On Kindness

Nicole talks to Laura DuSchane who expresses her perspective on Kindness, highlighting its intrinsic value as the authentic and selfless act of benefiting others and oneself. She shares instances from her personal experiences, underscoring the profound impact of deep connections and genuine energy as powerful acts of Kindness.  Laura speaks to her personal journey of her transformational impact training as a yoga instructor had on her both personally and professionally.  

Laura DuSchane is a seasoned product leader and manager with experience across various organization sizes, from large corporate settings to small companies. She developed a passion for footwear during her tenure as a Senior Product Line Manager at Teva, a footwear brand based in Santa Barbara, CA where she led merchandising and product management and she brought that into her current role as the Vice President of Sales at Calson Investments, a global footwear manufacturer. Beyond her professional pursuits, Laura is mom of twin boys and a certified yoga teacher with over 15 years of teaching experience, trained in hot yoga, power vinyasa, and restorative practices.

Laura LinkedIn

On Kindness is an original podcast hosted by Nicole Yelsey, co-founder of KindWorks.AI.  

LinkedIn

Instagram⁠

In this episode, Nicole talks to Brian Dendy. Brian explores the impact of Kindness in fostering opportunities and uplifting individuals' experiences through simple gestures and meaningful engagements. He also highlights how Kindness can transform careers and relationships, making work more enjoyable and productive.

Brian Dendy is an accomplished musician with an extensive and diverse musical background. His versatile talent has led him to play with various groups across a wide range of genres such as metal, progressive rock, R&B/soul, hip hop, and rock. He has received guidance from esteemed musical figures such as Frank Donaldson, Tom Hipskind, Jonathan Barber, and Josh Kaplan. Brian holds a degree in Music Performance and Music Business from Columbia College Chicago. He expanded his musical horizons during his time in South Korea, where he played with an indie-rock group and provided private drum lessons. Upon returning to the US, he made Madison, WI his home and connected with R&B soul artist David Deon, ultimately becoming the full-time drummer for his funk R&B group, The Soul Inspirations. Currently, Brian showcases his talents with the indie-rock band Gentleman Speaker and the synth group Immortal Girlfriend.

Brian LinkedIn

On Kindness is an original podcast hosted by Nicole Yelsey, co-founder of KindWorks.AI.  

LinkedIn
Instagram⁠

In this episode, Nicole talks to Jeff Stelmach. Jeff discusses how Kindness exists in a duality and how Kindness relates to the concept of niceness. He shares insightful perspectives on the difference between being nice and being kind, the significance of service-oriented leadership, and the importance of personal connections in the workplace.

Jeff learned leadership skills from many experiences including one leader that resonated with him who used the practice of ‘management by walking around’. Jeff has taken this forward in his own leadership style where, leading a fully remote environment, Jeff spends a lot of time on airplanes to prioritize his people and makes himself available for his people both virtually and in person.

Jeff Stelmach is the Global President of Spiro. With a remarkable career spanning three decades, Jeff has represented some of the world's most recognized brands. He is one of only two professionals worldwide to secure the coveted Grand Ex Award for 'Best Experiential Marketing Campaign' twice, establishing himself as a visionary industry leader and a trusted consultant for today's leading brands. As a forward-thinking leader and committed consultant, Jeff’s expertise has left an indelible mark on top-tier brands. Before joining Spiro, he honed his skills at renowned ad agencies, including Mosaic North America, Opus Agency, and Geometry Global.

Jeff LinkedIn

Spiro Website

⁠Spiro LinkedIn⁠

Spiro Instagram

Spiro Facebook

On Kindness is an original podcast hosted by Nicole Yelsey, co-founder of KindWorks.AI.  

LinkedIn
Instagram⁠

In this episode, Nicole talks to Shilpa Gadhok. Shilpa discusses how she sees Kindness as a source of hope. Kindness is about recognizing our shared humanity and offering hope in challenging times. She shares how she integrates Kindness into organizational strategies, emphasizing the importance of values-led leadership and culture in achieving positive impacts.

Shilpa Gadhok is an accomplished brand executive and the founder and CEO of See Good Strategy Group, a consulting firm focused on brand strategy and leadership development. With over a decade of experience leading global brands at Procter & Gamble and The Hershey Company, Shilpa has a deep passion for unlocking the potential of individuals and organizations to make a positive societal impact. She is an influential speaker and thought leader on topics such as purpose-driven profitability, leadership, food system reform, holistic health, and building world-changing brands and teams. Shilpa has been recognized in numerous publications and has received several awards for her contributions to the industry.

Shilpa LinkedIn

See Good Strategy

On Kindness is an original podcast hosted by Nicole Yelsey, co-founder of KindWorks.AI.  

LinkedIn

Instagram⁠

In this episode, Nicole talks to Ivan Pehar. Ivan discusses his perspective on Kindness, emphasizing its essence as an investment of time. He shares inspiring instances from his life where time was the greatest act of Kindness.

Ivan Pehar is the Country Manager at Spotify Canada. With over two decades of experience in brand building, media innovation, and technology for some of the world's most respected brands, Ivan uses strategic solutions to help brands transition their marketing initiatives from broadcast to web to social. Prior to Spotify, Ivan made significant contributions at Twitter, Yahoo!, Microsoft, and AOL, where he played an instrumental role in crafting award-winning campaigns across North America. His deep understanding of the digital landscape and his ability to harness the power of audio has helped brands establish and showcase their voice in this medium with authenticity and purpose. Ivan is also a professor at Humber and Centennial College, where he dedicates his time to preparing individuals and future professionals for their careers.

On Kindness is an original podcast hosted by Nicole Yelsey, co-founder of KindWorks.AI.  

LinkedIn
Instagram⁠

In this episode, Nicole talks to Reed McBride. Reed shares his unique perspective on Kindness as truth and authenticity, emphasizing the need for intellectual honesty in leadership. He discusses the power of having a Kind culture in attracting top talent and building successful companies.

Reed McBride is the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Ecosystem at Carta. He is also an active early-stage investor, providing financial support and guidance to startups in their initial phases of development. With a Mechanical Engineering and Law background, Reed began his career as a startup attorney at Orrick, advising tech companies on VC and M&A transactions. Over five years, Reed has effectively scaled two startups, demonstrating his adept understanding of leading diverse teams and overseeing a multitude of functions within organizations.

Carta Website

Carta LinkedIn

Reed LinkedIn

On Kindness is an original podcast hosted by Nicole Yelsey, co-founder of KindWorks.AI.  

LinkedIn
Instagram⁠

In this episode, Nicole talks to Juan Solorzano. Juan shares how he believes Kindness starts with a mindset of opportunity and optimism. He speaks about how the role of Kindness has been integral to his leadership style.

Juan Solorzano is the Vice President Head of People at Alianza Team, a multinational innovative food solutions company. With an expertise that spans Human Resources strategy and sales force development, Juan has driven innovation and transformed organizations toward growth. He has worked with a diverse range of multinational global and Latin American industries and family businesses, focusing on purpose, values, processes, and business strategy. With extensive experience as a consultant and entrepreneur, Juan’s commitment to fostering growth and potential in individuals and teams has been the catalyst for positive change in a multitude of business environments.

Juan LinkedIn

Alianza Team Website

On Kindness is an original podcast hosted by Nicole Yelsey, co-founder of KindWorks.AI.  

LinkedIn
Instagram⁠

In this episode, Nicole talks to NK Gutiérrez. NK discusses how a pivotal moment in her life demonstrated how humans have the capacity to express Kindness without self-imposed barriers; perpetuating a ripple effect of Kindness acts from her community and herself.

NK is a multifaceted actor, filmmaker, and humanitarian. From her beginnings on prestigious platforms such as HBO Latino and The Oprah Winfrey Show to her recent roles in Showtime’s The Chi and NBC’s Chicago Fire, NK has captivated audiences from a diverse range of spaces. With a background in Psychology, NK advocates for equity to foster safe and mindful spaces in entertainment and beyond. Her leadership as the Director of The Midwest Film Festival underscores her commitment to creating heart-centered connections and uplifting diverse voices in the entertainment industry.

On Kindness is an original podcast hosted by Nicole Yelsey, co-founder of KindWorks.AI.  

LinkedIn

Instagram⁠

In this episode, Nicole talks to Brittany Martin. Brittany shares how Kindness has been the foundational driving force behind the establishment of her organization and how she leverages its power to drive business outcomes.

Brittany is the founder and Chief People & Culture Advisor at BeKindWorks INC. With a background in senior people leadership roles within Fortune 100 and Global Fortune 500 organizations, Brittany applies compassion and collaboration to create meaningful change within organizations. Brittany is a strategic leader deeply committed to fostering positive workplace cultures and driving leadership development through the transformative power of Kindness. Her expertise in leadership, workplace culture, and the profound influence of Kindness has empowered leaders to create environments where individuals can thrive.

Brittany LinkedIn

BeKindWorks

On Kindness is an original podcast hosted by Nicole Yelsey, co-founder of KindWorks.AI.  

LinkedIn

Instagram⁠

In this episode, Nicole talks to Kyle Maloney. Kyle discusses how Kindness has influenced his decisions in the workplace, serving as a guiding principle throughout his career.

Kyle is a Senior Account Executive at FullStack PEO. With nearly two decades of experience dedicated to promoting growth and development within high-value organizations, Kyle has facilitated change and cultivated thriving workplaces. His expertise in cross-cultural dynamics, change management, and fostering robust interpersonal relationships has made him an inspiring leader in his field. Kyle’s passion for empowering owners to develop and grow their companies has enabled him to provide organizations and individuals with a more human-centered HR experience.

On Kindness is an original podcast hosted by Nicole Yelsey, co-founder of KindWorks.AI.  

LinkedIn

Instagram⁠