Career Sessions

Moving up the ranks in any industry also means earning new responsibilities. Leading a large organization is one of those. Today’s guest is Kevin Barry, the President of Workplace Investing at Fidelity Investments. He joins host J.R. Lowry to share his career journey from majoring in Government to having executive roles in the field of finance. Kevin discusses the importance of having management systems and why they should be tailored depending on the kind of team you’re leading. The two also get into the effects of the pandemic on organizations, discussing topics such as remote work, work-life balance, and how companies can stay competitive to attract talent. Plus, Kevin shares insights on how saving behavior has changed with inflation and offers financial tips for our audience. Don’t miss out on this jam-packed episode.

Are you weighed down by limitations and think you are not good enough to take on life's challenges? This is the podcast for you! In this episode, Jim Gibbons talks about how he overcomes the barriers of disabilities and made a mark as President and CEO across multiple organizations and now as CEO of ImmutriX Therapeutics and Founder of Forward Impact Enterprises, LLC. Jim shares his story of losing his sight from childhood, how it affected him later on in life, and how he pushed through his goals and led through influence rather than position. Tune in and be inspired by how he excelled as a leader and a visionary, even in the absence of sight. 

Public policy-focused non-profits have an essential role in a society dealing with all kinds of issues and challenges. Their financial services have become integral in helping people get through the pandemic. J.R. Lowry dives even deeper into these organizations with Janine Hirt, CEO of Innovate Finance. Janine talks about giving aid to people in the UK to address challenges brought by increased cost of living, changing government, and a market full of uncertainties and instabilities. She also shares her realizations and lessons from her past careers and jobs that shaped her into the resilient leader she is today.

No two career paths are identical, and it’s up to you to carve that way to your future. Today’s guest went from traveling around the world taking on expat assignments to now becoming the CEO of his own business. Andrew Hecker is the CEO of Concept Machine Tool. Before that, he held management positions in various manufacturing companies and handled many M&As. Andrew emphasizes the intentionality behind how he came to this point in his career. How? Listen to his conversation with host J.R. Lowry to learn more about how you can take control of your career and create your path to success.

We have come a long way with diversity in the workplace, but the fight is not yet over. The CEO Of NextUP, Sarah Alter, is all about advancing all women in business by creating opportunities for women leaders. In this episode, she shares her journey from her humble beginnings as a truck dispatcher, being in sales, getting her MBA from Harvard, going into consulting, being a CEO of a non-profit organization, and taking on the digital world through the podcast, Advancing All Women. Sarah then shares insights on how you can find the right company along with the role that enables you to maximize your potential, helping you have not only a successful career but also a fulfilling one. 

In today's fast-paced and ever-changing landscape, leaders know that it takes speed and agility for a company to succeed. Yet many are frustrated that their organizations aren't moving fast enough to stay competitive. In this episode, J.R. Lowry talks to Jim Whitehurst, a Senior Advisor at IBM and Special Advisor to the private equity firm, Silver Lake. Jim is the former President of IBM and Chairman and CEO of Red Hat, which IBM acquired in 2019. Before that, he was the Chief Operating Officer of Delta Air Lines. He began his career at Boston Consulting Group, where he rose to the level of partner before joining Delta in 2001. He also wrote a book called The Open Organization: Igniting Passion and Performance, which the Harvard Business Review published in 2015. Today, Jim shares some insights on effective leadership, employee motivation, and company culture. If your organization is struggling to adapt to the digital and social age, this episode is for you.

There isn’t one right path because life gets in the way, and you have to work around that. J.R. Lowry introduces Yolanda Taylor, an Investment Manager, Small Business Owner, and Author of Take Me Back to Redway. Yolanda talks about the importance of hard work and determination. Even if you’re scared to take the next step, do it anyway. At the end of the day, your life and career are a series of short-term decisions. You may not get there on your first try or second. But you will! Just be confident in yourself and hang on to hope. Tune in!

Many of us worked through multiple jobs before finally ending up with our dream. Erol Munuz has the journey that provided him with hard-won wisdom he has learned for the rest of his life. In this episode, he shares how he went from being an actor in New York to working in corporate marketing, PR, and communications executive. Now, Erol is currently the Senior Vice President for Content, Programs, and Events at State Street. He talks to J.R. Lowry about the events across his career path, highlighting how pursuing a dream has, in many ways, benefitted him. Join this conversation for lessons about career transitions and growth.

The joy and fulfillment we get from doing the things we love are immeasurable and greater than random work. Becca Carnahan always loved sports marketing, so she started her career as a sales representative for the Boston Celtics. Now, Becca has her own business, which focuses on helping parents find more fulfilling jobs that they love without giving up the flexibility that they need as part of their lives. In this episode, she shares valuable insights on building relationships, authenticity, finding your own voice, and enjoying what you do.

Every single little detail counts for your customer. If you're managing IRONMAN triathlons, the athletes expect you to have everything lined up. They've been training for months, and they expect to have a smooth experience all throughout. Join J.R. Lowry as he talks to Andrew Messick about the IRONMAN Group and how he manages customer experience. Andrew is the CEO of the Ironman Group, a role he has held for the past 11+ years. He also worked for the NBA, McKinsey & Company, and then at Sara Lee before the IRONMAN Group. Learn how these work experiences added up for him and shaped him to be who he is. Know why it's important to run through all the details for your customer. Finally, learn how to do good work and to take a chance.