Becoming You (after Winning Wednesday)

What does it look like to graduate college right into a pandemic — and still land on your feet? Elana Little, a Management Information Systems graduate who entered the workforce during COVID-19, brings a refreshingly grounded Gen Z perspective on networking, intentional relationship building, and why virtual life actually opened more doors than it closed. In a conversation full of practical wisdom well beyond her years, Elana makes the case that how you show up in a role you don’t love matters just as much as the role you’re working toward. What You’ll Learn: Why Management Information Systems — the technical side of business — positioned Elana perfectly for a COVID-era job market How showing up fully in a role you don’t love can unlock opportunities more aligned with where you want to go Why virtual networking actually created more access — not less — to people who matter How to build a peer support structure at work using people at your level and people a few steps ahead Why intentional connection is the best use of time Elana has found so far Key Focus Areas: MIS as the Future of Business – Why Elana chose the technical side of business and how it paid off entering a COVID-era workforce Show Up Anyway – Why giving your all in a role you don’t love is exactly how you get noticed for the one you do The Virtual Silver Lining – Why pandemic-era accessibility opened doors that geography and formality used to keep closed Peer + Mentor Structure – Why finding people at your level and a few steps ahead creates the ideal professional development ecosystem Intentional Connection – How Elana shifted from accidental networking to deliberate relationship building — and why that distinction matters Elana’s Approach: Management Information Systems graduate who entered the workforce during COVID-19 — and secured employment by staying ready Believes a business degree is most powerful when you take it and make it something useful — not wait for someone to define it for you Embraced virtual networking early and found more access to meaningful connections than she expected Advocates for building peer cohorts alongside mentor relationships — both matter, and neither replaces the other Sees intentional connection as a long-term strategy, not just a pandemic workaround Perfect If You’re: A recent grad or early-career professional trying to figure out how to build relationships without an office or in-person events Someone stuck in a role that isn’t the right fit — but wondering whether to coast or commit while you look for what’s next A Gen Z professional whose perspective on technology, connection, and career is ahead of where most organizations are Elana’s Philosophy: “Everything’s more accessible now — there are so many more open doors to connect with people I wasn’t even looking for before.” “If you’re giving your all even in an environment you don’t love, someone may notice that spark and offer an opportunity more aligned with your goals.” “Building new relationships and maintaining existing ones is the best use of time I’ve found so far.” “Find people at your same level going through it together — and people a couple steps ahead who can take you where you want to go.” ABOUT ELANA LITTLE: MIS Graduate | Gen Z Workforce Entrant | Intentional Connector | Helping peers navigate the virtual-first professional world with clarity, purpose, and a whole lot of showing up CONNECT WITH ELANA: LinkedIn:   / elanalittle   CONNECT WITH KATRINA: LinkedIn:   / connectorqueen  

What does Women’s History Month look like when it’s a family affair — with a dad in Amsterdam, two daughters ages 7 and 11, and a mom behind the camera? This episode is one of the most heartwarming in the Winning Wednesday catalog. Mithun Hariharan, PMP and Verizon Benelux leader, joins with daughters Isha and Varsha to share their family’s contribution to NEGU — the children’s charity founded by 11-year-old Jessie Rees, who was battling cancer and asked her parents not what she needed, but what they could do for other kids who couldn’t go home. Together the family contributed 280 care cards toward Verizon’s 10,000-card goal with Equinix — and sparked a conversation about female leadership, global citizenship, and what it means to raise children who create impact for others. What You’ll Learn: The extraordinary story of Jessie Rees — the 11-year-old who founded NEGU while battling cancer because she wanted to help kids who couldn’t go home Why Mithun credits women leaders at Verizon for his own career growth — and what transformational female leadership actually looks like How raising globally minded, socially responsible children starts with the examples we set at home Why male allyship means not noticing the differences — and not asking women to change to fit a norm that was never built for them The power of “forward together” as a family mantra — and what it looks like in practice Key Focus Areas: NEGU — Never Ever Give Up – The story of Jessie Rees, the joy jars, care cards, and a family in Amsterdam who showed up for kids they’ll never meet Female Leadership Through a Male Ally’s Eyes – How Mithun’s career has been shaped by women leaders — from Anne Frank to Malala to the women of Verizon Benelux Raising Global Citizens – Why Mithun wants his daughters to be socially responsible, globally aware, and equipped to make other people’s lives better Representation Without Pressure – Why pointing out differences can send the wrong message — and why showing up as you are is always enough Forward Together – A family mantra that captures everything: collaboration, inclusion, and moving as one Mithun’s Approach: PMP-certified technology leader at Verizon based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands — covering the Benelux region (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) Hired by a woman leader at Verizon — and credits female leadership throughout his career as transformational, results-oriented, and deeply people-focused Draws inspiration from legendary women leaders including Anne Frank, Mother Teresa, and Malala Yousafzai when thinking about what to teach his daughters Believes equal opportunity is already here in many parts of the world — and that the goal is to extend that reality globally Partnered with his family to create 280 care cards for NEGU as part of Verizon’s volunteer initiative — making impact a household value Perfect If You’re: A parent looking for ways to teach your children empathy, global citizenship, and the power of showing up for strangers A male ally who wants a model for how to support women in leadership without making gender the centerpiece of every conversation Someone moved by stories of children creating extraordinary impact — Jessie Rees is one of those stories The Family’s Philosophy: “Forward together.” — Mithun “Words do matter — but it’s how you feel in the moment, and how you feel at the end of the day.” — Isha “I want them to be socially responsible and global citizens who can create an impact on other people’s lives.” “We all have different values and skills we can bring to the table — just as we are.” “There’s no better time to grow up as a woman right now.” ABOUT MITHUN HARIHARAN: PMP | Technology Leader, Verizon Benelux | Male Ally | Global Citizen | Based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands | Raising the next generation of socially responsible women — one care card at a time CONNECT WITH MITHUN: LinkedIn:   / mithunh   LEARN MORE ABOUT NEGU: www.negu.org CONNECT WITH KATRINA: LinkedIn:   / connectorqueen  

What does it feel like to be the only woman in a tech department — and how do you go from feeling like you shouldn’t be there to becoming someone who actively creates space for others? Jacqueline Poncedeleon, tech startup business analyst and daughter of a Colombian immigrant, brings a warm and grounded perspective on Women’s History Month, the evolution of female leadership in tech, and the personal mantra that has carried her through every hard season: no feeling is final. What You’ll Learn: Why startup culture lets you feel your impact faster — and why that matters early in your career What it’s like to be the only woman in the room — and how that experience shapes you Why representation in leadership doesn’t just inspire women — it rewrites what’s possible for everyone Why you should always apply for the job — even when you don’t feel ready The mantra “no feeling is final” — and why it applies to career, life, and everything in between Key Focus Areas: Startup vs. Corporate – Why all-hands-on-deck startup culture creates faster visibility, broader ownership, and deeper sense of impact The Only Woman in the Room – What being an anomaly in a tech department actually feels like — and the subtle ways it can make you doubt yourself Representation as Permission – Why seeing women in positions of power — in the White House, in boardrooms, in tech — rewrites what younger generations believe is possible Always Apply – The best advice Jacqueline ever received — and why your perspective might be exactly what they’re looking for No Feeling Is Final – Why emotions are indicators, not dictators — and how that reframe changes everything Jacqueline’s Approach: Tech startup business analyst focused on mortgage industry innovation — recently relocated from Michigan to Philadelphia Daughter of a Colombian immigrant who grew up in a household where aiming for VP or president wasn’t part of the conversation — until it was Started her career as the only woman in her department at an automotive tech company — and has watched the culture shift dramatically since Believes diverse panels and more women’s voices in tech make for better outcomes for everyone Lives by the philosophy that things will pass — and that pivoting is a skill the pandemic forced all of us to develop Perfect If You’re: A woman early in your tech career wondering if you belong in the room — you do Someone considering a move from a large company to a startup and wanting to know what that shift actually feels like A first-generation American or child of immigrants navigating spaces that weren’t originally built with you in mind Holding back from applying for a job because you don’t check every box — this episode is your sign Jacqueline’s Philosophy: “No feeling is final.” “Always apply for the job — what is the worst thing that can happen?” “The more diverse these panels become, the better the future for all of us.” “Sometimes a different perspective is exactly the thing that sets you apart.” “You don’t need to be in the background — you can be the main character.” ABOUT JACQUELINE PONCEDELEON: Tech Startup Business Analyst | Women in Tech Advocate | Mortgage Industry Innovator | Daughter of a Colombian Immigrant | Helping build more inclusive, innovative, and diverse tech environments — one seat at the table at a time CONNECT WITH JACQUELINE: LinkedIn:   / jpdl   CONNECT WITH KATRINA: LinkedIn:   / connectorqueen

What if the most powerful team-building and self-discovery tool in your office isn’t a workshop, a whiteboard, or a personality assessment — it’s a box of LEGOs? Yvonne Wen, design thinking facilitator and LEGO Serious Play certified practitioner, brings one of the most unique and genuinely fun conversations in the Winning Wednesday catalog. Starting with six bricks and a simple challenge — build a duck — she reveals how this science-backed methodology unlocks unconscious thinking, levels the playing field for every voice in the room, and surfaces perspectives that traditional brainstorming almost always misses. And when Katrina’s frustrated duck ends up stuck on a corporate ladder with someone blocking her path? The metaphor writes itself. What You’ll Learn: What LEGO Serious Play actually is — and why it’s grounded in cognitive science, not just play Why giving everyone the same six bricks produces completely different results — and what that tells you How building with your hands accesses the unconscious mind in ways that talking never can Why LEGO Serious Play ensures every voice in the room gets heard — not just the loudest ones How a frustrated duck on a corporate ladder became a metaphor for fixed mindset, fear, and the courage to go around Key Focus Areas: LEGO Serious Play Explained – How physical model-building unlocks deeper thinking than traditional brainstorming Same Bricks, Different Ducks – Why identical resources produce wildly different outcomes — and what that reveals about perspective The Unconscious Mind as Creative Resource – How flow state, metaphor, and hands-on building surface what talking keeps hidden Every Voice at the Table – Why LEGO Serious Play democratizes participation in ways design thinking alone can’t The Frustrated Duck – How Katrina’s spontaneous build became a real-time metaphor for corporate gatekeeping, fixed mindset, and finding another way up Yvonne’s Approach: Design thinking facilitator and LEGO Serious Play certified practitioner based in Hong Kong Discovered LEGO Serious Play after years of facilitation work — drawn in by its scientific grounding in cognitive flow theory Believes the model-building process accesses parts of the mind that conversation and conventional ideation leave untouched Uses LEGO not just as a prototype tool but as a storytelling and meaning-making device Sees every build as a window into how individuals and teams actually perceive challenges — with no right or wrong answers Perfect If You’re: A team leader or facilitator looking for a fresh, science-backed approach to brainstorming and ideation Someone who’s sat in workshops where only a few voices dominate and wondered how to change that dynamic Curious about design thinking and how physical prototyping can accelerate creative problem-solving A professional who’s ever felt blocked on a corporate ladder — by someone, something, or a system — and needed a new frame for it Yvonne’s Philosophy: “With LEGO Serious Play, all participants build a model — so all of them have the opportunity to talk about their stories.” “Same bricks, different results — that’s different perspectives on the table, and none of them are wrong.” “It’s not only about facilitation — it actually helps bring messages out of the unconscious mind.” “There’s no good or bad — it’s all different perspectives.” Katrina’s Duck: “There’s no room for fear — only room for collaboration, empowerment, and sharing ideas.” “You are a multi-faceted human being — you’re not just your job, you can bring different facets to business and to life.” “To let someone tell you not to be your whole self is very limiting — but it’s more a reflection on them than on you.” ABOUT YVONNE WEN: Design Thinking Facilitator | LEGO Serious Play Certified Practitioner | Innovation Coach | Helping teams unlock unconscious thinking, surface diverse perspectives, and solve problems by building with their hands — one brick at a time CONNECT WITH YVONNE: LinkedIn:   / yvonnewen   CONNECT WITH KATRINA: LinkedIn:   / connectorqueen  

What happens when you’re sitting in your dream job — Chief Human Resources Officer — and you’re still not happy? For Aleta Maxwell, the answer led to one of the most meaningful pivots of her career. A published author, leadership coach, and former HR executive, Aleta discovered that the parts of her role she truly loved were the one-on-ones, the coaching conversations, and the soft skills no one was teaching. Her book Uplifting Leaders was born from a 13-year-old’s bad grade and a teacher who said “just email me” — and it’s been helping emerging managers have difficult conversations ever since. What You’ll Learn: Why so many professionals feel they can’t be authentic about their struggles at work — and what to do about it How a teacher’s email-instead-of-talk response to a student inspired a leadership development book Why hard skill training dominates company budgets while soft skills quietly sink managers How gratitude practice is the fastest way out of a negativity spiral — even on the hardest days What it actually looks like to pivot from a dream role that isn’t making you happy Key Focus Areas: The Dream Role That Wasn’t – How Aleta used coaching to discover she loved the work inside her job — not the job itself Difficult Conversations as a Learnable Skill – Why emerging leaders aren’t having hard conversations and what technology has to do with it Uplifting Leaders – The book born from a son’s school project, a teacher’s cop-out, and years of watching soft skills go undeveloped Safe Spaces at Work – Why people fear vulnerability at work — and how coaching creates the confidential space to actually work through it Gratitude as a Reset – Why focusing on even the smallest thing you’re grateful for is the fastest path out of a negativity wormhole Aleta’s Approach: Former Chief Human Resources Officer turned leadership coach and published author Built and ran best-in-class training programs — and still couldn’t get soft skill development prioritized over operational training Wrote Uplifting Leaders during the pandemic — inspired by watching emerging managers struggle with conversations no one had ever taught them to have Creates confidential coaching environments where clients can be vulnerable without fear of it being used against them Believes gratitude — even for the smallest things — is a daily non-negotiable for mental resilience Perfect If You’re: A new or emerging manager who’s never been formally taught how to have a difficult conversation An HR or L&D professional frustrated that soft skills keep getting bumped by operational priorities Someone in a dream role who’s quietly unhappy and trying to figure out what that means A leader who wants to create more psychological safety and authenticity in your team culture Anyone who needs a practical, grounded reminder that gratitude is a skill — and a strategy Aleta’s Philosophy: “So many feel they don’t have an outlet at work to be super authentic to the challenges they’re facing.” “Through no fault of their own, emerging leaders aren’t given the opportunities for trial and error anymore — because of technology.” “If I can help one person more confidently approach a difficult conversation, I’ll feel very happy about writing this book.” “The quickest way to pull us out of a wormhole of negativity is to focus on gratitude.” “I need to pivot toward the things I truly loved — and leave behind the things I didn’t.” ABOUT ALETA MAXWELL: Leadership Coach | Published Author | Former CHRO | Founder of Uplifting Leaders | Helping emerging managers and professionals develop the soft skills, courageous conversations, and self-awareness needed to lead with confidence and authenticity CONNECT WITH ALETA: LinkedIn:   / aleta-maxwell   CONNECT WITH KATRINA: LinkedIn:   / connectorqueen  

What if the conflict you’re having with a colleague isn’t personal — it’s just personality? Joe Arrigo, Myers-Briggs enthusiast and INTJ-in-recovery from going-it-alone, breaks down how understanding your cognitive function stack can transform the way you lead, collaborate, and relate to virtually everyone in your life. Add an ENTJ host to the mix and you’ve got two high-achieving, action-oriented types coming at leadership from slightly different angles — and a conversation that starts with a personality quiz and ends with a completely different way of seeing yourself and every team you’ve ever been on. What You’ll Learn: What MBTI actually is — and why it’s more than a fun internet quiz How to move from the “meme” of your type to genuinely actionable self-knowledge Why ENTJs are the best at getting things done — and the worst at harmony How personality types should be shaping your remote team structure right now Why introverts may actually thrive in a remote work world — if you have the right leader above them Key Focus Areas: MBTI Foundations – Carl Jung to Myers-Briggs to 16Personalities.com — how we got here and why it matters Cognitive Function Stacks – How to go deeper than your four-letter type and discover where you’re genuinely strong and weak Harmony as a Tool – How Joe learned to see relationship-building not as weakness but as a strategic necessity Personality and Remote Work – Why introverted types like INTJs may actually thrive working from home — and why team composition matters more than ever Building Better Teams – Why you don’t want a room full of ENFPs — and what happens when you pair the right types together Joe’s Approach: Self-identified INTJ who spent years operating in hyper-independent mode — until corporate life forced a reckoning with collaboration Discovered Myers-Briggs through 16personalities.com and kept taking it every few years until the data became too useful to ignore Believes personality type knowledge is one of the most actionable professional development tools available — if you go deeper than the surface Applies MBTI not just to self-understanding but to team design, leadership identification, and conflict navigation Sees harmony as a learned skill — not a natural gift — and credits that reframe for transforming his professional relationships Perfect If You’re: Someone who’s taken the Myers-Briggs test and never known what to do with the results A leader trying to build high-functioning remote or hybrid teams with very different personality types An INTJ or ENTJ — or anyone who leads with strategy and independent thinking but struggles with the harmony side of leadership Curious about how personality psychology applies to real workplace dynamics — not just self-help Anyone who’s ever wondered why a team conflict feels so personal when it might just be a cognitive function mismatch Joe’s Philosophy: “There would be no better type than an ENTJ for just action — but part of being effective is realizing you have to involve other people.” “You can learn the meme of your type — but the real value is in the cognitive function stack.” “Harmony is tough for me as a type — but I realize the use of it, so it becomes a tool.” “All of our attention should be on personality — it’s just as critical as any other business skill.” “Now more than ever, we need people who can keep everyone in line and still deliver.” ABOUT JOE ARRIGO: Myers-Briggs Enthusiast | INTJ | Team Dynamics Strategist | Helping professionals and leaders use personality type knowledge to work better together — especially when collaboration doesn’t come naturally CONNECT WITH JOE: LinkedIn:   / joe-arrigo   CONNECT WITH KATRINA: LinkedIn:   / connectorqueen  

What does it take to walk across a street in a thunderstorm, dodge lightning bolts, and show up to a symposium where you don’t yet know who you are — only that you need to be there? That’s exactly what Jae Washburn did. In one of the most courageous and tender conversations in the Winning Wednesday catalog, Jae shares her journey of discovering gender identity, learning what pronouns even mean, and arriving at the profound realization that clothes don’t define the person — you’re just a coat rack. Whatever gets put on you doesn’t change who you are. What You’ll Learn: What it actually feels like to navigate introductions and pronouns in professional spaces as a transgender person Why the gender spectrum doesn’t erase binary identities — and why both can coexist with dignity How a name tag at a symposium cracked open an entirely new understanding of self Why gender expression and gender identity are two different things — and why that matters What “run your race as you” really means when you’ve spent years living someone else’s expectations Key Focus Areas: Safety in Professional Spaces – What transgender professionals navigate internally before every introduction on every call The Spectrum and the Binary – Why Jae strongly believes in both — and why neither erases the other Clothes Don’t Define You – The coat rack realization that changed everything about how Jae moves through the world Community as Guide – How one connection, one invitation, and one symposium became a turning point Run Your Race – Why refusing to live up to other people’s expectations is the most important decision you’ll ever make Jae’s Approach: Transgender professional navigating identity, authenticity, and belonging in corporate and community spaces Found her footing through community — a trans woman who befriended her online and invited her to a life-changing symposium Believes in the dignity of every point on the gender spectrum — including the binaries that give people a base to run from Came to the liberating understanding that gender expression doesn’t determine identity — you are who you are regardless of what you wear Lives by the principle: you only get one life, so start living it as who you’re meant to be Perfect If You’re: A transgender or non-binary professional figuring out how to show up authentically in work spaces Someone who knows someone on a gender journey and wants to better understand what that experience is like A leader or colleague who wants to create safer, more inclusive environments — starting with something as simple as a name tag Anyone who has been living someone else’s version of their life and is ready to run their own race Curious about the nuance and humanity behind conversations about gender identity that often get reduced to politics Jae’s Philosophy: “I’m merely a coat rack — whatever gets put on me doesn’t change who I am.” “It’s okay to be anywhere on the spectrum — and maybe you’re here one day and somewhere else tomorrow.” “Run your race until the finish line — but run that race as you.” “I’m not going to get another life — this is what I get, so I need to start living it.” “Never stop living your life — don’t assume the path has already been preordained.” ABOUT JEREMY “JAE” WASHBURN: Transgender Professional | Community Advocate | Speaker | Sharing her journey of identity, authenticity, and self-discovery to create more compassionate and inclusive spaces for everyone Note: Jae used they/them pronouns at the time of this recording. She now uses she/her. CONNECT WITH JAE: LinkedIn:   / jaewashburn   CONNECT WITH KATRINA: LinkedIn:   / connectorqueen  

What if the entrepreneurship narrative that’s been fed to your generation is actually doing more harm than good? Jake Bjorseth — young entrepreneur, brand strategist, and self-proclaimed cheapskate driving a 2004 Nissan Xterra — is here to rewrite it. In this refreshingly honest conversation, Jake challenges the glorification of hustle culture, the influencer economy, and the idea that being your own boss is the only worthy ambition. His take is nuanced, grounded, and backed by real experience working with brands and influencers on both sides of the equation. What You’ll Learn: Why entrepreneurship is overrated — and why that’s actually a healthy thing to say out loud The only thing Jake will ever spend money on — and why it’s not coffee or avocado toast Why investing in career development beats chasing income in your twenties What large corporations can learn from 19-year-olds with a decent camera and a following Why entitlement — not low barriers to entry — is the real threat to young entrepreneurs Key Focus Areas: Entrepreneurship Demystified – Why the grass-is-greener fantasy around being your own boss needs to be rewritten Spend Money on Time – Jake’s one rule for spending — if it doesn’t save him time, it doesn’t happen Career Development as ROI – Why spending three fewer hours working and three more hours learning is the highest-return investment you can make The Influencer vs. Corporation Problem – Why brands with billions are being outplayed by teenagers with cameras Entitlement as the Real Enemy – Why low barriers to entry aren’t the problem — your attitude about them is Jake’s Approach: Young entrepreneur and brand strategist working with both brands and influencers Drives a 2004 Nissan Xterra he bought with lawn mowing money at 16 — and has zero plans to upgrade Costco shopper, anti-avocado toast, deeply allergic to unnecessary spending Believes personal and career development is the highest ROI investment any young professional can make Refreshingly honest about the realities of entrepreneurship — including how daunting and unglamorous it actually is Perfect If You’re: A young professional wondering whether entrepreneurship is really the right path for you Someone who’s been sold the hustle culture dream and is starting to question it A brand or marketer trying to understand why influencers are eating your lunch Thinking about how to allocate your time and money more intentionally in your twenties Ready to hear someone your age say out loud that a great career in a company is just as valid as building your own Jake’s Philosophy: “Entrepreneurship is glorified — and rightly so — but it’s not for everyone, and it’s quite daunting.” “The only time I’ll spend money on something is if it saves me time.” “No amount of money I can make in the next 10 years beats what I’d gain from spending that same time on career development.” “Entitlement will be the reason you ultimately lose — regardless of how low the barrier to entry is.” “The grass is always greener — and that’s toxic among younger generations.” ABOUT JAKE BJORSETH: Entrepreneur | Brand Strategist | Influencer Marketing Expert | Helping brands and young founders cut through the noise with honest strategy, intentional growth, and a healthy skepticism of the hype CONNECT WITH JAKE: LinkedIn:   / trndsttr   CONNECT WITH KATRINA: LinkedIn:   / connectorqueen  

What’s your excuse for not networking? Tom Broxham drowned at age three, had near-drowning experiences at eight and thirteen, another one just last year — and he still gets back in the water every time. When he started using that story to help job seekers overcome the fear of networking, something clicked: it’s hard to say you can’t talk to a stranger when the person in front of you has survived drowning four times. Tom, a community connector and advocate for the Brockton Network, reframes everything you think you know about networking — starting with the fact that you’re probably already doing it and just don’t recognize it yet. What You’ll Learn: Why the fear of networking and the fear of water are the same fear — and how to face both Why networking isn’t the big event with 300 people — and where it actually happens How one cup of coffee becomes roots, then branches, then an entire network Why collecting 100 business cards at an event is the least effective networking you can do Why engaging on LinkedIn posts is more powerful than posting your own content Key Focus Areas: Drowning as Metaphor – How Tom’s near-drowning experiences became the most disarming networking story you’ll ever hear Networking Is Already Happening – Why hiking, hiking, a LinkedIn comment, and a one-on-one conversation all count — and why most people don’t recognize them as networking Roots and Branches – How one coffee meeting becomes the seed of an entire network if you tend it properly Quality Over Quantity – Why 100 cards from a big event is nothing compared to five real relationships built over time Start in the Shallow End – Tom’s framework for tackling any fear — break it down, breathe, go slow, and build from there Tom’s Approach: Community connector and advocate for the Brockton Network — focused on helping job seekers overcome the fear of networking Drowned at age three and had near-drowning experiences at eight, thirteen, and again as an adult — and learned to swim in his thirties anyway Uses his personal story to disarm the people who think their networking fear is too big to overcome Believes networking is organic, casual, and already happening in your life — the formal event is just one small version of it Advocates for meaningful LinkedIn engagement over passive posting — adding real value to conversations rather than collecting connections Perfect If You’re: Someone who avoids networking events because they feel overwhelming, transactional, or just not you A job seeker who’s been connecting on LinkedIn and asking for favors before building any relationship Someone facing a fear — professional or personal — that feels too big to start tackling A connector who wants a framework for turning one good conversation into a growing network Tom’s Philosophy: “It’s hard to say you can’t go talk to a stranger when someone’s overcome drowning.” “Networking for me is getting to know people — this right here is networking.” “From that one cup of coffee, all of a sudden you’ve got roots — and it just keeps expanding.” “It doesn’t matter how big your network is — it’s how close and tight the network that you have.” “Start in the shallow end — take your time, breathe, and tackle it one thing at a time.” ABOUT TOM BROXHAM: Community Connector | Brockton Network Advocate | Fear of Networking Coach | Helping job seekers and professionals build real, meaningful networks — one conversation at a time CONNECT WITH TOM: LinkedIn:   / tombroxham   CONNECT WITH KATRINA: LinkedIn:   / connectorqueen  

What does it take to build a strategic alliance when you’re not working with one partner — but twenty? Subhashish Acharya has spent decades navigating exactly that world, from Oracle to PTC, and now as the founder of Project Starfish — a social startup that creates jobs exclusively for blind professionals. In this conversation, Sub breaks down why strategic alliances in the age of Industry 4.0 are fundamentally different from anything that came before, why trying to maximize yourself in a complex ecosystem guarantees a loser, and why the word “alliance” gets a billion Google searches but almost no published wisdom. What You’ll Learn: Why Industry 4.0 is the most complex strategic alliance environment ever created How maximizing your own value in a multi-partner ecosystem can actually guarantee failure Why digital transformation without physical transformation is only half the equation What the billion Google searches on “alliance” reveal about a massive gap in business literature How Project Starfish is proving that meaningful employment for blind professionals is not only possible — it’s a model Key Focus Areas: Strategic Alliances in Industry 4.0 – Managing 20 partners instead of one and why complexity multiplies everything Collaboration Over Competition – Why even competitors must find synergies to create solutions customers actually need Yin and Yang of Digital Transformation – Why physical and digital transformation must happen together or not at all The Tribal Knowledge Problem – Why alliance strategy is one of the most searched but least documented fields in business Project Starfish – A social startup where everyone except the founder is blind — and everyone has a job and an income Subhashish’s Approach: Decades of enterprise sales and strategy experience at Oracle and PTC Deep expertise in IoT, strategic alliances, and ecosystem development Founder of Project Starfish — a social startup creating income-generating employment for blind professionals Began writing about strategic alliances not to build a brand but to document tribal knowledge no one else was capturing Believes perspective is everything — and that the same problem looks fundamentally different through a different pair of eyes Perfect If You’re: A business development or partnerships professional trying to navigate complex multi-party alliances A technology leader thinking about what digital transformation actually requires to succeed An entrepreneur or nonprofit founder looking for an unconventional model for social impact Someone who’s been searching for resources on alliance strategy and finding nothing useful Ready to rethink what collaboration with competitors can actually unlock for your customers Subhashish’s Philosophy: “It’s not about being the best at everything by yourself — that really won’t get you anywhere.” “Where everybody tries to maximize their own value, there’s ultimately going to be a loser.” “The physical and digital transformation both need to happen — you can’t have one without the other.” “Perspective is seeing the same thing from a different pair of eyes.” “Let’s all do business together — let other people share their perspective.” ABOUT SUBHASHISH ACHARYA: Enterprise Sales & Strategy Leader | IoT & Industry 4.0 Expert | Founder of Project Starfish | Helping organizations build strategic alliances, navigate complex ecosystems, and create meaningful impact — in business and beyond CONNECT WITH SUBHASHISH: LinkedIn:   / sacharya   CONNECT WITH KATRINA: LinkedIn:   / connectorqueen