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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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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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📸 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: https://www.lin

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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?
👉 Email [email protected]

🔗 CONNECT WITH CALIFORNIA LEADERS
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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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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 Dodani
🔹 Title: F

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📧 Email: [email protected]

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Everett Sands transforms the lending landscape for underserved entrepreneurs through innovation, vision, and a deeply personal mission. Drawing from his grandfather's tailoring business experience—which thrived with five locations but ultimately suffered due to poor financial advice—Sands built Lendistry to provide the responsible capital small businesses desperately need.

With remarkable transparency, Sands reveals how watching his family lose their home to foreclosure planted the seeds for his future work. "I grew up with a what-if story," he shares, explaining how this childhood experience drove him to create better financial options for minority, women-owned, and rural businesses that traditional banks often overlook.

Under Sands' leadership, Lendistry has deployed over $10 billion in capital and processed nearly 1.9 million applications in less than a decade. His approach combines technological innovation with human-centered design, recognizing that many business owners can only apply for financing outside traditional banking hours. The data proves him right—Lendistry discovered many clients were uploading documents between 10pm and 2am when they finally had time.

The conversation illuminates Sands' leadership philosophy of "adding a zero" to goals, challenging the limited thinking minorities are often taught to accept. He builds his organization with leaders who have experience beyond the company's current stage, strategically preparing for future growth. His team structure—leaders managing no more than 8-10 people before adding another leader—creates clear pathways for scaling.

Particularly fascinating is Lendistry's approach to risk management through technology, developing virtual wallets that function like traditional bank lockboxes but with greater efficiency and lower costs. These innovations allow Lendistry to secure loan collateral while providing business owners real-time insights about their financial health.

Whether you're an entrepreneur seeking capital, a business leader looking to scale your organization, or simply interested in how financial innovation can create positive community impact, this conversation offers invaluable wisdom from someone who's built a mission-driven financial powerhouse from the ground up.

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Rick Gibson's leadership journey spans from bagging groceries in his father's Bakersfield market to shaping Pepperdine University's presence in Los Angeles as Senior Vice Chancellor. In this riveting conversation, he reveals how seemingly small moments—like his father telling him "you always have something to do" when caught idle—planted seeds that would bloom throughout his 30-year executive career.

With remarkable candor, Gibson shares how he transformed from an entry-level position to becoming Pepperdine's first Chief Marketing Officer by mastering the art of storytelling. "The technology served the story, not the other way around," he explains, offering a timeless principle in our tech-saturated world. His narrative takes us through the evolution of marketing from film photography to digital media while emphasizing that compelling storytelling remains the constant force driving connection and meaning.

What makes this conversation particularly valuable is Gibson's exploration of systems thinking in leadership. Drawing from his MBA experience and years guiding organizations, he illuminates how everything within institutions interconnects in visible and hidden ways. "There's not a neglected part or a dismissed part," he explains, challenging listeners to see beyond siloed thinking to recognize how all elements contribute to organizational success.

Now an executive coach guiding both seasoned leaders and emerging professionals, Gibson addresses the profound isolation many executives face when making critical decisions. His current work focuses on creating safe spaces for leaders to express doubts, test assumptions, and challenge limiting beliefs. The conversation culminates with a powerful reflection on shared vision, illustrated through NASA's Apollo mission where everyone from engineers to cafeteria staff united behind "We're going to the moon."

Ready to elevate your leadership perspective? Connect with our upcoming "Pathways to Advanced Leadership" workshop where Rick Gibson shares these insights in an intimate, collaborative environment designed to help you see further down the field of your career journey.

📌 ABOUT OUR GUEST:  
🔹 Name: Rick Gibson
🔹 Title: Principal Owner
🔹 Organization: MGR Development, LLC
🔹 Company Website: https://www.coachmg

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Joone Kim-Lopez's remarkable journey from South Korean immigrant to transformative water industry leader offers a masterclass in resilience, authentic leadership, and the profound impact of leading with compassion. 

Arriving in America at age eight without speaking English, June navigated childhood poverty, cultural isolation, and family hardship before finding her path to leadership. Her candid reflections on being "the weird, awkward, unpopular kid" reveal how these early struggles cultivated her deep commitment to creating environments where everyone belongs.

Joone's unconventional career trajectory—from decorated police officer receiving the Silver Medal of Courage for bravery under fire to becoming CEO of Moulton Niguel Water District—demonstrates how purpose-driven leadership transcends traditional career paths. With refreshing honesty, she shares how she rose from "everyone's peon" in the public affairs department to leading an organization serving 172,000 customers across six cities, all while transforming it into an award-winning workplace recognized nationally by USA Today.

What makes Joone's leadership philosophy so compelling is its foundation in human connection. "I always looked at water as a people business rather than a utility," she explains, detailing how this perspective drives her approach to everything from workforce culture to global partnerships. Her extensive board service—spanning from the California Seismic Safety Commission to the Make-A-Wish Foundation—reflects a leadership ethos that prioritizes community impact over personal advancement.

Perhaps most valuable is Joone's refreshing perspective on work-life balance: "This idea of having to have this perfect balance and perfect life is total false." Instead, she offers a liberating alternative: "Let's forgive ourselves for what we are not. Let's celebrate ourselves for who we are." It's this authentic approach—focusing on meaningful impact rather than perfection—that makes her leadership story so relevant for anyone striving to make a difference while navigating life's complexities.

📌 ABOUT OUR GUEST:  
🔹 Name: Joone Kim-Lopez
🔹 Title: General Manager
🔹 Organization: Moulton Niguel Water District
🔹 Company Website: https://mnwd.com
🔹 Guests Social: https://ins

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🎙️ Los Angeles Leaders Podcast – Where Visionaries Share Their Journey

Welcome to the Los Angeles Leaders Podcast, hosted by Christopher Luna — a platform dedicated to spotlighting the inspiring journeys of visionary leaders shaping the future of Los Angeles and beyond.

Each episode dives deep into the personal stories, defining moments, and leadership philosophies of influential CEOs, changemakers, community builders, and innovators. Our goal is to go beyond titles and resumes — to uncover the “why” behind the work, the challenges overcome, and the values that guide their decisions.

Whether you’re an emerging professional, a seasoned executive, or simply someone passionate about leadership and growth, this podcast offers real insights, authentic conversations, and lessons you can apply in your own journey.

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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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