Summary

In this insightful interview, Paul Lavery shares his journey of personal growth, leadership lessons, and the power of relationships in achieving lasting success. Discover practical strategies for self-awareness, humility, and building meaningful connections that drive performance and fulfillment.

Today’s Guest

Paul Lavery is a Managing Director at Accenture with more than thirty years of experience leading large scale technology transformations and complex public sector programs. He has built a reputation for pairing strategic vision with disciplined execution, guiding multimillion dollar portfolios while developing high performing teams and trusted client relationships.

Known for his calm and pragmatic leadership style, Paul believes the toughest challenges are solved through collaboration, creativity, and trust. He is passionate about building organizations that value both results and relationships, mentoring leaders as they grow and balancing innovation with operational excellence. Outside of work, he enjoys sailing, golf, and traveling with his family, reflecting his commitment to teamwork, perspective, and lifelong learning.

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02:47 Lessons Learned from Challenges
06:08 The Importance of Relationships
10:53 Navigating Personal and Professional Relationships
15:49 Mindset Shifts and Growth
17:22 Actionable Strategies for Sustaining Growth

Summary

In this insightful interview, Allyson Carr, Head of People at Cyber Reason, shares her journey through career transitions, overcoming adversity, and cultivating resilience. Discover practical strategies for managing change, the power of mindset, and the importance of community and reflection in personal and professional growth.

Today’s Guest

Allyson Carr is the Head of People at Cybereason. Allyson is a seasoned HR executive with nearly 20 years of experience delivering people and culture solutions across multi-billion dollar organizations in the biotech and tech sectors. Allyson graduated with a BA from Oakland University and an MBA from Michigan State University. She is passionate about personal development and accountability. You can follow her 2026 personal experiment about "energy management" via Substack and Instagram, @femininefieldnotes.  

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02:49 Facing Adversity and Lessons Learned

06:44 Navigating Change in a Fast-Paced World

07:52 Mindset and Control in Uncertain Times

10:40 The Power of Community and Connection

15:42 Daily Practices for Grounding and Gratitude

Summary

In this episode, Matthew Sheldon shares insights from his extensive career in growth strategy and consulting, emphasizing the importance of simplicity, focus, and human elements in navigating complex challenges. Discover practical tips on resilience, micro-recovery, team building, and maintaining high performance in demanding environments.

Today’s Guest

Matthew Sheldon is a Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal, where he advises organizations on growth, strategy, and performance improvement, with a focus on Life Sciences and Technology. With more than 30 years of experience, he has worked across industries including media, finance, and consumer products, helping companies translate insight into measurable results.

Matthew began his career at Monitor Group, founded by Harvard Business School professor Michael Porter, where he helped Fortune 500 companies harness early big data and growth analytics. He later joined boutique advisory firm Axia Limited, contributing to its breakout success and eventual acquisition by Accenture Strategy. Today, he continues to guide organizations in leveraging advanced analytics and practical AI to drive sustainable growth.

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03:00 Navigating Adversity in Consulting

08:13 Building Resilience and Team Dynamics

11:12 The Importance of Recovery and Mental Breaks

17:03 Holistic Approaches to High Performance

Summary

In this episode of Still Evolving, Dr. Amy sits down with Desiree Talley, legal creative and entertainment business thought leader, to explore the intersection of adversity, innovation, and grounded leadership.

Desiree shares her journey from Vallejo, California, to becoming a trusted advisor at the crossroads of law, culture, and emerging technology. She reflects on the challenges she faced along the way, the role of intentional reflection in navigating burnout, and how resilience is built through self-awareness rather than relentless grind.

The conversation also dives into her perspective on embracing AI tools without losing humanity, staying adaptable in a rapidly shifting landscape, and evolving with clarity instead of pressure. This episode is a powerful reminder that sustainable success is not about pushing harder, but about growing wiser.

Today’s Guest

Desiree Talley is a legal creative, entertainment business thought leader, and trusted advisor working at the intersection of law, culture, and innovation. As the founder of POPLAW, she translates complex legal and business concepts into accessible insights that empower creatives, founders, and public figures to navigate music, film, television, sports, and digital media with clarity and intention.

An accomplished attorney and senior media executive, Desiree advises at the highest levels across entertainment and brand partnerships. She is also an emerging voice in the responsible use of AI within creative industries, helping leaders leverage technology strategically while protecting integrity, ownership, and identity.

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00:00 Introduction to Lasting Performance and Resilience

00:23 Desiree Talley: A Legal Creative's Journey

00:51 Navigating Entertainment Law and AI in Creativity

01:21 Desiree's Journey: From Vallejo to LA

04:05 Navigating Adversity: Growth Through Challenges

06:33 Recalibration: Finding Balance in a Busy Life

09:16 Burnout: Recognizing and Addressing the Signs

11:52 Setting Boundaries: The Importance of Saying No

14:36 Embracing Change: The Role of AI in Modern Work

17:08 Final Thoughts: Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

Summary

In this insightful interview, Alexis Feinberg shares her journey from fashion merchandising to healthcare PR, emphasizing the importance of resilience, adaptability, and self-care. Discover practical strategies for balancing high-performance activities with recovery and mental well-being, and learn how to embrace life's setbacks as opportunities for growth.

Today’s Guest

Alexis Feinberg is a strategic communications leader with more than a decade of experience guiding public and private companies through high-stakes moments, including IPOs and mergers and acquisitions. She specializes in healthcare and technology storytelling, helping organizations translate complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives that resonate with investors, media, and key stakeholders. Her work has earned placements in outlets such as Business Insider, Forbes, Good Housekeeping, and CNBC.

Currently at ICR Healthcare, Alexis leads client program strategy and synthesizes scientific data for diverse audiences, ensuring credibility without losing clarity. Earlier in her career, she directed national B2B programs at Matter Communications and developed public relations campaigns at Boston PBS station WGBH, building a foundation that blends rigor, creativity, and results.

She holds a Master’s degree in Public Relations from Boston University with a minor in Research Communications. Outside of work, Alexis is an avid reader, rugby player, budding baker, and competitive powerlifter, bringing the same discipline and curiosity to her personal pursuits that she brings to her clients.

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00:07 Embracing Resilience and Growth

01:32 Passions Beyond the Profession

07:28 Finding Harmony in Work and Life

11:09 Power of Rest and Reflection

18:19 Inspiring Growth and Change

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Amy and Tracy Brown explore the themes of resilience, leadership, and personal growth. Tracy shares her unique journey from a working-class background to becoming a Chief of Staff in cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and sponsorship in navigating challenges. They discuss the significance of self-care and lifelong learning in sustaining high performance, and how personal experiences shape motivation and the desire to make a difference in the world.

Today’s Guest

Dr. Tracy Celaya Brown, known as Dr. Tre, is a strategy implementation specialist and serves as Chief of Staff and Head of the Project Management Office at Stream Data Centers. With more than twenty five years of experience in IT, information security, and emerging technologies, she is a trusted advisor to executives on strategy, change management, and complex program execution.

An Air Force veteran with a background in electronic intelligence, Dr. Tre brings a disciplined and strategic approach to leadership and risk management. She holds CISSP and PMP certifications, along with executive certifications from MIT in AI, machine learning, IoT, and operations. A co author of You Can Stop Stupid and an internationally recognized speaker, she is passionate about securing the digital world and mentoring the next generation of technology and security leaders.

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00:00 Tracy's Journey: From Military to Tech and Beyond

03:42 Leading Through Adversity: The Importance of Mentorship

06:10 Mastering the Art of Generalism: Embracing Diverse Skills

08:59 Fueling the Fire: Motivation and Giving Back

11:21 Self-Care Strategies: The Balance of Introversion and Performance

13:30 Lifelong Learning: The Key to Sustaining High Performance

Summary

In this conversation, Dan Hurwitz shares his journey from a tech startup CRO to a leader in the AI space, discussing the importance of leadership, team building, and personal growth. He emphasizes the need for genuine connections with team members and the significance of supporting their aspirations. Dan also reflects on navigating challenges in a volatile market and the importance of character in adversity.

Today’s Guest
Dan Hurwitz is a seasoned Chief Revenue Officer with more than 15 years of experience building and rebuilding go-to-market organizations for Series A through C technology companies. His work centers on helping teams scale with discipline and clarity, creating repeatable, metrics-driven revenue engines that support durable growth and successful exits. Over the course of his career, Dan has helped five companies reach acquisition or IPO outcomes.

Most recently, Dan moved into the AI infrastructure space, where he leads new business acquisition at DDN. DDN provides the storage and data intelligence foundation powering modern AI data centers.

Beyond his operating roles, Dan is a trusted advisor to early-stage founders, helping them build scalable, repeatable revenue machines from day one. He is also an early-stage investor and a respected voice on startup strategy and execution.

Outside of work, Dan is married with four kids and two dogs and lives life at full speed. He’s an avid skier, cyclist, and fitness enthusiast who believes there’s no substitute for hard work — and having fun along the way.

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00:00 Dan's Journey in Tech and AI

04:50 Leadership Philosophy: Player Coach vs. Manager

09:59 Building Resilient Teams: The Get to Know Ya Meeting

15:12 Championing Growth: Supporting Team Members' Aspirations

19:51 Navigating Challenges: Riding the Equilibrium

24:51 Character in Adversity: Handling the Down Times

Summary

In this conversation, Dr. Amy and Philip Samuel Raj explore the themes of resilience, leadership, and the impact of AI innovation on business. Philip shares his journey as the CEO of TechJs, discussing how he navigates challenges and fosters a supportive workplace culture. They delve into the importance of personal well-being, the power of connection, and the influence of mentorship in shaping effective leaders. Philip emphasizes the significance of core values and mantras that guide his approach to leadership and personal growth.

Today’s Guest

Philip Samuelraj is the Founder and CEO of Techjays, a global AI innovation firm on a mission to help every business and individual transform with AI. Long before generative AI entered the mainstream, Philip was building advanced AI systems at Google, positioning him at the forefront of the current wave of transformation.

With deep expertise in AI product development and strategy, Philip brings both technical rigor and strategic clarity to his work. He has led the design and launch of AI platforms serving startups and Fortune 500 companies alike, consistently translating complex technologies into meaningful business outcomes.

A frequent speaker on generative AI, organizational culture, and the intersection of leadership, people, and technology, Philip is also reimagining what a modern AI company can look like. At Techjays, he is building a purpose-driven organization that pairs world-class engineering with a culture rooted in joy, ownership, and impact.

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00:00 Introduction to Philip's Journey

02:57 Navigating Adversity as a Leader

05:11 Creating a Supportive Workplace Culture

07:53 Personal Strategies for Sustaining Growth

11:16 Influences and Mentorship in Leadership

17:06 Core Mantra for Life and Leadership

Summary

In this conversation, Dr. Amy and Edwin R. Suarez explore the journey of personal growth and leadership, emphasizing the importance of navigating adversity, managing energy, and the role of coaching. Edwin shares his experiences in the tech and energy sectors, discussing how intentional habits and daily practices can enhance resilience and performance. The dialogue highlights the significance of aligning personal purpose with team development and the necessity of self-care in leadership roles.

Today’s Guest

Edwin R. Suarez is a global digital transformation and technology executive with more than 20 years of experience leading innovation across Fortune 500 companies and high-growth organizations. He has held senior leadership roles at General Electric, Marathon Oil, CEVA Logistics, Sumitomo Corporation of Americas, and LSC Communications, where he led multimillion-dollar initiatives in AI, advanced analytics, blockchain, and enterprise modernization.

A graduate of the MIT Sloan School of Management, Edwin holds an MBA and a Master of Science in Engineering & Management, along with a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science. Today, he advises energy companies on AI strategy and digital transformation, mentors technology startups, and champions innovation within the Hispanic professional community.

Tune In!

00:00 Intro

03:51 Navigating Adversity and Leadership Challenges

06:24 Energy Management and Personal Growth

08:55 Daily Routines for Recovery and Mindfulness

11:07 The Importance of Play and Physical Activity

13:44 Coaching and Leadership Development

16:13 Aligning Team Goals and Personal Aspirations

18:30 Managing Change and Personal Well-being

Summary

In this conversation, Dr. Amy and Joshua Hoffman explore the journey of personal and professional growth, emphasizing the importance of compassion, resilience, and teamwork in achieving lasting performance. Joshua shares his experiences with failure, the significance of maintaining a positive outlook, and the role of family and philanthropy in his life. The discussion also highlights actionable strategies for sustaining performance and the power of connection in both personal and professional realms.

Today’s Guest

Joshua Hoffman is the Chief Revenue Officer at ControlCase, where he leads global revenue, marketing, and go-to-market strategy. With over 15 years of experience in cybersecurity and compliance, he has built and scaled high-performance teams across leading technology and services organizations. He is known for driving collaborative, outcome-focused growth with partners and customers worldwide.

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00:00 Journey of Growth and Transformation

03:30 Navigating Adversity and Leadership

06:16 The Power of Collaboration and Compassion

08:42 Finding Balance in Fast-Paced Environments

11:31 The Importance of Play and Family

14:09 Daily Strategies for Sustained Performance