Today’s Maven is Rita Mitjan, she is an award-winning senior executive

with a diverse background in strategy, marketing, finance and human resources.

Most recently she served as Chief Diversity & Corporate Social

Responsibility Officer for ADP.

Under her leadership, ADP achieved significant increases in women

and minorities in executive leadership including a top 3 industry ranking for diversity, published the company’s first Corporate Social Responsibility Annual Report and improving the company’s standing with sustainability rating agencies.

In her current practice, Rita consults to public and private

organizations on culture, employee engagement, sustainability, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategies. She is also a leadership and life coach enabling clients to reach peak performance. Named a Top Executive in Diversity by Black Enterprise® in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, Rita also holds an MBA from Harvard University and a BS from St. John's University.

Consulting Website: https://www.bizgurullc.com

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

“There is no passion to be found playing small — in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” Inspiring words spoken by civil right leaders Nelson Mandela. Our maven on this episode of Making the Maven articulates just that; stop calling it a sacrifice, start believing it’s an investment in yourself. Join me and Laura Tynan, international visibility and wealth business coach as she shares how she leveraged a decade of global financial advisory by shifting it into a business of supporting purpose led entrepreneurs to grow their profitable, purpose led business. Despite excelling in her decade long career, Laura chose to pursue her passion and not to confirm to societal norms, even if that means a complete restart.

Laura's Website: https://linktr.ee/LauraTynanConsulting

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauratynan?originalSubdomain=uk

A few years ago I came across an interesting article discussing a collection of sayings that are often misinterpreted. One in particular caught my eye, “Jack of all trades, master of none.” When referred to in a professional arena, this saying becomes highly debatable. On one hand, an expanded skill set is job security - on the other, it may indicate a serial job hopper. My personal outlook – it’s up for debate! As a golf professional and up and coming stand-up comic Rob Churchill got his start with both, very early in life. After he withdrew from college to pursue a golf career - it was nearly a decade of ‘jobs’ that provided critical and transferable skills, mastering these paved the path to achieving professional status in 2004. Rob is no stranger to professional versatility and is very well equipped to lend his perspective on this episode’s topic; The Ultimate Life Hack.

Follow Rob: https://www.instagram.com/rocgolf/

Some people claim luck is the intersection of preparation and opportunity? But, for those willing to sacrifice it all in pursuit of professional passion, does betting on luck pay off? Featured on ESPN, Card Player Magazine, Pocket Fives Magazine and The Mental Game with Jared Tendler, this episode features Ryan Eriquezzo. As a 4x WSOP Ring Winner, Ryan is living proof that risk can pay off. Making a drastic move to his professional trajectory in 2008, Ryan made a swift departure from UConn and risked it all to pursue his passion for poker. Despite the skeptics, Ryan has made it to the top, landing himself as a 2x World Series of Poker Bracelet winner and the only 2x WSOP Global Championship Winner - with millions in tournament earnings, Ryan continues to remain humble and a student of the game.

Follow Ryan: https://www.facebook.com/ryan.eriquezzo

Read More on ESPN: https://www.espn.com/poker/story/_/id/8184498/wsop-2012-ryan-eriquezzo-wins-2012-wsop-national-championship

Episode Advertiser:

Stich + Heart: www.stitchandheart.com

Mentors can be a remarkable asset. When you actually take the time to develop a strong mentorship relationship, you have access to a wealth of knowledge and experience. If you’re fortunate enough you gain a lifelong colleague - there truly are no downsides. Making the Maven is the epitome of virtual mentorship – it’s how individuals who have excelled in their respected careers can bring value to yours. Whether you’re fresh out of college or just shy of retirement, there are always others who have “been there and have done that.” Jennifer Ravalli, seasoned mentor and marketing executive lays out the blueprint for an efficient mentorship relationship and enlightens maven nation on today’s topic; The perfect match. Strengthen your work game with a mentor.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferravalli

Stich + Heart: www.stitchandheart.com

As young professionals we are fueled with incentive - motivated to learn, eager for the next promotion and excited by new challenging experiences. This path however, is always non-linear. There are sidesteps, peaks, pits, pivots and in most cases redirects, add the false realities social media contributes and this leaves so many feeling career defeat. Here’s the truth, the real and raw snapshots are those years in between, many of us go through it, but few are willing to share the stories that landed them on the other side. Featured on Fox’s Good Day LA, in Women's Health Magazine, The Associate Press and more, we talk to entrepreneur, Marni Chaikin who has embraced the art of career navigation. She shares her incredibly personal and private pivots, but remains grateful for each of those experiences. Today she has transformed those lessons into helping others at scale.

Marni’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marnir1/

Advertiser: Stich + Heart www.stitchandheart.com

Choice in general is overwhelming but over-choice has led many of us to ‘analysis paralysis,’ and often irrational behavior and decision making. On this episode we chat with VP and Chief Behavioral Economist at ADP, Jordan Birnbaum. Jordan packs the episode with brilliant analogies and relatable anecdotes unveiling why our behavior deviates from rational action when making decisions, the reason is rooted far deeper than we think. His ability to spice up economics is genius! He imparts his wisdom on by leaving listeners with 5 Maven Must haves, which are yours for the taking!

Jordan has been featured in publications such as HR Dive, EBN, Accounting Today, HR daily Advisor, Forbes and most recently Thrive Global with his viral piece on ‘What a load of Cognition.’ Jordan graduated from Cornell University with a BS, Policy Analysis, and from NYU with an MA in Industrial/ Organizational Psychology. He was founder of The Vanguard in LA and made his mark in the dot.com boom as a founding employee at Juno Online Services.

Jordan Birnbaum’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-birnbaum-1071344/

Making the Maven supports every industry, because variety is the spice of life. This episode is all things Hollywood! Today we tap into the highly sought after entertainment industry with playwright/screenwriter Chaya Doswell and Makeup Artist Alexandra Brock. While it’s easy to get lost in the allure and glam of Hollywood today’s guest level set the persistence and ambition it takes to reach success, master networking but remain true to your craft and vision. These 2 remarkable women and equally talented creators provide 6 ‘Maven Must haves’ sunsetting our discussion - you don’t want to miss!

Alexandra Brock’s Website: https://www.alexandrabrock.com/

On this episode of Making the Maven I chat with Henry Kaminski. Coined by the notable moniker thebranddr, Henry’s business is all things brand. With each client, he takes a specific three step approach; First, ‘diagnosing’ and discovering the client, next he strategizes their brand evolution and finally Henry and team ‘perform the play.’ By his own admittance this modern day brand savant wasn’t always as grateful and effective as today however, he credits self- development, client intuition and industry pulse for landing him clients like Jon Bon Jovi, Brandon Copeland and Fabio Vivani. Tune in to hear our chat and close out with powerful ‘Maven Must Haves’ to accelerate your brand with purpose and integrity.

More about Henry: www.uniquedesignz.net/brandstrategy

Podcast:

Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brand-doctor-podcast/id1263945262

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2GpEClVkTIYiUVQZnJKSDR?si=YRS8S-3ZQ1GhX-jqIWWhSw

On this inaugural episode of Making the Maven we kick it off with entrepreneur, operator and advisor to startups and small businesses, Becca McCarthy. Becca and I discuss the highly coveted fundamentals for crafting high performance teams in a new age ‘virtual environment,’ leveraging modern management. We touch upon the parallels of athlete mentality and preparedness, and the crucial attributes sought by so many successful leaders. With more than 15 years of experience on growth, personnel development and financial operating strategy, Becca brings a powerhouse performance along with an enviable level of composure and advice for maven nation. Tune in to hear, current SVP of personal training at Forme Life, Becca McCarthy delivers 5 prolific ‘Maven Must Haves’ to close out our very first episode of Making the Maven!

Learn more about Becca:

https://formelife.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/becca-mccarthy-88b4b33/