Podcasts about white house fellowship

Charlie Garcia is the Managing Partner at R360, a global invite-only community for ultra-high-net-worth individuals. R360 is dedicated to helping members and their families flourish across six capital dimensions: financial, intellectual, social, human, emotional, and spiritual. Charlie is a decorated United States Air Force veteran and has advised six US presidential administrations. He also founded Sterling Financial Investment Group, one of the fastest-growing private companies in the US, and has served on several corporate and governmental boards. In this episode… For many high achievers, building wealth and success doesn't always translate to fulfillment or impact. Entrepreneurs often face burnout, decision fatigue, or isolation, especially after a major liquidity event or business exit. Without the right community or purpose, even the most successful individuals can feel directionless or disconnected from their true potential. Charlie Garcia, a former Air Force captain turned financial entrepreneur, offers a compelling framework to shift this narrative. Drawing from his journey through military service, founding Sterling Financial, and advising six US Presidents, Charlie emphasizes aligning personal values with purpose. Through his leadership at R360, he encourages ultra-wealthy individuals to focus not just on financial growth but on flourishing across six dimensions of capital — financial, intellectual, social, human, emotional, and spiritual. He also shares how peer-based accountability, strategic mentorship, and lifelong learning communities like YPO and Vistage helped him evolve as a leader. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Charlie Garcia, Managing Partner at R360, about building purpose-driven wealth and community. Charlie shares insights into scaling Sterling Financial, lessons from the White House Fellowship, and how values-based leadership shaped the creation of R360. The conversation highlights the significance of aligning one's life purpose with personal and professional goals and the value of authentic leadership.

Col. (Ret.) Nicole Malachowski '96 shares her insights on leadership, resilience, resurgence, perseverance, advocacy, and how she continues to serve her country, even after her military career. ----more---- A SHOW NOTE:  There are two ways to learn from Col. Malachowski's leadership journey. If you're short on time, the audio version delivers the highlights of her stories in 40 minutes. Her leadership bites, takeaways, keys to leadership and transcript are below. The video version is 1:46:00 and is well worth the investment of your time. This version includes stories and details about the Colonel's journey she hasn't shared before. Click the "Play" button in the video above and settle in for a most enlightening conversation.    SUMMARY Col. (Ret.) Nicole Malachowski '96 is a trailblazer who has broken barriers in both military aviation and advocacy. She was one of the first women to fly combat fighter aircraft, accruing more than 2,300 flight hours in six different aircraft and serving in multiple high-stakes missions, including Operations Deliberate Forge and Iraqi Freedom. But her story doesn't end there. As the first woman to fly with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, a White House Fellow, and a key advisor on military and veterans' issues, Nicole's career has been defined by leadership at the highest levels. After being medically retired due to a Tick-Borne Illness, she turned her focus to advocacy, leading efforts to improve care for the wounded, ill, and injured service members through the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program. Now a passionate advocate for Tick-Borne Disease research, Nicole serves on several national committees and advisory boards, including the Department of Defense's Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program.   NICOLE'S LEADERHIP BITES "Leadership is a journey." "The runway behind you is always unusable." "Don't think you have to be perfect to be a leader." "Believe those who believe in you." "Nobody wants to lead a scripted life." "Courage, compassion, and curiosity drive me today." "It's okay to admit when you make mistakes."   SHARE THIS EPISODE LINKEDIN  |  TWITTER  |  FACEBOOK   TAKEAWAYS Leadership is personal - It's about understanding what motivates and drives each individual on your team, and tailoring your approach accordingly. Believe in those who believe in you - Mentors like Mick Jaggers who supported and encouraged Nicole were pivotal in her development as a leader. Don't write yourself or others out of the script - As General Matthews told Nicole, "Nobody wants to lead a scripted life." Embrace opportunities to dream big and take risks. Radical acceptance is key - When Nicole's military career ended unexpectedly, learning to accept the situation allowed her to move forward and find new purpose. Personal values guide your path - Nicole's core values of courage, compassion and curiosity have been instrumental in navigating life's challenges and reinventing herself.   CHAPTERS 00:00  The Journey of Leadership 02:01  Colonel Malachowski's Early Life and Aspirations 06:01  Navigating the Air Force Academy 09:46  Leadership Lessons from Soaring 14:07  Overcoming Challenges in Pilot Training 17:50  Key Leadership Experiences in the Air Force 21:59  Becoming a Thunderbird Pilot 25:47  Transitioning to Civilian Life 30:02  Advocacy and New Beginnings 34:09  Personal Values and Resilience 37:54  Final Thoughts on Leadership   NICOLE'S KEYS TO LEADERSHIP SUCCESS Leadership is a journey that requires growth and learning. It's okay to admit mistakes and seek help. Resilience is key to overcoming challenges. Personal values guide decision-making and actions. Mentorship plays a crucial role in personal and professional development. Failure is often the price of entry for success. Authentic leadership is about understanding and connecting with people. The importance of representation in leadership roles. Transitioning to civilian life can be a new beginning. Embrace opportunities and seize the moment.   ABOUT NICOLE BIO Colonel Nicole Malachowski (USAF, Ret.) is a pioneering leader whose distinguished career spans combat aviation, military advocacy, and public service. As one of the first women to fly fighter jets, Nicole's journey included over 188 combat hours and multiple leadership roles, including F-15E Flight Commander, Instructor Pilot, and Flight Lead. She also made history as the first woman to fly with the USAF Thunderbirds. Throughout her career, Nicole demonstrated exceptional leadership, serving in high-level roles such as a White House Fellow and Executive Director of the ‘Joining Forces' program, where she advised the First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden on veterans' issues. After being medically retired due to a neurological Tick-Borne Illness, Nicole transitioned to a new mission: advocating for service members, veterans, and others impacted by chronic illnesses. She's a leader in the national Tick-Borne Disease community, serving on key advisory boards and government committees, and actively mentoring wounded veterans through the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program. Nicole is also a sought-after speaker, author, and consultant, sharing her experiences of overcoming adversity and breaking barriers to inspire the next generation of leaders. Her accomplishments include two master's degrees, induction into the Women in Aviation Pioneer Hall of Fame, and founding her own speaking and consulting firm. Today, Nicole continues to serve and lead, using her story to drive change and impact communities across the country.  - Adapted from Col. Malachowski's bio at nicholemalachowski.com   READ NICOLE'S FULL STORY HERE     CONNECT WITH NICOLE LINKEDIN  |  FACEBOOK  |  INSTAGRAM  |  NICOLE'S LINKTREE     ABOUT LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP Long Blue Leadership drops every two weeks on Tuesdays and is available on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Spotify and all your favorite podcast platforms. Search @AirForceGrads on your favorite social channels for Long Blue Leadership news and updates!          ABRIDGED AUDIO TRANSCRIPT DOWNLOAD THE UNABRIDGED VIDEO TRANSCRIPT HERE  SPEAKERS GUEST:  Col. (Ret.) Nicole Malachowski '96  |  HOST:  Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz '99   SPEAKERS Naviere Walkewicz, Nicole Malachowski   Nicole Malachowski  00:11 You know, leadership is a journey. We're always put into positions that we're supposed to grow into. Don't think you have to be perfect to be a leader. It's okay to admit when you make mistakes, it's okay to ask for help, and it's okay to have failures, as long as you overcome them. And I like to remind folks at all levels of leadership, you know that the runway behind you is always unusable. All you ever have is the runway that's in front of you.   Naviere Walkewicz  00:34 My guest today is Colonel Retired Nicole Malachowski, USAFA class of '96. Her career has been nothing short of extraordinary. Colonel Malachowski is perhaps best known as the first woman to fly as a pilot with the Thunderbirds, a singular distinction that set her path to reaching even greater heights. However, what you might not know is that her journey took an unexpected turn when she faced a sudden life altering loss of her place in the Air Force. The challenges that followed were extreme and personal, but through them, Colonel malikowski demonstrated a resilience and strength that not only transformed her own life, but also empowered her to help others with their own struggles. In today's conversation, we'll dive deep into the personal and professional journey that led her to transition to civilian life, the lessons she learned from the hardships she faced along the way, and how she now advocates for others, sharing the wisdom she's gained from the tough battles she's fought and won. We'll also take a look back at her time at the academy, her experiences as a pilot and the leadership principles that have guided Colonel malikowski, she has become a powerful voice for resilience, perseverance and leadership, and I'm excited to hear her insights on all of these topics. Colonel Malachowski, may I call you Nicole?   Nicole Malachowski  02:34 Yes, please.   Naviere Walkewicz  02:34 Welcome to Long Blue Leadership, and thank you for being here.   Nicole Malachowski  02:37 Thank you for having me.   Naviere Walkewicz  02:38 It's a pleasure. It truly is. I think one of the things that's so exciting for our listeners is really getting to know you. And you know, I think there's no question about who you are in the media, I mean, all the things you've accomplished, but some things that are most special is when we just sit down and kind of get to know you behind the scenes.   Nicole Malachowski  02:53 Indeed, let's do it.   Naviere Walkewicz  02:54 So let's go back to even before the Academy. Where did you grow up? Where are you from? And what were you like as a little girl?   Nicole Malachowski  03:00 Sure, yeah. So I was actually born in central California, in a town called Santa Maria, and I was born, I consider very lucky, because I was born a woman in America, so there was a lot of opportunities, you know, afforded to me. Also very lucky to be born into a solid, you know, middle class family, you know, I was a kid who always had a roof over my head and food on the table, which makes it a lot easier, right, for you to seize opportunities and to be your best. And think it's important that we acknowledge that not everybody is born into that position. And so I was very, very lucky, I will tell you, I was definitely the loner, definitely an introvert. Always have been. A lot of people would be surprised by that, but I am a solid INFJ on the Myers Briggs, but as a young kid, just very quiet, kept to myself. I was very much a dreamer, very curious about things, so I loved to dive into books. I loved school. I was the kid that would take my lunch box, you know, out into the middle of the football field by myself and just stare up at the sky and the clouds moving by, and dream about things. I remember being in the Girl Scouts during junior high we moved down towards Southern California, where I learned about Civil Air Patrol, and then from there, in high school, we actually made a big move to Las Vegas, Nevada. I continued my time in Civil Air Patrol as a cadet, but also joined the Air Force Junior ROTC at my high school.   Naviere Walkewicz  04:16 I'm just drawn to this visual of you with your lunch box in the middle of the football field looking up at this guy. So were you dreaming about flying?   Nicole Malachowski  04:24 I was, you know, I went to an air show when I was five years old, and I remember seeing an f4 phantom fly by, and it flew by so low, and it was so loud, I had to cover my ears. And I remember, like, my chest rumbling, you know, the smell of jet fuel. And I remember thinking, man, like there's a person in there, like, I want to be, you know, that person. And I had come from a family that, you know, honored and respected military service. So both of my grandfathers were career military my father had been drafted into the army during Vietnam. So I knew that, like, you know, military service was honorable and noble and good. And when I discovered that that was a military plane. I remember as a kid putting one plus one is two. I'm like, wait, you can fly jets and serve in the military. That's what I'm going to be. And wow, that was around 1979 and that's right, there are no boundaries on things. So looking up at the sky, watching planes, and of course, in high school in particular, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, because Nellis Air Force bases there. So, I mean, I would watch the red flag launches and watch how those jets fly. And of course, I would see the six ship of Thunderbirds flying by as a kid, thinking that was pretty cool. So to be honest, I set my sights on the Air Force Academy in elementary school.   Naviere Walkewicz  05:34 Oh, my goodness.   Nicole Malachowski  05:35 Yeah. So when I was five and decided to be a fighter pilot, you had decided, I mean, I was maniacally, maniacally focused. I did not have a backup plan. I am so lucky that things worked out because I have no idea what else I would have done, you know, with my career, but I remember in sixth grade, I wrote a letter to the Air Force Academy. They responded. The admissions office responded with a personalized letter letting me know I'm kind of young to apply now, but here's the application process. They sent me a whole bunch of Air Force Academy swag, and that was it sixth grade. I was going to the Air Force Academy, goodness, when you were actually old enough to apply. Now to the academy.   Naviere Walkewicz  06:13 Let's talk about that process. What was it like for you? Well, I mean, I think it was more exciting than anything else. I told you. I had stayed maniacally focused. I was very particular and organized about prioritizing how my application would look. So of course, I strove to have the good grades, and obviously stayed involved with the activities like Civil Air Patrol or participating in sports like running cross country and track, as well as doing, you know, community service type activities. So I was indeed focused on making sure that application looked good. I remember the thing I was probably the most nervous about were those interviews with your, you know, senators and your representatives, and wondering if I was going to be able to interview well. So I was, you know, putting my best foot forward. And I remember my senior year, it was approximately October, maybe coming up on November about this time, right? And I went to the mailbox to get the mail, and I had the application had already been in, right? Because everything was done before the fall, and I saw this giant envelope from the Air Force Academy. And I thought, No way, because it's only like October or November. And I started shaking, and I opened it right there at the mailbox. I had to go up the street. I opened it, and I feel bad because I think I littered like the envelope all over the street, but I remember opening it up, and the first line was, congratulations. You know, you've been accepted to the class of 1996 and I instantaneously just started crying and running as fast as I could back to my house.   Naviere Walkewicz  07:38 Had you been to the Academy prior to the acceptance?   Nicole Malachowski  07:41 No, never stood a foot on at all. And I remember when my parents came to drop me off for for Jacks Valley and everything basic training, when we came up over that hill, over Monument Hill, and you can see the chapel and the kind of imposing, you know, white buildings on a hill, I was like, Oh, wow, that's extraordinary. And I was really just excited. People ask, were you nervous that day? I was not, because I was just so happy that this, to me, was like the first step of the rest of my life. It was that first real step towards this goal of serving my country, you know, like people my family had, and getting to fly jets while I do it, how cool is that? I don't remember any highs or lows. I do remember I got my enjoyment becoming a cadet, you know, soaring instructor pilot.   Naviere Walkewicz  08:28 So let's talk about that. That is a, kind of a key leadership role as well.   Nicole Malachowski  08:32 Yes, that was my leadership role. So my senior year, I was the cadet soaring squadron commander. Oh, let's talk about Yes, yes. So obviously, between freshman, sophomore year, I signed up as soon as I could, you know, to take soaring, and when I discovered that you could actually apply to be a soaring instructor, and I remember that was a really like growth experience, because it's one thing to be able to fly a glider, it's another thing to be able to try to teach somebody how to do that. And I really, I I give a lot of credit to this, you know, sorry, instructor upgrade program teaching me the skills of, how do you communicate something technical? How do you communicate something hard, this idea that you need to be able to communicate it not just in one way, but two or three different ways, because each of your students is going to come at it with a different skill set or a different perspective or a different personality that responds to different type of teaching. So learning how to tailor your instruction and your care and your leadership to each individual was something I learned here, you know, as a sophomore, this idea that I would carry that on into my career as a leader and, you know, ultimately into being, you know, a fighter squadron commander. This tailored leadership actually started here, but soaring is what was my respite. Soaring is where I refilled that tank. It's one thing to be successful yourself. It's a whole different level to teach somebody else to be successful.   Naviere Walkewicz  09:55 So you knew you enjoyed Well, obviously you enjoyed the flying? And soaring, the leadership aspect, I think, was something that was new to you then. Or had you done that in Civil Air Patrol? Did you also have leadership there?   Nicole Malachowski  10:06 Yeah, I had leadership experience in Civil Air Patrol, but I think this was a different level. You know, my senior year becoming the cadet soaring squadron commander, it was really cool, because not only were you trying to take inputs from your peers and your colleagues on things we could improve or do differently, you know, valuing the other cadets opinions. But how do I translate that to leadership? How do I go now and talk to the real officers, the active duty officers in charge, and go, these are maybe resources we need, or things culturally, you know, that we need to change, and that was hard for me, you know, because I had never done that before. How do you advocate for your peers in a way that's understood, you know, by the active duty leadership. So that was really something that, again, would become important in my military career, because when you're put in a leadership role, you know, it's about, I think, advocating for the people who you are, you know, accountable for and responsible to, yes, and so how can you do that and do it in a way that it's received? Well, yes, you know, by the leadership above you,   Naviere Walkewicz  11:07 After you graduated from the Academy, you went on to pilot training.   Nicole Malachowski  11:11 I was slated to go early right after graduation, and I was a casual status Lieutenant flying gliders. Of course, went out for a jog and broke my ankle. So this would be my first kind of little, little detour. And I ended up, they offered me to go, to go to shepherd a lot later, or as soon as my ankle was healed, I could go to Columbus Air Force Base Mississippi right away. And I said, I gotta go, like, I cannot sit around and wait. I want to go to Columbus Air Force Base Mississippi. And everyone's like, what you're going to turn down, like, the chance of going to fighters to like, have to fight for it at Columbus. I like, I can't be stagnant. I need to go. So showed up at Columbus Air Force Base Mississippi, and again, really grateful for all of the flying experience that I had. I think that just those foundational procedures, you know, foundational knowledge, was vital to being a little more comfortable than other people that didn't have that experience. It was easy to be slightly ahead of the curve early on, but as I like to tell people, I fell flat on my face across the starting line my second check ride in pilot training, I failed. Now, pilot training at that time was about a year long. There were about 10 check rides, and at that time, failing one check ride, statistically, traditionally, would take you out of the running for graduating high enough to be a fighter pilot. This was devastating to me, and I remember even having fleeting moments that night of like, maybe I should just quit. Now this is, of course, the youth in me, right? I'm a 21 year old kid, and I'm just getting a little bit emotional about it, but if I can't be a fighter pilot and I just knock myself out of the running, I should quit. And I didn't call my parents because I didn't want to tell them I was too, like, embarrassed maybe, to say, like, hey, my dream that you all have supported is about to come to an end, because I messed up, and I made a really junior varsity mistake. And so I called my mentor, Sue Ross, and then she just let me talk, and she's like, are you done? And I'm done. And she goes, Well, are you going to do that again tomorrow? And I said, Sue, how am I supposed to get back in the jet tomorrow? How do I face my peers? I've been telling them I'm going to fly strike Eagles this whole time. Like this is so embarrassing. What if I fail again? What if I fail again tomorrow? And I remember, she talked me off the ledge, man, you know, and I came away. I came away with that conversation, realizing that indeed, I think I rarely believe failure is the price of entry for achieving something great, because if you have the right mindset, you come away with failures, I think a lot more committed, a lot more dedicated, a lot more focused, and I think a lot more humble, and all of those characteristics and traits are good things. You know, it worked out for me, and I did finish fourth in my class, and I had an extraordinary class. It was a time of great cultural change in the Air Force, because we were the first group of women to come through pilot training with the option of flying fighter aircraft.   Naviere Walkewicz  14:04 So talk about your time while you're in uniform. You had some key leadership positions. You were squadron commander. Can you share some of your stories with that and maybe even some high points and some lessons learned, where you as a leader felt that maybe, maybe it was a low point or a failure, but you grew from it?   Nicole Malachowski 14:20 Sure, sure. Yes. I mean, I had so many, you know, different fun assignments. You know, obviously when you're in your first fighter squadron, I got out at RAF Lake and Heath out there in England. I mean, what a rage right to be a lieutenant flying strike Eagles at 500 feet, 500 miles an hour, up Loch Ness, to live in the dream, you know, becoming in my second squadron, which was at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, becoming a, you know, flight lead and upgrading to instructor pilot. Very nervous to go into the instructor pilot upgrade. I went in very young. In fact, when I got to that squadron, the weapons officer said, hey, I want to put you in the instructor upgrade. And I was like, no. Away like I am not ready for that. I am not good enough for that. And I was new to the squadron. There were people technically older and more experienced than me. They were in the queue, and he wanted me to jump the queue, a guy by the name of Michael Jaggers, call sign, Mick, I'm still friends with him to this day, and I remember I avoided him. I avoided him like the plague because I did not want to upgrade to instructor. And I remember saying, Mick, I just am not sure I can do this. And he looked at me, and he said, it's not your job to get through it. It's not your job to get through it alone. It's my job. It's my job to ensure you have what it takes and what you need. It's my job to teach you to be a good instructor. So your success is going to be my success. I will not let you fail. What a glorious man, what a wonderful instructor. And the lesson learned here to people is this, believe those who believe in you. Believe those who believe in you.   Naviere Walkewicz  15:52 It's true, though it really is. And those people, I think sometimes your trajectory can change or just like, accelerate, because someone gave you a little bit of courage that you just needed that little piece.   Nicole Malachowski 16:03 And to learn as I gained experience and credibility how to replicate that and how to be that person for other people, right? Because it's about turning around. It really is about lifting up other people. Your success isn't your own. It's how can you help other people achieve the best of themselves? And that's what you know Mikey and Mick did for me. And of course, the rest, you know, being history, because then I had the credentials I needed to apply to be a Thunderbird. And then from the Thunderbirds, I could become a commander, yada yada, you know, but being an instructor pilot, again, in the F 15 e how extraordinary to teach a brand new pilot or WSO, not only to fly the aircraft, to how to employ it as a weapon system and then to turn around and go to war with them. There's no bigger honor. There's nothing, I think, more humbling than that.   Naviere Walkewicz  16:49 Can you share something that maybe you learned from the perspective of how to lead better?   Nicole Malachowski 16:55 So let's be honest, when you go into a fighter squadron, things are a little bit one note, right? I mean, we all are cut from a similar cloth. We all kind of have similar personality traits. You know, you don't want your fighter pilots any other way, putting the effort into understanding what drives and motivates individuals. So learning at that age how to put your arms around everybody that you're responsible for, not just the ones that maybe are easiest to lead, or maybe the ones you're the most comfortable, you know, interacting with as a leader is, how do I figure it out? You know, there were some guys that, if I were to call them on up to the front of the room, in front of the whole squadron, to compliment them on something they did, maybe a check right they had. Or this goes for my fighter squadron command as well. You know, they would love it, right? Because it it was how they were extrinsically motivated, and that's okay. There's nothing wrong with that. If that's what they need, and that's what you need to do to get the best of their strengths and best of their commitment go for it. And then were others that low? If I were to bring them in front of their peers to compliment them, they would shut down and never talk to me for the rest of the you know, their assignment. And so that's where I would take the time to write a handwritten note, maybe put it on the seat of their Humvee, or put it in their helmet, you know, in the fighter squadron. And then when they'd see me walking down the hallway, we give the knowing nod that they were acknowledged for their awesome, whatever it was, and we would move on.   Naviere Walkewicz  18:13 Yes. And so what I'm hearing, in a really, kind of summarizing way, is leadership is personal.   Nicole Malachowski 18:19 Very. it's all about people and it's about authenticity and connections.   Naviere Walkewicz  18:25 So speaking about personal and authenticity, I'd be remiss if we didn't talk about your journey to the Thunderbirds.   Nicole Malachowski  18:31 I knew this was gonna come.   Naviere Walkewicz  18:32 It's here, and so you know it is. It's a different time. There was no woman Thunderbird pilot before you.   Nicole Malachowski 18:40 I grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada, so the Thunderbirds were part of the backdrop. I knew that the Thunderbirds, you know, as a kid, were special and were considered, you know, elite. And kind of going back to my personality, I love being told that, you know, you can't do things. And the truth is, people laugh at this, but the truth is, when I applied to be a Thunderbird, I did it because the way my career was going, I wasn't ready to, I wasn't on timeline to go to ide yet or to go to ACSC, but I had, like, a weird year kind of gap, and I didn't they didn't really know what to do with me. I didn't know what to do with them, and my husband was going to be PCs in the Nellis. This is, like, a true story. Wow. I know people want me to say, well, I had this big, long dream when I was Thunderbird. Also thought about it was always in the background. Is something that, you know, wasn't, was an option. And I, you know, because of a lot of people who put a lot of effort into me, I was indeed qualified, you know, to get in there and to give it a try. But it wasn't something that was like an ultimate goal. I did not know they had not had a woman Thunderbird pilot when I applied, did not even occur to me. Remember, I had never known an Air Force without women fighter pilots in it. That's right, that's and we had all achieved the age where we had acquired the hours needed, and it just lined up with the timing. And I'm like, Well, that would be kind of fun and different to do. And. So I always tell people, you know, when you get those butterflies in your stomach that says, This could be something cool, something different, that is your cue to go do it. Don't worry about what anybody else is saying. And so, you know, I was able to put that application in. And in fact, I was I put that application in, and when I went and told everyone I was going to apply, generally speaking, people were really tickled and happy and happy and supportive. But as the days went by, people started to think about it. I heard, you know, it's too hard to be a Thunderbird, you probably won't get picked. I mean, statistically, no one gets picked to do that. They've never had a woman before. Are you sure you want to do that and this and that? And I remember the day I turned my application in. This was back when you still had hard copies, and you still had to mail them, okay, 2005 took it over to the group commander's Chief of Staff, slid it across the desk. I was super nervous, because the voice in my head was like, Nicole, other people become Thunderbird pilots, not you. That was the other people become Thunderbird pilots, not you. What are you doing? Why are you risking this? But I kept thinking, what's the worst that's going to happen? I don't get picked, like most people don't get picked, and I go back to flying strike Eagles with my community, which I love, like life is good, right? Either way, it's a win, win. So as I slid that application across the desk, said, I'm applying to be a Thunderbird. Here's my application. I remember the staff looked up to me and said, you know Nicole, It's hard to be a Thunderbird. You know Nicole, you probably won't get picked. And the exact words were, you know Nicole, they've never had a woman before, and the colonel can only stratify one person in that moment. Let's, I think there's leadership lessons here, because this person was not trying to be mean, right? What was coming out was, I think the unconscious bias all of us have to check ourselves on every day at all ages. I think what was coming out were the cultural paradigms of the Air Force at that time. And I think what was coming out, you know, were other people's expectations about what I should or shouldn't be doing. And in that moment, the truth is, I grabbed my application and I took it back, I went across to the officers club and grabbed a beer like any good fighter pilot would, and I remember thinking, thank God I didn't put myself out there. Thank God Nicole, you know, now I'm a 30 year old captain, so I'm still a young person, you know. Thank God you didn't risk failure. Who are you to think you could be a Thunderbird, silly girl, right? And in that moment, the weirdest thing happened. And I tell this story on stage, sometimes the door opened to the officers club, and in walk the Wing Commander, Brigadier General Mark Matthews, for whatever reason, comes over and starts talking to me. Now, this is weird, right? I'm a captain. He's a brigadier general. I don't know why he was talking to me, you know, like walking amongst the people that day, or, you know, just making small talk. And so I'm trying to hold my own talking to him a little bit nervous. It's a little you're probably still feeling a little bit down from totally down. And in that moment, over walks my squadron commander, a wonderful man by the name of Dan Debree. His call sign was, trash. Get it? Trash, debris. Trash. Walks over, super excited, very supportive of my application. And he's like, Hey, General, did you know Nicole's applying to be a Thunderbird now? Man, I mean, you could have slowed down time. I was like, ixnay on the underbird Fae like, this is terrible. Neither of these guys knew that I had removed my application. And Dan's standing there all proud. He's my squadron commander supporting me. A great man again. And Mark Matthews looks down at me, general Matthews, and he goes, that's great. How's your application going? And I'm like, I looked at him, and here's what happened. I said, you know, sir, it's hard to be thunder, but I probably won't get picked. They haven't had a woman, so I don't want to waste anybody's time.   Naviere Walkewicz  23:11 Oh, you said, I said it.   Nicole Malachowski  23:13 I said all of it. And this is kind of an embarrassing story to tell, but I'm just this is the truth, right? This is the vulnerable truth of how this happened. And and he looked down at me, and I will never forget this. And I hope folks listening who have big dreams and gnarly goals remember this. He looked down at me and he said, Nicole, actually. He said, Fifi. My call sign, Fifi. Nobody wants to lead a scripted life. And he walked away and left me in extraordinarily uncomfortable silence. And those words nobody wants to lead a scripted life have become my life's mantra. Every time I get the knot in my stomach that says that dreams too big or that idea is too innovative, don't rock the boat, I remember what he said, because those words, like they lifted the weight of the world off my shoulders, told me it was okay to dream big. It was okay to buck the status quo. It was okay to be different. He was telling me, it's okay to risk failure in pursuit of personal professional growth, and it's not so much. I think he's telling you and me to write ourselves into the script. What he was saying was, don't ever write yourself out of the script. And as leaders and teammates, don't you ever write anybody else or their wild ideas out of the script, either. And so nobody wants to lead a scripted life. And I, I hope what you're hearing in these stories, and maybe what I'm realizing just chatting with you, is these little turning points, these pivot moments where these really important people, the mark Matthews, you know, the Mikey whiteheads, the Mick Jaggers, the Sue Rosses, the Kim Jamesons, they all come at that right moment. You got to be open to that you know, and and how important your actions and your words are to making or breaking somebody else's journals.   Naviere Walkewicz  24:48 Yes, yeah, so you took that application back.   Nicole Malachowski 24:52 Sure did. Sure did. I did not get the number one stratification from the colonel, but I did from the general. And. So that worked out for me. When I really started thinking about, I think I was putting myself back in the kid in high school with her brown bag lunch out on the football field watching the Thunderbirds fly over that can tend to see that those six jets smoked behind in red, white and blue, screaming over your high school. You know, you wanted to be a fighter pilot. Since you're a kid, I'm staring up at them, thinking, there's people up there. You know, I want to be one of those people. This idea that there would be a little kid watching me as a Thunderbird pilot, and maybe someday go, maybe I could fulfill whatever my dream is. Maybe I could join the Air Force too, a little girl going, maybe I could be a fighter pilot someday. And I think the gravity and the weight of the mission of the Thunderbirds started to really impact me, because it had indeed impacted me as a kid, and the idea that I could be a part of that. And I think the other thing was, and maybe this sounds cheesy or trite, but it's not, you know, sitting at Al UD, drinking my one beer at three in the morning after I land from my night combat mission, sitting with all these great Americans from all over the country, from every different background, and thinking, I could go tell their story, and that's what Thunderbirds get to do. You get to represent the world's greatest Air Force and tell the stories of these airmen who are out there getting the job done, those tech piece those crew chiefs, you know, the folks that are working at the tower, the folks in the food hall, our medical professionals, the cyber the whole thing, right? And all of a sudden it got really exciting to me, like I could go out there with this team, with this mission, and we could represent our friends with the honor and the dignity and the respect that they deserve. And I think those two things kind of collided together, and I started getting really excited about excited about this Thunderbird thing. Ended up back at Lake and Heath painfully excruciating waiting for the vinyls. And when we got back from Iraq, they give you the kind of three weeks of downtime. My husband was a gracious man and took me on a Cruise of the Baltic Sea. We're sitting in our cabin in Oslo Norway, and the phone in the cabin rings. The phone in your cabin, phone in my cabin rings. It's about 10 o'clock at night, but full sun outside, because it's summertime in Norway. And immediately we looked at each other, and both of our heart we've talked about this, both our hearts sank, because why does a phone call come to military people on vacation? It's not never it's never good. Yeah, and I was a flight commander at the time. So was he we immediately thought something disastrous had happened, an aircraft accident, a death, you know, a car accident. And we let it ring another time, and he's like, You need to pick it up. And I picked it up. And I said, Hello. And they go, is this Captain malikowski? I said, Yes. And they go standby for the commander of Air Combat Command. Oh my gosh. And I looked at my husband, and I was like, What is going on? Well, I knew this was the consolation call. There was, I think, I think there was five or six of us who had made it to finals. Three people were getting good position. The other were not. And it is tradition that the commander of Air Combat Command calls all six, coach is very gracious and professionally courteous. And so I thought this was my consolation call. So I'm waiting, and it feels like an eternity, and all of a sudden I hear Stevie there, and I said, Yes. He goes, Ron keys which was General. Ron Keyes, Commander, Air Combat Command. I'm a young captain. I'm like, you've got to be kidding me. And I go, sir, how are you? He goes. We have a pretty amazing Air Force that we can find you in the middle of the Oslo Norway fjord, don't we? I said, Yes, sir, we do. He goes. Well, I know you're on vacation, so I want to keep it simple. I want to offer you a job. And I said, Yes, sir. He goes. How would you like to be Thunderbird number three? And I said, I stayed as professional as I could in my voice, but I was looking at my husband gesticulating, jumping up and down like you're not gonna believe I said, Sir, I would absolutely love that. He goes, Okay, great. You're the next Thunderbird number three. Look forward to watching you fly and get back to your vacation. And he hung up the phone. You know, the Thunderbirds are, at that time, 125 people from 25 different career fields who came together to make that mission happen. Wow, never been in a squadron with that many high performing, highly motivated people in my life. I am still dear friends with my crew chief, still friends with people on the team. It is such a crucible experience. It's a one off, you know. Well, fast forward. Finish up the Thunderbirds. I get a phone call. He goes, it's Viking blurling. I'm like, How the heck did this guy that I met once get my phone he goes, Hey, when I was an Air Force officer, a young fighter pilot, I did acse as a White House fellow, and I think you should be a White House fellow. I said, Well, what's the White House Fellowship? So he explains it to me, and I'm like, there is no way I will get picked as one of 12 to 15 people across the United States, across all career fields, including civilians, to be a White House fellow. Colin Powell was a White House fellow. I am not a White House fellow. This is ridiculous. So I entertained his conversation. He says, I want you to think about I'm gonna call you back tomorrow, same time. Boom. Phone rings. Viking borling, you're applying to be a White House fellow, no, sir. I'm not. Third day ping. Phone calls. You're applying to be a White House fellow. Anyways, I applied to be a White House fellow. Went through that whole process, semi finals, regional panel interviews, and then the finals, and was selected to be a White House fellow. I got assigned outside of the White House to the US, General Services, Administration, yes, like, it was exciting. And I was like, this is where the nuts and bolts happen? Well, the GSA also runs what's called the office of the president elect. Between election and inauguration, the incoming president and their team needs to have a place to get ready, like our current incoming administration is doing. It's a physical office building where they make decisions about cabinet secretaries, or they get their intelligence briefings and all of that. Guess who got put on the presidential transition support team to be up close and personal for the peaceful transition of power between George Bush and Barack Obama? Wow. The extraordinary part about the White House Fellowship was most of the fellows were civilian, and I had been nothing but military since I was 17 years old and showed up at the Air Force Academy. So to be able to look at leadership and teamwork and professionalism from a completely different lens, to see how people from the education field or from healthcare would solve a problem was fascinating. You know, we in the military can look to solve problems a very specific way, and a lot of us are a little bit very specific in how we do it. And so to learn how to look at problems and solve things in different ways was extraordinary.   Naviere Walkewicz  31:23 So your career trajectory is just really incredible. Because you've kind of talked about how you've been put in these places based off of circumstance, but then when you get there, it's all about, how do you make the most of it, seize the opportunity and see what's available.   Nicole Malachowski  31:38 A lot of times, you know, as human beings, we go, Well, I don't have this, or I can't do this right now, or not resource this way, man, find a way. Yeah, ask yourself the right question. What is it I can do right now with what I have?   Naviere Walkewicz  31:49 Well, that makes me feel like that's a really good lead into kind of what circumstantially happened to you, unexpectedly. Yes, so you're medically retired from the Air Force. Do you want to talk about how that happened?   Nicole Malachowski  32:00 And sure, sure, you know, the the greatest honor of my career was serving as the commander of the 3/33 fighter squadron. I enjoyed that, and I remember also during that time being physically fit, mentally fit, spiritually fit. And I remember feeling ill in the summer of 2012 like I had the flu, but within three months, I started having severe neurological problems, so things like word finding, slurring my words, inability to read write, inability to type, dropping things with my right hand, dragging my right leg, getting lost, driving home, and I remember going into a grocery store and having a complete panic attack because I didn't know what a grocery store was or why I was in there so very Alzheimer's dementia like symptoms. So in fact, what was happening was my brain was becoming inflamed with an infection. So over the next four years, my symptoms would wax and wane. They would come and go, they would change in severity. Obviously, I could no longer fly. I was grounded, but they said, Hey, you can stay in the Air Force. You just can't fly. And I said, that's great, because honestly, I just want to lead airmen. Lead airmen and be a part of a team. So, you know, there's a lot of details, you know, to this story, but my symptom list was like 63 symptoms long, covering every system in my body. And so they cast the net wide, and that's where tick borne illness came into it. And at that time, I was in a wheelchair. I couldn't talk. My husband was wheeling me around, and I remember when the doctor said, we come on in. We have the diagnosis. We know what's wrong with her. The doctor says she'll never fly again. And my husband said, Well, how long until she's better? And she goes, Well, treatment is going to take at least two years. And it was in that moment, it wasn't that I wasn't going to fly again, that hurt. But when they said two years, I knew that the military was going to medically retire me, I knew it was over, and I couldn't speak or say anything, and I was just devastated. I remember my goal was to be the commandant of the Air Force Academy. That was my dream. And all that just came crashing, you know, crashing down. And in that moment, so for nine months I couldn't walk, talk, read or write. I spent another year and a half in rehab, and during that time, obviously went through my medical evaluation board, but I was medically retired, I fought to stay in and then I realized my body wasn't gonna let me and once I accepted that it was over, you know, I was able to move forward so radical acceptance was a hard thing to come by. But the day of my retirement, December 29 2017 came, I was home alone because I was bedridden and house bound for two years. Um, was very hurtful. Remains hurtful. How my Air Force career ended. I love the Air Force based on all the stories that I told, but this moment is very painful for me. It still is. And, you know, I thought, well, what are you going to do about it? You know, you can't. Change that you were bit by tick, can't change that you have a brain injury. What are you going to do? Girl, you know, the fighter pilot in you is not going to quit. And that's when I decided, well, I'm going to, you know, I got to do something. And the phone rang, and the phone rang, and it was during this time, a gal by the name of Buff Bucha, retired colonel, had been in a helicopter accident broke her neck in Afghanistan. She said, Hey, how you doing? I said, I'm not good. She goes talk to me, and I remember for two hours just vomiting everything out to this person I didn't really know very well. Well, she was calling from the Air Force Wounded Warrior program, wow, and the Wounded Warrior program swooped in to save me, and I ended up becoming a trained ambassador and a trained mentor, which I still am to this day. I'm able to help other airmen who are being discharged, but I just want to give a shout out to the Air Force wind Warrior Program, psychologically and mental health wise, I don't know that I would have recovered, and that I would have recovered to the place that I am today without them. And so I want for the active duty, listening for people in the reserve and the guard. It is for you, yeah, it is for everyone, and it is literally a life saving program.   Naviere Walkewicz  32:45 Maybe talk about what you've been doing then since.   Nicole Malachowski  36:16 Yeah, I do leadership consulting and professional speaking, but predominantly, that helps pay the bills, and I enjoy it. Predominantly, I do patient advocacy work at the national level, so I'm on several government boards. I'm on several nonprofit panels. We've tripled them, and IH funding through the state and like TicK Act and things like that. I'm currently on a National Academies of Science Committee. Can't talk about that because our report will come out in the spring. I hope everyone will read it. But Lyme disease, I went from being a fighter pilot to being an expert on ticks and Lyme disease. Who knew the path to success is always going to be non linear.   Naviere Walkewicz  36:49 Yes, you also mentioned you have children. You have twins. Do so how is it talk about, like family life in this new kind of in the way that you're working now, right? You're not in uniform anymore. You're still pushing amazing things forward. You're consulting what's it like being a mom?   Naviere Walkewicz  37:06 Man, it's harder, it is harder to raise 14 year old twins than it is to get shot at  in combat, I will tell you that. So you know, the person that's been missing in this whole time we've been talking is the most important person in my life, which is my husband, Paul. So we will be married. We just, yeah, just had our anniversary. 23 years. I met him in my first fighter squadron in the late 90s. He's an F-15E WSO. So we met flying together. And my biggest cheerleader, my biggest supporter, the greatest human being on Earth, is my husband, Paul.   Naviere Walkewicz  37:38 I want to talk about this resurgence, because I feel like that is really important for some of our listeners. When they're, you know, they're thinking about you said you got to know who you are and what's important to you. And how did you get to that clarity?   Nicole Malachowski 37:52 You really need to be able to answer the question, what is it I value and why? And I'm talking about your personal values, the ones that you're going to wake up with every day and go, these are my values. And so I'll tell you what mine are. Mine are courage and compassion and curiosity, and I developed those as I went through this deep thinking and deep reinvention, when I lost my career and compassion, courage and curiosity are what drive me today.   Naviere Walkewicz  38:18 We'll ask for Nicole's thoughts on reinvention, resilience and leadership. But before we do that, I'd like to take a moment and thank all of you for listening to long blue leadership. The podcast publishes on Tuesdays in both video and audio, and is available on all your favorite podcast platforms. Watch or listen to all episodes of Long blue leadership and subscribe at longblue leadership.org so we have had an incredible journey together, and really where we'd like to go. One final thought on leadership, if you might, leave your listeners with something about leadership, and I can say just from being in this short amount of time with you, your your 3 Cs are coming out in spades, your compassion, your curiosity and your courage. So thank you.   Nicole Malachowski  39:01 Thank you. You know leadership is a journey. We're always put into positions that we're supposed to grow into. Don't think you have to be perfect to be a leader. It's okay to admit when you make mistakes, it's okay to ask for help, and it's okay to have failures, as long as you overcome them. And I like to remind folks at all levels of leadership, you know that the runway behind you is always unusable. All you ever have is the runway that's in front of you.   Naviere Walkewicz  39:25 Well said, well said, Thank you so much for being on long blue leadership.   Nicole Malachowski  39:29 Thank you for having me. And here's a shout out to the current cadets that are working hard up on the hill, yeah, wishing them best and hoping they take it one day at a time.   Naviere Walkewicz  39:36 Absolutely. And for our listeners, I mean, I think that it's, it's it's certainly one thing to say, you know, you get to meet these incredible leaders, but my ask of you is to share this with your networks, because it's great if you felt something and you've had an impact in your life, but imagine the magnitude you can have by sharing some of the stories of our leaders like Nicole today with your networks and the change we can make together. So until next time, thanks for being on. Long blue leadership, thank you for joining us for this edition of long blue leadership. The podcast drops every two weeks on Tuesdays and is available on all your favorite podcast apps. Send your comments and guest ideas to us at social media@usafa.org, and listen to past episodes at longblueleadership.org.   KEYWORDS leadership, resilience, resurgence, Air Force Academy, mentorship, aviation, women in military, pilot training, overcoming adversity, personal growth, fighter pilot, mentorship, leadership, Thunderbirds, women in military, self-doubt, White House Fellowship, WASP, Air Force, personal growth, diversity, WASP, Air Force, medical retirement, resilience, leadership, Lyme Disease, tick-borne illness, self-discovery, personal values, reinvention, advocacy         The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association and Foundation    

In this installment of Science Policy IRL, host Jason Lloyd goes behind the scenes of the White House Fellowship program with Lav Varshney, associate professor of engineering, computer science, and neuroscience at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Varshney served as a White House Fellow from 2022 to 2023, where he worked at the National Security Council with Anne Neuberger, the deputy national security advisor for cyber and emerging technology. In this episode, Varshney describes the day-to-day experience of working at the White House, gaps in the innovation system that science policy can help fill, and how making artificial intelligence systems more transparent could define the future of AI applications. Resources:  Want to become a White House Fellow? Applications open November 1, 2024.  As a White House Fellow, Lav Varshney contributed to the Executive Order on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence. Read Varshney's contributions to Issues: a review of a biography of the information technology pioneer Claude Shannon and an assessment of how intellectual property rights can keep up with advances in artificial intelligence with coauthor Deepak Somaya.  Visit Kocree to try out AI music generation and Ensaras to learn more about using AI to monitor wastewater.  Visit the Journal of Artificial Intelligence Research to learn more about Varshney's work on making AI systems more transparent through information lattice learning.  

“PAs Can Do That,” like the AAPA slogan says. And “that” also applies to serving in the White House! Today on the podcast I have Vanessa Cobarrubia, the first PA to be selected for the White House Fellowship program.  Tune in to hear more about the White House Fellowship (and how you can apply), as well as to learn how we can be more involved in advocating for the PA profession, from the local level to the federal level. Vanessa and I also discuss COVID, burnout, and doctorate degrees. Listen in to hear how you, too, can be involved in policy decision making that can help make real changes for PAs.  SPONSORS KML Expressions: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KMLexpressions CM&F Group: www.cmfgroup.com/ThePAIsIn CONNECT WITH VANESSA LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vanessa-cobarrubias-pa-c COACHING ⁠1-ON-1 NEGOTIATION CONSULT https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/negotiate⁠  ⁠FREE 30-MINUTE COACHING CONSULT⁠ ⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/gen-call⁠   LINKS EPISODE BLOG POST https://www.tracybingaman.com/blog ⁠TRACY ON INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/mrstracybingaman/⁠ ⁠TRACY ON LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybingaman/⁠ SUPPORT THIS PODCAST: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepaisin/support --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepaisin/support

Season THREE Episode SEVENTEEN of the Your Story Our Fight® podcast welcomes Molly McCabe. Molly McCabe began her career at the young age of 16 when she joined the inaugural board for the Kids Making Miracles program at Doernbecher Children's Hospital. She also was part of the founding family that created Potluck in the Park in 1993 where she served the homeless every Sunday for three years.  Molly worked as a CASA and served on the Family Council of the Scripps family.Molly and her mother, Debbie McCabe, created the nonprofit, Molly's Fund Fighting Lupus, in 2007 and she served on the board for ten years there.  Molly has been a lupus advocate for over 17 years, wherein she was a patient advocate for GlaxoSmithKline, and reviewed grants for the Lupus Research Program at the Department of Defense CDMRP for three years.  She was given the Spirit Award from the Autoimmune Advocacy Alliance in 2014 for extraordinary spirit, dedication and community support while living with autoimmunity.  In 2019, Molly was honored at the Breaking Through Gala for the Lupus Research Alliance.  She also received the 2021 Community Spirit Award from the Randall Children's Hospital Kite Society.Currently, she is on the board of the Lupus Research Alliance, Randall Children's Hospital, and the Mirimar Impact Fund.  In 2019, she established the Karen Reiter Scholarship at the James Toland Vocal Arts Competition and is the Business Manager for Mata Advocacy and Support.  She has serves as a judge for the White House Fellowship program for the past two years. She is also the proprietor of an art gallery in Portland, Oregon, “The Lobby.” Molly McCabe is the founder of the Use Your Voice competition.

Inspiring Leadership and Career Journeys with Chani Neuberger In this episode of the 'Inspired to Lead' podcast, Talia talks to Chanie Neuberger, the Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technologies in Washington DC. Chanie shares her inspiring journey starting from a traditional Jewish upbringing as a grandchild of Holocaust survivors in Borough Park to becoming a leading figure in national security. The discussion covers her fascinating career trajectory, experiences navigating a male-dominated industry as an observant Jewish woman, and how her supportive husband and community played pivotal roles. Additionally, Chanie reflects on the importance of having mentors, diverse leadership skills, and balancing professional ambitions with personal and family life. The conversation is filled with wisdom on leadership, mentorship, resilience, and the evolving role of women in the workforce, making it a must-listen for anyone looking for inspiration and guidance in their career. 00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome 01:49 Reconnecting and Reflecting on Past Meetings 02:48 Guest Introduction and Career Overview 03:36 Role and Responsibilities at her Job 06:08 Challenges and Achievements in Cybersecurity 09:01 Personal Journey and Educational Background 18:02 White House Fellowship and Career Shift 20:47 Family Influence and Holocaust Survivor Legacy 23:45 Volunteering and Early Influences 24:10 Challenges of Living in a Non-Orthodox Community 25:02 Personal Growth and Military Life 27:10 Transition to the National Security Agency 28:22 Leadership and Mentorship 33:52 Balancing Career and Family 36:51 Reflections and Advice 43:56 Inspiration and Final Thoughts Chanie Newberger grew up in Boro Park and attended Bais Yaakov of Borough Park. She attended Touro College and then got her MBA and Masters of international affairs from Columbia. Chanie currently works in Cyber Security and founded "Sister to Sister" that serves 2,000 divorced Jewish women raising children alone, and 5,000 children. Powered By Roth & Co The JWE For guest suggestions, please email Talia: podcast@jwe.org

Today I'm joined by a very special guest, Andrew Kim, who is a graduate of Brown University, Cambridge, Harvard Medical School and a White House Fellowship. In this episode, Andrew reveals how he achieved all his accomplishments. You'll be surprised to hear that it wasn't just by studying hard, which could be considered unexpected coming from a doctor and researcher with such an impressive resume.  I'm really excited to share this episode with you because it's crucial for high school students to hear from people who already went through what you're about to go through.I hope that Andrew's story will also be a tremendous source of inspiration to you for your own college admissions journey.  If you are listening to this episode in January 2023, I'll be hosting a couple of free live workshops, 3 Essential Steps to Getting Accepted Into Your Dream Colleges (even if you think you're not unique or competitive enough).I'll be sharing the latest college admissions trends and the proven formula our students used to get accepted into Harvard, Yale, Stanford, UPenn, Cornell, John Hopkins, and many more. During this live workshop, we will officially be opening enrollment for our premier 1-year group college consulting program, Passion Project Bootcamp Next Level. The Next Level program is for YOU if you want to STAND OUT and WOW Ivy League & Top-tier colleges by strategizing your college admissions portfolio, creating your own Passion Project, and landing research/intern positions. You can reserve your seat for this free living training now at https://passionprep.com/live.I can't wait to see you there! Get ready to open your “Congratulations, You're Accepted!” letter from your dream college! You can reserve your spot for Passion Project Bootcamp, our 1-year group college consulting program to get you ACCEPTED into your dream college using your passion, strength and potential. Start your journey to your dream college https://passionprep.com/bootcamp!  As always, if you have questions, please reach out to our support team at info@passionprep.com. Also I'd love to connect with you on Instagram – our new Instagram handle is: www.instagram.com/passion_prep. 

This episode of the WPAOG podcast features an interview with David F. Melcher, a businessman and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General. He spent 32 years serving in the military and is recognized as a prominent figure in the aerospace and defense community, as the former President and CEO of Exelis from 2011–2015 and of Aerospace Industries Association from 2015–2017.During his 32 years of service, David commanded at the Battalion, Brigade, and Army Corps of Engineers Division level.  He has been awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal, and had prominent staff assignments that included a White House Fellowship with the Office of Management and Budget under President Ronald Reagan and as the Army's Military Deputy for Budget, and Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs. For 12 years of his military career, David was assigned to the Pentagon.In this episode, David talks about how he had no doubt that West Point was where he could gain the best leadership skills. He discusses working in the White House and then transitioning into business after serving so many years in the army. David also explains what he feels are the keys to success in life, and the importance of continuing to be an active member of the West Point community.-----------Key Quotes“For younger officers who are leaving the military or non-commissioned officers, understand that you have significant leadership skills that are needed in industry. The things that you learned, leading a small or large organization, the organizational skills, those are very, very important, as are the ability to speak and write clearly and articulate what it is that you want - The ability to set goals, to be a problem solver, those are all things that people who have served in the military know how to do. So, never sell yourself short on what you know as you make a transition into an industry context.” - David Melcher-----------Episode Timestamps(01:24) The Class of 1976(02:54) West Point Experience(09:24) Army Experience(11:54) Mentors in the Military(14:54) Working in the White House(18:24) Corp of Army Engineers (19:59) Retirement from Service(20:54) Transition to Civilian Career (30:24) Finding Success in Aerospace and Defense(33:24) Serving as a Board Member and Director(35:24) Routines and Keys for Success(38:54) West Point and Military Service Across Family Generations(41:09) Giving Back-----------LinksDavid's LinkedInWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast

September 23, 2022. Dr. Sandy Greenberg talks to host Ben Shaberman about his incredible life's journey of going blind suddenly at the age of 19 to earning advanced degrees from Columbia and Harvard, receiving a White House Fellowship, serving on the Council of Foreign Relations, and founding the company which developed the computer system for the lunar excursion module that transported the first men to the moon. His compelling memoir, "Hello Darkness, My Old Friend," reflects on these and many other accomplishments as well as his lifelong friendship with Art Garfunkel. Dr. Greenberg and his wife, Sue, launched the Campaign to End Blindness to generously fund vision-restoring research.

We all know it's stressful planning a wedding!  How do we balance what we think our guests want, with internal family politics, while trying to be the perfect bride.  It's enough to drive someone crazy!!Our guest this week is a clinical social worker - Dr. Tania Tania ParedesDo you need the couples counseling needed when applying for a marriage license?  Dr. Paredes is certified!  Therapist@TaniaParedes.comTania was awarded the White House Fellowship in 1997 by the Department of Health where she participated in researching treatments for various mental disorders in Washington, D.C. her training was further extended at the University of Miami's prestigious Mailman Center for Child Development and received additional training in trauma and abuse (both sexual & physical), through the University of Miami Child Protection Team. After several years working at various community mental health agencies, she began my private practice in 2003 and has since focused on advancing her clinical skills through various seminars and trainings.She also serves as the bereavement social worker at Nicklaus Children's Hospital, through Nico's Promise. She is also a certified Compassionate Care Bereavement provider. This unique training gives her the ability to treat grief and loss through both compassion and science. It is proven to help you not just grieve but also learn what to do with those emotions.  Interventions are backed by clinical research. This is a mindful non-medical approach to grief and lets you grieve without feeling guilty about having a normal response to a difficult life event. It helps you learn how to hold your grief which is often so painful. This model has been shown to reduce depression, anxiety and other trauma symptomsTo chime in live - make a comment during the show.  If you are watching via You Tube, we can pull your comment right up on screen.Join Behind the Veil Show with host Keith Willard, CWP, and co-hosts Marci Guttenberg, CPCE, CWP, and Brooke Logan Stoner for our LIVE SHOW - Tuesday September 6th, 2:00pm, 2022, ESThttps://www.youtube.com/c/BehindTheVeilByKeithWillard/PODCAST SHOW - Available after 5:00 PM EDT in iTunes, iHeart Radio, Spotify, or any major podcast players- Ask Alexa - "Play the latest podcast episode of Behind The Veil"BEHIND THE VEIL Show: Winner of the Telly Awards for best online unscripted series two years in a row - 2021 & 2022This Episode is proudly sponsored by Part Girl Potions via a generous donation to the Greater Broward Palm Beachs Chapter of NACE.  Check them out at www.partygirlpotions.comInterested in sponsoring future episodes of Behind The Veil?  Email Info@keithwillardevens.com for opportunities.Support the show

Episode SummaryA wide-ranging discussion with the multi-talented Gautam Mukunda. Leadership, Theranos, Failure and Learning, Luck, Russia and Ukraine, the Financial Crisis, Inequality, Innovation. Bezos, Jobs, Holmes, Neumann, Sackler, Putin.Sydney Finkelstein Syd Finkelstein is the Steven Roth Professor of Management at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. He holds a Master's degree from the London School of Economics and a Ph.D. from Columbia University. Professor Finkelstein has published 25 books and 90 articles, including the bestsellers Why Smart Executives Fail and Superbosses: How Exceptional Leaders Master the Flow of Talent, which LinkedIn Chairman Reid Hoffman calls the “leadership guide for the Networked Age.” He is also a Fellow of the Academy of Management, a consultant and speaker to leading companies around the world, and a top 25 on the Global Thinkers 50 list of top management gurus. Professor Finkelstein's research and consulting work often relies on in-depth and personal interviews with hundreds of people, an experience that led him to create and host his own podcast, The Sydcast, to uncover and share the stories of all sorts of fascinating people in business, sports, entertainment, politics, academia, and everyday life.Gautam MukundaGautam Mukunda is an internationally recognized expert in leadership and innovation. He often jokes that his life's ambition is to have the world's most confusing resume and that he's most of the way there. He is a Research Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School's Center for Public Leadership and the host of the Nasdaq podcast World Reimagined with Gautam Mukunda. Previously he was a professor at Harvard Business School and a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University. He is the author of two books: Indispensable: When Leaders Really Matter (Harvard Business Review Press, 2012) and Picking Presidents (University of California Press, forthcoming in August 2022). He has published articles in Harvard Business Review, Foreign Policy, Security Studies, Slate, Fast Company, Parameters, Politics and the Life Sciences, and Systems and Synthetic Biology on leadership, reforming the financial sector, military innovation, network-centric warfare, the security and economic implications of synthetic biology, and the TV show Mad Men. His work has been profiled in the New York Times, Atlantic, New Yorker, Economist, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and All Things Considered. He advises a variety of companies and organizations on leadership and strategy. Gautam was a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Security Studies Program and Program on Emerging Technologies. He was a Paul & Daisy Soros New American Fellow, an NSF IGERT Fellow, a Next Generation Fellow of The American Assembly, and a Principal Investigator of the National Science Foundation's Synthetic Biology Engineering Research Center. He served on The Chief of Naval Operation's Executive Advisory Panel and as a member of the New England Regional Selection Committee for the White House Fellowship and was a Member of the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on New Models of Leadership. He was also a Jeopardy Champion. At MIT, Gautam was the National Science Foundation Synthetic Biology ERC Postdoctoral Fellow resident at MIT's Center for International Studies. He received his Ph.D. from MIT in political science focusing on International Relations and Security Studies, where he was a Paul & Daisy Soros New American Fellow and an NSF IGERT Fellow. He received his AB in Government from Harvard, magna cum laude. Before his academic career, he was a consultant with McKinsey & Company, where he focused on the pharmaceutical sector. In addition to his current work as an academic, Gautam is a member of the board of directors and chair of the Mentorship Committee of The Upakar Foundation, a national non-profit devoted to providing college scholarships to underprivileged students of South Asian descent. He is on the Advisory Board of Bionic Solutions and Fount Bio. He is an Overseer of the Boston Ballet and a member of the Museum Council of Boston's Museum of Fine Arts.Insights from this episode: Mukunda's thoughts on leadership and innovationInsights into what his upcoming book, Picking Presidents, is aboutInsights into Theranos and Elizabeth HolmesThe dark side of successful businessesEffects of the 2008 financial crisis on the economyMukunda's thoughts on the Ukrainian war and the role of the WestQuotes from the show:“I do believe this, both as a matter of inclination and a matter of research, that in a world of specialists, there is a real advantage to being a generalist” –Gautam Mukunda [2:23]“I think it's possible to be an extraordinarily successful leader, and obviously he [Duke of Wellington] was without being innovative” –Gautam Mukunda [10:04]“If you do the same thing as everyone else, it's difficult or impossible to produce unique results” –Gautam Mukunda [10:24]“I think it's really important to have people in senior executive positions who are capable of doing the job” –Gautam Mukunda [12:15]“Organizations that exist in domains of limited losses and unlimited gains have a tendency to become far too risk-averse” –Gautam Mukunda [19:32]“It's not an experiment, whatever the project is if you know it's gonna succeed” –Syd Finkelstein [22:00]“If you are not angry about this [economic crisis], you are not paying attention. Anger is an appropriate response to the scale of bad things that we saw” –Gautam Mukunda [39:00]“Much of the behavior that led to the financial crisis was criminal. And the federal system just chose not to prosecute it” –Gautam Mukunda [39:25]“We are on the forefront of a medical revolution to a scale of which baffles the mind” –Gautam Mukunda [53:56]Stay connected:Sydney FinkelsteinWebsite: http://thesydcast.comLinkedIn: Sydney FinkelsteinTwitter: @sydfinkelsteinFacebook: The SydcastInstagram: The SydcastGautam MukundaWebsite: Gautam MukundaLinkedIn: Gautam Mukunda Facebook: Gautam MukundaTwitter: Gautam MukundaInstagram: Gautam Mukunda Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on Stitcher, iTunes, and Spotify.This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry.

Twenty years ago, when I first came to America, I felt like a complete outsider. I didn't look like, sound like, or dress like people around me. I chased goals that I didn't really care about because I thought that's what was expected of me. But the harder I tried to fit in, the more I struggled personally and professionally. You see, I was defining success from other people's perspective. Our guest today is US Congresswoman Sharice Davids, from Kansas' Third Congressional District, who shares her inspiring story of overcoming obstacles and rising to the top by defining success on her own terms.  Sharice was raised by a single mom who spent more than 20 years serving in the US Army. A proud graduate of Leavenworth High School, Sharice was the first person in her family to attend college. She worked her way from Johnson County Community College to Cornell Law School, juggling multiple jobs to put herself through school. Sharice went on to work in economic and community development on Native American reservations, helping tribes to create programs and initiatives for growth. This work inspired her to apply for the prestigious White House Fellowship program, where she served under President Barack Obama and continued to create economic opportunity for others. Sharice ran for Congress to give Kansans a voice, and to make sure everyone has the same opportunities to achieve their goals that she did. In 2018, Sharice was elected to represent Kansas' Third District, becoming one of the first two Native American women ever to serve in Congress.  In 2020, she was re-elected to her second term. She has spent her time in office working tirelessly to tackle the issues most important to Kansas families, including strengthening small businesses, lowering the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs, and making sure the government is working for the people — not special interests. In this episode, Rep. Davids shares her perspective on why it's important to first embrace who you are for others to embrace and accept you as you are. She also shares why service matters, how to build a thriving community, and what strategies helped her achieve her goals. Visit www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Rep. Davids.    Highlights:  [03:57] What shaped Representative Davids' life[09:22] Gaining clarity on your career path[12:50] How Representative Davids got into politics[15:31] First time running for office[24:18] Facing the possibility of failure[26:52] Campaigns are entrepreneurial[29:22] Owning her seat at the table[35:23] Advice to other on pursuing a career in politics[41:36] How to engage with Representative Davids[43:07] The meaningful work of LPAC Quotes: “When dealing with rejection on the campaign trail, I had to remind myself that  this is not about me, this is about the future of our country, our democracy.” - Rep. Sharice Davids “The biggest opportunities for growth come from moments when you are experiencing something that is hard and challenging.” - Rep. Sharice Davids "Running a campaign is a very entrepreneurial process." - Rep. Sharice Davids  "One thing that changed my life was realizing that I get to decide what success means to me." - Rep. Sharice Davids About Sharice Davids: Sharice Davids is currently serving Kansas' Third Congressional District in Congress. Sharice was raised by a single mom who spent more than 20 years serving in the US Army. A proud graduate of Leavenworth High School, Sharice was the first person in her family to attend college. She worked her way from Johnson County Community College to Cornell Law School, juggling multiple jobs to put herself through school. Sharice went on to work in economic and community development on Native American reservations, helping tribes to create programs and initiatives for growth. This work inspired her to apply for the prestigious White House Fellowship program, where she served under President Barack Obama and continued to create economic opportunity for others. Sharice ran for Congress to give Kansans a voice who represents our values and interests, and to make sure everyone has the same opportunities to achieve their goals that she did. In 2018, Sharice was elected to represent Kansas' Third District, becoming one of the first two Native American women ever to serve in Congress. In 2020, she was re-elected to her second term. She has spent her time in office working tirelessly to tackle the issues most important to Kansas families, including strengthening our small businesses, lowering the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs, and making sure the government is working for the people — not special interests. Sharice was raised by a single mom, who spent more than 20 years in the Army followed by a career in civil service at the US Post Office. Sharice graduated from Leavenworth High School. She attended Haskell Indian Nations University and the University of Kansas before graduating from Johnson County Community College and later the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She went on to earn a law degree from Cornell Law School. Sharice calls herself a “former” first generation college student, since her mom earned a degree in history from UMKC in 2016. Sharice is a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, a Native American tribe in Wisconsin. Sharice is highly trained in martial arts and has competed as both an amateur and professional in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Sharice was one of 16 selected to participate in the prestigious White House Fellowship program (2016-2017). Sharice has lived and worked on Native American reservations, working with tribes to create economic development opportunities, programs, and initiatives. Sharice regularly speaks at conferences as a nationally recognized expert on economic and community development in Native communities. Sharice, along with her brother, created Starty Pants – a video podcast that highlights entrepreneurs in the Greater Kansas City area with a focus on women, people of color and LGBTQ founders. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharicedavids/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShariceDavids

Gautam Mukunda is an internationally recognized expert in leadership and innovation. He has been everything from an Ivy-League professor to a podcast host. Gautam received his PhD from MIT in political science and an AB in Government from Harvard, and since then has followed his many interests wherever they will take him. He has served on numerous councils in the worlds of politics, biotechnology, art, and economics, including the Council of Foreign Relations, The Chief of Naval Operation's Executive Advisory Panel, the New England Regional Selection Committee for the White House Fellowship, the Museum Council of Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, and World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on New Models of Leadership, among many others. He is on the board of directors and chair of the Mentorship Committee of The Upakar Foundation, a non-profit providing scholarships to underprivileged students of South Asian descent. He has been a research fellow at Harvard and the American Assembly, as well as a Principal Investigator on the National Science Foundation's Synthetic Biology Engineering Research Center grant. With far-reaching passions and areas of expertise, it should come as no surprise that Gautam has also been a Jeopardy Champion. Gautam is the author of two books: Indispensable: When Leaders Really Matter and the forthcoming Picking Presidents. He has published articles on everything from leadership to politics and beyond in Harvard Business Review, Slate, Fast Company, Politics and the Life Sciences, and many more. His work has been profiled in the New York Times, Atlantic, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and many more distinguished publications. He also advises a variety of companies and organizations on leadership and strategy. Gautam often jokes that his life's ambition is to have the world's most confusing resume and that he's most of the way there. Read the show notes here: https://bwmissions.com/one-away-podcast/

Topic: Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings (Nonresident Senior Fellow at The Brookings Institution) shares advice to help accomplished, and aspiring, leaders navigate failure, communicate more effectively with those around them, and manage their energy so that they can consistently perform at their best. Today's guest: Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings is a nonresident senior fellow at Brookings Metro and the Founder, President and CEO of Global Policy Solutions. Dr. Rockeymoore Cummings is the author of the forthcoming book RAGEISM: Racism, Ageism, and the Quest for Liberation Policy (Routledge). A wealth, health, and education equity expert, Dr. Rockeymoore Cummings has conducted extensive research and policy analysis on aging, Social Security, the social determinants of health, and the racial wealth and achievement gaps. She also conceived and co-authored the first-ever study examining the labor market impact of level 5 autonomous vehicle technology. A frequent guest on prominent television and radio news shows, Dr. Rockeymoore Cummings has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, ABC News, CBS, BET, BBC, Al Jazeera, BNC, NPR, and Sirius XM among many other national and international outlets. She has also testified before the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and the Democratic National Committee platform committee on Social Security policy. Her articles, letters to the editor, and quotes have appeared in the Washington Post, New York Times, Fortune, The Atlantic, Baltimore Sun, Houston Chronicle, CNN.com, USA Today, Boston Globe, The Root and HuffingtonPost.com among many other news outlets.    Dr. Rockeymoore Cummings has worked as Vice President for Programs and Research at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, professional staff on the Social Security Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee, Chief of Staff for former Congressman Charles Rangel, Senior Resident Scholar for Health and Income Security at the National Urban League's think tank, and Assistant to the Director of the Marion County (IN) Health Department. She earned her Ph.D. and M.A. in political science, with an emphasis in public policy, from Purdue University and her B.A. in political science and mass communication from Prairie View A&M University. She has taught at American University's Women & Politics Institute and served as an Eastern regional panelist for the White House Fellowship program during the second term of the Obama Administration and the first year of the Trump Administration.   Dr. Rockeymoore Cummings has chaired the boards of the National Association of Counties Financial Services Corporation and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. She has served on the boards of the National Academy of Social Insurance, National Council on Aging, Economic Policy Institute, Public Health Policy and Law, and the Baltimore Museum of Art among other organizations. She has co-chaired the Commission to Modernize Social Security and the National Academy of Social Insurance Study Panel on Medicare and Disparities. Dr. Rockeymoore Cummings has been a member of the National Association of Black Political Scientists, American Public Health Association, Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management, National Association of Corporate Directors, Asset Funders Network Tax Policy Advisory Group, National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers, Women's Information Network, American Political Science Association, and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People among other organizations. She was a founding member of the Council of Urban Professionals and the Experts of Color Network.   The recipient of many honors and awards, Dr. Rockeymoore Cummings has been selected as an Aspen Institute Henry Crown Fellow, a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Fellow, and a Woodrow Wilson Public Policy and International Affairs...

What's the state of downtown Seattle? How are businesses and other sectors navigating the ongoing impact of the pandemic, recent protests, lack of affordable housing, and other social and economic factors? Hear perspectives from leaders including Bob Donegan, President of Ivar's, and Brian Surratt, Vice President of Real Estate Development and Community Relations for Alexandria Real Estate and former director of the City of Seattle's Office of Economic Development, on the history of the Emerald City and their vision to ensure downtown shifts from surviving to thriving. Bob Donegan is the President at Ivar's, Seattle's Original Seafood Restaurants. He joined the company in 1997 as the Chief Financial Officer and became President on 9/11 when one of his partners died. In addition to Ivar's, Donegan volunteers at the Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Chamber of Commerce, the Seattle Historic Waterfront Association, the Chief Seattle Council of the Boy Scouts, the Seattle Sports Commission, UW's Foster School Center from Strategic Leadership, and the Seattle branch of the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank. Brian Surratt is Vice President at Alexandria Real Estate Equities, one of the largest developers of life science and technology campuses. Previously, he was the Director of the City of Seattle's Office of Economic Development. Surratt has been recognized by the German Marshall Memorial and the White House Fellowship programs, as well as Seattle Met Magazine and Puget Sound Business Journal.  Surratt is currently a board member of FareStart, the William D. Ruckelshaus Center, the Seattle Center Foundation, Downtown Emergency Services Center, Seattle 2030 District, and Downtown Seattle Association. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Seattle City Club.

In this episode of Protégé Podcast Presents: #BlackManBrilliance, I talk with corporate executive turned art dealer Lewis Long. The Harvard Business School and Howard University grad discusses how he's managed to keep his career purpose front and center, even as he's shifted the platform he's used to manifest his professional skills. We talk about tips for applying for the White House Fellowship and how the Black Lives Matter movement is impacting the fortunes of emerging black artists. 

Life lessons from Sanford Greenberg, author of the new memoir HELLO DARKNESS, MY OLD FRIEND: How Daring Dreams and Unyielding Friendship Turned One Man’s Blindness into an Extraordinary Vision for Life (Post Hill Press/Simon & Schuster; June 30, 2020). With an Introduction by Art Garfunkel, a Foreword by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Final Word by Margaret Atwood, and advance praise from Vice President Al Gore, it’s recently been featured in People magazine, AARP’s 4 New Books Offer Hope & Inspiration, NPR’s Kojo Nnamdi, and later this week Sandy he will appear on TODAY SHOW. Since this summer marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it’s an especially good time to talk about thriving despite challenging circumstances. Here’s his story in a nutshell: What happens when a poor kid from Buffalo gets a scholarship to Columbia but then tragically goes blind during his junior year? Luckily for him, he has a roommate named Art Garfunkel—who reads his textbooks aloud, accompanies him to his classes, and guides him literally every step of the way. That kid—Sandy Greenberg—not only graduates Phi Beta Kappa as class president but goes on to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard, an M.B.A. from Columbia, a Marshall Scholarship to Oxford, and a White House Fellowship, before forging a remarkable career as an entrepreneur, investor, innovator and philanthropist

Felicia Wong, President/CEO of the Roosevelt Institute, discusses "The Hidden Rules of Race: Barriers to an Inclusive Economy," and potential solutions to address the barriers with host, Vernon Oakes. Dr. Wong illustrates the interrelationships of occupational segregation, school segregation and the racial wealth gap. She also suggest that she feels that cooperatives can be a part of addressing some of those ills. Felicia Wong is the President and CEO of the Roosevelt Institute, a New York-based think tank and campus network that promotes a bold economic and political vision capable of bringing the ideals of Franklin and Eleanor into the 21st century. She helps lead the Roosevelt Institute's work on a rewriting the rules agenda, a comprehensive economic program and narrative that has become increasingly influential. She is the co-author of The Hidden Rules of Race: Barriers to an Inclusive Economy (Cambridge University Press, 2017) and her work has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Time, Democracy: A Journal of Ideas, and the Boston Review. Felicia came to the Institute from the Democracy Alliance, and previously ran operations and product development at a venture-funded education services company. Her public service includes a White House Fellowship in the Office of the Attorney General and a political appointment in the Office of the Secretary of the Navy. She holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of California, Berkeley. Her doctoral dissertation on the role of race and framing in K-12 public education politics received the 2000 American Political Science Association award in Race, Ethnicity, and Politics.

On this week's Protégé Podcast, we re-launch our series "What It Takes," where I interview dynamic, diverse leaders at the top of their professions. Our Guest Mentor on this episode is Gary Hall, partner and head of investment banking at Seibert Cisneros Shank. Gary reflects on his life and career journey from the Cabrini Green housing projects in Chicago to his White House Fellowship to chairing one of the financial industry's most important and prestigious boards. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I rave about Nike's approach to board diversity.

In conversation with Sabrina Vourvoulias, journalist, short story author and novelist Introduced by Henry Cisneros A 1972 Temple University Law School graduate, Nelson Díaz was the first Puerto Rican lawyer admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar Association and became the state's first Latino judge and partner in a top-100 law firm. He was later appointed to a White House Fellowship by Jimmy Carter and as General Counsel to the Department of Housing and Urban Development by Bill Clinton. His honors include the Philadelphia Bar Association's Justice Sonia Sotomayor Diversity Award. From his childhood in a New York tenement to advocacy for human rights, housing reform, and neighborhood economic development, Not from Here, Not from There is a chronicle of Díaz's remarkable path toward the American Dream. (recorded 10/9/2018)

Colonel Brett Sylvia is a graduate of the United States Military Academy, West Point. He has served as a Battalion Commander in Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Division. Brett is currently serving as the Brigade Commander of the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division currently serving in Iraq. Brett brings an incredible perspective to leadership having served multiple combat tours over the past two decades.   “Leadership is about taking people to where they may not have gone on their own.” “As you empower others failure is inevitable, how are you going to deal with it?” “When failure came he didn't berate us, he didn't yell at us, he didn't tell us that we were stupid, or that was completely foreseeable, how come we didn't see it. he brought us in again… first he would look internally and say, ok did I give them good enough guidance, did I train them well enough, and then would bring you in and say let's talk about what happened, where did this go wrong, how can we do better how can we move forward from this point.”   Brett discussed his experience at West Point, and the power of receiving feedback from a peer that he carries with him to this day. That receiving the right information at the right time from others can shape your self-awareness.   He explained his thoughts on challenging people in his organization. He describes the fine line of following through with what people say they want versus what they need and what they truly want. It is about finding a balance and priorities.   Empowering others is a focus point for Brett. He explained this as an essential component of his leader development strategy, to give intent and guidance and allow subordinates to fail. Failure is essential in learning for both your subordinate and for yourself as a leader.   Brett's failure to get a White House Fellowship position, he described his internalization of advice as a reason for his failure. This advice kept him from being truly authentic in the moment of his interviews. He tied this directly to self-awareness as a key component of being a great leader.   Experiencing growth in personal self-awareness is in Brett's words aided in difficult and trying times. Taking those “Ranger School” type opportunities that push you to the brink of failure and trying times that cause you to ask deeply who you are and what drives you.   Brett also talked about his extremely challenging experiences as a leader of a combat engineer platoon leader in Bosnia. The first US military unit in the area since the signing of the Dayton Accords following the hostilities. His efforts were focused on clearing mines placed by both sides of this conflict.   Part of leadership development is knowing that they are not “fully cooked”. He described the Army as a “leadership laboratory” that is designed to develop them. This is a key component that all individuals in all organizations should recognize, that even if you are hiring an individual to lead a part of your organization, no one is perfect. By making leadership development a key component of what you do not only makes learning from your mistakes part of the job, but also a responsibility of everyone in the organization. Brett describes the difference between commitment and dedication. “In commitment there involves some sacrifice.” Bret give some amazing wisdom focused in on balance and priorities. How there are often seasons of priorities towards family, friends, and others for work. Brett spoke to this directly to the idea of expectations.   Finally, Brett discussed his relationship with his wife, and dealing with high demand positions and jobs. He gave key ideas for how to have a successful relationship.   You can find Brett at his LinkedIn Page https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-sylvia-884989

On this latest episode of Gen X Amplified, Adrion is joined by Rodney Bullard, Vice President of Community Affairs at Chick-fil-A, Inc., and the Executive Director of the Chick-fil-A Foundation. During this conversation, Rodney provides us with his story of growing up in South Dekalb Atlanta, GA, and becoming influenced by many life changing events that propelled him to greatness within a number of sectors – including the armed forces, law, politics, and philanthropy. Rodney Bullard leads Chick-fil-A’s community engagement and philanthropic strategy as Vice President of Community Affairs and Executive Director of the Chick-fil-A Foundation. Before arriving to Chick-fil-A, Rodney served as an Assistant United States Attorney prosecuting complex criminal cases. For his service, the United States Attorney General presented him with the Department of Justice Director’s Award. Prior to this role, Rodney was selected as a White House Fellow, the nation’s most prestigious public service Fellowship. As a White House Fellow, Rodney was placed at NASA working directly for the NASA Administrator. Rodney also previously served at the Pentagon as a Congressional Legislative Liaison in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. Rodney is an alumnus of the Air Force Academy, Duke Law, the University of Georgia and the Harvard Business School. Now a published author, Rodney has recently released his first book, Heroes Wanted: Why the World Needs You to Live Your Heart Out. Key Takeaways: How Rodney’s childhood and community paved the way for his confidence and diligence in life Why it’s never too late to act on your ideas and why we should focus on our own timeline for success How Rodney’s first grade teacher went over and beyond to help him propel in school How the White House Fellowship program became a pivotal point in Rodney’s life How working for Sally Yates, the former United States Attorney General, led to Rodney actually starting and leading the Chick-fil-A Foundation What Rodney calls the ” 9 Cs of an Heroic Heart”, which makes up the framework of the book Why the time is NOW for Gen Xers to create change and make  a positive impact on the world And so much more! Resources mentioned in this episode: Rodney’s Website and Book Chick-fil-A Foundation Rodney on Instagram Rodney on Linkedin Rodney on Facebook Rodney’s Personal Theme Song “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” by McFadden & Whitehead Thank you for listening!

143:  Army veteran Ken Robbins is a former Army officer with twenty years of experience serving in tactical, operational and strategic level assignments. While in the Army, he deployed to numerous theaters, including service in Iraq in 2008- 2009.  Ken is the Co-Founder and CEO of MILLIE, an online resource that helps military families discover their next duty station by providing military families with information and on the ground support to ease the stress of their next move. His final assignments included battalion command in Europe and as a special assistant to the Chief of Staff of the Army. In 2009, Ken was appointed as one of fifteen White House Fellows by President Obama. After his White House Fellowship, Ken served as an Army Fellow at the Department of State. His educational background includes a B.S. in American Politics from the United States Military Academy and a Master in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School. Ken and his wife, Heidi, who is a top performing real estate agent in Northern Virginia, have lived in 12 homes during 20 years of Army moves. They purchased their first home in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1998 and their current home in Arlington, VA in 2015. They have two daughters, one is a freshman at the University of Alabama and one who is an 8th grader in Arlington public schools. At MILLIE we personally understand the PCS process. We are here to support you – from researching your new duty station to deciding on your next home – with the people and services you need to get you from one place to another. The military delivers your goods, but we bring military families home.   The Veteran On the Move podcast has published over 140 episodes giving listeners the opportunity to hear in-depth interviews conducted by host Joe Crane featuring the people, programs and resources to assist veterans in their transition to entrepreneurship:  Marine Corps, Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard veterans, DOD, entrepreneurship, business, success, military spouse, transition, education, programs and resources.  Veteran On the Move has garnered over 500,000 listens verified through Stitcher Radio, Sound Cloud, Itunes and RSS Feed Syndication making it one of the most popular Military Entrepreneur Shows on the Internet Today.

Charles P. Garcia is the CEO of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), whose mission is to empower and develop Latino men and women as leaders of character for the nation in every sector of the global economy.  Founded in 1972, ALPFA is the nation’s largest Latino professional organization with 43 professional chapters and 144 student chapters.  He also chairs the TIGER 21 South Florida Chapter, the premier peer-to-peer group for ultrahigh-net-worth individuals, which is in 17 cities, and its 320 members control over $30 billion in personal assets. Mr. Garcia’s career spans a broad spectrum of industries, all focused on leveraging his in-depth understanding of Hispanic consumers.  In 1997, Mr. Garcia became the CEO of Sterling Financial Group, a privately held financial services firm which he grew from a small business to 60 offices in seven countries, 20,000 Hispanic clients and $2 billion in assets prior to selling it in 2005.  The company was named by Inc. magazine as the # 8 fastest growing privately held company in the country and Charles was named Entrepreneur of the Year by three national organizations. With an expertise in retail operations, marketing, finance, strategy, and international business, he served for six years (until the company was sold in 2012) on the Board of Directors of Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. (Fortune 500), one of the largest supermarkets in the southeast with nearly 500 stores and 400 in-store pharmacies.  He served on the Audit Committee, as a financial expert under SEC rules, and on the Nominating and Corporate Governance committee.  He also chaired an Advisory Board for Aetna Inc. (Fortune 100), reporting directly to its CEO, focused on growing the Hispanic market share of this diversified healthcare company.  Mr. Garcia was also a Hispanic market strategy advisor for Amway, a $13 billion private company in the direct selling industry. Mr. Garcia has worked for four Presidents, both Democrat and Republican, and served on high profile federal and state government boards.  He was the Chairman of the Board of Visitors of the U.S. Air Force Academy, appointed by both President Bush and President Obama, to oversee all operations at the Air Force Academy.  The fifteen member board is composed of four U.S. Senators, four U.S. Congressmen, and seven Presidential appointments.  The Secretary of the Air Force awarded him the Distinguished Public Service Medal for leading “a historic transformation to ensure it operates more like a corporate board of directors.”  Florida Governor Jeb Bush appointed him to the State Board of Education, which oversees all public education in Florida. Mr. Garcia has a J.D. from Columbia Law School, where he was the first student in his class to publish on the Columbia Law Review.  He has an M.P.A. from the University of Oklahoma; and a B.S. from the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he was awarded the Class of 1983 Honor and Ethics Trophy given to the graduate who “most personified the ideals of personal integrity.”  In 1988, he was awarded a White House Fellowship by President Reagan.  He served in various high level positions in the federal government, receiving the Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez Public Service and Integrity award. The book Hispanics in the USA: Making History chose Mr. Garcia as one of fourteen Latino role models for the nation, and both Hispanic Business and Latino Leaders magazines recognized him as one of the “100 most influential Hispanics in the United States.”  He has authored two best-selling leadership books:  A Message from Garcia (John Wiley, 2003) and Leadership Lessons of the White House Fellows (McGraw Hill, 2009).   He writes regularly for CNN, Fox News and the Huffington Post. Aprendizajes Lo que aprendio Charlie en la academia militar que le ayudo a crear una vida de liderazgo y exito Como Charlie se creo oportunidades que lo llevaron a encontrar a su mentor