Her Hypesquad with Bosstrack
By Bosstrack
Her Hypesquad with BosstrackMar 01, 2023
52. Allison Mairena on career transitions, self-advocacy, peer support, and standing out on LinkedIn
Today, we're talking with Allison Mairena, VP of People for NewGlobe, an international education company.
We talk about career transitions, self-advocacy, the importance of peer support, some great advice for what to do (and what not to do) to uplevel your LinkedIn profile, and so much more.
Contact Allison
LinkedIn: @peoplexenthusiast
About Allison
Allison Mairena (she/her) specializes in building and scaling People Operations practices, particularly for rapidly-growing startups and international teams. Currently, she serves as the VP of People for NewGlobe, an international education company providing innovative curriculum and transformative technical services to public schools.
Recently leading the People & Talent function at connectRN, she led the organization through COVID-19 and the transition to remote-supportive work. There, Allison developed and executed the HR strategy as the company grew 4x YoY. Prior to connectRN, Allison served as the Head of People at CozyKin, a tech-enabled childcare service, and talent acquisition teams at EF Education First and Cengage, hiring globally and nationally respectively.
Being a very mission-driven professional, Allison has worked predominantly for companies which make a societal impact in the edtech, healthtech, famtech spaces. She believes in a human-first approach, advocating for employee wellbeing and amplifying voices from underrepresented groups.
51. Henna Pryor on good awkward, improv exercises, redemption stories, and magic words
In this episode, we're getting awkward with Henna Pryor!
We talk about her book Good Awkward, what it is and embracing awkwardness in leadership, using improv exercises with your team to build trust and encourage open communication, the power of telling ourselves redemption stories in place of contamination stories, and so much more.
You'll really enjoy the awkward moment in the middle of the podcast where we try to figure out where the bubbles on screen are coming from - you really never know when you'll experience those quirks and unexpected moments.
Show notes can be found at: https://thebosstrack.com/henna-pryor-on-good-awkward-improv-exercises-redemption-stories-and-magic-words-51/
Contact Henna
LinkedIn: @hennapryor
Website: www.pryoritygroup.com
About Henna
Henna Pryor, PCC is a highly sought after Workplace Performance Expert and an award-winning 2x TEDx and global keynote speaker, author, and executive coach. Her clients call her their “secret weapon for impossible change,” an honor she wears proudly. She’s known for her science-backed approach to improving the performance, habits, and actions of hungry high achievers – in her fun, no-nonsense, no-jargon way – to move them from their first level of success to their next one.
Henna founded Pryority Group – a fast-growing performance growth firm – to expand on her belief that the key to most people’s success is leaning into awkwardness a little bit longer to skyrocket strategic risk-taking and be braver in the work that we do.
She’s recognized as a SUCCESS Magazine Woman of Influence, and her best-selling book, Good Awkward, was endorsed by NFL Quarterback Russell Wilson and former HBR Editor Karen Dillon, and was named a Kirkus Reviews’ Best Book of 2023.
50. Kat Newport on esilience, anchoring in optimism, mastering the art of emotional rebound, and the power of unleashing your creative spirit
We’re rolling out the red carpet for an all-new episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack!
In this episode, we dive deep with Kat Newport, a mastermind in flipping conflict into growth, a visionary author, and the founder of Oculus, Inc.
We talk about resilience, anchoring in optimism, mastering the art of emotional rebound, and the power of unleashing your creative spirit. Get ready to be inspired, enlightened, and perhaps, even see the world a little differently.
About Kat:
Kat Newport, an Associate Certified Coach (ACC), and Certified Change Practitioner (CCP) is the visionary Founder of Oculus Inc. and author of the upcoming book, 'Smart Conflict: Turning Disputes into Growth Opportunities.'
With a passionate mission to harness conflict as a catalyst for growth and innovation, Kat empowers individuals and organizations to thrive. Her charismatic approach, rooted in the values of authenticity, resiliency, and momentum, specializes in leadership and conflict management, creating lasting positive impact on all collaborators.
Kat boasts national director-level leadership in quality assurance, project management and organizational development, shaping comprehensive training programs and individually coaching and transforming countless leaders.
Where to find Kat:
LinkedIn: @Kat-Newport
49. Elizabeth McCalley on professional resilience, intuition and gut feelings, handling no-win situations, and culinary experiments
In this episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack, we have the pleasure of bringing you insights from Elizabeth McCalley, the CEO of StartStak.
This conversation covers quite a bit, from the art of professional resilience to the often underestimated power of intuition. We also talk about the profound significance of time and handling no-win situations. But it's not all business. We also venture into raising chickens and culinary experimentation.
Contact Elizabeth
LinkedIn: @emccalley
Website: www.startstak.ai
About Elizabeth
As the CEO and Founder of StartStak, Elizabeth is a results-driven executive enabling strategy and go to market for early stage companies.
She is AI-native and excels in developing new markets through use of emerging technologies. She brings extensive experience in nascent markets, industry solution development, marketing, partnerships, and alliances.
Elizabeth has a passion for developing new markets and is on a mission to broadly enable entrepreneurship through a new business design. StartStak is Founded for the Founders.
48. Clarissa Burt on self-esteem, reinventing yourself, and finding joy in connection and continuous learning
To get this new year started, I sat down with Clarissa Burt, CEO of In the Limelight Media and author of The Self-Esteem Regime. We talk about self-esteem, reinventing yourself, and finding joy in connection and continuous learning.
I loved Clarissa's energy, and I know you'll really enjoy this conversation!
About Clarissa Burt
Clarissa Burt is an internationally acclaimed award-winning media personality, producer, director, writer, author, public speaker and former supermodel and winner of the celebrity version of Italian Survivor.
With hundreds of television and film credits to her name, this Who’s Who of International and American Women brings over 35 years of entertainment industry experience in both International and American markets.
Clarissa is the Founder and CEO of In the Limelight Media, a multi-media platform consisting of TV/video, a podcast, and a digital magazine. Her shows can be seen on ROKU, Amazon Fire, and Apple TV among other places and her podcast is heard on 15 different distribution platforms. She is also the author of the internationally pluri-award bestselling book entitled The Self-Esteem Regime.
Clarissa was the first American to present Russian TV at the Kremlin and has had two private audiences with Pope John Paul II honoring her social work.
As Ambassador to the United States for the “Walking Africa” campaign, she actively helped African women win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011.
Contact Clarissa
Facebook: @clarissaburtofficial
LinkedIn: @clarissaburt
Instagram: @clarissaburt
Website: www.clarissaburt.com
47. Randi Deckard on advocating for yourself, the danger of assumptions, working cross-functionally, and helping others shine
Welcome back to a new episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack!
This week I sat down with Randi Deckard, a Senior VP of Client Engagement, to talk about advocating for yourself, the danger of assumptions, the many benefits of working cross-functionally, breaking down silos, and helping others shine.
We cover so much ground in this conversation - we’ve got something for everyone!
About Randi:
Randi Deckard has over twenty years of commercial healthcare industry experience with a focus on driving revenue growth with a customer-obsessed approach.
She has experience driving revenue and profitability in the Life Sciences, Technology, and Financial Services sectors of Healthcare.
Randi has transformed her clinical scientist data-driven experiments into GTM playbooks that drive profitable sustainable growth.
She’s a Master of Revenue Architecture, a serial learner, and proud mama of two fur babies, Appollo and Luna.
Contact Randi:
LinkedIn: @randisuedeckard
46. Ashton Rodenhiser on visualizing ideas, idea retention, making others feel heard, and how AI will change creativity at work
Welcome to this week's episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack where I sit down with Ashton Rodenhiser, Founder, Live Illustrator & Sketchnoting Educator of Mind's Eye Creative Consulting.
We talk about visualizing ideas, idea retention, making others feel heard, and how AI will change creativity at work.
About Ashton Rodenhiser
Ashton Rodenhiser is passionate about lifting the creative spirit in everyone that she meets. She has followed her passion for helping people communicate their ideas and combined that with creativity by founding Mind's Eye Creative Consulting.
Over the years, she has brought over 2500 presentations and conversations to life either on paper or digitally. She’s now on a mission to teach sketchnoting skills to students and professionals on how to use doodling and drawing as their best thinking and learning tool.
When she’s not working with clients, she’s being silly with her three young kids and husband in rural Canada.
Contact Ashton:
Website: http://www.mindseyecreative.ca/
Website: http://www.sketchnote.school
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashtonrodenhiser/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MindsEyeCCF
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashtonmindseye/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MindsEyeCreativeCF
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sketchnoteschool
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/SketchnoteSchool
45. Melissa Cohen on leading with empathy (Replay)
This is a replay of Episode #13 with Melissa Cohen.
Hello, and welcome back to another episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack!
In this episode, I have a wide-ranging conversation about leading with empathy with Melissa Cohen, a fashion industry executive. She offers some great advice and insight you don’t want to miss!
Melissa and I talk about about what empathy looks like, how to develop empathy, and why it’s so important to have empathy as a leader today. And of course, we talk about Brene Brown because who can have a conversation about empathy without talking about her?
About Melissa Cohen
Melissa Cohen is a fashion industry executive who has led teams at well-known American brands, including Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, and Nautica. She has led product development, sourcing, and production across various categories for men's, women's, and children's apparel. In 2020 Melissa launched her own consulting business, providing her expertise to start-up and growth-stage brands.
Passionate about girls and women's empowerment, she is a founding member of Chief (New York City chapter) - a private network built to drive more women into positions of power and keep them there. Melissa is also deeply involved with Her Move Next - a grassroots 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to empowering women and young girls through chess, community, and competition.
In her free time, Melissa enjoys reading, Broadway musicals, watching sports, and all things pumpkin spice.
Contact Melissa
LinkedIn: @melissa-cohen-8445067
44. Erica Wiederlight on confidence, the stories we tell ourselves, allowing ourselves to be seen, and our relationship to pleasure
In this episode, I sit down with Erica Wiederlight, confidence coach and CEO of We the Light. We talk about confidence, the stories we tell ourselves, allowing ourselves to be seen, and our relationship to pleasure.
I loved this conversation and had some great takeaways for myself from our talk!!
About Erica
Erica Wiederlight is THE confidence coach who focuses on self love, sexual empowerment, dating, getting your radiance back and going from autopilot to thriving.
In addition to her coaching practice, she is a professional speaker and podcaster. Her podcast "Welcome To The Wiederlife” is a top rated podcast across many categories including: divorce, love, sexuality, yoga, dating, coaching and marriage!
She has been featured on over 100 other podcasts, in addition to being a wellness expert at NYFW, the UN and in publications such as Epoch Times, Galore and Cosmopolitan magazine.
Contact Erica
Instagram: @wethelight_llc
Website: www.wethelight.org
43. Yvette Durazo on conflict IQ, negotiating at work, active listening and conflict resolution
Welcome to another episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack!
This week I sat down with Yvette Durazo, CEO of Unitive Consulting and author of Conflict Intelligence Quotient - Conflict-IQ (R) : The Missing Piece to Turbocharge Conscious Leaders’ and Organizations’ Emotional Intelligence.
We talk about conflict IQ, negotiating for what you want or need at work, active listening and resolving conflict.
You can find the show notes on our show site: https://thebosstrack.com/her-hypesquad/
About Yvette Durazo
Yvette Durazo, author of the book "CONFLICT INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT "CONFLICT-IQ™," is the founder of Unitive Consulting, specializing in workplace effectiveness, conflict management, and leadership development.
With a master's degree in Conflict Resolution, Negotiation, and Peacebuilding from California State University Dominguez Hills, Yvette holds a PCC coaching credential from the International Coaching Federation.
She brings innovative techniques to promote positive workplace cultures, trust, and inclusion.
Services offered include conflict mediation, training, anti-bullying prevention, settlement negotiations, and addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues.
Yvette is a former consultant at Santa Clara County, experienced in change management and conflict transformation. Additionally, she serves as a professor at various universities and actively participates in ADR associations and the wellness community.
Contact Yvette
LinkedIn: @yvette-durazo
Website: www.unitiveconsulting.com
42. Nikki Jones on change management, confronting fears, embracing change, and being awesome
It's our 1 year anniversary! I can't believe I've had the privilege to talk with so many inspiring women over the last year. And this week is no exception.
In this episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack, I sit down with Nikki Jones, CEO and Founder of Changility, to talk about change management, confronting fears, embracing change, and being awesome!
About Nikki Jones
Nikki Jones (she/they) is the CEO & Founder of Changility. There, she focuses on the humanity of change management and its effect on people first, and her vision is to change the way the world thinks about change, one human at a time. With this unique approach, she creates a new way of working for her clients and their employees, shifting mindsets on strategy design and planning, change and program management, process improvements, and enterprise goal management.
Prior to Changility, Nikki was NPR's Vice President of Change Management and Transformation. In this role, she worked to ensure NPR delivered on its business and cultural aspirations, developed more inclusive decision-making and transparent ways of setting project plans and accountabilities and built stronger support systems for cross-departmental collaboration.
Prior to NPR, she was the Director of Program Management with SiriusXMRadio, where she coached product teams responsible for digital campaign execution on SiriusXM.com and content management, sales flows, and marketing promotion optimization. As Senior Technical Program Manager with National Geographic Digital Media, she launched the official online experience for the U2 3D film for NatGeo's Cinema Ventures Entertainment Division and led cross-functional teams for all online programs for NatGeo and NatGeo Magazine. As a consultant with Secured Sciences Group, she re-engineered the IT Governance process for the United States Marine Corps' Manpower Information Systems Division.
Nikki earned her BS in Social Science/Political Science from Coppin State University and her Master of Science in Information Systems Technologies and Advanced Business Technologies from George Washington University.
She served on the board of the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications in 2015 and served on the Technology and Innovation Committee for the Emma Bowen Foundation from 2019 to 2023. In 2021, she was a fellow for Public Media Women in Leadership’s CEO/COOBootcamp. She currently serves on the Leadership Council for the National Small Business Association.
Nikki was introduced to tech at a young age through video games. Her love for technology led her through database administration and front-end development and grew exponentially when she became a project manager. Her passion for servant-leadership, program management, and transformation drives her to help minorities confront and embrace the challenges that they face in the technology industry.
Contact Nikki
LinkedIn: @nikjjones
Email: embracechange@thechangility.com
Website: www.thechangility.com
41. Richa Batra on leading large teams, advocating for equity, confronting bias, being transparent, and modeling trust
In this week's episode, I had the absolute privilege of talking with Richa Batra, VP and General Manager of the Student Success organization at Anthology.
We talk about leading large teams, advocating for equity, confronting bias, being transparent, and modeling trust.
About Richa Batra
Richa Batra is the Vice President and General Manager of the Student Success organization at Anthology. Richa has held various roles within Student Success over the last 13 years and has 20 years’ experience in Workplace Development, Contact Center Operations, Client Experience and Education Technology. Richa oversees a team of over 1,000 front line contact center employees that double in size to support back to school with 8 million annual interactions supporting students.
Richa is passionate about the intersection of higher education, workforce development, employability and customer experience. Richa learned the “Nordstrom way” in her first job focused on customer experience and has been a focus throughout her career managing clients, teams and contact center operations.
Richa is a first generation college student and is focused on her work to drive increased access and student retention to students from underserved populations.
She holds a BA from the University of Maryland College Park in Communications and an MBA from the George Washington University in International Business.
Contact Richa
LinkedIn: @richabatra
40. Francine Feder on building strong teams, handling rejection, work/life balance, marketing + women’s sports, and respecting your team
Welcome back to another episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack!
This week I talk with Francine Feder, marketing executive, about building strong teams, understanding your team’s motivations, handling rejection, marketing and women’s sports, respecting your team, promoting work/life balance and so much more.
Francine has so much insight, experience and advice to share from her many years of experience.
About Francine Feder:
Francine is currently working as an independent marketing consultant after her 20+ year career with Foot Locker Inc including 12 years at the VP level leading diverse Marketing teams across Brand Strategy, Creative & Content, Public Relations, Digital Marketing, Paid Media, Social Media, Influencer & Talent Marketing and Events.
She is an award winning marketer whose accolades include numerous Cannes Lions, Sports Clios and the Effie Award for Sustained Success for Foot Locker campaigns that have garnered national press and recognition.
Her current consulting assignments include amongst others, a role as the VP of Athlete Storytelling and Business Development for Athlete Driven, an integrated marketing agency specializing in working with brands using athletes at the center and also serving as an Executive Advisor to Diseo, a decentralized social media startup platform.
Francine lives in New York with her husband, and her goldendoodle dog Huey. She is an avid traveler, wine, food, fitness and boating enthusiast.
Contact Francine:
LinkedIn: @francine-feder-2312192
39. Suzan Abdurrahman on thinking outside the box, being curious, coaching leadership, and having the courage to speak up
This week I talk with Suzan Abdurrahman about thinking outside the box, being curious, coaching leadership, and having the courage to speak up.
We also get into a discussion about the value of mentorship.
Suzan has so much great experience and advice to share.
About Suzan
Suzan Abdurrahman is the IT Director of the Project Management Office at White Cap.
She was born to remove barriers, share knowledge, and support all primarily underdogs. She says she accidentally fell into IT and subsequently project management but in retrospect it's where she belonged this whole time.
Suzan kicks ass in solving business problems and leading teams which results in businesses kicking ass in their market area.
She has a passion for exceeding customer expectations, team building, mentoring, and delivering creative out of the box solutions.
Suzan's certifications include: ITIL, Project Management Professional (PMP), Scrum Fundamental Certification, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, CIW Webmaster, Microsoft Certified Professional, and Network Security.
Fun facts about Suzan are she was the first female president of a 25 year old nonprofit organization, she served as a book editor, hosted royal members from Jordan and Egypt, and started career as daycare worker.
Contact Suzan
LinkedIn: @sawad
38. Mai Moore on social impact, the power of connecting, embracing innovation and ideas of GenZ, and facing your fears
This week I talk with Mai Moore about social impact, the power of connecting, embracing innovation and ideas of GenZ, and facing your fears.
Mai is so passionate about supporting women and young people and has so much great experience and advice to share.
For show notes and links from the episode, go to the episode page.
About Mai:
Mai Moore is an Award-Winning Social Impact Leader, Co-Founder of EYEJ: Empowering Youth, Exploring Justice, Founder of Setting Off Social Impact, and Boss Me In.
Mai is the visionary Founder of Boss Me In - a purpose-driven organization led by diverse executive women to inspire college-aged women through storytelling, preparing them to become agents of change.
She is also the co-founder of EYEJ: Empowering Youth, Exploring Justice, an innovative and timely non-profit organization committed to driving social justice reform and focused on empowering young advocates for change.
Mai helped two tech start-ups go public; Travelzoo Inc. and United Online, and is an award-winning integrated marketer and producer of social action campaigns and events.
Mai believes in diverse women, BIPOC persons, and our young people to help create a more equitable and inclusive world. She is from Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
Contact Mai:
Linkedin: @maimoore
Website: www.maimoore.com
37. Andrea Shaikin on flexing communication, securing buy-in, failing forward, and authentempathy
This week I talk with Andrea Shaikin on flexing communication, securing buy-in, being open with failures, and authentempathy - a concept Andrea developed and will tell us more about.
Andrea has so much great leadership experience and advice to share.
About Andrea:
Andrea Shaikin is a leader in Business Development, Partner Relationship Management, Loyalty, CRM, and Customer Experience & Engagement.
She is the Director of Partner Onboarding at AIR MILES, Canada's largest Loyalty Program.
Previously, she has held roles at Quark Expeditions, Staples Canada, Mr. Lube Canada, Royal Bank of Canada and Hudson's Bay where she has led Business Development, Digital Transformations, CRM and Content Marketing Initiatives and Loyalty and Engagement Product and Program Development.
She is an author, speaker & podcast guest, panelist and consultant, and she volunteers as a Career Mentor with Newcomers to Canada through CultureLink.
Contact Andrea:
LinkedIn: @andreashaikin
If you enjoy my conversation with Andrea, be sure to subscribe to our channel and help more people find us by sharing this episode with others or by leaving a review!
Or subscribe to our weekly newsletter filled with things we found that we’re excited about and we’re inspired by along with valuable leadership advice to watch, listen to or read.
It’s a little bit of joy for your inbox each Monday! You can subscribe at https://thebosstrack.com/weeklyjoy
36. Kristine Middlemiss on leading in tech, balancing drive and passion, clear communication and driving solutions
Hello and welcome back to a new episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack!
This week I talk with Kristine Middlemiss, a Chief Technology Officer, about leading in tech, balancing drive and passion, clear communication, and driving solutions.
We discuss leading remotely, balancing check-ins and autonomy, mentoring and empowering others, and excellent resources for women in tech to check out.
Of course, we also talk about what song hypes up Kristine when she needs an energy boost and what routine she has that contributes to her overall well-being.
Kristine has so much great advice to share from her leadership experiences.
About Kristine:
With more than 20 years of experience, Kristine Middlemiss, is a world-class leader in innovation and software development, having worked in a global leading software company, top grossing video game company, a premier film studio, and the fast-growing VFX studio.
Kristine has a focus on Python and C++ software development, end-to-end motion capture/animation/VFX pipelines, emerging technologies including AR/VR, cloud and Machine Learning, and support + client management. She has proven results in cutting-edge technical leadership strategies, educational training techniques, business communications, and customer service.
In her most recent role, Kristine was a proactive and creative problem-solver leading the technology division and company’s technology strategy at Monsters Aliens Robots Zombies as the Chief Technology Officer. Pushing cloud, IT, AI, Rendering, and the VFX Pipeline forward for the studio.
Kristine has an Honours Bachelor of Computing Degree with a major in Computer Science and a minor in Fine Art from the University of Guelph in Canada. Kristine has previously worked in leadership roles as Software Developer, Developer Consultant, Technical Director, and Pipeline Supervisor at such companies as IBM/Lenovo, Alias/Autodesk, and Rockstar Games.
Prior to her latest role, she was in the LA area, where she was working as a Lead Motion Capture and Advanced Technology Engineer at DreamWorks Animation, where she received Technical Achievement Awards for Performance Animation Pipeline in 2015, AR/VR Production Asset Transfer Pipeline in 2017 and Mocap-to-Layout Data Delivery Pipeline in 2018.
Kristine has worked on such projects as Grand Theft Auto 5, Home, Kung Fu Panda 3, Trolls, Abominable, The Walking Dead, WandaVision, Stranger Things, and Wednesday, to name a few.
Kristine currently resides in Ontario, Canada, with her husband and three children, she enjoys spending time with her family, bookbinding, and reading.
Contact Kristine:
LinkedIn: @kristinemiddlemiss
35. Meredith Eisgrau on being in the right work, knowing your superpower, scheduling me time, and much more (Repost)
This is a repost of Episode #2 with Meredith Eisgrau.
In this episode, we talk with Meredith Eisgrau about all things leadership. We talk about how to know when you’re in the right work, how to be considered for high visibility projects, knowing what your superpower is, identifying and closing gaps in your team’s abilities.
She shares mistakes and learnings she’s made over the years as a leader, the best leadership advice she’s received during her career, and the song that pumps her up when she needs to get moving.
About Meredith:
Meredith has over 25 years of leadership in retail, technology, & startup - working for companies like Louis Vuitton, Apple, Ivivva by Lululemon and tech startups like Enjoy.
Her specialty is organizing and developing teams to crush their goals. As a leader, Meredith focuses on personalizing support for leaders so they can move away from being an individual contributor and successfully lead through their teams.
Outside of work, Meredith is a Muppet lover, baker, and overall explorer of places. She loves to take pictures with her iPhone and is learning how to create with resin and practicing calligraphy. She finds joy in both of these while also building her skills in patience.
Contact Meredith:
LinkedIn: @meisgrau
34. Liz Hettler on leading with heart, recognizing your value, uplifting other women, and finding calm in cycling
Hello and welcome back to a new episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack! This week I talk with Liz Hettler about leading with heart, recognizing your value, women uplifting women, and finding calm in cycling Liz has so much great advice to share from her leadership and life experiences. About Liz: Liz Hettler is the Director of Experience at Vesta Home. She is obsessed with human experiences both externally and internally. She’s a people first leader and is passionate about women supporting women. Liz has led teams in both corporate and retail environments - consistently placing priority on improving the customer experience. As she puts it, she likes to add a little flare to every interaction. She completed her MBA with distinction at DePaul University. Liz is originally from Chicago, but currently resides in LA and enjoys cycling and spending time with her adorably cute rescue dog. Contact Liz: LinkedIn: liz-hettler-893237ba If you enjoy my conversation with Liz, be sure to subscribe to our channel and help more people find us by sharing this episode with others or by leaving a review! Or subscribe to our weekly newsletter filled with things we found that we’re excited about and we’re inspired by along with valuable leadership advice to watch, listen to or read. It’s a little bit of joy for your inbox each Monday! You can subscribe at https://thebosstrack.com/weeklyjoy
33. Michelle Pecak on building trust, finding your voice, networking and advocacy, and slowing down
Hello and welcome back to a new episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack.
This week I talk with Michelle Pecak about building trust, finding your voice, networking and advocacy, and slowing down.
Michelle is full of energy and has so much to share from her leadership experience and life experiences.
About Michelle Pecak
Michelle Pecak is a visionary leader that grows companies in a people-first culture built on trust. Her mission is to make a difference through her purpose which is to create an environment where people can be the best version of themselves, so they can make a difference and add value.
Michelle has spent 20+ years in operational excellence, pricing, strategy & innovation – all in the supply chain field of Electrical Distribution. She recently buttoned up a 20-year career in the Electrical industry & is adding a new life layer – branching out to new industries & board seats that value her experience, connections, passions, innovation, and leadership style.
Michelle believes in leading with kindness & empathy – where people are able to use their innate strengths to make a profound difference and grow in a company with a heartbeat. She spent 6 months in a personal discovery journey BACK to her authentic self, building her tribe, & exploring how to view the world through an abundance mindset.
Michelle claims that when she stopped letting her job DEFINE who she was – she became free to explore the best version of herself, and that as a leader – making it safe to bring your whole self to work is a world where we ALL thrive.
Contact Michelle
LinkedIn: michelle-pecak
If you enjoy my conversation with Michelle, make sure you subscribe to our channel and help more people find us by sharing this episode with others or by leaving a review! Or subscribe to our weekly newsletter filled with things we found that we’re excited about and we’re inspired by along with valuable leadership advice to watch, listen to or read. It’s a little bit of joy for your inbox each Monday! You can subscribe at https://thebosstrack.com/weeklyjoy
32. Melissa Jones on leading after trauma, being brave while afraid, and owning your power
Hello and welcome back to a new episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack.
This week I talk with Melissa Jones about leading after trauma, the power of taking solo vacations, being brave while afraid, inner peace and owning your power.
About Melissa Jones
Melissa Jones serves as Vice President, Senior Business Banking Specialist for Enterprise Bank & Trust, headquartered in St. Louis, MO.
She helps Corporations, LLC's, Sole Proprietor's and Non-Profits with tailor-fitting a capital and cash management strategy to reach their business goals. With over 22 years of banking experience, she has helped many clients achieve success in their company's business endeavors.
In 2019, Melissa was recognized as one of St. Louis’ most inspiring and influential leaders and professionals. She was also recognized in 2020 by St. Louis Small Business Monthly as one of St. Louis’ most admired business advisors. She is a transformative leader with results excelling in Strategic Planning, Business Development, Leadership Development, and Sales Skills.
Melissa is also the Visionary and CEO of Living Healed Ministries. She is an International Best Selling Author of Claim Your Comeback: Begin Your Journey to Healing & Wholeness, where readers learn how to create their own action plan on healing from traumas that has held them back, setting healthy boundaries with toxic individuals and applying their faith to the healing process. Surviving and thriving after abusive relationships, raising three small children on her own while having a demanding corporate career - these are all things Melissa overcame to claim her comeback.
By applying tools she learned in her corporate career to her personal goals, she was able to heal, evolve, and become a more fulfilled version of herself.
Melissa is the mother of three adult children, a Consortium for Leadership Development Harvard School of Business graduate, currently is a Board Director for three organizations and holds memberships in multiple professional organizations in the region. She believes in the importance and impact of managing business banking relationships with a spirit of excellence and client-centered service.
Melissa is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., The Links, Inc., and enjoys traveling, spending quality time with family and friends and has a passion for horseback riding.
Contact Melissa
LinkedIn: Melissa-Jones22
Instagram: iammelissaljones
Website: www.livinghealedministries.com
If you enjoy my conversation with Melissa, make sure you subscribe to our channel and help more people find us by sharing this episode with others or by leaving a review! Or subscribe to our weekly newsletter filled with things we found that we’re excited about and we’re inspired by along with valuable leadership advice to watch, listen to or read. It’s a little bit of joy for your inbox each Monday! You can subscribe at https://thebosstrack.com/weeklyjoy
31. Kia Minor on leadership lessons from the court, inspiring your team, building trust and never giving up
Hello and welcome back to a new episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack!
This week I talk with Kia Minor about leadership lessons from the court, inspiring your team, building trust and never giving up.
About Kia Minor:
Kia is a Financial Fitness coach whose goal is to serve and educate the communities that she is passionate about — those who must fight harder for their success.
Her mission is to empower female professionals to improve their financial wellness, build generational wealth and allow them to live, give and enjoy their life with purpose and financial confidence.
Prior to being a financial fitness coach, Kia spent 6 years as a Division III collegiate basketball coach. Basketball is still an important part of her life, and she now coaches club basketball.
She places enormous value on character development, mentorship, and teamwork.
Contact Kia:
LinkedIn: @kia-minor-794288b67
Instagram: @moneymatterswithkia
30. Netta Jenkins on career success as a working mom, uplifting others, and giving yourself grace
Hello and welcome back to a new episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack!
This week I talk with Netta Jenkins, CEO of Aerodei, a gamified platform that ignites DEI efforts by measuring the impact of every employee.
We talk about career success as a working mom, setting boundaries, the importance of laughter, community, uplifting others, giving yourself grace and so much more.
I had such a great time talking with Netta - I still really don’t know how she does it all!
About Netta Jenkins:
Netta Jenkins is CEO of Aerodei, a gamified platform for organizations that ignite DEI Efforts by measuring the impact of every employee and offers real-time demographic data. Aerodei's platform organically enhances representation, retention, growth, and engagement.
She is a doctoral student focused on quality systems and management and the author of The Inclusive Organization, listed by Forbes as one of the top 4 DEI books to read.
Netta has been advising corporations and audiences of all kinds for over 15 years on the most effective strategies to address inequitable gaps, which led to a 300k+ LinkedIn audience and played a key factor in Forbes naming her as one of the top 7 Anti-Racism educators in the world.
She also gave a ground-breaking TEDx talk, "Reimagining the Workplace.”
Connect with Netta:
LinkedIn: @nettajenkins
Website: www.aerodei.com
Website: www.nettajenkins.com
29. Julia Rock on being vulnerable, amplifying voices, connecting with your team, and achieving goals
Hello and welcome back to a new episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack!
This week I talk with Julia Rock, CEO and Principal Career Coach at Rock Career Development.
Julia and I talk about being vulnerable, amplifying voices, connecting with your team, making mistakes, leading different generations, brag sheets, achieving goals and so much more.
I had such a great time talking with Julia - she has so much energy and enthusiasm for leadership and it really comes through in our conversation.
About Julia:
Julia Rock is a career and leadership development coach who has helped hundreds of ambitious Black and POC professionals break through career plateaus to secure six-figure salaries and fulfilling job opportunities.
She is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and a Certified Employment Interview Professional (CEIP).
Through her company Rock Career Development, she now helps Black and POC former and transitioning athletes translate their existing skills into high-paying, in-demand careers.Through her signature coaching methods, clients are able to secure dream positions while earning their worth and then some.
Julia has been featured in several major publications and platforms, including: Fortune, Business Insider, Monster, and Blavity. She is also a published author, co-authoring two new books: The Six-Figure Athlete and Athlete to Entrepreneur (available July 2023).
Connect with Julia:
LinkedIn: @Julia-Rock
Instagram: @thejuliarock
Website: www.rockcareer.com
28. Karen Holliday on showing up and being real, earning respect, knowing your voice, and cutting out sugar
Hello and welcome back to a new episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack.
This week I talk with Karen Holliday, COO of the Domestic Platform at Innovairre Communications - a worldwide leader in the fundraising industry.
Karen and I talk about showing up and being real, earning respect, knowing your voice, and cutting out sugar. We also dig into managing our fears as things change at work, and controlling our reactions to things we can’t control. And we have a very special call to action for Brene Brown at the end!
About Karen Holliday:
Karen is the Chief Operating Officer of the Domestic Platform at Innovairre Communications - a worldwide leader in the fundraising industry.
With her dedication to leadership, Karen Holliday has made an impact in the lives and careers of many, and has helped in the successes of a number of organizations.Karen has over 30 years of experience in the world of operations. Prior to her current role, she held senior positions at companies such as Fiserv, Harte Hanks, Source Link, Discover Card, and Toppan Merrill. She is known for her expertise in the business as well as for having excellent people skills.
She is currently serving as Program Advisor for Women in Leadership at Valparaiso University, she is an active member of the OnCon Senior Council and a public speaker.Because of her love for this country, Karen is a veteran and has served in the United States Armed Forces. She is equally passionate about volunteering to help others; you might find her helping to build homes for Habitat for Humanity, or aiding in a food drive in her local community.
Contact Karen:
LinkedIn: @karen-holliday
27. Tina van der Ven and Gale Nelson on speaking up, listening to lead, mentorship, handing over the mic and air tags
Hello and welcome back to a new episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack!
This week’s episode is with Tina van der Ven, CEO of vdV Consulting and Gale Nelson, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Miami.
We talk about speaking up, listening to lead, mentorship, Bigs and Littles, handing over the mic and so much more. It's such a powerful, engaging, and fun conversation. I know I always say it, but you don’t want to miss this conversation!
About Tina van der Ven:
Tina van der Ven is the CEO of vdV Consulting, a Miami-based boutique consulting firm specializing in strategy, marketing, business development, business coaching, and legal recruitment.
She has dedicated 20+ years of marketing working both the client and corporate sides elevating branding and business growth for global professional-services firms, leading corporations, non-profits, and health care institutions.
Prior to founding vdV Consulting, Tina was co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at NewStar Media.
Tina formerly led regional marketing, business development, strategy and communications at the international law firm Greenberg Traurig, worked as a healthcare marketing consultant with Ernst & Young and Enzyme, Inc., and as a clinical researcher at the Brigham and Women's Hospital. She has been recognized by the South Florida Business Journal as a “Power Leader in Marketing” and by Miami Magazine as a “Woman of Style.”
With a deep commitment to community service and a keen passion for giving back, she has helped advance the missions of non-profits enhancing the lives of those in need. She currently serves as co-chair of the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami, a youth mentoring organization. She is a member of the Women of Tocqueville and serves on committees for Miami City Ballet, Perez Art Museum Miami, The Women’s Fund Miami-Dade, and the Little Lighthouse Foundation.
Contact Tina:
Instagram: @vdvconsulting
LinkedIn: @tina-van-der-ven-1521136
About Gale Nelson:
Gale Nelson is the President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Miami. H was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, and grew up in Toledo, Ohio where he began his pursuit of personal and professional success. Gale earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Corporate Finance from the University of Toledo (Toledo, OH) and his Master of Science in Management and Administration of Educational Programs from Nova Southeastern University (Davie, FL). Gale has earned eight doctoral hours in Non-Profit Leadership at Colorado Technical University (Colorado Springs, CO).
Some of Gale’s most recent accomplishments include: the Irvin F. Westheimer Visionary Leadership Award (2022). This national award is named after the man whose vision led to the founding of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Children’s Trust David Lawrence “Champions for Children” Award (2022), South Florida Business Journal Ultimate CEO Honoree (2021), South Florida Business Journal Power 250 List (2021), completed the Nonprofit Leadership program at Boston College (2018), and the Harvard Business School Strategic Perspectives in Non-Profit Management Course for CEO’s from around the world (2018).
Gale’s professional career includes over 30 years of non-profit management and leadership experience. Currently, he is the President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami, and since joining the team in July 2006, he has played a significant role in the growth and development of the agency’s mentoring and fund development programs. He led his team in being named the Agency of the Year Award (2021) and the National Pinnacle Award for three straight years (2019, 2020, 2021).
Contact Gale:
Instagram: @gale_s_nelson
Instagram: @bbbsmiami
Website: www.bbbsmiami.org
26. Celebrating 1/2 year! Highlights from our top episodes to date
Hello and welcome back to a new episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack!
In this week’s episode we’re celebrating our 1/2 year anniversary!
This is episode #26 and we’re bringing you all the hits! We’re highlighting our top, most listened to episodes this week by providing 5-10 minute audio snippets from each episode. This is a slightly bit longer episode but the great thing is that the short clips are easy to listen to during small breaks.
I’m thankful to have had so many knowledgable, experienced and, insightful guests on our show so far - we’re looking forward to continuing that trend and have some excellent upcoming guests you won’t want to miss.
If you want to hear more from any episode, you can find the full episodes on Apple, Spotify, Amazon or anywhere you listen to your podcasts. Just search for our podcast, Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack! Hope you enjoy!
Episode 1 with Samantha Burmeister - Standing out using personal branding
Episode 2 with Meredith Eisgrau - Talking Leadership with Meredith Eisgrau
Episode 10 with Candis Hickman - Storytelling for impact with Candis Hickman
Episode 12 with Amy Robinson - Talking Remote Leadership with Amy Robinson
Episode 14 with Stephanie Simon - Stephanie Simon on motivation, finding outlets for stress, boxing, inspiring others and the Daily Stoic
Episode 18 with Jenn Rivera - Jenn Rivera on lateral leadership, professional development, tantrums and messy desks
Episode 19 with Lynae Remondino - Lynae Remondino on being confident and assertive giving feedback and being authentic
Episode 20 with Kristin Gutierrez - Kristin Gutierrez on motivating your team, responding to burnout, empathy and argan oil
Episode 21 with Renee Lopez Cantera - Renee Lopez Cantera on mindset, motivation, moving to joy, pushing your limits and meditation
Episode 22 with Lisa Sweigard - Boss Break with Lisa Sweigard Leading with laughter, play personalities, octopus jars and building habits
Episode 23 with Heather Brizzi - Heather Brizzi on conscious careers, knowing your strengths, good vs. bad hard and staying curious
Episode 24 with Sanja Cancar-Todorovic - Sanja Cancar-Todorovic on demanding your worth, imposter syndrome, being bold and the happiness revolution.
25. Vanessa Castillo on shifting your mindset, overcoming fear, dating yourself and making magic happen
Hello and welcome back to a new episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack.
In this conversation I talk with Vanessa Castillo - founder and CEO of The Rich Girl Mindset and VCV Agency.
Vanessa and I talk about shifting your mindset, overcoming fear, dating yourself and making magic happen.
About Vanessa:
Vanessa Castillo is an award-winning published photographer & videographer turned creative & spiritual entrepreneur, agency owner, mentor, speaker, talk show host, and coach.
Vanessa began her entrepreneurship journey in 2012 straight out of college. As the founder & CEO of The Rich Girl Mindset & VCV Agency, Vanessa serves her community today, as a life and biz coach but prefers the term Your Soulful Biz Bestie as Vanessa's purpose to inspire us to step out of our comfort zone, live authentically, MAKE SHIFT HAPPEN and create alignment between mind-body-soul and PURPOSE.
Vanessa aims to inspire us to show up as we are - ALL THE TIME.
Contact:
Instagram: @thebossladyvee or @therichgirlmindset or @vcvagency
LinkedIn: @thebossladyvee
Website: www.therichgirlmindset.com or www.vcvagency.com or www.vanessacastillo.com
24. Sanja Cancar-Todorovic on demanding your worth, imposter syndrome, being bold and the happiness revolution
Hello and welcome back to a new episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack!
In this conversation I talk with Sanja Cancar-Todorovic, Head of Enterprise Procurement, Outsourcing & Third-Party Risk Management at Home Capital Group and author of Be Bold and Brilliant - the ultimate guide to kicking butt and taking names while unlocking your personal and professional potential.
Sanja and I talk about knowing and demanding your worth, strategies for identifying and dealing with imposter syndrome, being bold and the happiness revolution.
You’re going to love this conversation.
About Sanja Cancar-Todorovic
With over 20 years of experience in large global organizations, Sanja Cancar-Todorovic is a passionate Customer Experience, Strategy & Transformation Leader, specializing in Driving Technological Innovation, Agile Digital Transformation, Corporate Culture Evolution and Cost & Quality Streamlining via Global Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, BPO, ITO, Vendor Management and Third-Party risk Management.
Sanja is a vocal advocate of diversity in business. For decades, her passion has been mentoring emerging female leaders, strongly believing that diversity breeds innovation. This passion inspired Sanja to write her first book “Be Bold and Brilliant”, that has already made Amazon’s bestseller list in the Career Guide category.
Sanja is involved with several different boards, all focused on either increasing female representation in the workforce, or advancement of the professionals through education, certification, networking and standards of practice.
In addition to her numerous leadership awards, Sanja is also an avid speaker and a writer. She graced the front covers of two industry magazines in 2021, and since 2019 a number of her business strategy articles and other content contributions have been published by numerous international media outlets.
In her free time, Sanja enjoys spending time with her husband and her two sons, enjoying water sports at the lake in the summer, and hitting the slopes skiing in the winter.
Contact Sanja
LinkedIn: Sanja Cancar-Todorovic
23. Heather Brizzi on conscious careers, knowing your strengths, good vs. bad hard, and staying curious
Hello and welcome back to a new episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack
In this conversation I talk with Heather Brizzi, Director of IT Service Management at White Cap.
Heather and I talk about being intentional with your career, understanding your why, knowing your strengths, good hard vs. bad hard, and staying curious
About Heather Brizzi:
Heather Brizzi is Director of IT Service Management for White Cap.
She is a Cleveland, OH native who has been leading in Information Technology for over two decades.
Throughout her career, Heather has been a transformational leader focused on technology-related operations in the support, services, and project portfolio space. She leverages her strengths in developing and coaching others to build strong, capable teams that excel in service and solutions enabled by technology.
Heather has a passion for connecting people to purpose and hopes to assist them in pursuing their best life by understanding their skills, how they can use them, and developing plans to realize those dreams.
She recently gave her first TEDx talk at Indiana University in 2022, “Building Resilience on the Playground” in their Playgrounds series. Heather has been a leadership panelist, moderator, and speaker inspiring others throughout her career.
Contact Heather:
LinkedIn: @heather-brizzi
22. Boss Break with Lisa Sweigard - leading with laughter, play personalities, octopus jars, and building habits
Hello and welcome back to a new episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack.
In this episode I talk with Lisa Sweigard about leading with laughter, play personalities, octopus jars, working out in bed, building habits and more!
We have a slightly different format this week based on Bosstrack's weekly newsletter format which includes something we’re excited by, something fun or inspiring and something we’re watching or listening to.
You can sign up for the newsletter at www.thebosstrack.com/weeklyjoy/
Mentioned in the podcast:
Leading with Laughter TEDx talk by Paul Osincup
A Path to Well-Being: Rediscover the Joy of Play
JustFit: Lazy Workout & Fit App
Hamilton Beach Professional Toaster
It’s About Damn Time - Arlan Hamilton
21. Renee Lopez-Cantera on mindset, moving to joy, pushing your limits and meditation
Hello and welcome back to a new episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack!
In this conversation I talk with Renee Lopez-Cantera, Sr. VP of Sales and Marketing with EKN Solutions.
Renee and I talk about mindset, motivation and living authentically to your why. We talk about how to shape your mindset, pushing your limits, scaling mountains and even meditation.
We had such an insightful and motivating discussion that I’m anxious to share with you!
About Renee Lopez-Cantera
Renee Lopez-Cantera has spent the last 20+ years working in various leadership positions in consumer marketing specializing in digital marketing strategy in varied industries including media, real estate, political, entrepreneurial and consumer product ventures.
As the Sr. VP of Sales & Marketing, Renee works hands on with several companies and ad agencies leading development, strategy and marketing initiatives where endeavors are to enhance client growth via online sales. Over her career tenure, she has also led product development teams and partnerships with entrepreneurial organizations such as Emerge Americas and Enterprise Florida.
Renee serves as an executive board member of Mindful Kids Miami, the New World School of the Arts, and the Hebrew Free Loan Association. She is also an active committee member of the United Way and Big Brothers Big Sisters. She Co-chairs the Code Art Circle of Ambassadors working to increase gender and racial diversity in computer science by providing underserved girls with full scholarships.
In the corporate and tech arena she currently serves as a board member to start-up companies and has been awarded several awards including the distinguished Knight Foundation scholarship for Women in Tech held by the Commonwealth Forum. In this capacity, Renee and her colleagues collaborated and were encouraged to advance emerging technologies in their respective fields.
Renee is an advisory board member for the University of Miami Marketing Department, and the University of Miami Department of Computing.
She enjoys free time running outdoors and spending time with her husband and two daughters.
Contact Renee:
LinkedIn: @reneelopezcantera
20. Kristin Gutierrez on motivating your team, responding to burnout, empathy and argan oil
Hi everyone! Welcome back to a new episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack
In this conversation I talk with Kristin Gutierrez, VP of Sales for United Language Group.
Kristin and I talk about how to motivate your team, from understanding what motivates your team to executing on that knowledge. We talk about how to motivate burned out and bored team members and how to engage and team build when your team is working remote. There’s a lot of actionable information in this conversation!
About Kristin Gutierrez
Kristin Gutierrez is a highly accomplished Vice President of Sales at United Language Group (ULG) with over 17 years’ experience selling in the localization industry. She won a Stevie Award in 2023 on Thought Leadership for her Outcomes Based Framework to Drive Complex Sales.
Throughout her career, Kristin has demonstrated a keen ability to identify and capitalize on new business opportunities, and she has a talent for building and nurturing long-term relationships with clients. She has a proven track record of success in developing and implementing sales strategies. In addition, she has a passion for mentoring and developing her team members, which has resulted in a high retention rate and driving revenue growth.
Kristin holds a B.A. in Communications from Saint Mary’s College (Notre Dame) and resides in Southern California with her husband and two small kiddos, Gibson and Jack.
You can connect with Kristin on LinkedIn to learn more about her experience and how she can help your business achieve its goals.
Connect with Kristin
LinkedIn: @mrskristingutierrez
19. Lynae Remondino on being confident and assertive, giving feedback, and being authentic
Hi everyone! Welcome back to a new episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack
I’m so excited to share my conversation with Lynae Remondino, Director of Talent Management at Avenir Living - a large property management firm.
Lynae and I talk about women and being both confident and assertive in the workplace. We talk about giving and getting feedback and the importance of candor in giving that feedback. We also get into authenticity - it’s interesting because we know businesses say they want people to show up authentically, but do they really? It’s a great conversation.
Her advice - be your most authentic self and never let anyone dull your sparkle! We’re here for it!
About Lynae Remondino:
Lynae Remondino is an Army-brat who grew up overseas and learned the importance of relationships at an early age. As a Director of Talent Management, she’s known to inspire minds and unlock potential while improving organizational effectiveness and efficiencies.
Lynae’s signals have gotten jammed many times over the years due to experiencing poor feedback and communication skills from others. The frustration she felt personally from the lack of leadership inspired her to create a leadership development workshop dedicated to coaching other leaders which she hosts routinely on a bi-weekly basis. Through this forum, she leverages her uncanny ability to identify the root cause or specific behavior that will enhance relationships, performance, or development.
Lynae is a strategic and an empathetic professional whose purpose in life is to advocate for people. She is often known for producing AhHa moments for others. She's innovative and drives outside of the box thinking while reinforcing the need to be solutions-oriented. She makes a difference by challenging leaders to be their best self while understanding their responsibility is to foster future leaders and help them navigate. This is where her passion for coaching has become instrumental in her day to day life.
Lynae’s certifications include Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Situational Leadership, Development Dimensions International Leadership Facilitator, and Succession Planning and Talent Development.
Contact Info for Lynae:
Email: lynae.remondino@gmail.com
LinkedIn: @lynaeremondino
18. Jenn Rivera on lateral leadership, professional development, tantrums, and messy desks
Hi everyone! Welcome back to a new year and new episodes with Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack.
I’m thrilled to finally share my conversation with Jenn Rivera, founder of Ascender Consulting.
Jenn and I talk about lateral leadership, clear communication, professional development, tantrums, and messy desks.
About Jenn Rivera
Jenn Rivera is the founder of Ascender Consulting where she helps business leaders crush operational bottle necks and develop communication strategies with their most important stakeholders. Prior to starting her business, Jenn became an award-winning business developer, program manager and video producer in her corporate roles as Director of Business Development and Director of Operations. Her corporate experience includes leading award winning programs of between 50 and 200 employees, coaching leaders in grass-roots marketing and critical relationship building, and new program development. Her formal education includes a Bachelor of Science in International Business & Management from the University of Tampa and a Master’s in Communication from Johns Hopkins University.
Most recently, Jenn launched XMZ Society, an educational and professional networking group that champions Gen X-ers, Millennials and Gen Z-ers looking to propel their professional and personal lives forward.
Her goal is to help businesses and rising stars put the priority back on the right people - employees, customers and communities - to lead and succeed.
Where to find Jenn
Instagram: @ascender.consulting
LinkedIn: @jennascender
Website: www.ascenderconsulting.com
17. Shaara Roman on strategies to navigate and thrive in a male dominated environment
Hello and welcome back to another episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack
In this episode I talk with Shaara Roman, founder and CEO of The Silverene Group.
Shaara shares the 10 key strategies she’s honed on her journey in building a successful consulting practice from the ground up, and how her personal and professional background prepared her for establishing herself and thriving in a male-dominated world.
Before we get started, I wanted to explain that this is an episode that we recorded with Shaara earlier in the year before we launched the Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack podcast so the format is slightly different than recent episodes. It’s such a great conversation that we wanted to share with you during our holiday off-season.
I also wanted to mention that since this recording, Shaara launched her book The Conscious Workplace - A thought-provoking and thorough examination of the current state of workplace culture and the opportunities the future holds, The book shows leaders at all levels how to strengthen their business to thrive in any crisis.
I hope you enjoy!
About Shaara:
Shaara Roman is a board member, entrepreneur, former CHRO and author. She consults with leaders to create healthy workplaces by helping them build compelling cultures, design effective organizations and align their people programs to meet business goals.
Born in India, schooled in Nigeria and England, and having lived in Greece before coming to the US to work her way through college, Shaara is a citizen of the world. This experience has instilled a desire to build bridges between different kinds of people and propelled her to launch her business in 2016.
Shaara has deep leadership and executive experience and brings an authentic, creative and solution-oriented approach to client engagements. Shaara is a frequent speaker on the topics of creating high performing, authentic cultures and leaders, winning the war for talent, and women in entrepreneurship.
She is an Advisory Board Member and Board member of various organizations. Shaara received an MBA from Georgetown University, where she is also an adjunct professor for the HR management program. She published her book The Conscious Workplace - A thought-provoking and thorough examination of the current state of workplace culture and the opportunities the future holds. The book shows leaders at all levels how to strengthen their business to thrive in any crisis.
Shaara lives in Arlington with her husband, their two teenage children and their mini Aussiedoodle. She enjoys the theater especially big, bold happy musicals – Kinky Boots is her favorite. She loves going to her daughter’s dance performances and watching her son’s HS and travel soccer games - she's just as happy in a theater or art museum as she is in a sports stadium. Shaara enjoys traveling and has visited about 25 countries but hasn’t yet gone to Australia, New Zealand or any place in South America.
Shaara’s Contact Info:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaara/
Website: https://www.silverenegroup.com
16. Mara Smith on building a networking system and nurturing your network
Hello and welcome back to another episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack
In this episode I talk with Mara Smith, founder of Inspiro Tequila.
Mara and I talk about why networking for new leaders and building a system of mentors, peers and advocates is so important and how to effectively build your professional network and support system. Mara provides strategies for building a system that works for you, for approaching someone new and for nurturing your network to keep it working for you.
Before you listen, I wanted to explain that this is an episode that we recorded with Mara earlier in the year before we launched the Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack podcast so the format is slightly different than recent episodes. It’s such a great conversation that we wanted to share with you during our holiday off-season.
I hope you enjoy!
About Mara Smith
Mara Smith is a former attorney, corporate strategist and stay-at-home mom who is the founder of Inspiro Tequila. After studying accounting in undergrad and then attending Northwestern University School of Law, Mara began her legal career at a large law firm in Chicago. She then decided to switch gears and apply her business degree as part of the corporate strategy and business development team at a Fortune 100 Company.
Mara was put on emergency bedrest while pregnant with her twins and when they were born prematurely, Mara decided to leave the corporate world to focus on her family and charitable work.
She never stopped thinking about what was next. Mara always envisioned running her own company and in February of 2020 she set out on her journey to create a new tequila brand.
Mara started drinking tequila when she was looking for a clean, gluten-free spirit that fit into her active lifestyle. She searched for a tequila brand that was additive-free with a look, taste and aroma that appealed to her as the consumer.
That perfect tequila did not exist, so she decided to create one. The goal was not just to create a one-of-a-kind tequila, it was also to bring another female voice to the spirits industry. Women are involved in every aspect of Inspiro Tequila’s process from creating the taste profiles to getting bottles on the shelves. As a female founder, Mara’s mission is to inspire and support other women on their entrepreneurial journeys through financial support and mentoring.
Connect with Mara
Instagram: @beinspiredbymara
Instagram: @inspirotequila
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mara-smith-9109031a1/
To check out/buy Inspiro Tequila (it really is delicious), go to https://inspirotequila.com
15. Tina Asher on leadership development, handling burnout on your team, and making good decisions
Hello and welcome back to another episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack
In this episode I talk with Tina Asher, a career coach who enjoys helping busy professionals get out of the rat race and build on a career that they love.
Tina and I talk about leadership development, recognizing the early signs of burnout with your team and how to address it, using her change cycle to make good decisions and so much more.
About Tina Asher
Tina Asher is the owner fo Build U Up Consulting where she provides career guidance to busy professionals.
Prior to starting her business, she was a Regional VP for a 9 state region in the mortgage industry and served as the President of the National Association for Mortgage Women. She was a top performer in the corporate world for more than 30 years.
She recently published her first book, Teetering - a Frazzled, Overworked Person’s Guide to Embrace Change and Find Balance. And if you’re looking to improve your relationships at work or home, get promoted, negotiate for a pay raise, or change to a new career, Tina’s 5 step proven success path will help you get the results you want.
Tine’s passion is and has always been encouraging others to reach their full potential while balancing a full and productive life.
How to contact Tina
LinkedIn: @tinaasher
Email: tina@builduup.net
Website: Builduup.net
14. Stephanie Simon on motivation, finding outlets for stress, boxing, inspiring others, and The Daily Stoic
Hello and welcome back to another episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack!
In this episode I talk with Stephanie Simon, a Marine Corps Officer now serving as a reservist who is pursuing her Olympic goals of boxing.
Stephanie and I talk about motivating teams, delegating to and involving others to improve results, finding healthy outlet for stress, challenges she faced as a female Marine Corps officer, the benefits of being relatable to others, and inspiring others to change lives and so much more!
About Stephanie Simon:
Stephanie Simon is a Marine Corps Officer who was inducted into the USMC Boxing Hall of Fame and is pursuing her Olympic goals of boxing.
Stephanie is originally from Vancouver, WA but currently lives in Miami, FL. She graduated from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis MD, where she learned how to box and eventually became a 3x collegiate national champion. She was also the team captain of the track team and a member of the Glee Club.
In 2017, Stephanie commissioned as a US Marine Corps officer and became an Amphibious Assault Officer where she was in charge of 50 people. Towards the end of her time in the USMC, she was selected to be the captain of the USMC boxing team and there she became a 2x national champion and a USMC Boxing Hall of Famer.
Stephanie now serves as a reservist and is a recruiter in the corporate world while pursuing her Olympic goals.
How to reach Stephanie:
Instagram: @stephsimon94
Youtube: @stephaniesimon123
Email: stephaniesimon123@gmail.com
13. Leading With Empathy with Melissa Cohen
Hello and welcome back to another episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack!
In this episode I have a wide ranging conversation about leading with empathy with Melissa Cohen, a fashion industry executive. She offers some great advice and insight you don’t want to miss!
Melissa and I talk about about what empathy looks like, how to develop empathy and why it’s so important to have empathy as a leader today. And of course we talk about Brene Brown because who can have a conversation about empathy without taking about her!
About Melissa Cohen
Melissa Cohen is a fashion industry executive who has led teams at well known American brands including Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfger and Nautica. She has led product development, sourcing and production across various categories for men's, women's and children's apparel. In 2020 Melissa launched her own consulting business, providing her expertise to start-up and growth stage brands.
Passionate about girls and women's empowerment, she is a founding member of Chief (New York City chapter) - a private network built to drive more women into positions of power and keep them there. Melissa is also deeply involved with Her Move Next - a grassroots 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to empowering women and young girls through chess, community and competition.
In her free time, Melissa enjoys reading, Broadway musicals, watching sports and all things pumpkin spice.
How to Contact Melissa
LinkedIn: @melissa-cohen-8445067
12. Talking Remote Leadership with Amy Robinson
Hello and welcome back to another episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack!
In this episode I had a wide ranging conversation about remote leadership with Amy Robinson. I’ve been looking forward to our conversation for quite a while!
Amy and I talk about her experience leading remotely - and how she's approached team development and building culture when everyone works in different places.
About Amy Robinson
Amy Robinson is an operations executive in the start-up space with a background in fostering customer relationships, team and personnel development, and planning for growth. Amy has led teams for technology and beverage brands in the startup space, and for prominent retailers such as Apple and Build-a-Bear. And she’s here to share what she’s learned from her wide ranging experiences.
How to Contact Amy
LinkedIn: @arobinson8
Email: amy@crafthousecocktails.com
11. Building Connection and Community with Courtlyn Jones
Hello and welcome back to another episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack!
In this episode I talk with Courtlyn Jones, a graphic designer, visual artist and founder of The Design Database.
Courtlyn and I talk for a little bit about challenges she faced in the workplace as a creative and then move on to how she’s building connection and community with her startup. She offers tips on networking and provides some great advice for finding happiness in your life.
About Courtlyn:
Courtlyn Jones is a NYC-based graphic designer and visual artist. And she’s the founder of The Design Database —— a women-owned, leading membership-based marketplace. and community for female and non-binary freelance Creatives working in visual arts.
As a Creative herself, she understands the struggles of feeling under appreciated in the workplace.
She left her 9 – 5 job to not only build her dream career, but to help other artists do the same.
Her platform bridges the gap in gender parity by providing a safe space for female artists to meet higher-quality clients, connect with fellow Creatives to build community and gain mentorship, and SELL their physical artwork to new customers.
To really understand what the Design Database is, just Think Fiverr meets Vistaprint!
How to find Courtlyn:
Instagram: @courtlyn.jones
Email: cjones@thedesigndatabase.net
(A quick note about the audio and video for this podcast, we experienced some last minute drilling on the floor above us, so I had to move the recording outside - which means our connection wasn’t 100%. Just wanted to explain the audio along with any dogs or voices you might hear in the background.)
I hope you enjoy this conversation with my friend and founder, Courtlyn Jones.
10. Storytelling for Impact with Candis Hickman
Hello and welcome back to another episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack
In this episode I talk with Candis Hickman, a Spiritual Life Coach and Marketing Mentor for business leaders.
We talk about storytelling and how it can help new leaders communicate more effectively and build trust, we talk about her slow year experience and what she has planned for 2023.
About Candis
Candis Hickman is a Spiritual Life Coach and Marketing Mentor for business leaders, a public speaker and storyteller, and former on-camera host and podcaster. Throughout her decade-long career as a coach and creative professional, Candis has challenged clients and audiences to overcome their fear, build their stand-out personal brand and become known for their unforgettable stories.
Born and raised in Australia, Candis started her career as an Occupational Therapist. But when a move to the United States in 2011 resulted in the loss of her professional credentials, she was forced to forge a new path. With no formal training or experience, Candis went on to secure work as an on-camera host and commercial model before transitioning into the coaching industry in 2015. It is here that she began teaching rising leaders how to develop, expand and manage their personal brand and has since guided 300+ clients and students to build brands they love anchored by their unique purpose.
Candis holds a degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Queensland, Australia as well as certificates in Health Coaching and Image Consulting. She has spoken on diverse platforms such as the Small Business Expo, StartUp Weekend, Women for Success Summit and LIT College Tour, and has been the talent for brands including Schwarzkopf Professional, Wilson Sporting Goods, LifeFitness, and Virgin Trains, to name a few.
Where you can reach Candis
Instagram: @discovertheslowyear
Website: www.candishickman.com
The Slow Year: www.theslowyear.com
9. You Are Your Superpower with Charlett Albert
Hello and welcome back to another episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack!
In this episode, I talk with Charlett Albert, a highly sought-after sales coach and feminine leadership mentor.
Charlett and I talk about finding your superpower, being intentional with time, using your feminine and masculine energies, the importance of character and so much more.
About Charlett Albert
Charlett Albert is a highly sought-after sales coach and feminine leadership mentor who has mastered the art & science of sales - simple strategies combined with feminine energetics. She has not only scaled her own business to six figures but has helped dozens of female online entrepreneurs as well. With over 10 years of business experience in sales/marketing and growing multiple businesses of her own, she has now made it her mission to help online business owners have consistent sales with ease.
You can reach out to Charlett at:
Instagram: @charlettalbert
8. Solutions for Closing the Gender Gap with Gladys Mezrahi
Hello and welcome back to another episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack!
In this episode, I talk with Gladys Mezrahi, President and CEO of Indigo Events and founder of The Power of the Heels Foundation.
Gladys and I talk about mentoring young women to disrupt the poverty cycle, we talk about what the gender gap is and what can be done about it, how women can ask for what you deserve at work and the importance of your personal brand.
A quick note. I want to apologize to Indra Nooyi - I mistakenly said she was making her way early in her career in the 70’s but it was actually the 80’s. She was just heading off to college in the late 70’s. It didn’t seem right as soon as I said it!
Also - a disclaimer to add - I want to ask our listeners who are men to hang in there and please don’t get defensive listening to parts of this discussion. It’s hard to have conversations like this in a way to qualify everything that needs to be qualified. Please realize some of what we talk about are generalizations based on a pool of millions of people and we, of course, realize there are so many exceptions, including - most likely - you. Thank you so much for listening!
About Gladys Mezrahi
Gladys Mezrahi is President/CEO of Indigo Events, an international events company with clients that span the globe and industries, such as VISA, Disney, the Museum of Modern Art in Colombia and the Miami International Book Fair.
Gladys is also the founder of The Power of the Heels Foundation which empowers and mentors young girls and women and connects them to create a financial force.
Her career started at a very young age in Colombia when she founded a top-line skin and body products manufacturing company which she successfully ran for 15 years and then sold to an international skincare corporation.
Gladys has been featured in The Miami Herald and was recognized as one of the 2016 International Business Women of the Year by the Organization of Women in Trade and Event Marketing, as well as being awarded a Proclamation in the Florida Senate. She is the award-winning author of “More Wow and Less Oops.”
Through all the awards and recognitions which are too many to be named here, Gladys considers her greatest accomplishment to be raising two wonderful children, Debbie and Nessim and 5 wonderful grandchildren with her husband Samuel of more than 40 years.
You can reach Gladys at
Email: gm@gladysmezrahi.com
Instagram: @gladysmezrahi
LinkedIn: @gladysmezrahi
Website: www.indigoevents.net
Website: www.thepoweroftheheels.org
7. Building Leadership Credibility with Melissa Park
Hello and welcome back to another episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack
In this episode I’m talking with Melissa Park, an award-winning global event producer and founder of Melissa Park Events and the Mel-Factor Method.
Melissa and I talk about building leadership credibility, using your network for success, the importance of asking questions and the time she met Sir Richard Branson.
I hope you find as much value in listening to this episode as I did recording it!
About Melissa Park
Melissa “Mel” Park is an award-winning Global Event Producer who has utilized her engaging personality, unending energy, and attention to logistical and design details to build a business that is recognized across the United States and Australia.
After producing high profile, business and consumer events Melissa broke out on her own and launched her first event management company in Australia at the age of 26. She produced events like HSBC Bank’s Chinese New Year Gala Dinner Tour and more than 20 outdoor festivals attracting 20,000 - 100,000 attendees.
She also served as the stage manager for notable events like the Sydney Olympic Games 10 Year Anniversary Ceremony, Sydney International FIFA Fan Fest in 2010, and the Major League Baseball Opening Series in 2014.
Melissa moved to the US in 2014 where she began working internally for two years at Hortonworks and two years later stepped back out on her own with Melissa Park Events specializing in elevating brands, amplifying corporate messages and transforming struggling events into extraordinary must-attend experiences.
She's made a name for herself in the technology space for her seamlessly executed large-scale user conferences, strategic sponsorships, and innovative brand activations. Her client list has grown from one continent to another based on referrals, recognition from attendees onsite, and clients who return year after year for her to produce their events.
She currently splits her time between New York and Sydney when she is not traveling to produce her nearly 30 annual events.
Her events have been featured on many TV and radio programs in Australia. She is the creator of the The Mel-Factor Method masterclass, a contributing writer to numerous publications and a sought-after keynote speaker and panelist.
I’m so excited to bring you my conversation with Melissa Park.
You can reach Mel at
Instagram: @melissaparkevents
Website: www.melissapark.co
Email: melissa@melissapark.co
LinkedIn: melissapark
6. Understanding Workplace-Induced Trauma with Katie O'Malley
Hello and welcome back to another episode of Her HypeSquad with Bosstrack!
In this episode, I talk with Katie O’Malley, a career coach and workplace consultant and founder of (en)Courage Coaching
Katie and I talk about workplace-induced trauma including what it is, what experiences can lead up to it, the effects of workplace-induced trauma and what can be done once it’s been identified. We also discuss how, as leaders, we can avoid causing it ourselves.
She also gives us some great music to pick us up when we’re feeling down and some great book recommendations!
The song Katie couldn’t recall when we were talking was “How do you like me now” by The Heavy.
I hope you find as much value in listening to this episode as I did recording it!
About Katie O'Malley
Katie O’Malley, M.Ed., BCC, is a Career Coach and Workplace Consultant with fifteen years of professional experience in nonprofit, corporate and higher education.
Katie has worked alongside more than 125 clients as the Founder and Principal Coach of (en)Courage Coaching. Founded with the mission of providing exceptional, financially accessible coaching services to Chicago area professionals, (en)Courage Coaching has grown to support individuals and businesses from coast to coast, as well as in the UK.
Coaching clients in the design of authentic career paths, effective leadership practices, and courageous workplace cultures is in the DNA of (en)Courage Coaching. Katie equips her clients with customized strategies to meet their individual needs and aspirational goals.
Recently featured in Fast Company and Thrive Global, Katie's research and writing supports both sides of the workplace equation, encouraging employers and employees to remember, “We're all in this work-thing together."
You can reach Katie at:
Email: katie@encouragecoaching.org
Website: www.encouragecoaching.org
Instagram: @encouragecoachchicago
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kateomalley/
5. Creating a Team Culture with Valerie Bihet
In this episode, we sit down to talk with Valerie Bihet - founder of VIBE, an event design and destination management company.
We talk to Valerie about the culture she’s created at VIBE, how she empowers her team, how she leads her team remotely and why she believes team building activities are so important. You won’t want to miss her talking about “having dessert first!"
We mentioned in the podcast that I’d follow up on a few things after the show. To clarify, the songs Valerie mentions are Imitadora by Romeo Santos and Le dernier jour du disco by Juliette Armanet. Also - the thriller author she recommends is Harlen Coben.
You can find Valerie at:
Instagram: @thevibeagency
Website: www.thevibeagency.com
About Valerie:
Valerie Bihet is an award-winning event producer with more than 27 years of experience in the management, design and production of special events that communicate and achieve her client’s objectives.
Originally from Paris, France, Bihet got her start in events working as the Public Relations and Special Events Manager at Disneyland Paris and Public Relations Director at Club Med Paris.
In 2004 Bihet founded VIBE, an event design and destination management company, in Miami, Florida. The company has produced more than 1,100 events throughout the US, Europe, Mexico, East Asia and South America. Valerie has received multiple professional recognitions for her work.
Her clientele includes global brands like Dior, Cartier, Jaeger-LeCoultre, LVMH, Coty, L'Oréal, Barclays, Banco Santander, McCain, Merck, Thea Pharmaceuticals, and many more.
4. Using Your Intuition in Leadership with Emily Aarons
In today’s episode we talk with Emily Aarons, a business alignment coach and intuitive energy healer and host of the top podcast “Aligned & Unstoppable."
We talk with Emily about trusting your intuition to make decisions, knowing where to set boundaries to create the life you want and making the space to listen to your inner self to understand what you need.
Such an interesting, energetic and wide-ranging discussion with Emily!
About Emily Aarons:
Emily Aarons is the most sought after intuitive healer for female empire builders. She's best known for getting her clients out of overwhelm and burnout and unlocking the wisdom within to create alignment in their business. For over two decades, Emily has been practicing healing work directly with powerful visionaries and teaching them how to tap into their intuition to activate quantum growth in their business.
Emily is the creator of the “Angels In Your Biz Oracle Card Deck” and “Aligned & Unstoppable Personal Journal”, and is the host of the top podcast “Aligned & Unstoppable”.
In addition to her business, Emily, her husband and two young boys live on a small backyard “hobby” farm with a puppy Belgian Malinois, baby goats, chickens, and ducks. She loves nature and exploring the outdoors and cooking fresh-from-the garden meals.
You can find Emily at:
Website: https://emilyaarons.com/
Podcast: Aligned & Unstoppable
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EmilyAarons
Instagram: @emilyaarons
Facebook: @emilyaaronsholistic
3. Talking Leadership and Curls with Casey Simmons
In today’s episode we talk with Casey Simmons, owner of Royal Locks Curl Care, a niche, direct-to-consumer curly hair brand. Their mission is to make curls work for you by providing high performing, multi-benefit products with simple routines to fit your lifestyle and enhance your unique beauty.
We talk with Casey about how she thinks about building her team and how she leads remotely. We talk about how she manages meetings to avoid Zoom fatigue and to avoid meeting just to meet.
We get into a discussion about curly hair science - such an interesting topic!
And then we get into hard maybe’s, making lists and living abroad.
Such a wonderful discussion with Casey!
About Casey:
Casey Simmons is the owner of Royal Locks Curl Care - a niche Direct To Consumer curly hair products brand. She has over 20 years of management and operations experience, and as a grant consultant helped organizations receive and manage over $28 million.
Casey and her husband purchased Royal Locks Curl Care in 2019 after pregnancy awakened her natural waves—and her curiosity about curl-care. The curly-haired community is such a vibrant, active group and she wants Royal Locks to be a bigger part of it.
Outside of working and parenting, volunteering has been her greatest passion and privilege.
You can find Royal Locks Curl Care at:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS27bilIKP8L2ofkfhtVLrg
@royallockscurlcare on IG & FB
@royallockscc on TikTok