Smart People Think Podcast

Meet Maryann Pagano, CEO of BlackHawk Data.

For Maryann, leadership begins with authenticity—“I am just me.” As CEO, she focuses on guiding and mentoring others, drawing on her own experiences to help employees develop and grow..

At BlackHawk Data, values fuel every decision—from hiring to culture to giving back. Maryann encourages employees to think about their legacy, recognizes them in ways that matter most, and leads with consistency that builds trust and drives performance.

In a fast-changing market, she believes success comes from staying true to core values while pivoting quickly to adapt and thrive.

In this candid conversation with Dr. Janet L. Walsh, Karen Colligan dives into what it really means to lead—starting with yourself. From owning your leadership identity to stepping up in your career, we share real-world insights and actionable tips to help you grow with clarity, confidence, and impact.

Birchtree Global - https://www.birchtreeglobal.com/

PeopleThink - https://www.peoplethink.biz/

Meet President and CEO of Birchtree Global, LLC – Dr. Janet L. Walsh.

Dr. Walsh defines leadership as the ability to inspire a vision—to coach, educate, and guide others toward it. She leads with transparency, clear communication, and a deep belief in listening and helping others grow. In times of change, she believes in staying focused on the end goal while providing the support teams need to succeed.

One of her guiding principles comes from President Gerald Ford: “Never be afraid to make a mistake.” For Dr. Walsh, it’s about how you respond and what you learn that defines great leadership.

A lifelong learner with a Doctorate, MBA, and Economics degree, she’s passionate about research, language, and continuous growth. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, museums, and spending time with her dogs.

Meet the visionary and dynamic Founder and CEO of Luminary – Cate Luzio.

Cate Luzio believes leadership starts with standing up for what you believe in—and for others. She values listening, trusting your talents, and finding your own leadership style while adapting to your audience.

Cate encourages people not to second-guess themselves. You’re in the role for a reason—own it, make the most of it, and be the best version of yourself. As a leader, you need to lead the change with honesty, clarity, and open dialogue.

Guided by the mindset, “How do I want to be treated?” She does everything with intention and puts herself in the customer's shoes. A former athlete and passionate traveler who's visited 130+ countries, Cate finds inspiration in coaches, cultures, and communities around the world.

Dr. Jean Oursler believes leadership starts with you—understanding your strengths, identifying gaps, and continuously learning and growing. She knows that before you can motivate, inspire, and create a vision, you must first understand yourself.

Guided by the philosophy, “I need to leave you better than I found you,” Dr. Jean leads with action, inspiring teams to find their own way to achieving goals while embracing challenges. With an ever-evolving mindset, Dr. Jean empowers individuals and organizations to learn, grow, and adapt to every new normal. She is a firm believer in coaching, mastermind groups, and accountability.

Meet Rebecca Osam, Managing Director of Bexx Group Ltd.

Rebecca Osam leads Bexx Group Ltd. with a visionary approach, charting a clear path toward success while embracing innovation and adaptability. As the captain of her ship, she believes in the power of teamwork, open communication, and empathy, fostering a collaborative environment where her team thrives. Rebecca’s dynamic and assertive leadership combines resilience, tenacity, and a deep understanding of human emotions to navigate challenges and create opportunities.

Her work is her greatest passion, and she finds immense joy in creating, inspiring, and pushing boundaries. A champion for inspiring women and children through education, Rebecca is dedicated to making meaningful changes in the world.

Meet Manish Patel, CMO of SentryBay.

Manish Patel leads with a strong vision, inspiring his teams through empathy and a shared sense of purpose. He believes leadership is rooted in trust, which is built by valuing and engaging individuals, empowering them to achieve collective goals. By celebrating small wins and embracing adaptability, Manish encourages innovation and resilience, equipping his teams to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape. Manish deeply values empathy, integrity, and continuous growth. He continues to grow by updating his skills, staying ahead of trends, and participating in leadership development programs such as The Keep it Real™ Leadership program.

Meet Meryl Simmons, EOS Implementer at Outpace and Business Coach.

Meryl Simmons champions a vision of unity and purpose. She believes trust is built through consistent, transparent actions and must be earned over time. Meryl ignites a sense of purpose within teams, empowering them to make decisions while fostering accountability. Her leadership style embraces clarity, adaptability, and resilience, enabling teams to navigate challenges quickly and confidently. By simplifying the complex and creating room for learning from mistakes, Meryl helps businesses align their goals with their vision and take ownership of their outcomes. She emphasizes the importance of “walking the walk” and ensuring that everyone in the organization is connected to the bigger picture.

Meet Alyssa Nolte, CEO of TruVue and Principal Consultant for Ology.

Alyssa Nolte believes trust is built through a series of actions and is a natural byproduct of consistent, trustworthy behavior. She emphasizes that trust must be earned. Passionate about teamwork and collective success, she believes it's crucial to see the team performing at their highest level rather than relying on one superstar. Alyssa understands the importance of everyone comprehending the "why" behind the team's vision, which helps them align their goals with that vision and be held accountable. She values empathy in leadership and stresses the importance of intentional human-to-human connections, making an effort to understand where others are coming from.

Meet Rob Blasi, Partner and Chief People Officer at Riviera Dining Group.

Rob believes that leaders must constantly evolve their leadership styles to stay effective. Passionate about education and development, he thrives on inspiring, motivating, and guiding individuals to grow into their next roles. One of his favorite quotes is, "Don’t confuse leadership with power," reflecting his values of excellence, integrity, and consistency. Rob is always looking for innovative approaches to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. He emphasizes motivating his team through recognition, rewards, and continuous development opportunities like leadership training, new technology, and coaching.

As a lifelong learner, Rob loves to read books and travel.