Founders Future

In this energizing episode of Founders Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Dr. Brandi Baldwin, CEO of Millennial Ventures Group and Future Leadership Network. A leadership psychologist, educator, and multi-time entrepreneur, Dr. Brandi shares her dynamic journey of building purpose-driven companies and empowering the next generation of leaders. With a passion for equity, innovation, and sustainable impact, she discusses how she’s transforming leadership development for diverse professionals and helping founders reimagine what it means to lead in a rapidly changing world. Tune in for real talk on authenticity, resilience, and building a legacy through intentional leadership.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Noelle Mancivalano, founder of The Giddy Group, a social media agency with a mission-driven approach to sustainability. Noelle shares her journey from digital marketing expert to eco-entrepreneur, driven by a passion to help environmentally conscious brands avoid greenwashing and genuinely connect people with nature. The conversation dives into the power of social media for climate action, building a values-aligned business, and the challenges of scaling impact while staying authentic. Listeners will gain insights into creating ethical marketing strategies, the future of sustainable branding, and how purpose can fuel entrepreneurial success.

In this insightful episode of Founders Future, host Mishal Saeed welcomes David Suarez, MBA—an improv comedian turned corporate trainer—who is redefining workplace communication. With degrees from NYU Tisch and Florida International University, David brings a unique blend of creativity and business acumen to his work. He shares how his Miami roots, experience at Johnson & Johnson, and passion for performance art inspired him to launch Interactive Training Solutions, LLC. The episode dives into how David uses improv to foster leadership, enhance communication, and build resilient, collaborative teams. From the power of “yes, and” to the principles of servant leadership, this episode is a masterclass in making business more human.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Mishal Saeed sits down with Craig James, co-founder of CatStrat Services. Craig is a modern-day philosopher and strategic facilitator whose work spans empathetic leadership, transformative coaching, and impactful sales solutions. Together, they discuss Craig’s journey from launching a $20 million capital campaign for Great Lakes Theater to interviewing thought leaders like Seth Godin. The conversation dives deep into authentic leadership, the power of storytelling in business, and how empathy can be a game-changer in organizational growth. Whether you're a startup founder or an executive seeking clarity, this episode is packed with timeless insights and forward-thinking strategies.

In this insightful episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Andrew Poles, founder of Andrew Poles Executive Coaching, to explore how founders and CEOs can transform themselves into purpose-driven leaders.

Andrew shares a powerful origin story that begins not in the boardroom but in the world of academia. From pursuing a PhD in philosophy to unexpectedly launching his first business as a single father, Andrew opens up about how personal life shifts ignited his entrepreneurial path. These early experiences laid the foundation for his coaching philosophy, one centered on authenticity, purpose, and personal evolution.

In this inspiring episode of Founders Future, host Jae Encarnacion chats with Fiorella Oldani, founder of Oldani Consulting, a female-led digital marketing and coaching agency making waves in the online business space. With a unique mix of digital marketing expertise and life coaching, Fiorella is on a mission to help entrepreneurs—especially women—discover their authentic voices, clarify their purpose, and connect it meaningfully to their business presence online.

Listeners will hear how Oldani Consulting evolved from a traditional agency model into a hybrid consulting practice, blending branding strategy, SEO, and personal development coaching. Fiorella also shares her passion for humanizing online communication, helping clients step away from robotic content and into a more confident, purpose-driven expression of their brand.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Daniel Umek, founder of Actualize Motion, to explore how data-driven strategies are transforming small and medium-sized businesses. Based in Dunedin, Florida, Actualize Motion is on a mission to help companies achieve radical efficiency and profitability. Daniel shares insights from his journey through IT, marketing, and advertising, and breaks down the importance of optimizing internal operations to scale fast and smart. From the challenges of launching a consultancy to the systems that fuel sustainable growth, this conversation is packed with real talk and valuable tactics for modern entrepreneurs.

In this engaging episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Brian Dietmeyer, a seasoned sales expert and the visionary behind CloseStrong.ai. With a career spanning over 30 years—from Marriott to founding Think! Inc.—Brian brings a wealth of experience in sales, negotiation, and business strategy.

The conversation dives into:

1. Brian’s journey from corporate roles to serial entrepreneurship
2. How CloseStrong.ai is transforming sales enablement with AI-driven coaching tools integrated into Salesforce and other CRMs
3. The mindset shifts needed for founders when moving from idea to impact
4. Why negotiation skills are essential—not just in sales, but in startup leadership
5. Lessons from the trenches of startup building and enterprise sales

Whether you're scaling a team, closing your first big deal, or navigating the pivot, this episode offers tactical insights and inspiring reflections for entrepreneurs at any stage.

In this insightful episode of Founders Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Francisco Israel, co-founder of 8020Recruit, to unpack the origin and mission behind his revolutionary recruitment startup. Francisco shares how his frustrations as a digital agency owner led him to disrupt traditional hiring models by connecting North American businesses with pre-vetted, remote Latin American talent.

Listeners will hear how 8020Recruit zeroed in on mid-level roles in real estate and marketing to optimize scalability, improve hiring efficiency, and deliver mutual value for both clients and candidates. Francisco also busts common myths about outsourcing talent from LATAM and outlines the company's vision for socially impactful, scalable growth.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Ron Browning, the dynamic CEO and founder of Intellibright, a digital marketing agency based in Austin, Texas. Known for its revolutionary pay-per-sale model, Intellibright is transforming how high-ticket service industries acquire customers. Ron shares the compelling journey from startup to an Inc. 5000-ranked company, delving into the strategic merger with MD Connect, and how his company is staying ahead in a rapidly evolving marketing landscape. Tune in for insights on scaling with purpose, revenue-focused marketing, and building a brand that delivers real results.