On Leading - an MHS Association podcast series

We are joined by guest Jane Mack, President and CEO of Friends Services Alliance (FSA). Jane shares about her transition into leadership and her dream of being the baker for the White House.

On this episode, we are joined by President and CEO of Oaklawn Psychiatric Center, Laurie Nafziger. Laurie shares her passion for mental health services and celebrates the opening of their new crisis center.

We are excited to have Bill Blank, Executive Director of Rock of Ages, join on this episode of On Leading. From pastoral care to the executive seat, Bill talks about his first months as Executive Director and how his past vocations are playing into his current role.

Joining on this episode of On Leading is guest David Zilka, Executive Director of Paxton Ministries. David shares how his first executive role has shaped him as a leader and about the importance of building up the leaders around you.

Joining on this episode of On Leading is guest David Zilka, Executive Director of Paxton Ministries. David's start at Paxton Ministries could be described as rocky, but he shares how challenges were overcome and how his first executive role has shaped him as a leader.

We are joined by guest Paul Shetler Fast, Executive Director of Maple City Health Care Center. Paul is new to the executive seat but leadership is no stranger to him. In this episode, Paul shares his passion for public health and how it was inspired by the birth of his first child.

John Thorhauer, President and CEO of Glencroft Center for Modern Aging joins as our guest on this episode of On Leading. John shares his experience in crisis management, dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as why he began, and ended, his retirement early.

Joining On Leading is Director of Quality Enhancement at Jubilee Association of Maryland, Asha Clark. Asha has served in the intellectual and Developmental Disabilities field for nearly 30 years. She reflects on the changes the industry has experienced, and her time earning her Master's at a deaf university.

On this episode of On Leading, we are joined by MHS Association board member, Charlene Epp. Charlene tells us about her experience as a chaplain working in the health system, and how she has been dancing all her life.

On this episode of On Leading, we are joined by Chief Marketing Officer for Everence Financial, Madalyn Metzger. Madalyn shares her passion for music, reflections on leadership, and what brings her personal and professional joy.

On today's episode of On Leading, MHS Association's own VP of Finance, Randy Clouse, joins the conversation. Randy talks with us about his "retirement job", the challenge and joy of numbers, and more.

Today's On Leading guest is one of our newest board members, Jill Schellenberg. Jill joined the MHS Association board in the beginning of April 2023, and in this episode she shares some of her unique journey as a retired professor of criminology and restorative justice studies.

Welcome to Kevin Paluszak, Executive Director of Pleasant View, Inc., an MHS Association member organization. In his role as Executive Director, Kevin oversees a variety of residential and day supportive services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. If you had asked Kevin in his "beach bum" years if this was the path ahead, he may have down right laughed. Hear about Kevin's winding road through leadership as he shares with us in this episode of On Leading.

Meet Dr. Hugh Davis, President and CEO of Menno Haven retirement community. Hugh is the newest member of the MHS Association board and we were grateful for the opportunity to get to know him a little better. Hugh talks about his experience observing leadership from afar, and then transitioning into the practice of organizational leadership himself.

Today we welcome Kari Tarman, Executive Director of Oaklawn Foundation. She shares how her time working at Subway set her up with leadership skills she still uses today, and her deep passion for providing access to mental health and addiction services.

Sit down with Missy Kauffman Schrock as she shares the major changes Center for Healing & Hope (CHH) underwent throughout Covid-19, lessons learned, and how her passion drives the way CHH services the surrounding community.

On Leading welcomes Dick O'Hara, Director of Spiritual Ministries and Chaplain at Frederick Living. Dick will be the first to admit that he wasn't an A+ student, but that, he says, is what inspired and ultimately helped him become a better teacher. Hear Dick's full story on this episode of On Leading.

On Leading welcomes Michelle Rassler, CEO of Frederick Living. Michelle loved her first job as a supermarket cashier, so much so that she climbed the ladder to become a supervisor, only leaving when the family-owned store was sold. From behind the register to the CEO seat, Michelle notes the value those early learnings have had throughout her career.

Meet Karl Brummer, CEO at Messiah Lifeways and On Leading guest. Karl discusses his first job, working in Human Resources for a seafood processing facility. He shares how developing a personal connection with everyone in the organization is his foundation for creating a sense of belonging at Messiah Lifeways. Tune in to hear perspectives on leadership that inspire and connect you with the MHS community.

Meet Myron Weaver, CEO at OrrVilla Retirement Community, MHS Board Member, and On Leading guest. Myron shares how his first job as a farm hand taught him to make the best out of each day, even if the day wasn't the best. Myron highlights family members and mentors that lead with kindness and gentleness. Those individuals in Myron's life helped set the earliest roots of his passion for his work. Tune in to hear perspectives on leadership that inspire and connect you with the MHS community.

The new episode of On Leading features Don Tyson, Professor of Nursing at Eastern Mennonite University and MHS Board Member. Don's earliest job was working as a dietary aid at his local hospital. This was the start of working in either a hospital or university setting. Don was inspired by forward-thinking leaders, such as John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the mentorship of two hospital managers early in Don's career. Those influences helped Don identify key characteristics in what it takes to be an authentic leader. Tune in to hear perspectives on leadership that inspire and connect you with the MHS community.

On Leading episode 19 features Delvin Zook, Chief Executive Officer at Rock of Ages Mennonite Home. Del shares about how he found his calling with Rock of Ages from an early start and has led to spending his entire with the organization. He also shares how his early days of singing for elderly provided insight into the best ways to connect and interact with individuals in senior living programs. Welcome to on Leading – a video podcast series exploring conversations on leading with authenticity with leaders, staff and board members of MHS member organizations, as well as MHS staff. We hope that through these brief snippets, you'll hear perspectives on leadership that inspire you and connect you with this caring community. While the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic inspired this undertaking, we know that leading with authenticity is a calling that extends beyond the complexities of this moment. Leadership happens in any role within the organization.

on Leading episode 18 features Cheryl Luli, Project Administrator at Harmony Village. Cheryl shares how finding time with the Lord and His word helps give her the guidance she needs to find peace in the midst of hypervigilance. This has helped provide the clarity and support to provide strong leadership at Harmony Village. Cheryl also shares how her first job, working at an ice cream shop, taught her to breath and accepting that mistakes are part of the learning process. Welcome to on Leading – a video podcast series exploring conversations on leading with authenticity with leaders, staff and board members of MHS member organizations, as well as MHS staff. We hope that through these brief snippets, you'll hear perspectives on leadership that inspire you and connect you with this caring community. While the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic inspired this undertaking, we know that leading with authenticity is a calling that extends beyond the complexities of this moment. Leadership happens in any role within the organization.

on Leading episode 17 features Kerry Beck, clinical supervisor with Shalom Counseling and Mediation Center. Kerry shares about how his few months in a direct care position at his first post-graduate job gave him a better understanding and more insight into what direct care people experience and the challenges they face when he moved into clinical, and then administrative positions. He also talks about where he got his passion for the work he does. Welcome to on Leading – a video podcast series exploring conversations on leading with authenticity with leaders, staff and board members of MHS member organizations, as well as MHS staff. We hope that through these brief snippets, you'll hear perspectives on leadership that inspire you and connect you with this caring community. While the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic inspired this undertaking, we know that leading with authenticity is a calling that extends beyond the complexities of this moment. Leadership happens in any role within the organization.

on Leading episode 16 features Clare Krabill, Chief Operating Officer for MHS. Clare shares about her early job experience as a waitress where she learned three valuable lessons. Find out what they were in the video. When she worked as a CNA during college breaks, she learned not to turn a blind eye to the difficult things in life. A little bit later in life, she worked as a Physical Therapist in New York City where she learned to see the spark of God in everybody. Welcome to on Leading – a video podcast series exploring conversations on leading with authenticity with leaders, staff and board members of MHS member organizations, as well as MHS staff. We hope that through these brief snippets, you'll hear perspectives on leadership that inspire you and connect you with this caring community. While the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic inspired this undertaking, we know that leading with authenticity is a calling that extends beyond the complexities of this moment. Leadership happens in any role within the organization.

on Leading episode 15 features Jen Foster, an MHS board member and Executive Director at Central California Mennonite Residential Services. Jen shares about her earliest job experience on a strawberry farm during the summer – learn how she earned her “Half Ton Picker” t-shirt. She also reveals the earliest roots for her passion for the work she does now. Going back to first grade, she and a new friend Valerie, who was in a wheelchair, undertook the great work of rescuing earthworms from the puddles on the playground. Jen learned some lessons that day that she still carries with her. Welcome to on Leading – a video podcast series exploring conversations on leading with authenticity with leaders, staff and board members of MHS member organizations, as well as MHS staff. We hope that through these brief snippets, you'll hear perspectives on leadership that inspire you and connect you with this caring community. While the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic inspired this undertaking, we know that leading with authenticity is a calling that extends beyond the complexities of this moment. Leadership happens in any role within the organization.

on Leading episode 14 features Jeremy Kauffman, who is the new Managing Director of MHS Consulting. In this episode, he talks about his first “real” job as a roofer at AMBS as a high schooler. In his second summer as a roofer, he also got his first experience in leadership. As Jeremy has grown and developed as a leader, his focus as a leader is to help others succeed. He doesn't consider it his job to tell people what to do, but rather to help develop the confidence that they need to do so that they can do what needs to be done and give them opportunities for growth and development. Welcome to on Leading – a video podcast series exploring conversations on leading with authenticity with leaders, staff and board members of MHS member organizations, as well as MHS staff. We hope that through these brief snippets, you'll hear perspectives on leadership that inspire you and connect you with this caring community. While the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic inspired this undertaking, we know that leading with authenticity is a calling that extends beyond the complexities of this moment. Leadership happens in any role within the organization.

on Leading episode 13 features Larry Guengerich, who talks about his first real job at 15-years-old where he washed dishes at a local restaurant and learned that he did not want to do that kind of work long-term. He didn't grow up near any of his grandparents, until his teenaged years when his maternal grandmother moved into his community – one of her children provided a trailer for her on their property. It was the first time he had experienced anyone aging somewhere other than their own home. Much later, Larry discovered the idea of how to be part of the lives and the stories of families as they go through these times of change. Welcome to on Leading – a video podcast series exploring conversations on leading with authenticity with leaders, staff and board members of MHS member organizations, as well as MHS staff. We hope that through these brief snippets, you'll hear perspectives on leadership that inspire you and connect you with this caring community. While the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic inspired this undertaking, we know that leading with authenticity is a calling that extends beyond the complexities of this moment. Leadership happens in any role within the organization.

On this episode of On Leading we are speaking with Glen Guyton, Executive Director, Mennonite Church USA. Welcome to on Leading – a video podcast series exploring conversations on leading with authenticity with leaders, staff and board members of MHS member organizations, as well as MHS staff. We hope that through these brief snippets, you'll hear perspectives on leadership that inspire you and connect you with this caring community. While the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic inspired this undertaking, we know that leading with authenticity is a calling that extends beyond the complexities of this moment. Leadership happens in any role within the organization.

On Leading episode 11 features Cate Michelle Desjardins, who talks about her first job as a junior paleontologist as a a seven or eight-year-old. She sorted through rocks for her paleontologist neighbor, for 10 cents an hour, where she identified if they had any fossils in them. Welcome to on Leading – a video podcast series exploring conversations on leading with authenticity with leaders, staff and board members of MHS member organizations, as well as MHS staff. We hope that through these brief snippets, you'll hear perspectives on leadership that inspire you and connect you with this caring community. While the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic inspired this undertaking, we know that leading with authenticity is a calling that extends beyond the complexities of this moment. Leadership happens in any role within the organization.

on Leading episode 10 features Ken Hochstetler, who shows off his “Outstanding Newspaper Carrier of the Year” award that still hangs on his office wall to remind him of where he comes from. He also reflects on how the talent and motivation of their workforce directly impacts Everence's ability to achieve organizational priorities and objectives. Welcome to on Leading – a video podcast series exploring conversations on leading with authenticity with leaders, staff and board members of MHS member organizations, as well as MHS staff. We hope that through these brief snippets, you'll hear perspectives on leadership that inspire you and connect you with this caring community. While the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic inspired this undertaking, we know that leading with authenticity is a calling that extends beyond the complexities of this moment. Leadership happens in any role within the organization.

on Leading episode 9 features Mim Shirk, President/CEO of Anabaptist Providers Group. She shares stories and lessons learned from her first job at a green house, and she also recognizes two leaders who have positively influenced her in her career. She has a t-shirt that says, “change happens at the edge of your comfort zone. Welcome to on Leading – a video podcast series exploring conversations on leading with authenticity with leaders, staff and board members of MHS member organizations, as well as MHS staff. We hope that through these brief snippets, you'll hear perspectives on leadership that inspire you and connect you with this caring community. While the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic inspired this undertaking, we know that leading with authenticity is a calling that extends beyond the complexities of this moment. Leadership happens in any role within the organization.

on Leading episode 8 features Emerson Lesher, who looks back to his early life where an internship first sparked an interest in aging services and some early leadership opportunities taught him a lot about leading and about himself. Welcome to on Leading – a video podcast series exploring conversations on leading with authenticity with leaders, staff and board members of MHS member organizations, as well as MHS staff. We hope that through these brief snippets, you'll hear perspectives on leadership that inspire you and connect you with this caring community. While the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic inspired this undertaking, we know that leading with authenticity is a calling that extends beyond the complexities of this moment. Leadership happens in any role within the organization.

on Leading episode 7 features Amanda Nugent Divine reflecting on her early jobs cleaning houses and teaching aerobics. She also talks about how she was designed by God to alleviate the suffering of other people – which lead her into behavioral health. Welcome to on Leading – a video podcast series exploring conversations on leading with authenticity with leaders, staff and board members of MHS member organizations, as well as MHS staff. We hope that through these brief snippets, you'll hear perspectives on leadership that inspire you and connect you with this caring community. While the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic inspired this undertaking, we know that leading with authenticity is a calling that extends beyond the complexities of this moment. Leadership happens in any role within the organization.

Today's episode features Edith Yoder, CEO of Bridge of Hope National. She reflects on working at her uncle's meat market through middle school and high school. She learned to always use her time wisely and to work ahead. Welcome to on Leading – a video podcast series exploring conversations on leading with authenticity with leaders, staff and board members of MHS member organizations, as well as MHS staff. We hope that through these brief snippets, you'll hear perspectives on leadership that inspire you and connect you with this caring community. While the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic inspired this undertaking, we know that leading with authenticity is a calling that extends beyond the complexities of this moment. Leadership happens in any role within the organization.

Our fifth episode features our own Karen Lehman, President/CEO at MHS. Listen to her remember her first real job and also her sense of calling to leadership. Welcome to on Leading – a video podcast series exploring conversations on leading with authenticity with leaders, staff and board members of MHS member organizations, as well as MHS staff. We hope that through these brief snippets, you'll hear perspectives on leadership that inspire you and connect you with this caring community. While the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic inspired this undertaking, we know that leading with authenticity is a calling that extends beyond the complexities of this moment. Leadership happens in any role within the organization.

Our fourth episode features Jeremy LaKosh, CEO of Maple Lawn Homes, who shares how he finds peace in the midst of hypervigilance. Welcome to on Leading – a video podcast series exploring conversations on leading with authenticity with leaders, staff and board members of MHS member organizations, as well as MHS staff. We hope that through these brief snippets, you'll hear perspectives on leadership that inspire you and connect you with this caring community. While the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic inspired this undertaking, we know that leading with authenticity is a calling that extends beyond the complexities of this moment. Leadership happens in any role within the organization.

On this episode of On Leading we are speaking with Edward Brubaker, CEO, Living Branches. Welcome to on Leading – a video podcast series exploring conversations on leading with authenticity with leaders, staff and board members of MHS member organizations, as well as MHS staff. We hope that through these brief snippets, you'll hear perspectives on leadership that inspire you and connect you with this caring community. While the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic inspired this undertaking, we know that leading with authenticity is a calling that extends beyond the complexities of this moment. Leadership happens in any role within the organization.

On this episode of On Leading we are speaking with Lowell Peachy, retired President/CEO of Mennonite Friendship Communities. Welcome to on Leading – a video podcast series exploring conversations on leading with authenticity with leaders, staff and board members of MHS member organizations, as well as MHS staff. We hope that through these brief snippets, you'll hear perspectives on leadership that inspire you and connect you with this caring community. While the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic inspired this undertaking, we know that leading with authenticity is a calling that extends beyond the complexities of this moment. Leadership happens in any role within the organization.

On our first episode of On Leading we are speaking with Tim Weaver. Tim Weaver is Chaplain at The Community at Rockhill. Welcome to on Leading – a video podcast series exploring conversations on leading with authenticity with leaders, staff and board members of MHS member organizations, as well as MHS staff. We hope that through these brief snippets, you'll hear perspectives on leadership that inspire you and connect you with this caring community. While the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic inspired this undertaking, we know that leading with authenticity is a calling that extends beyond the complexities of this moment. Leadership happens in any role within the organization.