In this episode of Because People Matter, Dr. Helen Fagan sits down with DeShannon “De Q” Harris, Organizational Development Manager at the Tulsa Health Department, to explore how coaching, emotional intelligence, and empathy are reshaping the future of leadership.

De Q shares her extraordinary journey—from growing up in a single-parent household to excelling in global sales, pursuing advanced education, and now guiding leaders through a year-long cohort designed to shift organizational culture from managing tasks to developing people.

This candid conversation echoes the spirit of leadership podcasts like Coaching for Leaders and Dare to Lead—offering real tools, vulnerability, and heart.

Episode References:

Dr. Helen Fagan — https://helenfagan.com

Tulsa Health Department — https://www.tulsa-health.org

Emotional Intelligence 2.0 (Bradberry & Greaves) — https://www.talentsmart.com

Situational Leadership (Hersey & Blanchard) — https://www.situationalleadership.com

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Because People Matter, Dr. Helen Fagan sits down with Anderson Sainci, Director of Economic Mobility and Neighborhood Support for the City of Dubuque — and the first African American male elected twice in the city’s history.

From his upbringing in a Haitian household in Florida to becoming a transformational civic leader, Anderson shares a deeply personal look at servant leadership, faith, resilience, and what it really takes to help a community thrive.

If you enjoy podcasts like Dare to Lead or A Bit of Optimism, you’ll connect with this heartfelt and practical conversation on systems change, belonging, and leading with purpose.

Episode References:

Dr. Helen Fagan — https://helenfagan.com

City of Dubuque / Anderson Sainci — https://www.cityofdubuque.org

Robert Greenleaf / Servant Leadership — https://www.greenleaf.org

Becoming an Inclusive Leader — https://www.inclusiveleader.com

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this heartfelt episode of Because People Matter, host Dr. Helen Fagan reconnects with her former student Clare Umutoni, now a Rwandan inclusion and equity leader making an impact across communities. Clare shares her story of growing up in Uganda, studying at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and returning to Rwanda to empower women and youth through dialogue, empathy, and leadership.

Their conversation explores identity, emotional intelligence, and what it truly means to create spaces where everyone belongs.

Episode References:

Dr. Helen Fagan – https://helenfagan.com

University of Nebraska, Lincoln – https://www.unl.edu

Clare Umutoni – https://www.youtube.com/c/TheIntentionalRoute

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if every business decision created a ripple of good in the world? In this inspiring episode of Because People Matter, host Dr. Helen Fagan speaks with Masami Sato, founder and CEO of B1G1 (Buy1Give1), about how small, intentional actions can transform the way businesses think about giving. Masami shares her journey from a shy child in Japan to a world-traveling entrepreneur helping thousands of companies make measurable impacts across the globe.

If you’ve ever wondered how purpose-driven leadership can truly change lives, this episode is a masterclass in compassion, connection, and conscious business.

Episode References:

B1G1 — https://www.b1g1.com

Masami Sato (LinkedIn) — https://www.linkedin.com/in/masamisato

Helen Fagan and Associates — https://www.helenfagan.com

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this inspiring episode of Because People Matter, host Dr. Helen Fagan sits down with Gibril Mansaray, founder and CEO of the PA Karim Memorial Foundation. Gibril shares his powerful multigenerational story — from his father’s journey from Sierra Leone to the U.S. in pursuit of education, to his own mission of building schools and opportunities in his family’s village. Through his work with Develop Africa, he’s transforming lives and proving that education is the key to lasting empowerment.

Listen as Gibril reflects on resilience, purpose, and the bridge between two worlds — and how one act of generosity decades ago sparked a movement to educate hundreds of children.

Episode References

PA Karim Memorial Foundation – http://pkmemorialsalone.org

Develop Africa – https://developafrica.org

Helen Fagan and Associates – https://helenfagan.com

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Because People Matter, host Dr. Helen Fagan sits down with Kamala Avila-Salmon, founder of Kas Kas Productions and former Head of Inclusive Content at Lionsgate. Kamala shares her journey from growing up in Jamaica and New York to shaping Hollywood by championing diverse voices. She reflects on her work at Lionsgate, her fellowship with the Obama Foundation, and why inclusive storytelling is essential for reshaping culture. This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about leadership, representation, and the power of story to change the world.

Episode References

Lionsgate – https://www.lionsgate.com

Obama Foundation – https://www.obama.org

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Because People Matter, host Dr. Helen Fagan sits down with Damita Snow, DEIA leader and Director at the American Society of Civil Engineers. Damita shares her journey from graphic design to shaping global accessibility in scholarly publishing. As President-Elect of the Society for Scholarly Publishing, she discusses her work with the Coalition for Diversity and Inclusion in Scholarly Communications and global initiatives like Research4Life. From reverse mentoring to making knowledge more accessible worldwide, this conversation is a lesson in inclusive leadership.

Episode References:

TEDx Omaha http://www.tedxomaha.com

American Society of Civil Engineers https://www.asce.org

Society for Scholarly Publishing https://www.sspnet.org

Coalition for Diversity and Inclusion in Scholarly Communications https://www.c4disc.org

Research for Life https://www.research4life.org

ASCE Pathways to Inclusive Publishing Summit 2026 https://ascelibrary.org/publishing-summit-2026

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if one small act of kindness could change the course of someone’s life? In this episode of Because People Matter, host Dr. Helen Fagan sits down with Jeff Shafer, co-founder of CommonGood Capital and executive director of Promising People. Jeff shares his decades-long journey walking alongside incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, from mentoring in maximum-security prisons to launching virtual reality training programs that prepare men and women for meaningful work after release. This moving conversation reminds us that redemption is possible—and that investing in people pays the greatest dividends.

Episode References

TEDx Omaha – www.tedxomaha.com

CommonGood Capital – commongoodcapital.com

Promising People – promisingpeople.com

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What does it take to build a business that transforms lives for decades? In this episode of Because People Matter, host Dr. Helen Fagan sits down with Miren Oca, founder of Ocaquatics Swim School in Miami. Miren shares how she turned an unexpected life pivot into a thriving business with five locations and 165 team members. From creating a leadership development culture and practicing open-book management to transitioning 100% of her company into employee ownership, Miren reveals how purpose-driven leadership can change communities. She also discusses her nonprofit, Ripples of Impact, which provides swim lessons, financial literacy, and environmental education for underserved youth. If you enjoy podcasts like How I Built This or We Can Do Hard Things, you’ll love this inspiring conversation about resilience, servant leadership, and living your legacy every day.

Episode References:

TEDx Omaha – https://www.tedxomaha.com

Ocaquatics Swim School – https://www.ocaquatic.com

Helen Fagan – https://www.helenfagan.com

Ripples of Impact – https://www.ripplesofimpact.org

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this inspiring episode of Because People Matter, host Helen Fagan sits down with Rand Stagen, CEO and Founder of Stagen Leadership Academy, to explore the power of long-term leadership in a short-term world. Rand shares hard-earned insights on building “evergreen” companies, cultivating true executive teams, and the crucial distinction between training and development. Drawing on decades of experience, Rand reveals why sustainable leadership requires patience, vulnerability, and the courage to speak truth to power.

References:

• Stagen Leadership Academy – https://stagen.com
• Do More Good Conference – https://domoregood.com
• Helen Fagan – https://helenfagan.com

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.