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The Port of Los Angeles is one of those places most of us only notice when something goes wrong, yet it quietly touches nearly everything we buy, build, or ship. I sat down with Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, to get past the headlines and into the real work of leadership inside the busiest container port in North America, where global trade, local community impact, and public accountability collide every day. 

Gene shares the personal story behind his leadership style, from growing up in New Orleans with working-class and union roots to spending years overseas in shipping and global logistics. We talk about what surprised him when he took the port job, how he navigates stakeholders across city government, state and federal partners, and neighborhood voices, and why he values a team that will challenge him instead of a “yes factory.” 

We also dig into the future of the supply chain: cleaner fuels, the push toward zero-emission cargo handling equipment and trucks, and how sustainability ties directly to public health near the harbor. Gene lays out an ambitious workforce development vision too, including plans for a first-of-its-kind training campus that looks like a real port terminal so people can learn safely and build careers in goods movement, technology, and equipment maintenance. 

If you care about California jobs, trade policy, the future of shipping, or simply becoming a better leader, you’ll walk away with practical lessons, including Gene’s straightforward framework: be visible, be mobile, and be durable. Subscribe, share this conversation with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

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We wanted to capture the kind of leadership talk that usually disappears the moment the check comes. So we tried a new After Hours format, poured a Negroni, and got honest about how careers actually get built: through small roles done well, relationships that last, and the daily choice to make people feel seen.

Nick takes us from showing up in Los Angeles with $100 to learning the real meaning of an elevator pitch while working the “secret elevator” for major talent. From there, the story moves through live events, the Greek Theatre, Disney confidence, The Grove, the Santa House, experiential marketing, and eventually leadership in real estate tech at Compass. The through line is hospitality as a professional advantage: being intentional, reading the room, raising your hand for the overlooked work, and creating exceptional experiences that people remember.

We also talk marathon mindset, work-life integration, and why emerging leaders face a tougher challenge in a 30-second content world. Then we bridge into marketing strategy, brand consistency, and why print media still matters when it’s part of a true omnichannel ecosystem that matches the lived experience. If you care about leadership, networking, mentorship, customer service, and authentic human connection, this conversation is for you.

Subscribe, follow, and share California Leaders After Hours with someone building their next chapter, and if something hits home, leave a review and tell us what “small moment” changed your career.

📌 ABOUT Nick Belardo
🔹 Title: Director of Operations, Compass
🔹 Guests Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-belardo-69264666/

🔹Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickybelardo/

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Want to sponsor a future episode or provide gifts for our guests?  
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A single moment of bad luck can become the best break of your career. Dr. Noel Hacegaba, CEO of the Port of Long Beach, tells the story of how his assigned seat at a major event was taken, how he ended up next to the Port’s HR director, and how that one conversation helped launch a journey that now places him at the center of global trade, goods movement, and supply chain leadership.

We go deeper than job titles to talk about what leadership really looks like day to day. Noel connects his immigrant roots, a Spanish-speaking blue-collar upbringing, and a life shaped by faith to a servant-leadership style built on trust, respect, and compassion. He shares practical lessons from early jobs, managing people who knew more than he did, and learning that real influence comes from advocating for others and helping teams succeed.

From there we zoom out to the big picture: the Port of Long Beach as a major economic engine, the public’s new awareness of ports after COVID-era supply chain disruption, and what it takes to lead through uncertainty when there is no playbook. Noel explains his bold vision to double container throughput by 2050, why building a “championship culture” matters, and how global conversations like Davos shape the future of supply chain resilience and sustainable trade.

If you care about leadership, workforce development, logistics, or the future of California’s economy, this conversation delivers both inspiration and concrete takeaways. Subscribe, share this with a future leader, and leave a review with your biggest lesson from Noel’s story.

📌 ABOUT OUR GUEST:  
🔹 Name: Dr. Noel Hacegaba
🔹 Title: Chief Executive Officer, Port of Long Beach
🔹 Guests Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-noel-hacegaba-60b7894/

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Want to sponsor a future episode or provide gifts for our guests?  
👉 Email [email protected]

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📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caleadersofficial/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/californialeaders/
🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/caleadersx
📧 Email: [email protected]

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Big titles mean little if the fridge is empty. That’s Ron Frierson’s compass, and it guides a conversation that cuts through buzzwords to what economic development is supposed to do: help people work, earn, and live with dignity. From a pastor’s household in Saginaw to directing Western U.S. economic development at Amazon, Ron traces the habits and values that traveled with him—showing how a praying family, a push mower, and a basketball scholarship built a leader who thrives in the oven of hard problems.

We unpack the real mechanics of cross-sector leadership: translating corporate imperatives into plain language for policymakers, and translating civic constraints into actionable plans for companies. Ron explains how site selection actually works, why trust is the only durable advantage, and how hard calls during COVID expanded his range. He also pulls back the curtain on LA’s global brand—its creative gravity and deep diversity—and the hard truth that fragmentation still slows permits, blocks investment, and widens the wealth gap where it hurts most.

There’s a blueprint here for turning marquee moments into long-term gains: align the 88 cities as one region, streamline timelines so small businesses can compete, and design procurement and permitting that deliver opportunity instead of charity. Ron speaks candidly about homelessness and addiction through the lens of personal loss, insisting on a human-first approach that pairs services with accountability. For students and rising leaders, he lays out a simple, powerful kit: find mentors, stay curious, and act like someone is always watching—because reputation compounds.

If you care about how Los Angeles can convert the World Cup, Super Bowls, and the Olympics into 15 years of inclusive growth, you’ll find both principles and playbook here. Listen, share with a friend who leads, and leave a review so more builders can find the show.

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Want to sponsor a future episode or provide gifts for our guests?  
👉 Email [email protected]

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🎙️ Host: Christopher Luna
🌐 Website: https://www.californialeaders.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caleadersofficial/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/californialeaders/
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📧 Email: [email protected]

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Ready for a masterclass in leadership that outlives the leader? We sit with Dr. Thomas A. Parham—licensed psychologist, author, and the 11th president of California State University Dominguez Hills—to unpack how spirit, mentorship, and uncompromising standards fueled a campus-wide transformation. From a childhood across South, East, and West LA to steering a $250M “small city,” Dr. Parham shares the moments that reshaped his path and the philosophies that guided every decision.

We trace his pivot from criminology to psychology through community work and a life-altering encounter with Dr. Joseph White, father of Black psychology. Parham explains why spirituality—distinct from religiosity—is essential to leadership, how ideas shape behavior, and why reading a room’s energy can change outcomes. He shows what it takes to shift culture at scale: raising expectations, aligning incentives, celebrating staff, and holding firm to Ma’at’s virtues—truth, justice, harmony, order, balance, propriety—so institutions become cultural comfort zones where dignity is nonnegotiable.

The receipts are real. CSUDH secured long-sought accreditations, upgraded facilities, and launched a student-funded health, wellness, and recreation center—an $86M investment born from a bold ask: What are you prepared to invest in your future? Parham’s leadership turned “we can’t” into “watch us,” proving that optimism plus structure can move an entire community. He talks succession with humility—principles over personality—and offers a simple nightly test: Did I fulfill or betray the legacy I was given?

If you care about higher education, social mobility, DEI, and leading with both rigor and heart, this conversation will reset your bar for what’s possible. Subscribe, share with a friend who leads teams or dreams big, and leave a review to help more people find the show.

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Want to sponsor a future episode or provide gifts for our guests?  
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💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/californialeaders/
🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/caleadersx
📧 Email: [email protected]

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Ready for a real-time rebrand? We sat down with Goldie Chan—Warm Robots founder, LinkedIn Top Voice, creative keynote speaker, and cancer survivor—to pressure test a big shift from Los Angeles Leaders to California Leaders. Goldie unpacks how to expand a niche without losing its soul, why platform-specific strategy beats copy-paste posting, and the simple systems introverts can use to build a confident, visible personal brand.

Goldie’s story is a master class in consistency and service. She helped pioneer LinkedIn video, published 800 consecutive daily posts, and earned the nickname “Oprah of LinkedIn” by elevating other voices. We dig into what makes content durable—evergreen insights, real conversations, and a clear POV—and how common sense can keep you out of the performative trap. Her practical framework covers defining your three core audiences (decision makers, peers, community), matching content to each platform’s native language, and aligning your voice with your company’s values without losing who you are.

This conversation also goes deeper. Goldie shares how surviving cancer reframed her work, stripped away FOMO, and sharpened her leadership lens: listen first, lead second, and help others win. We talk about staying human in an AI world, making your brand “technology proof” with honest presence, and why offline networking remains a competitive edge. Plus, we map a simple path for the rebrand: keep LA segments visible, add statewide chapters, and let architecture and storytelling carry the growth.

If you care about branding, leadership, LinkedIn strategy, or scaling a mission without breaking trust, you’ll leave with practical steps and renewed clarity. Follow Goldie at goldiechan.com and find her agency at warmrobots.com. Enjoy the episode? Subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review to help others discover the show.

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📧 Email: [email protected]

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Terry Batch's journey from South Georgia to global trade leader will make you rethink what's possible when you embrace every opportunity that comes your way.

What happens when curiosity about different cultures meets the courage to step through unfamiliar doors? Growing up in the American South during the 70s and 80s, Terry's fascination with her Korean and Mexican neighbors sparked a lifelong passion for cross-cultural connection. That curiosity led her to Beijing at age 20, speaking barely a word of Mandarin—a decision that would shape her remarkable career in international trade and diplomacy.

Terry takes us behind the scenes of her nearly 21-year career at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where she established the China team and led the Global Diversity Export Initiative, bringing underrepresented businesses to the global marketplace. She candidly shares her entrepreneurial setbacks—including a painful return to government work after her first attempt at launching Batch Global Strategies—and how that "failure" ultimately built the resilience needed to thrive during 2020's unprecedented challenges. Now, as President and CEO of Global LA and with her revitalized consulting practice, Terry works tirelessly to position Los Angeles as a premier destination for international business and investment.

Between navigating cultural nuances in Beijing and finding her tribe in Los Angeles (which she admits was the harder transition!), Terry offers invaluable insights on leadership, parenthood, and creating international opportunities for the next generation. Her philosophy that "you don't know what you'll do in adversity until you're in it" serves as powerful motivation for anyone facing uncertainty in their professional journey.

📌 ABOUT OUR GUEST:
🔹 Name: Terri Batch
🔹 Title: President & CEO
🔹 Organization:  Global LA & Batch Global Strategies
🔹 Guests Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terribatch/

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Want to sponsor a future episode or provide gifts for our guests?  
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📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caleadersofficial/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/californialeaders/
🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/caleadersx
📧 Email: [email protected]

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Stephen Chung's journey from immigrant child to economic development leader offers a masterclass in resilience and coalition building. After arriving from Hong Kong at age eight and quickly facing family upheaval, Stephen found himself working alongside his mother in sweatshops, earning half a penny per shirt thread he cut. These early experiences with economic hardship fundamentally shaped his understanding of opportunity and equity.

What makes Stephen's leadership approach distinctive is how he transformed perceived weaknesses into strengths. As a self-described introvert who once struggled with public speaking, he learned to "perform" effectively while maintaining authenticity. This balance between vulnerability and capability resonates throughout his career trajectory—from social worker to governmental advisor to his current role leading LA's economic development efforts.

The podcast reveals fascinating behind-the-scenes moments from Stephen's career, including facilitating high-level international relationships during his time at the Port of Los Angeles and arranging for then-Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping to visit Los Angeles. 

At the heart of Stephen's philosophy is a commitment to data-driven decision making balanced with genuine human connection. His team at LAEDC produces comprehensive economic research while ensuring that information translates into tangible opportunities for all Angelenos. His newly articulated vision, "A coalition of one, an economy for all," encapsulates his belief that regional prosperity depends on collaboration rather than competition.

For listeners navigating their own leadership journeys, Stephen offers refreshingly practical advice about embracing "scrappiness," learning through observation, and finding strength in diversity of experience. His story demonstrates how personal history—even painful chapters—can inform compassionate and effective leadership. Ready to reimagine what economic development looks like when it centers both prosperity and equity? This conversation provides an inspiring blueprint.

📌 ABOUT OUR GUEST:
🔹 Name: Stephen Cheung
🔹 Title: President & CEO
🔹 Organization:  LAEDC & WTCLA
🔹 Guests Social:

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💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/californialeaders/
🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/caleadersx
📧 Email: [email protected]

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What does it take to transform a 170-year-old social service organization while honoring its rich legacy? Steve Gunther knows the answer better than most. As the President and CEO of Maryvale—Los Angeles' first orphanage—Steve has masterfully guided this historic institution through its most significant evolution in over a century.

What makes Steve's approach to leadership truly exceptional is his remarkable self-awareness and humility. During our conversation, he shares a pivotal career moment when he voluntarily stepped down from directing a new program because he recognized he wasn't the right person for that role—even without another position lined up. This level of integrity and organizational commitment exemplifies the servant leadership that has characterized his forty-year career.

Under Steve's guidance, Maryvale has navigated substantial transformation, particularly during the pandemic. Faced with closing their residential treatment program in 2020—representing half of their operation—Steve led a comprehensive strategic planning process that resulted in innovative new services, including Seton House for single mothers with young children. One mother's simple words capture the program's impact perfectly: "I can breathe."

Steve's integration of faith with professional practice offers profound lessons for leaders in any sector. By knowing your values, making decisions consistent with those principles, and surrounding yourself with capable team members you trust, you create an environment where mission and purpose can flourish even through difficult transitions. As Maryvale expands its services and deepens its community connections, Steve demonstrates how honoring tradition while embracing innovation can transform both organizations and lives.

Ready to find your own leadership purpose? Subscribe to the Los Angeles Leaders Podcast for more inspiring conversations with visionaries making a difference in our community.

📌 ABOUT OUR GUEST:
🔹 Name: Steve Gunther
🔹 Title: President & CEO
🔹 Organization: Maryvale
🔹 Guests Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-gunther-msw-b8619922/

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Let’s build a city of leaders — one story at a time.

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Want to sponsor a future episode or provide gifts for our guests?  
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🔗 CONNECT WITH CALIFORNIA LEADERS 

🎙️ Host: Christopher Luna
🌐 Website: https://www.californialeaders.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caleadersofficial/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/californialeaders/
🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/caleadersx
📧 Email: [email protected]

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When was the last time you took a deep breath? According to Ajit Dodani, your answer might reveal why you're struggling to lead effectively in today's hyperconnected world.

In this powerful conversation, Forbes Coach and Empathify You founder Ajit Dodani takes us on his remarkable journey from growing up in his family's century-old ice cream business in India to becoming a leadership expert who teaches Fortune 500 companies how to build sustainable high-performance cultures.

Dodani's story is one of resilience and transformation. After moving to America at 19, he experienced both remarkable success and devastating setbacks—including finding himself homeless in Los Angeles with just $507 to his name. It was in these moments of crisis that he discovered the power of presence, breathing techniques, and emotional regulation that would later become foundational to his leadership philosophy.

The conversation explores Dodani's groundbreaking "Trust Formula," developed during his 16 years as a CFO at Benetton, where he meticulously documented the traits that build and break trust in organizations. He shares practical insights about shadow values—those unconscious drivers that often contradict our stated values and sabotage our leadership effectiveness.

Particularly timely is Dodani's framework for AI adoption: PI×HI×AI (Personal Intelligence × Human Intelligence × Artificial Intelligence). As he explains, "AI has become the IQ equalizer. Today, within minutes, anyone can know what previously took years to learn." This shift makes human skills increasingly valuable in the workplace—especially the ability to be fully present.

You'll learn practical techniques like box breathing (four counts in, hold, six counts out) that can reset your nervous system during stressful situations, and why successful leaders follow ultradian rhythms rather than pushing through exhaustion. As Dodani puts it, "In a world of hyperconnection and information overload, the person who becomes most human wins."

Connect with Ajit on LinkedIn to access his resources, workshops, and keynotes on trust-building, high-performance cultures, and humanizing AI adoption. What one breathing practice could transform your leadership today?

📌 ABOUT OUR GUEST: 
🔹 Name: Ajit Dodan

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🎓 Powered by California Leaders Workshops – advancing leadership through immersive learning experiences.

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Let’s build a city of leaders — one story at a time.

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Want to sponsor a future episode or provide gifts for our guests?  
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🔗 CONNECT WITH CALIFORNIA LEADERS 

🎙️ Host: Christopher Luna
🌐 Website: https://www.californialeaders.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caleadersofficial/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/californialeaders/
🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/caleadersx
📧 Email: [email protected]

🔔 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories from leaders shaping California and beyond.

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