Menttium Matters

Peter Ray, a biopharma strategy and operations executive, joins Megan Cummings Kruger to discuss leadership, strategic thinking, and the transformative power of mentorship. Peter draws from his extensive experience in the life sciences industry, offering insights on holistic learning, decision quality, and how taking time to pause before making decisions improves outcomes, both professionally and personally.

So much of mentoring is about seeing the world through another person’s eyes. In this episode, we gain an unusually broad perspective from Tim Meyer, a Clinical Scientist and Corporate Executive. From his start as a Subject Matter Expert to his evolution into a global business leader, Tim’s journey spans large corporate environments and agile startups.

In this episode we are invited inside a successful partnership, recently completed by an Executive Mentee and Mentor. The powerful and authentic story that Tom Schlick and Mike Terry share here provides a roadmap to the kind of trust that unlocks a partnership’s full potential. They offer tips, as well as their appreciation for the unique nature of a cross-company mentor relationship. And throughout their discussion, they demonstrate their openness to hold courageous conversations and provide us with an inspirational view of what is possible when two partners make an intentional and holistic connection.

In this episode, we celebrate Pride Month with our guest Dr. Renee McLaughlin, the National Medical Executive, Value-Based Relationships at Cigna. Cigna just received its 11th consecutive perfect score for LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion based on the Corporate Equality Index. Dr. McLaughlin will talk about the current environment for LGBTQ+ equity and inclusion and best practices for creating an inclusive work culture. She offers recommendations for being a stronger ally for LGBTQ+ people with a powerful model of the 3 L’s: Let go, Learn, Lean In!

In this episode, Rob Grubka, the CEO of Workplace Solutions for Voya Financial will share Voya’s strategy for creating an inclusive workplace culture. He reveals why building a foundation of trust is so important, and how Voya creates an organizational culture based on trust. He discusses the ways in which Voya has responded to the “new normal” and how they have rolled out hybrid and remote work options in response to employee preferences. Rob offers advice to up-and-coming leaders. Listeners will also hear Rob’s personal annual review questions that have helped him navigate his career path.

In this episode of the Menttium Matters Podcast, listen as Larry Sherrell, a seasoned dives deep into the art of self-development. Discover his unique perspective on nurturing talent and his essential strategies for personal and professional growth.

Larry kicks off the discussion by deep-diving into the art of creating a strong self-development plan. He emphasizes the critical role of prioritization and introduces a practical 3-step approach that can help you stay focused and achieve your career goals effectively.

Tune in to learn how prioritizing personal growth and leveraging proven strategies can pave the way for career advancement and fulfillment. Don't miss out on the keys to success—start unlocking your career potential and leadership skills today!

In this episode, we explore the power of strengths in both team dynamics and leadership development. Our guest, Jolie Haupert, Vice President of Consumer Experience at U.S. Bank, shares insights from her career journey, including a pivotal moment where she transformed her division to better reflect diverse communities.

Jolie discusses how leveraging her strengths helped facilitate this cultural shift and how embracing diverse perspectives strengthened her team. Throughout her career, she emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and uses tools like Gallup’s StrengthsFinder to empower her mentees and enhance team leadership.

Join us as Jolie reveals practical strategies, like utilizing creativity to support team well-being during times of change and disruption. Discover how embracing strengths and diversity can lead to stronger, more effective teams. Go team!

We kick off International Women’s Day with this inspiring episode featuring Lynn Sontag, Menttium’s owner, and Missy Chicre, Menttium’s CEO.  Lynn and Missy share their powerful stories of learning, growth, and surprises during this year of transition.  They role-model a transformative mentoring partnership and offer authentic acknowledgments to each other.  They also reveal their visions for the future of Menttium.  

In this episode, Craig Warren shares his best practices for strategic career planning aligned with your values and purpose; professional development; and networking with ease. Growing your professional garden involves cultivating cheerleaders, advocates, mentors, and a personal board of directors that will help you propel your career to the next level. Craig offers sage advice for bringing out the best in yourself personally and professionally: 1. Know yourself. 2. Push yourself. 3. Love yourself. 4. Be true to yourself.

In the past few years, as we've navigated through turbulence and stress, the adage that we need to “place the oxygen mask on ourselves, before we can help others" has become more relevant. In this episode, Mentor Sue Willman (VP Care Collaboration for Athenahealth) shares her powerful story of living this truth. 

Sue was driven to change her personal narrative and self-expectations after enduring an overwhelming amount of stress that included the loss of parents, a series of new jobs, moving from the family home due to surgery, and having 3 of her adult children return home during Covid (one of whom needed support with long haul symptoms). The openness and wisdom that Sue shares during this conversation will resonate with many of us as an inspiring example of how to ride the waves of change.