Leadership Evolution: Recent Episodes
Rachel Harrison
Welcome to Leadership Evolution; a limited edition podcast about leaders and how they evolve. Join Rachel Harrison, owner of Trauma Specialists, as she interviews the leaders involved in Leadership Frederick County, class of 2023. Interviews will focus on the growth of each guest over the last several years, including the shifts they have made in their own lives as well as leading through global change. This opens up the conversation about how leaders have shifted both personally and professionally through the last few years.
Rachel has worked in the field of trauma for 24 years as a therapist, trainer and business owner. She is passionate about helping people heal from trauma and about growing and developing leaders. If you’re eager to learn from incredible leaders in real time - to be able to gain leadership skills, as well as personal and professional advice - this is the show for you!
Connect with Rachel: https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/ https://www.frederickchamber.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
In the last episode of this limited edition series, Rachel Harrison shares her personal leadership journey and the lessons she has learned along the way. She also gives insight into her experience hosting the Leadership Evolution podcast and how it has shaped her own leadership style.
Craig Bedard, Deputy Associate Commissioner for the Office of Strategy, Learning, and Workforce Development at the Social Security Administration, joins the show to interview Rachel and discuss the themes of service and self-awareness that emerged from previous episodes. Hear how the COVID-19 pandemic changed Rachel’s leadership approach, the importance of creating a supportive and trauma-informed work environment, the benefits of collaboration within the community, and the concept of being trauma-informed as a leader.
About Rachel Harrison:
Rachel Harrison, LCPC, NCC has worked in the field of trauma for 24 years as a therapist, trainer and business owner. After working with clients for over 17 years, Rachel founded Trauma Specialists of Maryland, LLC. Over the years, she realized again and again the root cause of so many issues and symptoms came back to an individual’s trauma. As such, Rachel has spent many of these years training in different treatment models proven to be most effective at dealing with trauma. Her vision was to develop a practice where all practitioners were trained in specific trauma therapies and could work as a team to treat individuals most effectively. She is passionate about helping people heal from trauma and about growing and developing leaders.
About Craig Bedard:
In July 2021, Craig Bedard was named the Deputy Associate Commissioner for the Office of Strategy, Learning, and Workforce Development at the Social Security Administration. Craig began their federal career at the United States Air Force Academy where they earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Basic Academics, with a Concentration in Management. They also earned a Master of Science Degree from McDaniel College in Human Resource Development and a Master’s Certificate in Intelligence Studies (Counterintelligence) from the National Defense Intelligence College. In the Air Force, Craig excelled as a Missile Combat Crew Member, Instructor, Evaluator, Mission Commander, and Strategic Planner. Their career arc includes military service, small business owner, financial services, the State of Maryland, and 4 federal agencies (DoD/DIA, HHS/CMS, VA, SSA).
Episode Timestamps:
- How the podcast changed Rachel's leadership journey
- Themes of service and self-awareness
- Rachel personal journey
- Explanation of EMDR therapy
- Balancing community and team needs
- Challenges faced by mental health professionals during the pandemic
- Trauma and its impact on individuals
- Self-love, trust, forgiveness, and self-care
- Collaboration with other organizations within the community
“The Leadership Frederick County class of 2023 has been an incredible journey of growth and self-discovery. As the host of the Leadership Evolution podcast, I had the privilege of interviewing my classmates and delving into their leadership journeys. Through these conversations, I learned valuable lessons and gained insights that have shaped my own leadership style.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
The public library has played a major role in Bryan Hissong’s life for almost 20 years now. He started out doing story times and puppet shows at various daycares, and he continued to grow in his career within the library over the years. Eventually, Bryan stepped into his current role as the Community Engagement Manager for the Frederick County Public Library. This new position was created for him to develop vibrant and quality programming that would be engaging for adults of all ages within the community.
Bryan always wanted to work in a service-based industry, and he believes that good leaders are actually good servants. He enjoys going out and making connections within the community, and beyond. Bryan and the library staff want to continue to be an equitable resource, so everyone can have access to valuable resources they need. Learning and listening is one of the best ways to lead in the community, and truly serve others. Bryan has learned that failing is even more important than success; while it’s important to learn from our failures, we don’t need to dwell on them.
Bryan has found that embracing an iterative mindset versus staying stagnant in his career and life has been very important. He’s also seen that the ‘typical’ image of the public library has been shifting and changing for a while - it’s no longer a place to only study and be quiet. Tune into this episode to learn more about the innovative work Bryan is doing, and why the public library really is a fun and lively place for all ages!
About Bryan Hissong
Bryan Hissong has worked in public libraries for 19 years, and he is currently the Community Engagement Manager for the Frederick County Public Library. He practices servant-led leadership, and truly cares about serving the people he works with in the library, as well as the community and beyond. Bryan is a member of the Leadership Frederick County Class of 2023, and is an unassuming presence with a great sense of humor.
Episode Timestamps:
- Bryan’s story of working in public libraries for almost 20 years, and his current role as the Community Engagement Manager for the Frederick County Public Library {01:25}
- Finding and making engaging connections in the community and beyond {06:20}
- Bryan’s growth process into leadership over the years {07:48}
- Why failing is even more important than success {09:20}
- A valuable leadership opportunity Bryan experienced, which he now incorporates into his own leadership {11:10}
- How the ‘typical’ image of the library is shifting and changing {14:00}
- How the pandemic affected libraries {16:35}
- The importance of embracing an iterative mindset, and not staying stuck in your ways {19:40}
“It’s from our failures that we learn the most important lessons, and that’s difficult because it's not easy to fail. We can oftentimes be very hard on ourselves, but it's important we realize that growth and change is a part of life. We learn when we fail, so it's an important thing to keep in mind.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Not all of us will take the traditional path when it comes to our careers. Life tends to throw us curve balls when we’re least expecting it, and this was definitely the case for Becki Delauter. Her career path was very non-traditional - she found herself needing to get back into the workforce after going through a divorce. After being a stay-at-home mom for several years, Becki started supporting herself and her two boys by juggling multiple part-time jobs. Eventually, Becki landed her current role as the Philanthropic Services Manager for the Community Foundation of Frederick County.
Becki has always been interested in working in a field where she was really helping people, and doing work that mattered. Throughout her career, she’s realized that it’s okay to ask for help and lean on your support system, because we can’t do it all by ourselves. She’s also learned that leadership isn’t a one-size-fits-all. People in leadership lead in different ways, and what really matters is that you’re being your authentic self when you’re leading and working with others.
Becki’s favorite part of her job is the stewardship piece; she truly loves connecting with and staying in touch with donors, so they can really understand the legacy they are leaving. Leading with gratitude is how Becki chooses to start her days now, and she believes that as long as you’re following and embracing your unique path, you are right where you need to be. Tune into this episode to learn more about Becki’s story, and the powerful work she is doing in the philanthropic space!
About Becki Delauter:
Becki Delauter is the Philanthropic Services Manager for the Community Foundation of Frederick County. She has two degrees, one in psychology, and another in human services with a minor in marketing. Becki loves the stewardship aspect of her job; her favorite part is connecting with and following up with donors. She is also a member of the Leadership Frederick County Class of 2023, and is a quiet presence with a lot of great ideas.
www.frederickcountygives.org
Episode Timestamps:
- Becki’s story of a taking a non-traditional career path {01:20}
- Important lessons Becki learned as a single, working mom of 2 while juggling multiple part-time jobs {04:25}
- The incredible work the Community Foundation of Frederick County does {06:10}
- Becki’s role as the Philanthropic Services Manager {08:20}
- Leadership lessons learned along Becki’s journey of growth {09:50}
- How the pandemic greatly impacted the Community Foundation of Frederick County and the work they were doing {12:35}
- Becki’s mindset in her career, and how that’s shifted over time {15:40}
“The thing that I love the most about my job is stewardship, and that's reporting back to the donors. Once the money's gone out and it's done the thing that they were hoping for, it’s taking that story back to them so they can see the impact that it's had. A lot of our funds are started as a memorial to honor somebody who's no longer here. Going back to someone and telling them these things happened because of what you did, and it's keeping your loved one's name alive, is really my most favorite part of my job.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Leadership isn’t necessarily something we all want to pursue in our lives, but sometimes we end up leading more than we realize. For Margaret Simoneau, her career path started in massage therapy, but the wear and tear on her body pushed her to do something different. After working with the Frederick County Workforce Services, she was introduced to Plamondon Hospitality Partners. Margaret has been with Plamondon for over 9 years and is currently the Senior Analyst. She helps to provide results-oriented support to Plamondon‘s hotels and uncovering opportunities to maximize efficiencies and GOP.
Margaret never viewed herself as a leader before moving into her current role, but she now knows the advice and feedback she gives is extremely valuable to the company. She truly loves people, and is driven by the success of those around her. Margaret takes pride in making sure that the company portrays team members and their work in ways that are sincere and celebratory of the many accomplishments happening within the organization. When people feel appreciated, they will continue to go above and beyond what’s expected of them.
Margaret has learned how important it is to prioritize herself so she can pour into others in her life. She has always been passionate about serving and taking care of people, and her compassion for those around her shines through. Tune into this episode to hear more of Margaret’s impactful story, and the beneficial work she is doing in the hospitality space!
About Margaret Simoneau
Margaret Simoneau began with Plamondon as the Director of First Impressions in 2014. Her evolution from her start with Plamondon to her current position as Senior Analyst (in almost 9 years) is commentary enough to show that she is a hard working, dependable, and valuable leader. In addition to her primary job functions, Margaret assists in managing Plamondon Hospitality Partners’ marketing strategy.
Margaret was recently recognized by her organization with the “President’s Pride” award for her extraordinary commitment to ensuring the company is always doing the “right thing” for the financial, social community impact, and associate successes of the company. She is willing to ask tough questions and provide the type of honest feedback that truly brings out the best in others.
Margaret is clearly an ambassador for the company and the Marriott and Hiltons brands they manage. She is respected by her peers and the community that she serves. With Margaret’s ability to serve others, she has been an asset in her position and a valuable leader in the company. Margaret is also a member of the Leadership Frederick County class of 2023, where she shows up with a quiet confidence, ready to get things done.
www.plamondonhospitalitypartners.com
Episode Timestamps:
- Margaret’s career journey of working in massage therapy, to eventually transitioning into hospitality {01:20}
- Important lessons learned about leadership {06:45}
- Key differences between the executive team versus other staff members {08:29}
- How the pandemic influenced Margaret personally and professionally {12:15}
- Margaret’s passion for serving and taking care of people {17:35}
- Plamondon Hospitality Partners’ commitment to growth {23:00}
“We are like a second family, and giving those little pieces of support here and there really make that difference to making someone feel like they belong and that they feel appreciated. I think we've found that when people really feel appreciated, they always go above and beyond what's expected of them. So, I know that if I take care of people and I help them to feel appreciated there, they'll do more than what I ask of them.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Sometimes those around us need a little extra support in their lives, and someone to advocate for them. That’s exactly what Christine Cambareri-Kay did when she began working with adults with developmental disabilities after college. Christine felt like her career ‘found’ her, because she wasn’t sure what her career path would look like after completing her Master’s degree. She’s held various leadership positions over the years, working in human services and the nonprofit sector, with her most recent being the Division Director for the Division of Citizen Services in Frederick County. However, Christine is currently unemployed due to an unexpected situation with her position and department being eliminated.
Christine has always believed in treating others the way you want to be treated. She was always passionate about advocating for the adults with disabilities she was working with. Christine believes that leading doesn’t always look like leading a team, but people who can’t take the lead for themselves. She has learned there are key differences between managing and leading throughout her career. Leading is not just focused on what’s happening today, but the vision for the future, and how everyone you’re working with will be impacted. When she found out her position and division would be abolished, Christine still had to show up confidently for her team.
Change can definitely be bumpy, and Christine is currently experiencing this as she’s going through the process of finding another job. She truly believes she will find the right position to share her skills, value, and knowledge when it’s meant to happen. Christine prides herself on being authentic, and her current mantra is ‘never let success get to your head and never let failure get to your heart’. Tune into this episode to hear Christine’s openness and vulnerability during a unique time in her life, because her story is powerful!
About Christine Cambareri-Kay
Christine Cambareri-Kay is a member of the Leadership Frederick County class of 2023. She is currently unemployed, but has held various leadership positions in human services and nonprofit work. Her most recent position was the Division Director for the Division of Citizen Services in Frederick County.
Christine shows up with a sense of quiet, calm support for those who are lucky enough to interact with her.
Episode Timestamps:
- Christine’s story of her career path and various leadership positions over the years {01:23}
- A valuable leadership lesson for Christine as she was working with individuals with disabilities at the beginning of her career {03:50}
- Key differences between managing and leading {06:40}
- Changes from the pandemic that affected citizen services work {11:10}
- The situation regarding Christine’s current unemployment {13:20}
- Never let success get to your head and never let failure get to your heart {21:10}
“When you sit back and you're leading, you're learning to kind of, give up control, of how things are going, and trusting a team of people to work with you. You start realizing that there's a vision of where you’re going in the future. You can't just worry about today, but what’s coming down the pipe.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Leadership has always been a key part of Karan Kalantzis’ journey - it actually started for her back in junior high when she joined student council. Over the years, Karan was drawn to planning and organizing activities for others in school and with her career, and she’s gained a great deal of experience in the small business community working in program development. Karan learned about the Maryland Women’s Business Center during the pandemic, which then led to her current role as the Senior Business Consultant for Frederick County.
Being collaborative, allowing others to let their voices be heard, and learning empathy have been some of the key lessons Karan has learned on her leadership journey. She loves working with women who are starting businesses in a variety of fields. Karan knows how important it is for them to have flexibility in their schedules, while still being able to make a unique difference in the world. Finding a balance with business consulting and business coaching has been essential for Karan when working with her clients too. Sometimes, they just need a cheerleader who will actually listen and share encouragement as they’re working through challenges.
If you’re looking to start a business, grow your business, or just want something special to happen in your life, the magic happens outside your comfort zone. You have to be willing to do things that will make you uncomfortable in order to succeed, and Karan has definitely experienced this on her own journey. Tune into this episode to hear Karan’s story, and the incredible work she is doing to help women dream big with their businesses!
About Karan Kalantzis
Karen Kalantzis is the Senior Business Consultant for Frederick County. Most recently, she was the Director of Community Programs for the Business Innovation Network, Montgomery County’s business incubator program, where she created training classes and provided business technical assistance to members. Prior to that, she worked for Montgomery County’s Department of Economic Development as a program manager for the Silver Spring and Wheaton Innovation Centers. She joined the small business ecosystem after starting an IT company called Corporate Network Services in 1993 with her business partner. The company was a Maryland Certified Woman Owned Small Business, named to the Inc. 5000 fastest growing businesses list, and a winner of numerous Best Place to Work awards.
A native Chicagoan, Karen earned a Bachelor of Science from the Kelly School of Business at Indiana University and an MBA from George Washington University. She is a graduate of Leadership Montgomery Core Class of 2018, and is currently participating in the 2022-23 cohort of Leadership Frederick. On a personal note, Karen has three adult children, loves to travel, and often visits our local beaches.
https://marylandwbc.org/team/karen-kalantzis/
Episode Timestamps:
- Karan’s career journey and how she eventually became the Senior Business Consultant for Frederick County {01:15}
- A key difference for women-owned businesses vs. non women-owned businesses {07:40}
- The types of businesses that Karan typically works with {8:50}
- Leadership lessons Karan has learned {10:50}
- Balancing business consulting with business coaching {12:20}
- The ‘save the world’ type of mentality many women in business have {16:35}
- What to know about the Maryland Women Business Center {17:28}
- Why magic happens outside your comfort zone {22:40}
“You can teach the technical business aspects (like the steps of starting a business), but when you uncover roadblocks that they're facing, that's when the therapy part kicks in. I think you just have to kind of be part cheerleader and part ear listening. Let them have their say, and in the end, just be encouraging.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
The arts have always played a major role in Andrea Baker’s life. Whether she was participating in dance and theater throughout her childhood or just living life in a more creative and exploratory fashion, Andrea has continually felt drawn to the arts industry. While she was very comfortable in her previous job, Andrea felt a ‘shift’ when the pandemic happened - especially with having 2 young children at the time. She was ready to come back to the arts, and she found her (now) current position as the Development and Community Outreach Manager for the Maryland Ensemble Theater (MET) in Frederick.
Andrea focuses a great deal on community partnerships and working with people in the community. She loves the variety of change that happens in life and tends to adapt pretty easily, but she tends to be tough on herself - especially as a leader. Self-compassion has been the biggest lesson Andrea has learned on her leadership journey so far. She is learning to focus more on what is going well and amplify those ‘bright spots’ along the way, while also leaning into her team members’ strengths.
It’s important to be prepared and deliberate when it comes to the vision you have for your life. Andrea believes that a skill can be built anytime, but your choices and actions ultimately show who you are. If you’re passionate about the arts or just want to learn more about the industry, you won’t want to miss Andrea’s fascinating story and all of the work she is doing in the arts!
About Andrea Baker:
Andrea Baker is the Development and Community Outreach Manager for the MET, which stands for Maryland Ensemble Theater in Frederick. She is devoted to her work, and has always been passionate about the arts. Andrea is also a member of the LFC class of 2023, and is truly a good human to know.
www.marylandensemble.org
Episode Timestamps:
- How the arts have played a major role throughout Andrea’s career and life {01:20}
- The impact of the pandemic on the arts industry {03:16}
- Andrea’s role as the Development and Community Outreach Manager for the MET {06:22}
- The unique South and Saints project {07:00}
- What the process looks like for choosing shows that are put on at the MET {08:30}
- Leading in the arts and what it’s like compared to other industries {10:10}
- The biggest leadership lesson Andrea has learned on her journey {11:50}
- Andrea’s mindset when it comes to her vision and the work she is doing {15:30}
- What people should know about the MET {18:10}
“I know that if I'm being hard on myself, then that's going to reflect in the rest of my team. I really need to take that time and just recognize what I am doing right, what I'm doing well, and focus on that really bright spot. I want to focus on those things that are going well, and just amplify them even more.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Sometimes it takes another person to show us our true potential when we can’t see it ourselves. After talking with her high school counselor, Mary Geasey decided to go down the path of higher education and pursue a degree in education. Along her journey, she wanted to learn more about how she could better support her students with special needs. Mary soon became recognized as a special educator, and eventually, she was chosen to rebuild the special education services and programs at Walkersville Elementary School. She is now a special education instructor and has been an educator with Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) for 18 years.
Mary is passionate about creating an inclusive environment for her learners, and she loves working with other educators who share her vision - especially in a time when special education reform is needed. She believes shifting our mindsets is key, as well as shifting the way we teach our students. While the pandemic really changed education permanently, Mary was able to come together and help other educators learn and utilize new tools to truly support their students at their own pace. She loves collaborating with others who are creative and innovative, and aren’t afraid to find a way to meet the needs of all students.
When it comes to making positive progress, there is no change in the comfort zone. In order to grow both personally and professionally, it just can’t be done when you’re too ‘comfortable’, and Mary has experienced this firsthand. Tune in to this episode to learn more about Mary’s inspiring story, and all of the incredible work she is doing in the education space!
About Mary Geasey:
Mary Geasey is a special education instructor who’s been a teacher with FCPS for 18 years. Before she joined Walkersville Elementary School, she taught at Middletown Primary and Kemptown Elementary. Mary is a Vanguard Teacher Program alumni, a member of her school's School Improvement Process team, and the Frederick County Teacher Association’s Leadership Development committee. She was runner up for FCPS's Teacher of the Year in 2022 and a Finalist for Washington Post's Teacher of the Year in 2023.
Mary earned a master’s degree in Special Education from Frostburg State University, a master of arts in Elementary Education from West Virginia University (WVA), and a bachelor of arts degree in Multidisciplinary Studies from WVA. Mary is also a member of the Leadership Frederick County class of 2023, and she brings an enthusiastic perspective to those that she leads.
www.fcps.org
Episode Timestamps:
- Mary’s journey of finding her career path in education, and then specifically in special education {01:20}
- Shifting and rebuilding the special education space {12:42}
- How the pandemic really impacted the education space {15:48}
- Leadership lessons Mary has learned on her journey {24:19}
- Why there is no change in the comfort zone {30:27}
“Showing that grace when you do make mistakes, and to be able to say ‘You know what? That didn't work the way I wanted it to, but how are we going to move forward? What can we do differently?’ is important. Every year in education, and really every single day, you have the opportunity to start over, and you learn from it.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
When we’re young, we may not clearly know what we want to do in life - especially when it comes to our careers. This was the case for Andrew Moore; he didn’t find what he truly enjoyed until his early thirties, which ended up being aviation. Andrew previously worked in construction on environmental and infrastructure projects. After a few years of obtaining certifications and interviewing, he became an assistant airport manager, and is now the airport manager at Frederick Municipal Airport.
Andrew really tuned into his intuition when it came to switching career paths - he had a gut feeling that aviation was the right place for him. While aviation is a dynamic environment and can be a bit hectic at times, Andrew loves the variety of work he gets to do as an airport manager. He’s learned that practicing empathy with people is vital, and taking the time to listen really matters. Andrew cares about his staff, and he always wants them to play to their unique strengths.
Leading with emotional intelligence has been Andrew’s biggest lesson in leadership so far. He is working to create an environment that is safe enough to give ideas and make mistakes, but also keep people’s lives and safety a top priority within the airport. If you’ve ever been curious about the aviation field and all that it involves, you won’t want to miss learning from Andrew in this episode!
About Andrew Moore:
Andrew Moore is the airport manager at Frederick Municipal Airport. He believes he has found his ‘dream job’ in his current leadership role, and he strives to lead with emotional intelligence. He truly cares about the people he works with, and wants them to play to their best strengths. Andrew is also a member of the Leadership Frederick County class of 2023. He is good natured and very open to conversation.
https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/152/Frederick-Municipal-Airport
Episode Timestamps:
- Andrew’s journey to becoming an airport manager {01:21}
- What an airport manager’s job entails {07:23}
- Shifts that happened within the airport and aviation during the pandemic {10:21}
- Key lessons Andrew has learned since being in his management role {12:57}
- Safety measures and processes in place within the Frederick Municipal Airport {17:28}
- Important upcoming events for the Frederick Municipal Airport {20:46}
- Andrew’s mindset when it comes to his leadership role {22:33}
“Thinking realistically, I had to say ‘How can I actually have a living, have a job, where I'm home regularly doing this stuff?’ After a lot of thinking, I thought maybe airport management could work. It kind of meets my background, meets my interest, and it turns out that it was pretty well spot on, because I like coming to an airport every day, overlooking the airplanes.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
The fire and rescue service world has been a huge part of Chris Mullendore’s life since he was a young boy. Both his dad and brother worked for the fire department, which eventually influenced Chris’ decision to become a firefighter. Over the years, he has worked hard and continued to promote through the various ranks of fire and rescue. Chris is now the Battalion Chief of Health and Safety for the Division of Fire and Rescue Services in Frederick County.
Chris has always been very proficient when it comes to the skills training in fire and rescue, but he came to realize that focusing on people is extremely important. While this field is very competitive with a team-based approach, he believes that helping and making people better is what truly matters. Chris and his team have had to adapt a lot since the pandemic, which has led to more learning and leadership lessons along the way.
Chris considers himself the “fire department therapist” because he enjoys listening to people when they need to talk, and he lives by the Golden Rule. He truly is passionate about people and helping them be the best they can be. Tune into this episode to hear more about Chris’ leadership journey, and why treating others like family is so important!
About Chris Mullendore:
Chris is the Battalion Chief of Health and Safety for the Division of Fire and Rescue Services in Frederick County. He began his career with Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services in 2004 and has since worked his way through the ranks where he currently serves
as the Battalion Chief of Health and Safety. He has served in several supervisory roles and managed the county’s Hazardous Materials Team, Advanced Technical Rescue Team, and
Training Academy. He is also a member of the Maryland Incident Management Team within the Finance and Administration Section.
Chris graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Affairs from the State University of New York. He is one of less than 0.1% of the fire service to have completed the Executive Fire Officer Program from the National Fire Academy, where he had multiple papers published for fire service research. Chris is also the only employee of the Division of Fire and Rescue Services to have ever been selected as both the Firefighter of the Year and Supervisor of the Year.
He has received the highest award for bravery, the Gold Medal of Valor, and multiple other outstanding awards over the years. Chris is a member of the Leadership Frederick County class of 2023, and he always shows up with a smile.
https://frederickcountymd.gov/24/Division-of-Fire-Rescue-Services-DFRS
Episode Timestamps:
- Chris’ story of joining the fire department and eventually becoming a leader as the Battalion Chief of Health and Safety {01:30}
- Leadership practices Chris aspired to do and practices he wanted to do differently {05:50}
- Important lessons Chris has learned along his leadership journey {08:45}
- How the pandemic impacted the fire department {15:40}
- Managing the political divide that can occur within the fire department and community {19:25}
- Why Chris values treating everyone like family {22:20}
“While I was still very skill-based, I understood that people were really where the leadership aspect of it was. I put a lot of focus into people, mainly in just making other people better.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Becoming a teacher was what Karine Myers envisioned for her life as a young girl, and that’s exactly the path she started out on. Karine began her career as an elementary education teacher, and she has since gone on to serve in other various positions. Karine has been a teacher specialist, assistant principal, and principal in the Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS), and is now the Supervisor of Leadership Development for FCPS of Maryland.
Karine has dedicated her life to educating and developing students, staff, and leaders for 27 years. Her journey in the education field has taken many turns along the way though, and she even experienced deteriorating health issues at one time. This led her to stepping down and switching roles, and as a result, she felt ‘lost’ in her career. After experiencing this, Karine realized leadership has nothing to do with a title. Building trust in your organization and taking a personalized approach to coaching and helping people is what truly matters.
Karine strives to develop, support, and retain diverse, high-quality leaders who champion individual, professional, and student excellence. Her personal mantra of “every path I take is the right one” helps her to be reflective, and continually getting better. Listen in to hear more about Karine’s powerful story, and the positive impact she is making as a leader!
About Karine Myers:
Karine Myers is the Supervisor of Leadership Development for Frederick County Public Schools. She has earned multiple degrees, and most recently, she received her Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Hood College. Karine's doctoral dissertation examined the influence of a leadership coaching community on the self-efficacy perspectives of new school-based administrators.
She is one of the architects and facilitators of the principal pipeline initiative of FCPS, Exceptional Leaders Innovating and Transforming Education (ELITE). ELITE focuses on preparing aspiring assistant principalship and principals for the demanding and complex role of school leader. Karine is also one of the creators and implementers of the Leaders Inspiring and Facilitating Transformation (LIFT), the first leadership coaching program in FCPS. This program established a coaching community, whereas trained veteran school-based leaders serve as coaches for newly promoted leaders to help them acclimate to their role and increase their self-efficacy. She also facilitates several Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) courses for teacher leaders and aspiring leaders.
Karine is a member of the Leadership Frederick County class of 2023, and she brings a quiet wisdom to those she leads.
www.fcps.org
Episode Timestamps:
- Karine’s story of becoming a leader in the education space, and how much it changed along the way {01:35}
- The process of developing leaders {12:30}
- Self-care that actually refreshes Karine {14:22}
- How the pandemic impacted leadership development in education and changes made since then {17:50}
- Building trust in your organization {19:50}
- Karine’s mindset when it comes to leadership {25:45}
“Leadership has nothing to do with the title. I could sit in the seat I was in and lead through influence, through the way that I showed up, and through conversations that I had with those in my sphere of influence, whatever that sphere was. That took a while and it was challenging, but it was probably the most impactful time in my leadership journey.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Born and raised in Frederick, William Trott has always felt like it’s the right place for him, and there’s nowhere he would rather be. His career started in the service industry; he worked in a restaurant where he wore many hats. After graduating college with a marketing degree, he eventually landed a job with a local business, Morgan Keller Construction.
William enjoys cultivating meaningful relationships with people, because customer service and communication have both been important along his entrepreneurial journey. As the Business Development Associate with Morgan Keller, William and his team serve a wide variety of customers and clients. He enjoys working on medium-sized projects and is passionate about building genuine connections with those he meets. When everyone works together and successfully completes projects, this leads to shared successes which is an important value William and the Morgan Keller company believe in.
William continues to develop himself in his supporting leadership role within his company. He believes creating a collaborative work environment will not only positively impact the people working there, but the community as well. Tune in to hear more about William and how his mindset of shared successes has played a major role in his life!
About William Trott:
William is the Business Development Associate at Morgan Keller Construction. One of his favorite parts of his job is getting to know and be involved with the people and businesses in Frederick. He’s also a member of the Leadership Frederick County class of 2023, and is a person who is thoughtful in his responses and interactions with others.
www.morgankeller.com
Episode Timestamps:
- William’s story of living and growing up in Frederick, and how that eventually led him to his current leadership position {01:30}
- How Morgan Keller Construction really ‘flipped the script’ for William {09:10}
- The types of clients Morgan Keller serves {11:10}
- How William came into his leadership role with the specialty construction team, and what that looks like {13:35}
- Leadership lessons William has learned in his industry {18:24}
- What you should know about Morgan Keller Construction {23:41}
- William’s mindset regarding success in work and life {24:34}
“One of my favorite parts is getting involved with the Frederick County Chamber. Apart from Morgan Keller, I just have a passion about Frederick County, and a passion for Frederick the city. It's where I live and where I grew up. I'd love to see it grow (not necessarily just for the sake of growing), but so it can be the best that it can be. The business owners are such a huge part of that. Being able to get to know them, even in situations where Morgan Keller isn't the right fit from a construction standpoint, I can understand and respect that, because nobody's a one-stop solution.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Dr. Benita Rashaw is the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs at Frederick Community College. In this episode, Benita shares her story of growing up in Washington D.C. and talks about her love of school from an early age. Growing up, school was a safe space for her. In college, she worked as a Resident Director, where she could help young women transition from high school to college. She helped them understand the financial aid process and provided support that she wished she had.
Benita has been a cultivator of college student engagement and success her entire career. She uses her personal experience as a first-generation college student to connect with those aspiring to attend college, expecting that it will provide enhanced opportunities for themselves and their families. Tune in to hear Benita share her thoughts on the importance of community in college, as well as hear her experiences in education and leadership.
About Dr. Benita Rashaw:
A promoter of all things college, Dr. Benita Rashaw is a native of Washington, DC and a proud graduate of DC Public Schools. She attended the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), where she earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees.
For over 23 years, she has supervised and led several student affairs areas, which include residence life, student conduct, student leadership and engagement, career services, and campus life. Additionally, she taught as an adjunct faculty for over 15 years.
As an Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated member, Dr. Rashaw enjoys serving others through her engagement in the Frederick community. Of her many accomplishments, Benita is most proud of being a devoted wife, mother of two daughters, and furbaby mom to two Yorkies, Maya and Ace.
Episode Timestamps:
- Benita’s life journey {01:22}
- Personal bumps along the way {07:20}
- Yearning for more {12:45}
- Understanding students needs {19:21}
- Food lockers {23:40}
- FCC - A community’s college {29:17}
- It’s a wonderful word {31:25}
“I would always ask them, what barriers did you experience today to get here? It puts a ball in my throat even thinking about what they would share with me. They were leaving sick kids at home, but they were scared to miss school because they didn't wanna fail. They had to catch rides with people because they didn't have money to get on the metro, or their car broke down or the car was repossessed, or I gotta make a decision to pay my tuition or to go to the grocery store. And I would be so amazed that these people worked all day, ran home to take care of kids, and now they're sitting in this class trying to figure it out. I just was like, how dynamic is that? For them to have to have all of these barriers and things that are running in the back of their head, but they're taking one or two classes at a time to earn a degree. How could I not support a student like that?”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Sara Abrecht has had a lifelong interest in business and leadership, which began at the age of 8 when she started working for her father's CPA business. Today, she has found success as the location leader in the automotive industry.
Sara has an approachable and straightforward attitude towards her interactions and leadership style. She has learned to be understanding of the struggles of other people and to build them up rather than tearing them down. As a location leader, her main focus is supporting her team as well as the customers who come in and out of the shop. She recognizes that customers can become upset if they are not prepared for the cost of repairs, and understands that her job is to be there to listen and help them through their issues.
Over the years, Sara’s go-getter personality and strong work ethic has kept her pushing for more. Tune in to hear her thoughts on continuously evolving as a person and how “evolve or die” came to be one of her mottos!
Episode Timestamps:
- Sara’s leadership journey {01:16}
- Being a good team member {04:12}
- Holding others accountable {05:30}
- Show empathy instead of sympathy {07:23}
- How the pandemic impacted her role {12:51}
- The Women To Women mentoring program of Frederick County {17:51}
- Internal validation {19:39}
- Being a flexible leader {22:45}
- Investing in family time {24:42}
“I try to keep in mind that dealing with people can be hard. Because a lot of people, you don't realize that they just had to put a pet down yesterday or their home AC unit just blew up and they just spent eight grand on that. Like, you have no idea. It goes back to people, and you just don't realize each day what people are carrying until you say something and that's their final straw. And then they're really not mad at you, but just upset at an entire situation that's going on in their lives right now. I'm just trying to support them. To support the customers.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Jackie Dougé brings passion and focus to all aspects of her life. As a young girl, she envisioned herself becoming a pediatrician and worked hard to make that dream come true. She is extremely creative and channels that creativity through content creation, program development creation, and finding new ways to bring healthcare to children and families in Frederick County.
One of the topics discussed in the episode is the exploding mental health needs of kids and teens. Jackie provides insights into why this is happening and what can be done to help mitigate the impact. She also touches on the topic of providing allyship for her patients. She has a strong passion for bringing equitable access to everyone in the community. She shares the importance of advocating for equity and equitable access to resources in order to create the best start for kids and families. Striving for equality is not enough, as equal access to resources does not necessarily lead to equal outcomes. Jackie highlights the importance of leaders listening, learning, speaking up, and providing buffer protection to help soften the impact.
About Jackie Douge:
Jacqueline Dougé, MD, MPH, FAAP is an accomplished pediatrician with over 20 years of experience, and a respected speaker and writer. Her past roles include Deputy Health Officer at the Frederick County Health Department and Bureau Director and Medical Director of Maternal Child Health at the Howard County Health Department. Dr. Dougé holds a Master’s in Public Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, a Medical Degree from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Rutgers University. She has been featured in several media outlets, and is the founder of What is Black, LLC, a production company focused on stories that celebrate Black families. Dr. Dougé has co-authored the AAP Policy Statement on the Impact of Racism on Child and Adolescent Health, and the middle grade novel Learning to Love All of Me, in addition to being an in-demand speaker on racism and children's health. She has served in several volunteer and leadership roles, including Chair of the Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee to Achieve Antiracism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Past President of the Maryland Public Health Association.
Website: https://www.whatisblack.co/
Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/WhatisBlk/
https://twitter.com/whatisblk
https://www.instagram.com/whatisblk/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-douge-md-mph-faap-12b85624/
Free Resource:
6 Tips For Talking About Race with Kids
- Sign up for What is Black's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/whatisblack/newsletter
- Freebie will be emailed
- Only available for 30 days after the podcast episode airs
Episode Timestamps:
- Jackie’s journey to where she is today {01:24}
- The rising mental health crisis in teens {07:25}
- Jackie’s leadership role {11:25}
- Advocating for equity {15:08}
- Some of the biggest needs for black families in Frederick County {19:34}
- The What Is Black podcast {23:00}
“Knowing that even though I may be talking to a family, it's really a partnership. So this idea now of being a leader is not necessarily me being above someone else, but really understanding that I'm there to serve and partner and ally with families and also use my platform to speak up and raise issues that my patients or families may not be able to. Or maybe help provide that allyship in that I believe what my patients are saying, how they identify, how they're showing up their experiences.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Empowerment is something Shannon Morgan is working towards in her leadership journey. As the Senior Strategy Analyst for Thermo Fisher Scientific, Shannon has had the opportunity to grow professionally and is now learning to empower others to excel in their role as well.
Shannon started her career in publishing, and then moved on to other roles, such as content marketing and communications, before settling into her current role. In this episode, Shannon provides details about the growth and learning she has undergone over the past several years, as well as how her leadership style has changed since the pandemic. If you're in the messy middle and focusing on leadership growth, you won’t want to miss this episode!
About Shannon Morgan:
Shannon is a Senior Strategy Analyst at Thermo Fisher Scientific and has many years of experience working in marketing, communications, and publishing. A former travel writer turned strategist, Shannon authored a travel guide about Washington, D.C., and numerous articles about destinations in Maryland and beyond. She lives in Jefferson and is a proud mom to a teenager, tweenager, and a large Goldendoodle puppy.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sldmorgan/
https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home.html
Episode Timestamps:
- Shannon’s leadership journey {01:22}
- How the pandemic shifted things for Shannon {07:39}
- Thermo Fisher Scientific {09:26}
- Keeping a leadership mindset {10:30}
- Leadership lessons learned along the way {14:04}
- Tips for better communication {18:22}
- The middle phase of her leadership journey {20:53}
“Another thing I'm working on is leading with empathy. Really trying to take a pause and try to see where the other person is coming from. Just really recognizing that we're all coming to the table with lots of baggage you can't always just separate it out in your personal life, from your professional life or, you know, leave it at home when you come to the office. It's not always that easy.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
David Cornelius wears many hats at Frederick Health. By involving other leaders in day-to-day choices and trusting them to also make their own decisions, David takes a collaborative approach when it comes to the multiple departments that he leads.
Accountability and communication are the topic of discussion in this episode as David shares how the pandemic drastically changed things. As the hospital leaves crisis mode and returns back to a more normal state, David continues to come up with new ideas to make Frederick Health an even better place. He has made it his goal to change the culture of the hospital by becoming more customer-service oriented for guests and having a strong internal culture for staff.
About David Cornelius:
David Cornelius is the Director of Public Safety, Emergency Management, and Communications at Frederick Health. He and his wife have lived in Frederick since 2019. Previously, he worked at the University of Virginia for 24 years, much of it in a similar capacity. He is a Maryland Chapter Board Member for the International Association of Healthcare Safety and Security. David has one daughter, who recently had his first grandchild. He received his MBA in 2021 with a concentration in Healthcare Management.
www.frederickhealth.org
Episode Timestamps:
- David’s leadership journey {01:22}
- Managing workplace violence and trauma {07:57}
- The hospital’s security department {11:17}
- How covid changed things {13:35}
- What lessons David has learned about leading {17:54}
- David’s interests and activities outside of work {22:46}
- Why accountability and communication are important {25:34}
“I think if there's two things that I really focus on every single day, and I have an expectation of those people that work with me to focus on every day is number one, accountability. We gotta be accountable for all of our actions, whether they're right, whether they're wrong, whether they work out, whether they don't. And then secondly, communication. Like that's probably the toughest thing for people to get right. I still don't get it right, but we really work hard on how we communicate amongst each other and amongst our teams and amongst our external customers.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
There is no doubt that Kenny Mcdonald has a strong willingness to learn, as well as help others grow personally and professionally. Kenny started his banking career in 1985, but due to the housing market crash of 2008, he switched gears and changed industries. After 10 years of being out of the banking system, he returned and is now the branch manager of Woodsboro Bank in the 40 West office.
Kenny is known for his good nature and the smile he always brings with him! After high school, he started in a low-level position and climbed the ladder to where he is today. He brings with him a work ethic that is unmatched. One thing that remains of utmost importance to him is making sure his team feels supported and knows they can put their mental health first.
About Kenny McDonald:
Kenny is the Branch Manager of Woodsboro Bank’s 40 West office. He moved to Maryland from Kentucky in September 2018 and started working for Woodsboro Bank in October 2018. He is married to his wife, Krista and has two daughters, Kendra and Kylynn. Kendra will be 23 this month and still lives in Kentucky. Kylynn is 16 and is a sophomore at TJ. They also have two dogs, Otis and Sassy!
In his free time, Kenny loves anything outdoors; golfing, hunting, fishing, and camping.
Kenny is also on the Board of the Golden Mile Alliance, as well as a member of the Client Experience, and One Woodsboro Committees at Woodsboro Bank.
https://www.woodsborobank.com/
Episode Timestamps:
- The start of Kenny’s banking career {01:28}
- The willingness to learn {04:47}
- What Kenny has learned from being a leader {06:33}
- What Kenny looks for when interviewing potential team members {11:02}
- How the pandemic changed things at the bank {12:29}
- What Kenny would like listeners to know about Woodsboro Bank {16:36}
- Kenny’s mindset for working with a team of people {21:19}
“I went back to my team and I said, ‘look, if you need a mental health day, come let me know. Let's sit down, let's talk about it. Don't call me at six o'clock in the morning or 7:00 AM and say, Hey, I'm not coming in today. If you need something, come to me. Let's talk about it. Let's schedule a day off.’ So being able to work around people and making sure that they're taken care of. Because mental health is serious.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Ashley Goldsborough is a very determined woman with the drive and motivation to get things done. With all of the feelings that came along with the covid pandemic, she was able to see more clearly what was most important in her life. Realizing that she had outgrown her long-term role in banking, she landed a new role with The Family Heritage Trust Company that fit her much better, yet also came with more management and leadership responsibilities.
Ashley has a huge heart and a gift for giving back to her community. Growing up, she watched both of her parents be continuously involved in their community. Ashley hopes to instill those same values into her young daughter. She starts each day with positivity and a smile. She truly embraces her calling and strives to help make a difference in Frederick County.
About Ashley Goldsborough:
Ashley grew up in Frederick County and stuck close to the area during college, starting out at Mount St. Mary’s and completing her degree in Business Administration from McDaniel College. She started working in banking in 2006 and entered the world of Trust administration in 2009. Ashley holds her CTFA designation that she attained following the successful completion of the 3-year Cannon Trust School program. She is very involved in the Frederick community in a variety of organizations including Estate Planning Council of Frederick County as the immediate past president, The Community Foundation’s Professional Advisors Council as well as serving on their Donor Development Committee. She is currently serving as the Secretary of the newly chartered Key City Rotary Club. Outside of work Ashley enjoys spending time with her husband Jason, young daughter Jane and their furbaby Harley.
Episode Timestamps:
- Ashley’s journey to a leadership role {1:22}
- How work looked for Ashley during the pandemic {6:59}
- Trust Administration {8:54}
- What inspires Ashley about her work {10:53}
- Ashley’s community involvement {13:42}
- Leadership lessons Ashley has learned along the way {18:28}
- Why and how Ashley stays so positive {21:38}
“Once I made the decision that I was going to make a change, I immediately started sleeping better. And then was like, huh…all of these things I was stressing about and holding in, I didn't realize were having quite the effect. I was assuming it was other things, and my body was like, no, you're good. Like, you've made the right decision and now it's almost like you're at peace with it. So just listening to your gut and knowing what it is that makes you happy and being passionate about it. It's uncomfortable at times and you're going to make other people uncomfortable with it. But knowing what the end goal is, is really the key for me.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Andy Schotz has worked as a professional journalist for 31 years. Today, he tells us about how journalism has changed drastically throughout the years. Being in this industry and having major information at your fingertips can be extremely exciting. Andy talks about the importance of verifying information before reporting it and even refers to things happening on social media as being just like the “wild west of sharing unverified information.”
Nowadays, newer companies and operating systems have meant less advertising, less space, less staff, and unfortunately less subscribers. This cycle has sadly been pretty devastating over the last couple of decades. Thankfully Andy is an optimist. He views each day as a fresh start and finds gratitude in being able to bring joy to others through news stories.
About Andy Schotz:
Andy Schotz is the editor of The Frederick News-Post. He has worked 31 years as a professional journalist (20 as a reporter, 11 as an editor). He also worked at a weekly newspaper in Albany County, N.Y., for eight years. He grew up on Long Island. And he graduated from the University at Albany, part of the State University of New York system.
He moved to Maryland in 2000 to work as a reporter for The Herald-Mail in Hagerstown.
He is on the board of three journalism nonprofit organizations:
• the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association
• the Society of Professional Journalists Foundation
• the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors
Episode Timestamps:
- Andy’s journey leading up to becoming the editor of the Frederick News Post {1:26}
- The changes Andy has experienced over the course of his career {3:54}
- The difference between repeating what you hear and journalism {8:22}
- The weight of the responsibility Andy feels when having important information to put out to the public {12:39}
- What the editor role entails {14:17}
- Some lessons Andy has learned about leading along the way {15:26}
- The importance of more praise and less criticism {19:37}
- The mindset Andy starts each day off with {21:31}
- What Andy would like people to know about the Frederick News Post {25:47}
- The best way people could support the Frederick News Post {19:37}
“But there's nothing that beats going out and talking to people, witnessing things and being able to describe it. Government writing became a passion for me. I like describing what's happening. I like being the eyes and ears of the community when there may not be anybody else there holding people accountable, asking questions, asking and things like that. So I don't think it's hard to be reporting and firsthand witnessing it.”
Connect with Rachel:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974
At 37-years-old, LT John Corbett entered the police force and began a new career. In this episode, John talks about the extensive process he and his family had to go through to join the Frederick Police Department. While the department has felt like a family since day one, life as a police officer hasn’t always been easy. The last few years have definitely come with its share of ups and downs.
John has worked very hard to make sure that the public and his department have felt safe and supported during the pandemic as well as the Black Lives Matter protests. Because of his hard work, protests have been peaceful and everyone has been able to feel heard. According to John, the key to being a good cop is, “come to work, do your job well, and be the person that you've always been.”
About John Corbett:
LT John Corbett is a graduate of the 47th Frederick Police Department training academy. He has worked in the Patrol Division in several specialized units and is entering his 19th year of service. He is currently assigned as commander of the Special Operations Division, which encompasses the School Resource Officer Team, the Directed Patrol Team, the Volunteer Auxiliary, the Chaplain Corps, and the False Alarm Reduction Coordinator’s office.
In his off time, LT Corbett enjoys woodworking and marathon canoe racing.
Episode Timestamps:
- Why John decided to join the Frederick Police Department {1:29}
- What life as a police officer has looked like over the past few years {6:34}
- The partnership support program that John helped launch {13:34}
- What John would like people to know specifically about the Frederick Police Department {19:41}
- Advice for those considering this line of work {25:45}
- What John likes to do when he isn’t working {26:42}
- John’s tips that he has learned overtime to keep himself focused {30:12}
“I know one of the things that's been challenging, especially since the events of 2020, is sometimes it feels like we're treated like a monolith. And no one should be treated like a monolith. We're all individuals. I talked about the culture of this agency. Cultures change across organizations. I'm not even talking about law enforcement now. Any business organization, there's a culture. And when you start lumping everybody into the same box, that's the very definition of stereotyping.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Not everyone was meant to be a leader. Some need training for it, and some are born with the skill set to do it. In today’s episode, Timika Thrasher shares her story of those who saw more in her and encouraged her to rise up to her true potential. She explains how this path is what led her to become the C.E.O of the Boys and Girls Club of Frederick County.
Timika has worked hard to help the children in her community and has some major plans for future projects and community support. She’s working to provide the tools and support to parents, as well as bring community members together. This includes but isn’t limited to clubs, public outreach programs, partnering with counselors, partnering with police, working with schools and other organizations.
About Timika Thrasher:
Timika is the C.E.O. of the Boys and Girls Club of Frederick County. She is full of energy and passion for making a difference in our community. She also owns a commercial cleaning business with her husband. Starting that business allowed her the flexibility to decide where she wanted to be helpful, and what organizations she wanted to volunteer for. Though she was unfamiliar with the Boys and Girls Club in Frederick County at the time, she was asked if she wanted to be a sponsor for an event. This all led her into becoming a board member on the board party, which ultimately led her to becoming the C.E.O.
Connect with Tamika:
www.bgcfc.org
Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/boysandgirlsclubfredco/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bgcfc.org
Episode Timestamps:
- Timika’s life journey {1:24}
- The role of leadership at a young age {4:41}
- How Timika sees herself now, after all she has been through {12:53}
- How someone believing in her when she was younger shifted her path and led her to an organization that has her doing the same thing for others {14:07}
- What Timika sees as a need for kids right now post-pandemic {16:22}
- Timika’s mindset mantra that she uses to focus on her leadership {25:43}
- The Boys and Girls Club; a non-profit that thrives from local support {27:28}
“We say it starts with the kids and it really does, because we have to teach them young. But again, if we're not supporting the parents, what good is that doing? Because, then they get home and they're not doing the same things that we're doing in school or the same things that we're doing at the clubhouse. And so you can't expect so much. When you're not really supporting the families or, or giving them the tools for them to be successful, to be able to help their children.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Playing sports can really positively impact and shape a person - not only for today, but for the future too. In today’s episode, Korey Cobb shares his story of originally pursuing his dream to play professional basketball, and how differently his path changed. He’s learned a lot of important lessons from playing sports, and they have really helped build his character, personality, and mindset in life. Korey is a dynamic operational professional with well over a decade of experience in healthcare, business development, project management, finance, marketing, human services, and coaching.
Korey has worked with several incredible organizations, and he’s now serving as the Chief Operations Officer for a Federally Qualified Health Center, HealthWorks. He’s always had a servant leadership mindset, and he’s passionate about being the best he can be for his son, and everyone he works with. Korey believes synergy and teamwork are key in the workplace, and leading with a collaborative approach will take you far. When you combine leadership, determination, and influence, you have Korey Cobb.
About Korey Cobb:
Korey Cobb has dedicated his career to operational excellence. He received his Master's Degree in Business Administration and Project Management Professional Certification from Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He has prided himself on being a collaborative communicator, continually focused on building relationships and promoting synergy across business lines to drive positive change and enhanced profitability. In 2022, Korey was listed as one of the Top 50 leaders under 40 in Western MD and accepted into the 35th class of Leadership Frederick County.
Korey was recently the COO at one of the fastest growing Physical Therapy practices in the country and top 500 Inc. Prior to joining Rehab 2 Perform, Korey served as the Director of Operations for a multi-location Orthopedic Medical Practice under The Centers for Advanced Orthopedics. Giving back to the community is important to Korey. He remains active in the DMV area while serving as a board member for educational committees, several youth organizations, mentor for student athletes, and coaching sports.
Connect with Korey:
www.hwnova.org
Episode Timestamps:
- Korey’s story of originally ‘chasing’ his dream to play basketball and life lessons that came from that {1:30}
- The type of legacy Korey wants to leave for his son and others he works with {5:23}
- Executive skill sets Korey has learned from great leaders during his career {7:37}
- How the pandemic impacted Korey and his team at Mid-Maryland Musculoskeletal Institute (MMI) {10:08}
- Korey’s transition to becoming the COO of HealthWorks and what their mission is {12:18}
- The role Korey’s spiritual practice and beliefs have played in his life {16:23}
- Korey’s mindset when it comes to leadership {18:15}
- What you can expect when coming to HealthWorks for your healthcare needs {25:56}
“I'm big into sports, and the reason why I say that is because for me personally, it helped build character. Being able to show discipline and show up to recognize where I fell short, has taught me a lot of life lessons, and to not blame everybody else. Sports have taught me how to persevere through challenges that I wouldn't have had unless I was in those situations.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
We all experience pivotal moments in our lives that define and change the trajectory for us, even if we don’t realize it at the time. In today’s episode, Dawn Lowe shares her story of going down a career (and life) path that she never planned on, but has been extremely fulfilling for her. Dawn has worked in a variety of roles with large companies like Citibank and Wells Fargo. She is now the Executive Vice President, Chief and Talent Culture Officer at Middletown Valley Bank.
Dawn has experienced plenty of challenges over the years - one of the biggest being raising her daughter as a single mother. However, she did not let that keep her from persevering and taking risks in her career. Dawn believes that talent and culture should fit together well in the workplace, and she is passionate about creating an exceptional work environment for her employees. Dawn loves helping others in her organization and community. She is always ready to ‘ask another question’, and continue developing and learning as a leader.
About Dawn Lowe:
Dawn Lowe is the Executive Vice President, Chief and Talent Culture Officer at Middletown Valley Bank. She genuinely cares about helping her employees and team members, and she loves being a part of an organization that puts the community first.
Dawn is also a member of the Leadership Frederick County class of 2023. She always shows up with a bright outlook, and she believes questions are the one of the most important tools when it comes to successful leadership.
Connect with Dawn:
www.mvbbank.com
Episode Timestamps:
- Dawn’s story with pivotal moments that led her down a career and life path she never expected {1:26}
- How talent and culture come together in the workplace {14:41}
- How Dawn and her team have worked together to create an exceptional work environment for their employees {17:21}
- Dawn’s mindset when it comes to learning and helping others {18:36}
- How Dawn integrates working in a financial institution and continually helping people {22:22}
- Positive shifts Dawn has witnessed as a result of the pandemic {24:40}
- The importance of making genuine connections and fostering relationships with others {25:57}
“There have been a lot of scary moments through the years. The only way you can really live the kind of life that you want to live though is by making those choices, and taking those risks. You can also rely on relationships that you’ve built, and get support from those around you.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Losing a loved one is heartbreaking - especially when it’s the unexpected death of a child. In today’s episode, Brooke Desantis shares her story of losing her young son tragically due to complications from the flu. By courageously telling her and her family’s story, she began to inspire and educate others regarding influenza and sepsis. The Love for Lochlin Foundation Inc. is a community foundation that Brooke began in her son’s honor. Since starting the foundation 3 years ago, she and her team have been able to give away almost 3000 vaccines in over 200 clinics.
Brooke wants people to understand the severity of sepsis, and why vaccines should be readily available for everyone. She is passionate about being the voice for those who need vaccines and infectious disease support. Transparency and communication with people are key, because so many people don’t know about the resources that are available to them. Nonprofits are a great way to really provide for and serve people, no matter their situation. ‘No’ is not an option for Brooke and the work she is doing, and she will continue fighting for what she believes in.
About Brooke Desantis:
Brooke DeSantis is the founder of The Love for Lochlin Foundation, bringing awareness to sepsis. Her mission with this foundation is to prevent, educate, and drive awareness to the deadly impacts of infectious diseases like influenza (the flu) and COVID-19.
Through this foundation, she has been able to organize free vaccine clinics for the community. Brooke is also a member of the Leadership Frederick County class of 2023. She is someone who truly embraces the ‘no is not an option’ mindset, and follows through on her passion.
Connect with Brooke:
www.loveforlochlin.com
Episode Timestamps:
- Brooke’s story of starting and now leading a community foundation {1:22}
- The issue with flu vaccine shortages and people not being able to receive them {6:57}
- Brooke’s goals for the Love for Lochlin Foundation {9:19}
- Brooke’s ‘no is not an option’ mindset, and how she helps others she is working with embrace this mindset {10:28}
- How Brooke stays motivated and continues fighting for what she believes in {16:59}
- Winning an Emmy in their son’s name {19:34}
- What types of symptoms to look for with sepsis {20:51}
- How people can get involved/support their community more regarding sepsis education {24:03}
“As a nonprofit, it's not us. It's not about serving me, and not about serving that other organization. We’re out to serve the people, not ourselves, and that’s what I try to remind everybody, every day. One of the most frustrating things as a nurse is you have patients that are coming in the door. You treat them, regardless of anything, and give them the best care possible. Then, they're coming right back in, but they're not getting the resources that they could utilize. When working together like this, it’s almost like a family, and that’s serving as a nonprofit.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Teachers and educators are some of the most important leaders in our society today, even if they aren’t always recognized that way. In today’s episode, Eric Louers-Phillips shares his story of becoming an elementary ed teacher, and how his career in the education space has evolved over time. Dr. Louérs-Phillips was a classroom teacher for 12 years, and he joined FCPS in 2004 after starting his education career in Montgomery County Public Schools. He has served as a teacher, assistant principal, elementary social studies curriculum specialist, and has been the FCPS Supervisor of Accelerating Achievement and Equity since 2016.
Eric always knew he wanted to be a teacher, and he’s gotten to see the ‘full picture’ on his career path from educator to senior leader. He’s passionate about doing the best job possible for his students and staff, and he knows how important it is to listen and receive feedback from his team. Eric continually strives to walk with and lift others up, instead of tearing them down. He chooses to lead with empathy and humble confidence, because how you choose to use your expertise and influence greatly matters today, and for the future.
About Eric Louers-Phillips:
Eric is the Associate Superintendent of Public Affairs for Frederick County Public Schools. He started working with FCPS in 2004 and was appointed to this position in August 2021. Dr. Louérs-Phillips holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Morgan State University in Baltimore, two master’s degrees from the University of Phoenix, and a Doctor of Organizational Leadership from Hood College. In addition to his current position, Louérs-Phillips serves as an adjunct professor in Hood College’s Department of Education.
Dr. Louers-Phillips has learned the importance of looking beyond the surface. Slowing down and taking the time to listen allows those who feel unheard to know that their voice matters. Making mistakes is inevitable, but how you choose to move forward (and learn from those mistakes) is key. He believes that power and position used improperly causes more harm than good. Ultimately, learning and making adjustments to be an effective, compassionate leader will go a long way.
Connect with Eric:
www.fcps.org
Episode Timestamps:
- Eric’s journey with leadership in education and how it’s evolved over the years {1:28}
- Eric’s ‘why’ for being a leader in the education space {6:31}
- How Eric keeps his influence in check in order to make the best decisions for his organization {8:14}
- How Eric makes himself approachable in the schools and around staff {11:55}
- How the pandemic has really impacted and changed the school system {13:32}
- Differences in students in the classroom now compared to 25 years ago {19:02}
- Eric’s mindset when it comes to leading and helping others {20:19}
- How Eric keeps a healthy work-life balance {22:21}
- Eric’s message for anyone wanting to support the public school system more {29:57}
“Sometimes people are going to come down on us because of the title we hold, not because of who we are; they’re going to treat us differently. Understanding that, I think we have to make sure that we are making ourselves approachable individuals that people can come to and ask questions, share thoughts, and give their opinions on things in a way that's not threatening. If we don't do that, then people will just tell us what they think we want to hear, instead of what we actually need to hear.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Helping people and their families with money and improving their financial future for the better is powerful work. In today’s episode, Kevin Moore shares his story of initially pursuing a career in the film and TV industry, but pivoted to something completely different. Kevin is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and a member of the Financial Planning Association. He joined the family business that his father started over 40 years ago, and is now a co-owner and operator of the financial planning firm.
Kevin wanted a rewarding career that would allow him to help more people in all walks of life, and that’s exactly what he’s been able to do as a financial planner. Money is such an emotional piece in our lives, but the clarity and peace people can gain from getting help with their finances is incredible. He aims to keep the process as simple as possible for his clients, no matter their money mindset or background. He also strives for a healthy work-life balance with his family, career, and volunteering. Kevin believes that following good people who are doing good work will thrive, and ultimately, be able to accomplish anything.
About Kevin Moore:
Kevin is a Frederick native and lifelong resident of Frederick County. He received his bachelor's degree with highest honors from St. John's University in New York and his Master of Business Administration from Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg. Kevin is an Investment Advisor Representative; he holds an FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 license, as well as a license to sell life insurance, health insurance, and annuities.
Kevin and his wife, Mandy, have three children and are firmly planted in the local community. Kevin serves on the Board of Directors for the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, Federated Charities Corporation of Frederick, and the Rotary Club of Carroll Creek. He also serves as a committee member with Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County. He and his family are members of St. Katherine’s Drexel Catholic Church.
Connect with Kevin:
www.tim-moore.net
www.federatedcharities.org
www.frederickchamber.org
carrollcreekrotary.org
Episode Timestamps:
- Kevin’s career path after college that eventually led him back to his family’s business as a certified financial planner {1:27}
- Other types of work Kevin did before financial planning {3:57}
- What Kevin enjoys most about helping people with their finances {6:19}
- How Kevin helps people ‘get out of their own way’ when it comes to money {8:00}
- Important life values Kevin received from his dad growing up {10:16}
- What it looks like for Kevin and his dad to work together with unique visions, and still maintain a positive family life {11:37}
- How the pandemic affected the financial planning industry {13:55}
- How Kevin helps his clients with their financial goals, no matter their money mindset {18:13}
- Volunteer opportunities Kevin enjoys doing outside of work {21:36}
- What it means to Kevin to ‘follow good people’ {23:08}
“Money across the board is a very emotional and personal thing for people. It fascinates me to see what motivates people and what goals people aspire to. Being able to help someone track that or, or bring it all together to help it make sense, help set goals, and then achieve goals, is incredibly rewarding personally. It just gives me an opportunity to be a people person and have conversations that really are very personal to people, because they deal with it on a day-to-day basis.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Leading others in the workplace can be difficult. It should never be a cookie-cutter approach though, because people are very unique individuals. In today’s episode, Amanda Haddaway shares her story of ‘accidentally’ getting into the HR career field, and then eventually branching off to start her own business, HR Answerbox. In her role as the managing director of HR Answerbox, she specializes in conducting workplace investigations, solving complex employee relations issues, leading interactive and engaging training sessions, and serving as an advisor to small business owners and leaders.
Amanda grew up in a very entrepreneurial family, and she’s always been drawn to leadership roles. While she goes ‘all in’ on anything she does, she’s also learned that a work-life balance is necessary to avoid burnout. She believes the 2 key facets of running a successful business are project management and people management. Since working with both managers and their employees, Amanda has found that communication skills are extremely important, whether you’re giving or receiving feedback. Caring about your employees and their wellbeing as a whole person is vital when it comes to making better workplaces. This will go a long way when it comes to improving the retention issue so many employers are having in the work space today.
About Amanda Haddaway:
Amanda Haddaway is an award-winning HR consultant, corporate trainer, and certified executive coach. She has more than 45,000 hours of experience in HR and holds the two highest professional certifications, SPHR and SHRM-SCP. Amanda also has a Master of Jurisprudence degree in Labor and Employment Law from Tulane University Law School, a Master’s degree from George Washington University, and a Bachelor’s degree from James Madison University.
Amanda was recognized as one of the 10 Most Inspiring Businesswomen Making a Difference in 2021 by Beyond Exclamation Magazine, and one of the 20 Most Successful Businesswomen to Watch in 2020 by Insights Success. She has also previously been recognized as the Most Influential Woman in HR Training - USA by Acquisition International and the Gamechanger of the Year (US-East Coast) by ACQ Global Awards. She is even the author of two books, the creator of New Manager Bootcamp and the Workplace Culture Academy, and her writing has been included in Entrepreneur.
Connect with Amanda:
https://hranswerbox.com/
Episode Timestamps:
- Amanda’s story of getting into the HR space and eventually, starting her own company {1:19}
- Advice for effectively managing people {6:35}
- Characteristics that help to make people successful in leadership {11:05}
- How the pandemic has affected Amanda’s businesses and her clients’ businesses {13:12}
- Amanda’s secret to getting things done well {18:53}
- The importance of workplace culture and the biggest struggles there {23:40}
- A key part of business that small businesses should not forget about {28:55}
“More often than not, someone gets promoted into a leadership role because they were good as an individual contributor. Just because someone was good at their job as the employee, doesn't necessarily mean that they're going to transition into a leadership role and be successful there. That’s where a lot of organizations kind of misstep; they make the assumption that that's going to happen, and it doesn't.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
History is something that affects all of us today; we really can’t understand our modern world without knowing the context behind all of it. In today’s episode, Jake Wynn shares his story of learning about and studying history throughout his life, and how his love for history has shaped his career path. Jake’s leadership role with Visit Frederick plays a big part in the community; this organization truly values building relationships and helping people get the best possible experience while visiting Frederick, MD.
Jake has always found history fascinating, specifically 19th century American history. Learning is a central part of who Jake is, and he’s learned a great deal from reading history over the years. He believes that we can actually derive important leadership lessons and styles from what previous leaders have done successfully (and unsuccessfully) to better help us with what’s going on in our world today. Jake’s positivity in life shines through; he really values clear communication, face-to-face interaction, and genuine relationships in his life.
About Jake Wynn:
Jake Wynn is the Marketing and Communications Manager at Visit Frederick, Frederick County’s destination marketing organization. Previously, he worked as Director of Interpretation at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine and Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office Museum. Jake is a native of Williamstown, Pennsylvania, and is a 2015 graduate of Hood College with degrees in history and communications. In addition to his work at Visit Frederick, Jake writes online about Pennsylvania history at wynninghistory.com and at facebook.com/wynninghistory.
Connect with Jake:
wynninghistory.com
Visitfrederick.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WynningHistory
Episode Timestamps:
- Jake’s story of always working with history in some way along his career path {1:35}
- The particular period of history Jake finds most interesting {4:42}
- How Jake is leading in his current career position {5:36}
- Important leadership lessons and styles Jake has learned from studying history {11:46}
- How Jake’s career role has shifted since the pandemic {17:12}
- What success looks like for Jake {21:35}
- How leaders can learn more about historical literacy {27:00)
- What you should know about Visit Frederick {28:51}
- Jake’s own passion project regarding history {30:14}
“Our nonprofit here at Visit Frederick is focused on attracting visitors from about 50 miles outside of the county (or farther), to come into the county, and we want to put our best foot forward in doing that. My role is to work with all of the individuals, organizations, and businesses in Frederick County to show people why they should come and spend their very valuable dollars here, and why it’s worth their while for that experience of what they’ll get in Frederick.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Doing work you love is important, but it’s not always easy to find the ideal work-life balance that is often talked about. In today’s episode, Jake Butt shares his story of working for his family’s business, and then eventually branching off to start his own custom software development and consulting business. He knows firsthand how challenging it can be to differentiate between life and work as a small business owner, and it really is an ongoing balancing act.
Creating and running his business as a solopreneur, Jake has structured his business in a way that fits his life. He’s already made key pivots that continue to support his business as it changes and grows, and he’s learned his fair share of lessons along the way. He’s passionate about people, and surrounding himself with others who have experienced similar struggles in business and life has been vital for him. Jake considers himself a problem-solver, and he loves working with small business owners who aren't afraid to make necessary changes when they need to.
About Jake Butt:
Jake Butt is the founder and CEO of Deepspace Applications, offering custom software development and tech consulting for businesses, especially in the biotech space. He is also a member of the LFC class of 2023 and is a no-nonsense kind of guy. He’s a Frederick native who enjoys spending time outside with his wife and 1.5 year old son, playing tennis, and learning how to play the guitar.
Connect with Jake:
www.deepspaceapps.com
Episode Timestamps:
- Jake’s story of working in the biotech space and eventually, starting his own business {1:19}
- What it’s like to be a part of your family’s business {4:18}
- Why Jake decided to structure his business in the way that he did {7:46}
- An important pivot Jake has already made since starting his business {13:44}
- What inspires Jake about the work he does {18:03}
- One of Jake’s biggest lessons learned about leadership as a solopreneur {20:45}
- How Jake is working on self-motivation in his business {23:08}
- Jake’s key mantra he practices with his business and life {27:12}
- What Jake enjoys doing outside of work {29:43}
“It's just a choice that you have to make. Am I willing to work like that, and potentially run myself into the ground for a few years to really make this a success? Or, do I have the mental attitude that things may be a little slower, but ramp up and approach the business in a way that I feel like is going to suit my life first? It really just depends on your type of business, and what you want out of that business.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
We really are capable of doing incredible work in the world, but sometimes it can be difficult to put ourselves out there and try new things. If we’re in an environment where our skills aren’t being utilized well, making a change is necessary. In today’s episode, Shana Knight shares her story of how she became involved in and continued to give back to her community in multiple ways. She’s worked for several nonprofit organizations over the years, and she even started her own company, Soul Street, in 2020.
Shana is passionate about supporting black-owned businesses and rebuilding black generational wealth. She’s even been able to show people how to turn their hobbies into thriving businesses since the pandemic through Soul Street. Shana has experienced her own struggles as a leader, like imposter syndrome and delegation, but facing her inner challenges has helped her grow and thrive as a leader. Shana’s collaborative leadership style is about leading from the back. She believes that true leadership is leading with kindness, being humble, and always being willing to help others.
About Shana Knight:
Shana Knight is the Senior Business Development Manager for diversity and inclusion at the Frederick County Office of Economic Development, supporting local, minority-owned businesses. She is also the founder of Soul Street, which is a collective of black business owners and community members who empower the black business community in Frederick. Shana is a member of the LFC class of 2020, and she always comes to the table with a valuable perspective to share.
Connect with Shana:
www.mysoulstreet.com
www.discoverfrederickmd.com
Episode Timestamps:
- Shana’s story of initially getting involved in and giving back to her community {1:35}
- Shana’s various leadership positions with both United Way and the YMCA {6:38}
- How the Soul Street opportunity came about {9:03}
- How Shana came into her current leadership position {15:13}
- Making the important decision to change your environment if your unique skills aren’t being utilized {20:35}
- How Shana leads collaboratively {23:52}
- The key lesson Shana learned about delegation {25:42}
- The mindset Shana practices in her leadership role and life {28:00}
- Shana’s best tips for working through imposter syndrome {30:04}
- How people can support and benefit from Soul Street and the Frederick County Office of Economic Development {32:15}
“I've seen a lot of businesses that I was working with previously benefit, but I also learned that minority businesses as a whole have their own unique challenges that they face. I think it's really important that they have someone give them a little bit of extra attention and advocate for them. I feel like I'm doing the giving back work still, but it's just in a completely different way. Everything aligns really well; I'm doing a job I love and am really passionate about.”
Connect with Rachel Harrison:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
It’s not always easy to discover our skills and talents in the workplace, and in life. The truth is though, we all have unique strengths, and it’s important that we continue developing and evolving, instead of holding ourselves back. In today’s episode, Holly Schor shares her story of becoming a leader with the Goodwill organization, and how the growth mindset has been vital for her along the way. She’s been a key part in supporting a merger within the company, and she now manages a team of 400 people.
Holly is passionate about connecting people to the best positions for them, and helping them remove their self-imposed limits in life. Watching her father struggle for years with significant barriers, she has made it her mission to redefine how people connect to work. Since diving into her own growth mindset, Holly has continued to be reflective of her personal values on her journey. Gratefulness has greatly shaped Holly’s life, and she now experiences a sense of freedom when it comes to her work and the people she works with. Holly knows the importance of developing and evolving as a leader, and she feels truly aligned as a whole person.
About Holly Schor:
Holly Schor is the Vice President of Operations for the Goodwill of Monocacy Valley, serving Frederick and Carroll County. Holly has been with the Goodwill family since 2011, and joined the Frederick team in 2020 to support the merger between Goodwill of Monocacy Valley and Goodwill of Central and Northern AZ. Her recent leadership efforts include rebuilding a new mission services experience in Maryland and creating an inviting work culture for Goodwill of Monocacy Valley team members.
Holly is both personally and professionally aligned with the mission of Goodwill of Empowering Individuals, Strengthening Families, and Building Stronger Communities. At an early age, Holly learned how the power of work can create a lasting impact on a family. Holly hopes her sons have continued to watch her do new things, and will take care of themselves for the future.
Connect with Holly:
www.gimu.org
Episode Timestamps:
- Holly’s story to becoming a leader and her initial exposure to the growth mindset in her work {1:25}
- What a growth mindset means to Holly {4:49}
- What Holly has learned about herself through the growth mindset process {7:20}
- What it looks like to manage a large team of people {14:17}
- How the growth mindset can help you have important conversations with yourself and discover what your values really are {16:29}
- What gratefulness has meant to Holly throughout her life {20:46}
- Holly’s original career goal/pursuit {23:39}
- How Holly continues to keep herself growth-oriented {25:57}
- How the pandemic has shifted leadership and overall work environment {27:51}
“I feel the most connected to my work and most satisfied with my job, even on the hardest of days when I’m sad or angry about something I’ve had to do. I think it’s because I’ve chosen to be the whole person (inside and outside). The growth mindset has helped me align all of the versions of myself into one person, and I feel more present today than I’ve ever felt in my career.”
Connect with Rachel:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Practicing compassion and taking the time to really understand where people are (as well as where they want to go) is very much needed in our society. In today’s episode, Bob Clegg shares his unique story of living as a homeless person for several years. Once he decided to get back into the formal economy, Bob earned multiple degrees, and then went on to found Justice Jobs in 2018. Since then, Justice Jobs has helped more than 250 jobseekers transcend barriers to employment and get jobs with a six-month retention rate of about 70%.
Bob has seen first-hand that finding and obtaining an appropriate job is not an easy task if you have barriers to employment. Volunteer service work taught Bob that service to others is what makes him happy, and taking a person-centered approach to everyone he works with is important. He practices a positive, spiritual way of living, and is passionate about serving others right where they are. For Bob, having faith means that we have everything we need to solve our problems today - especially if we can learn to work together.
About Bob Clegg:
Bob Clegg is Executive Director of Justice Jobs of Maryland in Frederick. Justice Jobs is a free, non-profit employment office that helps people get jobs, keep jobs, and move up to better jobs.
Bob’s career began with several years as a homeless person in the early 1980s. The community college system enabled him to get back into the formal economy where he earned an Associate’s degree in respiratory therapy, and he practiced for nearly a decade. During that time, he met and married the love of his life, Connie. Over the next several years, he earned multiple degrees, including a Ph.D. in chemistry and a Master of Divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary. Bob even worked as a scientist for 14 years, developing protein detection and measurement devices.
Bob is an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick and Fredericktown Rotary Club. He speaks regularly at U.U. congregations in surrounding counties. His hobbies include cycling, camping, and sitting at home with his and Connie’s spoiled rotten cat, Lilly.
Connect with Bob:
www.justicejobsmd.org
Episode Timestamps:
- Bob’s story of being homeless to getting back into the formal economy, and eventually, starting his own business {1:15}
- How Bob and his team help people find and obtain appropriate jobs with Justice Jobs {9:44)
- What it looks like to show compassion and really meet people where they are {13:40}
- What Bob has seen shift with people seeking jobs and in his own leadership role since the pandemic {18:21}
- Basic services people should always get, whether they’re working or not {22:22}
- Bob’s next non-profit {24:13}
- Bob’s mission and passion that comes from his unique life experiences {26:20}
“A number of people have moved up into middle class jobs, and others have come around and around again, and that’s fine. We meet them where they are-that’s the compassion piece. To me, that’s spirituality, because a person’s spirituality is where they are, and what their concerns are for survival and meaning right now.”
Connect with Rachel:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
We as humans have a great need for belonging and wanting to progress in our work. When you’re a leader, it’s important to not only be savvy when it comes to your industry, but also when you’re developing people in their work. In today’s episode, Shawn Wolf shares his story of starting his own business, Outside Force. He’s held multiple other leadership positions in various industries, and his focus has always been on developing and coaching people in leadership roles.
Shawn has always had a growth mindset, and he loves helping others shift from a ‘fixed’ to ‘growth’ mindset too. He’s passionate about investing in and developing leaders to become who they were meant to be. Ultimately, that starts with the culture of the organization they’re a part of, because people need to know what ‘winning’ means with their work. His favorite quote that he lives by comes from his mentor, Harold Howard, which is “We don’t get work done through people, we develop people through our work”.
About Shawn Wolf:
Shawn is an experienced executive leader with more than 25 years in leadership positions, spanning industries such as higher education, manufacturing, and service-related businesses. He also holds multiple degrees, including a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership.
Today, as a Principal in the partnership Outside Force (a business development firm), Shawn focuses on business and leadership strategy and supplies training, coaching, and organizational development to a variety of industries. He is also an adjunct faculty member at UMBC in Baltimore, MD, and a Senior Facilitator at the UMBC Training Centers where he was a founding member of the Center for Leadership and Innovation.
Connect with Shawn:
https://www.outside-force.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnwolf/
Episode Timestamps:
- Shawn’s story of pursuing business from a young age and eventually, starting his own business {1:32}
- Accomplishing things as a leader versus the focus of really developing people through leadership {7:15}
- A personal example of Shawn helping someone develop and engage more in their work {9:18}
- The most important lesson Shawn learned from his mentor about leadership {12:20}
- When Shawn decided he wanted to primarily work with and develop leaders {14:35}
- How we can shift our thinking and develop ourselves differently when leading {17:27}
- The type of mindset that Shawn has and practices in his leadership role {21:10}
- Why culture is so important in an organization {23:51}
“The quote by my mentor, Harold Howard ‘We don’t get work done through people, we develop people through our work’, changed how I focused around managing and leading people. It allowed me to get past trying to become something, like an inspirational leader, that everybody should follow, and helped me turn that around a bit. I still need to be inspirational, and grow and develop myself with a vision, but if my focus is helping others develop and engage, they’ll more likely want to follow me if I’ve already invested in them”.
Connect with Rachel:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Delivering the best support to children and families who have experienced trauma is not an easy task, but is very much needed in our world today. Child Advocacy Centers now act as a centralized ‘hub’ to protect and serve these families when they need it most. In today’s episode, Robin Grove shares her journey to becoming the director of the Frederick County CAC. She discusses her transition and learning experience going from a non-profit leadership role to a government-based leadership role, as well as other leadership positions she’s held.
Robin and her team had to learn to be both innovative and creative during the pandemic in order to stay open and continue serving children and their families. Communication and collaboration are both extremely important when it comes to the work they do, because it is very much a team effort. Every day, Robin gets to witness the tremendous impact Child Advocacy Centers and their multi-disciplinary team of professionals have on the lives of children and their families. Robin is passionate about the work she is doing with child victims and their families within the Frederick County CAC, and she feels privileged to get to be with them every step of the way.
About Robin Grove:
Robin is the Director of the Child Advocacy Center of Frederick County. She holds multiple degrees and certifications, including a B.S. in Psychology from Northwestern State University of Louisiana, and an M.A. in Forensic Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Robin came to Frederick in 2019 after being an integral part of the growth of another CAC in Winchester, VA. During her seven years with them, she gained extensive working knowledge of the many facets of CAC operations by serving as a case manager, advocate, forensic interviewer, therapist, and program coordinator.
Prior to that, Robin was a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate in Berkeley County WV for ten years. She advocated to the courts for the best interests of children who were placed within the foster care system due to child abuse and/or neglect. She is continually developing and leading new projects and trainings to positively serve children and their families dealing with trauma and abuse.
Resources and ways to connect with Robin and her team:
CAC | Frederick County MD:
https://frederickcountymd.gov/481/Child-Advocacy-Center-CAC
CAC Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CACFrederick
CAC Instagram:
www.instagram.com/cacoffrederickcountymd
Friends of the CAC:
https://cacfriends.net/
Friends of the Child Advocacy Center | Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfTheCAC
Episode Timestamps:
- Robin’s journey to her leadership role as director of a CAC {1:17}
- Robin’s interest in and decision to study forensic psychology {3:42}
- What child advocacy centers (CACs) actually are {4:21}
- The creation of a new prevention program that will help children and families who come through the Frederick County CAC {8:36}
- The differences Robin experienced with coming from a non-profit leadership role to a government-based leadership role {11:21}
- Important changes Robin and her team made to be able to continue serving children and families during the pandemic {13:19}
- The shift that Robin experienced as a leader when changes were happening within the CAC during the pandemic {16:56}
- Leaders who Robin has learned from along her leadership journey {18:36}
- Robin’s personal mantra and philosophy when it comes to leadership {21:33}
- What Robin does to not only lead and help her team well, but also how she takes care of herself {26:11}
“It actually shifted me from managing people and looking at it as a manager, to really looking at a way to lead my staff in a way that built on the strengths they had. There were some really amazing things going on with creativity and innovation from people I hadn’t even thought about. We all sort of came together and started to capitalize on everyone’s strengths”.
Connect with Rachel:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Mental health often gets pushed to the backburner, because it’s not always easy to check in with ourselves. Over the last few years, the impact of the pandemic has affected everyone, and we’ve definitely experienced a mental health crisis. In today’s episode, Melissa Ward shares her story of becoming a therapist and starting her own business, as well as other community leadership roles she’s been involved in. Her therapy sessions often focus on communication, reducing anxiety, easing transitions, improving relationships, and coping skills.
Melissa chooses to work with clients she really feels like she can help and provide the best support for. She has seen firsthand how the pandemic impacted people during isolation, as well as with reentry into society. Melissa truly cares about people, and she continues to teach about the importance of self-care (which doesn’t necessarily mean having regular spa days). She believes that checking in with your mental health regularly and asking for help before it’s too late is vital.
About Melissa Ward:
Melissa Ward is a Maryland-licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC), and a National Certified Counselor (NCC) who works with adolescents, adults, and couples. She focuses on creating a unique therapeutic environment for each client that not only addresses challenges, but explores possibilities. Since each client is unique, she offers both a traditional in-person counseling experience as well as telehealth therapy.
Melissa has a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida International University in Communications and a Master of Science degree in Counselor Education from McDaniel College. She has also worked as a social worker and a community relations manager for National MS Society's Maryland Chapter. Melissa has served on the board of the Frederick County Mental Health Association, and as a deacon at Frederick Presbyterian Church. She lives in Downtown Frederick with her husband, has two college-aged daughters, two dogs, and a cat.
Connect with Melissa: www.melissawardcounselingservices.com
Episode Timestamps:
- Melissa’s story of starting her own business as a therapist and how it’s evolved over time {1:25}
- The type of clients that have been the best fit for Melissa to work with over the years {3:26}
- Melissa’s community involvement and what leadership has looked like in the organizations she’s been involved in {4:56}
- What Melissa has seen in her practice and other community leadership roles since the pandemic {6:38}
- How people are recovering from the pandemic and what their mental health looks like {10:38}
- Melissa’s advice for everyone when it comes to mental health {12:25}
- What inspires Melissa to keep going and doing the work she does {15:03}
- How Melissa checks in with herself/her mental health regularly {17:12}
- How discipline and leadership go together {21:05}
- What Melissa values and keeps her focused in the work she’s doing {23:41}
“We all need to be self-aware enough to know before it’s a crisis, and before we need help. If I could ask anybody to do anything, it’s knowing yourself well enough to know you’re struggling, and not waiting until everything is on fire before you reach out for help.”
Connect with Rachel:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Starting and building a brand new company comes with plenty of challenges, but having the right mindset goes a long way. In today’s episode, Kevin MacKay shares his story of becoming a co-business owner and leading a startup company in construction.
His journey of entrepreneurship started from a young age, and he always knew he wanted to have his own business. Kevin loves people, and he brings intentionality and positivity to any situation. His passion for his team and love for construction shines through, and creating an opportunistic company where his employees feel valued is a top priority.
About Kevin MacKay:
With over 10 years of experience, Kevin has made a career in construction. His love for construction started as a kid when he would work in his grandfather’s workshop. After college, Kevin took a job in commercial construction where he began to develop relationships and gather the experience that would lead to him being a co-owner at Three Oaks. A year and a half into business, Kevin leads a team of 50+, spanning multiple projects. His daily role encompasses the pre-construction and procurement practices for Three Oaks.
Kevin lives in Frederick, Maryland with his wife Courtney and their four kids, Brody, Cameron, Griffin, and Trevor. He loves spending his time coaching little league baseball, creating cool projects with his kids, and working with the Frederick Rescue Mission.
Three Oaks Construction: https://3-oaks.com/
Episode Timestamps:
- Kevin’s story of entrepreneurship and being immersed in it from a young age {1:27}
- How Kevin took the leap to start his own construction company and what he’s learned since being a business owner {3:55}
- The importance of open communication between Kevin and his team {7:24}
- What inspires Kevin in his business {9:43}
- Kevin’s vision for Three Oaks Construction Company {12:13}
- How the pandemic impacted Three Oaks Construction and the construction industry as a whole {14:55}
- The right timing and support from Kevin’s family that allowed him to start his construction company {17:23}
- How Kevin takes care of himself and practices self-care as a leader {18:29}
- Kevin’s mindset in leadership and life {20:56}
“I think it's very important that no matter where you are in the company, whether you're the business owner or you're just in a leadership position, if you are driving a change, make it very well known to your team. The perspective of a business owner, leader, or someone who's directing, is going to be different than the people who are working for them, or will be shouldering that responsibility”.
Connect with Rachel:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
The healthcare field is always evolving, and has dramatically changed over the last few years. Looking at the whole person and helping people get (and stay) healthy is needed now, more than ever. In today’s episode, Dr. Deborah Morrone, D.C., shares her story of starting her non-traditional chiropractic business from scratch, as well as other leadership roles she’s been active with. Many of her educational pursuits have been guided by her own “dramas and traumas”, and they have been chosen based on her own personal experience with illness and injury, and researching ways to get and keep herself healthy.
Dr. Deb truly cares about her patients, and she loves helping them solve problems by actually getting to the root of the issue. She is leading in healthcare and putting people first by using her unique strengths and resources.
About Dr. Deborah Morrone:
Dr. Deborah Morrone (known as “Dr. Deb”) has been living and practicing in Frederick, MD since 2002. She always planned on a career in healthcare, but chose Chiropractic because of its “whole person” approach to improving health, instead of attempting to manage symptoms with medication and surgery. Everyone has unique factors that affect their health, and she enjoys learning as much as possible about those who seek her help to maintain a healthy, active life.
Dr. Deb loves working with people who take an active role in improving their health. She firmly believes in a “team approach” to healthcare, collaborating with other members of your healthcare team to help you achieve your goals. She enjoys studying current research and learning new healing techniques and protocols in order to provide the best advice and options for her patients.
Dr. Deborah’s website: https://frederickchiro.com/
Episode Timestamps:
- Dr. Deb’s story of starting her own chiropractic wellness center 20 years ago {1:19}
- What a non-traditional chiropractic session looks like {2:46}
- Dr. Deb’s journey as a practitioner and how her business has grown and evolved {4:15}
- Other leadership roles Dr. Deb has been involved in over the years {5:47}
- Shifts that Dr. Deb has seen in healthcare and her patients since the pandemic {8:08}
- How the pandemic has impacted Dr. Deb as a practitioner and leader, and how she takes care of herself {13:26}
- Learning and understanding what your limitations are when it comes to running a business {18:06}
- Dr. Deb’s message for everyone about healthcare {19:53}
- Dr. Deb’s strengths and what she offers in her various leadership roles {21:41}
“Healthcare has evolved, lifestyles have evolved, and stress factors have evolved. Being on top of what’s affecting people’s lives at any given moment is really important. I hear a lot of people saying they’re looking for a doctor that listens. I really try to listen to the story, because that’s where the clues are, and we can go from there to figure out how to best help them”.
Connect with Rachel:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Leadership doesn’t always look the same for everyone, and it’s not something everyone chooses (or feels called) to do. Leading does start with people though, because every person needs support. In today’s episode, Angela R. Gerald shares her journey about becoming a leader in not only one, but multiple different roles. She’s passionate about leading and helping people within her church ministry, as well as within her role as an executive assistant. She believes that people will do their best work and really shine when they’re able to use their natural gifts. Tune in as Angela shares more about leading with positivity and putting people first, regardless of the type of setting you’re in.
About Angela R. Gerald:
Angela R. Gerald (along with her husband, Darren), are the founders and pastors of Strong Tower Christian Church in Frederick, Maryland. Together, they shepherd a generationally and ethnically diverse congregation with a weekend attendance of over 250 people. Angela is a 1991 graduate of the Lee University Ministerial Internship Program. In 2008, she established Strong Tower’s worship ministry and still leads the Women’s ministry which is known for bringing women of all backgrounds and ages together to enjoy love, laughter, friendships and to experience life together.
She holds several certifications in communications and is a certified Life Coach through the Whole Heart Center in Frederick. Angela is also a contributing writer to the 2017 book, Permission to Win: A Daughter’s Guide to Winning from the Inside Out. In addition to her service in the community, she is Executive Assistant at Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, a national advocacy group for general aviation.
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Organization: https://www.aopa.org/
Leadership Frederick: https://www.frederickchamber.org/leadership-frederick.html
Episode Timestamps:
- Angela’s story and professional journey to becoming a leader
- What the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Organization is and who they help
- The calling Angela and her husband felt to start their church and their own ministry in 2008, and what that’s looked like for them
- What leading in different settings looks like
- Shifts that have happened for Angela professionally and personally since the pandemic
- What Angela’s true passion is
- What Angela brings to the teams she’s a part of
“I love maximizing people’s gifts, even at work. We work as a team really well, so when there’s a hand needed, we jump into it. One of the great things about the group that I work with directly is they’re amazing at helping each other reach their goals.”
Connect with Rachel:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
According to Tanith Fowler-Corsi, leadership is a journey of continuous learning and growth. In this episode, Tanith discusses her own leadership journey which began at a young age when she was first thrown into a leadership position at George Mason University without any training or background in management. Over the years, she has had to adapt her leadership style to different environments, including the Covid-19 pandemic. Tune in as Tanith shares wisdom and advice on becoming a great leader and why it is important to be your authentic self and to never stop learning.
About Tanith Fowler-Corsi:
Tanith is Director of Graduate Admission at Hood College located in
Frederick, MD. She brings over 25 years of work experience in the field of higher
education in the Washington, DC area at various universities, non-profit organizations and international education institutions.
Tanith oversaw study abroad and global education operations at George Mason
University and the Catholic University of America. She then worked
at NAFSA: Association of International Educators as Senior Director of study abroad and diversity-leadership initiatives. Prior to joining Hood College, in
2019, Tanith worked as Director of Membership & Outreach at the College
Consortium of International Studies (CCIS) where she was responsible for
international partnerships and academic collaborations.
Tanith was born and raised in Monaco and the South of France where she completed a Baccalaureate in Literature & Philosophy with Honors in the French education system. She earned a bachelor’s degree in International Relations at the University of California, Riverside and completed her master’s degree in International Communication at American University in Washington, DC. Tanith is bilingual in English and French and conversational in Italian and Spanish. She has traveled to most continents and is passionate about higher education and cross-cultural engagement.
https://www.hood.edu/graduate/about-grad-school/staff
Episode Timestamps:
- Letting go of perfectionism and becoming a better leader [4.19]
- Authentic leadership [6.16]
- How the pandemic created change in the workforce. What challenges Tanith has faced as a leader due to these changes. [9.16]
- Tanith’s passion for travel and global politics. Helping American college students beat stereotypes and become more diplomatic when traveling overseas. [15.59]
- Leadership is an ongoing process [23.17]
"What really makes a good leader is being able to relate to the team and hopefully have the team relate to you as not only a leader, but as a human being."
Connect with Rachel:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Becoming a solopreneur is not something that can be achieved by everyone. It requires strong determination and discipline. In this episode, Ben Trawick shares his journey from aspiring actor to marketing entrepreneur, and how the pandemic shifted his business and leadership goals. Through the changes, one thing remains the same - serving others. He remains determined to provide immense value and serve his clients in a meaningful way. Tune in as Ben shares advice on becoming a solopreneur and how leadership still plays a role even on a one-man team.
About Ben Trawick:
Ben Trawick is a Frederick, MD native and owner of Braveo (brah-vee-oh), a marketing and messaging firm focused on helping small businesses create clear marketing messages. Braveo creates videos and websites that hinge on one simple premise, “Be The Guide''. He’s worked with organizations like The Community Foundation of Frederick County, Flying Dog Brewery, and The Association of Public Health Laboratories. He is a member of the current class of Leadership Frederick County and is always excited to be learning and trying something new.
https://www.braveo.me/
https://www.instagram.com/braveostudios/
https://www.facebook.com/braveostudios
Episode Timestamps:
- Ben’s journey to becoming a solopreneur [3.35]
- The importance of finding mentors or a network of fellow entrepreneurs [6.30]
- Challenges faced during the pandemic. [8.10]
- Continuously evolving personally, professionally, and spiritually [11.45]
- Getting intentional with providing value [23.17]
- Knowing your limits as a leader and giving yourself grace [25.07]
“Be honest with yourself and recognize that even if you are in a leadership position, you have limits and you have to make space for yourself. As you're trying to encourage and coach the members of your team and the people that you're working with, you have to do the same thing for yourself.”
Connect with Rachel:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/
Welcome to Leadership Evolution; a limited edition podcast about leaders and how they evolve. Join Rachel Harrison, owner of Trauma Specialists, as she interviews the leaders involved in Leadership Frederick County, class of 2023. Interviews will focus on the growth of each guest over the last several years, including the shifts they have made in their own lives as well as leading through global change. This opens up the conversation about how leaders have shifted both personally and professionally through the last few years.
Rachel has worked in the field of trauma for 24 years as a therapist, trainer and business owner. She is passionate about helping people heal from trauma and about growing and developing leaders. If you’re eager to learn from incredible leaders in real time - to be able to gain leadership skills, as well as personal and professional advice - this is the show for you!
Connect with Rachel:
https://traumaspecialistsofmd.com/
https://www.frederickchamber.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma_specialist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064008974101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796/