99 Humans: Recent Episodes
By Jeff Lakusta & Nadia Carta
A multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. As we conduct interviews with a cohort of cross-industry leaders, we seek to tell stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story at www.99Humans.com
Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about learning how to stay steady when none seem to exist.
In this conversation, Gila Wilensky, Chief Solutions Officer at WPP Media, shares what it means to lead with curiosity, composure, and a sense of humor in an industry that never stops reinventing itself. From her first lesson—“be a duck”—to her later discovery that tension and change can be creative forces, Gila reveals how she balances decisiveness with empathy and innovation with imperfection.
We explore how AI is reshaping the marketing world, why curiosity is the most underrated leadership skill, and how the best systems evolve the same way people do—through trial, iteration, and the occasional burnt pancake. Gila also opens up about the rituals that keep her grounded: early mornings, deep focus, and the rare art of doing one thing at a time.
This conversation is about staying human in fast-moving systems, leading with calm in the churn, and finding grace by gliding through chaos.
linkedin.com/in/gilawilensky/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Behind every impressive career journey lies a set of values that quietly steer the course.
In this episode, Aysun Demircan reflects on how core values evolve over time, why debating both sides of an argument taught her empathy, and how she navigates the tension between chasing growth and staying rooted with people she loves to work with. She opens up about building a decision-making framework that balances intuition with analytical rigor, the role of mentors and “kitchen cabinets” in career choices, and the surprising ways personal life and professional life intertwine.
We explore the double-edged sword of loyalty, what it means to be true to yourself while adapting across industries and cultures, and how checking in daily against your values can guide both small choices and life-altering decisions. Aysun also shares how her support structure—partner, son, mentors, and friends—anchors her growth in the face of constant change.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation on values, growth, and the art of leading a life that feels whole, not split between work and home.
linkedin.com/in/aysundemircan/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Leadership's truest test lies in how we treat our peers, own our mistakes, and invite others to run alongside us.
From his early days in the U.S. Air Force to his role as a marketing executive at State Farm and pro bono advisor to the National VFW, Sean has spent his career building cultures where curiosity beats criticism, where failure fuels growth, and where meaning matters more than momentary happiness.
In this episode, Sean shares why “done beats perfect” is more than a mantra—it’s a mindset that unlocks speed, psychological safety, and innovation. We explore the power of invitation over command, the hidden costs of leaving peers behind, and how to build organizations where agency and trust endure across decades.
Sean opens up about missteps, mentors who shaped him, and the 11 three-word mantras he wants to share with his children.
Tune in for a candid, energizing conversation on resilience, culture, and what it takes to lead with humanity in a fast-changing world.
linkedin.com/in/sean-kingsbury-30415814b/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
While technology rewrites the rules of work, creativity, and truth itself, hold fast to what makes us human by embracing uncertainty and showing vulnerability.
From PepsiCo to Visa to the boardroom of a Fortune 200 company, Shiv Singh has spent his career navigating moments of massive transformation. In this episode, he shares why AI is not just another technological shift but a force as profound as the discovery of fire—and why the future of leadership will demand more humanity, not less.
We explore the rise of followership in a world of contested truths, why vulnerability is the most underrated leadership trait, and how leaders can prepare teams for a future where jobs are both disappearing and being created at unprecedented speed. Shiv reflects on his own experiences—from corporate boardrooms to family life—and opens up about the one quality that will matter most in the age of superintelligence: human agency.
Tune in for a candid, wide-ranging conversation on leadership, inequality, and what it means to flourish when the very definition of work, creativity, and connection is being reimagined.
linkedin.com/in/shivsingh/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
What does it take to lead yourself—before you can lead anyone else? You start by knowing yourself, being yourself, and showing up as yourself.
From scaling startups to stepping away for a “blank canvas” sabbatical, Nish Patel has spent his career reimagining what leadership can look like in an age of rapid change. In this episode, he shares how living with a rare neurological condition became his greatest teacher—shaping his perspective on resilience, perspective, and the human side of innovation.
We talk about reframing limitations as circumstances, why friction is the new optimization, and how leaders can model the behavior they want to see—especially when navigating the uncharted waters of AI. Nish opens up about rejecting external algorithms, playing to your own, and why putting yourself first might be the most generous thing you can do for others.
Tune in for a candid, energizing conversation about purpose, perspective, and what it means to flourish—both as a leader and as a human—in the age of AI.
linkedin.com/in/nishp
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
What does it take to lead with courage—when you’re the only one in the room who looks or sounds like you? You advocate for yourself, open the door for others, and build the future one brick at a time.
From growing up in a 300-square-foot apartment in India to becoming a global tech executive, Vidya More has built a remarkable career at the forefront of AI and innovation. In this episode, she shares the winding journey that took her from soldering broken radios to leading data and AI strategy at Capgemini—and the quiet resilience it took to get there.
Vidya opens up about the power of happy accidents, the barriers she had to unlearn, and the mentors who helped her find her voice. We talk about building psychological safety on teams, the underestimated art of self-advocacy, and why inclusion isn’t just good ethics—it’s good engineering. And yes, we even get into Legos, Bob Ross, and Spider-Man.
Tune in for a grounded, heartening conversation about curiosity, courage, and what it means to lead humanely in the age of AI.
linkedin.com/in/vidyamore/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
How do you lead in crisis when every protocol breaks down? You listen, adapt—and bring the volleyballs.
From night landings in sandstorms to leading sailors mid-pandemic, Navy pilot (and Jeff's personal hero/brother!) Patrick Lakusta shares the messy, human side of leadership in high-stakes environments. In this episode, Patrick opens up about taking command of a Joint Strike Fighter Squadron, the emotional complexity of military transitions, and the unexpected ways transparency and humor sustained his team through COVID isolation.
With wisdom forged in flight simulators, quarantine gyms, and desert skies, Patrick reflects on prioritizing what matters, staying grounded under pressure, and leading with integrity—even when the lights go out and the runway disappears.
Tune in for a personal conversation about crisis, clarity, and the triangle of leadership that guides him forward: mission, family, sailor.
linkedin.com/in/patrick-lakusta-b77169188
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
How do you lead with humanity in the face of uncertainty? You ask for what you need.
From door-to-door sales in Texas to leading national teams in the luxury skincare space, Alessia Todde’s leadership journey is one of grit, transformation, and heart. But behind her impressive résumé lies a deeper story—one of learning from management mistakes (like all of us!), navigating the chaos of working motherhood, and most recently, facing a breast cancer diagnosis with courage and clarity.
In this episode, Alessia opens up about the evolution of her leadership style—from micromanaging to compassionate guidance—and shares how the concept of “situational leadership” helps her meet each team member exactly where they are. She reflects on how illness reframed her priorities, what it means to truly advocate for yourself, and why asking for help isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom.
Tune in to hear Alessia’s candid insights on self-compassion, work-life balance, and what it really takes to lead with humanity in the face of uncertainty.
linkedin.com/in/alessia-todde-a7305718
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
From playing collegiate soccer on a scholarship to leading global teams at Google, Juan Vallejo’s journey is defined by grit, heart, and an unshakeable commitment to his values. But behind the polished résumé lies a story of resilience—from rebuilding his life after losing a job and visa sponsorship, to facing major knee surgery and recovery with optimism and discipline.
In this episode, Juan shares how his guiding values—passion, growth, and legacy—shape not just his leadership style but his entire life. He opens up about navigating setbacks, the importance of taking action to honor your purpose, and why cleansing the relationships around you can be just as vital as any business strategy.
Tune in to hear how Juan lives the philosophy of “no losses, only lessons,” the surprising decision that brought him to Google over glitzier roles, and why he’s more focused on becoming a better father, teammate, and leader than chasing titles.
linkedin.com/in/juan-c-vallejo-27a6b8137/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Life can change in an instant. One moment you're planning a future, and the next, you're navigating a whirlwind of life-altering events.
Raman Khanna, VP at IPG media brands, shares his powerful and deeply personal story of facing a cancer diagnosis while his wife was pregnant with their second child and his mother was passing away. From the shock of a life-threatening illness to the joy of new life and the pain of loss, Raman reveals how these experiences reshaped his perspective on leadership, career, and what truly matters.
Tune in to hear how Raman found strength in the face of adversity, the importance of a supportive work culture, and why prioritizing family and community is essential for leading a more meaningful life.
linkedin.com/in/raman-khanna-a4539214
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
People talk about work addiction like it's a badge of honor. Like grinding yourself into the ground somehow makes you worthy of success.
Leadership coach Nicky Brown shares her powerful journey from corporate success to self-discovery, revealing how she broke free from work addiction and redefined achievement on her own terms. From her early influences in human-centric leadership to the pivotal moment she realized her worth wasn’t tied to accolades, Nicky offers deep insights on balancing ambition with well-being.
Tune in to learn how to lead with purpose, break unhealthy patterns, and create lasting impact—without burning out.
linkedin.com/in/nickybrown-coachtogrowth/
coachtogrowth.com/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Can you remember a moment in your career that changed everything?
Nancy Hall, CEO of Mindshare North America, shares her remarkable journey—from faxing her first job application to becoming one of the most respected leaders in digital marketing and advertising. She opens up about the challenges of being a female leader in a male-dominated industry, the power of lifelong learning, and the importance of fostering diverse teams that encourage debate and creativity.
Nancy also reflects on the lessons learned from her early entrepreneurial venture in fashion-tech, the struggles of balancing career and motherhood, and how she leads through times of uncertainty—like during an acquisition. With her signature candor and insight, she reminds us why leadership is about listening, adaptability, and resilience.
linkedin.com/in/nancy-hall-ba71251/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
When you want something, sometimes it requires taking a leap. What are you leaping to next?
From small-town India to the executive boardroom, Nandeeta Seth shares her journey of resilience, risk-taking, and redefining success. She opens up about moving to the U.S. with nothing but ambition (and a mountain of student debt), the challenges of leadership in a fast-changing world, and how being a mom actually makes her a better executive.
Tune in for candid insights on career growth, emotional regulation, and setting boundaries—both in business and in life.
linkedin.com/in/nandeetaseth/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Who are the toughest negotiators in your world?
From navigating high-stakes decisions at Google and Facebook to advocating for her neuroatypical child, Alexis Hochleutner shares candid lessons on trust, resilience, and why four-year-olds might just be the toughest negotiators of all.
Tune in for a refreshingly real take on leadership, advocacy, and embracing the chaos. Alexis Hochleutner dives into the messy, human side of leadership—both in the boardroom and at home.
linkedin.com/in/alexishochleutner/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Who's your closest partner? What makes that partnership work?
Dive into the dynamic partnership between Sandra Muoio and Ryan Blum, two advertising leaders whose decade-long collaboration has weathered high-stakes challenges, heated debates, and plenty of laughter. From a fateful conversation on a stuck Chicago L train to transforming major client strategies, their story is a masterclass in trust, empathy, and authentic leadership.
Hear how they navigate disagreements, build creative solutions, and inspire their teams—all while staying true to themselves and each other. This is a conversation about the human side of leadership, where mutual respect and a no-BS approach make all the difference.
Sandra:
linkedin.com/in/sandra-muoio
Ryan:
linkedin.com/in/nothingsaid/
ryanblum.com
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
You’re the CEO of your own narrative. So, what’s your next chapter?
Kay Munday, a communications coach, NLP practitioner, and creative business leader at Google shares her journey from being a self-proclaimed “terrible communicator” to becoming a sought-after expert in helping people and brands own their narratives. Through her personal story of transformation, she reveals how overcoming her fear of communication taught her the importance of aligning your internal story before mastering external expression.
Kay’s relatable anecdotes and actionable insights make this episode a masterclass in reinvention, vulnerability, and the art of storytelling.
linkedin.com/in/kay-munday-14a8b039
kaymunday.com
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
How do you do it all and ENJOY THE RIDE?!
Max Traylor, a fourth-generation entrepreneur and independent consultant, shares his journey of redefining success. From the pressures of running a marketing agency to discovering a business model that puts personal life first, Max reflects on the lessons he’s learned about work-life balance, mental health, and building a fulfilling life.
Max offers practical insights for consultants and entrepreneurs on simplifying work, focusing on impact, and, above all, enjoying the ride. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about prioritizing what truly matters.
linkedin.com/in/maxtraylor/
maxtraylor.com/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Trust and collaboration. Every team needs it, but how do you create it?
Alexia Palau started a new role on March 20, 2020 just as things began unravelling for COVID. Alexia shares how the next few years challenged her with building trust and collaboration in her multi-national team. Applying lessons learned from startups and past roles, Alexia shares how she nurtures relationships that avoid the echo chamber and keep her grounded with what the team needs to succeed.
For Alexia, success is a constant process of iteration, requiring a team of people who will tell you what they think and what they need.
linkedin.com/in/alexia-pr/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
How often do you say no? It may be getting in your way.
Dustin Riechmann is a serial entrepreneur, and since he's always juggling multiple businesses, he's had to learn the importance of letting things go. A 6-month deadline to make a profitable side business became the opportunity to give notice and pursue his passions.
Dustin shares tricks of the trade from successes and failures of starting companies, now coaching other founders on making the 7-figure leap.
linkedin.com/in/dustinriechmann/
7figureleap.com
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Companies are not families, but the people we work with can be lifelong friends.
Mailine Swildens helps the largest companies in the world reimagine their digital marketing. Mailine shares how she learned that companies are not families without becoming disillusioned or pessimistic by their profit-driven nature.
Mailine thinks that when leadership comes from a good place, it changes the world. Hear how she keeps a realistic perspective on corporations while still creating a fulfilling experience for herself and her teams.
linkedin.com/in/545swi
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
The best way to grow is to get uncomfortable.
From Taiwan to tech, Annica Lin's journey is a testament to the power of a growth mindset. In this inspiring episode, Annica reveals her secrets for overcoming challenges, building resilience, and achieving her goals. As the head of growth for Nagish, Annica interweaves her passion for challenge with her leadership in and out of the workplace.
Annica shares how she's transformed her life through running marathons, speaking on the TEDx stage, and leading multiple technology companies. Listen and discover what it takes to embrace discomfort and unlock your full potential.
linkedin.com/in/annicalin
linktr.ee/annicalin
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Discover how to balance a demanding career with personal passions.
Giorgio Suighi, a successful entrepreneur and corporate leader at Mindshare, shares his strategies for making time for what you love. From leveraging AI to cultivating personal discipline, Giorgio's insights offer practical tips for achieving a fulfilling work-life balance.
Tune in to learn how to design your life around your unique interests and find the energy for both your career and personal pursuits.
linkedin.com/in/giorgiosuighi
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Tired of L&D initiatives (your own or your team's) falling flat?
Join us as we chat with Pete Fullard, Founder & CEO of Upskill People, a company that has thrived in the learning space for nearly 30 years. Discover why measuring outcomes and building actionable plans are the keys to successful L&D.
Pete shares his personal journey to becoming a CEO and offers practical advice for individuals and businesses looking to level up their learning and development strategies. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and actionable tips!
upskillpeople.com
linkedin.com/in/petefullard/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
What does it take to lead with purpose?
In this episode of 99 Humans, EJ Kim, Co-Founder & CEO of NNABI, shares her inspiring journey from corporate life to bootstrapping a wellness startup laser-focused on perimenopause. Guided by her passion and purpose, EJ is forging her own path with what she calls a “portfolio career.” Her drive to change how women experience perimenopause—with support, clarity, and community—makes this a must-listen for anyone looking to create meaningful impact.
EJ dives into the unique challenges of perimenopause, how she’s transforming the conversation, and what it means to pursue a career fueled by both passion and purpose. If you’ve ever wondered how to discover your own path, pursue a personal mission, or embark on a journey of self-discovery, this episode is for you.
Tune in to hear EJ’s insights on authentic leadership, honest self-reflection, and the transformative power of living your purpose.
linkedin.com/in/ej-kim/
about.me/EJKim
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
When life changes in an instant, how do you build resilience to see the positive?
Cristina Nuti is a marketing executive at Dell, an IronMan finisher, Paralympic Triathlete, and a Marathoner. After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of thirty-six, Cristina shares her inspiring journey to building a rich life, which includes being one of the first ever IronMan finishers with MS. She is an inspiration, with a life perspective centered on acceptance and hard work which fuels incredible achievements and makes her a powerful example of being so much more than a disease.
Cristina's story celebrates the power of the human spirit, peeking behind the curtain of accomplishments to see her energy, sense of humor, and a wonderfully human leader.
linkedin.com/in/cristinanuti/
instagram.com/cristinanuti/
On TEDx
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
"Climb the ladder!" How do you foster the courage and self-awareness to get what you want out of your career, instead of what's obviously next?
Jing Suk has held leadership roles in huge multinational corporations and smaller companies, most recently CEO at Skyrocket Studios. Jing shares stories about overcoming career inertia with deliberate steps to "move the ladder to a different wall" instead of just climbing to the next rung.
From Computer Science to Digital Marketing, big corporations to smaller and back again... Jing shares what it feels like to take risks and be intentional in pursuing what's right for her. With emotional storytelling, Jing's vulnerability brings clarity to these relatable moments about getting more out of life than what's in front of you.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jingsuk/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
How do you foster creativity to be at the core of yourself and your company?
Valerio Cometti is Founder and Creative Director at Valerio Cometti+V12 Design, the home of Deep Design Thinking. Product design is such a creativity-forward business, and yet as founder of the studio Valerio shares how he has built a mix of skills (and people!) who make the company thrive.
From the beginning where he studied Mechanical Engineering, Valerio was intentional in building a mixed skillset to help him pursue his childhood dream to run a design studio. With clients ranging from 6 to 160k employees, Valerio flexes a variety of leadership skills while keeping precious his creative core.
linkedin.com/in/valerio-cometti-v12design/
v12design.com/?lang=en
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Why are you a people manager, and how do you react when the going gets tough?
Ted Fernandez is the Global Head of Product Marketing at TikTok, with an illustrious career across Tech Companies in the social, video, and education space. Ted shares a specific time when the perception of his team's work was not what he wanted it to be, and how he navigated the situation by customizing messages to all angles: personal, stakeholder and individual contributors.
Ted is a powerhouse of authentic leadership, beloved for his effectiveness and adaptability building high performance teams. From tactical tips to overcome relatable team challenges to sharing his unique expertise on "How to be successful as an Influencer" this episode overflows with rejuvenating reminders of what matters most and practical tips.
linkedin.com/in/ted-fernandez-a678172
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
You probably know that less than 10% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women. What's going on? Why isn't this changing despite it being a known inequity?
Jennifer McCollum is a trailblazing leader, currently CEO at Catalyst Inc, she is making her life's work emulating authentic, human leadership while raising awareness and lifting women up through the leadership ranks. Women face a double (or triple!) bind when it comes to leadership positions, contorting themselves to fit surrounding perceptions and systems.
How can women succeed in leadership, and what can allies do to help? Jennifer shares personal experience and research from her book "In Her Own Voice. A Woman's Rise to CEO: Overcoming Hurdles to Change the Face of Leadership" in this masterclass on women leadership.
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
What could one new habit do for you?
Morris has a knack for building new habits... waking up early (4am!), going to the gym, months fasting from alcohol and social media, studying leadership, and more! Morris uses discipline to design a dream life filled with family, friends, and career while staying humble enough to talk openly about lessons he's learned from mistakes along the way.
As a Marketing Intelligence & Science Executive, Morris has held leadership positions at some of the largest ad agencies in the world (Wavemaker and Publicis), embodying how much discipline can matter to human leaders using it intentionally.
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
What's the secret to expressing your personal genius?
Tom Burke has coached TED speakers, C-suite execs, authors, Broadway singers and Hollywood actors for over 20 years as speech-language pathologist and voice coach. His job is to help people tap their passions, quirks, and sense of humor to find their voice, the raw ingredient for gorgeous language.
Tom demonstrates human leadership as he unpacks his entrepreneurial journey and shares stories of the process he uses to help his clients find their authentic voice.
linkedin.com/in/tomburkevoice/
expressyourgenius.com
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Service is selfless, but what's the most important ingredient in any meal?
Pasquale Martinelli is the Founder and Executive Chef at Alloro New York Private Dining, brining authentic Italian experiences to his clients. It takes less than ten seconds to feel Pasquale's passion, an incredibly attractive leadership quality, amplified by his love for serving people.
Pasquale shares his journey from Puglia to NYC, overcoming hardships to find success creating transcendent dining experiences. This is a human leader with a love for life, for people, and for good food, and it's a joy to hear how he's living leadership in a way that fully embraces these loves.
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
AI! It's everywhere, but how do you position yourself to take advantage of career opportunities?
Enrico Santus has worked on, or advised for, AI work at companies like Bloomberg, Bayer, Hospitals, and the Women's Brain Project. So to say that his career is "having a moment" is an understatement. Enrico shares his story from a small Italian town to journalism to advising household names on the future of AI and human-AI collaboration.
What does leading (people) "in AI" even mean? Hear Enrico's tips for positioning your career at the forefront of AI while learning what he thinks are the benefits and risks in front of us.
linkedin.com/in/esantus/
esantus.com
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Do you give trust up, down, and sideways in your organization? What about to yourself?
Kathrin Holzfurtner has been a Director of Talent Acquisition for companies like iDeals and Microsoft, making a career out of her ability to find, hire, and support high performance teams by leading them herself. Every high performance team wants to drive impact and to innovate, and Kathrin tells a powerful story about the role of trust in success.
Employees trusting leaders; leaders trusting employees; earning vs. giving trust; the role of trust in motivation. Kathrin provides a masterclass in the importance and strategies for harnessing trust as a leader by telling a story of how it's mattered to her.
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
What's the last decision you made to drive your own career?
Nils Vinje is the Founder of Leadership MBA, which helps people get promoted faster, save time, and build stronger teams. Before Nils could help others he first had to help himself, and that's the story he shares in this episode.
From StengthsFiner to being the CEO of your own career, Nils shares what it was like to go from the "passenger seat" to the "driver seat" of his career. From there he became a successful founder and CEO and it all started with realizing that he needed to be in control of his own career.
leadershipmba.com
linkedin.com/in/nilsvinje/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Ever been laid off? Led a team through layoffs? This episode reveals the raw emotions and tough decisions behind those moments and how to make them less devastating.
Natasha Davidson, currently CMO at Group GTI, has an incredible background of executive leadership positions. Among amazing career highlights, Natasha shares an incredibly challenging moment managing reorganizations that lead to layoffs.
Hear how Natasha navigated her personal journey managing layoffs, communicating them in the most human way possible, and helping those who weren't laid off process the changes and focus on the future. Incredible insight into the reality of navigating layoffs, but from a leader who demonstrates grace, humility, and growth throughout.
linkedin.com/in/natashadavidson
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
What motivates you?
Alfonso De Gaetano has succeeded in leadership positions at Consulting firms, at Google, and as a Founder of CRURATED. He credits this success to learning along the way... how to work hard; how to lead; and how to create. Alfonso shares how he creates a vision for where his life (and company) are going -- not necessarily how to get there.
With a resume many strive to achieve, Alfonso opens up about the pros and cons of ambition. What's it like to look at the world, succeed, and want more? A fantastic dive into human leadership to find, achieve, and move through success.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/degaetanoalf
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
After learning that she hated law, Julie Saxon started her illustrious career as a temp Secretary at an Ad Agency. Since then, she's been the CRO at The Weather Company, VP at Verizon, and most recently followed her own advice to be Head of Consumer Sales at X where she is working with a mentor and people she loves.
What you see is what you get, a mantra for authenticity tested by Julie's husband's cancer diagnosis. Juggling kids, a high visibility job, and her own journey Julie shares the choices she made in what authentic leadership can look like and how those choices impacted everyone around her.
While Julie's story navigating this challenging time role models how to be transparent while setting healthy boundaries, there is so much more to learn from this incredible leader. The common thread? Magic happens when you're intentional about who you're around at work and in your personal life.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliesaxon
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Covid + School Districts = Complexity. How does human leadership help?
Harold S. Henry, Jr. is the Chief of Schools at Baltimore Curriculum Project and spent six years as a principal in Baltimore City Public Schools. He's experienced the brunt of misperceptions about what leadership in school districts, and shares a powerful story of leadership through Covid to exemplify how empathy and human leadership made all the difference.
Teachers, principals, and administrators in public school face a unique challenge re-humanizing leadership, but it resonates across all industries. In this episode, Harold shares how purpose was a secret sauce for rising above challenging circumstances.
linkedin.com/in/hshenryjr/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
What do you really want? You won't get it if you don't spend time prioritizing your authentic goals.
Paola thrives in difficult environments -- from influencing the Italian economy as one of few women in the space, to executive leadership in Big Tech. How? Resilience - having and focusing on the bigger picture, the bigger goal.
Paola shares how human leadership principles/platitudes like "knowing yourself," actually helped her succeed in challenging times and thrive over the longterm. A masterclass in human leadership, Paola is fascinating to listen to and empowering to learn from.
linkedin.com/in/paolamarazzini/
paolamarazzini.com/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
You've heard of a non-profit, but what about a Zero Funds organization?
Enter Neel Ghose, the kind of "human leader" who takes the challenge of leading in the philanthropic world to a new level. Neel created Robin Hood Army, a Zero Funds organization connecting what would be "food waste" to those in need, a fully volunteer led effort that has grown to 237,197 "Robins" (volunteers), 403 cities, and 133,963,731 meals.
Hear Neel describe how a purpose-driven organization (with all this success, Robin Hood Army sees their job still only 1% done) sparks his personal passion and allows him to lead an organization that is loose and completely lacking in many traditional motivational techniques (read: money).
robinhoodarmy.com/
linkedin.com/in/neelghose/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
What is leadership without language? What about leadership in language?
Milena Koralczyk is founder and CEO of the language school, "L'Ecole Parisienne de Langues," a premiere language school based in Paris teaching French to executives and ex-patriots seeking to find their place in French culture. Milena shares why language is important but also what made it important to her.
From AI's impact on language, to language's impact on leaders, Milena brings a fresh perspective to human leadership in her company and the people she teaches.
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
What would it take to reinvent yourself? What things would you need to lose in order to gain?
Craig Siegel spent thirteen years as a gladiator in the wrong arena, pouring his energy and time into Wall Street before finally cutting the cord and becoming an entrepreneur. It was then that his passion for reinvention caught fire , he founded Cultivate Lasting Symphony (CLS) and inspired millions through his bestselling book, podcast, and speaking engagements.
Hear Craig's tips for how to reinvent your career and your life. Find what lights up your soul. Set goals, because those goals give you purpose and enthusiasm. Carve out time each day to work towards that dream life.
linkedin.com/in/craig-landon-siegel/
cultivatelastingsymphony.com/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Do you cringe thinking about name tags and awkward conversations at “networking” events?
Kurt Schmidt, Author and President of The Foundry, one of Inc Magazine’s fastest growing companies, shares how walking in ill prepared for one of his employee’s performance reviews sent him on a journey to sharpen his leadership toolset. Hear how he practices confidence in the face of natural uncertainty, by building an intentional network around him.
Networking isn’t a personality trait, it’s work that pays back with personal growth and mutual value. That’s at least what Kurt says, and he literally wrote the book on it.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/-kurtschmidt/
The Little Book of Networking: How to Grow Your Career One Conversation at a Time: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1634895835
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Ever heard that GenZ doesn't want to work?
Celine Chai busts that myth, sharing the story behind her co-founding of NightyEight and becoming a GenZ entrepreneur.
Hear how Celine struggled through challenge to now embrace the mantra, "You can't plan life." Celine exemplifies human leadership as she works hard to lead a successful business without losing her passion for dance and a rich balanced life.
linkedin.com/in/celine-chai
ninetyeightla.com
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
"We hire women, don't we. We hired you!" How would you respond in the moment?
Diana Agu is a strategist, business leader and entrepreneur who studied Law & Criminology in the United Kingdom but climbed the corporate ladder working in Project & Business management. From Morgan Stanley to Capgemini to CEO of her own startup, Diana has proven herself in high pressure corporate settings, but it's her nonprofit and "extracurricular" impact that she says defines her.
Born and raised in Nigeria, Diana shares how embracing authenticity may not always be easy but it's critical to building the life she wants. This conversation illustrates how Diana's approach to human leadership creates opportunities for success, while also helping her handle challenges with grace and confidence.
linkedin.com/in/dianaagu
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
"When I went on mental health leave..." Can you imagine saying that?
Newton Cheng is the Director of Health and Performance at Google, and he said those words when he mustered the courage to prioritize himself. So long as mental health conversations are stigmatized, it's hard for leaders to do right for themselves, their family, and their teams. Newton is looking for new ways to approach the topic, better suited for the complexity of today’s world.
Hear how Newton faced down the negative energy fueling his accomplishments inwork and in power lifting, to built a new source of motivation. Practical tips and intentional resilience building prove the power of human leadership.
linkedin.com/in/newtoncheng
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Back-to-back meetings, pregnant, and contractions in the office.
Ashley Patel shares a harrowing story when the demands of entrepreneurship collided with the birth of her child, highlighting the importance of making intentional choices with your life and career. Co-Founder of CurbWaste, Ashley is building a company on the forefront of waste management software, while growing her life and family alongside.
In a conversation sparked by Ashley's emotionally challenging story, we discuss gender norms, cultural norms, country laws, and more as we explore how messy the human leadership journey can be.
linkedin.com/in/ashley-patel-61632865/
curbwaste.com
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Happy 50th episode!
On this special edition, Nadia and Jeff reflect on their 99 Humans journey: what we've learned from the incredible guests and from the journey of creating the show.
How does a coaching background help and hurt being a podcast host? How do you create a podcast with no prior experience? How do you get the podcast out into the world, and what does it feel like to have mixed success?
We are so thankful for the incredible ride 99 Humans has been; the skills we've learned; the challenges we've overcome; and the incredible humans we've had the chance to connect with, learn from, and apply their skills to our daily leadership lives. Thank you for listening and for connecting! We love this adventure!
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Leadership isn't life and death, right?
Pierre Monice is President of MacNeal Hospital, and shares how important it is to listen to experts, in this case medical professionals working in the hospital, when making decisions. He sees his core role as a relationship builder, where everyone is a stakeholder. In the operations realm, Pierre has seen major capital improvement projects, managed costs and oversee HR operations with 99th percentile measurement in employee engagement.
Before working in healthcare Pierre was a Pastor, and he shares how that experience shapes his leadership style while also honing the craft of human leadership and the difference it makes to his team's - and their patients' - success.
linkedin.com/in/pierremonice/
linktr.ee/pierremonice
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Being on a non-profit board is often thought of as a late-stage move, once you've mastered your career, arranged your life, and can finally give back. But what if it could be used to accelerate your career and life?
Ann Piccirillo is an accomplished and data-driven People Operations and Strategy Leader, acting as Senior VP of People Strategy & Operations at JDA. Sharing a personal story of hardship which interrupted a previously smooth ladder-climbing career, Ann flips the script on volunteering to stand out, learn skills, and accelerate her career.
"It was the pain that drove me." Ann shares insights about overcoming challenges and using creative strategies to succeed in the job market and impact many through real human leadership
linkedin.com/in/annpiccirillo
X: annpiccirillo
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Career Abundance. Money Abundance. Financial Freedom.
Adam Coelho manifested his dream job at Google as a Senior Data Transformation Lead, but this is only the tip of the iceberg as he also hosts the Mindful FIRE Podcast, a podcast all about achieving Financial Freedom. Adam shares how his journey towards financial freedom intersects with career highs and lows.
Hear how Adam applies the tools of mindfulness to transform his life. From money to personal development to job growth, these are practical tips that can be applied to get what you want from your life.
linkedin.com/in/adamcoelho
mindfulfire.org/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
"Work culture" is critical, but how do you change it?
Giulia Redavid has 15 years of experience leading companies across different roles in innovative Supply Chains. At Luxottica she reorganized an entire office and supply chain from California to Milan. The most challenging part? Navigating the change in culture.
From moving, changing roles, reorganizing teams, having a baby, and more Giulia shares what it takes to land a successful culture change at Luxottica and how that experience shapes her leadership today.
linkedin.com/in/giulia-redavid-03b94a7/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
The moment you become a leader people stop giving you feedback.
Joris Merks-Benjaminsen knows, because he was a Google leader in EMEA for almost thirteen years before he wrote "Managing without power" and leaving to help managers become leaders. The difference is knowing how to harness strengths, not just force results.
How do you overcome the echo chamber that only gets worse the more senior you are? How do you harness intrinsic motivation to avoid forcing actions and disengaging team members? Joris shares practical tips for managing without power.
linkedin.com/in/joris-merks-benjaminsen-5673384/
managingwithoutpower.com
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Have you ever heard a real couple share how they navigate two successful careers while juggling parenthood, their relationship, and all the trimmings of a messy, beautiful partnership?
Brittan Bright and Michael King are both successful. Entrepreneur. Intrapreneur. Author. Founder. All these words bedazzle their individual resumes. But how does that intersect with parenting? With being their for your significant other? And vice-versa with their leadership? This is the stuff of human leaders.
Hear how Brittan and Michael juggle ambition, with compassion and peek behind the curtain of a more complex and beautiful reality than a sleek LinkedIn Profile could ever show. This is a 99 Humans first as we interview two successful human leaders at once and see what we can learn from these incredible humans.
acquire.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanbright
ipullrank.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkingphilly
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Sure, failing is learning, but what if it was also a measure of success.
Ben Jankowski is starting his own practice after succeeding in countless global leadership roles at Mastercard, Omnicom, MPG, and more. Ben opens up about what sparked the move to do his own thing, what he anticipated, and what surprised him.
Be helpful. Don't give it away for free. Don't hold on too long. Leverage relationships. This episode explores Ben's background of success leading multi-billion companies and lessons from going out on his own. Helpful to the intra- and entre-preneurs out there looking for practical tips on being a successful, human leader.
linkedin.com/in/benjankowski/
modernmediasolutions.org/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
A leader is wronged; how do you navigate with strength and grace?
S Renee Smith is a trailblazing leader, most recently overseeing Amazon’s Leadership and Executive development programs, while championing the Coach approach and literally writing the book on Self-Esteem (Self Esteem for Dummies!). Along the way she learned to manage her both herself and those around her to show up as a leader no matter what comes her way.
In this episode, S Renee shares the tiresome challenges that come from being a strong, black woman leader. Jeff and S Renee reflect on an experience they shared where this entered the room, and in that reflection explore the realities of race and gender, and how S Renee demonstrated the pinnacle of human-centric leadership.
linkedin.com/in/srenee/details/experience/
srenee.com
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
How do you align the expectations of success between Founders before there's any success?
Paolo Privitera has founded six companies, raising over $300M across startups and funds, engaging with a wide range of employees, partners, buyers, customers, and more. Paolo shares tips for navigating those early moments between passionate cofounders -- the beautifully messy and human reality of all new companies which starts with an idea and a dream of success that hasn't yet occurred..
Hear what conversations Paolo recommends prioritizing, alongside personal experiences of the ups and downs along the journey to successful leadership of high-growth startups.
evensi.com
linkedin.com/in/paoloprivitera
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Grit rewires your thinking to know that things will always get better.
Madona Wambua leveraged her expertise as a Google Developer Expert to founding, and now serve as CTO of, Jibu Labs product development. Madona is a trailblazer in a male dominated field, and shares how her first dream of aeronautics evolved into a curiosity for technology that became a successful career.
Hear how Madona overcomes challenges by leaning into her strengths while pursuing a passion for creating things and helping others along the way.
linkedin.com/in/madona-wambua
jibulabs.com/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Listening. David Tutera wishes we did it more, and says its helped him snag and delight clients like Elton John, Vanessa Williams, Shania Twain, The White House, Lil'Kim and Barbara Walters.
David Tutera is a globally-lauded wedding & entertaining expert, a television personality, fashion designer, entrepreneur, author, husband, father, and so much more. Hailed as an artistic visionary his outstanding reputation has brought success in the lifestyle arena for over 30 years.
In this episode, peek behind tremendous success to hear from a humble man whose pursuit of his passion brought opportunities and hilarious stories. Human skills are at the root of the ultimate resume, as David makes us laugh, cry, and reflect on leading to success.
DavidTutera.com
linkedin.com/in/david-tutera-120a2620a
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
You won't find a perfect job, but you can find a better one.
Alan Stein shares his journey of leadership across some of the biggest companies in the world (Google, Facebook, AmEx, and more) in a no holds bar discussion about the ups and downs of corporate life. Alan keeps it real (even sharing his paystub publicly!), as a means to shock people into the driver seat of their own careers.
Hear the difference that corporate culture can make to a leader's day-to-day, and how for Alan, that led him to his passion of helping people land the best jobs at the best companies.
linkedin.com/in/alanjstein
kadimacareers.com/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
We are told, be quiet, don't cause any issues, never lift your hand in meetings, just do the work, and the work will speak for itself. That's a lie.
Eugina Jordan is an executive who has built her career from a secretary to chief marketing officer in telecom, where women represent only 12 percent of the C-suite. Eugina shares how she learned to navigate a culture not designed for her success, and now helps others do the same.
This is a practical approach to taking the driver seat of your career to get what you want. As the author of "UNLIMITED: The Seventeen Proven Laws for Success in a Workplace Not Designed for You" Eugina is able to make messy, human topics actionable and approachable for direct application.
linkedin.com/in/euginajordan
euginajordan.com
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
"My door is always open." It's what leaders say. But what happens when someone walks through to share feedback?
Marco De Carli, Ceo & Co-Founder of DINN!, shares how leading from his core values creates healthy predictability for the team. "Failure doesn't exist; Learn from success; Feedback is a gift." These are a few examples of Marco's values as a leader, and they allow him to react to situations in ways his team can predict--a healthy, consistent drum beat to a strong company culture.
Hear how value-centric, human leadership builds habits that build a strong team culture of success, growth, personal development, and genuine relationships.
linkedin.com/in/marco-de-carli-1579273
dinndesign.com
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
What helps women thrive at a company like Google?
Elise Birkhofer is the global head of women's community programs at Google, helping women thrive at the company. With a community and responsibility that spans more than 36,000 women, Elise shares the ups and downs of conquering personal hardships and big company dynamics to do amazing work.
Hear how passion sparked by a shattering personal experience started her journey to help women thrive. From personal career management tips, to braving hard conversations with men, to concrete corporate responsibility... Elise shares the humanity behind her leadership of twists and turns to make a difference.
www.elise-marie.com
www.instagram.com/hey.elise.marie
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
How does your personal identity impact your leadership? What if it was something you were proud of but unsure how others would react if they knew?
Jewel Love, founder of Black Executive Men, is on a mission to help black men make 7-figures. Jewel shares how proud he is to lead a mission-driven organization, but also how hard it was for him to reveal his mixed race identity along the way. Can the founder of an organization empowering and employing black men be successful as mixed?
Hear Jewel share the interconnection behind conquering self-doubt and success, describing past challenges that led him to live authentically as a passionate, human leader helping black men thrive.
blackexecutivemen.com
linkedin.com/in/jewellove
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Leaders get kicked in the teeth. It comes with the territory. What makes the difference is what happens the next morning.
JiYoung Kim, President at GroupM Nexus, found passion and success in hard work and good ideas. As an immigrant, these were her secret weapons, and she shares how that competitive nature drove her to find opportunities where they would shine. Those opportunities, that growth - it turns out - is hard!
When you wake up in the morning after a hard day do you look forward to doing it again, or are you unhappy? When you're unhappy enough that it's changing who you are -- it's not worth it -- because eventually it's going to ruin you. JiYoung Kim shares earned wisdom in building a successful career centered on hard work and how that taught her how to pursue happiness alongside success.
linkedin.com/in/jiyoungk
groupm.com
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Even if you doubt where you fit into the picture, as a leader, you have a very significant role to play. Lean into the doubt, because your vulnerability is an opportunity to reach more people.
Dave Haskins, an Astrologer and Coach, shares his journey discovering the importance of human leadership across his career at Siemens, Coca-Cola, and launching his own business helping leaders tune into Universal Signals. Connecting Astrology to human leadership is a unique perspective with wonderfully powerful, relevant insights into how to open yourself up to opportunities and impact.
Dave asks leaders a powerful question about their ability to tune in: the universe is always sending signals, are you picking up on them? A fun, unique take on human leadership!
universal-signals.com/
linkedin.com/in/d-haskins-2680b0215/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Perfection is a secret weapon for execution, and a saboteur for leadership.
Cathy Lanzalaco, owner of Inspire Careers, has evolved from Nursing to HR to Career Coaching. Along that journey she has been intentionally designing her own inspiring career and does the same for her client today. A key ingredient: avoiding perfection and prioritizing persistence.
Filled with speed bumps and constant optimizations, Cathy's story demonstrates how human leaders don't worry about perfection -- they show up day after day.
inspirecareers.com
linkedin.com/in/cathylanzalaco
Twitter/X: CathyLanzalaco
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Is stress really the enemy? What if instead of seeking to reduce it, we trained to handle it?
Dr. Amir Rashidian shares how his story of building a successful chiropractic practice is the same as building his capacity for stress. From moving the practice in twenty-four hours to keeping up with patient volume without the necessary staff, Dr. Rashidian explores the relationship between capacity for stress and capacity for success.
You will face stress pursuing the life of your dreams. This conversation explores tactics for increasing your ability to manage this inevitable part of human leadership.
DrRashidian.com
linkedin.com/in/amir-rashidian-a0b3a67/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Community cannot be understated. It's the space that supports the choice to do hard things rather than quit.
Nyamekye Wilson, founder and CEO of Black Sisters in STEM, shares the revolution she is building the largest database of black women tech talent now touching 30+ country and 9,000+ women. And yet with all this success, Nyamekye shares her journey that felt lonely until she found her community.
Milestones may not always come exactly as you want, but you can relish in the progress. Nyamekye shares her emboldening stance of seeing a larger perspective, standing on the shoulders of giants, and doing incredible things in this vulnerable portrait of the power of human leadership in building a successful purpose-driven business.
linkedin.com/in/dianawilson3
blacksis.org/
linktr.ee/dianawilson
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Leaders are unsure of the answers, but they make decisions anyway.
Paolo Pironi, Advertising Executive turned Coach/Consultant, shares times when he was uncertain about the right path forward. He sees clarity as a decision, rather than a destination. And to him, the difference comes from a leader's ability to convey both clarity and honesty. Being uncertain doesn't make you weaker, it makes you relatable; it empowers the team; it makes you human and people are driven to work with human leaders.
Leaders don't have to radiate absolute certainty all the time. Paolo shares examples that breathe life into the reality that the leaders who both inspire and relate get the most done.
linkedin.com/in/paolopironi/
elevatingpioneers.com
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Nobody is going to hand you anything; you have to be driving in every aspect of your life. Find mentors, learn from people who've done things you want to do, but you drive your destiny.
While Wall Street may not have a reputation for kind, gentleness it's a hell of a place to learn from and meet talented people. Rashelle Salimi shares her journey of competing and succeeding, often the only woman in the room feeling like she had to do twice what others did to prove herself.
Balancing family, hyper competitive work environment, and absorbing life changing skillsets along the way, Rashelle shares how she navigated these challenges to create her own destiny and ultimately find work that is both challenging and fulfilling. This is a story of drive, of sacrifice, and of both learning and seeking what matters most in life.
linkedin.com/in/rashelle-salimi-46560b9/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
What is the secret to success for a founder who's gone from 1 to 1300+ employees?
Founding a company is hard; so hard that the small percentage of success stories usually involve new leadership taking over. Jama Aguilar is a rare breed: he's grown his company to 13 countries, with 20 offices and 1300+ people. How does he do it? He says it's about the people.
Jama credits human leadership -- humility, caring for others, personal development, and authenticity. From one challenge to the next, Jama opens up about the realities of personally stretching and growing to meet the ever-changing demands of a company with such a high-growth trajectory.
linkedin.com/in/joseantoniomartinezaguilar/
Twitter: jama
makingscience.com
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
You don't get if you don't ask. You can do anything, but you can't do it alone.
Jaime Bronstein Olson was named the #1 relationship coach, she hosts a talk show, and she just published a book. Hear how her incredible success was built on a mountain of no's, diving deep into the story of becoming (manifesting!) a published author.
Leave the office and go out "into the field" with Jaime, as we dive into the incredible world of relationship coaching where Jaime demonstrates how human leadership creates incredible possibilities.
linkedin.com/in/jaime-bronstein-olson-9212026/
therelationshipexpert.com
Twitter: theluvexpert
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Do you know when you're not excited? Do you know what lights you up?
Sebastien Hernoux, Chief Data and Technology Officer at OMD Ad Agency, stays in touch with how he feels about his day-to-day work as a compass for when and where to learn new things. Without development, things stagnate and work becomes boring, but how does that connect to the impact leaders have?
Moving countries, changing industries, staying fresh - Seb shares his journey of constant personal development and the difference this has made in his career when it exists... and when it doesn't.
Key Points:
- Know what matters to you. What do you want to achieve in your career? Once you know what you want, you can start planning how to get there
- Seek personal development. Being impactful must be tied to personal growth and development
- Leverage your connections. It's not just you! Use your boss, your friends, your colleagues to help you find opportunities to learn
linkedin.com/in/shernoux/
Twitter: shernoux
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Are high performance cultures synonymous with one type of leadership? If not, then how does leading with empathy contribute to the bottom line?
Kerri Jacobs founded "Leading with Empathy" to showcase the strengths of what some consider a "nice to have." Kerri shares how she went from feeling like a fraud to recognizing what made her role models so successful and leaning into authenticity to build greatness for herself and her team.
Admit your mistakes. Talk about burnout. Don't let the swirl of busyness get in the way of doing the little things that show you care. Empathy is a telltale sign of human leadership and Kerri makes this come to life through experience and powerful storytelling.
linkedin.com/in/kerri-jacobs-2a3b791/
leadingwithempathy.com
Key Points:
- Leaders need to be more compassionate and empathetic. This is not just a nice-to-have, it's a business imperative. Compassionate leaders retain top talent, blow their numbers out of the water, and create a more positive and productive work environment.
- It's important for leaders to be vulnerable and open about their own struggles. This helps to normalize mental health challenges and encourages others to seek help when they need it.
- Leaders can use their platform to make a difference in the world. By speaking out about important issues and advocating for change, leaders can help to create a more just and equitable society.
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Your second life begins when you realize you only live once.
Ed Essey shares his incredible journey of cultivating the right kind of impatience through a gut wrenching battle with cancer and an empowering career as an entrepreneur turned leader of entrepreneurs as the Director of Business Value at Microsoft Garage.
Ed's story deals with contentment and ambition, struggle and success, and illustrates the incredible power of human leaders -- the ones we follow and the one we can be.
- Driven by determined impatience: The story highlights the importance of possessing the right impatience to succeed and drive progress, evident in accomplishments at prestigious institutions and entrepreneurial endeavors.
- Harmonizing heart and brain: A Chinese idiom signifies ambition as the alignment of emotions and rationality, emphasizing the need to synchronize personal aspirations with values and purpose.
- Embracing change and reinvention: The journey exemplifies the power of embracing change and reinvention for growth, showcasing adaptability and openness to new possibilities.
- Proactive pursuit of purpose: Reflecting on triggering events, the conversation raises the question of actively identifying and pursuing life's purpose without external catalysts.
- Fulfillment through impact: Exploring fulfillment and impact, the focus lies on helping others, aligning with organizational goals, and considering the purpose of existence, inspiring listeners to reflect on their own contributions.
edessey.com
linkedin.com/in/essey/
How to Select High Potential Projects - Ed Essey: https://edessey.com/how-to-selection-high-potential-projects/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Influencing without authority is hard, but sometimes influencing with authority is even harder.
A snap election creates sudden responsibility over a fast moving political campaign, and Denise Baron shares how formal leadership can change familiar relationships.
Politics sets the backdrop for a story of the challenges leaders face navigating the emotions and performance of their team and themself. Human leadership is messy, and Denise illustrates how the best leaders lean into it to.
linkedin.com/in/denise-baron-75605831/
denisebaron.com
Key Points:
- It can be difficult to be a leader, especially when you have to manage people who are your friends
- It's important to set clear expectations and boundaries with your friends who are also your employees.
- Don't be afraid to be honest with your friends about your expectations and how their behavior is affecting your ability to lead.
- It's important to be respectful, even if you don't agree.
- If your friendship is strong enough, it will survive the challenges of working together.
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
When you find yourself at the edge of the cliff, take a big breath and jump.
Moving to the US for an exciting new job as CEO to arrive on day one with an empty office ... ghosted by the predecessor who supposed to help with the transition, and left with a team wondering what's going on. And then Filippo gets to work.
From psych safety to risk taking, Filippo's incredible story of handling the unexpected encapsulates how human leaders process emotions to show up as strong and humble ready to transform an organization.
linkedin.com/in/frossigm/
Twitter: FilippoR0551
Quick Notes:
- Be prepared for the unexpected. Filippo's predecessor left him high and dry on his first day on the job, but he was able to turn the situation around by empowering his employees and creating a more flexible and collaborative work environment. (timestamp: 01:52 - 02:49)
- Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Filippo encouraged his employees to make mistakes, which helped them to learn and grow. He also made it clear that he was there to support them and help them succeed. (timestamp: 03:17 - 03:46)
- Empower your employees. Filippo gave his employees the authority to make decisions and take ownership of their work. This helped to create a more engaged and productive workforce. (timestamp: 04:16 - 04:46)
- Create a collaborative work environment. Filippo encouraged his employees to work together and share ideas. This helped to create a more innovative and successful company. (timestamp: 05:15 - 06:13)
- Be flexible and adaptable. Filippo was able to adapt his leadership style to the needs of his employees and the company. This helped him to create a successful and sustainable business. (timestamp: 06:42 - 07:11)
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
What would it look like if you lived your purpose today? How can you evolve living your purpose without waiting to live it?
Cindy Buser left her home country of India for Dubai and South Africa leveraging entrepreneurship to build a life of leadership and of success. For Cindy, living her purpose means running three companies and a new non-profit focused on mentorship for women in South Africa.
Cindy inspires with humble excellence, demonstrating how when passion meets action anything is possible.
linkedin.com/in/cinderella-cindy-pereira-buser-2b997a16
mirchee.co.za
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
What would it look like if you lived your purpose today? How can you evolve living your purpose without waiting to live it?
Cindy Buser left her home country of India for Dubai and South Africa leveraging entrepreneurship to build a life of leadership and of success. For Cindy, living her purpose means running three companies and a new non-profit focused on mentorship for women in South Africa.
Cindy inspires with humble excellence, demonstrating how when passion meets action anything is possible.
linkedin.com/in/cinderella-cindy-pereira-buser-2b997a16
mirchee.co.za
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
In a conversation around life, learning, role models and capitalism, Ekapat shares how studying chemical engineering and spending two years as a monk shaped his leadership principles.
Values and Purpose are a must for modern leaders who serve and pave the way for others. Ekapat shares lessons he uses to set his team up for success, like dealing with the intangible while staying in control through faith and feelings.
Twitter: @echareonlarp
linkedin.com/in/ekapat
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Giving tough feedback is not fun, but what's the cost of avoiding it?
Christie Barany shares a time when she became a manager of a group of peers, a notoriously tricky transition exacerbated by a low performer who had never been given feedback. Hear how her confidence and sheer force of will in doing right by the company, the team, and the individual were tested by process and nepotism to result in a positive outcome.
This episode reminds of the value of tough feedback. While it's not the fun part of leadership, it can be some of the most impactful work.
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Don't underestimate the value of transferable skills.
Federico Esu works at the European Commission's Innovation Council supercharging European businesses. Federico sees its incredible capacity for impact, and the need for effective communication when working across such a wide array of cultures and disciplines.
In this episode, the European Commission is a hyper-example of this leadership reality: teams are made up of individuals who have similarities and differences. Hear how Federico achieves success in balancing that reality by pulling from past experiences.
linkedin.com/in/federicoesu
ITACA Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7wVo31WpkLG9swgBcKJUfW?si=SkJACVtjTYWpwmrgt5Fhwg
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Ever left waiting for backup? Wondering when the cavalry will arrive to bail you out? Don't wait; you are your rescue team.
Nuria shares how she created her masterpiece life by refusing to wait for help. Mistreatment as the only woman in the room, divorce, self doubt... these things are human and, for Nuria, these things sparked life altering habits and a passion for empowering others.
This episode has heart wrenching downs and inspiring highs, along with actionable tools to learn where and how to bring intentional action to your life.
linkedin.com/in/nsarahpinder/
thesedays.com
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Where does grit come from? Failure. How do you know which inner voice to listen to? Experience. In both cases: perseverance and courage.
Priya Bajaj left home at sixteen on a quest to find her voice. After an unfulfilling career as an engineer she found business and moved to the USA only to face incredible challenges in immigration. Hear Priya share how she found her courage and built grit that led her to found "It's Ok Yaar," a content platform for South Asians immigrants living abroad.
Listen to a successful, servant leader humbly sharing challenges that led to a life of human leadership.
linkedin.com/in/priya-bajaj-60346544/
itsokyaar.com
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
How do you exercise your gratitude muscle, and why does it matter?
David Joshua, Director of Leadership Development for Resonance, shares his first experience as a people manager, which became a proof point for diverse teams and the spark for pursuing leadership development as student and teacher.
This conversation is a crash course in human leadership filled with actionable tools and tidbits from top voices in the field of people development.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-joshua/
resonance.global
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
What about humanity brings out the best in teams?
Masa Gong, our personal Executive and Team Coach, shares the difference that perspective and love for humanity bring to teams. By sharing personal stories of times she thought she'd be fired, to patterns she sees across her Fortune 100 coaching clients, Masa breathes life into the idea of human leadership by attaching it to neuroscience, positivity, and real lived experience.
Buzzwords: Empathy, friendship, trust, rapport...
Reality: Minimize adrenaline and cortisol, maximize oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/masa-gong-positive-coach/
https://masagong.com/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
What happens when your work doesn't align with your personal interests? All leaders face this challenge eventually, yet we don't talk about it.
Ricard Valero, Executive Creative Director with an illustrious resume at big name ad agencies, shares how he's overcome moments where work doesn't spark zeal. From searching for the joy, to moving countries or changing jobs, Ricard shares how he identified what makes him happy and pursues it through the ups and downs of a successful career.
Hear how a quest for finding enjoyment from work leads to happier days, more impactful teams, and better (human) leadership.
thatricard.com
linkedin.com/in/ricard-valero-542b6914/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
"Just let us work!" Leaders can accelerate and they can decelerate. What might you be doing that gets in the way of your team just getting to work?
Kara Redman started her own Agency after seeing one too many cases of cultures and leaders that don't truly want what's best for clients and employees. In this episode she shares that spark as a cautionary tale and a call to action for leaders to focus on what matters most: their people and their clients.
Hear Kara share how she took big risks to cut through the clutter and build a company - and a team - with humanity at the center.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kararedman/
https://www.backroom.io/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
What if you started a new role by intentionally becoming inspired by the opportunity?
Roberto Croci shares how his work with MEA Startups started with the choice to become inspired. Inspiration, it turns out, might not be a mythical thing to wish for, but a story to be told through grit and determination.
Hear how Roberto turned that inspiration into a people-focused mission that changed the lives of the startups he worked with and the people on his team.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertocroci/
Twitter: @RobertoCroci
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
From being an HP executive managing 400+ people to being a solotrepeneur woman in a world of men. Sarah Jensen has done it all.
Even amidst tough life moments, Sarah makes decisions with bravery, confidence, and grace. In an industry with very little representation (only 2% of construction managers were women!) Sarah thrived, redefining protocol to build a company from 0 to 39+ offices. Hear defining moments in building her life and company, including “deciding to succeed.”
This episode is a lesson in being a woman with priorities.
As Sarah said: To serve is to rule
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
What kicks you into self awareness? What difference can mastering yourself make in your leadership?
After relocating for an exciting new role, Michael Kaplan shares a crash course in self-awareness and focusing on what matters most as he found himself proving the value of a new role without a team or leadership to support him. What started as a successful execution of treating everyone like your client, became a career altering piece of feedback: "You need to get a better handle on yourself."
Listen to Michael Kaplan share a human experience filled with big impact, raw emotions, and high personal stakes -- the true stuff of human leadership.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaplanmichael/Produced by: Chinomso Onu
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail? How do you build self confidence that tears down barriers while attracting others to work with you?
Kimberly Pucci, founder of bespoke luxury and lifestyle brand, shares her path to getting her products showcased on the arm of Serena Williams and the world's fastest SuperYachts. In this episode, Kimberly tells stories of grit and determination that launched her brand to global success while juggling caregiving and being a mom.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlypucci/
https://www.kimberlypucci.com/
Produced by: Chinomso Onu
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. As we conduct interviews with a cohort of cross-industry leaders, we seek to tell stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Who makes a business successful? What would happen if we judged success through the lens of empathy, kindness, and support for those around us?
Bob Morris is an Executive and Founder versed in creating and leading companies through good and bad times. Hear where he learned to aspire for "spark bitten suits," and what it feels like to care deeply for those around you through highs of enormous generosity and lows of selfish society. People want to work with people they like... life's too short not to.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobmorris/
www.bravery.group
Produced by: Chinomso Onu
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. As we conduct interviews with a cohort of cross-industry leaders, we seek to tell stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
To shield or share? Workplace politics is a reality of leadership, but how do you navigate when they become all consuming or toxic?
Dr Monique Dawkins shares her experience as a leader, coach, and consultant, pulling across engagements from thousands of leaders to dive deeply into a personal challenge where an exciting new job opportunity turned into a toxic political experience. Tough lessons and a master class in rising above, Monique shares how to navigate surprises and look after yourself and your team.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdawkins/
https://www.betterequippedsolutions.com/
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. As we conduct interviews with a cohort of cross-industry leaders, we seek to tell stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Put your people first. Sure, but how do you do it and can you ever go too far?
All businesses balance the reality of making money with the development and support of the people who make it possible. Leaders, especially entrepreneurs, feel this burden of meeting human needs and sustainable profits. Hear practical tips, and some cautionary tales, on how to support your team during and after their time with you.
Jordan Richards shares his experience as an entrepreneur building an agency where both he and his team can be successful in life and work.
linkedin.com/in/rchds/
rcco.uk
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. As we conduct interviews with a cohort of cross-industry leaders, we seek to tell stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
Australian aerospace + Elon Musk + workplace culture = ? Listen to find out.
“Culture” is a loaded word that means anything and nothing; yet how powerful is workplace culture when you’re launching rockets into space? Overcoming imposter syndrome, standing out from the pack, and striving to do things no one has done before can be achieved through an intentional culture.
Nick Lindsay shares his experience in aerospace being a part of, and then building the culture at companies looking to the stars while facing challenges that are 100% human.
linkedin.com/in/nickfliesfast
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. As we conduct interviews with a cohort of cross-industry leaders, we seek to tell stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans
We look at leadership as the pinnacle of what we can do, as success. People want to emulate leaders, they want to be those leaders, and we write it off as “They’ve reached the top.” It’s really interesting when you’re in the seat, how stressful it is, and how much it feels at the service of others and where you find that balance.
Alana Karen, author of The Adventures of Women in Tech, shares the challenges women face in tech and a time where servant leadership became personal hardship. Tech layoffs and leadership sacrifice meet in this episode of 99 Humans.
See more from Alana at: www.alanakaren.com | @alanatkaren
99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. As we conduct interviews with a cohort of cross-industry leaders, we seek to tell stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:
www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans