Breaking Barriers: Leadership, Bias & the Business of Being Human

What does it take to lead with conviction—when the world would rather see you fail?

In this episode, Natasha Nuytten sits down with Kenneth Williams, former MLB Executive VP and current Executive Chairman of CLARA, for a powerful, no-filter conversation on leadership, legacy, and the weight of being “the first.”

From decades in professional sports to breaking into tech, Kenny shares the untold stories behind building championship teams, navigating public scrutiny, and redefining what success really means when you're carrying a movement on your shoulders.

This isn’t just a story about baseball. It’s about how to lead when you're underestimated, how to create cultures of real safety and trust, and why the future of leadership demands more than just performance—it demands purpose.

Whether you're a founder, a changemaker, or someone trying to make sense of this moment in history, Kenny offers grounded, deeply human insights you won’t hear anywhere else.

Highlights & Takeaways:

💡 Leading while Black: the unseen cost of “firsts” in leadership

💡 From the dugout to the boardroom: lessons on building high-trust teams

💡 Why psychological safety isn’t soft—it’s a strategy

💡 A candid call-out on DEI pushback: “If you’re against fairness, just say that.”

Learn more about Kenneth Williams:

🔗 LinkedIn

Human Side Up

What happens when we stop ticking boxes and start driving real change? Hosted by Natasha Nuytten, CEO of CLARA, Human Side Up flips the script on diversity, equity, and inclusion by uncovering the real, raw stories behind the headlines.

This podcast isn’t about corporate checklists—it’s about the leaders, changemakers, and innovators rethinking workplace culture and championing transformation. From breakthrough strategies to bold decisions, we explore what it truly takes to build workplaces and communities where everyone belongs.

Connect with Natasha:

🔗 LinkedIn

🎧 Spotify

📺 YouTube

Connect with CLARA:

🔗 LinkedIn

🌐 Website

📺 YouTube

From Dorm Room to $1B: Power, Purpose, and the Future of Women’s Leadership

From Adversity to Empowerment: Resilience, Leadership, and the Human Factor

Leadership isn’t just about influence—it’s about overcoming, adapting, and showing up with purpose.

In this episode, Natasha sits down with Luis Velasquez, leadership coach, Harvard Business Review contributor, and Founder of Velas Coaching, for a powerful conversation on resilience, perception, and leading with intention.

Luis opens up about his remarkable journey from a background in fungal genetics to the frontlines of executive coaching in Silicon Valley. Diagnosed with a brain tumor that impacted his speech, Luis turned adversity into a catalyst for growth—transforming his life and the lives of leaders around him. Now, through his coaching and teaching at Stanford Graduate School of Business, he helps executives shift their self-perception, lead with authenticity, and build trust in high-stakes environments.

Highlights & Takeaways:

💡 How personal adversity can sharpen leadership clarity and empathy

💡 The invisible power of perception in leadership—and how to shift it

💡 Why resilience is more than grit, and how to build it from the inside out

💡 How to stop managing optics and start building trust

Learn more about Luis Velasquez:

🔗 LinkedIn

🌐 Website

Human Side Up

What happens when we stop ticking boxes and start driving real change? Hosted by Natasha Nuytten, CEO of CLARA, Human Side Up flips the script on diversity, equity, and inclusion by uncovering the real, raw stories behind the headlines.

This podcast isn’t about corporate checklists—it’s about the leaders, changemakers, and innovators rethinking workplace culture and championing transformation. From breakthrough strategies to bold decisions, we explore what it truly takes to build workplaces and communities where everyone belongs.

Connect with Natasha:

🔗 LinkedIn

🎧 Spotify

📺 YouTube

Connect with CLARA:

🔗LinkedIn

🌐Website

📺 YouTube

What does it take to break barriers in sports leadership?

Sara Toussaint, Co-CEO of TMJ, for an insightful conversation on leadership, diversity in sports, and the future of women’s athletics. From growing up in Chicago’s vibrant neighborhoods to leading a pioneering Hispanic-owned women’s soccer agency, Sara shares how her journey has shaped her approach to sports marketing, equity in leadership, and creating opportunities for the next generation of athletes.

💡 The evolving role of women in sports leadership and marketing.

💡 How Sara’s experience in Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, and the Mexican National Team shaped her approach.

💡 The power of diversity in shaping the future of athletics.

💡 Lessons from Sara’s career and her vision for Catalyst, TMJ’s new commercial division.

LinkedIn

What happens when we stop ticking boxes and start driving real change? Hosted by Natasha Nuytten, CEO of CLARA, Human Side Up flips the script on diversity, equity, and inclusion by uncovering the real, raw stories behind the headlines.

This podcast isn’t about corporate checklists—it’s about the leaders, changemakers, and innovators rethinking workplace culture and championing transformation. From breakthrough strategies to bold decisions, we explore what it truly takes to build workplaces and communities where everyone belongs.

LinkedIn

Spotify

YouTube

LinkedIn

Website

YouTube

Leadership takes many forms—whether it’s driving change within a Fortune 500 company or transforming lives through second chances.

In this episode, Natasha sits down with Tonya Eggspuehler, VP of Organizational Development and Total Rewards at Union Pacific Railroad, and Jeremy Bouman, Founder & CEO of RISE, for a powerful conversation on leadership, transformation, and impact.

Tonya shares insights from her 24-year career at Union Pacific, discussing how organizations can foster talent, build inclusive workplaces, and drive long-term success. Meanwhile, Jeremy sheds light on his work helping formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate into society, emphasizing the role of second chances in shaping a more just and equitable world.

💡 Why self-care is a leadership skill—not a luxury.

💡 The power of authenticity in creating meaningful workplace cultures.

💡 How to navigate career transitions with confidence and purpose.

💡 Lessons from Angela’s journey in HR and leadership.

Jeremy Bouman

Tonya Eggspuehler

What happens when we stop ticking boxes and start driving real change? Hosted by Natasha Nuytten, CEO of CLARA, Human Side Up flips the script on diversity, equity, and inclusion by uncovering the real, raw stories behind the headlines.

This podcast isn’t about corporate checklists—it’s about the leaders, changemakers, and innovators rethinking workplace culture and championing transformation. From breakthrough strategies to bold decisions, we explore what it truly takes to build workplaces and communities where everyone belongs.

LinkedIn

Spotify

YouTube

LinkedIn

Website

YouTube

What does it mean to lead with authenticity and intention?

Join Natasha as she sits down with Angela Cheng-Cimini, former SVP and CHRO at Harvard Business Publishing, for a powerful conversation on leadership, self-care, and the impact of living with purpose. Recorded on the last day before her retirement, Angela reflects on her 30-year HR career, sharing hard-earned wisdom on navigating change, fostering workplace well-being, and embracing authenticity as a leader.

💡 Why self-care is a leadership skill—not a luxury.

💡 The power of authenticity in creating meaningful workplace cultures.

💡 How to navigate career transitions with confidence and purpose.

💡 Lessons from Angela’s journey in HR and leadership.

LinkedIn

What happens when we stop ticking boxes and start driving real change? Hosted by Natasha Nuytten, CEO of CLARA, Human Side Up flips the script on diversity, equity, and inclusion by uncovering the real, raw stories behind the headlines.

This podcast isn’t about corporate checklists—it’s about the leaders, changemakers, and innovators rethinking workplace culture and championing transformation. From breakthrough strategies to bold decisions, we explore what it truly takes to build workplaces and communities where everyone belongs.

LinkedIn

Spotify

YouTube

LinkedIn

Website

YouTube

Join Natasha for an eye-opening conversation with Dr. Joel A. Davis Brown, a thought leader in leadership, culture, and organizational transformation.

In this episode, Dr. Brown challenges traditional leadership models and explores how decolonizing leadership can create more inclusive, dynamic, and resilient organizations. Drawing from his extensive work with global leaders and marginalized communities, he shares insights on fostering adaptability, servant leadership, and authentic connection in the workplace.

LinkedIn

Website

Get his book, "The Souls of Queer Folk"

What happens when we stop ticking boxes and start driving real change? Hosted by Natasha Nuytten, CEO of CLARA, Human Side Up flips the script on diversity, equity, and inclusion by uncovering the real, raw stories behind the headlines.

This podcast isn’t about corporate checklists—it’s about the leaders, changemakers, and innovators rethinking workplace culture and championing transformation. From breakthrough strategies to bold decisions, we explore what it truly takes to build workplaces and communities where everyone belongs.

LinkedIn

Spotify

YouTube

LinkedIn

Website

YouTube

Kicking off Human Side Up, our host Natasha Nuytten sits down with Charlene Li, a leading figure in digital transformation. In this episode, Charlene shares her vast knowledge and experience, drawing from her groundbreaking work at Altimeter Group to her recent focus on generative AI. She provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving digital landscape, offering key insights and strategies organizations need to stay ahead and succeed.

You can find Charlene on LinkedIn and visit her website: charleneli.com

Join Natasha for an insightful conversation with Lisette Nieves, President of the Fund for the City of New York.

In this episode, Lisette explains how innovative approaches in workforce development and education are transforming opportunities for underserved communities. She shares her journey as a social entrepreneur and policy expert, from growing the organization’s budget to $100 million to providing over $1.3 billion in interest-free financing for NYC nonprofits.

LinkedIn

Website

What happens when we stop ticking boxes and start driving real change? Hosted by Natasha Nuytten, CEO of CLARA, Human Side Up flips the script on diversity, equity, and inclusion by uncovering the real, raw stories behind the headlines.

This podcast isn’t about corporate checklists—it’s about the leaders, changemakers, and innovators rethinking workplace culture and championing transformation. From breakthrough strategies to bold decisions, we explore what it truly takes to build workplaces and communities where everyone belongs.

LinkedIn

Spotify

YouTube

LinkedIn

Website

YouTube