Who Will Lead?

Jennifer concludes her conversation with bestselling author, renowned pastor and businesswoman, Sarah Jakes Roberts.  Her fifth book, “Woman Evolve: Break Up with Your Fears and Revolutionize Your Life” is in stores now.  In part two, Sarah shares how she plans and prioritizes the messages that are important for people to hear, how to connect people to company values, advice for folks who feel like they're stuck in a career rut, and the one characteristic that she believes every leader should possess.

Joining Jennifer this week is Sarah Jakes Roberts.  Sarah's media empire includes a podcast, multiple book deals, millions of social media followers and sold-out nationwide speaking tours. Her fifth book, “Woman Evolve: Break Up with Your Fears and Revolutionize Your Life” is in stores now.  In part one, Sarah discusses why vulnerability and transparency build a culture of trust and how leaders can help individuals to get unstuck and reach for impossible dreams.

In the conclusion of Jennifer's conversation with Deanna M. Mulligan the former CEO and Board Chair of Guardian Life Insurance and author of “HIRE PURPOSE: How Smart Companies Can Close the Skills Gap”, Deanna discusses how large companies can reskill their workforce, how women can find more public board opportunities, and what kind of impact she hopes to have in the future.

This week Jennifer is pleased to be joined by Deanna M. Mulligan. Deanna has been recognized in Fortune as one of the “Most Powerful Women in Business.” She was the only female CEO of a Fortune 250 Company in New York City. Her renowned career included her post as the CEO and Board Chair of Guardian Life Insurance. Recently, she authored the book, “HIRE PURPOSE: How Smart Companies Can Close the Skills Gap”. In part one, Deanna talks about what separates a great leader from an average one, how prior natural disasters prepared her for the pandemic, and how smart companies can close the skills gap.

Jennifer wraps up her conversation with Joan Burke the Chief People Officer at DocuSign, the company that allows organizations to manage electronic agreements. As the Chief People Officer at DocuSign, Joan handles everything from talent acquisition to learning and development to diversity and inclusion.

This week Jennifer is joined by Joan Burke the Chief People Officer at DocuSign, the company that allows organizations to manage electronic agreements. As the Chief People Officer at DocuSign, Joan handles everything from talent acquisition to learning and development to diversity and inclusion.

Jennifer wraps up her conversation with Susan Dumond, the Chief Employee Experience Officer at Alorica, a global leader in customer experience solutions. Alorica is made up of more than 100,000 problem solvers who make lives better through positive customer interactions—at every touchpoint—across voice, chat and social.

This week, Jennifer is joined by Susan Dumond, the Chief Employee Experience Officerat Alorica, a global leader in customer experience solutions. Alorica is made up of more than 100,000 problem solvers who make lives better through positive customer interactions—at every touchpoint—across voice, chat and social.

Jennifer wraps up her discussion with the President of Synchrony, Brian Doubles. Synchrony is one of the nation's premier consumer financial services companies and as President, Brian oversees business strategy, venture investments, customer experience, marketing and more.

Joining Jennifer this week is the President of Synchrony, Brian Doubles. Synchrony is one of the nation's premier consumer financial services companies and as President, Brian oversees business strategy, venture investments, customer experience, marketing and more.

Jennifer concludes her conversation with Mike Fenlon, the Chief People Officer at PricewaterhouseCoopers U.S. Mike leads the people strategy and organization for PwC and oversees over 276,000 people in 158 countries. Fast Company recognized Mike as one of the 100 most creative business leaders in the world in 2016.

This week Jennifer talks leadership with Mike Fenlon, the Chief People Officer at PricewaterhouseCoopers U.S. Mike leads the people strategy and organization for PwC and oversees over 276,000 people in 158 countries. Fast Company recognized Mike as one of the 100 most creative business leaders in the world in 2016.

Jennifer concludes her conversation with Patti Poppe, the president and CEO of CMS energy corporation and consumer's energy company. Patti runs Michigan's largest utility and the nation's fourth largest combination utility providing electricity and natural gas to 6.7 million of Michigan's 10 million lower peninsula residents.

This week, Jennifer is joined by Patti Poppe, the president and CEO of CMS energy corporation and consumer's energy company. Patti runs Michigan's largest utility and the nation's fourth largest combination utility providing electricity and natural gas to 6.7 million of Michigan's 10 million lower peninsula residents.

Jennifer wraps up her discussion with Dr. Barrett Keene, the Global Head of Manager Development at Intuit. In part two, Barrett tells Jennifer what he thinks gets in the way of leadership development and who inspired him to pursue a career in leadership training.

In the latest episode of Who Will Lead, Jennifer talks to Dr. Barrett Keene, the Global Head of Manager Development at Intuit. Barrett tells Jennifer why he joined Intuit, why leadership development is so important to him, and what success actually looks like.

Jennifer wraps up her chat with  Allan Calonge, Chief People Officer of Ensemble Health Partners, Allan Calonge.  In part two, Jennifer and Allan talk about how Ensemble measures their team's performance and the importance of being a compassionate leader that can be direct with kindness and passion.

This week, Jennifer is joined by the Chief People Officer of Ensemble Health Partners, Allan Calonge. Judson Ivy founded Ensemble Health Partners in 2014 after spending years as a revenue cycle executive in large hospital corporations. Ensemble Health has grown to over 5,000 employees in just 6 years and Allan tells Jennifer how their team were able to grow that substantially in such little time.

In part two of the podcast, Tami tells Jennifer how she went from being a customer service representative to running one of the biggest companies in the world.  Tami also talks about the importance of accelerating leadership development and giving women a chance to have a seat at the table.

In part one of this interview, Tami Erwin tells Jennifer how Verizon Business Group was able to innovate and reimagine new ways of doing things during a crisis.  Tami also talks about how to create a team that can collaborate and has the empowerment to make the right decisions.

As we continue our conversation about leadership with Chris,  he makes a striking statement:I joke all the time: I'm overhead. I don't make anything and I don't sell anything. So the only value I provide to the organization is getting the resources so that others can be successful. That's it. And so I need my teams to be effective, and if they're effective, that's how I'm successful. It's a simple as that. Building on this idea, he talks about trust as an essential ingredient in a successful organization. He then reflects on how he has learned to embrace leadership as a practice that requires daily commitment, and has also learned that the most important thing he can do as a leader is focus on making his direct reports better and inspiring them to make their direct reports better, too.Chris is a proven business leader with more than 35 years' experience leading multi-dimensional strategies to accelerate growth, optimize market position, and advance globalization.His previous roles with USG include chief operating officer; executive vice president, Operations; president, International; president of USG's Canadian subsidiary CGC and several other roles in sales, product management, manufacturing and operations. He also previously served as chief executive officer of Knauf Insulation North America.He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario, Canada, and has completed the advanced management program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.Chris is also a member of the Board of Directors of Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity and Make-A-Wish Illinois. He is a past member of the Board of Directors for the Construction Technology for Women association, a past member of the Board of Governors for George Brown Community College and has served volunteer roles with Junior Achievement.Since 1902, USG has led the manufacturing industry with innovations and products that set new standards for design, productivity and performance for customers all over the globe.In 2017, the company celebrated the 100th anniversary of its iconic Sheetrock Brand, the landmark product that revolutionized interior construction and enabled the lightweight, fireproof walls that continue to be built today. USG is also a leading manufacturer of building products and innovative solutions, including wall, ceiling, flooring, sheathing and roofing products, that help the construction industry build stronger, safer, more sustainable communities.In April 2019, USG joined the Knauf group under Chris's leadership; Knauer is the world's largest gypsum manufacturer with a diverse product portfolio and global footprint.

In part one of this interview, we talk with Chris Griffin about the path he took from a small family contracting business to leader of USG, a $3 billion company with over 7,000 employees. In 2019, USG was part of a large acquisition. We talk about what he learned from that experience and then begin to take a deeper look at his leadership journey and how he encourages others to grow as leaders.Chris is a proven business leader with more than 35 years' experience leading multi-dimensional strategies to accelerate growth, optimize market position, and advance globalization.His previous roles with USG include chief operating officer; executive vice president, Operations; president, International; president of USG's Canadian subsidiary CGC and several other roles in sales, product management, manufacturing and operations. He also previously served as chief executive officer of Knauf Insulation North America.He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario, Canada, and has completed the advanced management program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.Chris is also a member of the Board of Directors of Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity and Make-A-Wish Illinois. He is a past member of the Board of Directors for the Construction Technology for Women association, a past member of the Board of Governors for George Brown Community College and has served volunteer roles with Junior Achievement.Since 1902, USG has led the manufacturing industry with innovations and products that set new standards for design, productivity and performance for customers all over the globe.In 2017, the company celebrated the 100th anniversary of its iconic Sheetrock Brand, the landmark product that revolutionized interior construction and enabled the lightweight, fireproof walls that continue to be built today. USG is also a leading manufacturer of building products and innovative solutions, including wall, ceiling, flooring, sheathing and roofing products, that help the construction industry build stronger, safer, more sustainable communities.In April 2019, USG joined the Knauf group under Chris's leadership; Knauer is the world's largest gypsum manufacturer with a diverse product portfolio and global footprint.

Ben Breier shares with us how he began to understand the power of leadership as a high school and college athlete. He was voted captain of the varsity baseball team at the University of Pennsylvania three years in a row, starting when he was just a sophomore. He also recounts how his leadership journey continued once he graduated, as we discuss why strong, dedicated leaders are particularly important in the healthcare field, especially when leading a company like Kindred Healthcare with over 60,000 employees.Ben is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Kindred Healthcare, LLC, one of the largest providers of healthcare services in the United States. He assumed responsibility as CEO in March of 2015, after having been named President in 2012.Kindred Healthcare operates a diverse blend of health care service businesses including transitional care hospitals and inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in approximately 1,800 locations across the United States.Ben currently serves on the Board of Kindred Healthcare, the Federation of American Hospitals, and is a member of the Wall Street Journal CEO Council. He is also a former member of the Business Roundtable, and he serves on the Board of the University of Miami's School of Business as well as on the Board of Overseers at the University of Pennsylvania.

In part two of this interview, Mike explains why his first priority is to invest in the development and talent of his team. He also talks about how to embed building a talent-driven organization into the day-to-day operations of your organization. Mike is a longtime advocate for children and a recognized leader in the child welfare field. He believes in strategic collaboration and in using research, evidence, and data to develop, deliver, and analyze innovative practices and programs to ensure children and families receive only effective, quality services. He has extensive experience in developing collective impact strategies.Mike served as the President & CEO of Children's Home Society of Florida from 2014 to 2019. He joined the agency after seven years as the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Children's Home & Aid. He earned an MA in Public Policy from the University of Chicago, Irving B. Harris School of Public Policy and a BA in Political Science from Colorado College.Children's Home & Aid is a leading child and family service agency in Illinois. They help children recover their health, their hope, and their faith in the people around them.The organization links children to a network of opportunity and care, to extended family, teachers, mentors, and the resources of their neighborhood and community. For 135 years, Children's Home & Aid has gone wherever children and families need them, and where their work has been proven to be most effective: at home, in the classroom, in the neighborhood, in the course of daily life. Their offices are located across Illinois and serve more than 40,000 children and families each year in over 60 counties.

In part one of this interview, Mike Shaver talks about why he believes leading in the non-profit sector can offer greater challenges than leading a for-profit organization. He also shares lessons he learned during his first CEO post, when he successfully led his team through a major reorganization of a $120 million-a-year business. Before Mike's involvement, it was believed the organization had an uncertain future. Mike is a longtime advocate for children and a recognized leader in the child welfare field. He believes in strategic collaboration and in using research, evidence, and data to develop, deliver, and analyze innovative practices and programs to ensure children and families receive only effective, quality services. He has extensive experience in developing collective impact strategies.Mike served as the President & CEO of Children's Home Society of Florida from 2014 to 2019. He joined the agency after seven years as the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Children's Home & Aid. He earned an MA in Public Policy from the University of Chicago, Irving B. Harris School of Public Policy and a BA in Political Science from Colorado College.Children's Home & Aid is a leading child and family service agency in Illinois. They help children recover their health, their hope, and their faith in the people around them.The organization links children to a network of opportunity and care, to extended family, teachers, mentors, and the resources of their neighborhood and community. For 135 years, Children's Home & Aid has gone wherever children and families need them, and where their work has been proven to be most effective: at home, in the classroom, in the neighborhood, in the course of daily life. Their offices are located across Illinois and serve more than 40,000 children and families each year in over 60 counties.