In this very special episode of Change Leader Insights, host Jessica Crow reconnects with former guest Hannah Jordan, Organizational Change Manager at Larimer County, for a full-circle conversation marking the show's final episode! Hannah, who was the first guest on the show in 2023, reflects on her journey from social work to change management and how she’s evolved from a rule-following new practitioner to an adaptable, trusted voice leading people-centered change.

With a background in social work and professional training in change management (PROSCI Certified Advanced Change Practitioner, Lean Change Agent, and BRMP), Hannah helps teams navigate change with empathy, strong relationships, and open dialogue. In her free time, she enjoys hiking Colorado's 14ers, rock climbing, and spending time with her three cats.

During the conversation, Hannah shares how she brings a people-first lens to change leadership and the lessons she’s learned along the way. As someone who loves process and structure, Hannah also shares how she once feared not “doing change management the right way,” and how she’s learned to trust her instincts, prioritize human connection, and redefine what success means in her role.  

Highlights from the conversation include:

☑️ Why conversations matter more than deliverables, and how to use tools to drive clarity and insight

☑️ A personal story about the power of connection and how to build trust by building relationships

☑️ How being a change leader who doesn’t like change has become one of Hannah’s superpowers

☑️ Why focusing on your “why” and trusting your gut is more important than getting every step “right”

This episode is a powerful reminder that leading change is about connection, credibility, and consistency, not credentials alone. Whether you're new to the field or rethinking your approach, Hannah’s journey and stories will inspire you to lean into your voice, your values, and your own way of leading change.

In this episode of Change Leader Insights, host Jessica Crow speaks with New Zealand-based change leader Theodore D’Souza about his non-linear journey into change management and how the profession helped him find purpose, confidence, and a global community.

Theodore is a curious change leader who is eager to learn and here to talk about all things change. With a background in business management, HR, and now change management, he has been on a journey to learn as much as he can about this space through work experience, formal qualifications, engagement on LinkedIn, and more.

In this conversation, Theo and Jess explore the “a-ha” moments, invisible skills, and unexpected turns that shape many change management careers. They also reflect on the “why” behind the work and on how helping people navigate transitions is as much a calling as a capability.

Highlights from the conversation include:

☑️ The power of mentorship and self-led learning

☑️ Why change management is a platform for continuous growth

☑️ Advice for aspiring change professionals, including how to use what you already know

Whether you’re new to change or a seasoned pro, this episode is a reminder that growth doesn’t follow a straight line and that finding your calling as a change leader can all start with one conversation!

In this episode of Change Leader Insights, host Jessica Crow speaks with Jenny Lavey, a seasoned HR executive and co-founder of Rise HR, about the real reasons employees resist change—and what leaders can do to reduce change fatigue and rebuild trust.

With over 20 years of experience in HR across healthcare, higher education, retail, and tech, Jenny is known for cultivating joyful, high-performing workplaces that drive tangible business results. Her unique approach blends strategic business acumen with a dose of humor, empowering teams to leverage individual strengths and achieve outstanding results. Jenny is also a certified coach in Gallup CliftonStrengths, 3 Vital Questions, Dare to Lead, and Coactive Coaching, making her a go-to partner for organizations navigating transformation with humanity, humor, and heart.

During the conversation with Jess, Jenny shares her journey from corporate HR to launching Rise HR, a people-first consultancy helping small and mid-size companies strengthen their cultures and manage complex change. Drawing on her own experience guiding organizations through COVID, restructuring, and digital transformation, she breaks down the disconnect between leadership expectations and employee capacity for change, and what leaders can do about it.

Highlights from the conversation include:

☑️ Why “resistance to change” is often just a lack of time, clarity, or control

☑️ The high cost of rushing change—and how slowing down actually leads to better outcomes

☑️ What happens when leaders involve people's voices early and prioritize fewer, high-leverage initiatives

If you’re leading change (or just trying to survive it), this episode will leave you with insight, laughter, and a clear reminder: we need to slow down if we want change to stick.

In this episode of Change Leader Insights, Jessica Crow speaks with Sue Kirchner, founder of Brand Strong Marketing and host of The Turbo Branding Show, about a critical—but often overlooked—element of organizational change: brand.

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are among the most complex and emotionally charged changes an organization can face. While operational integration gets most of the attention, Sue makes the case that brand strategy is just as essential to success. Why? Because brand is how people connect to the change—and how they decide whether or not to believe in it.

For over 25 years, Sue has helped thriving businesses create Wow! Brands, allowing them to scale faster, easier, and more successfully. Her Brand Strong Methodology has enabled organizations to attract the right customers and employees, enter new markets, create amazing customer experiences, and increase sales consistently. She is also the host of the Turbo Branding Show, a podcast and video show designed to help Founders and CEOs of thriving businesses ignite their growth by leveraging their brand to grow faster, easier, and more successfully.

Sue’s insights into how brand impacts behavior, culture, and performance make this episode a must-listen for any leader guiding their organization through change.

Highlights from the conversation include:

☑️ Why brand is a strategic lever during M&A, and how it helps align teams, customers, and investors

☑️ How emotional loyalty to a brand impacts adoption and morale during major change

☑️ The most common brand-related mistakes leaders make during M&A (and how to avoid them)

If your organization is navigating M&A or any large-scale transformation, this episode will have you rethink how brand fits into your change leadership approach, and why it’s not just a marketing concern – but a human one!

Link to website: https://brandstrongmarketing.com/

In this episode of Change Leader Insights, Jessica Crow speaks with Jules Wilhelm, the creator, founder, and president of Capacity Leader Center, Cardia Counseling Center, and EQ-niversity™, about what every change leader needs to know about emotional intelligence (EQ) but probably didn’t learn in school. 

Jules, who has nearly 30 years of experience in elite counseling and coaching, is currently focused on transforming the leadership of the world’s top executives. Her mission? To train 1.1 million people in the skills that help us lead—and live—with greater connection, compassion, and emotional clarity.

During the conversation with Jess, Jules introduces her EQ Roadmap, a powerful four-step framework leaders can use to manage high-emotion moments, build trust quickly, and create safe, productive environments where change can take root. They also explore why even the smartest leaders lose their cool during stressful conversations, and how building “muscle memory” for emotionally intelligent leadership can transform everything from performance to retention.

Highlights from the conversation include:

☑️ How to use curiosity, emotional labeling, and co-regulation to de-escalate conflict and get unstuck

☑️ Why investing in emotional intelligence helps people feel seen—and stay—at work

☑️ How to teach your team to ask for what they really need (without awkwardness or therapy vibes)

Jules also shares how the ROI of emotional intelligence shows up in measurable business outcomes: better retention, faster conflict resolution, and stronger team performance. Whether you’re managing change in a high-pressure environment or just trying to lead with more humanity, this episode is packed with tools you’ll use.

If you want to learn how to lead change with more compassion, clarity, and emotional resilience, don’t miss this conversation with Jules Wilhelm.

In this episode of Change Leader Insights, Jessica Crow speaks with Alecia Huck, founder of Maverick & Company, about how she leverages change management (without calling it change management!) to help owner/founder-led companies get through the messy middle of rapid growth and culture change.

Drawing on twenty years of experience across industries—from professional services to construction, manufacturing, and even criminal justice—Alecia is known for direct communication, practical solutions, and distinct ways of thinking that stick in the brain and change what’s possible. Her favorite thing about her job is helping good leaders win and build great teams that build great companies.

During the conversation with Jess, Alecia shares her belief that change is both people and process, and that sustainable change only happens when leaders address both. She dives into why resistance is human (even when people ask for the change!), how to build emotional safety without therapy sessions in the conference room, and how to create systems that invite ownership, not just compliance.

Highlights from the conversation include:

☑️ Why asking the right questions during check-ins can transform team and company cultures

☑️ How to reset toxic team dynamics without shame or blame, and create ownership for the future state

☑️ The "change tolerance spectrum" and how to keep your team moving together despite differences

Alecia also drops gems on what it means to move from victimhood to sovereignty in the workplace, and why clarity and choice are more powerful than false consensus. Her tools and stories are immediately useful for any change leader managing high-stakes dynamics with imperfect humans.

If you want to learn how to lead change with more honesty, humor, and humanity—without sacrificing clarity or momentum—you won’t want to miss this amazing conversation with Alecia Huck.

In this episode of Change Leader Insights, Jessica Crow speaks with Jen Coken, an internationally recognized executive leadership coach, speaker, and best-selling author, about the “inner game” of leadership and how women can own their authority, lead authentically, and overcome imposter moments.

Featured on ABC, MSNBC, and TEDx, Jen has 25 years of experience empowering leaders to break barriers and lead boldly. Known for her no-nonsense style and relatable humor, she has coached nearly 10,000 global leaders, including Fortune 1000 CEOs, to drive meaningful transformation. Her book, Make Imposter Syndrome Your Superpower, gives women in STEM actionable tools to turn self-doubt into a leadership advantage. Through retreats, keynotes, and coaching programs, she equips women to claim their authority and inspire lasting change.

During the conversation, Jen shares her journey from working in male-dominated industries to creating a coaching practice that helps women lead people, projects, and change as their authentic selves, without code-switching, downplaying accomplishments, or abandoning their intuition. Her philosophy centers on building inner authority (authenticity) and outer influence (inspiring teams), while also managing the “hidden leader” moments when self-doubt or external criticism can cause leaders to shrink.

Highlights from the conversation include:

☑️ The four leadership types and how they can help leaders guide teams through change more effectively

☑️ How to address high performers who create resistance or undermine transformation efforts

☑️ Tools for overcoming self-doubt, and how to position yourself for leadership during times of transition

If you want to learn how to build unshakable confidence, inspire your team, and lead meaningful change while staying true to yourself, you won’t want to miss Jen’s insights in this episode.

In this episode of Change Leader Insights, Jessica Crow speaks with Traci Coven, the CEO of Inner Game Performance and Certified Change Practitioner, about how standardizing change management practices can improve stakeholder engagement and change initiative success, and how she’s using her background in change management to help athletes develop resilience and a champion mindset.

As the founder, CEO, and certified athlete mindset coach for Inner Game Performance, Traci is driven by a singular purpose: to unlock extraordinary athletic potential by building RAPID Resilience. Her passion for sports, coupled with a robust background in corporate change management, defines her unique value proposition. Before launching Inner Game Performance, Traci held a pivotal role as Director of Change Management and Implementation at DaVita, orchestrating large-scale clinical transformations.

During the conversation, Jessica and Traci dive into the importance of structured change processes in healthcare, the critical need for leadership alignment during organizational change, and why involving frontline workers in pilot testing can boost trust and adoption. Traci explains how a lack of standardization [in change management] when piloting clinical initiatives often leads to wasted resources and poor results, stating, “When pilots aren't set up for success with clear metrics and feedback loops, scaling becomes nearly impossible.”

Jessica and Traci also talk about her work with Inner Game Performance, where Traci shares how her experience in change management informed her approach to athlete mindset coaching. She emphasizes that just like in organizations, athletes need clear processes to navigate change, adapt to new roles, and perform under pressure.

Highlights from the conversation include:

☑️ Why standardizing pilot processes is essential to scaling clinical initiatives and sustaining long-term outcomes

☑️ The role of leadership alignment in reducing resistance and ensuring smoother change implementations

☑️ How the principles of change management apply to athlete development, focusing on building rapid resilience and adaptability

If you want to learn how structured change processes and human-centered leadership can elevate both business and athletic performance, be sure to tune in and hear what Traci has to say!

In this episode of Change Leader Insights, Jessica Crow speaks with Catalyst Constellations co-founders, Tracey Lovejoy and Shannon Lucas, about what it means to be a change Catalyst, why these individuals are often misunderstood in the workplace, and how Catalysts can leverage their strengths to help organizations successfully innovate and change, without burning out in the process.

As leaders and co-authors of the book Move Fast. Break Shit. Burn Out., Tracey and Shannon share how their personal and professional experiences led them to identify a distinct group of people who are visionary and action-oriented and how understanding this group, called Catalysts, can transform how change leaders work, collaborate, and thrive.

Tracey Lovejoy is a visionary leader dedicated to empowering Catalysts and driving transformative change. After leaving her leadership role at Microsoft, she built a research base around a group of high-energy changemakers and formed Catalyst Constellations with Shannon Lucas in 2017.

Shannon Lucas, a global innovation leader with more than two decades of experience driving intrapreneurship within Fortune 500 companies and startups, found her own “aha” moment when working with Tracey—realizing that being a Catalyst explained both her passion and burnout cycles. Together, they now help Catalysts thrive and lead sustainable change.

During the episode, Jessica, Tracey, and Shannon explore the five key attributes that define a Catalyst, how their unique wiring can both accelerate change and unintentionally create friction, and why self-awareness, humility, and energy management are critical for long-term success.

Highlights from the conversation include:

☑️ What it means to be a Catalyst, and why these future-focused individuals are essential for helping organizations adapt, innovate, and stay ahead in complex, ever-changing environments

☑️ How Catalyst traits like speed, intensity, and rapid iteration can become a barrier to change without the right guardrails, and why learning to listen, slow down, and lead with humility is essential for impact

☑️ Why burnout is common among Catalysts, and how understanding your own energy and decoupling your identity from your ideas can help prevent it

If you’ve ever felt like the only one pushing for change—or wondered why leading innovation feels so exhausting—this episode will make you feel seen. Tune in to learn how to work with your Catalyst nature, not against it!

In this episode of Change Leader Insights, Jessica Crow speaks with Christy Ritchie, Director of Organizational Change Leadership at Stanford Health Care and the Founder of Navigation Partners, a change management consulting firm, about the importance of understanding how organizational changes impact people, and why change management skills need to be a part of every leadership toolkit.

As a leader in human capital, Christy leverages her Doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership and my MBA to design and implement Human Capital solutions that align with strategic business priorities, organizational culture, and stakeholder interests. She has over two decades of experience in leading and consulting on change management, communications, training, culture, staffing, and leadership development initiatives for diverse and complex clients across various industries and sectors.

During the conversation, Jessica and Christy discuss how the people-side of change is often overlooked, especially during technology implementations and M&A. Says Christy, “From a business perspective, we’re so focused on finding the right application and making sure it’s customized to meet our business process flow, that we’re very rarely thinking about how people are going to react.”

Highlights from the conversation include:

☑️ Why leaders must get input from the people who are impacted directly by a change, versus relying solely on their knowledge of how they think the work is being done

☑️ How change management skills are more than just managing people and communication, and why they need to be part of the standard leadership toolkit

☑️ An overview of how to build the right team to support change implementation, and the value of including stakeholders with different perspectives

If you want to learn more about why change management is an essential leadership skill, be sure to tune in and hear what Christy has to say!