Podcasts about industry leaders

Salon owner, founder of The Hair Symposium, hairstylist, and mentor @danielle.nishiyama shares her journey from a Spokane-based stylist to a leader creating change in the hair industry. She discusses the power of education, community, and innovation while sharing valuable insights on business growth, industry evolution, and building meaningful experiences that bring hairstylists together. This Week's Topics: • Journey From Behind the Chair to Industry Leader    • The start of the Hair Symposium    • Planning and Challenges of the Symposium    • The Growth of The Hair Symposium • Building Community Through Education and Connection • Taking Risks and Creating Bigger Opportunities    • The Evolution of Hair Trends, Services, and Client Expectations    • Using Technology and Marketing to Grow a Modern Salon Business   • The Future of Apprenticeships, Mentorship, and Industry Growth    • The Challenges Behind Creating a Large-Scale Industry Event • Innovating the Future of the Hair Industry   Video versions of our episodes are on our YouTube channel for you to watch! Subscribe to our channel The Hair Game on YouTube and check out 'The Hair Game Podcast' playlist. Our podcast thrives on the opinions of you, the listener... if you have a moment (and you are an Apple user), please leave us a rating & review on the Apple podcasts app or iTunes! Here's what you do: - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'  - Click on the empty purple stars (5 is the best)!  - Click on 'Write a Review' and let us know what you love most! Each rating & review helps us reach more and more of your fellow hair loves, and our goal is to help as many hairdressers as we can find success. Thanks in advance! FOLLOW US @thehairgamepodcast @salonrepublic @loveerictaylor   FOLLOW DANIELLE:    @danielle.nishiyama  @thehairsymposium  @craftstudiospokane Tickets for The Hair Symposium are available now — grab yours here: https://www.thehairsymposium.com/event-details/the-hair-symposium-october-25-26 The Hair Symposium will take place October 25–26, 2026, at the Montvale Event Center in Spokane, WA.

Salon owner, founder of The Hair Symposium, hairstylist, and mentor @danielle.nishiyama shares her journey from a Spokane-based stylist to a leader creating change in the hair industry. She discusses the power of education, community, and innovation while sharing valuable insights on business growth, industry evolution, and building meaningful experiences that bring hairstylists together. This Week's Topics: • Journey From Behind the Chair to Industry Leader    • The start of the Hair Symposium    • Planning and Challenges of the Symposium    • The Growth of The Hair Symposium • Building Community Through Education and Connection • Taking Risks and Creating Bigger Opportunities    • The Evolution of Hair Trends, Services, and Client Expectations    • Using Technology and Marketing to Grow a Modern Salon Business   • The Future of Apprenticeships, Mentorship, and Industry Growth    • The Challenges Behind Creating a Large-Scale Industry Event • Innovating the Future of the Hair Industry   Video versions of our episodes are on our YouTube channel for you to watch! Subscribe to our channel The Hair Game on YouTube and check out 'The Hair Game Podcast' playlist. Our podcast thrives on the opinions of you, the listener... if you have a moment (and you are an Apple user), please leave us a rating & review on the Apple podcasts app or iTunes! Here's what you do: - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'  - Click on the empty purple stars (5 is the best)!  - Click on 'Write a Review' and let us know what you love most! Each rating & review helps us reach more and more of your fellow hair loves, and our goal is to help as many hairdressers as we can find success. Thanks in advance! FOLLOW US @thehairgamepodcast @salonrepublic @loveerictaylor   FOLLOW DANIELLE:    @danielle.nishiyama  @thehairsymposium  @craftstudiospokane   Tickets for The Hair Symposium are available now — grab yours here: https://www.thehairsymposium.com/event-details/the-hair-symposium-october-25-26 The Hair Symposium will take place October 25–26, 2026, at the Montvale Event Center in Spokane, WA.

Housing equity remains one of the biggest drivers of opportunity for the reverse mortgage industry—but are the headlines telling the full story? In Part One of this Industry Leader Insights series, HECM World's Andrew Montesi sits down with Aaron Wagner, Head of Data Science at ATTOM, to look beyond the latest housing equity headlines and explore what the data is really saying. Aaron explains why today's moderation in home equity is better viewed as market normalization, why the Midwest has become one of America's strongest equity regions, and how reverse mortgage professionals should think differently about housing and property data. In this episode: • Why housing equity is moderating, but remains historically strong • What “equity rich” actually means and how ATTOM measures it • Why Florida, Arizona and other pandemic boom markets are cooling • Why the Midwest is now home to many of America's most equity-rich counties • How reverse mortgage professionals can use local property data to uncover opportunities If you work in the reverse mortgage industry, housing market intelligence has never been more important. ▶️ Next week in Part Two: We look ahead to the future of housing equity, the biggest drivers of property wealth over the next five years, the role of AI in property intelligence, and why ATTOM believes the long-term opportunity for the reverse mortgage industry remains incredibly strong.

Summer Mersinger, CEO of the Blockchain Association, sat down with me at the Injective Policy Summit to discuss the latest on the CLARITY Act, crypto tax legislation, and the Anti-CBDC Act's inclusion in the House spending bill.

Industry Leader Interviews is a new series in The High-Level Entrepreneur podcast featuring industry leaders. This summer, you'll have a new interview every Thursday - and after the summer, the series will continue sporadically with a new guest.This interview is conducted in Swedish, and features Erica Wisborg -  a copy expert, industry leader and one of the most sought-after names in her niche when it comes to selling through copy.Erica shares how she positioned herself as something completely different from a business coach or traditional copywriter, how she hit over $100K in revenue last year simply by selling through her copy to premium clients, and why most entrepreneurs overcomplicate their content. We also get honest about the harder side of entrepreneurship -  how childhood trauma can show up in your business in ways you'd never expect, what it actually takes to push through the tough periods without giving up, and why investing in yourself is just as important as investing in your strategy.Do you want to sell more through copy? Follow Erica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericawisborg/ Want to become one of the industry leaders inside Industry Leader Lounge?  Sign up to the waitlist here: https://joellaskoogh.com/industry-leader-lounge-waitlist

What lies ahead for the surety industry as it enters what could be one of the most transformative periods in its history? In this episode, hosts Kat Shamapande and Mark McCallum engage industry leaders, Stephen Haney, President and Chief Underwriting Officer, Global Surety at CHUBB, Nathan Zangerle, President of Global Surety at Liberty Mutual Surety, and Chris Tata, Vice President, Commercial Surety in Bond & Specialty at Travelers, to explore the evolving landscape of surety amidst the booming demand for data centers and large-scale projects. They discuss the impact of labor shortages, risk management, and financial guarantees while emphasizing the importance of thoughtful underwriting and collaboration to navigate this generational moment. Tune in to gain valuable insights into market trends, emerging risks, and collaborative strategies that will help define the surety industry's path through 2026 and beyond. With special guests: Stephen Haney, President and Chief Underwriting Officer, Global Surety, Chubb Nathan Zangerle, President of Global Surety, Liberty Mutual Surety Chris Tata, Vice President, Commercial Surety in Bond & Specialty at Travelers Hosted by: Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP Sponsored By Applied Surety Underwriters

Who is the ideal reverse mortgage client today—and how has that changed over the past decade? In this edition of Industry Leader Insights, Gabe Bodner, President of the 55 Plus Division at OneTrust Home Loans, explores one of the most important questions every reverse mortgage professional should be asking. As housing wealth grows, retirement planning evolves and attitudes toward home equity continue to shift, the traditional “last resort” borrower is no longer the only client worth focusing on. Gabe discusses the rise of planning-based borrowers, why defining your ideal client can transform your marketing and referral strategy, and how loan officers can position themselves for the next generation of HECM borrowers. Whether you're looking to grow your business, refine your target market or better understand where the industry is heading, this conversation offers valuable insights into the future of reverse mortgage lending.

Industry Leader Interviews is a new series in The High-Level Entrepreneur podcast featuring industry leaders. This summer, you'll have a new interview every Thursday - and after the summer, the series will continue sporadically with a new guest.This interview is conducted in Swedish, and features my Industry Leader Lounge client Emilie Loman - an industry leader in the customer service industry & founder of Wowservice.We talk about why service is one of the biggest untapped opportunities for entrepreneurs who want to build a premium brand and create loyal, long-term clients that become ambassadors for you.Emilie also shares how she built an entirely new niche around Wowservice, why customer experience is about so much more than just support, and how small shifts in the way you communicate can transform how clients experience you and your business.Join Emilie's Wowservice Academy Waitlist: https://wowservice.se/wowservice-academyWant to become one of the industry leaders inside Industry Leader Lounge, just like Emilie? Sign up to the waitlist for Industry Leader Lounge: https://joellaskoogh.com/industry-leader-lounge-waitlist

Longtime IT industry leader Teresa Carlson has joined Anthropic to lead its public sector strategy as the artificial intelligence company navigates relationships with the U.S. and other governments. Carlson — who is known for her past leadership at Microsoft and Amazon Web Services — is now Anthropic's global head of public sector, the Claude maker shared Tuesday. She is the first person to hold that title at the company. “After more than two decades helping government leaders navigate new technologies, I joined Anthropic because it prioritized working alongside government early and takes this as seriously as anything it does,” Carlson said in a written statement shared with FedScoop. “AI is changing how we work and how we live, and that change has to happen in collaboration with governments.” Multiple U.S. Army internet subdomains were defaced in a 404 hijacking campaign, CyberScoop has confirmed. As of Monday morning, error pages on two U.S. Army websites – oil.army.mil and ai2c.army.mil – displayed defacement messages visible to users. The messages denigrated President Donald Trump and United States Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack, called to “FREE KURDISTAN,” And included another line reading “Kurdish sr was here.” One of the websites, oil.army.mil, belongs to the Army's Open Innovation Lab, a test bed for software and cyber capabilities established in 2020. The other belongs to the Artificial Intelligence Integration Center, established in 2019 to integrate AI technologies into the Army and train personnel on emerging technologies. The defacements were initially discovered by independent cybersecurity researcher Ronald Lovelace, who notified U.S. Army officials and CyberScoop. The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.

In this episode, Wade and Mark Hirschi discuss the power of networking, the impact of podcasts on the moving industry, and how to leverage AI and technology for business growth. They share personal stories, industry insights, and practical tips for moving company owners looking to innovate and connect.   Connect with Mark Hirschi: Owner of 'Ellis Moving & Storage' and 'Salmon's Moving & Storage' Host of Movified https://movifiednation.com/      Shop Wade's book - Hometown Titan: Build A Local Business That Dominates Your Market: https://a.co/d/8zLXZMC   Become a MOVING TITAN at the next Moving Titan Retreat https://www.movingtitanretreats.com/   Tighten up your moving company operations with TITAN UP TRAINING https://www.titanuptraining.com/     This episode is sponsored by: Moversville - an online marketing company and resource for movers, consumers, and those involved in the moving process. https://www.moversville.com/wade   USA Home Listings – a marketing and lead resource for moving companies. https://www.usahomelistings.com/     About the Show Wade Swikle is the CEO of 2 College Brothers Moving, Storage and Franchising, currently with locations in Tampa, Gainesville, and Orlando, Florida.   https://2collegebrothers.com/     Learn more and connect with Wade Swikle: Wade's website: https://2collegebrothers.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wadeswikle/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@2CollegeBrothersMovingStorage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wadeswikle/

As generative AI changes traditional digital media, technology executives face the challenge of moving quick prototypes into reliable, secure software systems. At the same time, online publishers must adapt to changes in search traffic and the risks of unauthorized data scraping.Dylan Conroy sits down with Stephanie Layser, Global Subcategory Leader for Publishers and Advertising at AWS, to explore how cloud infrastructure supports modern media operations.Key Themes Covered:Operating neutral cloud infrastructure to support global programmatic ad networks.Automating manual ad operations and planning using enterprise AI applications.Moving software projects from quick prototypes to secure production environments.Optimizing corporate website layouts for automated search tools and engines.Setting up edge firewalls to turn automated web scraping into structured revenue streams.Stephanie Layser is the Global Subcategory Leader for Publishers and Advertising within the Media, Entertainment, Games, Advertising, and Sports division at AWS, where she creates infrastructure strategies for major programmatic platforms.Connect with Stephanie Layser on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/slayser8/ ExploreAWS Advertising and Marketing Tech: https://aws.amazon.com/media/Optimize your enterprise marketing ROI with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/

Hey there Voices of the Bench community, this is Trish Jones with Ivoclar. If you've been curious about fast-firing zirconia to improve efficiency but aren't convinced it can deliver predictable, high-quality results, I'd encourage you to connect with us. Our new IPS Emax Zirconia offers multiple fast-fire protocols designed to help save you valuable production time while maintaining consistent results. Time is money in every lab. Don't wait. Reach out to your local Ivoclar rep today and discover how IPS Emax Zirconia can help streamline your workflow. At exocad Insights in beautiful Mallorca, we finally caught up with Felix from Imagine USA—and the timing couldn't have been better. As an exocad dealer on the front lines of digital dentistry, Felix shared his excitement about the strong turnout, the familiar faces, and most importantly, the innovation coming from exocad. What stood out most? The new exocad Hub and its cloud-based capabilities, along with powerful AI-driven tools inside DentalDB designed for efficient batch processing. For Felix and the Imagine team, it's not just about seeing what's new—it's about putting it to the test. By running new features through their own production facility first, they ensure real-world performance before bringing solutions to their customers. While at Exocad Insights in Mallorca, Elvis and Barb sit down with Beth Collington, President of Exocad America, to talk about the growth of digital dentistry and how Exocad continues to evolve to meet the needs of technicians, laboratories, and clinicians. Beth shares her thoughts on education, accessibility, and the importance of creating tools that help bring more people into digital workflows while maintaining the flexibility that has made Exocad a favorite throughout the industry. Then Josh Jakson and Robert Norton join the podcast to discuss their roles as Exocad educators, trainers, and laboratory professionals. The conversation covers some of the biggest announcements from Exocad Insights, including AI Crown, Crown Finalization, and ExoHub, and what these developments could mean for the future of laboratory workflows. They also share how real-world production experience influences the way they teach, why Exocad's flexibility remains one of its greatest strengths, and how the software is being used for everything from high-volume crown production to custom grills, jewelry, and even automotive parts. It's a fun conversation filled with practical insight, industry perspective, and a glimpse into where digital dentistry is headed next. Special Guests: Beth Collington, Joshua Jakson, and Robert Norton.

At The People Intensive, I sat down with several lawn and landscaping business owners from across the country to get a quick season update, hear what's new in their companies, and uncover their biggest lessons on hiring, leadership, culture, and team development. In this special compilation episode, you'll hear from key leaders in a series of short interviews packed with real-world insights on building stronger teams, retaining great employees, and leading people more effectively. Whether you're managing a crew of two or a team of twenty, there's a takeaway in this episode that can help you grow.

This is the second half of the podcast I had with Jonathan Wilson in the "Go Green Podcast", where we emphasized our growth in the industry and our adaptations over the years. Solar as a market has changed drastically, and it is important that we are aware of the context and reasons why we have the current industry.CLICK HERE: https://apply.solarpreneurs.com/ https://zendirect.com/ https://crmx.app/ https://zapier.com/ https://www.solarscout.app/taylor https://www.youtube.com/@solarpreneurs goals.solarpreneurs.com oneliners.solarpreneurs.com https://solciety.co/ - JOIN SOLCIETY NOW! SIRO APP - LEARN MORE

Wie verändert Künstliche Intelligenz die Art, wie wir online einkaufen? In dieser Folge sprechen wir mit Stephan Boehm, Industry Leader Technology bei Google, über die nächste Evolutionsstufe des E-Commerce: Agentic Commerce. Wir diskutieren, wie Gemini, AI Mode und multimodale Suche das Shopping-Erlebnis verändern, warum Produktdaten und Feed-Qualität immer wichtiger werden und welche Rolle Standards wie das Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) spielen. Außerdem werfen wir einen Blick auf die Zukunft von Webshops, KI-Agenten, Checkout-Prozessen und Retail Media – und darauf, was Händler schon heute tun sollten, um für das KI-Zeitalter gerüstet zu sein.Über Stephan Boehm> Stephan auf LinkedIn > Stephans Mail: sboehm@google.comwieCommerce? Social Links>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weitere Plattformen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CreditsLogo Design: Naim SolisIntro & Jingles: Kurt WoischytzkyFotos: Stefan GrauIntro-Video: Tim Solle

Today's episode is a segment of Jonathan Wilson's "Go Green Podcast," where I recently got invited on as a guest. I'll be talking about the recent changes in the solar industry and what it takes in today's market to become a productive "solarpreneur."CLICK HERE: https://apply.solarpreneurs.com/ https://zendirect.com/ https://crmx.app/ https://zapier.com/ https://www.solarscout.app/taylor https://www.youtube.com/@solarpreneurs goals.solarpreneurs.com oneliners.solarpreneurs.com https://solciety.co/ - JOIN SOLCIETY NOW! SIRO APP - LEARN MORE

Welcome to RIMScast. Your host is Justin Smulison, Business Content Manager at RIMS, the Risk and Insurance Management Society.   In this episode, Justin interviews Marya Propis about her career in retail brokerage, wholesale distribution, and executive leadership. Marya speaks of leaders who influenced her, how her leadership skills have changed in 30 years, and how emotional intelligence guides her as she helps young insurance professionals at RT Specialty. She also shares the importance of physical fitness and self-care in showing up at her best each day. Marya discusses the wholesale Excess and Surplus Lines marketplace in the U.S. She talks about her involvement in industry associations and the enthusiasm she has for helping students and new risk professionals. She shares information about the Spencer Educational Foundation's Funding Their Future 2026 Gala, where she will be one of two honorees. She serves as a Director of Distinction, acting as an ambassador for the Spencer Educational Foundation.   Listen for Marya's enthusiastic approach to persuasive leadership.   Key Takeaways: [:01] About RIMS and RIMScast. [:16] About this episode of RIMScast. We will be rejoined by our friend Marya Propis, President of Retail Distribution at RT Specialty and honoree at this year's Spencer's Funding Their Future Gala in New York City on September 17th. There is a lot to catch up on. But first… [:47] RIMS Virtual Workshops. The next RIMS-CRMP-FED Exam Prep with AFERM will be held on June 16th and 17th. The next RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep with PARIMA will be held virtually on July 21st and 22nd. Links to registration are in this episode's notes. [:58] We have a summertime webinar. On July 16th, Zurich will present "Too Hot to Ignore: Heat-Related Injuries and Workers' Compensation." Register at RIMS.org/webinars and via the link in this episode's show notes. [1:13] You can enroll now in the RIMS CRO Certificate Program in Advanced Enterprise Risk Management hosted by the famous James Lam. Beginning July 15th, workshops will be held bi-weekly from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The registration link is in the show notes. [1:34] The RIMS ERM Conference 2026 will be held on November 19th and 20th in Columbus, Ohio. We want to hear from you. Submit a session proposal by June 19th to reach engaged practitioners, innovators, and leaders looking for guidance they can utilize right away. [1:52] Help define what's next for Enterprise Risk Management. Submit a session proposal by Friday, June 19th. Visit RIMS.org/ERM2026. [2:02] Folks, through the generosity of its industry partners, RIMS has launched The Foundation for Risk Management™, which provides scholarships for early-career professionals to attend RIMS events like RIMS Texas Regional Conference, RIMS Canada Conference, and RISKWORLD. [2:21] The Foundation also helps beneficiaries earn their RIMS-CRMP and fund research projects. To learn more or contribute to the Foundation, visit RIMS.org/FRM and visit the link in this episode's show notes. [2:36] RIMS is back on YouTube. Our handle is @RIMSOfficialChannel. We've got plenty of videos there, including RIMScast, RIMScast Canada video podcasts, and other informative and entertaining content from RIMS. Subscribe to the channel today! [2:56] On with the Show! Marya Propis is rejoining us on RIMScast. She is the President of Retail Distribution at RT Specialty, and she will be honored this year at the Spencer Funding their Future Gala at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City on September 17th. [3:17] We'll learn about Marya's career, her risk management philosophy, how her physical wellness fuels her progress as a risk and insurance professional, and why she feels it is critical to continue her support for women in the profession. We're going to have fun. Let's get to it! [3:39] Interview! Marya Propis, Welcome Back to RIMScast! [3:49] Since the last time Justin and Marya spoke, Marya has joined RT Specialty. She is coming up on her 6th anniversary with RT Specialty. It has been the most enjoyable and successful career chapter she has been fortunate to enjoy. [4:04] Marya says there are so many great things to talk about in terms of what's going on in the marketplace and at RT Specialty and how that pertains to Spencer. [4:20] Marya is President of Retail Distribution. She was promoted to that role several months ago. A dedicated group under her leadership is keeping a finger on the pulse of what's going on in the ultra-dynamic U.S. retail landscape. [4:47] They are always thinking of ways to be more client-centric, partner more fully with their retail clients, and think of all the places that their clients need RT to be as the top wholesale partner in the U.S. [5:08] Marya has six people on her team for a wholesaler that placed $32 billion of premium last year. But, actually, her team is the entirety of all the brokers and underwriters that work for RT Specialty. That's 1,500 people. [5:28] Marya's job is to make the brokers and underwriters who work for the team more successful every day. Her stakeholders are the market-facing, talented brokers and underwriters. They are her team. [5:46] Marya sets best practices and standards around compensation, conferences, and the way they engage. Client-centricity is very important, so Marya extends direction for it. [6:00] Marya explains how leadership style has evolved. In the first half of her career, it was all about command and control, from the top down. Telling everyone what to do has evolved positively. [6:19] Marya prides herself on having very good influence and leadership skills. She says people want to follow her direction. She had to learn a lot to go from telling people what to do to creating a path people want to follow. Being a command-and-control leader doesn't feel good. [7:00] Marya says that when we started talking about emotional intelligence as an important part of leadership, she realized she had it. She just hadn't been using it in any of her management or leadership roles. [7:11] It became more acceptable to use emotional intelligence to get your team aligned and get people thinking around the direction you need to go as a team or a firm. That's been very positive for Marya, but she couldn't flip that switch overnight. [7:30] Marya had to learn a lot to change her leadership style so people want to follow and feel that she is creating the right direction, so they can be more successful, not leading them down a path to doom and demise. [7:52] Marya says that an emphasis on emotional intelligence came hand in hand with the industry starting to pay attention to women in insurance and the lack of representation of female leadership in insurance. [8:09] Marya says that a decade ago the insurance industry started to be deliberate about realizing they didn't have many women in leadership and that there were obstacles in the industry to women being promoted and compensated at the same rate as their male colleagues. [8:31] Emotional intelligence came along with the recognition that women have a distinct and unique skill set. Emotional intelligence is a prevalent part of a woman's skill set. Women bring real value as leaders. The traits that come with that include emotional intelligence. [9:07] Justin says we have such a great group of rising risk professionals, particularly females, in the profession and the RIMScast listenership, so this is a great way to kick off this dialog.  [9:25] Marya says she has worked for a lot of great leaders. She was fortunate to work closely with many executives. You can watch a leader and learn a technique or a trait that you can add to the skill set you already have. Marya says she gets her best material from others. [10:14] Marya says Pat Ryan, who founded RT Specialty, is the absolute Superman of insurance. Any time she hears Pat Ryan talk, she leaves with a gem that she commits to do or think about, going forward. He uses an expression: "Do the right thing, because it's the right thing to do." [10:47] If you use that as a guiding principle for how you set your priorities and make decisions, based on what your retail clients need, then it's very obvious what you need to do. It has become a guiding principle for her in the way she makes decisions every day. [11:47] Marya says her scope of responsibility is just retail clients. Her colleague Leah Ohodnicki oversees carrier management. They talk all the time. There are so many of the same principles that they apply, just to different channels in the marketplace. [12:07] Marya has been a career salesperson. For her whole insurance career, she has sold stuff. She has sold capabilities and products. She sells and represents wholesale brokerage services. [12:27] Marya says no client is like another. You must see every client with fresh, objective eyes. Every client has something unique, or a competitive advantage, or something special about the way they've built their firm. Sometimes you have to look carefully to find it, but it's always there. [13:06] You have to be willing to put yourself in their shoes. How do they see the world? How is that retailer creating visibility and driving success? [13:26] Marya prides herself on being a student of who the retail client is and thinking about how to better frame partnership strategies to work with them as effectively as possible, rather than thinking about herself, RT Specialty, and all the stuff she can throw at any retail client. [13:48] In Marya's mind, the way to do it is to start by asking what they need. Where is the place that they will need RT Specialty to be more successful? Then she constructs an engagement approach around that. That's different from how she thought about it 20 years ago. [14:15] In any industry, Marya doesn't want to be a vendor. She wants to be a partner. There's a big difference in the way you have to think to be a trusted business partner. That's a very important part of Marya's personal and professional philosophy in creating partnerships. [15:13] Marya says she's very committed to the digital distribution model. It's been one of the more exciting and dynamic components of the retail channel. Marya doesn't use AI interchangeably with digital distribution. Digital distribution is where we sell things online. [15:41] Marya says AI is a technology enabler that helps us be more efficient in sales. RT Specialty has an online portal called RT Connector that has been trading E&S Specialty, Micro and Small Commercial P&C products for eight years on the digital distribution platform. [16:09] Marya says there's a newish type of retail agent in the U.S. marketplace called digital agencies. They want to trade as efficiently as possible. They want API connectivity. They're focused on a specific segment and industry, in terms of where they feel they can sell and trade. [16:31] Marya says even the way they acquire leads is very different than a traditional retail model. Marya says we're certainly not going to sell RT the same way to a digital agency as we do to a big Alpha house. They're very different. [16:51] Understand the model. Understand how that retail agent or broker is structured, and meet them where they are. With digital retail agents, it's a completely different type of retail partnership that they can build with them vs. other models they've worked successfully with. [17:18] Marya says our retail clients are always evolving and changing and buying lots of stuff, in mergers and acquisitions. They restructure. How they choose to go to market. How they're winning business. Marya loves all the learning that comes as the market and her clients evolve. [17:45] Marya says they're a wholesaler. Their digital platform will reflect the appetite and eligibility of the technology-enabled carriers that are represented on the RT Specialty platform as trading partners. [18:10] Marya says they have 130 talented binding authority teams across their U.S. platform. They know what their appetite is; they have the binding authority. That's human interaction. [18:28] Marya says RT Specialty mimics that same process with some of the same carrier partners by putting their product-specific appetite on their digital platform. [18:38] The same agent can either go to the RT binding authority underwriter or go through RT Connector. If it fits the appetite of the products on RT Connector, in five minutes, the agent can rate quote, bind, issue, e-deliver policies, surplus lines taxes, and finance premium. [19:02] Marya says she can ask agents how they want to trade the E&S specialty marketplace. There are a lot of paths they can follow that get them to the same place where they win. RT Specialty can put the right resources around that. [19:35] Marya says if a retail client brings a franchise opportunity to RT Specialty, if it's a franchise operation that's insured, RT Specialty will write it. They write lots of them in the U.S. Marya participates in risks her retail clients bring to RT. [19:52] Marya doesn't sell directly to franchises, but RT has a lot of franchises and programs in chains in their book of business. RT has the largest sports and entertainment practice in the wholesale segment in the U.S. It's a tough segment of the marketplace. [20:20] RT Specialty has invested a lot in terms of talent. RT Specialty owns the largest MGU in the marketplace. The sports are professional, amateur, and everything in between. It's a very successful market segment for RT Specialty. [20:41] Marya explains that an MGU is a Managing General Underwriter, which is different from an MGA (a Managing General Agency), which is different from a Program. Marya says this has been one of the fastest-growing segments of the specialty market in the United States. [21:09] Marya says you create a homogeneous appetite for a certain bulk of business, find a carrier partner, set up a Program, and open your storefront and either distribute through retailers or wholesalers. Some are direct-to-insureds [21:30] Managing General Underwriter means that we would create the appetite and the guidelines. Managing General Agent means that the carrier has already defined that, and they're allowing us to put a storefront in front of that. [21:54] That's different from some of the traditional carriers that RT Specialty works with, like Lexington Insurance Company or Westchester Insurance Company. Those are carriers. That is a different solution than when RT Specialty approaches an MGU on behalf of their retail client. [22:18] Marya says anytime you have a lot of people in one place at an event, there are lots of risks associated with that: gun violence, political violence, and means of evacuation response. We have seen that time and again. [22:43] When you have a lot of people congregating for a sporting event, a demonstration, a commemoration, or other event, it's gotten much riskier when you put a lot of humans in one place. That has made that segment of the marketplace much more challenging than ever. [23:10] Marya mentions boxing matches in Vegas or the number of active shooter incidents in Vegas. Marya believes the Excess and Surplus Lines market segment is the permanent home for high-hazard risks in the U.S. It's not an escape valve. [23:42] Marya says that in her lifetime, those types of risks will never swing back to the direct admitted standard carrier side. As a wholesale broker, RT Specialty is looking to partner with carriers that have the right type of appetite to support those risks. [23:59] RT Specialty builds products, so they own MGUs, MGAs, and Programs. They invest and build products when segments of the marketplace become very tough, so they have solutions available through their brokers and underwriters to write any risk in any class of business. [24:19] A Quick Break! There are so many other wonderful RIMS events coming up in 2026. The Annual Florida RIMS Educational Conference will be held from July 28th through August 1st at the lovely Ritz-Carlton in Naples, Florida. A link to the event is in this episode's show notes. [24:37] Register now for the Second Annual RIMS Texas Regional Conference, which will be held from August 10th through 12th at the Grand Hyatt on the San Antonio River Walk. [24:48] The 11th Annual Chicagoland Risk Forum will return to the Old Post Office on Thursday, September 24th, 2026, in Chicago. Visit ChicagolandRiskForum.org for more information. [24:59] The RIMS Western Regional Conference will be held from October 4th through the 7th in Seattle, Washington. Registration is open, and you can also submit a session. Visit RIMSWesternRegional.com and the link in this episode's show notes for more information. [25:16] Save the dates October 18th through the 21st. We will be in Quebec City to celebrate the 50th Live RIMS Canada Conference. Booth sales are already open. Earlybird registration is open now. [25:31] Visit RIMSCanadaConference.ca for more information. Also, remember to check out RIMS.org/Canada for our spinoff show, RIMScast Canada, hosted by National Conference Committee Chair, Aaron Lukoni. [25:45] The RIMS ERM Conference 2026 will be held on November 19th and 20th in Columbus, Ohio. The deadline for educational content submissions is Friday, June 19th. Get submissions in now. The link is in this episode's show notes. Registration opens in July. [26:08] Let's Return to Our Interview with Marya Propis! [26:32] Justin asks about Marya incorporating workouts into her life so she can perform better as a risk and insurance professional. Justin also feels that he has missed out if he has not exercised or worked out for a certain time each week. [27:03] Mary has 35 years in the business. She travels every week. She flies a lot. She is very focused on her wellness routine. She has been an athlete her whole life, so working out is important to her. So is self-care. [27:34] Having gone through menopause and figuring out what was going sideways, physically and mentally, Marya feels good about where she is today, in her commitment to herself, supplements she takes, and understanding healthy brain function and the effects of hormones. [28:09] Marya says we know hormones have a significant impact on our ability to function, both for men and women. Marya says her lifestyle is not perfect. She eats at restaurants 80% of the time, and entertaining clients involves alcohol. [28:40] Marya loves the relationship-building, social, and personal connection side of the business. She's not going to skip drinks or dinner with anyone. But it's a place where there can be a lot of pitfalls. She doesn't subscribe to an austerity lifestyle. But she has to pick her spots, now. [29:10] Marya says she can't be dragging on Thursday morning. She still has two big days ahead of her to deliver. Marya talks about sleep quality, not just how much you get, which gets tough when you're sleeping in different hotel rooms. [29:35] Marya says, This is the way it is with the career I have chosen, and I love. She has to be much more deliberate and mindful and remind herself that in June, she is traveling 18 days. On the days she's not traveling, she knows what to do for working out and for her wellness routine. [30:24] Marya says she is open and willing to learn. She is open to trying and learning new things. She believes in supplements and vitamins. She takes different ones now than she would have taken a decade ago. You have to be a student of that, like everything else in life. [30:43] Marya says The second you start to lose the desire to learn, what's next? It's not really fun when people's mindsets change. [30:54] Marya has been a Yoga practitioner for 30 years. She does Power Vinyasa in an infrared studio. Marya says the benefits of infrared are scientifically not debatable. She says infrared is great for joints, skin, and healthy brain functioning. It amped up her Yoga routine. [31:15] Marya does TRX bodyweight exercises. Most of the hotel gyms today have a TRX setup. She loves that, since she spends a lot of time in hotels and hotel gyms. Marya does circuit training. She works with heavy weights three times a week to maintain skeletal strength. [31:53] Marya says it sounds like a lot. As an athlete, when you have to perform and deliver, it's part of the way you have to think. It's how Marya thinks. She has to show up and be her best self when she's representing RT Specialty in the marketplace. [32:14] Marya has a lot of people relying on her to be crisp and present with a great level of energy. You can't do that if you're dragging all the time. [32:40] Marya grew up in Buffalo, New York, so she's a skier. It was the first sport for her family. She played tennis in high school and college. She ran track as a sprinter. Her favorite sport is Yoga. A couple of genres of Yoga have world competitions. Mary likes vigorous, athletic Yoga. [33:34] Another Quick Break! The Spencer Educational Foundation's Risk Manager on Campus application period is now open, and it will close on June 30th. Grant awardees, colleges, and universities are typically notified in September. [34:05] General Grant applications are open, and the application deadline is July 30th. Internship Grant applications open on August 15th and close on October 15th. [34:16] Links to each of these grants are in this episode's show notes. Visit SpencerEd.org for more information. [34:24] Let's Conclude Our Interview with One of the Two Honorees of the Spencer Educational Foundation's Funding Their Future Gala 2026, Marya Propis! [34:48] Justin asks about associations Marya is plugged into that support empowering women in the risk and insurance industry, such as APIW and WISE. [35:01] Marya represents RT Specialty on two boards. One is CIAB (The Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers), an international organization known for its regulatory and lobbying efforts. [35:25] Marya spent a week in London last month with CIAB. There is so much going on in the London marketplace. That has been a lot of fun and a place to continue to learn. [34:47] The second board is WSIA (Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association), representing the wholesale specialty segment. There are specialty markets around the world, but the E&S lines market segment only exists in the United States. WSIA is a wonderful organization. [36:14] Marya says that what's great about both CIAB and WSIA is what they do to support young and developing insurance and risk management professionals. It's consistent with and complementary to the work, scope, and mission of the Spencer Educational Foundation. [36:32] Marya loves the way all of that comes together. Marya has been in the space developing, recruiting, and supporting emerging leaders and talent in the insurance and risk management marketplace for a long time. It's a space she loves to be in. [35:56] It all comes together nicely with Marya's board service and her commitments to foundations and causes. [37:10] Justin says the Spencer Funding Their Future Gala will be on Thursday, September 17th, at the world-famous Waldorf Astoria. Marya is one of the two honorees this year. Justin asks what this honor means to Marya. [37:35] Marya can't remember a time when she looked forward to something so much. First, she was surprised, and she feels really humbled. Marya had been a Spencer Board member and Chair of the Board, thinking about whom they would honor, every year for a decade. [38:05] It's really humbling to be considered, let alone this year, going back to the Waldorf Astoria. Marya remembers the Spencer Gala there, at which she spoke as Chair of the Fundraising Committee. [38:22] Marya just about passed out before going on stage, as she had never talked before so many people. She was hyperventilating. She didn't fall off the stage. She enjoyed herself a little bit. The Waldorf Astoria is one of the most storied hotels in the history of New York City. [39:06] Marya says Sierra Signorelli is the other honoree for the Gala. Sierra and Marya worked together early in their careers at AIG. They got a significant start to their careers then. They've known each other for a long time. Marya praises Sierra and is so happy to be doing this with her. [39:32] Justin notes that Sierra is the Zurich U.S. CEO and the Zurich Commercial Insurance CEO. Those are not easy titles to achieve. Zurich is a global insurance carrier. Marya admires Sierra's career trajectory and the leadership influence she has had on so many. [39:51] This is the first time there have been two female honorees in the history of the Spencer Gala. Marya says sharing that honor with Sierra, someone she knows, trusts, and respects so highly, makes it even more special and a night to look forward to. She can't wait! [40:17] Marya is now a Director of Distinction on the Spencer Board. Her RT Specialty colleague, Michael VanAcker, is on the Spencer Board today. Marya mentions that Pat Ryan was honored by Spencer at one of the first Galas. Tim Turner, RT Specialty CEO, introduced Pat that year. [40:53] RT Specialty has had a seat on the Spencer Board for years. Marya is a Director of Distinction as she is a former Board Chair. They ask her to be an advocate where Megan Miller needs her, and to be conversant on where Spencer continues to support and drive results. [41:18] Marya stays in touch and makes sure she knows what is going on with the programs and schools they are partnering with. Her role is to be informed, be an ambassador, and jump in at any place that Megan and the Spencer team would need her to influence, help, and support. [41:41] Marya spoke at the E&S Insurer conference. At the end of the conference, she brought Megan Miller in and introduced her to the writers' folks and asked if they could get a five-minute spotlight on Spencer next year. That is an example of where Marya can try to help. [42:15] Marya says Spencer scholars are so excited about their insurance career. There is nothing more infectious than their enthusiasm for the career path they have chosen. To talk to a young person who has their whole life in front of them is super energizing for Marya. [42:57] Marya says that when a young person wants to talk to her and spend time with her, she thinks it is great. Enthusiasm is infectious. [43:05] At the end of the day, Marya wants to leave the insurance industry in a much better place than it was when she came into the business. Spending time with young people who will be the leaders of our industry in the future, there's no better feeling. [43:30] Marya says that anything she can do to have influence, set an example, or help them think through something helps her to continue to feel wildly enthusiastic about her career. She loves when she gets to spend time with the young brokers and underwriters at RT Specialty. [43:52] Justin says that the scholarship recipients he has seen on stage at the Gala have been so impressive. They're in school, and they're so involved. They're a shining example of what we want the future of this profession to be. [44:10] Marya says that there was no way, when she was 22 years old, that she could have gotten up in front of a room of 800 people in her profession and spoken like that. She would never have been able to do that. Their ability to get up in front of that audience and talk is huge! [44:37] Marya is impressed by what they talk about, in terms of their careers, and what they've learned. [44:42] Marya is delighted that Spencer has basically kept the Gala format consistent. The focus is on the students and the benefits that Spencer funding drives for the industry. [44:56] It's a place where you can see real impact on real lives because of the fundraising dollars that the risk management and insurance industry has stepped up and invested. That's the focus. Then they have dinner. There are two honorees, and they wrap it up. [45:12] Marya loves that they have never complicated the program for Gala. It has kept the focus in the right place, which is what they are doing to fund the future leaders of the insurance and risk management industry. She's excited to meet the Spencer scholars who will speak at the Gala. [45:35] Marya says that lots of times the speakers bring their families. She says her Mom and Dad will be there. That will round out what's going to be a terrific and exciting evening. [45:47] Jason says, We look forward to seeing you there on September 17th at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. Marya will be there with her old friend Sierra Signorelli. It's going to be a fantastic, tremendous time! The link to the Funding Their Future Gala is in this episode's notes. [46:08] Marya, we're very happy for you. Congratulations again! I can't wait to see you again in September. Marya looks forward to seeing Justin again and the team from RIMS, another long-standing, awesome, successful partnership between Spencer and RIMS. [46:27] Special thanks again to Marya Propis for rejoining us here on RIMScast! We congratulate her again in advance of her receiving the honor at the Spencer Educational Foundation's 2026 Funding Their Future Gala, which will be held on September 17th at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC. [46:47] Visit SpencerEd.org for more information and to purchase your ticket and for sponsorship opportunities. Join us next week, as we will be joined by Spencer Board Chair Johnell Holley. We will learn all about his career journey and risk philosophies. [47:03] Plug Time! You can sponsor a RIMScast episode for this, our weekly show, or a dedicated episode. Links to sponsored episodes are in the show notes. [47:32] RIMScast has a global audience of risk and insurance professionals, legal professionals, students, business leaders, C-Suite executives, and more. Let's collaborate and help you reach them! Contact pd@rims.org for more information. [47:50] Become a RIMS member and get access to the tools, thought leadership, and network you need to succeed. Visit RIMS.org/membership or email membershipdept@RIMS.org for more information. [48:08] Risk Knowledge is the RIMS searchable content library that provides relevant information for today's risk professionals. Materials include RIMS executive reports, survey findings, contributed articles, industry research, benchmarking data, and more. [48:24] For the best reporting on the profession of risk management, read Risk Management Magazine at RMMagazine.com. It is written and published by the best minds in risk management. [48:37] Justin Smulison is the Business Content Manager at RIMS. Please remember to subscribe to RIMScast on your favorite podcasting app. You can email us at Content@RIMS.org. [48:49] Practice good risk management, stay safe, and thank you again for your continued support!   Links: Spencer Educational Foundation's 2026 Funding Their Future Gala | Sept. 17, 2026 RIMS ERM Conference 2026 | November 19‒20 in Columbus, Ohio | Session Submission Deadline: Friday, June 19 RIMS Canada Conference — Oct. 18‒21, 2026 | Quebec City | www.rimscanadaconference.ca | Advance Registration Open | Sponsorship Opportunities Available RIMScast on YouTube! Spencer Educational Foundation — Scholarships and Grants | Open Calls and Timelines. RIMS-CRO Certificate Program In Advanced Enterprise Risk Management | July‒Sept. 2026 Cohort | Led by James Lam | Register Now! 2026 Florida RIMS Educational Conference | July 28‒Aug. 1 | Register Now RIMS Texas Regional Conference 2026 | Aug. 10‒12 in San Antonio | Register Now! ChicagoLand Risk Forum | Sept. 24, 2026 RIMS Western Regional Conference — Oct. 4‒7, 2026 | Seattle, WA | Register Today and Submit an Educational Session! RIMS Risk Management Magazine | Contribute | Look for the Awards Edition in "Digital Issues"! RIMS Now RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) | Insights Video Series Featuring Joe Milan! RIMS, the Foundation for Risk Management The Strategic and Enterprise Risk Center RIMS Diversity Equity Inclusion Council RIMS-CRMP Stories RIMScast Canada — Episodes Now Live RISK PAC | RIMS Advocacy Upcoming RIMS-CRMP Prep Virtual Workshops: RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep with PARIMA | July 21‒22, 2026 Full RIMS-CRMP Prep Course Schedule See the full calendar of RIMS Virtual Workshops   Upcoming RIMS Webinars: RIMS.org/Webinars "Too Hot To Ignore: Heat-Related Injuries and Workers' Compensation" | July 16 | Presented by Zurich   Related RIMScast Episodes: "Spencer Day 2026 | The Future of Strategic Risk Management" "Risk Management Momentum with Tim Ryan" (2025 Spencer Honoree) "The Strengths of DE&I Initiatives with Lilian Vanvieldt-Gray of Alliant Insurance Services" (2024 Spencer Honoree) "RIMS Honor Roll Inductee Emily Buckley" "RIMS Rising Risk Professional Award Winner Tyler Vaughan"   Sponsored RIMScast Episodes: "48 Hours From a Storm: What to Do Before A Hurricane Strikes" (New!) | Sponsored by Global Risk Consultants, a TÜV SÜD Company "AI-Scale, Risk Ready: Engineering Controls for the New Data Center Boom" | Sponsored by Global Risk Consultants, a TÜV SÜD Company "Facing Into Risk: Navigating the New Risk Landscape" (New!) | Sponsored by AXA XL "Secondary Perils, Major Risks: The New Face of Weather-Related Challenges" | Sponsored by AXA XL "The ART of Risk: Rethinking Risk Through Insight, Design, and Innovation" | Sponsored by Alliant "Mastering ERM: Leveraging Internal and External Risk Factors" | Sponsored by Diligent "Cyberrisk: Preparing Beyond 2025" | Sponsored by Alliant "The New Reality of Risk Engineering: From Code Compliance to Resilience" | Sponsored by AXA XL "Change Management: AI's Role in Loss Control and Property Insurance" | Sponsored by Global Risk Consultants, a TÜV SÜD Company "Demystifying Multinational Fronting Insurance Programs" | Sponsored by Zurich "Understanding Third-Party Litigation Funding" | Sponsored by Zurich "What Risk Managers Can Learn From School Shootings" | Sponsored by Merrill Herzog "Simplifying the Challenges of OSHA Recordkeeping" | Sponsored by Medcor "How Insurance Builds Resilience Against An Active Assailant Attack" | Sponsored by Merrill Herzog "Third-Party and Cyber Risk Management Tips" | Sponsored by Alliant   RIMS Publications, Content, and Links: RIMS Membership — Whether you are a new member or need to transition, be a part of the global risk management community! RIMS Virtual Workshops On-Demand Webinars RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) RISK PAC | RIMS Advocacy RIMS Strategic & Enterprise Risk Center RIMS-CRMP Stories — Featuring RIMS President Manny Padilla!   RIMS Events, Education, and Services: RIMS Risk Maturity Model®   Sponsor RIMScast: Contact sales@rims.org or pd@rims.org for more information.   Want to Learn More? Keep up with the podcast on RIMS.org, and listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.   Have a question or suggestion? Email: Content@rims.org.   Join the Conversation! Follow @RIMSorg on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.   About our guest: Marya J. Propis, RT Specialty, President, Retail Distribution   Production and engineering provided by Podfly.  

WWJ auto analyst John McElroy reports Magna's CEO says decisions have to be made faster to keep up with the ever changing industry.

Keith Hamilton: Industry Leader Download LISTEN TO MORE SHOWS

Alice Kao is the CEO, co-founder and driving force behind Sender One, a Southern California climbing gym chain, which she has led over 13 years from a single location in Santa Ana to six gyms—with more on the way. Her path to the climbing industry was anything but conventional: A first-generation immigrant who interned at Lehman Brothers, worked in international toy sales, and discovered climbing while navigating heartbreak in London, Alice launched Sender One from savings, SBA loans, and checks from family and friends—eventually bringing on a marquee investor in pro climber Chris Sharma. She has since become a respected voice in the broader climbing business community, championing women's leadership through her involvement at CWA, and serving on the USA Climbing board of directors before a principled exit. In this conversation with Scott Rennak, Alice opens up about what it really took to build Sender One—the years of not paying herself, the leap from side hustle to full-time commitment, and the management mistakes she had to unlearn. She also discusses an innovative funding model—a partnership with an impact investment firm to purchase her LAX flagship location—as well as her complicated but ultimately collegial departure from the USA Climbing board. With the 2028 Olympics arriving in LA and her gym sitting eight minutes from the competition venue, she's having more fun running the business than ever before. General Topics Covered Turning Passion into a Sustainable Business Taking Calculated Risks as an Entrepreneur Scaling a Climbing Gym Brand Leadership, Growth, and Founder Evolution Creative Approaches to Financing Expansion Navigating Industry Politics and Governance The Future of Climbing and the Olympic Opportunity Show Notes Alice Kao on Linkedin Sender One website Interview discussing Alice's childhood and being a “parachute kid” Details about the Impact Fund that purchased LAX location property Alice's resignation letter from USA Climbing board of directors Thank you Climbing Wall Association, Rúngne, Walltopia, Cascade Specialty, and Rock Gym Pro for your support! And thank you Devin Dabney for your music!

Send us Fan MailHow do you climb from an entry-level secretarial role to the executive suites of the beauty world?In this episode of Coffee N°5, we sit down with beauty industry powerhouse Elana S Drell Szyfer. Elana shares her remarkable journey, offering a masterclass in career development, leadership, and the shifting dynamics of the beauty and wellness landscape.Whether you are climbing the corporate ladder in a global powerhouse or navigating the agile waters of a startup, Elana's insights on humility, continuous learning, and adaptability are essential listening. We dive deep into why modern careers are no longer a straight line, how the convergence of health and beauty is changing the market, and the irreplaceable role of mentorship in shaping the leaders of tomorrow.Key Takeaways From This Episode:Start Somewhere: Why taking an entry-level role (even as a secretary) can give you the foundational tools to build an empire.The Corporate vs. Startup Shift: Critical leadership lessons learned when transitioning from massive global corporations to agile, small brands.The New Career Landscape: Understanding the evolution of career stages and the exciting convergence of beauty, health, and wellness.The Power of Mentorship: Why asking questions and actively supporting future leaders is the ultimate key to industry growth.Connect with Elana:LinkedIn: Connect with Elana S Drell SzyferResources Mentioned in This Episode:CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women): cewbeauty.org (Note: double-check link spelling for CEW)Industry Insights: Women's Wear Daily (WWD)

Tony was excited to sit down with Dana D'Auria, who recently joined Franklin Templeton's RIA Advisory Council as an Industry Leader. This newly formed group has enabled the firm to work together to help shape how private markets are evolving in the RIA Channel. In this episode Tony and Dana tackle important structural considerations around liquidity, valuation, and the limitations of so-called "semi-liquid" investments, while emphasizing the untapped potential of private equity, private credit, and real assets in enhancing client outcomes. They discuss how technology platforms and model-based approaches can help advisors scale their practices while maintaining their core value proposition: providing clients access to sophisticated investment strategies that would otherwise be out of reach. This is an essential listen for advisors looking to navigate the operational complexities of private markets and deliver differentiated value to their clients. DANA D'AURIA, CFA CO-CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER AND GROUP PRESIDENT, ENVESTNET SOLUTIONS As Group President, Envestnet Solutions and Co-Chief Investment Officer at Envestnet, Dana is responsible for wealth and asset management solutions across Envestnet's ecosystem, including its research, overlay, direct indexing, sustainable investing and retirement services, as well as partnerships with exchanges and other wealth solutions providers. Dana is also a chair of Envestnet | PMC's Investment Committee.   Prior to joining Envestnet, Dana was most recently a Managing Director of Symmetry Partners where she also served as President and a Portfolio Manager of Symmetry Panoramic Mutual Funds, the firm's multi-factor family of funds.  Dana is a frequent contributor on CNBC Squawk Box, Bloomberg TV and Radio, Yahoo! Finance, and Nasdaq TradeTalks. She has been honored by Money Management Executive as one of the publication's "Top Women in Asset Management" in 2018 and "Women to Watch" in 2017. She has also published articles on factor investing in The Journal of Financial Planning and The Journal of Index Investing. Dana holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, and earned both her MBA (in Finance) and BA (in English and International Studies) from Fairfield University. Resources: Dana M. D'Auria, CFA | LinkedInFranklin Templeton Private MarketsTony Davidow, CIMA® | LinkedIn

What does it actually take to become an industry leader when you never planned to be one? Charli Rogers, Chief Customer Officer at Botify, joins Toni for a conversation that covers the full arc of her leadership journey — from an accidental start in tech to leading customer success teams of 150-200 people across multiple continents, to taking her first CCO seat at a company sitting right at the intersection of search, AI discoverability, and the future of how brands get found. This conversation covers all things great leadership from quiet confidence, allyship in executive teams, what holding space for women in a boardroom actually looks like in practice, and the language shift — "and" versus "but" — that Charli teaches every woman she mentors. Charli also gets honest about the biggest challenge she's navigating right now: how do you lead an AI-forward customer experience function while keeping the team delivering, changing everything about how you operate, and nobody really knows what the next two years look like? If you're figuring out what kind of leader you want to be, how to back yourself at the next level, or how to build allies in rooms that weren't always built for you — this is the episode. What we cover: ◾ The serendipitous career path from accidental tech foray to Chief Customer Officer ◾ Why Charli put her hand up for people leadership before she felt ready — and what happened next ◾ Quiet confidence: what it really looks like at the executive level and why it's different from the performative kind ◾ The "and" vs "but" language shift and why words matter more than most leaders realize vAllyship in the exec room — what it looks like when it becomes second nature rather than a conscious act ◾ Holding space for women in a male-dominated executive team: practical, not theoretical ◾ AI in customer experience — leading an AI-forward function while the team keeps delivering today ◾ Building a virtual board of directors and why network investment is a long-term leadership strategy ◾ The worst piece of advice Charli was ever given: "dial it down, Charli" ◾ Confidence plus capacity: why both are non-negotiable and how to know when it's time to speak up   **Useful links** ◾ Connect with today's guest and sponsor, Charli Rogers and Botify:           ◾ Charli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlirogers/            ◾ Botify: https://www.botify.com/    This episode was sponsored by our guest, Charli Rogers at Botify. Thank you Charli for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!  

High hopes for today's Budget from health, infrastructure, education, and business leaders. College of GPs President Luke Bradford told Mike Hosking he's looking for some reallocation of health spending. He says we currently invest 6% of vote health in primary healthcare, compared to the OECD average of 14%. On the infrastructure side of things, Infrastructure NZ's Nick Leggett told Hosking he wants investment in new projects and maintenance of existing ones. He says we have to build some resilience into them so they don't fail earlier, because that just ends up costing more money. Secondary Principals' Council Chair Steve McCracken told Mike Hosking he has three things on his wishlist. He'd like to see an increase in operational funding for schools, a significant injection into senior secondary curriculum areas to support the implementation of the new qualification, and increasing vocational training places and support for those on that path. And finally, Business New Zealand Chief Executive Katherine Rich told Mike Hosking she's focused on economic indicators. She says they're going to be looking to see when the country returns to surplus and how the new expenditure contributes to economic growth. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SEC speaks with Melissa Mack, Director on the Professional Certification Board for ASIS and Managing Director at Pinkerton, about her experiences in rising to a leadership position in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Bruce Kelly speaks with senior industry leader Mark Goldberg about the current market for alternative investments, including private loan and BDC funds.

Wall Street suits think they can roll up blue-collar businesses with just a spreadsheet. But without true boots-on-the-ground experience, they usually end up buying a fleet of broken equipment and alienating the entire workforce.In this episode of the Acquisitions & Asphalt series, Sam Silverman brings on Jeff Livingston (CEO/Operating Partner of Nationwide Paving) and Chris Wirthlin (CFO of The Pave) to break down what actually happens when you pair a sharp financial team with a 30-year paving veteran.They break down the "Anti-PE" approach to acquiring service businesses, and pull back the curtain on how to find massive hidden margins that financial due diligence completely misses.They cover:Why traditional private equity fails at service-based roll-ups, and how to actually win the trust of legacy foundersThe psychology of acquisitions: How taking over back-office billing turned an "I'm retiring in 6 months" founder into an "I'll stay 'til I'm 80" partnerDue diligence secrets: Why the crew in the field will tell you the truth about a company long before the owner's financials ever doEquipment reality checks: How to spot "junk" machinery that standard financial appraisals completely missFinding hidden cash: How bringing subcontractor work and traffic control in-house instantly saved $10,000 a dayThe power of geographic density: Building economies of scale by sharing yards, equipment, and corporate infrastructure across regional footprintsDominating corporate contracts: How to win national accounts (like Wells Fargo and CVS) with 24-hour proposals and insane operational speedThe Buffalo CVS case study: The logistics of flying a single operator 1,000 miles to fix a pothole and still maintaining high marginsThis is a weekly series. New episodes every Tuesday.Learn more about The Pave: https://thepave.co/Learn more about Silverman Capital: https://silvermancapital.com

Join Matt Laricy for an exclusive Chicago real estate podcast featuring Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, House Speaker Chris Welch, and Congressman Adam Kinzinger. In this insightful conversation, they discuss the future of Chicago real estate, housing market trends, economic development, investment opportunities, politics, and what's next for the city's growth. A must-watch for real estate investors, homebuyers, brokers, and anyone interested in the Chicago housing market and Illinois politics.

In this episode of the Actualize Consulting Podcast, we take you inside the world of housing counseling data standards and their impact on the entire housing finance ecosystem. Actualize Consulting Manager Caroline Pickering sits down with David Young, Director of Capacity Building at Housing Action Illinois and Chair of the MISMO Housing Counseling Dataset working group, alongside Matt Seu, Partner in Actualize's Mortgage and Fixed Income practice. Together, they explore the origins, benefits, and future of the MISMO Housing Counseling Dataset, a critical advancement designed to streamline processes, empower organizations, and ultimately support better outcomes for borrowers.Discover how the Actualize Affordable Housing Community of Practice and the Affordable Housing Advisory Group are driving innovative solutions, and learn why data standardization is so vital for lenders, counseling agencies, and investors alike. This conversation also highlights how MISMO is extending beyond traditional life-of-loan standards into pre-application housing counseling data to better support borrower readiness and system-wide collaboration. Whether you're a housing professional, lender, or advocate, this episode will give you a deeper understanding of how data can break down barriers and advance affordable homeownership.Listen to learn more about:The role of housing counseling and why it's essential for all potential homeownersHow and why the MISMO Housing Counseling Dataset was developed to address industry challengesKey data elements that are transforming the housing counseling space, including ~250 standardized data points, with ~50 focused on pre-mortgage application activities Practical steps and governance best practices for successful industry adoptionHow industry leadership and collaboration are shaping the future of borrower education and accessHow integration across counseling systems, loan origination systems, and servicing platforms is improving efficiency and communication across the housing ecosystem Tune in for a compelling conversation that uncovers the opportunities and innovations shaping the future of affordable housing.

Hello voices from the bench community, John Wilson here and I wanted to share some news about the evolution of the Programill lineup. Most importantly, Ivoclar's new PrograMill 7. What stands out right away is the reduced air consumption this mill requires, but what you'll notice first is that impressive new touchscreen. For us, the biggest advantage has been increased spindle power. My laboratory's known for these larger cases with complex geometries, and I can tell you that extra power really makes a difference. Next time you see your Ivoclar representative, be sure to ask about the PrograMill 7 and tell them John Wilson sent you. Thank you. At exocad Insights in beautiful Mallorca, we finally caught up with Felix from Imagine USA—and the timing couldn't have been better. As an exocad dealer on the front lines of digital dentistry, Felix shared his excitement about the strong turnout, the familiar faces, and most importantly, the innovation coming from exocad. What stood out most? The new exocad Hub and its cloud-based capabilities, along with powerful AI-driven tools inside DentalDB designed for efficient batch processing. For Felix and the Imagine team, it's not just about seeing what's new—it's about putting it to the test. By running new features through their own production facility first, they ensure real-world performance before bringing solutions to their customers. Beyond the technology, Felix emphasized the value of being there in person—connecting face-to-face with partners, having meaningful conversations, and stepping back to see where the industry is headed. And of course, doing it all in Mallorca doesn't hurt either. This episode finally brings a long-awaited conversation to life with Kent Kohli, a name many in the industry recognize—but maybe don't fully know the story behind. From an unexpected entry into dentistry (thanks to marrying his orthodontist's daughter) to becoming a lifelong student of ceramics and education, Kent's journey is anything but typical. What starts as a pre-dental path quickly shifts once Kent discovers the lab side of dentistry—and more importantly, where his passion truly lives. From pouring models and grinding metal to studying under legends like John Archibald, Kent shares how mentorship, curiosity, and relentless work ethic shaped his career. Along the way, he opens up about the early struggles—working 100-hour weeks, barely making ends meet, and choosing quality over the “race to the bottom” that burned out many of his peers. Kent dives deep into the evolution of dental technology, from the early days of PFMs and Empress to today's digital workflows and liquid ceramics. But at the heart of it all is a consistent theme: education. Whether it's learning from the “giants” of the industry or now helping guide the next generation through his role at Ivoclar, Kent sees it as a responsibility to pass on what was given to him. He also shares insights into his current mission—bringing hands-on education back to the forefront, blending traditional techniques with modern materials, and helping technicians elevate their craft beyond just production. Rising costs, tighter deadlines, and greater demands are challenging labs everywhere. When efficiency matters, you need tools that deliver—every day. Roland DGShape milling solutions are reliable and easy to use. Just turn them on and let them run—no babysitting required. Fewer remakes and less wasted material mean your team can focus on getting cases out the door. With the Elevate Denture solution, step into digital dentures without disrupting your workflow. Validated CAM strategies and Ivoclar compatibility mean you're building on a system you already trust. Ready to boost efficiency? Explore DG Shape DWX Milling Solutions and the Elevate Dental Solution at RolandDental.com.Special Guest: Kent Kohli.

Kat Hurd, executive coach and founder/CEO of Med Tech Collective, shares how nearly two decades in medical device sales and leadership, including at Boston Scientific and Saluda Medical, shaped her mission to help reps and leaders build influence, ownership, and long-term career momentum in complex, high-stakes environments. Kat explains why strong clinical partnership can elevate sales conversations into trusted-advisor relationships that impact outcomes, and outlines how she coaches individuals, trains teams, and supports go-to-market strategy. She also dives into the distinct challenges women face when navigating rooms where they're “the only,” the career accelerant of mentorship versus sponsorship, and practical ways to break into medtech by identifying gaps and learning the industry's language.    Guest links: https://kathurd.com/   Charity supported: Save the Children Interested in being a guest on the show or have feedback to share? Email us at theleadingdifference@velentium.com.  PRODUCTION CREDITS Host & Editor: Lindsey Dinneen Producer: Velentium Medical   EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Episode 079 - Kat Hurd [00:00:00] Lindsey Dinneen: Hi, I'm Lindsey and I'm talking with MedTech industry leaders on how they change lives for a better world. [00:00:09] Diane Bouis: The inventions and technologies are fascinating and so are the people who work with them. [00:00:15] Frank Jaskulke: There was a period of time where I realized, fundamentally, my job was to go hang out with really smart people that are saving lives and then do work that would help them save more lives. [00:00:28] Diane Bouis: I got into the business to save lives and it is incredibly motivating to work with people who are in that same business, saving or improving lives. [00:00:38] Duane Mancini: What better industry than where I get to wake up every day and just save people's lives. [00:00:42] Lindsey Dinneen: These are extraordinary people doing extraordinary work, and this is The Leading Difference. Hello, and welcome back to another episode of The Leading Difference podcast. I'm your host Lindsey, and I am delighted to welcome today Kat Hurd. Kat is an executive coach and the founder of MedTech Collective, where she helps medical device sales reps and leaders build influence, ownership, and long-term career momentum in complex, high stakes environments. With nearly two decades of real world experience in medical device sales and leadership, including senior roles at Boston Scientific and Saluda Medical, Kat brings a rare blend of commercial rigor, strategic insight, and credibility earned in the field based in Arizona. Kat is a speaker, advisor and coach who believes that when sales reps and leaders learn to own their voice, their business and their influence, the ripple effects extend far beyond individual success, shaping teams, cultures, and the future of the industry itself. Kat, welcome. Thank you so much for being here today. I'm super excited to speak with you. [00:01:45] Kat Hurd: Thank you so much for having me, Lindsey. It is an honor. I always love these conversations. [00:01:49] Lindsey Dinneen: Excellent. Well, if you don't mind just starting off by sharing a little bit about who you are, your background, and what led you to medtech. [00:01:58] Kat Hurd: Yeah, absolutely. Well, medtech, I like to say it's always, I was kind of born into it. So my mom is a nurse and she ran a medical clinic when I was in middle school and high school. So truly I would go to the clinic after school and, if, if actually we didn't have school, I remember one of the days sitting in a pharmaceutical rep lunch presentation, so I really got exposed before I even knew what it was. Even in that moment, I wish I'd understood more of what that rep was doing and really dug deep. You know, I thought I was gonna go to school and be a doctor, and then I quickly realized I didn't like freshman bio. And I wanted something where I could have an impact but still have some flexibility. So I actually, my to, to take you back to like how this all started, my background, sports medicine and so my undergrad and graduate degrees are in exercise science. I used to be taping ankles and rehabbing knee injuries and doing all of those things. And then I got exposure through that of being in the operating room when our athletes would have, you know, the injuries that were being surgically repaired, and that was really where I got that secondary introduction into medical device and started having conversations with other people who'd made the transition from athletic training where you have a ton of, you know, in insight into the human body and understanding of the medical world. And moving that into the sales arena. And so I met with someone in Iowa City. I'm a University of Iowa grad, and he was running the western half of the US for Boston Scientific at the time. And one thing led to another, led to me flying to Arizona and interviewing and then moving their site unseen really. I was there for, you know, max of 24 hours total in my interview process. And I just packed two suitcases and said "I wanna break into medical device." And that was in 2010. And I just fell in love with the industry and the therapy. So I was in neuromodulation working directly with spinal cord stimulator patients and started as a clinical specialist, and then I really quickly realized the way to have very clear impact on patients and providers was really actually to be in that sales role and be the one directing the support, directing the resources. And in neuromodulation, because you're in the OR and actually programming the stimulator, you're also kind of supporting the patient's care, which for me was right in my wheelhouse. And then I moved into leadership. And you know what you really wanna know is probably how did I land where I am now? And so I spent 10 years or 11 actually at Boston Scientific. And then moved to Saluda Medical, so to commercialize a small Australian based startup here in the US, which was such a fun and unique opportunity. And I always knew that was gonna be more of a three to five year play, and I just had it on my heart that I wanted to build a business to help reps be better reps, because I believe that the quality of care and the quality of outcomes is also directly tied to the partnerships and the caliber of the industry that supports the therapies. [00:05:00] Lindsey Dinneen: Okay. I love that. And I have so many questions as a result, but okay, let's start a little bit with what you're doing now and then maybe, we'll, we'll get to some of the other stuff as well, but, so you're supporting reps, and I think you said something really impactful about a lot of the patient outcomes kind of goes back to how, how the reps can be the best they can be. So I'm curious what all goes into that for you and what kind of training or coaching do you provide? [00:05:31] Kat Hurd: Absolutely. You know, I really, I saw that squarely and believed it when I was a sales rep myself. So I spent the first six years of my career on the sales side of things, and then moved into being a sales leader. And as a sales leader and then an area Vice President Saluda, it was the thing that I saw of like our teams and our people that excelled the most, weren't just the best salespeople, but they were the people that understood how to, for lack of a better word, leverage that clinical and patient experience into the entirety of the sales process and sales cycle. So good clinical care and driving good sales conversations, levels up the partnership and really creating this layer of, not just being a partner, but being a trusted advisor with the providers that you work with. So how that translates into my business now, 'cause oftentimes, you know, I get the question of like, why did you leave a burgeoning career? I had one physician who was like, "You were gonna be a CEO. Like, why'd you leave medtech?" I'm like, "I didn't leave. I'm just doing it differently," because I saw so strongly and so clearly that having the right resources as a sales rep and at the right time as a sales rep changes your career. I was lucky to have great mentors, but there's things that if I had had the right support and resources at the right time, I could have been even, you know, faster or more impactful in my results. And so that's what I do now. What my business looks like now is really, you know, threefold. So I work directly with sales reps who, not through their companies, but they'll come to me directly and we do sales and leadership coaching. So working on the strategies in their business, how they're, you know, clinically supporting. But, you know, I, I leave the clinical nuts and bolts to the organization because I'm not an expert, and that, unless it's spinal cord stimulation, then we can talk that for days. But you know, really how they're leveraging their clinical prowess into their sales process and building systems for success. And then I work directly with companies helping train and elevate their talent, both on the sales and leadership level. Then I also have an arm of my business where I do, and that's kind of more of the consulting arm of my business. I also help with sales strategy and go to market strategy. And then I also do more of like corporate speaking. So keynotes and workshops and seminars really focused on both how do you build and grow your career in medtech, particularly as a woman, because we know there's just not a lot of us. And you know, part of what I'm so passionate about is helping everyone and raising the caliber of talent everywhere, but also making sure that women have the structure, the resources, and the idea of the systems that they need to create so they can go as far as they want to. Doesn't mean they have to go all the way to the C-suite level if that's not what they want, but to ensure that they have the representation and the pathway in front of them to understand how to get there. [00:08:27] Lindsey Dinneen: Excellent. Okay, so let's dive into that a little bit because I know, I know you're super passionate about helping, you know, in general the industry succeed and, and move forward. But yeah, you have a particular passion for helping women. And I'm curious what's, what are some of the challenges or differences you see in a woman as she's trying to build her career in this versus say, a man who might just have a, a different experience? [00:08:52] Kat Hurd: Yeah, very different lived experiences and a lot of the tools and tactics and strategies that I work with my clients on are pretty universal. But what isn't universal and what we really work on for my female sales leaders and sales executives is that mindset and approach. Because you both have to you, well, you have to understand one thing, how to navigate rooms where you're the only or the lonely. Because most often in medtech, you will find yourself, at some point in your career, and if you haven't, please call me. I wanna know who you are and talk to 'cause that would be amazing if you've never been in a room where you haven't been the only woman. But it, it requires nuance. It requires an understanding of how to position yourself and your insights in a way that they land. And land effectively with the decision makers that you build the right connections. So you have access and visibility, and that's really the internal corporate side of things. And then you have the customer facing where there's of course nuance of, I mean, I had, when I was a sales rep, I had three female physicians as customers over the duration of my career. So I needed to understand how to work closely and collaborate with male physicians and do it in a way that there was a clear and fast line of what that relationship and rapport was. And I was able to do that so successfully that not only did I win a bunch of awards, but many of those individuals have become friends and mentors and sponsors of mine as well. [00:10:22] Lindsey Dinneen: Wow, that's incredible. Yeah. I actually wonder if you could speak a little bit to what you just said, because this is something-- so recently I had an opportunity to host a leadership summit, and one of the things that came up in the keynote was about how there different types of mentorship available. So, so you need, you need people who are kind of in your corner coaching you, but then you also need that kind of next tier, which is that sponsor like you were saying. So I wonder if you could speak a little bit to that. [00:10:54] Kat Hurd: Absolutely. Mentorship and sponsorship is, is some of the best lighter fluid that you can add to your career growth, truly. And I'm so passionate about it, I, some of what I do from a consulting work standpoint is actually help organizations build mentorship programs. That was my very first consulting contract when I started my business. So I, I'm actually very proud of that and I, I don't ever share that, so thank you for asking that question. 'cause I don't think I would've even called that out. But it's so inherently valuable and I, I'll just take us on a quick sidebar of why it's so important especially for women, because women, when it comes to career growth, will wait until they have 100% of the qualifications to apply for a role. When left to our own devices, we oftentimes will look at it and say, "I either don't wanna be rejected, I don't wanna waste anyone else's time or my time, or, well, I don't have all of those qualifications, so I'm not going to apply. I'll wait." Now, our male counterparts are far more brazen and they need three out of five of those qualifications, and they are convinced they are the top candidate, and there's something to be said for that, right? You know, I, I aspire to that level of, of confidence and conviction and I, I, you know, really both, you know, encourage and in some ways push and, and motivate my clients to do, to take that mindset and approach and not just the unbridled confidence. We do need that. But to understand that you don't have to have every single checkbox because when you're looking at career growth, if you're fully qualified and can do everything of the entire job scope on day one, you've actually already entered a role that you're already overqualified for. [00:12:37] Lindsey Dinneen: Ooh. [00:12:39] Kat Hurd: Because where do you grow? [00:12:41] Lindsey Dinneen: Mm-hmm. [00:12:42] Kat Hurd: So, so that's, that's the importance of mentorship and sponsorship is to have others see maybe what you don't, and help you identify where your talents and where your strengths are. Because really career growth, the best thing you can do is lean into those talents and then explore the edges that you need to grow into, and mentorship can help you do that. Now, the difference between mentorship and sponsorship: a mentor is someone who's likely walked the same path or similar, has done much of what you've done or has insight into it, and can provide insight, guidance, resources, and be a sounding board. What you don't want is a mentor that just commiserates or tells you that everything you're doing is right, yeah, because we all have areas to grow. So that's, mentorship is so important to have those people that it's kind of your lifeline, right? Can you, what's your phone a friends? You gotta have some of those phone a friends. And then sponsorship, those are people that can help you open doors. And sometimes a mentor will also be a sponsor. They're not mutually exclusive, but those sponsors are individuals who have influence and access to rooms that you aren't in, as do your mentors oftentimes, but can help open doors create introductions and open pathways that you didn't even know existed. The mentors and sponsors alike will be those people to encourage you to apply for roles when you think, "Oh, I don't know, I'm, I'm not sure if I'm ready." I mean, that actually, as I said, that took me right back to, I was in Atlanta, Georgia when there was an area vice president role that opened up. I was a regional director at Boston Scientific at the time. And I went to my area vice president, who I worked for, and he's like, I was like, I don't know if I'm qualified. He's like, absolutely, you're applying. [00:14:28] Lindsey Dinneen: I love that and "I'm gonna follow up with you." [00:14:32] Kat Hurd: Yeah, yeah, exactly. And I didn't get the role, but that isn't the point. It's the conversations and the growth that even comes from it too. So, so sponsorship is so important because it really is what can create some of the access and avenues and opportunities that you didn't know were possible. I'll share kind of a quick illustration of that 'cause it's very relevant. Dr. Mike Dorsey, he has a, a society called Sierra Spine Society. Not sure if you're familiar it. [00:14:59] Lindsey Dinneen: Little bit. Yeah. [00:15:00] Kat Hurd: It's one of the best conferences out there. I'll just say that. Like you get to ski while you're there and it is wonderful. But when you talk about sponsorships, so I've known Mike through my career, especially as I moved to Saluda Medical, you know, expanded my sales leadership influence and the geographies that I supported. But when I went out and started my own business, he was the first one to come to me and say, Hey, I wanna partner with you. I want you to come to Sierra Spine and run an industry panel. [00:15:30] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Yeah. [00:15:31] Kat Hurd: And there's no conversation like that that exists now. And we were texting about it this morning. It's why it's such a timely example, because now these conversations are, are popping up at other society meetings about the partnership, the collaboration, what is the role of industry and outcomes, all of those important things. And so his sponsorship has led to me now having other opportunities and conversations with different societies and different physician partners about the importance of those collaborations, about the accelerant that they can be in care and in, in outcomes. And so without someone like Mike, like Dr. Dorsey, I wouldn't have had that opportunity. I wouldn't have even had necessarily the proof of concept to go have these conversations. So that's where sponsorship can be so inherently valuable in your growth and creating movements and motions that you just truly didn't know were gonna be possible. [00:16:26] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, and I think you said something that I wanted to touch base about. So, you know, you were talking about how oftentimes women don't apply for positions because they don't meet all the qualifications. And I, I know that's a very common thing and something that I've heard from people that I've helped mentor are sometimes when they're young in their career or they're wanting to break into, say, medical device sales, sometimes they have all of these incredible skill sets, but because they're not already part of the industry, they feel that they're not always sure how to connect the dots and get seen. And I'm curious, what are some of the things that you recommend for young professionals who are in this spot trying to break in or trying to keep growing? [00:17:10] Kat Hurd: Yeah. Yeah. It's getting, gaining a clear understanding of your talents, your experiences, and how they translate to the person that's hiring is one of the most challenging and also most transformative things that you can do when you're searching to break into the industry. And so it's really, you know, having conversations with hiring managers before you're in an interview process. The job interview starts, the job application, the job opening, and you know, recruiting starts far before the opening is posted. So, step one, and I know that folks out there know this, but it's really, it's getting clearer on what facet of industry you wanna get into, understanding what those pieces are that you, that are, are critical in that role. Like what does that hiring manager really need? What are the problems they're looking to solve with that hire? And then translating your experience into the solutions that they're ultimately looking for. So what that like in said and simpler language, you have to be able to speak their language and understand their needs so you can position yourself as the solution to those needs. [00:18:31] Lindsey Dinneen: Do you think also there are some good resources out there that you would recommend in terms of, part of what I know the barrier can feel like, and, and it, it can be really daunting when you first get in the medtech industry because, for many reasons, but somebody might say an entire sentence where you're like, I have no clue what you're talking about, based on all of the industry jargon um, and acronyms and things like that. And so I'm wondering, are there resources available that, you know, people that are looking to break into the industry could access? [00:19:04] Kat Hurd: There are a ton of resources out there. The challenge is knowing the right resources. There's also a ton of programs that will support you in your breaking in. This is gonna be an unpopular opinion. I don't think you need big, expensive programs to create results. What you need is a strong belief in your candidacy and an understanding of what your gaps are. [00:19:29] Lindsey Dinneen: Mm-hmm. [00:19:31] Kat Hurd: And then the solutions and strategies of how to fill them. Now you can get there faster with the resources and framework. I mean, I don't have a formal program, but I still help people on a, you know, one-off basis break into the industry. But at a broader level, I think what you're really asking is how does someone, it's kinda like eating an elephant. Like where do you, where do you take the first bite? You have to get started in knowing what you don't know. And so truly, I would encourage people if you're looking to break into the industry, to sit down and make a list of all the things that you don't know about the medical device industry. And that might be what are the different, you know, verticals of the industry? What are even the, you know, the specialties or the therapies and then, okay, so "I don't know even what space I would want to get into." That's, you know, bullet number one to identify. Then, "I don't know the language or terminology." That's an easy one to fix. I used to always tell candidates that go take an online medical terminology class. Learn to speak the language. I feel like they're out there for like 20 bucks or something. You can find really easy ones. I'm sure you could do free ones. You could probably ask chatGBT to create you, you know, a laundry list of acronyms and medical terminology and an understanding. Because when you understand the environment, that's when you can translate your experience into something that's relevant. But when you don't understand the environment the customers work in, what the needs are of the hiring manager and what the positioning is of the company, it becomes really hard to position yourself as the right candidate. So to go back to like, what are those resources? Absolutely. There's, there are folks that do some free programs. I mean, honestly, TikTok, there's a ton of people dropping knowledge on TikTok. There's some YouTube channels out there. I'm actually recording kind of a mini podcast series this week with Jay Pendleton, who's another. You know, big name in the medical device space, but adjacent to medical device from an industry standpoint, where we're gonna be talking about a lot of this because there is such a need, and the most important thing is first you identify the gaps and then you go find those resources. Of course, AI is a great place to go, but also have those human connections, make that outreach because that actually will help you then in your job search as well. [00:21:47] Lindsey Dinneen: Right, exactly. And then making those connections. I always say you never know where that'll lead. You just, you don't, you might think it's just a quick intro and, and that's fine, but then your, your name will come to mind from if somebody's hiring or needs something. It's just, yeah, that, that's great advice. So, one of the things I wanted to ask about is you do a lot outside of, you know, your full-time job, which I'm sure feels more, even more full-time now, uh, running your own business. But tell us a little bit about some of the things that you're passionate about outside of full-time work that you volunteer for. [00:22:25] Kat Hurd: Yeah. It, it's funny you say that, you know, the, the, the full-time job now is definitely like an all-time job, not just a full-time job, but I love it. So I hate to be that person that's like, it doesn't feel like work when you love what you do, but I loved what I did before, you know, this is a new way of me doing it. But I also firmly believe that the, and I've seen it in my business, the best years I had as a sales rep and as a sales leader were the years where I wasn't just giving to my team and to my organization but was also connected and giving to my community as well. So right now, that looks like me spending a ton of time at Ballet Arizona. I'm the Vice Chair of the board of directors, so I have, I committed to a four year leadership, yeah, leadership journey with them. So I have two years as vice chair and then I'll be Board Chair for two years. And it's just really, you know, I've been dancing since I was itty bitty. I had a short stint on the Phoenix Suns for a hot minute, and you know, it's been something that has been creatively my kind of happy place since I was little. And it's been really fun to take my business acumen and my strategic mind and get to apply it to the art form that I love. So that's where, you know, these days where I'm spending a lot of my time, but I also do rescue work and work at our local animal shelter, walking dogs, giving them treats, you know. There's something to be said for walking in after a long day or a long week to, and yes, people often are like, it's so sad. How can you do that? Those dogs are so happy to see you, there is no way, truly no way that you can leave pissed off. Like, it just, it takes the, the weight of the week or whatever the situation is, and shifts your mind and shifts your perspective because truly I think when we, you know, come from a head space of gratitude, because we are all so lucky to be in the medtech world, the opportunities that we have, the, you know, just uncharted territory really that our career can take. That's the best part. I'm sure you didn't imagine that you would have a podcast and you would have, you know, the influence that you do with MD&M and all these other opportunities that are afforded to you. And so, it's good to be reminded of how much we do have, and it never hurts to get some puppy kisses too. [00:24:42] Lindsey Dinneen: Exactly. Well, you're speaking my language on both of them. [00:24:46] Kat Hurd: Love that. [00:24:46] Lindsey Dinneen: When we were, when my husband and I were paused for a little while in Oregon, we would go and do and go walk dogs and, and yeah, it is, it is hard because you kind of fall in love instantly all the time, but it is such a, it's so, it's such a gift. It's a gift for you. [00:25:02] Kat Hurd: Yeah. It, it really is. And we foster failed twice, so, yeah. You know, so we probably just should admit that we aren't good fosters we're good, you know, pet parents, but it is, and even you can't take all of them home with you. So just, you know, having those moments with them is really fun. [00:25:21] Lindsey Dinneen: So you mentioned your business acumen being wonderfully applied to the arts world, which is a, which is so great. I'm also wondering how it's worked on the opposite side of things. Like what do you think dance taught you growing up that you apply? [00:25:37] Kat Hurd: I love this question, and I was just saying this last week. I sat down at dinner with a mentor and sponsor of mine, and I was telling him that I am convinced --you cannot convince me otherwise-- that my dance background-- 'cause I actually, I went as far as to get a degree in dance. So like I live and breathe it for for a long time. And that is what made me such a successful sales rep especially in the OR environment because what do you do as a dancer? You observe patterns of movement and you, you are, you can predict what's going to happen physically before it happens because you can read those cues and so that is exceptionally valuable in the OR when as a sales rep, your job is to be like bright and present when they need you, and blend into the background when they don't. And it is like a dance in the OR, it's absolutely choreographed. And then when that goes into sales conversations, it's reading the nonverbals and understanding what someone's body positioning and posture is telling you without their words. And you really do, especially I, I did a lot of modern dance in college, you learn that improvisation, you have to be able to read someone's movement before it happens. So yes, it's a great question and I, I, you know, strongly believe, I know that athletes often get hired as medical device reps, but I think dancers are just an untapped and really under leveraged subset of talent because their skills can translate so strongly. [00:27:09] Lindsey Dinneen: I love that. Well, shout out to dance is I think many of the listeners know I'm also a dancer, so I of course, feel very strongly about the connection and the power that the arts can provide for any career really. [00:27:23] Kat Hurd: Truly. I'm curious for you, what do you feel like your, if of your background, right, of your maybe it's dance or some of the volunteer work or the travel that you do, how has that positioned you in your current career for success? [00:27:36] Lindsey Dinneen: Oh, that's, that's a fun one. I think so I think all of the skills that I learned as a dancer have been instrumental. Things like learning how to take correction with grace and apply, apply it quickly, apply the feedback quickly, permanently to make a big difference. I think learning teamwork and how you fit into the broader picture as a whole, you're not always gonna be the soloist or kind of the leader in charge necessarily. So sometimes you have to know when you're gonna be to put in dance terms, the corps de ballet. You have to know when to be the main group of dances. But again, not feeling like any role is insignificant. We all work together to success. I also think that resilience is a huge component of it. The grit that is required for dancing translates so well into anything else because this industry can be difficult and like you said, depending on where you're navigating, and what you wanna do, sometimes it takes a lot of sort of persistence and, and resilience and grit. Yeah, I could go on and on, but those are things that come immediately to mind. [00:28:48] Kat Hurd: Yeah, absolutely. It's that resilience. I mean, when you take it back to the conversation about breaking into the industry, you have to be willing to-- and same as in arts or in athletics-- like be willing to let yourself fail, to push yourself to your edges, to understand your limitations, and then blow past them. Because if you just stay at what your limitations are, you're never really gonna get where you wanna go. And as a dancer, you have to live that life all the time. And it is, it's absolutely, those are the hallmarks to breaking in. You have to be agile. You have to be very comfortable with rejection. You have to be very gritty in trying and trying and trying again, and it doesn't matter how many times you don't get a response, you're still gonna send out those messages. You're still gonna ask people for coffee chats. You're still gonna send one question to one person and ask for three minutes of their time. [00:29:39] Lindsey Dinneen: Yep. Yep. I love it. All right, so I'm curious, as you've had a really cool career in this industry, what are, what is a moment maybe that stands out as really solidifying that, "Hey, I'm, I'm in the right place at the right time." [00:29:54] Kat Hurd: Oh man, that's a hard question. I love that because I feel like I've had so many of those moments, and interestingly, it's not the moment that have been, you know, me standing on stage accepting an award. I think it's been in the little moments, like those quiet whispers of like, " Yes, this is it." You know, the, the times where my customers, you know, as a sales rep would come to me and say, "Here's the challenge I'm having. What are your thoughts?" Not about spinal cord stimulation, but because we built this trusted partnership and, you know, and I became an advisor in their world and not just another rep, right? So like those moments as a sales rep really were the moments that were were those kind of inflection points for me. And then I look as a sales leader of seeing my team win as a coach. You know, I, I get the question of like, well, you know, how did you prepare for what you're doing now? I'm like, "Guys, I'm coaching. I was coaching people for the last 10 years as a sales leader. Now I just do it for my own company instead of others." You know, but, and I will say this. The moment I knew that I was on the right path in my, my current role in starting my own company was starting to see the impact that it would have on the reps that I was working with. The sales leader who came to me as she first got promoted and then now is currently ranked first in her company, you know, like the, the reps-- even just this last weekend I got a text message from a rep I hired a few years back and who's at a different company doing big things and they just won a massive onstage award as Rookie of the Year. You know, really cool moments that getting to be a part of their success and their journey because not only is it incredibly fulfilling do you get to make a, a massive impact, but it also financially sets you and your family up for massive opportunity ahead. You know, I just had a client where we negotiated an additional 25K on her offer. Like that's a big deal, right? [00:31:58] Lindsey Dinneen: Wow. Yeah. Yeah. That's huge. [00:31:59] Kat Hurd: So, so I apologize because I didn't give you just one moment because, for me, it's, it's the invisible thread that runs through and that, because that thread has always been present in a different form or fashion, it's given me this in some ways insane courage to do things that people think are, are delusional and know that it's the right thing because of the impact that it's gonna have. [00:32:24] Lindsey Dinneen: Love it. Absolutely love it. Okay, so pivoting the conversation just for fun, imagine that you were to be offered a million dollars to teach a masterclass on anything you want. It could be within the industry or what you're doing now, but it doesn't have to be. What would you choose to teach? [00:32:42] Kat Hurd: Anything I want? Oh my gosh. Can I give two answers? Good. Because the first thing I would absolutely just want to teach one on this industry, and that's the power of influence in building your net, your web, I call it your, your web of, of influence. That changes your career. It's who you, who knows you, what they know of you, and that is what opens doors. So I feel like I would, I would do that. Right. And I, I have to do that because that's really what I'm so passionate about. But if it was like any off the wall topic, it would be traveling to Europe on a budget. I have it on lock. And particularly how to do the long haul flights without jet lag. [00:33:35] Lindsey Dinneen: Oh, excellent. [00:33:37] Kat Hurd: Yeah. [00:33:38] Lindsey Dinneen: Might need to talk more about this offline. [00:33:41] Kat Hurd: I feel like I have such a system and one of my my last boss used to always say, he's like, "You can go," 'cause I international travel is my, like, my passion outside of dance. And he's always like, "You can go, you just have to promise me that you'll come back." He used to joke. He's like, "I'm afraid that one day you just won't come back." So I made good on my word. I always came back, but I did learn a lot of tips and tricks along the way. [00:34:07] Lindsey Dinneen: Awesome. Excellent. Great masterclass topics. How do you wish to be remembered after you leave this world? [00:34:15] Kat Hurd: Oh, I love that. And what it unique question to ask in a podcast about medtech. I, I think we get so stuck in talking about who we are as professionals, that we don't always talk about the bigger pieces. So I wanna be remembered as someone who cared deeply and made an impact on others. Yeah. [00:34:35] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Yeah. I love that. And you're well on your way, so there you go. [00:34:41] Kat Hurd: I like to think so. It's all a work in progress and it's truly a testament to, you know, to take it back to some of the start of our conversation to the mentors and sponsors I've had along the way who have given me-- you know, I, I talk about borrowed belief a lot because there's gonna be times in your career where you don't think you have what it takes. And that's where mentors and sponsors come in. And having people that will loan you their belief in you, so you can believe in yourself, even just for a moment to go do the thing that feels really scary. And because I've had those people, you know, I've I've felt brave enough to take those risks and moments. [00:35:17] Lindsey Dinneen: Love it. Yeah. Excellent. All right. And then final question. What is one thing that makes you smile every time you see or think about it? [00:35:26] Kat Hurd: Oh my gosh. Well, at the risk of sounding like that dog lady, it's a hundred percent our pups. We have, we have two now, and our current foster slash foster fail has this unbridled energy that I always look at her and think, "Gosh, if I could bottle that." Yes. So yeah, it's my family, right? My partner, Matt. I think that those, it's those moments. At the end of the day, I couldn't do what I do without my family, without Matt and yeah, so I'm very lucky to have them. [00:35:55] Lindsey Dinneen: Love that. Excellent. Well, this has been an amazing conversation, Kat, and we are so honored to be making a donation on your behalf as a thank you for your time today to Save the Children, which works to end the cycle of poverty by ensuring communities have the resources to provide children with a healthy, educational, and safe environment. So thank you so much for choosing that charity to support, and also thank you for continuing to work to change lives for a better world. We're grateful, and I wish you the most amazing continued success. [00:36:30] Kat Hurd: Well, Lindsey, thank you for all that you're doing as well. Even hosting these conversations, it's such an important, you know, distinction to talk about how do you make a difference in this space and change things for the better. So thank you for your kind words and the opportunity to have this conversation, get to hang out with you for a little bit. And yeah, I look forward to our next conversation. [00:36:50] Lindsey Dinneen: Awesome. All right. Thank you. [00:36:53] Dan Purvis: The Leading Difference is brought to you by Velentium Medical. Velentium Medical is a full service CDMO, serving medtech clients worldwide to securely design, manufacture, and test class two and class three medical devices. Velentium Medical's four units include research and development-- pairing electronic and mechanical design, embedded firmware, mobile app development, and cloud systems with the human factor studies and systems engineering necessary to streamline medical device regulatory approval; contract manufacturing-- building medical products at the prototype, clinical, and commercial levels in the US, as well as in low cost regions in 1345 certified and FDA registered Class VII clean rooms; cybersecurity-- generating the 12 cybersecurity design artifacts required for FDA submission; and automated test systems, assuring that every device produced is exactly the same as the device that was approved. Visit VelentiumMedical.com to explore how we can work together to change lives for a better world.

Michael Phillips is an author, entrepreneur, IT industry leader, father, husband, and Christian. His business success and personal faith journey have helped him build a distinguished career focused on making a positive impact on people and organizations.

Bob Lang and Tyler Herriage say the selloff across defense stocks may be creating a buying opportunity in legacy industrial names. Despite strong earnings and long backlogs, GE (GE) and RTX (RTX) remain under pressure, while Northrop Grumman (NOC), General Dynamics (GD), and L3Harris (LHX) stand to benefit from rising defense spending. The panel also looks at Boeing (BA) and the long‑term impact of innovation as the industry prepares for a massive jump in defense budgets.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Options involve risks and are not suitable for all investors. Before trading, read the Options Disclosure Document. http://bit.ly/2v9tH6DSubscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

In this episode, Scott J shares how a series of unexpected opportunities, relentless learning, and a willingness to say yes led him from a high school dropout to building a multi-location salon business and becoming President of Intercoiffure America Canada.He breaks down the realities of scaling, leadership, and why long-term success in this industry is built on education, community, and the willingness to say yes.Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Like what you hear? Leave us a review!Key Takeaways:

Today, we are breaking down Givaudan, the Swiss fragrance and flavor giant hiding in plain sight. I came away from this episode with a new way of seeing the world around me. When you learn that a single company is behind the scent of your shampoo, the taste of your burger, and the smell of your laundry, you start to realize just how much of daily life runs through a company most people have never heard of. I am joined by Jeremie Fastnacht, a fund manager at Banque de Luxembourg Investments based in Luxembourg. We get into what makes Givaudan, Givaudan, starting with its founding in 1895 Zurich and how it quietly became the dominant player in a market most investors overlook. We cover the structure of the flavor and fragrance industry, why switching costs are so remarkably high despite this being a tiny fraction of any client's costs, how the company operates more like a royalty business than a manufacturer, and what the risks look like now that a new management team has taken the helm. Please enjoy this breakdown of Givaudan. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- Become a Colossus member to get our quarterly print magazine and private audio experience, including exclusive profiles and early access to select episodes. Subscribe at ⁠colossus.com/subscribe⁠. ----- This episode is brought to you by⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Portrait Analytics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - your centralized resource for AI-powered idea generation, thesis monitoring, and personalized report building. Built by buy-side investors, for investment professionals. We work in the background, helping surface stock ideas and thesis signposts to help you monetize every insight. In short, we help you understand the story behind the stock chart, and get to "go, or no-go" 10x faster than before. Sign-up for a free trial today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠portraitresearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Timestamps (00:00:00) Welcome to Business Breakdowns (00:02:35) Episode Intro: Givaudan (00:03:25) How Flavors and Fragrances Shape Daily Life (00:05:28) Scent and Taste as Purchasing Drivers (00:07:57) Givaudan's Corporate History (00:10:26) Creating Flavors and Fragrances (00:13:57) The Royalty Model of Revenue (00:16:27) Why There's No Incentive to Switch Supplier (00:18:43) Market Size & Major Competitors (00:22:48) Trends Driving Growth in Emerging Markets (00:24:59) How Givaudan Became the Industry Leader (00:28:46) Margins and Customers in Each Business Unit (00:30:51) Givaudan's Financial Profile (00:35:16) Capital Allocation & Valuing Givaudan (00:37:58) CEO Succession & Other Major Risks (00:40:38) Lessons from Studying Givaudan

Are you overlooking the one thing that could give your business a lasting competitive edge? Most leaders are taught that strategy is everything and operations are just table stakes, but what if that thinking is costing you growth, profit, and control? In this episode, we break down research from over 12,000 companies showing why mastering the fundamentals of management and operations might be the real key to outperforming your competition.   In this episode you will Discover why operational excellence is harder to copy and more valuable than you think Learn how better management practices directly drive profit, productivity, and growth Understand how to build scalable systems instead of relying on individual "hero" performers Press play to learn how tightening your operations can unlock more growth, more control, and a true competitive advantage in your business.   Click HERE for HBR article   At Bradley Hartmann & Company, we help construction teams improve sales, leadership,  and communication by reducing miscommunication, strengthening teamwork, and bridging language gaps between English and Spanish speakers. To learn more about our product offerings, visit bradleyhartmannandco.com.   The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems—whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization.   Have topic ideas or guest recommendations? Contact us at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.   New podcasts are dropped every Tuesday and Thursday.     This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.      

On this episode, John Kehoe of Boaz Partners joins the show. Boaz isn't your typical recruiting firm. They operate as strategic partners, using a proven, deeply embedded process to understand business goals, culture, and long-term objectives before ever presenting a candidate. In this conversation, we unpack what separates great hiring organizations from the rest, why so many […] The post What Most Companies Miss When Hiring Industry Leaders – Interview with John Kehoe first appeared on Composites Weekly. The post What Most Companies Miss When Hiring Industry Leaders – Interview with John Kehoe appeared first on Composites Weekly.

On The Boardroom Buzz, the Blue Collar Twins interview Chad Louk, founder of Prodigy Pest Control Solutions in Sarasota, Florida, about building a fast-growing, year-round pest control company and a separate Prodigy Marketing arm. Chad shares his start in door-to-door sales in 2015, launching and exiting an initial Naples partnership, then starting Prodigy with $7,000 and a used truck; he now runs three offices (opening a fourth near Jacksonville), 54 trucks, and expects ~100 sales reps with ~30% attrition. He explains shifting from heavy door-to-door (still ~65% of customers) toward inside sales and technician-led sales, emphasizing technical training, retention (14% churn vs ~25% industry), production-based tech pay, and review generation (3,500 reviews, 4.9 rating). Chad discusses growth pains from 50% annual expansion, no-debt scaling, hiring leaders including a CEO, community branding, and plans for PCT 100, multi-state growth, and sharing equity with key employees. You'll learn: Door Knocking RootsEthics And RetentionStarting Prodigy From ScratchScaling Offices And MarketingRep Earnings RealityTraining And DifferentiationBeyond Door To DoorTech Pay And ReviewsCommunity PresenceStress and MindsetBreaking Past One MillionMentors and Early LessonsAcquisitions and No Debt Ready for boardroom-level help with your own business? • Grow, sell, or exit your service company with Potomac: https://www.potomaccompany.com Connect with the hosts: • Blue Collar Twins – Jason & Jeremy Julio: https://bluecollartwins.com Connect with Paul: • Paul Giannamore – Managing Director & M&A advisor at Potomac: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore

It took Robin Kovitz fours years to find her business, which she has built into an industry leader and her life's work.Register for the webinar:Quality of Technology (QoT) Report: Protecting Your Acquisition - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4d9F2enTopics in Robin's interview:Upbringing in the meat industryEarly career in investment banking and M&AHer 4-year search for a businessAlways visit the competitorsCritique of the 2-year search clock"Long-termism" and becoming a B CorpHer 3 non-negotiablesTurning around the gift basket businessSolving their storage problemThe payoff and price of high ambitionReferences and how to contact Robin:LinkedInBaskitsGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business:Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you're a searcherIf you're serious about buying a business, learn why Acquisition Lab members have a 40% success rate:The Acquisition LabWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

In this special Women's History Month episode of LODGING OnDemand, and as a capstone to our Women in Lodging series, a powerhouse panel of hospitality leaders shares expert insights on the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of hotel operations, development, and guest experience. As the industry continues to evolve, these executives offer a candid look at how to navigate change and stay ahead.

She started in a building with nothing but a concrete slab and a lawn chair. In this episode of Her Imprint, Kristine Tamblingson shares how mentorship, curiosity, and saying yes to opportunity helped her build a career from the ground up in print and packaging. This is a conversation about leadership, growth, and why where you work matters more than the title you hold.

Pre-order Suicidal Empathy: https://lnk.to/SuicidalEmpathy Pre-order signed copy of Suicidal Empathy: https://squarebooks.com/book/9780063446533s _______________________________________ If you appreciate my work and would like to support it: https://subscribestar.com/the-saad-truth https://patreon.com/GadSaad https://paypal.me/GadSaad To subscribe to my exclusive content on X, please visit my bio at https://x.com/GadSaad _______________________________________ This clip was posted on March 25, 2026 on my YouTube channel as THE SAAD TRUTH_2008: https://youtu.be/XZb1NWPlpuc _______________________________________ Please visit my website gadsaad.com, and sign up for alerts. If you appreciate my content, click on the "Support My Work" button. I count on my fans to support my efforts. You can donate via Patreon, PayPal, and/or SubscribeStar. _______________________________________ Dr. Gad Saad is a professor, evolutionary behavioral scientist, and author who pioneered the use of evolutionary psychology in marketing and consumer behavior. In addition to his scientific work, Dr. Saad is a leading public intellectual who often writes and speaks about idea pathogens that are destroying logic, science, reason, and common sense.  _______________________________________  

Catharine Arnston, the founder of ENERGYBits and a passionate advocate for wellness and entrepreneurship, joins me today to share her incredible story.  Catharine's path to entrepreneurship was unplanned. She was in international business before her sister's cancer diagnosis turned her world upside down. After researching plant-based nutrition, Catharine uncovered the power of algae as a superfood, leading to the creation of ENERGYBits.  Despite not having a background in nutrition or science, she dedicated herself to studying and spreading the word about algae's numerous benefits. ENERGYBits has become a billion-dollar wellness industry leader, and Catharine's commitment to health and entrepreneurship is more than evident. "If you are terrified, you are on the right path. Because it pushes you out of your comfort zone to learn something new that you'll need to get to the next level. " ~ Catharine Arnston In This Episode: - The journey from doubts to entrepreneurship - Surviving the struggle years in Boston - Shark Tank experience and post-show growth - Protein and amino acid content in algae - Spirulina's fast absorption and cyanobacteria structure - Mitochondrial health and cellular energy - How to take ENERGYBits's spirulina and chlorella - Avoiding supplement overload with algae - Bootstrapping ENERGYBits Purchase ENERGYBits' Algae Tablets at a Special Discount! Use the code “JENGOTTLIEB” at: https://energybits.com/discount/JENGOTTLIEB?rfsn=9030997.ddfb9f&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=9030997.ddfb9f  About Catharine Arnston: Catharine Arnston is a wellness thought leader, experienced entrepreneur, and expert in algae nutrition, with a PhD, MBA, BA Hons, and board certification as a health coach. Her journey into algae began in 2008 when her sister's breast cancer diagnosis led her to discover the healing potential of algae, the most alkaline, nutrient-dense food in the world. Catharine left her 25-year corporate career to launch ENERGYbits® and has spent 15 years researching algae, lecturing at conferences, and speaking on 300+ podcasts to spread its benefits. Her efforts have earned endorsements from organizations like NASA and the United Nations.  Websites: https://energybits.com/  and https://catharinearnston.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/energybits/   Where to find me: IG: https://www.instagram.com/jen_gottlieb/    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jen_gottlieb     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jenleahgottlieb    Website: https://jengottlieb.com/    My business: https://www.superconnectormedia.com/     YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jen_gottlieb

In this episode of In a World with Real Media, Brad Burrow sits down with Carrie Olsen, a voiceover artist whose career spans commercials, promos, e-learning, and even voice matching for Hollywood films. Carrie shares her inspiring journey from recording in a closet to becoming a sought-after voice actor, working on projects like Encanto and Raya and the Last Dragon. Learn how she transitioned into the industry, the secrets behind her success, and her tips for aspiring voice actors. Whether you're curious about the voiceover world or looking for actionable advice, this episode is packed with insights, humor, and inspiration.

It was a health challenge that led this longtime California resident to write a book that's now a best seller onAmazon. The 1,000-mile walk (1,350 miles) spawned reflective standalone vignettes with each ending with aquestion. Founding a creative agency now more than 40 years old, David's professional and personal lifepivoted with a move to Nashville to be closer to his 3 daughters. Little did he know how disruptive his lifewould become, challenging family relationships while starting new ones. Admitting he was a jerk at times, hereveals a raw self-evaluation. AMONG THE TOPICS: TRAVEL HORROR STORIES, WHAT TURNING 60DOES TO A PERSON, EPIPHANY MOMENT IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND BECOMING A FATHER AGAIN.

In this episode, Dr. Don Capener reveals Chang Robotics' proven methodology for integrating AI and robotics without workforce resistance. His counterintuitive insight: automation should eliminate tasks, not jobs. Learn why starting with stakeholder workshops prevents implementation disasters, how transparency builds trust faster than any marketing campaign, and why treating failure as data—not disaster—accelerates innovation

This episode features Rich Summers(IG: @rich_somers) a real estate investor managing $90 million in assets and several boutique hotels, and Michael Sartain, a personal branding and marketing expert. The dialogue covers multiple topics including personal branding, social media strategies, sales tactics, dating dynamics, mindset, business scaling, and societal observations. 00:00 - Intro 01:14 - Victim Mentality vs. Ownership 02:40 - Strategies for Social Media Viral Growth 05:34 - The Value of Long Form Content 07:55 - Building a Repeatable Content System 09:34 - Building a Personal Brand for Status 11:26 - Tactics for Progression in Dating 13:39 - Leveraging Team Dynamics for Trust 15:38 - Time Management and Meeting Systems 18:29 - Business Lessons from Industry Leaders 21:08 - Scaling Brands with Paid Advertising 22:59 - Monetizing Podcasts and Yacht Workshops 30:16 - Sales Tactics and Community Revenue 35:37 - Closing Deals and Personalized Content 40:53 - Investing and Scaling Back-End Revenue 46:30 - Fame vs. Influence in Marketing 51:04 - Biological and Strategic Dating Dynamics 58:43 - Evolution, Social Standards, and Economics 01:10:45 - Business Risks of Political Commentary 01:18:06 - Generational Wealth Transfers and Growth ————————————————————

In this community edition of The Everything Life Coaching Podcast, Noelle Cordeaux sits down with Lumia Signature student and 25-year defense industry leader Carly, who is building a coaching practice to help mid-career women find their voice in heavily male-dominated fields. Carly's story is powerful... she spent decades navigating rooms with no windows, no cell phones, and cultures where keeping quiet was the norm. At Lumia's annual retreat, something clicked, and she found the words to describe exactly who she wants to help and why. This conversation gets real about what it's like to be a woman in spaces where you're not always heard, how tiny experiments can build lasting confidence, and why coach training changed the way Carly shows up as a leader, mentor, and human. If you've ever felt like your voice doesn't belong in the room, or you're wondering how your own career experience could become a powerful coaching niche, this one's for you. Carly is a Lumia Certified Life Coach and a 25+ year leader in the defense industry, with a mission to help mid-career women break through to the Director level. She is a Red Sox season ticket holder, avid traveler, and proud dog mom to Tessie, a 4 year old Cavalier King Charles.  Connect with Carly on Instagram: @declassifiedcoaching Everything Life Coaching is brought to you by Lumia -- at Lumia, we train and certify impact-driven coaches, making sure they've got all they need to build a career they love and transform lives, on their terms. Become a life coach, and make a bigger impact on the world around you! Schedule a call with us today to discuss your future as a coach. Music in this episode is by Cody Martin, used under a creative commons license. The Everything Life Coaching Podcast is Produced and Audio Engineered by Amanda Meyncke.

  I had so much fun sitting down with Lindsay Scherr Burgess, the brilliant founder (and self-proclaimed Moss Boss) of Green Wallscapes. What began as a simple DIY experiment in her living room turned into something far bigger than she could have planned: a thriving, wildly creative business that now spans 35+ states, Canada, and the Caribbean.     This episode is a reminder that sometimes your "little hobby" is actually a seed of destiny… just waiting for the right yes.    Green Wallscapes is a biophilic design company creating no-maintenance preserved moss walls, logos, and art. Her team has completed 1,000+ projects across North America and beyond. Their work has been featured in Architectural Digest and Veranda, and earned a 2023 iPlants Biophilic Design Gold Award.     Lindsay and I discuss:   - How a hobby can become an international business - one brave step at a time   - Why opportunities appear like unexpected portals… and how saying yes changes everything   - The magic of structure: building systems and processes that create more ease and balance   - Staying grounded and keeping perspective when business feels overwhelming   - Navigating growth without letting pressure steal your joy    Subscribe now so you never miss an episode and if you're feeling generous, leave a review. It truly helps me know what's landing with you.    And come play with us inside Feminine Business Magic: https://tinyurl.com/ygdkw7ce A community of women connecting, supporting, and celebrating each other as we grow businesses that honor the Divine Feminine… while filling our bank accounts abundantly.      Resources mentioned:    Take the Witchpreneur Quiz and discover which Feminine Magic is your Key to Financial Success. (https://bit.ly/witchpreneur-quiz)    Purchase Love-Based Feminine Marketing (https://tinyurl.com/ydmzb6qz)        Lindsay Scherr Burgess's Free Gift:  Use the Julie15FinalSale coupon code and receive a for 15% discount on our ready to ship items. **All items purchased with this code are final sale.    Purchase here: https://greenwallscapes.com/collections/all      **Contact Lindsay Scherr Burgess via Facebook or http://www.GreenWallscapes.com**    **Connect with Julie Foucht via Facebook (https://tinyurl.com/yeb82uuj) or email at https://juliefoucht.com/** 

Leo Climaco is an entrepreneur, communicator, and host of the Leo Climaco Podcast, one of the most authentic shows about purpose, mindset, and performance of the new generation. Founder of Forge Studio, he teaches entrepreneurs how to turn their ideas into authority, using podcasting as a powerful positioning and marketing tool. Top 3 Value Bombs 1. Consistency is the engine of transformation, most people quit three feet from gold. 2. Learning a trade and building a personal brand around it is the key to thriving in an AI-driven world. 3. Connection to a higher power, whatever that means to you, provides guidance, strength, and purpose during the toughest parts of the journey. Get your free "How to Build Your Podcast" ebook - Forge Studio Sponsors HighLevel - The ultimate all-in-one platform for entrepreneurs, marketers, coaches, and agencies. Learn more at HighLevelFire.com. Intuit QuickBooks - Transform your cash flow and your business this year. Check out QuickBooks money tools today! Learn more at QuickBooks.com/money. Terms apply. Money movement services are provided by Intuit Payments Inc., licensed as a Money Transmitter by the New York State Department of Financial Services.