In this episode of Embrace the Squiggle, Colleen and Kristine sit down with Ja'Milla Lomas, a dynamic professional whose career is as multifaceted as her talents. From dreaming of becoming a cardiovascular surgeon ballerina to thriving in communications and community service, Ja'Milla's journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of finding your true purpose.

Born and raised in Houston, Ja'Milla reflects on her path of self-discovery, from her transformative years at Smith College to navigating career shifts that spanned retail, experiential marketing, and special events. Now serving as the Public Information Officer and Community Relations Director for the Houston Fire Department, Ja'Milla combines her innate charisma and passion for service to make a meaningful impact on her community.

• What are you binging or streaming on TV right now? The Walking Dead
• What color brings you the most joy? rainbow! I love colors! Each one brings out a different kind of emotion in you.
• What is your favorite place on earth? place of serenity - getting lost in Paris - campsite in a random place
• What do you value most in others? honesty - lies will eventually unravel
• What book recommendation do you have for our listeners? My Darkest Prayer https://a.co/d/7OMXbph
• A Free Man of Color https://a.co/d/9OhKQpj

Connect with Ja’Milla https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamillacklomas/

Follow on Insta: millamoo1913

Interested in being a guest on the podcast in 2025? Fill out our application here https://forms.gle/QX6a9a7cV76VYzbt9

Connect and learn more from Colleen at www.maxady.com and on Linkedin at www.linkedin.com/in/comara

Connect and learn more from Kristine at https://www.kristinethody.com and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody
Subscribe to the podcast Embrace the Squiggle and listen every week for a new career adventure!

And please leave us a rating on your podcast app, it really helps us out.

Were you a theatre kid? Do you think you have used your theatre kid skills in your squiggly career?

This week we speak with Shannon Herber to discuss her squiggly career journey from musical theatre and her pivot into the music industry. Shannon’s story is a testament to the power of adaptability, continuous learning, and embracing life's unexpected turns.

Shannon is the Founder & Chief Consultant of the music industry consulting firm Wise River Consulting. Wise River works at the intersection of music and tech, introducing artists, labels and managers to the ways in which emerging tech can enhance their connection to fans, build communities and provide passive revenue streams. Wise River also includes live events, artist relations and GRAMMY consulting. Ms. Herber was named one of Shesaid.so's Alternative Power 100 Music List in 2019 and is a Global Advisory Board Member for UK-based arts non-profit In Place of War; a Co-Chair of the Association For Electronic Music's Emerging Tech Committee; and a Board Member for US-based music non-profit Femme House. She is a Professional member of the Recording Academy and a member of the UK-based Association for Independent Music.

Connect with Shannon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-herber/

https://www.instagram.com/shannon.herber/
https://bsky.app/profile/shannonherber.bsky.social

Rapid Fire:

• What are you binging or streaming on TV right now? Nobody Want's This on Netflix and Say Nothing on FX
• Where is somewhere you want to visit again? Bali, Indonesia
• Book Recommendation? Doppelgänger by Naomi Klein

Interested in being a guest on the podcast in 2025? Fill out our application here https://forms.gle/QX6a9a7cV76VYzbt9

Connect and learn more from Colleen at www.maxady.com and on Linkedin at www.linkedin.com/in/comara

Connect and learn more from Kristine at https://www.kristinethody.com and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody
Subscribe to the podcast Embrace the Squiggle and listen every week for a new career adventure!

And please leave us a rating on your podcast app, it really helps us out.

This episode is a celebration of squiggles and commitment! We went all in on this podcast, and it has been such a pleasure to make this squiggly podcast for you all. This episode not only a celebration, but also includes a focus on navigating internal promotions, building networks, and leveraging mentorship and sponsorship. We also discuss the differences between mentorship and sponsorship and share personal stories of career growth, rejection, and success.

Interested in being a guest on the podcast in 2025? Fill out our application here https://forms.gle/QX6a9a7cV76VYzbt9

Connect and learn more from Colleen at www.maxady.com and on Linkedin at www.linkedin.com/in/comara

Connect and learn more from Kristine at https://www.kristinethody.com and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody
Subscribe to the podcast Embrace the Squiggle and listen every week for a new career adventure!

And please leave us a rating on your podcast app, it really helps us out.

This episode of Embrace the Squiggle Dawn Creighton shares her squiggly path starting from her childhood dreams of being in cosmetology to her diverse roles in banking, sales, nonprofit management, and community outreach. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity, resilience, following one's gut, and valuing personal experiences and connections above material possessions.

Dawn Creighton is Assistant Vice President, Community Outreach Officer, Western Massachusetts Market, Liberty Bank. Dawn is highly connected in the Western Massachusetts community through her work past experiences with the Associated Industries of MA, Greenfield Community College, MassHire Holyoke, and Corporation for Public Management. She created many partnerships with local non-profits.

Speed Round Answers:

• What colour brings you the most joy? Pearl / off-white
• What is your favourite place on earth? Being in a kayak.
• If you were to get a tattoo, what would it be? Something like her daughter’s fish hook tattoo
• What book recommendation do you have for our listeners? Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret? Judy Blume https://a.co/d/iTCgNAp

Connect with Dawn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawncreighton/

Interested in being a guest on the podcast in 2025? Fill out our application here https://forms.gle/QX6a9a7cV76VYzbt9

Connect and learn more from Colleen at www.maxady.com and on Linkedin at www.linkedin.com/in/comara

Connect and learn more from Kristine at https://www.kristinethody.com and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody
Subscribe to the podcast Embrace the Squiggle and listen every week for a new career adventure!

And please leave us a rating on your podcast app, it really helps us out.

Did you have a dream job that once you got it, you actually didn’t like that much? This episode is for you.

This week on Embrace the Squiggle we hear from Joan Perreault, who discusses what its like to have a dream job for 15 years that ends up not being everything she thought it would be. They explore the importance of leadership in job satisfaction, tips for identifying the right leader during a job search.

Joan has navigated through various roles and industries along her very squiggly career path. Her career journey has taken her from for-profit to non-profit, marketing to education, at home and abroad, with stints in higher ed, manufacturing, healthcare, and even government service. She's been pleasantly surprised at just how relevant her seemingly disparate experience has been with each new career step that she takes.

It all comes together in Joan's current role as a Continuous Improvement Coach for Unit-Based Teams (UBTs) at UMass Memorial Health, where she represents a labor-management partnership between the hospital system and its largest labor union, the SHARE union.

Outside of work, Joan has an addiction to audiobooks, practices improv comedy, and enjoys spending time with her partner and two little ones.

• What color brings you the most joy? Blue
• What is your favorite place on earth? Playa Fronton in the DR, can only get there by row boat
• What do you value most in others? Authentic and real people
• What book recommendation do you have for our listeners? Drive by Daniel Pink https://a.co/d/gqT6DoM

Connect with Joan on LinkedIn

Interested in being a guest on the podcast in 2025? Fill out our application here https://forms.gle/QX6a9a7cV76VYzbt9

Connect and learn more from Colleen at www.maxady.com and on Linkedin at www.linkedin.com/in/comara

Connect and learn more from Kristine at https://www.kristinethody.com and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody
Subscribe to the podcast Embrace the Squiggle and listen every week for a new career adventure!

And please leave us a rating on your podcast app, it really helps us out.

This episode of Embrace the Squiggle asks the question, do you really need that fancy degree? 

Elissa Unton shares with us about her non-linear career path. Elissa shares insights from her roles in valuation, investor relations, and her experience launching a successful advocacy project for homeless support. They delve into the value of networking, the importance of finding work that leverages one's strengths, and provide advice for considering an MBA.

Connect with Elissa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elissaunton/

Instagram @‌elissainLA

Her Answers to Speed Round:

Color: teal-green (plants!)

Place on Earth: park Montana de Oro cliffside park in California

No tv

Value in others: uniqueness - “I don’t think like you.”

Books:

The Power of Full Engagement https://a.co/d/0yRi7j3

Range https://a.co/d/4STrdPS

Presence https://a.co/d/hYwJLPo

This episode of Embrace the Squiggle, Colleen and Kristine discuss OOO (aka out of office) and reflect on the importance of preparing for time off. They share strategies for leaders and team members to ensure smooth operations during absences, such as clear communication, setting boundaries, and delegating tasks. If you’re about to take some time off, this episode is for you! And if you don't have any vacations planned right now, this is your reminder to plan some time off. 

Interested in being a guest on the podcast in 2025? Fill out our application here: https://forms.gle/QX6a9a7cV76VYzbt9

Connect and learn more from Colleen at www.maxady.com and on Linkedin at www.linkedin.com/in/comara

Connect and learn more from Kristine at https://www.kristinethody.com and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody

Subscribe to the podcast Embrace the Squiggle and listen every week for a new career adventure!

And please leave us a rating on your podcast app, it really helps us out.

This week Colleen chats with Jess Colson, a dynamic professional with a background in higher education fundraising, sports management, and nonprofit leadership. A lover of all things sports, Jess chooses to invest her time into running a successful softball training company, NWS Fastpitch, and advocating for equity for women in the sports industry. After thousands of casual conversations between friends remarking on how sports impacted their careers and relationships, Jess launched The Postgame Amateurs Podcast in 2022 to shine a light on the incredible women who “went pro” in something other than athletics. Jess has been a staff member of Girls Inc. of the Valley since 2019, currently serving as the Director of Development and Communications where she drives fundraising strategies and external communications.

Jess shares her non-linear career journey from aspiring teacher and veterinarian to fundraiser and business owner. She discusses her experiences at Six Flags, her involvement with Girls Inc., and her venture into coaching young softball players through her business, NWS Fast Pitch. Highlighting the importance of trust, communication, and leadership, Jess offers valuable insights into managing teams and navigating career transitions.

Follow Jess on Instagram @‌jesscolson_

Connect with Jess on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-colson-mba/

Connect and learn more from Colleen at www.maxady.com and on Linkedin at www.linkedin.com/in/comara

Connect and learn more from Kristine at https://www.kristinethody.com and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody
Subscribe to the podcast Embrace the Squiggle and listen every week for a new career adventure!

And please leave us a rating on your podcast app, it really helps us out.

This episode of Embrace the Squiggle Kim Isil gets coached LIVE! Kim reached out to us on TikTok and we are so happy to dig into her career squiggle with you live. Kim shares her unconventional career journey from aspiring veterinarian to becoming a flight attendant for the military, and later moving into HR and recruiting, Kim's story is filled with unexpected twists and turns. The discussion delves deep into career transformations, exploring the importance of finding passion, building connections, and being open to new industries. This episode is full of practical advice on how to approach career change with curiosity and strategy.

Connect with Kim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-isil-780b845/

Connect and learn more from Colleen at www.maxady.com and on Linkedin at www.linkedin.com/in/comara

Connect and learn more from Kristine at https://www.kristinethody.com and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody
Subscribe to the podcast Embrace the Squiggle and listen every week for a new career adventure!

And please leave us a rating on your podcast app, it really helps us out.

This week on Embrace the Squiggle we get into confidence and how to ind your most confident self! Suzanne Parker Joins us to share her dynamic career journey from music education to nonprofit leadership. Suzanne shares all about her evolving career path that led her to the nonprofit sector. They discuss Suzanne's impactful work with Girls Inc., an organization dedicated to empowering young girls through health, education, and leadership programs, and emphasizes the importance of confidence-building and community involvement.

Connect with Suzanne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-parker-70548313/

Check out Girls Inc.: https://www.girlsincvalley.org/

Connect and learn more from Colleen at www.maxady.com and on Linkedin at www.linkedin.com/in/comara

Connect and learn more from Kristine at https://www.kristinethody.com and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody
Subscribe to the podcast Embrace the Squiggle and listen every week for a new career adventure!

And please leave us a rating on your podcast app, it really helps us out.