Empowering Leadership

Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disease that disproportionately affects the African-American community, and is one of the nation's leading causes of death. While we mostly know the Red Cross for their emergency and disaster relief, they're also fighting against blood-borne illnesses like sickle cell.   For more than 25 years, Rena (pronounced like “Renae”) Witherspoon has been boots-on-the-ground in communities from Omaha to Dallas educating people about the dangers of sickle cell. Her tireless work involves connecting donors, volunteers and medical professionals, and her goal is to dismantle the misconceptions around the disease that cause those in vulnerable communities to not get checked.   Rena Witherspoon joins host Doug McVadon on the Empowering Leadership podcast for a discussion about sickle cell awareness and what the Red Cross is doing to stop the disease. Rena talks about her own experience with the disease as a survivor herself, and how the work she and the Red Cross has impacted those impacted by sickle cell and other blood diseases.   Connect with Rena Witherspoon on LinkedIn.  

The future generations of young leaders of color are some of those most in need of positive role models, and Michael DeVaul of the YMCA is one the leading voices in this discussion. A long-time community leader in Charlotte, NC, Michael has worked with the YMCA professionally for more than 40 years. It was in 2020 that Michael stepped into a new role working on a national level to help provide leadership training, programming and resources to the next generation of leaders of color. Michael DeVaul joins host Doug McVadon for a discussion about what the needs of future leaders are now and how we can step up to meet those needs. Michael discusses how his family upbringing and support from institutions in Evanston, IL helped teach him perseverance, and how he plans on instilling some of those values in the next generation.    

The city of Atlanta is unquestionably one of the capitals of Black culture in America. From being the home of Martin Luther King Jr. to the birthplace of trap music, Atlanta is consistently at the heartbeat of Black America. This makes the city and region a center for Black leadership, and today's guest on the Empowering Leadership podcast is one of the voices leading that charge. Reverend Louis Negrón Sr. is the Executive Director and CEO of 100 Black Men of Atlanta, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged youth in Atlanta. Rev. Negrón sits down with Empowering Leadership host Doug McVadon for a conversation about the work that 100 Black Men of Atlanta does, and who that work touches. Rev. Negrón also touches on the value of leadership in young urban communities, and how his organization is working to address those needs. Learn more about 100 Black Men of Atlanta at 100blackmen-atlanta.org.  

Within the last few generations, American historians have peeled back the layers on the traditional teachings of the founding of the US to more prominently include the role of slavery, particularly by the founding fathers. A focus on telling the “whole truth” seeks not to dismiss the accomplishments of founders like James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, but instead paint a more complete picture. That includes the role of indentured servitude that allowed these leaders the ability to devote their lives towards studying great thinkers and writing the documents that would become the founding of America. Elizabeth Chew has held leadership and curatorial positions at two of the most famous landmarks of this era, Monticello and Montpelier. Elizabeth joins the Empowering Leadership podcast and host Doug McVadon for a discussion on reframing how we view the founding fathers to include the factors that made their important contributions to the founding of the US possible. Elizabeth, who curated the exhibition “The Mere Distinction of Color,” talks about the contributions of the “invisible founders” who facilitated tobacco production and the home lifestyle work that has historically gone uncredited. Connect with Elizabeth on LinkedIn. Visit James Madison's Montpelier online at montpelier.org.  

Few places in the United States embody the push for civil rights equity in both the past and present like Selma, Alabama. The site of one of the final battles of the Civil War, the Montgomery Marches and the infamous Bloody Sunday, this small town of just 20,000 people (80% of whom are African American) has been a symbol of race relations for many generations. Only few people know this city's soul and history as well as three-time Mayor James Perkins. Born and raised in Selma, Mayor Perkins was one of the first African American students to integrate his high school in 1971. He later went on to earn degrees from Alabama A&M and Auburn University, before founding his own IT company. During a road trip in Dallas, Texas, Perkins found his calling by chance, and decided to run for Mayor of his hometown. Serving two terms from 2000-'08, Perkins was the first African American Mayor of Selma, and was re-elected to the same post in 2020, a position he holds today. Mayor James Perkins joins host Doug McVadon for a conversation about the history of Selma, what life was like for James growing up in the Jim Crow era, the challenges he faced integrating Selma High School, and his journey to becoming Mayor. James talks about how integration affected his decision to attend an HBCU, his professional development as a business owner, his path to leadership in public office, and the moment he knew that the world's perspective of Selma was bigger than he could ever imagine.  

A simple yet profound change can make a massive difference in our lives. For Kristi Nelson, it was the decision to wake up everyday with a sense of gratefulness, and appreciating the things she had instead of wanting for things she didn't have, or longing for a life she didn't lead. Almost thirty years ago, Kristi was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer, after a year of dealing with fever, pain, and a loss of motor function. During this time, Kristi sported an appreciation for the unknown, because she didn't know how much time she had left.  Since her experience with cancer and subsequent remission, Kristi has become an author and mentor to those wanting to instill a sense of gratefulness in their own lives. Her book, “Wake Up Grateful: The Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing for Granted” has helped people practice gratefulness through her five guiding principles, and the practice of “Stop, Look, Go.” Kristi Nelson joins host Doug McVadon on this episode of Empowering Leadership to talk about a different kind of leadership, the leadership of one's own life. Kristi talks about the power of reframing tasks from “I have to,” to “I get to.” Kristy discusses the difference between gratefulness and gratitude, as well as leaving a legacy to be proud of. Connect with Kristi Nelson online at grateful.org. You can find a copy of her book, "Wake Up Grateful: The Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing for Granted," here.  

Heather Fortner is the CEO and Chair of the Board of Signature FD, a private wealth management and consulting firm located in Atlanta, GA. Naturally as someone in her role, Heather is called upon each and every day to embody the skills, wisdom and guidance required of a leader.  Heather Fortner joins host Doug McVadon on today's episode of Empowering Leadership to discuss this podcast's namesake: the ability to empower through leadership. Heather talks about working her way up from customer service representative to CEO, and how a teaching moment with her father let her know that she would be able to make it. Heather discusses how each of her team members is empowered to learn new skills and personal investments, thereby bringing those investments to the business table. She also talks about defining success not by the clothes or the cars, but by how she empowers others. Connect with Heather Fortner on LinkedIn here. Connect with Signature FD online at signaturefd.com.  

One of the most common mistakes in leadership is the idea that it takes decades of experience to become a leader, but as 18 year-old Jaylen Smith reminds us, leadership knows no age limit. Last fall, Smith was elected Mayor of Earle, Arkansas, a town of less than two thousand people about thirty minutes west of Memphis. Mayor Jaylen Smith joins host Doug McVadon for a discussion about what inspired Jaylen to rise to the occasion and take a leadership role when those twice his age either couldn't or wouldn't. Jaylen discusses how losing a cousin to gun violence made his pledge towards funding a 24-hour police department a top priority for his tenure. Mayor Smith also talks about his vision for the next forty years of his city, as well as his own goals for political office.  

Perhaps no other professional ecosystem lends to the principles and values of leadership more than education. Inherently, the teachers, academics and professionals need to demonstrate leadership qualities to be able to lead the thinkers and doers of the next generation.   Today's guest on the Empowering Leadership podcast has spent her whole career learning, practicing and teaching educational leadership practices. Kathy Minardi is the founder and executive director of the Whole School Leadership Institute, an educational leadership and training organization.   Kathy Minardi joins host Doug McVadon for a discussion about developing her leadership philosophy through a career in hands-on education. Kathy discusses some of the philosophies that guide her practice, and how they address some of the challenges of the modern day education institution.  

On today's episode of the Empowering Leadership podcast, host Doug McVadon speaks with author Marjorie Hudson about George Moses Horton, the first black man to publish a book in the American South.    Horton was an enslaved person in Chatham County, North Carolina in the early 19th century. Traveling north to Chapel Hill to sell produce at the behest of the plantation owner, Horton would gain notoriety for the eclectic poems he would write. He would go on to publish several books and be published in others, becoming known as “The Slave Poet.” Horton would continue writing poetry after his emancipation in 1865.   Marjorie Hudson talks about the life of George Moses Horton, as well as her own career as an author who focuses on the life, culture and history of the American South.   Connect with Marjorie Hudson online at marjoriehudson.com.

Experiences with death, whether it be through losing a loved one or having a brush with it yourself, can be some of the most impactful experiences we'll ever face. How one responds to that adversity often defines new trajectories in that person's life. For today's guest on the Empowering Leadership podcast, host Doug McVadon talks to Ray Whittaker. A poet and author, Ray discusses losing his wife, and then having battled a disease that nearly took his own life. Through his poetry, Ray finds ways to heal and move forward, using his creativy and expression as an outlet.

Joe George is a long tenured executive with a track record of achievement in multiple high level roles including as a VP at Harris Teeter. George found a talent for building strong and dynamic teams, which helped him leave an imprint in the corporate world. While he was clearly well suited for the roles in which he occupied, George eventually left the corporate space to pursue work he felt was more meaningful, including teaching at-risk high school youth. Joe George sits down with host Doug McVadon to talk about the contrast between working in corporate America and in specialized classes with high needs young people. He discusses how despite the clear surface differences, many of the techniques and philosophies about working with people were the same. Joe also talks about how some of the perspectives on working with people of different backgrounds has changed over time, and how he's adapted. Finally, Joe talks about how a chance trip to Haiti gave him the insight needed to create a food drive partnering with a local church to provide food for the people of Haiti. 

Despite the greatest ambitions of the most visionary leaders, life circumstances can change trajectories and priorities in an instant. Through no fault of their own, people can be thrust into a much different battle than the ones they had envisioned most of their lives. This kind of journey through the unkown by definition requires bravery and leadership. Todays guest on the Empowering Leadership podcast is Michael Watson, who was one of the co-founders of Watson Tate Savory Architects. After founding the firm in 1991, Watson and his colleagues would help shape much of the public space in South Carolina, including several projects on the campus of USC. However, when Mike was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he was forced to make a choice between caring for his business and caring for his health. Michael Watson joins host Doug McVadon for a candid and thorough conversation about Mike's prolific work as an architect and entrepreneur, as well as how he's faced one of life's greatest challenges in a cancer diagnosis. Mike talks about his journey from diagnosis through treatment, his current condition and what he hopes for in the future. He also talks about much of the work he and his colleagues as Watson Tate Savory were able to accomplish.

When thinking about the civil rights era, one of the biggest mistakes we can make is thinking that the people and events of the time are buried in ancient history. In reality, we are lucky to have many of the survivors of some of the most segregated times of modern history still among us to tell their story.  Today's guest on the Empowering Leadership podcast is Leona Tate, who was just six years old in 1960 when she and three other young black girls who were the first to integrate into formerly all white elementary schools in New Orleans.  Leona Tate joins host Doug McVadon to tell her gripping story of how she was first led into McDonogh 19 Elementary School and the challenges she faced just getting to the door. 

Much of the discourse about racial equity over the past several years has centered on revisiting events of the past and understanding their effect on our world today. One of the most prominent examples of this is the reexamination of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Spurred by dubious claims of harrasement, a mob of white citizens burned, shot and looted the Greenwood community, one of the most wealthy and distinguished black communities in the country, known as Black Wall Street. After a night of violence, the entire community was levelled and never rebuilt. Today's guest on the Empowering Leadership podcast is Phil Armstrong, Executive Director of Greenwood Rising, an organization dedicated to educating the public about 1921 and supporting initiatives that help honor the community's history. Phil talks with host Doug McVadon about the history of what led to the massacre in 1921, the cover-up that followed, and what lessons we can learn.

Today's guest on Empowering Leadership views the body as an instrument that must be cultivated through contemplation and self care. Danny Skinner is a project manager at Minnesota Street Project, an artist-led collaborative that provides studio space, gallery space, and services to San Francisco's creative community.    Danny's journey from tactician to strategist gives him an appreciation for the power of relationships to reveal what is wanted and needed. In today's episode, he speaks to host Doug McVadon about crucible moments on his journey, what he learned from working with Dorrier Underwood, and how a recent health challenge shaped his view of what he can expect of himself. 

At first glance, some may see very little overlap between the world of art and the world of business. Today's guest on the Empowering Leadership podcast helps us see beyond the surface and dig deep into this issue. Amy Hofland is the Senior Director of the Crow Museum of Asian Art at the University of Texas at Dallas, and she joins host Doug McVadon to talk about how art and business intersect, and how each of those worlds can learn from each other. Amy is also a practitioner of mindfulness, and she talks to Doug about how her use of mindfulness has helped her overcome obstacles and become a better leader.

Stitch Golf is one of the fastest growing, most exciting golf brands in the US right now, and on today's episode of Empowering Leadership, CEO Brad King joins the conversation. Brad is a natural born entrepreneur, having purchased his first franchise business in college.    Brad joins host Doug McVadon to talk about Brad's business experience and the lessons he's learned. Brad speaks about growing one of his companies to have 200 employees, nine warehouses and a contract with Staples, but not before experiencing failures in previous businesses. Brad also discusses his methods of evaluation for his team members as well as the power of speaking your dreams into existence.  

Michael Braine, Chief Technology Officer of Public Storage joines host Doug McVadon on today's episode of Empowering Leadership. Michael discusses the evolution of management and the need to balance people's livelihoods with the pressures of production. Michael talks about finding strength in vulnerability, as well as the inspiration behind one of his mottos, “Mission First, People Always.”

Our guest on today's episode of Empowering Leadership is Giovanna Kanu, consultant and managing member of GSCK Consultant, LLC.   Giovanna's leadership journey began when she was doing clinical research for the pharmaceutical industry. Now she works as an independent consultant and co-leads Healing the Divide, a program based at the Center for Spiritual Living.    Doug and Giovanna talk about her journey of self-awareness, and ways to talk about racism without getting mired in guilt and blame.

Leadership is built on a person's relationships, experiences, their own unique drive to succeed. Today's guest on Empowering Leadership has deeply moving and profound ties to all of these. Jesse Milan is CEO of AIDS United in Washington DC-based non-profit that has funded and advocated for AIDS research, therapy, community programs and more in its 30-year history. Jesse joins host Doug McVadon to talk about his journey to his current position, including a personal tragedy that shaped the focus of his work. He also speaks about his father, who was the first African-American school teacher in a Kansas public school, as well as a highly-revered organizer and social justice advocate. They also touch on the similarities between HIV and COVID, the impacts of social justice and the workplace, and what Jesse sees as the future of leadership in a post-pandemic world.

If YKK sounds familiar, but you're not quite sure where you've seen it, you're not alone. YKK is the Japanese company that makes many of the world's zippers that you might find right now in the pants you're wearing. Today's guest on Empowering Leadership is Jessica Cork, who has spent time working in the Japanese Consulate before transitioning to the private sector and working with YKK. Jessica talks to host Doug McVadon about her affinity towards Japanese culture growing up, living in working in Japan, and how the hallmarks of Japanese social culture impact business in ways that are very different from what most Americans are accustomed to.

To be a great leader, you must first be in good enough condition to meet the mental and physical demands of leading a team. This starts with what you do and don't put into your body, and today's guest on Empowering Leadership is an expert in just that.   Recently retired internal medicine specialist Dr. Debra Carlton joins host Doug McVadon on this episode to talk about how losing two of her beloved uncles at a young age inspired her to become a doctor. Debra reflects on her career, which saw her retire from Kaiser Permanente after a 30+ year career. She also discusses the power of lifestyle medicine, the benefits of a plant-based diet, and becoming a triathlete.

Leadership is often thought of as how we present ourselves in the workplace, and how we give direction and inspiration to our colleagues and peers. Today's guest on Empowering Leadership is well versed in that world of leadership, but also has redefined leadership as a personal and spiritual endeavor as well.  In today's episode, host Doug McVadon talks to Durham (NC) County Commission Chair Brenda Howerton about the many ways in which she has embodied leadership for herself and those around her. Long before her career in politics, Howerton was a mother looking after two young boys. Both her sons were tragically killed by gun violence within a year of each other, one shot by police. Responding to this devastating loss, Brenda sought elective office as a way to change things. She won, and has now been re-elected three times.  Doug and Brenda talk about Brenda's experience with loss and how she not only recovered, but also went on to start a career in politics. They also discuss how the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd has reframed the conversation about racism in workplaces and beyond.

Effective leadership depends on effective communication, and yet, communication is at the heart of almost every business breakdown. For decades, “communication” has appeared time and again on company survey results, regardless of industry or organizational size, and with employees and customers. So while the benefits of well-crafted communications are plenty, the consequences of ineffective communication can be critically damaging and even have legal and financial repercussions. Today's guest on Empowering Leadership is Dr. Deborah Bosley, Owner and Principal of The Plain Language Group and Professor Emeritus of English at UNC Charlotte. Dr. Bosley joins host Doug McVadon to share her expertise about how to use communication as a leader, why good communication builds trust, how to meet people on their level, and how to use your "Way of Listening" in everyday communication.

Empowering a team doesn't mean you let go of the reins and put your feet up on the desk while everyone else works, according to Andrew Parlour. It actually involves a higher level of involvement with your team and holding them accountable. On today's episode of Empowering Leadership, Andrew Parlour of the Bühler Group joins host Doug McVadon. Bühler Group is a Swiss-based, fifth generation family-owned company that employs more than 12,000 people world wide and specializes in consumer foods and machine processing. As VP of Sales for the North American region, Andrew works with his teams on a daily basis to produce outstanding results.  Andrew and Doug talk about the value of failure, what he looks for when building a team, the hardest thing about being a leader, his background learning from his father's business, and the importance of accountability.

No matter who you are, 2020 was a big year for learning and evolution. The pandemic and Black Lives Matter movement have fundamentally and permanently shifted the way many organizations do business. We suspect the most successful companies and organizations will be adapting to these new realities now and in the future.   Joining host Doug McVadon on today's episode of Empowering Leadership is Tamara Jones, Managing Director of Clean Energy Works and previously the Director of the Social Justice Impact Project. Her career spans more than 20 years, much of it working in leadership roles in the non-profit and governmental sectors. She has dedicated much of her time to creating—and provoking organizations to go beyond—equity and inclusion in the workplace. Tamara's conversation today covers her work in those spaces as well as her family of origin and the influences that have shaped her leadership. 

Welcome to Empowering Leadership, a podcast by Dorrier Underwood. If you're discovering us for the first time, get to know Dorrier Underwood by listening to this short episode featuring Doug McVadon, Dorrier Underwood Senior Consultant and President and host of Empowering Leadership. If you like what you hear, subscribe now and never miss the latest episode!