roundtable on Obesity Solutions. A published writer, Gable also had recurring media appearances including four years as a regularly scheduled guest with Lifetime’s national morning program The Balancing Act. Lisa is the best-selling author of the book, Turnaround: How to Change Course When Things Are Going South. She is a graduate of University of Virginia and holds an MA from Georgetown University. Music: https://www.bensound.com/

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Topic: Dr. Theresa R. Horne shares her strategies for dealing with challenging employees and finding the time to focus on your personal goals in addition to the responsibilities of your "day job." Free https://learn.alextremble.com/courses/Networking (Strategic Networking Course) worth $479 If you would like to be entered to our monthly raffle for a online strategic networking course worth $479 all you have to do is: Step 1: Post a leadership or career advancement question on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment on one of my YouTube videos (youtube.com/alextremble) Step 2: Tag me LinkedIn: @AlexTremble Instagram: @AlexDTremble Twitter: @AlexDTremble Facebook: @AlexDTrembleGPS/

Step 3: Add the following hashtag, "TheATshow" to your post

Today's guest: Dr. Theresa R. Horne, CPTM, CSM, SHRM-SCP Chief Diversity Officer for the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Dr. Horne is an experienced senior advisor in DEIA, Human Capital, Training and Development who develops and aligns complex programs and business initiatives for the federal and private companies. She has a 15+ year history of contributions to the government, military and private industries in operations, diversity and inclusion, human capital and adult learning. Dr. Horne has researched and developed comprehensive leadership development, culture action planning and career development programs impacting leaders on a global scale. She is an award-winning novelist, industry columnist and government leader that has spoken at multiple federal agencies, private organizations on the intersection of culture, leadership and strategic alignment. She owns Dynamic Training Partners as a minority, veteran and woman-owned organization. She is a proud Army veteran and enjoys reading, traveling and coaching youth sports.  LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/theresa-r-horne (www.linkedin.com/in/theresa-r-horne) Affiliated Websites: http://www.dynamictrainingpartners.org/ (www.dynamictrainingpartners.org) http://www.trhorne.com/ (www.trhorne.com)

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Topic: CEO of the Cream City Conservation & Consulting firm, August Ball, shares the strategies that organizations can use to improve their culture and make difficult decisions when people do not fit into the culture. Free https://learn.alextremble.com/courses/Networking (Strategic Networking Course) worth $479 If you would like to be entered to our monthly raffle for a online strategic networking course worth $479 all you have to do is: Step 1: Post a leadership or career advancement question on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment on one of my YouTube videos (youtube.com/alextremble) Step 2: Tag me LinkedIn: @AlexTremble Instagram: @AlexDTremble Twitter: @AlexDTremble Facebook: @AlexDTrembleGPS/

Step 3: Add the following hashtag, "TheATshow" to your post

Today's guest: August M. Ball is the founder of Cream City Conservation. Her two-prong social enterprise helps organizations attract diverse candidate pools and institute strategies that attract and retain top talent, making their workforce stronger and smarter and their programs more sustainable and relevant. Simultaneously, Cream City Conservation Corps cultivates the next generation of land stewards by introducing and training traditionally underrepresented teens and young adults in ecological careers. With over 15 years of youth program management experience and 10 years of supporting local and national organizations, including appointments to WI Governor Ever’s Climate Action Taskforce and the Milwaukee City & County Climate & Economic Equity Taskforces, August has connected thousands of youth and young adults to hands-on service to public lands, outdoor recreation and first time employment experiences in various ecological fields. August received her formal education from UW-Parkside and UW-Milwaukee, having studied Sociology, Community Education and Non-Profit Management.  She has also continued her education informally via organizations such as Center for Diversity in the Environment, Paradigm and the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) A native of Southeastern Wisconsin but citizen of the world, speaking three languages (Visayan pronounced “vee-sai-yan”, Tagalog pronounced “tuh-gah-log” – Filipino dialects, and English), when she is not teaching, August enjoys being a lifelong student and world traveler.

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Topic: Peter Nguyen is the President of the national non-profit organization, Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC). During this conversation Peter will share some of the networking strategies he's used to work his way to the top and we will discuss the hard choices you will have to make to reach your personal and career goals. Free https://learn.alextremble.com/courses/Networking (Strategic Networking Course) worth $479 If you would like to be entered to our monthly raffle for a online strategic networking course worth $479 all you have to do is: Step 1: Post a leadership or career advancement question on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment on one of my YouTube videos (youtube.com/alextremble) Step 2: Tag me LinkedIn: @AlexTremble Instagram: @AlexDTremble Twitter: @AlexDTremble Facebook: @AlexDTrembleGPS/

Step 3: Add the following hashtag, "TheATshow" to your post

Today's guest: Peter Nguyen serves as the national president of the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) and as a manager for the Office of Finance and Management Organization at the FAA. He is currently responsible for managing the Joint Resources Council Executives and Investment Process Management Division and Integrated Services Branch; the Information Technology and Information Systems Security management for various agency level Investment Decision-Making processes in support of the Executive Secretariat of the Joint Resources Council. He holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Electronics Engineering Technology from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Science Degree in Information Systems from Strayer University. Mr. Nguyen is very active with APA organizations. He was the past President for the National Asian and Pacific American Association (NAPA) representing over 2000 members nationwide. He also served as the Program Committee Chair and the Scholarship & Internship Committee Chair for the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC). In addition, he is a member of the Asian American Government Executives Network (AAGEN), and a member of the National Asian Peace Officers Association (NAPOA).

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Topic: The Chairman of the Mandela Legacy Foundation and grandson of the great Nelson Mendala, Zondwa Mendala, discusses how great leaders are willing to make unpopular decisions and remain relevant. Free https://learn.alextremble.com/courses/Networking (Strategic Networking Course) worth $479 If you would like to be entered to our monthly raffle for a online strategic networking course worth $479 all you have to do is: Step 1: Post a leadership or career advancement question on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment on one of my YouTube videos (youtube.com/alextremble) Step 2: Tag me LinkedIn: @AlexTremble Instagram: @AlexDTremble Twitter: @AlexDTremble Facebook: @AlexDTrembleGPS/

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Today's guest: ZONDWA MANDELAAs Chairman of Mandela Legacy, Zondwa is responsible for creating economically sustainable solutions that meet humanitarian challenges. He is also responsible for creating, communicating, and implementing the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction.

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Topic: Peter Kemp started two experiential agencies focused on connecting with, and serving, the high value clients of fortune 500 companies. To do this successfully Peter must build mutually beneficial and trusting relationships with some of the worlds most powerful and successful leaders. During this interview Peter will share how you can build the same powerful relationships regardless of what industry you're in. Free https://learn.alextremble.com/courses/Networking (Strategic Networking Course) worth $479 If you would like to be entered to our monthly raffle for a online strategic networking course worth $479 all you have to do is: Step 1: Post a leadership or career advancement question on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment on one of my YouTube videos (youtube.com/alextremble) Step 2: Tag me LinkedIn: @AlexTremble Instagram: @AlexDTremble Twitter: @AlexDTremble Facebook: @AlexDTrembleGPS/

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Today's guest: Peter Kemp is the most known, unknown...

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Topic: CEO/President, has led PathPoint shares his advice on successfully building coalitions with your "competition" and how new technology is being used to make the workplace more accessible to persons living with mental and physical disabilities. Free https://learn.alextremble.com/courses/Networking (Strategic Networking Course) worth $479 If you would like to be entered to our monthly raffle for a online strategic networking course worth $479 all you have to do is: Step 1: Post a leadership or career advancement question on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment on one of my YouTube videos (youtube.com/alextremble) Step 2: Tag me LinkedIn: @AlexTremble Instagram: @AlexDTremble Twitter: @AlexDTremble Facebook: @AlexDTrembleGPS/

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Today's guest: Harry Bruell, CEO/President, has led PathPoint since 2017 and has been a leader in the nonprofit sector since 1991.  PathPoint annually supports 2,700 people in living the life they choose. The organization partners with people with disabilities, people with mental health diagnoses, and young adults to pursue their hopes and dreams through strengthening workplace abilities, building life skills, and developing meaningful relationships.  PathPoint’s nearly 500 staff operate employment, residential and community integration programs in five southern and central California counties — Kern, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.  Harry currently serves on the Board of Directors of the California Disability Services Association as well as an appointed member of the System and Fiscal Reform Workgroup of the Developmental Services Task Force. Prior to joining PathPoint, Harry served for 26 years in the conservation corps field and transitioned to the I/DD field after losing his daughter to mental illness. From 2004 to 2017, he served as President and CEO of Conservation Legacy, during which time the agency increased its annual revenue from less than $1M to over $20M and started numerous new programs across more than 45 states from a base in Colorado.  Harry co-founded the national Public Lands Service Coalition and the Partnership for the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC). In 2011, the Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar appointed Harry as Chair of the 21CSC Federal Advisory Committee. From 1994 to 2004, Harry worked for the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps (now The Corps Network) in Washington, DC as Chief Operating Officer and previously in other positions including Vice-President.  He graduated with honors from Rice University with a degree in civil/environmental engineering. 

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Topic: CEO & Co-founder of Dementia Alliance International, Kate Swaffer, shares strategies to overcome life's challenges & be an ally to those living with Dementia. Free https://learn.alextremble.com/courses/Networking (Strategic Networking Course) worth $479 If you would like to be entered to our monthly raffle for a online strategic networking course worth $479 all you have to do is: Step 1: Post a leadership or career advancement question on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment on one of my YouTube videos (youtube.com/alextremble) Step 2: Tag me LinkedIn: @AlexTremble Instagram: @AlexDTremble Twitter: @AlexDTremble Facebook: @AlexDTrembleGPS/

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Today's guest: Kate Swaffer is a humanitarian and an award-winning campaigner for the rights of people with dementia and older persons in Australia and globally. She was named 2017 Australian Of The Year in South Australia, and the 2018 Global Leader, 100 Women Of Influence in Australia, and won the Emerging Leader in Disability award in Australia in 2015. Kate is also an Ambassador for the Australia Day Council (SA) and for Step Up For Dementia Research in Australia. She has a Master of Science in Dementia Care, a Bachelor of Psychology, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, all which were completed after being diagnosed with younger onset dementia. She also has a graduate Diploma in grief counselling and is a retired nurse and retired chef. Swaffer is a co-founder, and the CEO and past Chair of Dementia Alliance International, and an elected board member for Alzheimer’s Disease International. She is an Honorary Associate Fellow, Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health, University of Wollongong, International Fellow, Impact Research Group, University of East Anglia, and has played a key role in campaigning for the human and legal rights for people with dementia including equal access to the CRPD. She has been tireless in her work on reframing dementia as a disability, for rehabilitation for dementia, and is the first person in the world with dementia, diagnosed herself at the age of 49, to be a keynote speaker at the WHO. Swaffer has contributed to key national and global policy documents including work for the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Quality Rights initiative, and the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) for dementia. With two honorary university positions, has been very active as a researcher, and is a highly published author and poet. Her uncompleted doctoral work, and other research projects includes Dementia as a Disability, Disability Rights, Human and Legal Rights, Stigma, Quality of Life, and the Public Discourse of Dementia.   Her two published books, https://www.amazon.com/What-hell-happened-brain-Dementia-ebook/dp/B017HX79Z6/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=What+the+hell+happened+to+my+brain%3F+Living+beyond+dementia&qid=1595375815&sr=8-1 (What the hell happened to my brain? Living beyond dementia) (2016) and https://books.apple.com/au/book/diagnosed-with-alzheimers-or-another-dementia/id959800286 (Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or Another Dementia) (2016), are a must read, The first one reflects dementia from the inside out, and the second is what she wished had been available to her when first diagnosed – a one-stop-shop about dementia. Swaffer has also published two poetry books, and countless journal articles, and media appearances, interviews, publications, and blogs. Read more about Kate Swaffer on her website and very active blog. If you know someone with dementia living in the community, or in a nursing home, please tell them about Dementia Alliance International (DAI). Services and https://www.dementiaallianceinternational.org/membership/ (membership) are free. Read about https://www.dementiaallianceinternational.org/ (DAI) here.

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Topic: Dr. Jean Kanokogi (a federal law enforcement officer, author, and a Judo champion) shares the steps you should take to know when to break the rules and what questions you should ask yourself to identify your passion. Win a Free Strategic Networking Course I would like to offer you an opportunity to win access to my https://learn.alextremble.com/courses/Networking (7-week Strategic Networking) course which is normally $495. To be entered to win this free coaching session all you have to do is: Post a leadership or career advancement question on LinkedIn, Instagram, or in the comment section of one of my YouTube Tag me in the post And add the hashtag #TheATshow

At the end of each month my team will select a winner at random and we will schedule a time to connect. It's that easy. I’m looking forward to connecting with you. To reach out to Alex D. Tremble you can contact him below and use #TheATshow. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alextremble/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/alextremble Instagram: https://instagram.com/alexdtremble Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlexDTremble Today's Guest: Jean Kanokogi Jean Kanokogi, Ph.D. is a Senior Special Agent for the U.S. Government with extensive experience in conducting criminal investigations. With a career spanning 23 years in law enforcement, Jean has been the lead investigator on several high-profile cases, including the attacks on 9/11 and many that focus on protecting public health.  Jean is a 5th degree black belt in judo and a highly respected sensei. She was on the U.S. national judo team, now known as USA Judo, and won several medals in international tournaments. Most notably, Jean was one of the original signers of the American Civil Liberty Union suit to fight for women’s rights in the sport of judo.     Jean is the co-author of her mother’s story, Get Up & Fight: the memoir of Rusty Kanokogi, The Mother of Women’s Judo. She has authored numerous mental health and law enforcement related articles in various professional publications and also publishes a column in the Eighteen Eleven, the professional Journal of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), with a readership of over 36,000. One of her treasured experiences includes consulting on the television program “Law and Order, Special Victim’s Unit.”  She dedicates her time as a volunteer for the FLEOA where she is the Director of Mental Health and Peer Support Services. In this monumental role, she is building a peer support program to support the mental health of the federal law enforcement community. Additionally, this role allows her to comment on bipartisan bills that directly impact the mental health of law enforcement officers. Additional philanthropic work includes mentoring high-risk youths and serving on the evaluation committee for the https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/wsf_programs/rusty-kanokogi-fund-for-the-advancement-of-us-judo-grant/ (Rusty Kanokogi Fund for the Advancement of U.S. Judo). Managed by the Women’s Sports Foundation, this annual scholarship provides financial support for women in judo nationwide who are training for national and international competition. Jean holds a B.S. and M.A. from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and earned her Ph.D. in the study of psychology in 2018, where she published her dissertation, entitled, “The Interrogation Experiences that Transition Novices from Beginners to Experts.” Her tenacity and courage to continue to deliver on positively impacting societal behaviors is truly an inspiration for all.

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Win a Free Coaching Session I would like to offer you an opportunity to win a free one-on-one coaching session with me which is normally $250. Last month's winner and I had an awesome conversation and I am looking forward to this month's winner.  To be entered to win this free coaching session all you have to do is: Post a leadership or career advancement question on LinkedIn, Instagram, or in the comment section of one of my YouTube Tag me in the post And add the hashtag #TheATshow

At the end of each month my team will select a winner at random and we will schedule a time to connect. It's that easy. I’m looking forward to connecting with you. To reach out to Alex D. Tremble you can contact him below and use #TheATshow. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alextremble/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/alextremble Instagram: https://instagram.com/alexdtremble Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlexDTremble Today's Guest: Elaine Jacques Elaine Jacques is a leadership presence and leadership development coach who supports mid-career and senior level leaders to #BEMA Become Even More Amazing through dividing up their really big goals into +1% action steps that can be implemented starting today! 

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Topic: The Republican National Committee (RNC) National Spokesperson, Paris Dennard, shares his advice for standing out when you are around talented and gaining the right mindset to reach your goals. Free Coaching Session worth $250 If you would like to be entered to our monthly raffle for a free 1hr coaching call worth $250 all you have to do is: Step 1: Post a leadership or career advancement question on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment on one of my YouTube videos (youtube.com/alextremble) Step 2: Tag me LinkedIn: @AlexTremble Instagram: @AlexDTremble Twitter: @AlexDTremble Facebook: @AlexDTrembleGPS/

Step 3: Add the following hashtag, "TheATshow" to your post Today's guest: Paris Dennard is a longtime GOP political commentator, writer, and strategic communications consultant with over a decade of private and public sector experience on all levels of politics and public relations.  In addition to his political work, for the past 20 years he has provided business development, brand and image consulting.  Paris has offered his unique perspective on networks such as Newsmax, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, OAN, BET, BBC, BNC, CBN, TVONE, and a host of local television, radio, and online programs. His opinion editorial writings can be found in publications such as The Carolinian, The Daily Caller, Real Clear Politics, The Hill, and the Washington Examiner.  He has been featured in articles in USA Today, AZ Republic, Diverse Issues, and the LA Times. Paris worked in The White House at the pleasure of President George W. Bush from 2005-2009, serving in the offices of Political Affairs, Legislative Affairs and Public Liaison.  Most notably he was The White House Director of Black Outreach. Additionally, he had the privilege of being appointed primary liaison to the families of former Presidents and Vice Presidents for the State Funeral of President Gerald R. Ford.  Paris served as the Associate Director for Coalitions at the Republican National Committee from 2009-2011 where he traveled across the country working with grassroots leaders and state parties, training, branding mobilizing leaders for various campaigns.  He founded The PD Consulting Group, LLC in 2012, providing political, strategic communication branding and public relations consultation to political, non-profit, and small business clients nationwide.  He is the National Spokesperson for the Republican National Committee as well as the Director of Black Media Affairs where he successfully increased GOP engagement with media outlets and Black journalists nationwide, conducting over 1,000 interviews in 2020. Paris has attended every Republican National Convention since 2000 in different capacities ranging from Delegate at Large to speaker.  At his first convention, he had the distinct honor of being the youngest featured RNC platform speaker to address the delegates.  He is a member of the American Enterprise Institute Leadership Network, provided strategic consultation as a member of the Black Voices for Trump Advisory Board, and was appointed by President Trump to serve as a Commissioner on the non-partisan President’s Commission on White House Fellowships. Paris was raised in Phoenix, AZ and graduated from Pepperdine University earning two degrees in Public Relations and Political Science.

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ABC News National Security Analyst and former U.S. Department of Defense Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Shares the story the main stream media won't share about 1) What's happening in Afghanistan, 2) Why it's happening, and 3) What's likely going to happen next. Want to Help Please visit https://nooneleft.org/default.aspx? https://www.rescue.org/ https://dcist.com/story/21/08/16/we-have-a-moral-obligation-virginia-maryland-say-theyll-be-a-safe-harbor-for-afghan-refugees/ (https://dcist.com/story/21/08/16/we-have-a-moral-obligation-virginia-maryland-say-theyll-be-a-safe-harbor-for-afghan-refugees/)

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If you would like to be entered to our monthly raffle for a free 1hr coaching call worth $250 all you have to do is: Step 1: Post a leadership or career advancement question on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment on one of my YouTube videos (youtube.com/alextremble) Step 2: Tag me LinkedIn: @AlexTremble Instagram: @AlexDTremble Twitter: @AlexDTremble Facebook: @AlexDTrembleGPS/

Step 3: Add the following hashtag, "TheATshow" to your post Today's guest: Cecilia B. Loving is Deputy Commissioner and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at the Fire Department of New York City, where she provides leadership for developing and maintaining a positive, holistic, inclusive work environment for over 17,000 members.  A winner of the City Bar 2020 Diversity and Inclusion Award, she oversees a number of diversity and inclusion initiatives, including but not limited the Fire Commissioner’s Taskforce on Racial Inclusion & Equity, and the Fire Commissioner’s Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, FDNY Courageous Conversations on Racial Inclusion, Bravest Women Talks, Women’s Summits, Diversity and Inclusion Innovation Labs, Inclusion Strategy Videos, Inclusive Leadership Training, and similar initiatives. She previously worked for the New York City Commission on Human Rights, as well as served as Litigation Counsel at Patterson Belknap, as a litigation associate at Kramer Levin, and as Appellate Counsel at the Legal Aid Society.  She is founder of the Mindfulness Group at FDNY and is Chair of the NYC Bar Association’s first Mindfulness and Well-Being in the Law Committee. In addition to obtaining her Juris Doctor from NYU School of Law, Cecilia obtained her BFA from Howard University, her MFA from UCLA and her MDiv from New York Theological Seminary. She has written nine books, including God is a Brown Girl Too and Unbroken Circles: Holding Space, Healing Harm and Transcending Edges, as well as numerous articles and blogs, including “Some Ways to Help Racial Healing”; “Setting the Tone Right Through Inclusive Leadership”; “The Power of Inclusion: Treating Others Well is Essential to Our Well-Being”; “More Support for Mindfulness: Reduction of Implicit Bias”; and “Restorative Circles: Finding Solutions from Ancient Traditions.”

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To reach out to Alex D. Tremble you can contact him below and use #TheATshow. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alextremble/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/alextremble Instagram: https://instagram.com/alexdtremble Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlexDTremble Pam Piligian Pam Piligian is Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications at Navy Federal Credit Union, the world’s largest credit union and four-time recipient of Forrester’s CX Index Best in Class Ranking. She serves on Navy Federal’s Management Council as well as on The Mission Data and Transformation Team.  Pam directs all marketing and advertising strategy, research, public and industry relations, brand and product campaigns as well as overseeing metrics for Navy Federal brand, products and services. She excels at analyzing market data, extrapolating the implications and turning insights into opportunities and has a passion for member-centricity. Before joining Navy Federal, Pam was SVP of Fitzgerald & Co., an IPG Company. There, she helped win the Navy Federal account in 2009 and led the branding effort when the credit union extended its membership to include all branches of military service. She has more than 25 years of account management experience, including positions with DDB, Ingalls, Quinn & Johnson, and BBDO. She has executed campaigns for brands such as Wachovia, Energizer, Safeway, Nabisco, Ocean Spray, Quikrete, Black+Decker, and Southern Company. Pam holds a B.A. degree in marketing from Georgia State University, UC Berkley Executive Education, and MVP Guest on America’s Favorite Carrier, USS Carl Vinson. An avid runner, Pam has completed more than 41 marathons in 32 states, with a goal of running marathons in all 50 states.  LinkedIn: Pam Piligian Twitter: @PGPiligian Facebook: Pam Piligian Instagram: pgpiligian

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To reach out to Alex D. Tremble you can contact him below and use #TheATshow. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alextremble/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/alextremble Instagram: https://instagram.com/alexdtremble Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlexDTremble Feds Protection Anthony F. Vergnetti is the President and Founder of Federal Employee Defense Services, Inc. (FEDS), located near Washington, D.C.  Since 2007, FEDS has provided professional liability insurance coverage to the government employee and contractor community.  Prior to founding FEDS, Mr. Vergnetti was a partner in the Washington, D.C. law firm Shaw Bransford Veilleux & Roth P.C. where he specialized in federal personnel and employment law, representing employees in disciplinary action cases, employment discrimination complaints, whistleblower and prohibited personnel practice cases, Inspector General (IG) and Internal Affairs investigations, security clearance issues (including federal contractors), and other employment matters in various forums, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), Department of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA), as well as the federal district and appellate courts. Mr. Vergnetti has also provided legal representation to small federal agencies on a multitude of personnel law matters. Mr. Vergnetti is a current co-host of FEDtalk, a weekly radio show on Fridays, 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon (Eastern Time), on WTOP’s all-federal employee radio station, on line at Federal News Network and  locally in the Washington DC area on 1500AM. On FEDtalk, Mr. Vergnetti presents experts who discuss matters of importance to federal employees and retirees. Mr. Vergnetti also previously frequently appeared on Federal News Network’s signature morning drive show—the Federal Drive with Mike Causey. Mr. Vergnetti is the author of the numerous articles and publications such as the 2002 INSPECTOR GENERAL AND OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL INVESTIGATIONS HANDBOOK (www.federalhandbooks.com) and has presented seminars to government executives and employees on a variety of federal personnel law matters at training programs sponsored by FDR Conferences, Inc. Prior to joining SBVR, Mr. Vergnetti was an attorney with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Office of Chief Counsel (1997-2001) where he represented the Bureau in personnel matters (disciplinary and other adverse actions), and other employment/labor law matters before the various administrative tribunals (MSPB, EEOC, FLRA) and the Federal district or appellate courts. Mr. Vergnetti also worked as an Appellate Attorney for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (1996) and served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Hart. T. Mankin, U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (1995). Mr. Vergnetti is also the current Executive Director of the OmniGov Training Institute, which is a non-profit corporation that provides training and guidance for government employees and agencies on a wide variety of human resource and personnel law issues. Mr. Vergnetti is also the President of TMS, a consulting firm specializing in association management for federal employee associations and organizations.  Mr. Vergnetti has B.A degree from Arizona State University (1992) and law degrees from Widener University School of Law (1995) and the Georgetown University Law Center (1999 -- Masters of Law in Labor/Employment Law) Prior to attending undergraduate and law schools, Mr. Vergnetti served on active duty in the United States Air Force (1985-1989). Mr. Vergnetti is a member of the Bar in Maryland and the District of Columbia and holds several surplus lines property and casualty insurance licenses.

Brenda Wilson is the Director of Strategy and Business Development of Federal Employee and Contractor Programs at FEDS Protection, the leading provider of federal employee professional liability

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To reach out to Alex D. Tremble you can contact him below and use #TheATshow. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alextremble/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/alextremble Instagram: https://instagram.com/alexdtremble Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlexDTremble Dr. Willie Jolley There are many motivational speakers, and then there is the one, the only, the incomparable Dr. Willie Jolley. He truly is a renaissance man! He is a serial entrepreneur and global consultant/thought leader. He is also a Hall of Fame speaker, an award-winning singer, an international best-selling author, a popular national radio show host, and a dynamic television personality. Dr. Willie Jolley has achieved remarkable heights in the speaking industry, having come from humble beginnings of being a fired singer who was replaced by a karaoke machine! He has gone on to be named “One of the Outstanding Five Speakers in the World” and “Motivational & Inspirational Speaker of The Year” by the 175,000 members of Toastmasters International. In 2005, he was inducted into the prestigious Speaker Hall of Fame and received the C.P.A.E. Award (Council of Peers Award of Excellence), as well as achieving the distinction of Certified Speaker Professional (CSP) by the National Speakers Association. In 2012, was a recipient of the Ron Brown Distinguished Leadership Award. In 2013, he was named “One of the Top 5 Leadership Speakers” by speaking.com. In 2018, he was named a “Legend of The Speaking Industry” by the Veterans Speakers Association. Many know him as the expert Ford Motors called on in 2006–when they were on the brink of bankruptcy. He worked with them in 2006, 2007, 2008 and in 2009, they were able to reject a government bailout and go on to make billion-dollar profits. Dr. Jolley started his speaking career as a drug prevention coordinator for the DC Public School System and went on to speak to millions of youth around the world and produce the first PBS Special for teens. As a result of his popularity with youth audiences, he started receiving speaking request calls from other industry sectors and went on to great success speaking to colleges, associations and corporations. In 2014, he replaced the legendary Zig Ziglar on the National Get Motivated Tour. Dr. Jolley was the first African American President of the Washington, DC Chapter of The National Speakers Association (NSA) and was able to double memberships and revenues in one year. As a result, he went on to become the first African American elected to the National Board of NSA. He is presently the Chairman of The Speaker Hall of Fame Leadership Committee and is also the first African American to hold that position. Dr. Willie Jolley uses his public platform to pursue his mission of empowering and encouraging people to rise above their circumstances and maximize their God-given potential! No matter the venue, from his exciting television appearances to his Sirius XM radio show–to corporate audiences like Walmart, General Motors, Comcast, Verizon, Marriott, Johnson, and Johnson Dubai, Coca-Cola US, Coca-Cola South Africa, Prudential Australia, and Prudential Malaysia or The Million Dollar Round Table–Dr. Willie Jolley keeps it moving with high energy and enthusiasm. He delivers nuggets on how every person can live a better life and win more, every day! Dr. Willie Jolley is the author of several international best-selling books including, It Only Takes A Minute To Change Your Life, A Setback Is A Setup For A Comeback, Turn Setbacks Into Greenbacks and An Attitude of Excellence–which was endorsed by former Ford Motors CEO, Alan Mulally and Dr. Stephen Covey, author of the landmark book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Dr. Jolley is also co-author–with his wife of 36 years, Dee Taylor-Jolley–of the popular new marriage book, Make Love, Make Money, Make It Last! Dr. Jolley can be heard daily on the "Get Up Mornings With Erica Campbell" show on the Radio One Network and weekly on...

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Bill Valdez is a recognized thought leader in the Federal government who has successfully led science and technology programs, significantly influenced government policies in science, technology and government administration, and has led efforts to modernize government programs to deliver improved mission value to American taxpayers and to create a 21st Century Federal workforce. Bill in 2020 co-founded the Alliance of Latinx Leadership & Policy (ALLP), which is dedicated to developing a pipeline of highly qualified Latinx policy leaders in the Federal government (http://www.latinxpolicy.org/ (www.LatinxPolicy.org)).  ALLP is a non-profit and bipartisan group and will serve as a think tank and leadership pipeline program for Latinx professionals who wish to pursue a career in public service. Bill retired from Federal service in 2014.  His career with the Department of Energy spanned over 20 years and he held the positions of Director, DOE Office of Economic Impact; DOE’s Chief Diversity Officer; Director of Business Services, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; and Director of Planning and Analysis, and Director for Workforce Development within DOE’s Office of Science.  During this time, Bill became expert in both programmatic and policy development, along with the operational side of the house including budget development/execution, HR, procurement and IT.

Bill was the President of the Senior Executives Association (SEA) from 2016-2020 and focused on strengthening the Senior Executive Service (SES) through legislative and policy initiatives, building a leadership pipeline for the Executive Branch, working with a broad range of good government groups to modernize the civil service, restoring a public service ethic to the Federal government, and developing policies/programs that will promote the Future of Work, the Workplace and Workforce in the Federal government through innovative tools such as AI/RPA and shared services.

Bill is currently President of Global Innovation Associates LLC, which provides advisory services to government agencies and private sector companies, and is a senior advisor with the Advanced Technology Group LLC, which develops rural and remote community broadband and economic development solutions.  He also is a member of the National Science Foundation’s Budget & Operations Advisory Committee.

Prior to serving at DOE, Bill worked as a Senior Project Manager in private industry where he provided strategic planning services to Asian and European multinational corporations.  He also was a reporter in Austin, Texas.  Bill received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Texas and his Master of Arts in International Economics and Energy Policy from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

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Admiral Sandy Stosz started out in the US Coast Guard as an ensign serving aboard polar icebreakers, conducting national security missions from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Her forty-year career was filled with leadership lessons gleaned while breaking ice and breaking glass as the first woman to command an icebreaker on the Great Lakes and to lead a US armed forces service academy. Along the way, Sandy served for 12 years at sea, commanding two ships, and led large Coast Guard organizations during times of crisis and complexity. She finished her career as the first woman assigned as Deputy Commandant for Mission Support, directing one of the Coast Guard’s largest enterprises. She has lectured widely on leadership, and has been featured on CSPAN and other media outlets. In 2012, Newsweek’s “The Daily Beast” named Sandy to their list of 150 Women who Shake the World. She volunteers in leadership roles for several organizations and runs Sandra Stosz, LLC. Sandy enjoys hiking, swimming, birdwatching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family.

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Ivan H. Lee is an experienced leader, program manager, and training facilitator who helps people and organizations find and fulfill their purpose so they can thrive. He has led change initiatives in learning, diversity, equity & inclusion, and corporate social responsibility at organizations such as Apple, AmeriCorps, and most recently at T-Mobile, where he manages their ethical leadership training program.

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Dave Uejio was announced as the Acting Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., on January 20, 2021. As the Bureau’s Acting Director, Mr. Uejio oversees a $600 million budget and a 1,600-member workforce dedicated to protecting consumers from unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices, in the financial marketplace, through the enforcement of federal consumer financial law. Currently, the Bureau supervises over 150 depository institutions with assets totaling more than $10 billion. The Bureau also supervises mortgage originators and servicers and payday lenders, as well as companies from the consumer reporting, consumer debt collection, student loan servicing, international money transfer, and automobile financing financial marketplaces. Having been with the Bureau since 2012, Acting Director Uejio is committed to ensuring a smooth transition for President Biden’s nominated director, Commissioner Rohit Chopra. Acting Director Uejio will focus on taking all available measures to protect consumers, particularly vulnerable ones, negatively affected by the pandemic; he also will work to utilize the tools of the Bureau to tackle racial disparities and inequalities laid bare by the pandemic. Prior to becoming Acting Director, Mr. Uejio served the Bureau as Acting Chief of Staff, as Lead for Talent Acquisition, and, most recently, as the Bureau’s Chief Strategy Officer. As Chief Strategy Officer, Acting Director Uejio led the development of an integrative approach to strategic planning, policy prioritization, enterprise risk management, organizational performance, and program evaluation. Acting Director Uejio utilized this integrative approach to improve the strategic advice provided to the Director and to better translate the Director’s priorities into tangible, reportable, and auditable programs and initiatives. In addition, to his experience at the Bureau, Acting Director Uejio has served in Human Resources capacities at the National Institutes of Health, the Office of Personnel Management, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Acting Director Uejio began his career in government service in 2006, when he joined the NIH as a Presidential Management Fellow. Acting Director Uejio is devoted to public service both as a profession and a calling. He co-chairs the Federal Innovation Council, which is a leading federal government interagency body to drive public sector innovation. He also co-founded the largest event to connect, develop, and inspire emerging public service leaders, the Next Generation of Government Summit. Acting Director Uejio received a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

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Karen M. Rainey is a masterful technician, leader, coach and speaker, whose passion is advocating for the equity, diversity and inclusion of women in the federal service. Ms. Rainey has made and indelible mark for the advancement and elevation of women in leadership and created greater opportunities for the professional growth and career advancement within our local, state and federal communities. Karen serving in her second term as the 24th National President of Federally Employed Women (FEW) in Philadelphia in 2018. She has 15 years of federal service experience at the Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) within the Modernized, Information Technology and Service division. As a federal employee she is responsible for managing teams that provide a secure and sustainable environment for various tax systems and financial applications on a variety of information technology platforms. Academically, Karen has a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree in Computer and Information Systems from the University of Detroit Mercy specializing in computer and information systems and process improvements. Ms. Rainey believe strongly in the vision of “Soaring to New Heights” to propel the organization forward by being the organization of choice in leadership, diversity and inclusion. Karen promotes through her advocacy, the organization mission to end sex and gender discrimination and to encourage the talents of women to create a more united and diverse pool of intellectual leaders inclusive of women leaders in the federal sector. She is the recipient of FEW’s most prestigious awards, the 2012 Presidential Award and the Barbara Boardman Tennant Award in 2018. In addition, she is currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA), devoted solely to provide emergency financial assistance and scholarships to civilian and postal public servants and their families; and the National Coalition for Equity and Public Service (NCEPS), a coalition of organization that work to promote diversity and inclusion of minority employees career advancement. Originally from Union, SC, she lives with her family in Farmington Hills, MI.

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Name: Arthur Allen (arthur.allen@va.gov) Short Bio: Arthur Allen is an infrastructure Project Manager in Service, Delivery Management section of VA’s IT Operations and Service division within DevSecOps of OIT. He has been with the Department of Veterans Affairs since June 2015. He has led a diverse team of IT professional responsible for the implementation of several enterprise-wide infrastructure projects (SCCM – 2012, Google Chrome-Pexip, ITSM Tool [ServiceNow] EHRM Facilities Server Room (Data Center) Assessment/Remediation and Microsoft Teams). These projects satisfied two of VA’s strategic principles, namely, Innovation and Teamwork. At the same time, the projects satisfied three of OIT’s Strategic Imperatives specifically providing Exceptional Customer Service, IT Modernization, and Seamless and Secure Interoperability. Arthur is a retired U.S. Air Force Officer that can claim he enjoyed his Atlantic crossing aboard the USS Cape St. George while training Navy CIC personnel. His favorite hobbies are traveling, photography, and jazz music. Name: Kathy Lipkea-Durkop Short Bio: Kathy Lipkea-Durkop is an Implementation Manager with the Service Management and Planning (SMP), Service Delivery Management (SDM), National Implementation Management Team. Ms. Lipkea-Durkop has been with the Department of Veterans Affairs since April 1991. She worked several administrative positions before joining the Office of Information Technology (OIT) in February 1998. Her 23 years of OIT experience ranges from VistA Application Support, System Analyst, Deputy Facility Chief Information Officer, Former Region 2 OIT Project Manager to her current position. She has led the implementation of several enterprise-wide infrastructure projects to include VA Applications Consolidated Servers (VACS), Microsoft Teams, and the Real Time Location System (RTLS). The Microsoft Teams implementation fulfilled VA’s strategic principles, namely, Innovation and Teamwork. Name: Stacy Washington Short Bio: Stacy Washington is a Manager, Technology Consulting Group (TCG) in VA National TeleStroke Program.  She has been with the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) since August 2007.  She has led diverse teams responsible for the implementation of several enterprise-wide infrastructure projects the Office of Information Technology (OIT) and as a Project Manager with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Healthcare Transformation (OHT).  OHT is a program office in the Office of the Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health (PDUSH) and provides the USH | PDUSH with program management, healthcare systems engineering, and strategic implementation services.  She led the successful migration of VA Pulse Social Platform to Microsoft Office 365 (O365) and SharePoint Online (SPO) and provided custom MS Teams and SharePoint Online (SPO) training to the VA employees.  She demonstrates the VA’s ICARE core values and characteristics on each Project using her interpersonal skills to include my ability to resolve potentially difficult situations, which reduced resistance to change. Her favorite hobbies are traveling, cooking, and DIY projects.

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Tiffany Pollard is a Human Resources Specialist with over 12 years of progressive Federal experience.  She began her Federal career in 2008 as a Human Resources Assistant for the Human Resources Operations Division of the Defense Commissary Agency but has worked for the Department of Army since 2011.  She spent the majority of her tenure with the Department of Army working for the Civilian Personnel Advisory Center (CPAC) at Fort Detrick and has been able to apply her knowledge of and experience in classification, staffing, and recruitment and placement to her current role with the 21st Signal Brigade.  Tiffany specializes in civilian human resources and personnel management and has established herself as both an expert and trusted advisor.  Her outstanding performance has earned her recognition as both the Civilian of the Quarter and Civilian of the Year and she most recently received a Civilian Service Achievement Medal.  She continues to demonstrate the Department of Defense core values of leadership, professionalism, and technical knowledge and prides herself on providing comprehensive advisory and exemplary customer service.  Tiffany believes that "as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" and attributes everything she’s accomplished to everyone she’s ever worked with, humbly admitting that there’s not one person she’s crossed paths with that she hasn’t learned something from.

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LaJuan Bryan-Beveridge, affectionately known as “LBB”, currently serves as the Department of Commerce Chief Learning Officer (CLO).  LBB’s 32-years of federal service truly exhibits her resilience while serving currently over 50,000 employees.  As a change agent, acts intentionally to build a shared vision with others, translating vision to action.  LBB within her current and previous roles, continuously sets the dynamics and collaboratively leverages organizational strategic priorities.  Although, diversity and inclusion are more recent priorities among government agencies, LBB has always fostered inclusivity and diversity among internal and external stakeholders. Driven by her tenacious approach to exceeding expectations, she remains committed to continuous improvement and delivers high-quality products and services.    9 Customer service is always on the forefronts of every effort she leads, in hopes to build, manage, and enhance staff throughout the organization. LBB effectively creates learning environments that breed successful leaders at all levels and cultivates self-awareness, goal setting and planning, while providing exceptional customer service.  Challenges become the platform which helps to show her dynamic problem solving and critical thinking skills in the least ideal circumstances. LBB serves as a catalyst, emphasizing the benefits of respect and love. People are the heart of every successful organization, which explains why each opportunity to help customers is her primary focus and drive.  LBB maintains these guiding principles for the most amazing outcomes. Her truth: “Without the people, there is no process.”  

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Ms. Amy Purnell is a Brooklyn, New York native. Raised in a single-parent household, her mom moved the family to Florida during her teenage years to provide Ms. Purnell and her two younger siblings with a better life.  There, she continued her education and graduated from high school in Orlando. Ms. Purnell holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Jackson State University and M.B.A. from Strayer University. Ms. Amy Purnell started her professional career in the insurance industry. She was recruited by State Farm Insurance during her senior year of college. During her 12 years with the company, she worked in various offices and held multiple positions. In 2013, Ms. Purnell changed career paths and became a federal employee. She currently supports the Department of Defense, excelling in her career as a Financial Analyst. In addition to working for the federal government, she also serves on the Fairfax County Tenant-Landlord Board of Commission, is a treasurer for the National Black MBA Association, Greater Maryland Chapter, and an Alexandria City Public Schools substitute teacher.  Leadership is a journey, not a destination. As Ms. Purnell continues her journey, she focuses on building relationships with other great leaders and leveraging their influence as pipelines of opportunities for underrepresented groups (single parents, recent college graduates, etc.). Cultivating a culture of change for equitable opportunities both professionally and personally will always remain on the forefront for Ms. Purnell as an advocate, new parent, and transformation leader!

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MYSHEIKA W. ROBERTS, MD, MPH Health Commissioner Columbus Public Health is working to protect the health and improve the lives of all residents by addressing our community’s most critical public health issues such as infant mortality, the opioid epidemic, tobacco use and obesity.  Health Commissioner Dr. Mysheika W. Roberts leads the organization and a team of nearly 500 public health professionals who are focused on neighborhood-based approaches that address the social determinants of health from safe, affordable housing and education to jobs and violent crime in order to decrease the health disparities that exist. Dr. Roberts has a prolific 18-year public health background at the local, state and national levels. Prior to her appointment as Health Commissioner in December 2017, she was the Medical Director and Assistant Health Commissioner at Columbus Public Health. She also built a solid foundation in public health early in her career by investigating outbreaks in Ohio for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and leading an STD clinic and hepatitis prevention efforts at the Baltimore City Health Department.  Dr. Roberts extends her service to the community beyond the walls of Columbus Public Health where she is active on the boards of the Columbus Medical Association Foundation and the YWCA of Columbus, as well as the Lifeline of Ohio Minority Advisory Group and OhioHealth’s Faith, Culture and Community Benefit Committee. She also serves as a mentor in OhioHealth’s Physician Diversity Scholars Program. She earned her MD from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and her MPH from the University of Michigan. A native of Los Angeles, she now calls Columbus home and enjoys spending down time with her husband Edward and their dogs Cosby and Rudy.

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Nominate yourself or another federal employees for the 2021 Unsung Heroes of Federal Service awards at www.waepa.org/PSRW Carmen is an organizational heretic and all-purpose troublemaker whose only real expertise is asking stupid questions and noticing odd, new things that might amount to something…or maybe not. Carmen spent 32 years at CIA but when you meet her you will hardly notice. The top five skills that people on LinkedIn endorse her for are strategy, analysis, leadership, national security, and government, FWIW. She is the co-author of the new book: Rebels At Work: A Handbook for Leading Change from Within, which was informed by her career as a heretic at the CIA.   She likes to speak in public and will go just about anywhere if you pay her expenses. She is an in-demand expert on critical thinking, diversity of thought, and intrapreneurship, speaking to Fortune 500 companies, major non-profits, and governments. Some of her most recent presentations include speaking at South by Southwest 2019 and TEDxMidAtlantic on Surviving as a Change Agent, at SXSW2018 on avoiding the Mediocrity Trap, and on Critical Thinking at SXSW 2017. Recently she has spoken: to US Treasury officers on Diversity of Thought; to Canadian Federal senior executives about Diversity of Thought and Rebel Thinking, to the California STEM Education conference 2020, at the Business Innovation Factory 2017, and multiple times at GovLoop’s NextGen Leadership summit.   If you’re interested in more serious career details, read this paragraph. From 2005-2007 Carmen was part of the executive team that led the CIA's Analysis Directorate; in her last assignment before retiring she began the CIA's Lessons Learned program and led the Agency’s first effort to address the challenges posed by social networks, digital ubiquity, and the emerging culture of collaboration. She was a leader on diversity issues at the CIA, serving on equity boards at all organizational levels and across Directorates. She was the first CIA executive to conceptualize many IT applications now used by analysts, including online production, collaborative tools, and Intellipedia, a project she personally green-lighted; as a senior executive, she began using in 2005 social networking and blogs to reach her diverse workforce. Upon her retirement from CIA, she received the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal. From 2011—2015, Carmen was a member of Deloitte Federal Consulting where she served as senior advisor and mentor to Deloitte's flagship innovation program, GovLab, and sponsored research projects on Bitcoin, Millennials, and the impact of the Internet of Things on government.   Carmen describes herself as Puerto Rican by birth and Texan by nationality. She likes to garden and cook things that she has grown. She has an extensive collection of Karaoke songs and you are always in danger of becoming the after-dinner entertainment. You can follow her on Twitter @milouness and visit her two blogs: recoveringfed.com and rebelsatwork.com.

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David Smith, PhD, is co-author of the book, Good Guys: How Men Can Be Better Allies for Women in the Workplace and Associate Professor of Sociology in the College of Leadership and Ethics at the U.S. Naval War College. A former Navy pilot, Dr. Smith led diverse organizations of women and men culminating in command of a squadron in combat and flew more than 3,000 hours over 30 years including combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a sociologist trained in military sociology and social psychology, he focuses his research in gender, work, and family issues including gender bias in performance evaluations, dual career families, military families, women in the military, and retention of women. He is the co-author of Athena Rising: How and Why Men Should Mentor Women and numerous journal articles and book chapters that focus on gender and the workplace. Learn more about David at: workplaceallies.com

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Please share your thoughts about this interview at http://alextremble.com/?p=298 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.

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Share your reaction to this interview at http://alextremble.com/?p=300 About Holly Hughson: Having worked for almost two decades in high-stakes crisis response, humanitarian action and civil-military coordination, my expertise is building teams and leadership capability in extreme environments. I am a writer and international speaker and my consulting expertise is built on the foundation of a deep understanding of human dynamics and complex systems. ​ The experience of working unarmed in some of the most insecure locations on the planet has a way of honing a key skillset. This has direct application for leaders, teams and organizations facing existential crises where approaches that may have been effective in earlier, less complex and less distributed environments no longer reliably work.    Working on the frontline of 21st century conflict, I have seen first hand, the disruption to 20th century norms of security, power, profession and identity. From a broad and unique witness, operating both as an unarmed aid worker and military advisor in some of the most complex conflicts of the 21st century, I have honed the art of connecting at all levels of power.  My comfort is navigating uncertainty, building trust in times of insecurity and assessing organizational performance in uncharted territory. My approach is not to replace the client’s need to think critically and but to encourage them to own the process and pace of implementation.      The challenges are the ground of opportunity: leadership and culture empowered by intuitive adaptability.   ​ My work experience by country: Afghanistan, Denmark, Ghana, Hungary, Iraq, Italy, Kosovo, Macedonia, Russian Federation, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, United Kingdom and the United States of America.

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Geoff is a 30-year career Coast Guard veteran where he held two commands, led the Performance Excellence Program, chaired the Commandant’s Innovation Council, and served as the first CG/DHS Fellow at the Homeland Security Institute. As an Excellence in Government (EIG) Senior Fellow, EIG co-coach and Partnership for Public Service Leadership Alumni Board member (18 years, two as Chair), he has led several workshops on leading change “from the middle.” Geoff recently launched his first leadership book, Unauthorized Progress – Leading ‘from the Middle’: Stories and Proven Strategies for Making Meaningful Impacts on this topic which he often speaks and writes about. Unauthorized Progress was a #1 Best-Seller in two Kindle eBook categories and the #1 New Release in four Amazon/Kindle categories. He currently serves as a senior faculty member teaching leadership for a federal agency.   Geoff holds a Doctorate in Business Administration (Thesis: Improving Organizational Performance Through Innovation and Empowering the Workforce) and earned two MIT engineering graduate degrees. A Professional Engineer, Geoff served as a national director of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) and is a founding director of MIT’s Military Alumni Association. Military awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (4) and CG Commendation Medal (2); other honors include the EIG Senior Fellows Community Award, Analytic Services’ Platt Award for Authors, SEC’s Veterans Charity Award, and SAME’s Academy of Fellows. 

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Dr. Joynicole Martinez is CEO of The Alchemist Agency, a management consulting firm serving leading executives, corporations, and organizations. Dr. Martinez has over 20 years of experience providing capacity-building services, including strategic planning and organizational design with a focus on leadership and executive training and coaching, performance and change management, fund development and impact measurement.    In addition to her extensive work in the healthcare industry in compliance, patient experience, interoperability, multidisciplinary team building, diversity & inclusion training, and board development, Joynicole has developed projects and garnered funding for initiatives that reach across the housing and education industries to strengthen population health and wellness. Her grant writing has won millions of dollars toward advancing the community serving missions of her clients.   Dr. Martinez is an award winning speaker and trainer and has presented at numerous local, state, and federal conferences. Her list of clients includes the Health Care Compliance Association, Microsoft Corporation, Wells Fargo, Women Economic Forum, Ritz Paris, North Carolina Association of Certified Professional Accountants, Ellevate, NASDAQ, Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics, American Veterans Association, and Women Influence Community. Joynicole has trained executives across North and South America and in the United Kingdom, France, Canada, the Netherlands, Russia, United Arab Emirates, and the Caribbean. As a champion for equity and social justice, Dr. Martinez serves as the Director of Research for the World Woman Foundation and the Jordan Institute for Leadership and Social Justice.   Dr. Martinez is a featured member on SheSource, an online brain trust of female experts on diverse topics designed to serve journalists, producers, and booking agents. She is an inaugural member of the Peace50 (P50) Community, an engagement group that proposes policy recommendations related to peace. As contributor to the invitation only Forbes Coaches Council, she provides expert advice on leadership, management, and business innovation. Dr. Martinez serves as the United States Chair for Housing and Development for the All Ladies League (India), is the US Ambassador for Diplomatic World Magazine and is a staff contributor to North Carolina’s oldest minority owned newspaper, The Carolinian. 

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René Redwood, CEO of Redwood Enterprise LLC, directs initiatives resulting in judicial, legislative, commercial, and political wins for public and private sector organizations, and non-profit organizations. For over 25 years, she has led strategic initiatives on equity and fairness, facilitated discourse on the business advantage of diversity, promotes policies and practices that value the human resource as an asset, and applied research and experience that offer solutions to reduce risk from and in organizational cultures. Redwood Enterprise provides services that mitigate barriers to inclusion; foster cultures to enhance performance in the workplace and respectful presence in markets or community; improve workforce and customer satisfaction; and promote measures for organizational accountability and societal impact. The Redwood Enterprise proven systems and methodologies transform workspaces and communities by building and restoring trust with internal customers and external constituents. Ms. Redwood has been recognized for her expertise in cultural change; leadership development; strategic plans for racial justice, gender equity, addressing and preventing sexual harassment; and the impact of unconscious and systemic bias on individual and institutional success. She is often described as smart, strategic and energetic, and has been featured in Time Magazine, Elle, Essence Magazine, Black Enterprise, American Editor, etc. Ms. Redwood moved from chemist to thought leader through her executive leadership for a prominent polling and research firm; the Presidential Glass Ceiling Commission (Civil Rights Act of 1991, Title II); a coalition of leading legal defense organizations; congressional district offices; and political operations for a national party. She served on a court appointed Task Force to oversee a Fortune 100 corporation’s compliance with a historic discrimination settlement agreement, rang the closing bell at NASDAQ as SME on business case for gender parity, and currently chairs the Equality Task Force for a security agency. René Redwood has been honored as a Freedom’s Sister for "continuing the legacy of African American women for courageous, spirited trailblazing that has helped to shape our country" by Ford Motor Company Fund and Smithsonian Institute, and received the “Women-Owned Business, Servant Leadership Award”. She serves on the Investment Committee for Ms. Foundation for Women; Advisory Board of Women in Technology International; Board Chair Emeritus of NARAL Pro-Choice America; the Advisory Board for the WNBA Washington Mystics; and on the Congressional Black Caucus Scholarship Committee for Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton.

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Mr. Brailsford is co-founder and CEO of Brailsford & Dunlavey. He is nationally recognized for his innovation in the application of market and financial analysis to the programming and development of auxiliary facilities in higher education—such as student housing, campus unions, and recreation—as well as intercollegiate and professional sport facilities, and recreation and entertainment venues. He has provided planning and management services for hundreds of clients. Initially known for his unique quantitative approaches, over the years Mr. Brailsford shared his experiences and ideas in dozens of articles and workshops, and at national conferences and symposia including Society of College & University Planners, Harvard Graduate School of Design, National Association of College & University Business Officers, Athletic Business, National Intramural Recreational Sports Association, National Association of Collegiate Auxiliary Services, Association of College & University Housing Officers-International, and Council for Urban Economic Development. Today, Mr. Brailsford is focused on institutional strategy and operational efficiency for colleges and universities. He spends most of his time innovating, so the firm’s methodology remains fresh. Still engaged in his work, though, and always dedicated to mentoring staff throughout the firm—including B&D’s more senior advisors—Mr. Brailsford keeps his hand in about four to six projects at a time. He greatly enjoys working on the more complex, cutting-edge projects, and working with long-standing clients—including those who have been working with B&D for decades now.

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Michael “Mick” Patrick Mulroy is a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, a retired Paramilitary Operations Officer in the CIA, and a retired U.S. Marine. He is a Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute, an Analyst for ABC News, on the board of directors for http://grassrootsgroup.org/ (Grassroots Reconciliation Group), a co-founder of https://www.loboinstitute.org/donate/ (End Child Soldierin)g,  and the co-founder of the  http://loboinstitute.org/ (Lobo Institute).

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CHARLENE DREW JARVIS, PhD In her long and distinguished career, CHARLENE DREW JARVIS has held positions as a neuroscientist, legislator and university president. She received a BS from Oberlin College (1962), an MS from Howard University (1964), and a PhD in Neuropsychology (1971) from the University of Maryland, all the while balancing the demands of a wife and mother of two active young boys. Dr. Jarvis’ educational background led to a career as a neuroscientist at the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Md. (1971-1978). Her research with co-investigators appeared in scientific publications such as the Annals of Neurology; Neuroscience Abstracts; Brain Research, the Journal of Neurophysiology, and Brain, Behavior and Evolution. Responding to the need to help re-build the economy of Washington, DC after the riots following the death of Martin Luther King, Jr., Councilmember Jarvis ran for public office and was elected 6 times to the Council of the District of Columbia (1979-2000). Her work as Chair of the Committee on Economic Development for more than 20 years was pioneering. The Housing Production Trust Fund, The Washington Convention Center, the Verizon Center, Business Improvement Districts, Tax Increment Financing, and legislative initiatives designed to prevent red-lining by commercial banks stand as important, and collaborative, contributions. Dr. Jarvis was appointed in 1996 as president of Southeastern University, founded by the YMCA in 1879. True to the mission of the YMCA, her goal was to give students both theoretical and practical applications of knowledge. Thirteen years later, in 2009, she orchestrated a unique merger of the University with the USDA Graduate School in Washington, DC. The Honorable Charlene Drew Jarvis was named one of the most powerful women in Washington by "Washingtonian Magazine” in 1989, 1994, and 2007 and by "The Washington Business Journal" in 1985. Jarvis’ legacy as the daughter of Dr. Charles R. Drew, the blood bank pioneer, has given her a special perspective as an advocate for science and health education. In her association with the American Red Cross, Dr. Jarvis has traveled to many Red Cross and Bone Marrow sites around the nation to speak about her father’s accomplishments and to encourage the participation of minority blood and marrow donors. Among her treasured awards, on 2014 Dr. Jarvis was given an award for her service from the Washington, DC Chapter of the American Red Cross. Dr. Jarvis is the recipient of more than 100 awards for her leadership, including honorary doctorates from Amherst College, George Washington University, Oberlin College, and a Distinguished Alumni Award from Howard University. Charlene Drew Jarvis is valued for her analytical skills, intellectual rigor, probing questions, and pragmatic approach to problem solving. These traits made her advisory contributions much in demand by dozens of major organizations and commissions. Describing herself now as the “working” retired, Dr. Jarvis serves or has served during this period: on the Executive Committee of the Federal City Council, with its Executive Director, former Mayor Anthony Williams; on The Advisory Committee of the Newseum; as Senior Advisor to the Jarvis Company, LLC and Jarvis Commercial Real Estate on the Board of Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio on the Board at Edmund Burke, an Independent School as a Senior Advisor to a charter school with high performing students, KIPP DC; on the Transition Committee of Mayor Muriel Bowser on the board of the University of the District of Columbia until 2024 on the Cross-Sector Task Force on Charter and DC Public Schools led by Deputy Mayor for Education 2017-2019 Co-chair, with American University President Sylvia Burwell, of Mayor Bowser’s Our Schools Leadership Committee to make recommendations for the selection of the next Chancellor of the District of Columbia. Public Schools. 2018 on the Advisory Committee of...

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Jason Briefel is a partner at Shaw Bransford & Roth, P.C. (SB&R), where he leads the firm’s government and public affairs department, providing legislative and organizational representation and strategic advice to nonprofits and corporations. Mr. Briefel joined SB&R in 2012 to work in the firm's government affairs department, quickly advancing through successive roles with expanding responsibility. He is a regular host of the firm’s podcast, https://federalnewsnetwork.com/category/federal-insights/fedtalk/ (FEDtalk) on Federal News Network, and is Editor of the https://www.fedmanager.com/ (FEDmanager) and https://www.fedagent.com/ (FEDagent) weekly e-report newsletters. He is the Director of Policy and Outreach for the Senior Executives Association (SEA), responsible for the association’s policy platform, strategic engagement with corporate, NGO, and government partners, and SEA member professional development programming. He served as the SEA Executive Director from September 2016 to April 2020, and served as SEA Interim President from February-September 2016. Mr. Briefel is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Public Policy Committee. He is also a Director on the Board of the https://feea.org/ (Federal Employees Education and Assistance Fund) (FEEA), currently serving as Treasurer. Prior to joining SB&R, Mr. Briefel worked in Congress for a member of the North Carolina delegation and interned with the DC-based think tank Third Way. He also served as a research assistant and project manager for the https://research.cnr.ncsu.edu/blogs/firechasers/ (FireChasers), a collaborative research endeavor between the U.S. Forest Service and North Carolina State University. Mr. Briefel holds a B.A. from the University of Richmond and an M.S. from North Carolina State University.

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Kellie Adesina serves as Director of Government Affairs at Bayer where she is responsible for crop science issues like gene editing, biotech regulation and approvals, biostimulants, oilseeds, vegetables, and food security. Prior to joining Bayer, she served as Chief Counsel on the House Agriculture Committee for Chairman Collin C. Peterson. In this capacity, she successfully drafted several provisions that were included in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. She also provided strategic and legal counsel to the Chairman and other Democratic Members of the Committee. Before joining the House Agriculture Committee, Kellie was Senior Counselor in the Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In this role, she served as the chief of staff to the General Counsel and provided legal advice and services regarding the broad range of activities at USDA. Prior to USDA, Kellie was Legislative Director to Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge of Ohio where she developed and implemented the Congresswoman’s legislative agenda, as well as managed the legislative staff. She also guided the Congresswoman through the 2014 Farm Bill Conference Committee negotiations. Additionally, Kellie has worked for Congresswoman Judy Chu of California as Legislative Counsel and in various roles for Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, her home state. Kellie holds a Juris Doctor from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Bethune-Cookman College. In her spare time she serves as a mentor and volunteers through her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc

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Dr. Linda L. Singh Former Adjutant General of Maryland Ret. Major General Linda L. Singh was appointed as The 29th Adjutant General of Maryland in January 2015. In the role she was responsible for the daily operations of the Maryland Military Department, which includes the Maryland Army National Guard, Maryland Air National Guard, Maryland Emergency Management Agency, and Maryland Defense Force. She was also a senior advisor to the governor and was responsible for the readiness, administration, and training of more than 6,700 members of the Military Department with an annual budget of more than $314 million. As The Adjutant General, she served as the official channel of communication between the governor and the National Guard Bureau and served as a member of the governor’s cabinet. Dr. Singh is currently the CEO of Kaleidoscope Affect, LLC. where she personally mentors, coaches and speaks on leadership, diversity, adversity, career transition and issues that plague women and veterans in the workplace. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business, a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Strategic Studies and a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. She is the author of “Moments of Choice: My path to leadership” and “What’s in Your Box” which is schedule for early 2020 release. Dr. Singh is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Gallup Strengths Coach and John Maxwell certified trainer and speaker. She has received numerous awards, among them are the 2013 Diversity MBA Top 100 under 50 Diverse Emerging Leaders, The Network Journal 25 Influential Black Women in Business Award for 2014 and recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for 2015. She was also inducted into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame in March 2015. She was also featured on the Today Show for her history making leadership team and named as one of InStyle’s Badass 50 in July 2019.  

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Troy LeMaile-Stovall. As CEO and Executive Director of TEDCO—Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies—Troy leads the organization’s mission to support economic development growth through the fostering of an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. He leverages his expertise from over 25 years in the fields of investment management, higher education, telecommunications, information/communication technology, management consulting, and non-profit leadership/management.  Prior to joining TEDCO, Troy served as Chief Operating Officer at the University of the District of Columbia. He also founded and serves as Managing Member of LeMaile Stovall LLC, a management consulting firm focused on strategy, operational performance and capital stack formation. Troy was Interim President for Zenith Education Group, a $400M+, 56-campus career education system. He was a Principal with Butler Snow Advisory Services, serving higher education clients. He has also worked at senior levels in higher education as EVP/COO at Howard University and Sr. VP/CFO at Jackson State University. He co-founded and operated as the first President/CEO of GulfSouth Capital, Ambassador John N. Palmer’s (Skytel founder) multi-million dollar family investment office; he served global technology and telecommunications clients as a Sr. Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Co.; and held positions at Southwestern Bell Telephone (now AT&T), Bell Labs and Rockwell International.  Troy earned a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Southern Methodist University cum laude, a master’s degree in Computer Science from Stanford University, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. A triathlete, Troy is married to the former Sonya L Wiggins, a marathon runner, and they are parents of two honor roll, championship-level cross-country runners and competitive swimmers, Zora Lauren and Langston Anthony.

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Council Member Jim Cox was named Victorville's City Manager in December of 1969 and held that position until 2000. During his tenure as City Manager, he was named to the Board of Directors for the State of California Redevelopment Association, as well as a number of local and statewide offices. He received an appointment from former Governor George Deukmejian to the Mojave County Formation Review Commission. In January 2009, Cox returned to Victorville to serve as City Manager. In November 2012, Cox was elected to the Victorville City Council. He served a two-year term as Mayor until his appointment as Mayor Pro Tem in December 2014. Cox was re-elected to the City Council in 2016 for a four-year term. He served as Mayor Pro Tem until 2018. Community service has always been a hallmark of his leadership. Cox was elected to the Victor Valley Water District Board of Directors in 2003 and held that position until 2007. Cox has also served on the Victor Valley Hospital Board of Directors, Mojave Desert Resource Conservation District, and a number of local clubs and organizations including the Victor Valley Am-Vets Post 7007. Jim Cox holds a lifetime teaching credential in Public Safety and Administration. He is an ex-officio member of the Victorville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is a member of Rotary International. He received a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California in 1976. He has lived in Victorville for 47 years and has six children and seven grandchildren. He proudly served in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged. Jim currently represents the City of Victorville on the following Boards, Commissions and Committees: Delegate to http://mdaqmd.ca.gov/ (Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District) Delegate to http://vvwra.com/ (Victor Valley Waste Water Reclamation Authority) Delegate to http://www.cacities.org/Member-Engagement/Regional-Divisions/Desert-Mountain (Desert/Mountain Division of League of California Cities) Delegate to http://gosbcta.com/ (San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) Board of Directors) Delegate to http://gosbcta.com/ (San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) Mountain/Desert Policy Committee) Email Council Member Cox

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Michael Stallard is the globally-recognized thought leader on how leaders create and maintain cultures of connection that help individuals, teams and organizations thrive for a sustained period of time. A keynote speaker, leadership trainer and executive coach, he is cofounder and president of E Pluribus Partners and Connection Culture Group, leadership training and consulting firms. Michael’s recent clients have included Costco, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Toll Brothers, U.S. Air Force, Turner Construction, and Yale-New Haven Health. Texas Christian University founded the TCU Center for Connection Culture based on Michael’s work.  Michael is the primary author of two bestselling books, Connection Culture: The Competitive Advantage of Share Identity, Empathy and Understanding at Work and Fired Up or Burned Out: How to Reignite Your Team’s Passion, Creativity and Productivity.   Articles by or about Michael or his work have appeared in business periodicals worldwide. Learn more at ConnectionCulture.com and MichaelLeeStallard.com. A sample chapter of the Connection Culture, 2nd edition is available for http://www.michaelleestallard.com/wp-content/uploads/Connection-Culture-2nd-Edition-Sample-Chapter.pdf (free download).  

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Keith Benjamin serves as the Director of the Department of Traffic and Transportation for the city of Charleston, South Carolina. In his position he oversees all transportation maintenance, planning and partnerships at the local, county and state level. He is also the city’s representative on the CARTA Transit Board, Charleston Aviation Authority and the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments’ Policy Committee. Previously he served in the Office of Policy Development, Strategic Planning and Performance as well as led the Office of Public Liaison at the US Department of Transportation.   Prior to his Federal service, Keith was Community Partnership Manager for the Voices for Healthy Kids Community Consortium with the Safe Routes to School National Partnership. In this role, he was responsible for the recruiting and developing of public and private partners that were dedicated to creating healthy accessible and safe communities across the nation. At the national, regional and local level, Keith provided technical assistance to policy campaigns in underserved communities, built coalitions, increased leadership capacity, engaged elected officials, created advocacy resources and led The Nation Active Transportation Diversity Task Force.   Keith has also previously represented the Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO advocating on behalf of 200,000 members and retirees and also served on Capitol Hill with Senator Carl Levin, the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, the Committee on House Administration, Representative Kendrick Meek, and the late Representative Donald Payne.   A 2019 NACTO Leadership Fellow, and delegate to Kenya and Ethiopia with the American Council of Young Political Leaders, he has served as 2018 Next City Vanguard Fellow, a member of the National League of Cities Advisory Panel on Health Disparities, the Better Bike Share Partnership Equity Panel, the National Working Group on Healthy Food access and the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board, Citizens Advisory Committee.   Keith Benjamin is a graduate and Deans awardee of Swarthmore College, and comes to Charleston with his wife Tiffany Nicole and son Kingsley Randall.

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