Ashley Brundage's career journey has been nothing short of inspirational. After facing significant challenges like discrimination, harassment, and even homelessness early on, Ashley took a courageous step into a second career as a means of survival. Little did she know then that this pivotal decision would pave the way for her to become a nation-leading voice in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

From humble beginnings as a part-time associate, Ashley defied the odds and rose through the ranks at a major financial services organization. In under five years, she attained the role of National Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion - a remarkable feat that spoke volumes about her grit and capabilities.

Today, Ashley runs Empowering Differences, an organization she founded based on 10 Empowering Actions that enabled her to overcome obstacles and advance her exceptional career. Her credibility is further bolstered by an extensive list of accomplishments, including serving as the Vice Chair of GLAAD's National Board of Directors, Past President of the Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber of Commerce, consulting for the White House, and receiving a prestigious DEI award from the Governor of Florida.

We are truly honored to welcome the trailblazing Ashley Brundage to the show today. Her inspirational story and wealth of experience overcoming adversity make her an ideal guest to share invaluable insights.

Vanessa Joy is an innovation-focused leader, podcast host, and trans rights advocate with over 15 years of experience. She helps organizations understand the challenges of hiring and the solutions that can be implemented.

Join us as we talk to Jon Barnes! He is a master at gathering people together and inspiring them with a vision of what could be. He is a speaker, trainer, and communicator that brings a unique and unforgettable style to small and large groups alike. Whether it’s through his YouTube channel and social videos, marketing and personal brand training, inspirational group workshops, OR his published books, Jon Barnes is on a mission to help others find their unique story and tell it in a compelling way.

Dr. Jonathan Baktari, MD is the CEO at both e7 Health and US Drug Test

Centers and the host of Baktari MD. e7 health is a preventative health

and wellness company that has been called the “the Uber of preventive

medicine” and was named the Best Technology Company in the

Healthcare Space in 2019. US Drug Test Centers is a nationwide network

of over 20,000 testing centers in the US and is revolutionizing drug and

alcohol testing across the nation.

Both of these groundbreaking technology companies were born out of

a combination of Dr. Baktari’s expertise as a doctor, medical director

and educator and his over 20 years of clinical, administrative and

entrepreneurial experience. A former triple board-certified physician with

specialties in internal medicine, pulmonary and critical care medicine,

being a healthcare CEO is only the latest chapter in Dr. Baktari’s life

mission to help others by making integrative preventative medicine

available to everyone.

Dr. Baktari has always believed that helping others was the ultimate

achievement in life. Now, as a business leader, sought-after speaker and

podcast host, he’s excited to share his expertise in preventative health,

tech entrepreneurship and other topics that can’t be found anywhere else.

We welcome Linc Kroeger to Liftoff! He is a Social Innovator, President at Knight Moves, and an Enterprise Technology Expert!

Linc and his company focus on the next generation of elite technology professionals through extensive training in tech disciplines. There is an intentional focus on including Native American, rural, and urban underserved communities

Linc served on the Technology Association of Iowa board for three years and he was assigned by Governor Kim Reynolds to her Empower Rural Iowa Task Force and has been identified as “the most innovative leader on bringing tech jobs to rural in the nation” by U.S. Congressmember Ro Khanna representing Silicon Valley.

His Key Focus: Empowering Native American, rural, and urban underserved communities to break through barriers that block socio-economic inclusion!

SOPHIE THEEN, award-winning people management expert and author of the upcoming book, THE SOUL OF STARTUPS: The Untold Stories of How Founders Affect Culture[Wiley | August 2, 2022], joins us on today's cast!

If you are looking for an excellent resource for company founders, entrepreneurs, managers, and executives, you have found the right place!

Sophie discusses how a company's culture is a top-down necessity and why it's vital for founders to create a workplace where employees can thrive and nurture their emotional maturity. There's a common misconception that a company's people make its culture. In reality, startup culture begins and trickles down from the top of a company's founder. That founder's personality, including their emotional maturity, can lift or destroy their organization's culture. So, how can founders identify whether their personalities positively impact their culture and make changes if not?

Listen up here!

Mike is an amazon bestselling author, publisher and coach for business owners. He is the author of 15 books, including 2 international Amazon bestsellers, The 100-Page Book and The Magic of Short Books. Mike has over 25 years of marketing experience and his expertise has led him to be a guest speaker on the stages of some of the world’s most foremost experts on marketing.

In 2019, Mike launched Bite Sized Books, a new publishing venture founded on his proven formula for creating short, helpful books (known as shooks) for business owners, entrepreneurs and CEOs. Which publishes a unique "direct response marketing" format of short nonfiction, business-oriented books for business owners, entrepreneurs and CEOs!

Ian Ziskin, President, EXec EXcel Group LLC, joins us to discuss The Secret Sauce of Leading Transformational Change. He has over 40 years of experience as a business leader, board advisor and member, coach, consultant, entrepreneur, teacher, speaker, and author. Most large-scale transformational change happens because of unanticipated, unaddressed, unplanned disruptions which raise questions about what it takes to lead, survive, and even thrive in periods of transformational change.

Ian discusses how leaders who drive and sustain successful transformational change actually do and why we so often fail to lead change. Have a listen to see if you can find your secret sauce!

We welcome Robert Jordan and Olivia Wagner to the show! They are authors of a new book called Right Leader, Right Time: Discover Your Leadership style for a Winning Career. They are also co-founders of Interim Execs!

They bring their expertise to assess distinct leadership styles and a step-by-step plan for optimizing that best suits businesses to scale and grow. They have identified 4 distinct leadership styles found in business today, what success looks like for each style, and what leaders can do right now to make sure that they're the leader the company needs.

InterimExecs is a leadership executive matching firm that has helped fix global giants like Pepsi, Microsoft, UPS, and more by identifying the right leaders to step in during times of trouble or stagnation. By conducting interviews with thousands of executives, they have identified 4 distinct leadership styles and when and where those styles are the most useful. For example:

When a company is in chaos or decline, it’s time to call in a Fixer.

When a company needs a creative jolt to jump out of stagnation, turn to an Artist.

When a company needs new markets and big growth, hire a Builder.

When a company reaches complexity and scale, align with a Strategist.

We welcome Michelle Venema, CEO of Home of the Sparrow. Home of the Sparrow’s mission is to partner with women facing homelessness to secure housing, achieve long-term stability, and chart new paths for their futures. Michelle provides her vast experience and insight into who are the housing insecure and how you can help.