Can your past become the foundation for powerful leadership?

In this thought-provoking mashup, host Denis Gianoutsos is joined by Denice Torres and Kevin Dedner, two leaders whose greatest lessons came not from boardrooms but from lived experience.

Denice, a former janitor who rose to the C-suite at Johnson & Johnson, shares how being underestimated helped her see others more clearly and lead with compassion. Kevin, now a mental health advocate and CEO, reflects on a moment of reckoning as a teenager that reshaped his values and purpose.

Together, they unpack the real work of leadership: embracing your story, building confidence in others, and showing up with presence, not pretense.

If you’re leading through change, challenge, or reinvention, this episode is for you.

EP 213 – Denice Torres: Leading from the Margins to the Boardroom

• Rising from a steel-town janitor job to executive leadership
• How one sponsor shifted her trajectory and gave her self-confidence
• Leadership as service: helping others feel seen, valued, and empowered
• Letting go of ego to truly lead with heart

EP 216 – Kevin Dedner: Purpose, Pressure, and Personal Growth

• A life-threatening experience that demanded a new direction
• Why conscious leadership begins with reflection
• Honoring his 104-year-old grandmother as his most powerful leadership model
• The invisible influence of everyday leaders and legacy through action

Key Quotes:

“Leading others is such a privilege, we have the ability to help others be seen, and when they're seen, they can flourish.” - Denice Torres

“We’re always leading, someone’s always watching us, we’re teaching valuable lessons just by the things we do daily.” - Kevin Dedner

“It comes down to not just what we say, but how we treat people as leaders. One word, one conversation, it can change someone’s life.” - Denis Gianoutsos

The 10 Proven Ways to Lead and Thrive in Today's World - FREE Executive Guide Download https://crm.leadingchangepartners.com/10-ways-to-lead 

Connect with Denis: 

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.LeadingChangePartners.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisgianoutsos 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisgianoutsos/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipischanging/ 

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DenisGianoutsos