Leadership School

Tune in to our interesting discussion with Sally Helgesen, acclaimed international author and the world's leading authority on women's leadership. Be prepared to gain profound insights from Sally's latest book that navigates the intricacies of creating an inclusive workplace. Together, we unpack how the corporate environment functions for women, and how to effectively incorporate them into it. From our conversation, you will learn how to confront commonly faced challenges, such as fairness and networking.

In a deep dive into Sally's innovative ideas, we explore how to reframe narratives and foster more productive relationships. Understand how being genuinely curious and courageous can help handle difficult conversations without feeling defensive.  The potency of an inclusive workspace is underscored, revealing how it can fuel the transformation of professional environments.

Sally Helgesen, cited in Forbes as the world’s premier expert on women’s
leadership, is an internationally best-selling author, speaker and leadership
coach. She has been inducted into the Thinkers 50 Hall of Fame, which
honors those whose ideas have shaped the field of leadership worldwide. She
is also ranked number 3 among the world’s thought leaders by Global Gurus.

Sally’s latest book, Rising Together: How We Can Bridge Divides and Create
a More Inclusive Workplace, offers practical ways to build more inclusive
relationships, teams, and workplaces. It soared to Amazon’s number one top-
seller in its field in the first week of publication.

Rising Together builds on Sally’s remarkable success with How Women Rise,
co-authored with legendary executive coach Marshall Goldsmith, which
examines the behaviors most likely to get in the way of successful women as
they move forward in their careers. Rights have been sold in 23 languages.

Other books include The Female Advantage: Women’s Ways of Leadership,
hailed as the classic in its field and continuously in print since 1990, and The
Web of Inclusion: A New Architecture for Building Great Organizations, cited
in The Wall Street Journal as one of the best books on leadership of all time
and credited with bringing the language of inclusion into business.

For over 30 years, Sally has delivered workshops and keynotes for
companies, partnership firms and associations, working in 37 countries
around the world. She can be reached at [email protected]

Support the show

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please support us on Patreon.

For more leadership tools, check out the free workbooks at KylaCofer.com/freestuff.

Book Kyla to speak at your event here, or to connect further, reach out to Kyla on LinkedIn and Instagram.

All transcripts are created with Descript, an amazing transcript creation and editing tool. Check it out for yourself!

Leadership School Production:
Produced by Kyla Cofer
Edited by Neel Panji @ PodLeaF Productions
Assistant Production Alaina Hulette

Ever wondered how you can make a difference in your everyday life? Today, we've got Brian Unell, CEO of VantageHealthai and author of Everyday Leadership, You Will Make a Difference, on the show to help you do just that. With a fascinating journey that started with a statistics degree and led him through consulting and healthcare, Brian shares invaluable insights on leadership and company culture that will leave you inspired.

One key takeaway from our conversation is the powerful role of company culture and how it can be proactively shaped. Brian and I dive into how you can establish a purpose and commitment statement, foster a servant leadership mentality, and navigate the tricky waters of implementing change in large organizations.

Our discussion then pivots to the profound impact of a growth mindset on communication, courtesy of Carol Dweck's theory. We unravel how internal intentions can color our communication style, fostering a more positive environment. As we round up the episode, we reflect on leadership, growth, and the value of relationships. Discover how mindful communication can transform your interactions and eliminate those pesky preconceived notions that can lead to negative outcomes. This is one episode you don't want to miss!

Brian is the CEO of VantageHealth.ai which focuses on simplifying the billing and payment processes for patients while reducing costs and increasing revenue for providers/vendors. Brian also founded Thrival Consulting, LLC in 2020 which focuses on expanding leadership at home, work, and in life as an author and speaker. His first book Everyday Leadership: You Will Make A Difference was released in the Fall of 2022. Previously, Brian served as the Vice President, Revenue Cycle at Piedmont Healthcare (PHC) leading 1,500 team members to drive results for 11 hospitals & >1,000 providers. Brian also worked in PHC’s corporate PMO where he developed the business case and served as an accountable executive for a $180M systems integration project implementing Epic and PeopleSoft. 

Brian has been described as a transformational healthcare executive who has a passion for cultivating talent and driving change to enable sustainable results. Brian defines opportunities, develops strategies, prioritizes initiatives, and drives results via a belief that “Communications and Expectations are 90% of Success” while trying each day to solve more problems than he causes.

Brian holds three degrees from the University of Florida: BS-Statistics, Master of Business Administration, & Master of Health Administration. Brian currently resides in his hometown of Atlanta with his wife Hilary, fifteen-year-old son Harris and five-year-old daughter Sara.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please support us on Patreon.

For more leadership tools, check out the free workbooks at KylaCofer.com/freestuff.

Book Kyla to speak at your event here, or to connect further, reach out to Kyla on LinkedIn and Instagram.

All transcripts are created with Descript, an amazing transcript creation and editing tool. Check it out for yourself!

Leadership School Production:
Produced by Kyla Cofer
Edited by Neel Panji @ PodLeaF Productions
Assistant Production Alaina Hulette

Ever wonder what it takes to navigate the complexities of a boardroom? Sharon Critchlow, an accomplished executive director, accountant, and speaker, joins us to share her journey from a small English town to making her mark in the world of finance and leadership. An expert in the intricate dynamics of board service, Sharon lends her insight on understanding agendas, presenting papers, and the critical role of being a friend within the board.

Her journey doesn't stop there. Sharon shares how she mastered the art of public speaking and the importance of stepping outside her comfort zone. With an intriguing story and thought-provoking questions, Sharon underscores the centrality of emotional intelligence in our responses to various situations. What if we all responded to each other with empathy and asked questions instead of reacting with our immediate emotional responses? How could our world be different?

If you've ever considered a board position or are curious about the role emotional intelligence plays in leadership, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Hear Sharon's inspiring story and take away invaluable advice from her experiences in leadership and board service. Prepare to be enlightened on the fascinating world of leadership and board service.

As an international best-selling writer and speaker Sharon is a vocal changemaker. She brings passion to the subjects of the future of work, diversity, emotional intelligence and environmental social governance.

Writer of numerous articles published across the globe on wellbeing topics, she is the co-author Amazon best-selling book: "Love Your Life! 100 Tips For More Peace and Happiness."

Sharon is Director at Discover Your Bounce, which is a personal development and workplace wellness provider and is a qualified Accountant with over 20 years of experience in board roles and growing successful businesses in the financial services sector. Now a qualified coach and mentor, Sharon is passionate about people becoming the best that they can be and allowing their true talents to shine. She continues to share her board experience as a Council member for ACCA, which is a global accountancy provider and as a non executive director of Clarion Housing Association.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please support us on Patreon.

For more leadership tools, check out the free workbooks at KylaCofer.com/freestuff.

Book Kyla to speak at your event here, or to connect further, reach out to Kyla on LinkedIn and Instagram.

All transcripts are created with Descript, an amazing transcript creation and editing tool. Check it out for yourself!

Leadership School Production:
Produced by Kyla Cofer
Edited by Neel Panji @ PodLeaF Productions
Assistant Production Alaina Hulette

Can you imagine turning a struggling local music festival into a half-billion-dollar enterprise? That's the compelling story of our guest today, Daniel Sims, a consultant, author, and a true leader in developing funding systems. Raised in Helena, Arkansas, Daniel’s journey from his modest roots in the nonprofit world to his current work in philanthropy and organizational change is nothing short of inspirational. He gives us an in-depth view of his innovative Allen Sims Transformational Model, a tool designed to revamp systems in organizations, making them more mission-focused and revenue generating.

Daniel recounts the gripping tale of how he breathed new life into a local music festival in Helena, transforming it from a floundering event into a successful enterprise. This feat not only testifies to Daniel's uncanny ability to understand community needs but also his talent for building equitable strong relationships for fundraising. He also emphasizes the significance of creating safe, equitable community programs, and the need for collecting data and engaging in frank dialogues with community members to ensure the right use of funds.

We wrap up by discussing the important, and often tricky, issue of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Daniel shares his thoughts on Gallup's Inclusion Index and why he believes it's a must for organizations. If you've ever thought about how you could bring about transformation and positive change in your organization or community, this episode is a goldmine of practical advice and inspiring examples. It's a revealing exploration of the transformative power of community engagement and organizational change. So join us, and let's learn together.

Daniel Sims is a highly accomplished consultant, speaker, trainer, researcher, and author who has dedicated his career to promoting equity and social justice. He is a recipient of numerous awards and has an unparalleled ability to optimize organizational culture, increase fundraising capacity, and create strategic cultures with a JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion) lens. Sims hails from a small, impoverished area in the Arkansas Delta, and he uses his upbringing as a guide to promote justice-led advocacy for all.

Sims is an influential figure with an unwavering commitment to equity, and he has a remarkable track record of driving transformative systemic change in philanthropic, corporate, and social landscapes. He delivers captivating speeches that inspire action towards creating a more just and equitable world. Daniel has trained and spoken at multiple conferences and events, and his work has been featured on various podcasts, including Lead with Levity, Human Capital Innovations (HCI), and Better Humans at Work. Outside of work, Sims enjoys trivia (he even competed on Jeopardy!), playing Magic: The Gathering, and watching Lucy Worsley documentaries. He

Support the show

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please support us on Patreon.

For more leadership tools, check out the free workbooks at KylaCofer.com/freestuff.

Book Kyla to speak at your event here, or to connect further, reach out to Kyla on LinkedIn and Instagram.

All transcripts are created with Descript, an amazing transcript creation and editing tool. Check it out for yourself!

Leadership School Production:
Produced by Kyla Cofer
Edited by Neel Panji @ PodLeaF Productions
Assistant Production Alaina Hulette

Ever wondered if it is possible to transform a disheartened team into a high-performing, harmonious unit? Join us as we navigate a remarkable journey with Wayne Beringer, the mastermind behind an astounding change at Boeing, where he raised employee satisfaction from a mere 52% to an impressive 90% in just five years. Wayne, with his diverse background in fields like marketing and PR, offers a holistic view on leadership that goes beyond mere job roles.

Wayne's story draws a parallel between his awe-inspiring experience of scaling Mount Kilimanjaro and his corporate journey of leading a large team at Boeing to its zenith. The same principles he used to confront and conquer his fears on the formidable mountain, he applied to transform a discontented team into a satisfied and high-performing one. His leadership style, a blend of balance and integrity, has been instrumental in creating a fulfilling workspace and enhancing the performance of his team.

Not just limited to his corporate leadership, Wayne compares the process of corporate transformation to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the 'North Star' of your organization and hiring the best talent to fulfill it. Wayne's insightful narrative seamlessly weaves the lessons from his mountain climbing adventure into his corporate journey, providing valuable insights into leading a team towards greatness. Tune in to get inspired and learn how you too can navigate challenging leadership landscapes.

Jaro’s mission is to improve creative workplaces.

And Wayne’s team of corporate leadership and transformation guides has helped
improve leaders and creative processes, optimize cost models, and rebuild stagnant
cultures into more fulfilled, mission-driven ones—for companies like Boeing, Hasbro,
UKG, UW Medicine, SAP/Concur, CU Boulder, and more.

Wayne knows in-house, as previous to Jaro, Wayne was the Director of Creative &
Brand at Boeing – where he led one of the industry’s most challenging and most
successful cultural transformations. When Wayne began in 2013, employee
satisfaction was 55% and plummeting. When Wayne left in 2020, 88% of employees
surveyed indicated that they trusted, felt challenged and were fulfilled by their work
on the team.

Wayne also has taught at the University of Washington and long ago, ran PR firms
and ad agencies. Wayne gives back by actively supporting organizations such as Big
Brothers Big Sisters, Make-A-Wish Foundation and more. He has run a marathon
and climbed Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro – after which he named his company.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please support us on Patreon.

For more leadership tools, check out the free workbooks at KylaCofer.com/freestuff.

Book Kyla to speak at your event here, or to connect further, reach out to Kyla on LinkedIn and Instagram.

All transcripts are created with Descript, an amazing transcript creation and editing tool. Check it out for yourself!

Leadership School Production:
Produced by Kyla Cofer
Edited by Neel Panji @ PodLeaF Productions
Assistant Production Alaina Hulette

Ever wondered what's it like to make a major career transition? Join me, as I sit down with the inspiring Carol Fabrizio, a former lawyer turned executive coach and leadership consultant. Carol's journey is filled with insightful tips about navigating transitions, embracing the discomfort of change, and the importance of listening to our intuition. Her experiences shed light on the critical aspects of reshaping one's identity during these significant shifts in life and career.

Carol emphasizes the role of feedback in our lives and how it aids in self-awareness and decision-making. Drawing from her days as a Chief of Staff, she shares how she learned to view feedback as a data point, a gift that fosters growth. But beyond professional life, we explore how these experiences and learnings apply to our personal lives too. We delve into the essence of intuition, and how experimenting or 'prototyping' can help us understand our gut feelings better.

Lastly, Carol and I discuss the role of support systems in our leadership journeys. We chat about how a supportive community can help us become exceptional leaders.  So tune in, as we navigate this enriching conversation filled with life and leadership lessons. And remember, it's not about getting it right all the time, it's about learning and growing along the way.

Carol Fabrizio has made several moves in her life that has resulted in her landing in Illinois to raise her family with her wife and son. Her journey of transitions and positions ranging from big law lawyer, in-house counsel, a chief of staff, and Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, have helped her become an expert in transitions.

While she did not always enjoy the process, she understands the opportunities for beauty and necessity for growth in every transition.

When she is not coaching, you can find her with her family, reading books, lifting heavy things, being outdoors, or enjoying something chocolate.

Produced by Kyla Cofer
Edited by Neel Panji  @ PodLeaF Productions
Assistant Production Alaina Hulette

Support the show

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please support us on Patreon.

For more leadership tools, check out the free workbooks at KylaCofer.com/freestuff.

Book Kyla to speak at your event here, or to connect further, reach out to Kyla on LinkedIn and Instagram.

All transcripts are created with Descript, an amazing transcript creation and editing tool. Check it out for yourself!

Leadership School Production:
Produced by Kyla Cofer
Edited by Neel Panji @ PodLeaF Productions
Assistant Production Alaina Hulette

Are you ready to harness the transformative power of courage in your leadership journey? Join me as I dive deep into this pivotal topic with leadership guru, Cindy Solomon, who has spent decades researching and teaching the concept of courage. Together, we unravel the essence of courage, debunking the myth that it's the absence of fear and instead embracing it as a skill that can be learned, honed, and applied in any leadership scenario.

Our enlightening conversation meanders through the multifaceted landscape of courage – from everyday bravery to moral and creative courage. Cindy and I share insights on how these various dimensions of courage can shape us into better decision-makers, emphasizing the need to acknowledge fear and yet take decisive action. We debate over the philosophy that every small act of courage, no matter how inconsequential it may seem, contributes to our overall growth as leaders.

Wrapping up our discussion, Cindy imparts invaluable advice on how to nurture your courageous leadership skills. She shares pragmatic tips on breaking down this abstract concept into smaller, achievable elements, and setting tangible goals. Cindy underscores the importance of adequate preparation, leaving you, our listeners, with a resounding message - courage is a skill within your grasp, ready to be refined. So plug in those earphones and get ready for an episode that's sure to leave you inspired and poised to lead with courage.

Cindy Solomon is one of the most sought-after leadership and CX experts in the world. Her extensive global experience includes work with 26 J.D. Power Award winners; 16 Best Places to Work; and industry leaders such as Google, Alaska Airlines, UPS, Oracle, Wells Fargo, Dow, the ABA, The Gates Foundation, and over 400 others seeking to build courageous leadership at scale.

As Founder and CEO of The Courageous Leadership Institute, Cindy works with her global team of facilitators to serve as the catalyst for organizations and individuals who want to cultivate greater professional courage, leadership skills, and performance.

Cindy’s accessible and hilarious Courageous Leadership programs are the fast track for organizations who wish to leverage their leadership potential to manifest customer and employee engagement through any disruption or challenge.

Cindy’s awards and accolades include the 2023 Top 30 Global Leadership Guru, Top 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership for 2023 by leadersHum, Fast Company’s Fast 100, Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies, and more. Cindy’s TED Talks have been viewed by over 1.9 million people and her best-selling books, The Courage Challenge Workbook and The Rules of Woo, are available on Amazon.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please support us on Patreon.

For more leadership tools, check out the free workbooks at KylaCofer.com/freestuff.

Book Kyla to speak at your event here, or to connect further, reach out to Kyla on LinkedIn and Instagram.

All transcripts are created with Descript, an amazing transcript creation and editing tool. Check it out for yourself!

Leadership School Production:
Produced by Kyla Cofer
Edited by Neel Panji @ PodLeaF Productions
Assistant Production Alaina Hulette

Imagine rising through the ranks to become one of the youngest COOs at 24, negotiating a side hustle into a full-time gig, and all the while, maintaining a strong sense of authenticity. That's the journey of our guest, Victoria Pelletier. With over 20 years of leadership under her belt, Victoria is a master of navigating professional success and personal priorities, all while staying grounded and true to herself. 

What does it look like to lead with empathy and compassion, to redefine success not just as a material gain but also as joy, passion, and value? Victoria tackles these questions and more, taking us on a fascinating journey from her early ambitions to her current reality. A stand-out lesson is the importance of setting healthy boundaries and making time for what truly matters. Even in the face of adversity, Victoria reminds us that we can carve out meaning and joy. 

So, let's get ready to redefine leadership and authenticity with Victoria Pelletier. It's more than just a chat; it's a catalyst for your personal and professional growth.

Victoria is a 20+ year Corporate Executive and Board Director. Nicknamed the “Turn Around Queen” by former colleagues and employers, Victoria inspires and empowers her team and clients to change mindsets and drive growth in business, leadership and culture.

As someone who does not subscribe to the status quo, she is always ready for new challenges becoming one of the youngest Chief Operating Officers at the age of 24, a president by 35 and a CEO by age 41.

Victoria was recognized as one of the 2023 Women of Influence by South Florida Business Journal, 2022 Top 30 Most Influential Business Leaders in Tech by CIOLook, 2022 Most Influential Entrepreneur of the Year by World Magazine, 2021’s Top 50 Business Leader in Technology by Insight Magazine and a Mentor of the Year by Women in Communications & Technology in 2020. HSBC bank awarded her the Diversity & Inclusion in Innovation award in 2019 and she was IBM’s #1 Global Social Seller ranked by LinkedIn in 2019 and 2020. Her story is included in the book, "Unstoppable."

As a prolific motivational and inspirational speaker, Victoria has delivered keynotes discussing the importance of personal branding and its impact on professional growth; being an empathetic leader in empowering employees; the power of DEI on corporate cultures and building a life of resilience.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please support us on Patreon.

For more leadership tools, check out the free workbooks at KylaCofer.com/freestuff.

Book Kyla to speak at your event here, or to connect further, reach out to Kyla on LinkedIn and Instagram.

All transcripts are created with Descript, an amazing transcript creation and editing tool. Check it out for yourself!

Leadership School Production:
Produced by Kyla Cofer
Edited by Neel Panji @ PodLeaF Productions
Assistant Production Alaina Hulette

What if you found your life's purpose from a young girl who had never heard of pajamas? That's the compelling journey of Genevieve Piturro, the founder of The Pajama Program. Discover how a simple garment ignited a global nonprofit distributing over 7 million pairs of pajamas to children worldwide, and even inspired the establishment of two reading centers! Prepare to be moved by Genevieve's story of finding joy amid the challenges and how her purpose-driven leadership has created a harmonious and inclusive workspace.

"One woman came up with her own idea to honor her calling, and her name is Genevieve Piturro." -Oprah Winfrey

Best Selling & 5X Award-winning Author, Inspirational Speaker & Founder of Pajama Program Genevieve Piturro left her job as a successful TV marketing executive, picked up a pair of pajamas, and built a nationally known 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and named it Pajama Program. Two decades later, Gen educates audiences on how to
change their own course.

Genevieve Piturro is all about Purpose and The Human Connection. She was a successful television marketing executive until a sudden inner voice challenged her direction and she dramatically altered the path of her life. She found her true purpose when a simple question from a six-year-old girl in an emergency shelter changed everything. In 2001, she jumped off the corporate ladder and founded the hugely successful national non-profit, Pajama Program. This year, the Program celebrates its 21st anniversary, having delivered more than 7 MILLION magical gifts of new pajamas and new books to children through its 42 chapters across the U.S.

Genevieve is now an inspirational speaker and purpose consultant inspiring individuals, groups, and companies to find their purpose & embrace the human connection for success. She created the Purpose ACER business training program to help leaders create a shared culture by aligning the goals of the company and management with the goals of its employees.

Her first book, sharing life and leadership lessons she learned through her Pajama Program journey, is an Amazon best seller and the winner of five (5) awards. The book, Purpose, Passion and Pajamas: How to Transform Your Life, Embrace the Human Connection and Lead with Meaning, debuted during the Covid shutdown to rave reviews. The book’s message and Heart of the Matter life and leadership lessons after every chapter, dovetail perfectly with our Nation’s growing interest in finding purpose and rekindling our human connection. Her TEDx talk: “1 Idea + The Human Connection = 7 Million Pajamas” debuted with her book.

Genevieve has been interviewed on and in many local and national media including OPRAH, Hallmark’s Home & Family, The Huckabee Show, TODAY, GMA, The Early Show, CNN, Fox & Friends, O Magazine, Forbes,

Support the show

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please support us on Patreon.

For more leadership tools, check out the free workbooks at KylaCofer.com/freestuff.

Book Kyla to speak at your event here, or to connect further, reach out to Kyla on LinkedIn and Instagram.

All transcripts are created with Descript, an amazing transcript creation and editing tool. Check it out for yourself!

Leadership School Production:
Produced by Kyla Cofer
Edited by Neel Panji @ PodLeaF Productions
Assistant Production Alaina Hulette

Have you ever had to learn leadership skills the hard way? Join us for an enlightening conversation with our guest, Deb Coviello, as she shares her journey from STEM professional to vice president of Quality for a major company. We discuss practical advice on how to give good feedback that can have a huge impact and other strategies to help leaders transform their leadership.

Through her experiences, Deb founded her company, Illumination Partners, and created The Drop-In CEO brand, where she partners with CEOs, founders, and presidents facing a crisis to assess the landscape and work together to develop a solution. Deb also shares insights from her book, "The CEO's Compass: Your Guide to Get Back on Track," and emphasizes the importance of focusing on the people and their capabilities before relying on technical solutions.

Leveraging resources like mentors, advisors, and coaches can make a significant impact on your leadership style and help you make a real difference in the lives of those around you. Deb shares her expertise on building strong relationships with employers and colleagues, as well as the long-term benefits that come from having support in your leadership development. Don't miss this fantastic episode as we explore the journey of becoming an extraordinary leader with Deb Coviello!

Deb Coviello is an advisor, author, podcast host, and Founder of
Illumination Partners, a consulting firm for CEO’s navigating change.

A trusted partner to C-Suite Leaders, Deb brings 30+ years of
experience and strategy in Quality and Operational Excellence roles
combined with her 20 years in the Flavors and Fragrance industry to
support her clients as they work together to identify, assess, and
solve the issues that are preventing their business growth.

Certified as Lean and Six Sigma Blackbelt in Process Improvement,
she has developed powerful programs devoted to helping CEO’s
identify emerging leaders, understanding “People’’ are your greatest
tool in your toolbox.

Deb is a board member of Women in Flavor & Fragrance Commerce,
(WFFC), an avid Curler with the Cincinnati Curling Club, a mother of
three and resides in Cincinnati Ohio with her Husband Dan of 32
years.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please support us on Patreon.

For more leadership tools, check out the free workbooks at KylaCofer.com/freestuff.

Book Kyla to speak at your event here, or to connect further, reach out to Kyla on LinkedIn and Instagram.

All transcripts are created with Descript, an amazing transcript creation and editing tool. Check it out for yourself!

Leadership School Production:
Produced by Kyla Cofer
Edited by Neel Panji @ PodLeaF Productions
Assistant Production Alaina Hulette