Laura Mignott is a super-connector, and a maestro of creating fresh memorable experiences. So how does someone used to curating exquisite in-person events end up dealing in the world of PPE and covid testing? It's more straightforward than you think: it all starts by asking the question.

Join us, as we turn the mic around on the CEO of Dflash and host of the Reset Podcast, Laura Mignott.

As American swears in our next president, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on our country, and countries around the world. In this episode of the Inspired Service Podcast, Noah speaks with Yen Pottinger, senior lab advisor, ICAP at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University and former HIV Incidence Team lead at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

They explore the brilliance of the virus itself, discuss places where the public sector is the first - and faster - mover, and discuss how to best harness the goodwill of the American people. 

Yen's is a remarkable story of devotion to her craft, service, and science. 

When Ashley Gazich relocated to San Diego from Florida in the fall of 2019 for a sabbatical from Microsoft, a global pandemic was not the first thing on her mind. Just a few months later, she found herself aligned with the author of The Lean Startup and a coalition of the willing, who set out to increase the national supply of PPE, provide bridge financing for hospitals, and increase the availability of information through intelligence sharing. 

This is the story of how Ashley forged meaningful partnerships across every layer of government, and between officials and industry partners who were willing to think boldly about how they might help... resulting in the successful delivery of over 1 billion units of PPE.

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For more about the C19 coalition: https://c19coalition.org/

As the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the country this past Spring, Rich Sokolow sprang into action. As Managing Director and the Director of Research at Davidson Kempner Capital Management L.P., an independent global investment management firm, Sokolow knows people. And as a founding member and longtime Chair of the "All Stars" Board of Directors - a national leader in the field of Afterschool Development - Rich knows that "when asked to help, people say yes."

This is an inspiring story of how a private citizen acquired PPE, convened people together, and made things happen in the tumultuous early days of the pandemic. It's also a reminder that we are all capable of much more than we think.

Listen and subscribe, wherever you get your podcasts! 

As COVID-19 spread across the United States this past spring, the call went out for medical professionals to come join the fight. Executive search firm Odgers Berndtson, led by CEO Steve Potter and COO Kennon Kincaid, answered the call. They mobilized their data resources, led by Javier O'Neil and Valeria Escamilla, their Healthcare practice, led by Maureen Ryan, and their executive search expertise, spearheaded by Jon Barney, to identify and mobilize healthcare professionals in collaboration with the U.S. Civilian Corps.

This is the story of a remarkable group of individuals, who answered the call to serve their country at a time when we needed it most.

Welcome to Season 2 of the Inspired Service Podcast. On the eve of America’s election, our country is poised to select its leader the next four years. It’s a stressful time, no matter what side you’re on, and that’s why now, more than ever, our country could benefit from a little inspiration. 

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Jennifer Homendy is one of five presidentially-nominated and Senate-confirmed board members of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the organization charged with conducting independent investigations of all civil aviation accidents in the United States and major accidents in the other modes of transportation.

Most recently, Member Homendy was the public face of the NTSB's investigation into the January 26th helicopter crash that killed 9 people, including former professional basketball player Kobe Bryant.

In this episode, we go inside Member Homendy's role, her path to the NTSB, and the importance of knowing what you want -- and working hard to get it.

Ann Kellams is a pediatrician. A professor. A researcher. A volunteer. And a mother.

Doctors believe in service to their core, but few do as many things as well as Dr. Kellams, the Vice Chair of the University of Virginia Department of Pediatrics. In a conversation that ranges from juggling hospital rounds, to cutting-edge breastfeeding research, to lessons on combating clinical detachment, we put on the white coat with one of America's most inspiring physicians and public servants.

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“The things that affect forests don’t respect jurisdictional boundaries” - Jason Ko, Cross-boundary Collaboration, Climate Change and Ecosystem Services Program Lead, U.S. Forest Service Region 5

America's forests are under siege. It seems like very year, California's wildfires become bigger, stronger, and more destructive. Jason Ko is at the front of the fight to reverse that trend. Beginning with his time in the Peace Corps, Jason has pursued conservation of natural resources at home and abroad. Today, his work with the Forest Service is a labor of love for his daughter. This is his story.

“It really is the responsibility of a staffer on the hill – and I would say any public servant – to make sure you’re listening to all of the voices."

In this episode, we speak with Drenan Dudley, a professional staff member for the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations, who is responsible for disaster relief and the cyber budget. We talked to her about how these crucial appropriations happen, the process of spending $230B in disaster response and relief since 2005, and what it's been like to oversee a Department of Homeland Security cyber budget that's grown from $92 million in 2007 to $1.1 billion today. 

Drenan reminds us that to be an effective public servant, it's important to never lose focus on why you're there in the first place.