This episode brings together leaders from valet services, investment banking, employee benefits and accounting to explore how early life experiences shaped their leadership styles. Each guest reflects on growing up with responsibility at a young age through sports, paper routes, family businesses, and leadership roles among peers. Athletics played a major role, teaching teamwork, adaptability, humility, and the importance of putting results on the board—whether on the court, the track, or the ice. Working early instilled discipline, time management, and respect for people across all walks of life. Family influence, particularly lessons around integrity, problem-solving, and independence, emerges as a common thread. Together, their stories show how foundational experiences translate into people-first leadership and long-term professional success.
 

Our show this week featuring accomplished leaders from education, global professional services, and family-owned manufacturing companies. Dr. Susan Looney, President of Reading Area Community College, shared her remarkable journey from high school dropout to college president, emphasizing student support, resilience, and belief as cornerstones of her leadership. Wayne Berson, CEO of BDO, reflected on his path from Cape Town, South Africa, to leading a global organization of 124,000 employees, highlighting integrity, trust-based leadership, philanthropy, and BDO’s role as one of the largest ESOP companies in the U.S. Charles Cohen, Managing Director of Benco Dental Company, discussed leading a 100-year-old family business, navigating generational expectations, and building a people-first culture in healthcare solutions. David Taylor, CEO of Tavo Packaging, explored his upbringing in a manufacturing family, leadership alongside his brother and company president, and his commitment to community involvement.

Four accomplished leaders speak about the personal experiences that shaped their entrepreneurial paths and leadership philosophies. Ned Moore, CEO of Clutch, reflects on how his time in the Philadelphia Boys Choir instilled discipline, teamwork, and belief—lessons he now applies to building high-performing teams. Marc Brookland, founder and president of SEO Locale, shares how his family’s immigrant story and upbringing influenced his work ethic, values, and commitment to long-term relationships. Robert DeNinno, founding principal of Precision Benefits, discusses learning responsibility and customer focus at a young age and how those lessons guide his boutique approach to serving clients. Jim Jacobs, CEO of Focus Insight, recounts overcoming early challenges and credits community mentorship and sports with shaping his people-first leadership style. Together, the conversations highlight how resilience, relationships, and purpose drive lasting business success.

This collection of executive interviews highlights the diverse backgrounds and leadership philosophies of four prominent business leaders. John DiGiuseppe, CEO of The Fence Authority, discusses how authenticity, accountability, and team-building drive his success. Mike Cromer, Executive Vice President of IMC Construction, reflects on the work ethic and resilience shaped by his upbringing and athletics, now central to his leadership in a major Mid-Atlantic construction firm. Josh Gross, CEO of Mill Creek Capital Advisors, shares how discipline, mentorship, and early exposure to finance guided him to build a $12B wealth management firm. Jake Leone, President & CEO of Corporate Interiors, describes his transition from airline pilot to workplace-solutions leader, emphasizing innovation, customer experience, and building strong teams.

This episode of Executive Leaders Radio features Jim Haefele, President & Managing Partner of Haefele Flanagan, who shares how his complex family background and love of sports shaped his bold leadership approach. Jessica Grayson, Chief Growth Officer at Stradley Ronan, discusses growing up as the oldest of four and how emotional intelligence guides her work coaching partners at the firm. Thome Startk, President & COO of JDog Brands, reflects on how wrestling, military service, and single fatherhood influenced his values of discipline, empathy, and service. Brad Goldoor, a co-founder at Phenom, recounts his early entrepreneurial ventures and passion for innovation that drives his work in HR technology. Together, their stories highlight the personal experiences that forged their leadership styles.

Our guests today include: Christina Wilson, Manufacturing Leader at East West Label; Al Schuster, Branding and Sales Professional; Craig Shelley, Nonprofit Strategy Executive; and Chris Caba, Owner in Construction & Event Equipment Services. Listen as each leader reflects on how childhood environments, family dynamics, and early work shaped their values and leadership approach. Their stories span growing up in family businesses, navigating divorced or absent parents, developing entrepreneurial grit, and finding purpose through service and teamwork.  Together, these narratives illustrate how personal history becomes the foundation for purpose-driven careers.
 

This episode features conversations with leaders across life sciences, healthcare, business advocacy, and wealth management. Norman Goldschmidt, President of Genesis AEC shares how early teamwork experiences shaped his collaborative leadership style. Michael Spivak, CEO of All American Home Care, discusses his immigrant-to-entrepreneur journey and values-driven approach to business growth. Laura Manion, President and CEO of the Chester County Chamber shares about her leadership and advocacy work. Rory O’Hara, Founder/Managing Partner of Ausperity Private Wealth describes how early financial lessons and work ethic guided his path to building an intentional, team-focused firm.

How can you make the biggest impact? Norristown Area High School and KIPP DuBois Collegiate Academy students interview John Rapchinski
Principal of Maximus Partners, and Nate Bower President of Rebling Plastics, and discuss making tough decisions, trusting your instincts, and executing your vision.

This collection of interviews and discussions highlights the personal and professional journeys of distinguished business leaders, including Gary Hill of the DVL Group, Ron Barghese of The Tri M Group, Criag Durand of TTI Environmental and Marty Tusman of Jenkintown Building. The session explore themes of leadership, resilience, and employee ownership while offering insights into building people-first organizations.

In this episode, we sit down with business leaders Chris Annas (Meridian Bank), Joel Frank, Frank Hennessey, and Michael Stephano to explore the formative experiences that shaped their leadership journeys. From washing dishes at 13 to leading banks, law firms, and financial organizations, each guest reflects on how family, mentors, and early jobs built the foundations for their success. They share stories of Midwestern values, neighborhood sports rivalries, and lessons from parents, coaches, and even kitchen bosses that continue to influence how they lead teams and serve clients today.  influences can echo through an entire career.