Transformation Archives - Business RadioX ®

Shifting Mindsets, Part One: Unmasking and Embracing Your True Identity

January 25, 2024 by John Ray

Hello, Self . . .

Shifting Mindsets, Part One: Unmasking and Embracing Your True Identity

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Shifting Mindsets, Part One: Unmasking and Embracing Your True Identity (Hello, Self… Episode 36)

Host Patricia Leonard presented Part One of her series on Shifting Mindsets: Transforming Your World in 2024, aiming to assist listeners in defining their identity and determining how to express it. The focus for this episode was understanding who we are as individuals through self-inquiry and reflection.

Patricia emphasized the importance of self-awareness and fighting societal pressures that can restrict one’s self-expression. She encouraged listeners to remove the ‘masks’ they wear, and reflect on how society forces us into certain roles and expectations.

She wrapped up by introducing the topic of Shifting Mindsets: Part Two, which will tackle defining one’s values, mission, and goals.

Hello, Self… is presented by Patricia Leonard & Associates and produced by Arlia Hoffman in association with the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®.

About Hello, Self…

Hello, Self… is a biweekly podcast focused on inspiring stories of turning dreams into reality. Join coach and author Patricia Leonard and her guests as they share life-changing Hello, Self… moments.

Hello, Self… is brought to you by Patricia Leonard & Associates and is based on the new book by Patricia Leonard, Hello, Self.., available here.

The show is produced by Arlia Hoffman in association with Business RadioX®. You can find this show on all the major podcast apps. The complete show archive is here.

Patricia Leonard, Host of Hello, Self…

Patricia Leonard is President of RUNWAY TO SUCCESS, a division of Patricia Leonard & Associates located in Nashville, TN. She is a MESSAGE ARTIST speaker, career & business coach, author and magazine columnist. Patricia consults with clients on leadership, empowerment, career management, entrepreneurship and the power of language. Her work is focused on helping clients find their runway to success!

She has a professional background in management, human resources, corporate training, business consulting and talent development. Patricia has worked with companies in the service, music, banking, manufacturing, publishing, warehousing, healthcare, academic, retail and financial industries, and has taught management classes as an adjunct professor.

Patricia has a degree in Human Resource Management, is certified as a Career Coach and Consulting Hypnotist and is MBTI qualified.

Her volunteer energies are focused on Women in Film and Television-Nashville, where she is a Board Vice President; Dress for Success as the Advisory Board President; and International Coaching Federation-Nashville where she held Board roles for several years.

Patricia is the author of Wearing High Heels in a Flip Flop World, BECOMING WOMAN…a journal of personal discovery, THE NOW, HOW & WOW of Success, Happenings, a full year calendar of inspirational messages and a spoken word album titled, I AM…

She enjoys songwriting, creating poetry and has written a one-woman show and artistic speech she performs titled Hello, Self…, about a woman in midlife reinventing herself, which led to her new book by the same name, available here.

On the personal side, Patricia, describes herself as a woman, lover of life, mother, grandmother, career professional and message artist; AND in that order! Her goal is to continue inspiring others, of any age, to START NOW creating and expanding their Runway to Success.

She believes that life is a gift, the way we wrap it is our choice.

Connect with Patricia:

Website| LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Shifting Mindsets: Transforming Your World in 2024, with Patricia Leonard

January 10, 2024 by John Ray

Hello, Self . . .

Shifting Mindsets: Transforming Your World in 2024, with Patricia Leonard

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Shifting Mindsets: Transforming Your World in 2024, with Patricia Leonard (Hello, Self… Episode 35)

Host Patricia Leonard opened the first show of 2024 with her thoughts on the importance of shifting mindsets and transformation to navigate the coming year. She outlined her upcoming series of four episodes centered on self-awareness, identifying personal truths and passions, expressing these identities, and implementing commitments.

Patricia encouraged listeners to defy complacency and embrace high ambitions, discussing individuals efforts to step out of their comfort zones, suggesting various mediums for self-expression, and elaborating on her upcoming ‘High Heels Cabaret’ show. Her hope is that this series and the High Heels Cabaret will inspire personal growth and a higher level of thinking, ultimately fostering a more positive world through shifting mindsets.

Hello, Self… is presented by Patricia Leonard & Associates and produced by Arlia Hoffman in association with the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®.

About Hello, Self…

Hello, Self… is brought to you by Patricia Leonard & Associates and is based on the new book by Patricia Leonard, Hello, Self.., available here.

The show is produced by Arlia Hoffman in association with Business RadioX®. You can find this show on all the major podcast apps. The complete show archive is here.

Patricia Leonard, Host of Hello, Self…

Patricia has a degree in Human Resource Management, is certified as a Career Coach and Consulting Hypnotist and is MBTI qualified.

She believes that life is a gift, the way we wrap it is our choice.

Connect with Patricia:

Website| LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Donna Kent with New Life Consultants and Jerry Mastellon with CEO Perspective Coaching

August 14, 2023 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Donna Kent with New Life Consultants and Jerry Mastellon with CEO Perspective Coaching

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Donna Kent with New Life Consultants and Jerry Mastellon with CEO Perspective Coaching

New Life Consultants, LLC provides leadership training and development. They are strategic design thinkers and support strategy development across most industries.

Certified in DISC, Emotional Intelligence, and Positive Intelligence they provide personal profile assessments to build better communications and relationships along with 360-degree reviews. Expert in process improvement and the tools/training to drive accountability with a special focus on sales, marketing, and leadership excellence.

Their training includes transferable tools to improve team performance both individually and collectively. NLC develops new generation leaders to meet today’s unique business challenges.

As Vistage chairs, they facilitate CEOs in peer groups to see the perspective from other points of view in a nonjudgemental surrounding which promotes learning and transformation for CEOs to be their best.

Donna Kent is a business builder with a passion for growth.

A strong relationship leader she incorporates people development, process improvement, and technology enablement for high growth. She is people-centric, market-driven, and client-focused. An English major and former educator, she is trained in corporate and global sales and marketing.

She is both Malcolm Baldridge trained and certified. She has led units of more than 2,000 people and 17 direct reports during her 30+ years in the corporate world working with major clients and industries both nationally and globally.

She has held many senior executive positions in sales, marketing, channels, and general management for companies such as Xerox, Deluxe Corporation, Televerde, Tallwave, and NewLAWu.s..

Locally she ran one of the largest associations in the nation. As CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, she enabled a technology-based business growth landscape for the state.

Donna couples her big business success with a decade of experience in venture development. For instance, Donna has led major market transitions from analog to digital, from product-based to consulting services, and designed a transformative business model for the legal industry.

She has written and executed strategies from donor-based to business sustainability for non-profits around the globe and businesses looking to pivot. In the process, she has grown small and mid-sized companies to their next levels of success while mentoring young entrepreneurs. in addition, Donna mentors The Go Program with ASBA and those coming out of transformational programs and looking to start-up businesses.

Donna is the Founder of New Life Consultants, LLC where she facilitates people development, strategic planning, and execution with an organizational alignment. She develops “new generation leaders” through coaching, training, and teams of high-potential leaders. Donna spent 4 years with a focus on the national ACE market training and coaching leaders to meet the needs of a multi-generational workforce.

Donna has successfully launched a CEO/Business Owners Peer Advisory Executive Board across diverse industries and backgrounds. As a result, Donna enables growth and transformational change of leaders to be better leaders, make better decisions, and deliver better results. Certified in DISC, EQ, and PI assessments, her strategic development and execution are key skills for improved organizational design.

Recently Donna graduated from the Stanford Graduate School Strategic Design Thinking program and facilitates such for Vistage CEOs.Donna has a strong passion for ministry work and the underserved. Donna severs on 5 boards. With a heart for Africa, Donna sponsors children in Rwanda and Tanzania.

Formerly a New Yorker, Donna calls Scottsdale, Arizona home for the past 25 years. She is the proud mother of Victoria and Jack and her son-in-law Braudy. As college graduates her children both biological and sponsored are on their life journey and career track. They share a strong family bond and a common value to create impactful lives and experiences that bring greater joy to those they encounter. Donna is excited to welcome her first grandchild Teddy Feb 26th!

Connect with Donna on LinkedIn.

At CEO Perspective Coaching, individuals embark on a transformative journey, guided by the belief that shifting one’s perspective can revolutionize their life, business, and relationships.

CEO Perspective Coaching is a haven where the convergence of self-awareness insights and strategic wisdom offers a dynamic path to transformation with a unique blend of introspection and practicality, allowing individuals to harmonize their personal growth with their professional success.

In a world often driven by external benchmarks, CEO Perspective Coaching offers a departure from the ordinary. It encourages conscious leadership and self-awareness as driving forces, fostering authentic leadership, fearless innovation, and resilience amidst ambiguity.

Embrace the extraordinary – where shifting perspectives becomes a catalyst for personal evolution, reimagining business strategies, and cultivating profound connections. With CEO Perspective Coaching, the power of perspective isn’t just a tool; it’s a revolution that shapes lives, empowers businesses, and enriches relationships.

Jerry Mastellon, the visionary force behind CEO Perspective Coaching, brings a wealth of expertise from his extensive career as a Business Executive and Entrepreneur. With over 30 years of profound experience in the consumer packaging industries, Jerry has honed his skills in crafting innovative business concepts and pioneering models that have redefined markets.

His journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence, where he has consistently delivered groundbreaking offerings to even the most discerning customers. Jerry’s prowess spans across various domains, from start-up ventures to optimizing established enterprises from New York to Arizona.

His proficiency encompasses the intricate realms of retail, both online and brick and mortar, as well as sales, merchandising, product development, operations, supply chain management, distribution, customer insights, and virtual and ecommerce initiatives.

Jerry Mastellon’s approach is anchored in a unique fusion of spiritual insight and business acumen. He envisions a realm where shifting perspectives sparks transformative change, not only in business but also in life and relationships.

As the visionary leader of CEO Perspective Coaching, Jerry continues to inspire individuals to embrace conscious leadership, authenticity, and personal evolution as the driving forces for success.

Connect with Jerry on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Enjoy the Journey E2

July 26, 2023 by Karen

Financial Footsteps

Enjoy the Journey E2

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Enjoy the Journey E2

On this episode of Behind the Balance Sheet, host Chad Dean talks with Dan Johnson, Phoenix-based CFO of ONE (Open Network Exchange). Dan goes into detail about his educational background in Accounting and how it has been the foundation for a highly successful career in Finance. He discusses important personality traits and skillsets that are important for a leadership role in Finance.

Dan details his journey through his career filled with enviable positions that prepared him for the title of CFO. His advice he would give to young people beginning a career in Public Accounting is well said and truly something we should all strive for. But it’s easier said than done. Listen in for the details!

Anyone who has an interest in growing their knowledge of a career in finance – Students, anyone junior to senior in accounting and finance.

ONE is a high-growth organization that provides next generation, technology-based sales, marketing and fulfillment services to businesses across the travel, hospitality, vacation ownership, retail and financial markets globally. ONE has approximately 600 employees across operations in the US (AZ & FL), UK, and Asia Pacific.

Dan Johnson is Chief Financial Officer of ONE with proven track record at building and leading strong finance organizations. I have extensive experience in corporate finance, strategic planning, governance, restructuring, M&A, divestitures, and valuation. My expertise includes driving change and value enhancement through bold actions aimed at unlocking operational and financial efficiencies and new sources of growth.

Throughout my career, I have worked for, or advised private equity-backed and public companies in a multitude of industries including technology, consumer, ecommerce, energy, business services and manufacturing. Furthermore, I have served as a CFO and CEO for private-equity and VC backed companies throughout a transformation and/or restructuring process.

Prior to ONE, I was a Managing Director in turnaround and restructuring services for two international consulting firms. Earlier, I was a Senior Vice President at Houlihan Lokey where I advised boards of directors, sponsors and management teams on complex transactions and valuation matters. I started my career at Deloitte in its audit and assurance practice and received a B.S. in Business Administration and M.S. in Accounting from the University of Colorado Boulder. I am a CFA Charterholder and CPA licensed in Colorado.

Connect with Dan on LinkedIn.

About Financial Footsteps

Financial Footsteps is dedicated to providing insider access to successful accounting and finance leaders thereby providing ideas, insights, and ‘secrets to success’ to those aspiring to be leaders themselves.

Interactive conversations with guests will reveal the genesis for a career in accounting and finance, the great (and not so great) decisions that were made along the way, and the advice that these leaders would give to their younger selves.

About Your Host

Chad Dean has been an executive recruiter since 1996. He currently is owner and CEO of a top-ranked national recruiting firm with a 33 year history servicing the Finance disciplines.

Chad Dean’s relaxed and authentic recruiting style combined with a relentless work ethic and dedication to ethical recruiting has propelled him to the highest levels of success in recruitment and career counseling. He has been sought after by CNBC, the Wall Street Journal, and numerous other publications for his expertise.

Chad Dean is a proud Arizona native, married for 21 years, with two second-generation native teenage sons. He has an MBA from Arizona State University and a BS in Biology from FHSU.

About Our Sponsor

Integrated Management Resources was founded in 1990 in Tempe Arizona. Starting with clients like Goldman Sachs (first client and still a client today) and top Wall Street hedge funds, IMR built a robust recruiting process that digs out the most desirable ‘passive’ candidates from our client’s competitors.

IMR’s Phoenix Accounting and Finance practice services large and medium sized organizations for mid-senior level full-time placement and interim staffing.

The Dance Between the Employer and the Employee E30

March 3, 2023 by Karen

The-Dance-Between-the-Employer-and-the-Employee-feature

Phoenix Business Radio

The Dance Between the Employer and the Employee E30

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The Dance Between the Employer and the Employee E30

“This conversation of culture is brand new. Everytime you turn the corner there is a new thing that has never been tried and never been done before.” So how do leaders and employers take all of these new things and learn to implement them into their workplace- through support.

It’s a dance and it’s not easy.

There is a dance that happens between the employer and the employees. The space between that dance is where the culture is. This space between is where the growth of the company can happen. It takes support from outside of the company to grow and improve in this space though. That support could be learning how to focus on your main stakeholders, it could be providing financial education to your employees, or even coaching the leadership team.

Having Aaron and Kent on the show was so rewarding to our team and we hope it was to the listeners as well. They are both so knowledgeable and it makes sense why they work in the spaces that they do. They discussed some of these areas where the outside support to the company is what leads to the growth of the culture and the company.

Who are your stakeholders and how do you support them?

Kent gave us some insight into the work that he does focusing on the stakeholder business model and the work that he does to shift companies from a shareholder focus to a stakeholder focus. What are the needs of the employees and the employers as they keep up that dance and redefine what those relationships look like.

Aaron walked us through the responsibilities that working “in” the business is to work “on” the business. There are trends to notice, feedback to gather, and polarities in the company to deal with. In most cases, the best way to get to know what is going on inside of the business, is to ask someone outside of the business. As a leader, having someone else check in with your team is when you are going to end up finding out more.

“Who are the stakeholders that are part of your world and can they start putting the blocks together for culture so that as it grows it is there and they don’t have to correct it.”

This is a beautiful episode to listen to if you are ready to hear from two of the most knowledgeable individuals about growing a conscious business with a strong culture.

A few of our quick takeaways:

Culture is not a balanced equation.
Be intentional from the get go to grow your culture.
Define your higher purpose.
All coaches are not created equally.
Share the story of your company to show transparency.
Focus on positive reinforcement with the stakeholders.

Some resources that came up in the conversation:

In addition to the resources that Aaron and Kent provide, there was a book that was mentioned in the podcast that we wanted to share as well.

The book- Bringing Out the Best in People: How to Apply the Astonishing Power of Positive Reinforcement
by Aubrey Daniels

The Beyond Zero film that focused on the culture and sustainability building of the company Interface.

Stakeholder Business is a collaboration between three inspired humans who care deeply about ushering in the next paradigm of capitalism where — rather than business benefiting a select few and actively harming others — it benefits all.

Our purpose is to ease the transition for business leaders from shareholder capitalism to stakeholder capitalism by providing inspirational content, educational material, and world-class training.

Kent Gregoire – the Co-Founder of Stakeholder Business – is on a mission to help entrepreneurs transform their companies for maximum impact. In his consultancy work, he is known as the ‘CEO to CEOs’ who focuses on a win-win approach that delivers exponential value to all stakeholders.

Kent is a serial entrepreneur, having launched his first manufacturing company at age 14. Since then, he has founded or led more than a dozen organizations, guiding several through successful exits and raising tens of millions of dollars in private capital for business acquisitions, start-ups and expansions.

Kent has more than 35 years of experience providing advisory services to executive-level management, is one of the first certified conscious capitalism consultants in the world and is the President of the EO U.S. East Bridge Chapter.

In addition to his work with Stakeholder Business, he is also the Co-Founder and CEO of Symphony Advantage in which he is focused on helping companies do well by doing good.

Connect with Kent on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

At Get Out of Your Own Way, we believe that on the way to a fulfilling, successful life the puzzle piece we are all searching for is within us, and through our inner transformation we become the person that leads our community, family, and business.

Our innovative coaching methods and tools provide a reliable roadmap for inner transformation, shedding your limitations and empowering you to align with your values, grow your enterprise, and build your ideal lifestyle within 6 months.

We offer six-figure earners individual coaching programs and personal development retreats, while supporting organizations with leadership trainnig and team building workshops.

Aaron Velky is a keynote speaker, CEO and coach. His career has been dedicated to building movements, companies and leaders.

Get Out of Your Own Way, his leading coaching company guide soon to be and successful entrepreneurs to a clear direction in their lives and business – more income, more freedom and more purpose.

He leads retreats and leadership training for hundreds across the US, creating change for other emerging leaders and companies.

He’s the CEO of Money Club, an economic empowerment and financial wellness organization that blends personal finance with professional development. And he’s the author of Let Her Play, a guide for sports coaches and parents that coach female athletes. Outside of the professional sphere, Aaron is a dad, a comic book nerd and adrenaline junky.

Connect with Aaron on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Culture Crush

Culture is not just a tag word to be thrown around. It is not something you throw in job descriptions to draw people to applying for jobs within a company.

According to Marcus Buckingham and Ashely Goodall in their book Nine Lies About Work, “Culture is the tenants of how we behave. It’s like a family creed. This is how we operate and treat each other in the family.”

As a growing company- Culture Crush Business Podcast is THE culture improvement resource that supports companies and leaders. Our Mission is to improve company cultures so people WANT to go to work. Employees and leaders should like where they work and we think this is possible.

Within the company: Culture Crush has Vetted Resources and Partnerships with the right people and resources that can help improve your company culture.

On this podcast: We focus on everything surrounding businesses with good company culture. We will talk with company leaders to learn about real-life experiences, tips, and best practices for creating a healthy work environment where employees are finding joy and satisfaction in their work while also striving and growing within the company. We also find the companies that offer resources to help improve company culture and showcase them on the show to share their tips and tricks for growing culture.

About the Host

Kindra Maples is spartan racer, past animal trainer, previous magician’s assistant, and has a weakness for Oreo cookie shakes. Her journey working with people actually started working with animals as a teenager (don’t worry we won’t go that far back for her bio).

She worked for over 15 years in the zoo industry working with animals and the public. Her passion of working with animals shifted into working with people in education, operations and leadership roles. From there her passion of leadership and helping people develop has continued to grow.

Then came the opportunity for leading the Culture Crush Business Podcast and she jumped on it. Leadership, growth, and strong company cultures are all areas that Kindra is interested in diving into further.

Shout Outs

We want to thank a few people for their behind the scenes effort in helping this relaunch to come to life. James Johnson with Tailored Penguin Media Company LLC.– It is a small, but powerful video production company with a goal to deliver the very best by articulating the vision of your brand in a visually creative way. Gordon Murray with Flash PhotoVideo, LLC. -Flash Gordon has been photographing since high school and evolving since then with new products that will equip, encourage, engage, and enable. Renee Blundon with Renee Blundon Design – She is not only one of the best free divers (that’s not how she helped with the podcast) but she is great with graphics design and taking the direction for the vision that you have while also adding creative ideas to bring to your vision to life.

These are just a few of the folks that supported the relaunch of the podcast. If you would like to be part of the Culture Crush team or would like to support underwriting the show- please reach out: info@culturecrushbusiness.com

Strategic Analysis: Using Technology to Stay Adaptable E30

October 4, 2022 by Karen

Strategic Analysis Using Technology to Stay Adaptable feature

AZ TechCast

Strategic Analysis: Using Technology to Stay Adaptable E30

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Strategic Analysis: Using Technology to Stay Adaptable E30

In a constantly changing world, businesses must stay adaptable by performing periodic strategic analyses. Through this process, company leaders can review historical data to not only inform their long-term strategy but identify the technology solutions to stay ahead of the curve.

The September 2022 episode of the Arizona Technology Council’s AZTechCast podcast featured experts including Julie Gable, CEO and founder of BusinessWhys; Bob Interdonato, general manager at Lumen; and Melati Lee-Parker, founder and CEO of Macroscope Studios. These leaders joined Karen Nowicki, president and owner of Phoenix Business RadioX, and Bianca Buliga, director of marketing and communications at the Arizona Technology Council, in discussing how to successfully conduct strategic business analysis and prepare for an unpredictable business environment.

Throughout this hour-long episode, the panel of three experts convened at the Phoenix Business RadioX studio at MAC6 in Tempe to define what strategic business analysis looks like and explain why it’s important for companies of all sizes to get familiar with, particularly in today’s day and age. Although they all play a direct role in helping companies determine how to use technology to stay future-proof, each one has a distinct theory of change that set them apart from the others.

Macroscope Studios partners with companies and teams to Host, Facilitate, and Produce business retreats and off-sites, engineered with kindness and focused on value.

Modeled after the Nashville recording studio industry, MacroScope Studios offers their clients access to premium facilitation, IT Product Design and Development consulting, along with a suite of beautifully designed turn-key studios that accommodate teams from 2 – 100.

If you need help planning and running your next (or first) Board Retreat, Strategic Planning Meeting, Product and Sales Strategy Meeting, or Company Meeting, Macroscope Studios will give YOU time back and YOUR TEAM the tools they need to succeed.

Melati Lee-Parker started designing simple tools for herself back in the late 1900s to make her financial and actuarial analyst jobs easier. She then discovered the joy of sharing those tools and coded solutions with her teammates in workshops so they could all go to happy hour at 4pm.

The solutions got more complicated and the workshops got bigger until she moved from building solutions, to building and scaling Product Management organizations, which she most recently did at DaVita, leading Product Management, Product Operations, and Business Analysis teams.

Throughout Melati’s entire career, she found that facilitating collaborative sessions was a force multiplier in getting stuff done, and also her most favorite days at work – which led her to come up with the concept of making every day her favorite day at MacroScope Studios.

When she’s not designing kick-ass sessions for her clients, you can find her learning new 80’s power ballads on the piano or cooking her favorite Indonesian dishes for her family.

Connect with Melati on LinkedIn.

BusinessWhys is a woman-owned consultancy focused on helping their clients solve complex business problems and drive meaningful and sustained traction toward their goals.

All BusinessWhys consultants possess deep expertise as well as broad versatility that comes from working in strategic business and technical roles across industries with start-ups, mid-size, and Fortune 100 companies. They leverage industry-leading frameworks and relentlessly focus on the WHY to drive ROI.

Julie Gable brings over 20 years of IT and business consulting experience to her role as CEO and founder of BusinessWhys.

Passionate about innovative and accountable problem solving, she has a proven track record of helping companies drive meaningful and sustained traction toward their goals. In addition to her BusinessWhys responsibilities, she is a proud mother of two amazing girls and sits on multiple non-profit boards.

Julie is a firm believer that a diverse team is a strong team and is proud to have received awards from two separate publications for her commitment and contributions to recruiting and developing women into technical and leadership positions.

Follow BusinessWhys on LinkedIn.

Lumen is a multinational technology company that enables companies to capitalize on emerging applications and power the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR). This revolution is redefining how we live and work, creating an unprecedented need for an advanced application delivery architecture—designed specifically to handle the complex and data-intensive workloads of next-gen technology and businesses.

We integrate network assets, cloud connectivity, security solutions and voice and collaboration tools into one platform that enables businesses to leverage their data and adopt next-generation technologies.

Lumen brings together the talent, experience, infrastructure and capabilities of CenturyLink, Level 3 and 25+ other technology companies to create a new kind of company—one designed specifically to address the dynamic data and application needs of the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Personal relationships are very important to me and that is true of my professional life. As Lumen’s General Manager of the Southwestern US region, my passion also includes my customers’ success.

Bob Interdonato works with companies from Arizona to Nevada and New Mexico. These areas are incredibly economically diverse, and Lumen has participated in the region’s massive growth with healthcare providers, major retailers, manufacturing and Nevada’s gaming and hospitality industries.

The recent pandemic has accelerated their evolutions within their business environments and how they serve their customers. My team helps them navigate those challenges and opportunities utilizing the Lumen Platform of Adaptive Networking, Edge Computing, Connected Security and Collaboration Services. Their success is our passion.

Businesses are passionate about what they do and what makes them unique. Our customers do not come to us looking for a specific piece of infrastructure, product, or service anymore. They are reimagining their businesses and want help with both strategy and implementation.

Together we focus on the most important aspects of their business, which is servicing their clients. Helping them envision the possibilities and showing them the roadmap to make it a reality requires sharing their passion.

Bob believes that in today’s ever-changing technology landscape, it is important to be nimble, fast, and agile. The Lumen Edge Platform enables that agility.

Follow Lumen on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About AZ TechCast

AZ TechCast is dedicated to covering innovation and technology in Arizona and beyond.

Through the art of connected conversation, AZ TechCast’s guests will share their expertise, success stories, news and analysis about the region’s leading startups, companies and emerging technologies, as well as the latest industry trends and critical issues propelling the state’s growing technology ecosystem.

About Your Hosts

Steve Zylstra serves as president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, a role he assumed in 2007. He is responsible for strategy, operations, finance and policy development. Zylstra is a vocal spokesman for the value technology can provide in raising social and economic standards in Arizona.

Zylstra serves on numerous councils, committees and boards, was named “Leader of the Year, Technology,” by the Arizona Capitol Times, and “Most Admired Leader” by the Phoenix Business Journal. In addition, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of science in technology from the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Ariz.

Zylstra earned a bachelor’s degree in automotive engineering technology from Western Michigan University.

Karen Nowicki is a successful author, speaker and the creator of Deep Impact Leadership™ and SoulMarks Coaching™. She is a two-time recipient of the prestigious national Choice Award® for her book and personal development retreat. Karen was crowned the first-ever “Mompreneur of the Year” Award in 2010 for the southwestern states. She was recognized for her leadership, business acumen, and work-life balance.

Karen has been an expert guest on regional TV and radio shows, including Fox Phoenix Morning Show, Sonoran Living, Good Morning Arizona, The Chat Room, and Mid-Day Arizona. She has been a regular contributor to many print and online magazines – publishing articles and blogs for business and education.

In addition to working with private coaching clients, Karen is also the Owner & President of Phoenix Business RadioX. The Business RadioX Network amplifies the voice of business – serving the Fortune 500,000, not just the Fortune 500. Phoenix Business RadioX helps local businesses and professional associations get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, profession, and community.

Of all the experiences Karen has had the privilege of participating in over her vast career, she shares that Phoenix Business RadioX is a pinnacle adventure!

Connect with Karen on LinkedIn and follow Phoenix Business RadioX on Facebook and Instagram.

Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Bianca Buliga is a trilingual first-generation American of Romanian ethnicity. A marketing professional with experience in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, Bianca currently works as Director, Marketing & Communications for the Arizona Technology Council.

Previously, Bianca worked as Marketing Communications Lead at Proctorio, a learning integrity platform that offers remote proctoring software ensuring exam integrity for learners around the world.

Bianca also worked as Senior Marketing Manager at SEED SPOT, a social impact incubator that educates, accelerates, and invests in impact-driven entrepreneurs creating market-based solutions to social problems. In January of 2020, Bianca was selected as an awardee of the Mandela Washington Reciprocal Exchange Program and traveled to the African island of Mauritius to run entrepreneurship programming for 15 impact-driven ecopreneurs on behalf of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Bianca has also completed comprehensive consulting projects for IBM, ESAN Business School, and the Peruvian government, and interned at the Arizona House of Representatives and U.S. Embassy in Bucharest, Romania.

Bianca earned her Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from Northern Arizona University in 2014 and her Master’s degree in Global Affairs and Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in 2017. She is an avid reader, yogi, and world traveler always planning her next trip.

Connect with Bianca on LinkedIn.

About Our Sponsor

The Arizona Technology Council, Arizona’s only statewide organization serving the technology sector, fosters a climate of innovation to enhance technology in Arizona.

A trusted resource in strengthening Arizona’s technology industry, the Council proactively eliminates impediments that companies face, accelerates the entrepreneurial mindset in the state’s expanding innovation ecosystem, and works to create a destination for companies to be, thrive and stay.

Follow Arizona Technology Council on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

What Is Your Why? E33

July 7, 2022 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

What Is Your Why? E33

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What Is Your Why? E33

If you love a really good heartfelt story with a big why, then check out this episode of Collaborative Connections Radio Show and Podcast.

Irene Ploski, Jesse Pekarek, and Jayashri Sarkar share their whys, lessons, tips, and tears with host, Kelly Lorenzen.

They talked about all things small businesses, nonprofits, horses, startups, entrepreneurship, community and of course, collaboration.

These amazing business owners shared their stories so authentically, it felt like they were all old friends. You will feel the same way after you listen to it.

Happy Hooves is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing animal assisted therapy and activities to those in need. Animals improve the human experience and quality of life.

From those struggling with dementia, Alzheimer’s, PTSD, depression, anxiety, grievance, trauma, to name just a few, the animal interaction has incredible benefits for all.

Jesse Pekarek was born and raised on a family dairy farm in MN. In working with and showing animals at local fairs, he developed a strong sense of connection, empathy, compassion, and of course, a strong work ethic.

Jesse received his degree in Education and moved to Tucson in 1999 to complete his student teaching requirements, and later, held positions at an at risk school as teacher, director of curriculum development, and later the director of instructional technology, managing curriculum, instructors, and advisors.

Jesse then pursued a career in residential real estate, obtaining his license nearly 19 years ago, and continues to sell real estate to this day. Having held positions as a loan officer, operations manager at a local hard money lender, and even selling property in Mexico, Jesse’s depth of knowledge in the field, combined with his degree in education, has paved a successful real estate career.

Jesse has always felt a strong connection with community and the need and importance of giving back. Jesse has founded two non-profit organizations. His first non-profit, “Your Someday Is Today” provided necessary clothing for children in need within our community. Raising approximately $100,000 over ten years.

His current non-profit, Happy Hooves, focuses on helping the community an another way…providing animal experiences and activities for those in need. From autism, dementia, PTSD, to depression. Jesse finds his purpose in being the conduit between humans and animals, and opens his home to those open to the experience.

Jesse is active in his community as well, creating a neighborhood district called “Coyote Flatts” with a mission of preserving the rural, “neighborly” feel of their quaint, quiet, and colorful community. He has also opened up his home by creating a “community farm”, where people can come to volunteer and experience the joy and rewards in assisting with the love, care, and maintenance of the farm animals.

Jesse began hosting with Airbnb Experiences in 2019, started hosting Airbnb Online Experiences in 2020, and just a few weeks ago, began hosting their new guest house where people can book and share a deeper connection with the animals, having a stay at the farm.

Connect with Jesse on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Founded in 2009, Independence Insurance Group PLLC is an independent insurance agency and have several options to offer to our clients.

Our team is not bound to a single insurance company that offers a single type of product, instead we look for the best fit for each of our clients. Our goal is to find the right combination of coverage and price.

Our team strives to provide knowledgeable, prompt, clear and honest service to our clients and prospects. We are a relationship-based agency with our clients, business partners and professional network. We actively serve our community through fundraising & volunteering.

Irene Ploski has been in the insurance industry since 2003. She is married and is the mom of 2 very busy teenagers, a high-energy Golden Retriever and a Doberman.

Irene is fluent in Spanish as she is originally from Guadalajara, Mexico. She moved to Arizona in 2000 and became a U.S. Citizen in 2010.

She founded Independence Insurance Group in 2009. She has been a founding member of Networking For Charity, a Central Phoenix-based business networking group that focuses on generating qualified business referrals while engaging in philanthropy and volunteering.

She has been Vice President of NFC since 2014. NFC has raised over $60,000 for small local nonprofit organizations in our community.

She is also Vice-President of the Phoenix Lions Club, a global organization of volunteers that join together to give their time and effort to improving their communities and meet humanitarian needs.

Irene is also a member of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Phoenix Elks Lodge #335.

Connect with Irene on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Achievers Legacy’s purpose is to assist individuals and small businesses find sustainable and affordable air purification & drinking water filtration solutions for a healthy lifestyle.

Air and Water are two major elements that are critical to our health.

Both the air we breathe and water we drink are exposed to contaminants. Their goal is to provide solutions for both (air & water) that benefit you, your family, and your business, cost effectively in long term.

ImagiNexGen Institute of Excellence has a vision to build a connected world driven by trust, integrity, belonging, compassion, equality, and character leading to tolerance, synergy, fulfillment and peace.

They help individuals to discover their path to excellence leading to a joyful, meaningful, and purposeful life that engenders trust, happiness, fulfilment thus building a connected community.

They do not take a one-size-fits-all approach. They customize the work we do with individuals and organizations to their unique needs so they are set up for success in the long run.

Dr. Jayashri Sarkar has a Ph.D in Chemical Engineering from the University of Rhode Island. She has worked in the corporate life for a decade.

She is passionate about providing value and great service through her businesses and building a sustainable community in the process.

She believes that small businesses play a major role in shaping the culture of a community and how they serve their communities builds a strong sense of belonging.

She strives to provide the best with her businesses Achievers Legacy and ImagiNexGen Institute of Excellence.

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn and follow Achiever’s Legacy on Facebook and Instagram.

About Collaborative Connections

Kelly Lorenzen started the “Collaborative Connections” show to bring her clients and favorite charities together to meet each other, connect and collaborate in life and business. She hopes to build a stronger community one show at a time.

About Our Sponsor

KLM is a one-stop support shop for small business owners who are starting, growing, or trying to sustain. Our purpose is to foster the growth and prosperity of small businesses in our community.

Entrepreneurs & small business owners come to KLM for support in all areas of business. KLM clients think of us as a concierge, business snuggy, another arm, or duplicate for the business owner; They call us when they need us. Business owners can continue to do what they love while having the support they need when they need it.

About Your Host

Kelly Lorenzen, CEO of KLM, is an award-winning entrepreneur with over 15 years of business-ownership experience. She is also a certified project management professional.

Kelly’s expertise is in business development, customer service, marketing, and sales.

Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn, and follow KLM Consulting on Facebook.

Use Your Voice E9

January 12, 2022 by Karen

Mind Well

Use Your Voice E9

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Use Your Voice E9

On this episode of Mind Well, host Michelle Jones interviews Deb Shapiro. Deb is the founder of Amplify Voices – an organization focused on amplifying the voices of the silenced, misunderstood and oppressed. Join us as we talk about the power of showing up in authenticity, courage and the triumph in our experiences.

Listeners who hold back sharing their experiences or who want to understand how to build powerful constructive connections.

Amplify Voices is a nonprofit serving individuals from communities historically misunderstood, silenced or oppressed, who want to use their voice as an instrument of change.

Through facilitation of virtual Speaker Circles, participants find a safe “space” to connect with others who have lived similar experiences. Through Amplify programming, participants create a talk to share with others, focused on what they have learned in living through adversity.

In sharing this message with others, participants find empowerment and confidence, transforming the feelings of isolation, shame and fear of judgment that often occur.

“All voices are heard and make a profound difference in our communities and around the world”…

For over a decade, Deb Shapiro has developed the talents and businesses of some of the top keynote and motivational speakers in our industry. In 2017, she created a speaker development experience called DEBx, designed to show emerging speakers how to use their voice as a powerful instrument of change.

Through onstage appearances and professional recordings, DEBx has touched tens of thousands of lives…and counting. Deb went on to found Amplify Voices, designed to discover, develop, and amplify the voices of those historically silenced, misunderstood or oppressed.

Prior to her 13-year stint in the speaking industry, Deb oversaw the human resources operations for a 2000 person Chicago based HR Consulting firm and designed programs for the development of leaders and employees within Bose Corporation. Deb graduated cum laude from the School of Management at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and attended Oxford University.

Deb is an avid volunteer and cherishes the many friends and relationships cultivated over the years. She is proud to be a daughter, sister, girlfriend, and member of this crazy human race!

Follow Amplify Voices on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

About Mind Well

Mind Well radio show and podcast is all about connecting with wellness professionals and individuals with unique perspectives about developing wholeness and well being.

We recognize that every individual has the ability to connect to wholeness.

About Our Host

Michelle Jones is the President and Co-Founder of Trauma Integration, LLC.

Michelle is an educator and Certified Trauma Integration Practitioner. She loves truly connecting with people.

Michelle firmly believes in the inherent resiliency within each of us and loves uncovering the light and strength in the people she meets.

About Our Sponsor

Mind Well is sponsored by Trauma Integration LLC. Trauma Integration is an educational company that is passionate about helping people understand their own response to trauma.

We provide resources to individuals and train practitioners to guide clients to mindfully integrate their trauma response and find wholeness within. You can find us at www.integratetrauma.com.

Follow Trauma Integration on Facebook and Instagram.

E89 Passion from Project Management with Ricardo Vargas

October 21, 2021 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

E89 Passion from Project Management with Ricardo Vargas

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E89 Passion from Project Management with Ricardo Vargas

In this episode of Project Management Office Hours Ricardo Vargas joins PMO Joe for an exciting discussion on the topics of Transformation, Crisis Management, Project Economy, passion in work-life balance, and more!

We talk about work-life balance and how we can manage having a life outside of work. The moment we reverse it to say it is a life-work balance is the moment we gain control and passion for what we are doing. Balance will fall into place because we realize what to prioritize. Ricardo talks about this further with Joe and describes “When you think that there is a work life balance, you are in some way saying that when you work, you don’t live. So, you need to stop working to start living. And for me, in the end, there is only life. This is my passion component.” -Ricardo

“At the UN, the projects are driven by an extraordinarily keen sense of how you can improve people’s lives through rebuilding cities after disaster or war-torn countries. On the other side, the environment is how can you help your client to save money? But in the end, both have the same intention to increase the efficiency of things we want to do.” -Ricardo

Specializing in implementing innovative global initiatives, capital projects and product development, Ricardo has directed dozens of projects across industries and continents, managing more than $20 billion in global initiatives over the past 25 years. Ricardo shares his expertise with millions of professionals around the globe through his “5 Minutes Podcast,” which he’s hosted since 2007. He has written 15 books on numerous topics and his influence on the sector was affirmed when he became the first Latin American to be elected Chairman of the Project Management Institute.

Listen to Ricardo Vargas and PMO Joe discuss these topics further in E89 on Project Management Office Hours and do not forget to subscribe https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/project-management-office-hours/id1398533604

Passionate about transforming ideas into action, Ricardo Vargas is a chief advocate in the project economy. Learn more and connect with Ricardo Vargas
https://ricardo-vargas.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardovargas
https://twitter.com/rvvargas
https://www.instagram.com/rvvargas/

Thank you to THE PMO SQUAD and The PMO Leader for sponsoring this show.

Are you struggling to find the best PM resources to drive your projects and PMO forward? Contact The PMO Squad to learn how they can help you drive successful project outcomes.
Learn more about The PMO Squad – www.thepmosquad.com

Where do PMO Leaders go for Information, Learning, Networking and Services? The PMO Leader community has Everything You Need to Become a Great PMO Leader. One PMO World, One Community!

Learn more about The PMO Leader – www.thepmoleader.com

Passionate about transforming ideas into action, Ricardo Vargas is a chief advocate in the project economy. Specializing in implementing innovative global initiatives, capital projects and product development, Ricardo has directed dozens of projects across industries and continents, managing more than $20 billion in global initiatives over the past 25 years.

Ricardo shares his expertise with millions of professionals around the globe through his “5 Minutes Podcast,” which he’s hosted since 2007.

He has written 15 books on project management, risk and crisis management, and transformation, which have been translated into six languages and sold more than half a million copies. His influence on the sector was affirmed when he became the first Latin American to be elected Chairman of the Project Management Institute.

More than two decades ago, he founded Macrosolutions, a global consulting firm with international operations in energy, infrastructure, IT, oil and finance.

His work as a venture capitalist and entrepreneur in artificial intelligence, blockchain, big data, chatbots and machine learning resulted in tools and products that have revolutionized how users bring agility and agile management into project management software.

Between 2016 and 2020, Ricardo directed the Brightline Initiative, a Project Management Institute think tank bringing together leading organizations into a coalition dedicated to helping executives bridge the expensive, unproductive gap between strategic design and delivery.

Prior to his work with Brightline, Ricardo was Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Infrastructure and Project Management Group, leading more than 1,000 projects and $1.2 billion in humanitarian and development projects.

Ricardo holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Federal Fluminense University in Brazil and an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering, as well as a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil.

Connect with Ricardo on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

ABOUT PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICE HOURS SERIES

Project Management Office Hours is intended to provide Project Management professionals a place to drop in and discuss Success Stories, Best Practices, and Lessons Learned. Project Management Consultant Joy Gumz has shared with us, “Operations keep the lights on, strategy provides the light at the end of the tunnel, but project management is the train engine that moves the organization forward.”

Each of us has a unique story to tell, but collectively we share a message that organizations who embrace Project Management Best Practices perform better than those which don’t. Organizations which align Projects to Strategy perform better. Organizations with Engage Executive Sponsors deliver better results. Organizations which measure Project Management performance outperform those which don’t.

During our Project Management Office Hours, we hear directly from Industry leaders how to make an impact in our profession. How we, collectively, will Advance Project Management Best Practices, One Listener at a time!

ABOUT YOUR HOST

Joe Pusz started THE PMO SQUAD to bring real world PMO Leadership experience to the consulting space and to advocate for Project Management through his blog PMOJOE.com. The old saying is “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Following this mindset Joe left Corporate America in 2013 to start THE PMO SQUAD and work with fellow Natural Born Project Managers to advance Project Management Best Practices.

ABOUT OUR SPONSOR

THE PMO SQUAD focuses exclusively on PMO and Project Management consulting. Corporate America is full of Accidental Project Managers running projects who haven’t been trained to be PMs. To help solve this problem THE PMO SQUAD is on the Leading Edge with PMO As a Service. PMO As a Service allows our clients to focus on their respective core competencies while THE PMO SQUAD delivers Project Management expertise. Contact Joe at 678-591-7868. Follow The PMO Squad on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Where do PMO Leaders go for Information, Learning, Networking and Services? The PMO Leader community has “Everything You Need to Become a Great PMO Leader”. One PMO World, One Community! Learn more about The PMO Leader – www.thepmoleader.com