The Leadership Cafe

Audrey Russo is a familiar face when it comes to doing podcasts and radio shows. As President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Technology Council, the oldest (1983), and the largest technology trade association, Russo serves as the technology business sector for southwestern PA. Listen to hear how the tech community has responded internally with their leadership ideas during this past year.

Marvin Ferguson is a triple threat splitting his work as as a Pharmacy Manger of Clinical Operations, founder of nonprofits such as 'Let's Get Healthy Cleveland,' and has recently started his own radio show "Ask the Pharmacist."   With his upcoming TED Talk on Health Disparities (October 24) Marvin is looking to use his knowledge to provide further clinical education and resources for his community.

Jessica Brooks is the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Business Group on Health, where she is leading the effort to redefine and advance the discussion around health care value, access and quality on behalf of employers.   In this episode, Jessica discusses current social issues, how the global pandemic has effected Communities of Color and what plans she to do to be actively engaged in addressing health equity issues.

In this episode, Michael and Richard talk with Joe Pohl, the recent former CEO of PharmBlue. 

Seth Mason started his entrepreneurial journey at the mere age of 10. With the help of their graphic design company, Graphic Connections, Seth started Seth's Socks, creating unique and custom socks. Launching him into the small business world, eventually leading him to start The Esport Company.  

Nancy Kukovich is the CEO of Adelphoi, an abuse, delinquency and dependency youth serving agency with a wide continuum of services, headquartered Latrobe, PA. The organization employs about 650 part and full time persons, has revenues of about $55m and serves about 2500 kids and families from throughout Pennsylvania each year.

John Meighan is the President of Lake Erie Rubber and Manufacturing, where they customize rubber molds and manufacture themselves. He is also the Co-Founder of One Leg Up. A small, family-owned company that designs, tests, and manufactures Natural Rubber dog toys. 

Alice DeGeorge is the CEO and Founder of Presque Isle Printing Services, LLC. Created in 2008 to help meet the needs of these clients with the goal of providing the best design, print, and on-brand marketing services in the local area.  

Tony Beltran, President and CEO of Pittsburgh Mercy. A faith-based community health and well-being nonprofit organization serving the most vulnerable people and communities; including those who have mental illness, intellectual disabilities, addictions, and other types of trauma.

Matthew Thiel, is the President of AUMA Actuators. Matt is responsible for AUMA's North American operations, which includes manufacturing, engineering, sales, marketing and service. He first joined the company as Executive Vice President in February 2015, later being appointed President in January 2016.

Andrew Andronas serves as the CEO of Bluestar USA, a locally owned and operated pipeline construction company based out of Southwestern Pennsylvania. He focuses on the overall vision of the company through creating new growth opportunities and revenue generation as well as client relations, marketing, and public relations.

Our next guest is Lisa Scales, President and CEO of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank since 2012. She's lead the organization in distributing food for more than 36 million meals annually through a network of 500 member agencies, programs and community partners in 11 counties of southwestern Pennsylvania.

Welcome to The Leadership Cafe is Vaco's newest podcast, organized by the Pittsburgh office. Hosted by co-authors Dr. Richard Citrin and Michael Couch of 'Strategy-Driven Leadership: The Playbook for Developing Your Next Generation of Leaders.' This podcast is dedicated to having conversations with CEOs and Founders of local businesses. Discussing what tactics that take as a leader during difficult times and improve their profits. Our first guest is Colin Lennox, CEO of EcoIslands, LLC. A Pennsylvania company whose mission is to construct and provide Metal Removal Unit technology to deal with a multitude of acid mine drainage and water pollution loads.