The Executive Room

In this episode of Executive Room Podcast, host Kimberly Afonso sits down with Genia Xasis, a visionary leader in technology and investment. With a PhD in Biochemistry and recognition as one of Eastern Europe's top AI influencers, she transitioned from biochemistry research to venture capital and AI innovation.Genia shares how she founded Multiplyers VC. She also discusses her passion for supporting female-led startups and fostering innovation.Tune in as Genia shares her insights on leadership, hiring strategies, and building a strong online presence. Subscribe to stay tuned for more insightful conversations with prominent entrepreneurs and vocal leaders.Follow Genia on LinkedIn or Youtube for useful tips!

In the latest episode of the Executive Room Podcast, host Kimberly Afonso is joined by Thomas Carganico, the Vice President of Strategic Development and Marketing & Communications at PQE Group, a global life science consulting firm specializing in compliance and data integrity for the pharmaceutical industry.As a leader, Thomas emphasizes the importance of flexibility, cultural sensitivity, and an entrepreneurial mindset in managing a diverse, international team. He delves into the power of personal branding for executives, sharing how his active online presence and thought leadership have opened doors to networking, partnerships, and business growth. This episode is packed with actionable insights for executives, marketers, and leaders navigating the challenges of the global business landscape. Tune in to hear valuable insights on managing global teams, leveraging marketing strategies to drive growth in competitive industries, and so much more!Subscribe to stay tuned for more insightful conversations with prominent entrepreneurs and vocal leaders.

In the newest episode of the Executive Room Podcast, host Kimberly Afonso is joined by Iga Wyrzykowski, the Founder of Ignight Consulting, a leading firm specializing in commercial, retail, hospitality, and airport construction.  Listen as Iga shares her journey from working at top firms like Gensler and HHA to launching Ignight Consulting and landing major clients. She dives into the leadership principles that have driven her success, the growing role of sustainability in airport design, and her experience as a female leader in a male-dominated industry. Subscribe to stay tuned for more insightful conversations with prominent entrepreneurs and vocal leaders.

In this episode of The Executive Room, host Kimberly Afonso sits down with George Wentworth, COO of Delph X Capital Markets and founder of Group Wentworth, an "Office in a Box" solutions company providing strategic consulting and operational support for small and medium businesses. George discusses his entrepreneurial journey and his dedication to supporting minority-owned enterprises. Listen in as George shares his leadership principles, his approach to building impactful business relationships, and the philosophy that guides him in supporting other organizations. Subscribe to stay tuned for more insightful conversations with prominent entrepreneurs and vocal leaders. Follow George Wentworth on LinkedIn for more insightful leadership content.

In the latest episode of the Executive Room podcast, host Kimberly Afonso welcomes Hannah Kain, the President and CEO of ALOM, a global leader in supply chain contract packaging and fulfillment. In this episode, Hannah shares her inspiring entrepreneurial journey, from starting ALOM in Silicon Valley to growing it into an international powerhouse with operations across five continents.  Tune in to hear Hannah delve into her customer-centric leadership philosophy, the hurdles she and her company overcame during global expansion, and her vocal advocacy for women in business. Subscribe to stay tuned for more insightful conversations with prominent entrepreneurs and vocal leaders.

In the latest episode of the Executive Room podcast, host Kimberly Afonso welcomes Jeff Kesler, the President of Dallas Fort Worth at Veritex Community Bank. As the second hire at Veritex, Jeff has played a pivotal role in transforming the bank from just a dream to 12 billion in assets with a 1 billion valuation, making it the 10th largest bank headquartered in Texas.  Listen to Jeff as he shares insights into the challenges and triumphs of building a community bank. Find out what 24 years in the banking industry taught Jeff about leadership and hear Jeff's advice on building a strong executive presence for other CEOs and executives. Check out Jeff's inspiring Thursday Thoughts Series and follow him on LinkedIn. Subscribe to stay tuned for more insightful conversations with prominent entrepreneurs and vocal leaders.

On the latest episode of The Executive Room Podcast, host Kimberly Afonso sits down with David Blaha, Chief Revenue Officer at Extend. With over 30 years of experience driving revenue growth and transformational leadership, David shares insights from his remarkable career journey, including his time at American Express, where he earned a place in the Hall of Fame. David also dives into how the fintech industry is evolving, and the importance of transparency, vulnerability, and drive in leadership.Tune in to hear David's take on the future of fintech, key leadership principles, and the crucial role of coaching in personal and professional development.

In the latest episode of the Executive Room podcast, host Kimberly Afonso welcomes Frank Carbajal, a true star of empowering the Latino community. As the founder and CEO of Es Tiempo and the visionary behind the Silicon Valley Latino Leadership Summit, Frank's journey is a testament to resilience, passion, and servant leadership. From his parents' journey as migrant workers to the significance behind the name "Es Tiempo", Frank reveals insightful lessons about the importance of humility in leadership and shares valuable insights into building meaningful connections and creating positive change. Listen to Frank's approach to vocal leadership and authentic presence on LinkedIn as he shares strategies for creating impactful content and building a consistent brand. Subscribe to stay tuned for more insightful conversations with prominent entrepreneurs and vocal leaders.

In the latest episode of the Executive Room podcast, host Kimberly Afonso sits down with Doug Motley, co-founder and managing principal of real estate investment and development firm JLAM. Doug recounts his journey from a corporate strategy role in banking to successful real estate ventures and serving as the Chair of the Delaware Council on Housing. Doug also shares his take on the pressing housing shortage in the US and how innovative solutions within real estate development can be a part of solving the problem. Tune in and listen to Doug as he dives deep into key leadership lessons and the critical role of people in building successful companies. Subscribe to stay tuned for more insightful conversations with prominent entrepreneurs and vocal leaders.

In the newest episode of the Executive Room Podcast, host Kimberly Afonso has a candid and enlightening conversation with Jamie Faye. Jamie is a relationship coach who guides visionary leaders using a holistic approach that blends spiritual wisdom and practical strategies. Tune in as Jamie shares the origins of her coaching journey and delves into the importance of investing in relationships and personal well-being. Listen to the episode to hear Jamie's insightful advice for CEOs, entrepreneurs, and founders on balancing their professional and personal lives and why it is crucial to be vulnerable and authentic for leaders. Subscribe to stay tuned for more insightful conversations with prominent entrepreneurs and vocal leaders.

In the latest episode of the Executive Room podcast, host Kimberly Afonso is joined by Bill Pollock, the Founder and CEO of Optimation, a leading company in designing and constructing manufacturing plants. Listen to Bill reflect on his leadership journey spanning nearly four decades. Join us as Bill shares his thoughts on the resurgence of ‘Made in America' initiatives and how they have reshaped the manufacturing landscape. Discover how Bill's hands-on approach to recruitment and employee empowerment fosters a culture of trust, and learn how creating an employee-focused company culture led to the success of Optimation. Subscribe to stay tuned for more insightful conversations with prominent entrepreneurs and vocal leaders.

In the newest episode of the Executive Room Podcast, host Kimberly Afonso welcomes Amit Gandhi, Senior Economic and Technical Advisor at Airbnb and Senior Fellow at Wharton. With a PhD in economics, an MBA, and a professorship at Wharton, Amit reflects on his journey that led to a transition from academia to business, sharing his experiences and lessons learned. If you are intrigued by how AI will shape the future of work, listen to Amit as he explains how Airbnb approaches the unique challenge of balancing technological advancements with human-centered aspects while also exploring novel technologies like natural language processing and its implications for industries worldwide. Subscribe to the Executive Room Podcast and stay tuned for more insightful conversations with prominent entrepreneurs and vocal leaders.

In the latest episode of the Executive Room Podcast, host Kimberly Afonso welcomes Steve Milo, Founder and CEO of VTrips. Steve is also the host of a podcast focusing on the vacation rental sector, Straight Fire VR. In this episode, Steve shares insights into VTrips' journey from startup to industry leader, highlighting their focus on customer satisfaction and responsible vacation rental practices. Listen to Steve reflect on how his vocal leadership helped him grow VTrips and why he is comfortable sharing strong opinions through his podcast. Subscribe to stay tuned for more insightful conversations with prominent entrepreneurs and vocal leaders!

In the newest episode of the Executive Room Podcast, host Kimberly Afonso has an open and honest conversation with David Esposito, combat veteran turned successful healthcare executive, who currently serves as the CEO of ONL Therapeutics.  Listen to David's inspiring career path, examining how he transitioned from military service to the corporate world. David shares what universal leadership principles guided David in both the Gulf War and in scaling multiple companies to strategic buyouts. Discover David's view on the changing role of executives and vocal leadership. New episodes come out each week! Subscribe to stay tuned for more insightful conversations with prominent entrepreneurs and vocal leaders.

In the fifth episode of the Executive Room podcast, host Kimberly Afonso is joined by Chad Kalland, CEO of Vecta Environmental Services.  Join us as Chad talks about his career trajectory, his work at Vecta, the challenges his industry is facing, and his DEI advocacy efforts with The Second Story Project. Tune in to hear Chad's perspective on how vocal leadership may benefit you, your organization, and the causes you are passionate about. New episodes come out each week!  Subscribe to stay tuned for more insightful conversations about vocal leadership and more.

In the fourth episode of the Executive Room podcast, host Kimberly Afonso is joined by Anthony Dusovic, the President of Tomorrow Water, a pioneering cleantech company. Join us as Anthony dives deep into Tomorrow Water's groundbreaking projects and highlights their holistic approach to sustainability and innovation beyond waste. Listen to Anthony reflect on his experience creating change at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and leadership. Discover Anthony's view on vocal leadership and the impact leaders have on public discourse.  New episodes come out each week! Subscribe to stay tuned for more insightful conversations with prominent entrepreneurs and vocal leaders.

In the third episode of the Executive Room podcast, host Kimberly Afonso welcomes David Theobald, the CEO and founder of Davin Healthcare Workforce Solutions, a nurse-founded and employee-owned company. Join us as David shares his deeply personal journey, from his early experiences caring for family members to his unexpected path into nursing and eventually founding his own company. Discover David's perspective on transformational leadership, employee-owned companies, and why nurse leadership is key in shaping the future of healthcare. Listen to David reveal insightful lessons about vocal leadership and building a meaningful online presence. New episodes come out each week! Subscribe to stay tuned for more insightful conversations with prominent entrepreneurs and vocal leaders.

In the second episode of the Executive Room podcast, host Kimberly Afonso sits down with Sheila Ann Mikhail, a luminary in the life sciences sector and a beacon for women entrepreneurs worldwide. From her law school education to founding AskBio and being recognized as an EY Entrepreneur of the Year, Sheila's journey is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the pursuit of equitable healthcare access. Sheila reveals her unconventional path to higher education, her evolution into a successful entrepreneur, and her ventures into founding companies that stand at the forefront of gene therapy and healthcare inclusivity. Beyond her business achievements, Sheila's advocacy for affordable healthcare, especially her initiatives for rare diseases and breast cancer awareness, underscores her commitment to making a lasting impact on society through her vocal leadership. New episodes come out each week! Subscribe to stay tuned for more insightful conversations with prominent entrepreneurs and vocal leaders.

In this episode of the Executive Room podcast, host Kimberly Afonso sits down for an honest conversation with Shawn Springs, Founder and CEO of WindPact, to explore his remarkable journey from a 13-year NFL veteran to a leading tech executive. Shawn shares his inspiring story of transitioning from professional sports to the world of technology and innovation, highlighting the pivotal moments and lessons learned along the way. Discover how Shawn's experiences in the NFL, his exposure to the tech ecosystem in Seattle, and conversations with visionary figures like Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft, ignited his passion for technology and innovation. New episodes come out each week! Stay tuned for more insightful conversations with prominent entrepreneurs and vocal leaders.

The first episode of The Executive Room podcast will launch on Tuesday, February 6. Shawn Springs, ex-NFL-player turned successful entrepreneur, joins Kimberly in the inaugural episode for a discussion full of valuable insights. Stay tuned for this captivating conversation - coming soon!