Cesar Jimenez and Karina Jimenez share the story behind Next In Line and what it’s like building the podcast together as a father daughter duo. They talk about how the idea started, why paying it forward has always been the core mission, and how the show creates space for leaders to share real career lessons. 

The conversation covers entrepreneurship, mentorship, marketing strategy, generational perspectives, and why some of the most valuable learning happens outside the classroom.

An Boon, VP of Marketing and CMO at Graphic Packaging International, joins Karina Jimenez to share how a global career across Unilever, Coca-Cola, and Graphic Packaging shaped her leadership style and marketing approach. They talk about leading across cultures, why the jump from B2C to B2B is more transferable than most think, and how storytelling and emotion still matter even when the buyer is a committee. 

An also breaks down what drives high engagement on teams, trust, clear communication, and celebrating progress, plus how marketing leaders should stay curious as AI changes how people discover content.

Kevin Gray, Chief Technology Officer at Metrolink, joins host Cesar Jimenez to talk about the lessons that shaped his path from an early job as a janitor to executive leadership. Kevin shares how he overcame imposter syndrome, why growth requires staying uncomfortable, and what distinguishes technical strength from leading with empathy. 

He also breaks down why continuous learning, networking, mentors, and an executive coach are key to long-term career success, plus a grounded take on AI hype versus real impact in the workplace.

Stuart Matthewman joins co-host Karina Jimenez to share how he went from studying HR to building a global marketing career, stepping into the CMO seat, and now advising growing companies as a fractional CMO. 

He talks candidly about getting “punched in the face” by the realities of executive leadership, why marketers need to understand finance, and how to think about career seasons, ambition, and whether the CMO path is really right for you.

Jim Bailey, SVP and CIO at UPS Industrial Services, joins host Cesar Jimenez to share his journey from IBM intern to global technology leader. Jim explains why great CIOs start with people, not tools, how to connect technology to real business outcomes, and why failure, resilience, and clear communication are essential in any transformation. 

This episode is for emerging leaders who want to lead through change, earn trust, and build teams that are ready for what comes next.

Natasha Walstra joins co-host Karina Jimenez to share her journey from an introverted SDR making 100 cold calls a day to founding NearPoint Strategies. She breaks down how LinkedIn became her path out of burnout, how personal branding built trust long before she launched her business, and why human-first sales still win even with AI everywhere.

Natasha reflects on bridging the gap between sales and marketing, helping clients overcome the fear of posting, and what makes content actually convert. She also opens up about building a company while navigating new motherhood, NICU challenges, and rebuilding her confidence.

Her advice to the next generation is clear, believe in yourself, trust your path, and start before you feel ready.

Jared Koesten joins co-host Karina Jimenez to share his path from working in an HR call center at a tech company to becoming a global CHRO, and now a fractional CHRO and executive and leadership coach at TEN Coaching & Advisory. He breaks down why authentic leadership is not about power or control, but about taking responsibility for the team’s output and creating an environment where people want to do their best work.

Jared talks through how emotional intelligence, psychological safety, and clear expectations shape high-performing teams, and how HR can show up as a human, empathetic partner instead of a department to avoid.

His message for emerging leaders is to stay coachable, start where you are, and develop your own point of view so you are ready when the opportunity to lead arrives.

Vincent Shorter joins host Cesar Jimenez to share how lessons from his 22-year military career shaped his success as a corporate technology leader. After retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army, Vincent transitioned into corporate America, rising from Director of Infrastructure to CIO across several global organizations. He discusses how military decision-making, accountability, and leadership principles apply in business and why understanding the business is just as important as understanding the technology.

Vincent also breaks down one of the most overlooked truths about career growth: performance alone is not enough. Success, he says, depends on your PIE, which stands for Performance, Image, and Exposure.

Emily Burroughs joins co-host Karina Jimenez to share how empathy, curiosity, and communication shaped her journey from managing C-level executives at 21 to launching EB Connection. She reflects on building a marketing department from the ground up, aligning six brands under a single vision, and demonstrating that culture and brand must move in tandem.

Emily explains why communication drives culture, how recognizing every contributor builds stronger teams, and what it means to lead with empathy and clarity. She also shares how a creative idea during COVID called “brain breaks” brought joy to working parents and strengthened connections across teams.

Brian Benn’s story spans from building software for NASA shuttle missions to leading technology transformation at Clark Atlanta University. In this episode, Cesar and Brian discuss the lessons learned from a career that’s equal parts innovation, leadership, and people-first philosophy.

Brian breaks down how working at NASA, Accenture, and Cisco shaped his approach to servant leadership, entrepreneurship, and risk-taking. He shares what it means to create environments where teams are unafraid to fail, the importance of mentorship and sponsorship, and why communication and empathy separate good leaders from great ones.