The Rutledge Perspective Podcast

Bibi Goldstein built a business that truly spoke to a need that wasn't being met. Through that recognition, she was able to put in place an organization that is YOUR team. Although virtual, she has created a culture and a confidence with her folks that rivals any brick and mortar and translates into the service her clients receive. And, she's learned some important stuff like the realization that great leadership means you are just as clear on your gaps as you are on your strengths. That knowledge is power.

About the Guest:

Bibi Goldstein is the founder and CEO of Buying Time, LLC - a Virtual Administrative Support Solution for entrepreneurs. She is a time management and systems expert, speaker, author and works with many entrepreneurs to automate and systemize their businesses in order to maximize their time.

Before starting her own virtual assistant service business, Buying Time, she spent 22 years in the corporate world working for companies like North American Logistics and UPS Supply Chain. During her time with UPS as National Vendor Manager, she had the highest performing center, while being the youngest and only female manager amongst her peers. She built a culture that created the largest percentage of promotions from her direct hires. And she worked with all the centers to create over $2.7 million in annual payroll savings from efficiency and productivity analysis and single-handedly led implementation of those improvements across all the US locations.

Her experiences in the corporate arena, as well as her Infusionsoft and Six Sigma certifications, translate directly to helping entrepreneurs and small business owners understand the value of time management and setting up systems to do the work for them.

In addition to helping businesses with expert implementation and virtual administration jobs, She's also a regular speaker and workshop facilitator. Through fun, informative sessions, she helps business owners learn how to let go of all the day-to-day tasks that either don't suit them or waste their time. They are suddenly free to work "on" their businesses, not "in" their businesses. Once they begin working this way, many experienced significant growth in revenues as well as improved company morale.

She is an active member of her business community in the South Bay. Currently, Bibi is the chair for 2 local non-profits major fundraising events, the SBBWA's South Bay Women's Conference and Walk With Sally's White Light White Night event, and also serves as a board member for the Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach Chambers of Commerce

Bibi has strong lifelong ties to the South Bay community, she lives in Redondo Beach with her husband Mark and has a daughter Julie who is a hairstylist and a local entrepreneur.

Personal Links:

www.buyingtimellc.com

About the Host:

Laurel Rutledge's human-centered approach, empathy, and understanding of individual needs make her a top-notch personal advisor and women's leadership coach.

Her care and compassion have made her an indispensable guide for countless women navigating the next phases of their lives and careers. Add to that her intimate knowledge of the HR landscape, and it becomes clear why her HR clients have had such transformative experiences. Just as Rutledge has helped countless others get out of their rut and off of the ledge, so too can she help you.

After receiving her MBA, Laurel moved from accounting and consulting to human resources, driven by a desire to do good in a business environment. It quickly became apparent that the switch had been a good choice — she flourished professionally and became happier, satisfied with the difference she could make through her work.

After a 30-year career, she left the corporate world, but her passion for HR and helping others has only grown. Now, she works one-on-one with clients, leveraging her experience in leadership and personal development to help them get the most of out their lives and careers.

From her beginnings as a consultant at Deloitte to her time as VP of HR at Covestro, Laurel has seen more sides of the business world than most. She's achieved technical mastery of HR, with a deep knowledge of the rules and regulations that must be followed.

She's also a people person, perceptive and outgoing, with a sixth sense for helping others to see the difference between what they want and what they need. The culmination of this is in her personal philosophy: "lead with your heart, act with your head."

Find out more at: https://laurelrutledge.com

Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

They say luck is when preparation means opportunity. And, but in order to be prepared, you have to have knowledge, experience and/or expertise. Unfortunately, many leaders often sideline their own learning as they focus intently on managing their teams of building their businesses. Taking the time to expand horizons and learn from others is not only good practice, but it is fundamental to preparation and great leadership.

About the Host:

Laurel Rutledge's human-centered approach, empathy, and understanding of individual needs make her a top-notch personal advisor and women's leadership coach.

Her care and compassion have made her an indispensable guide for countless women navigating the next phases of their lives and careers. Add to that her intimate knowledge of the HR landscape, and it becomes clear why her HR clients have had such transformative experiences. Just as Rutledge has helped countless others get out of their rut and off of the ledge, so too can she help you.

After receiving her MBA, Laurel moved from accounting and consulting to human resources, driven by a desire to do good in a business environment. It quickly became apparent that the switch had been a good choice — she flourished professionally and became happier, satisfied with the difference she could make through her work.

After a 30-year career, she left the corporate world, but her passion for HR and helping others has only grown. Now, she works one-on-one with clients, leveraging her experience in leadership and personal development to help them get the most of out their lives and careers.

From her beginnings as a consultant at Deloitte to her time as VP of HR at Covestro, Laurel has seen more sides of the business world than most. She's achieved technical mastery of HR, with a deep knowledge of the rules and regulations that must be followed.

She's also a people person, perceptive and outgoing, with a sixth sense for helping others to see the difference between what they want and what they need. The culmination of this is in her personal philosophy: "lead with your heart, act with your head."

Find out more at: https://laurelrutledge.com

Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

There is no more powerful tool for creating success than mindset. The challenge is ensuring that you have the right mindset. That isn't always as easy as it sounds. In order to have the right mindset, you have to be able to recognize and acknowledge when you have the wrong one.

About the Host:

Laurel Rutledge's human-centered approach, empathy, and understanding of individual needs make her a top-notch personal advisor and women's leadership coach.

Her care and compassion have made her an indispensable guide for countless women navigating the next phases of their lives and careers. Add to that her intimate knowledge of the HR landscape, and it becomes clear why her HR clients have had such transformative experiences. Just as Rutledge has helped countless others get out of their rut and off of the ledge, so too can she help you.

After receiving her MBA, Laurel moved from accounting and consulting to human resources, driven by a desire to do good in a business environment. It quickly became apparent that the switch had been a good choice — she flourished professionally and became happier, satisfied with the difference she could make through her work.

After a 30-year career, she left the corporate world, but her passion for HR and helping others has only grown. Now, she works one-on-one with clients, leveraging her experience in leadership and personal development to help them get the most of out their lives and careers.

From her beginnings as a consultant at Deloitte to her time as VP of HR at Covestro, Laurel has seen more sides of the business world than most. She's achieved technical mastery of HR, with a deep knowledge of the rules and regulations that must be followed.

She's also a people person, perceptive and outgoing, with a sixth sense for helping others to see the difference between what they want and what they need. The culmination of this is in her personal philosophy: "lead with your heart, act with your head."

Find out more at: https://laurelrutledge.com

Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

The late Representative John Lewis said that we should not be afraid to make good trouble. Necessary trouble. And while he was talking about big systemic issues, this can also be applied to businesses and corporations or any professional setting. Speaking truth to power is critical to changing the culture to be one that is inclusive and equitable. Being willing to "make trouble" is part of that truth-telling because being a "trouble maker" is a label well earned by those who affect change!

About the Host:

Laurel Rutledge's human-centered approach, empathy, and understanding of individual needs make her a top-notch personal advisor and women's leadership coach.

Her care and compassion have made her an indispensable guide for countless women navigating the next phases of their lives and careers. Add to that her intimate knowledge of the HR landscape, and it becomes clear why her HR clients have had such transformative experiences. Just as Rutledge has helped countless others get out of their rut and off of the ledge, so too can she help you.

After receiving her MBA, Laurel moved from accounting and consulting to human resources, driven by a desire to do good in a business environment. It quickly became apparent that the switch had been a good choice — she flourished professionally and became happier, satisfied with the difference she could make through her work.

After a 30-year career, she left the corporate world, but her passion for HR and helping others has only grown. Now, she works one-on-one with clients, leveraging her experience in leadership and personal development to help them get the most of out their lives and careers.

From her beginnings as a consultant at Deloitte to her time as VP of HR at Covestro, Laurel has seen more sides of the business world than most. She's achieved technical mastery of HR, with a deep knowledge of the rules and regulations that must be followed.

She's also a people person, perceptive and outgoing, with a sixth sense for helping others to see the difference between what they want and what they need. The culmination of this is in her personal philosophy: "lead with your heart, act with your head."

Find out more at: https://laurelrutledge.com

Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

Leaders whose words and actions don't align erode trust and compromise their ability to lead effectively. Full Stop. Whether you are actually leading a team or organization or you are an individual contributor, the ability to build trust is critical to success. People will listen to your words – and words definitely matter. But they will BELIEVE your actions. What do your actions say about you?

About the Host:

Laurel Rutledge's human-centered approach, empathy, and understanding of individual needs make her a top-notch personal advisor and women's leadership coach.

Her care and compassion have made her an indispensable guide for countless women navigating the next phases of their lives and careers. Add to that her intimate knowledge of the HR landscape, and it becomes clear why her HR clients have had such transformative experiences. Just as Rutledge has helped countless others get out of their rut and off of the ledge, so too can she help you.

After receiving her MBA, Laurel moved from accounting and consulting to human resources, driven by a desire to do good in a business environment. It quickly became apparent that the switch had been a good choice — she flourished professionally and became happier, satisfied with the difference she could make through her work.

After a 30-year career, she left the corporate world, but her passion for HR and helping others has only grown. Now, she works one-on-one with clients, leveraging her experience in leadership and personal development to help them get the most of out their lives and careers.

From her beginnings as a consultant at Deloitte to her time as VP of HR at Covestro, Laurel has seen more sides of the business world than most. She's achieved technical mastery of HR, with a deep knowledge of the rules and regulations that must be followed.

She's also a people person, perceptive and outgoing, with a sixth sense for helping others to see the difference between what they want and what they need. The culmination of this is in her personal philosophy: "lead with your heart, act with your head."

Find out more at: https://laurelrutledge.com

Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device.

Leave us an iTunes review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on iTunes, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on iTunes.

The value of Diversity has been proven time and again; but it is the act of INCLUSION that drives the real value. True leaders have the Courage to be inclusive of those people and perspectives that are different than theirs – even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular.

This is an encore episode. Originally aired on April 8, 2020.

About the Host:

Laurel Rutledge's human-centered approach, empathy, and understanding of individual needs make her a top-notch personal advisor and women's leadership coach.

Her care and compassion have made her an indispensable guide for countless women navigating the next phases of their lives and careers. Add to that her intimate knowledge of the HR landscape, and it becomes clear why her HR clients have had such transformative experiences. Just as Rutledge has helped countless others get out of their rut and off of the ledge, so too can she help you.

After receiving her MBA, Laurel moved from accounting and consulting to human resources, driven by a desire to do good in a business environment. It quickly became apparent that the switch had been a good choice — she flourished professionally and became happier, satisfied with the difference she could make through her work.

After a 30-year career, she left the corporate world, but her passion for HR and helping others has only grown. Now, she works one-on-one with clients, leveraging her experience in leadership and personal development to help them get the most of out their lives and careers.

From her beginnings as a consultant at Deloitte to her time as VP of HR at Covestro, Laurel has seen more sides of the business world than most. She's achieved technical mastery of HR, with a deep knowledge of the rules and regulations that must be followed.

She's also a people person, perceptive and outgoing, with a sixth sense for helping others to see the difference between what they want and what they need. The culmination of this is in her personal philosophy: "lead with your heart, act with your head."

Find out more at: https://laurelrutledge.com

Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device.

Leave us an iTunes review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on iTunes, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on iTunes.

We all get really excited when we finally decide to follow our passion, but it is important to start with a plan. Kelli Bradley's talks are clear on this. When you don't know the answers, don't be afraid to ask. It's important to hire team and delegate, but don't abdicate all of your responsibility or be afraid to remove someone from your business who is no longer a fit. Some of the same holds true as you begin to address aging parents…seek support and advice from experts and those who know. Kelli is someone who knows!

About the Guest:

Kelli Bradley is the founder and creator of The Devoted Daughter, an organization helping women find solutions to care for their aging parents. After landing in the role of the family caregiver, Kelli saw a need in her community to help others. Her next endeavor was owning and operating an in-home care company where she served hundreds of families in eleven years.

Kelli has a unique perspective on caregiving. The combination of caring for family members and hiring, training, and managing a professional in-home care company has given invaluable insight.

Kelli serves her clients through workshops, speaking events, and digital courses. She also published her first book titled, "Always Her Daughter." The book is part memoir and part caregiver manual.

To learn more about her services, you can visit thedevotedduaghter.com and visit her social media accounts linked there.

Personal Links:

https://www.thedevotedduaghter.com

https://www.facebook.com/thedevoteddaughter

https://www.instagram.com/thedevoteddaughter

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1VdzDvWCkTSWUzD6f6Ujbg

https://www.pinterest.com/thedevoteddaughter

About the Host:

Laurel Rutledge's human-centered approach, empathy, and understanding of individual needs make her a top-notch personal advisor and women's leadership coach.

Her care and compassion have made her an indispensable guide for countless women navigating the next phases of their lives and careers. Add to that her intimate knowledge of the HR landscape, and it becomes clear why her HR clients have had such transformative experiences. Just as Rutledge has helped countless others get out of their rut and off of the ledge, so too can she help you.

After receiving her MBA, Laurel moved from accounting and consulting to human resources, driven by a desire to do good in a business environment. It quickly became apparent that the switch had been a good choice — she flourished professionally and became happier, satisfied with the difference she could make through her work.

After a 30-year career, she left the corporate world, but her passion for HR and helping others has only grown. Now, she works one-on-one with clients, leveraging her experience in leadership and personal development to help them get the most of out their lives and careers.

From her beginnings as a consultant at Deloitte to her time as VP of HR at Covestro, Laurel has seen more sides of the business world than most. She's achieved technical mastery of HR, with a deep knowledge of the rules and regulations that must be followed.

She's also a people person, perceptive and outgoing, with a sixth sense for helping others to see the difference between what they want and what they need. The culmination of this is in her personal philosophy: "lead with your heart, act with your head."

Find out more at: https://laurelrutledge.com

Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device.

Leave us an iTunes review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on iTunes, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on iTunes.

Tune into the frequency where the people are who need to hear your message. Keri Murphy talks about how it is more important now than ever before to show up, consistently, with a clear message. And one of, if not the best way, to deliver that message is through video. And when you get out of ego and into your heart – because it's not about you – you will see your impact and influence grow; and along with that, your income.

About the Guest:

Keri Murphy is the CEO and founder of Inspired Living, where she and her team help entrepreneurs become go-to experts in their field and build influential brands through on-camera training, business strategy, media, and marketing planning. As an international speaker, media expert, and business mentor, Keri is committed to helping others to create and thrive at a business they love and teaches them how to authentically connect and convert their ideal clients using video in particular.

Keri always knew she had an affinity for the entertainment industry. As a young girl she attended modeling and acting school and was represented by a local agency. At 27, Keri purchased that same talent agency she went through in Portland, Oregon, and quickly built it to one of the most respected agencies in the Northwest—Murphy Talent Group. The agency had grown over 400%, but after the recession hit in 2008, Keri was forced to close her business and completely start over. She moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dream of being on-air talent, landing gigs on E! and red carpet premieres.

Since founding Inspired Living in 2011, Keri has worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs and visionaries helping them become industry influencers- choosing the types of videos to use, and how to leverage their message on-camera so they can make a big income and an even bigger difference. She has been on camera and an entrepreneur for 20+ years, and is a television veteran with appearances on MTV, E!, FOX and NBC. When not inspiring others, she can be found spending time with friends and family, playing piano, or relaxing by the sea with her daughter, Lauren

Resource Links

www.inspiredliving.tv: Sign up to get your FREE "Be Studio Ready Guide"

IT Factor On Camera Training https://inspiredliving.tv/itfactor/

Using Video 2 Day Intensive – Video Mastery https://inspiredliving.tv/videomastery/

About the Host:

Laurel Rutledge's human-centered approach, empathy, and understanding of individual needs make her a top-notch personal advisor and women's leadership coach.

Her care and compassion have made her an indispensable guide for countless women navigating the next phases of their lives and careers. Add to that her intimate knowledge of the HR landscape, and it becomes clear why her HR clients have had such transformative experiences. Just as Rutledge has helped countless others get out of their rut and off of the ledge, so too can she help you.

After receiving her MBA, Laurel moved from accounting and consulting to human resources, driven by a desire to do good in a business environment. It quickly became apparent that the switch had been a good choice — she flourished professionally and became happier, satisfied with the difference she could make through her work.

After a 30-year career, she left the corporate world, but her passion for HR and helping others has only grown. Now, she works one-on-one with clients, leveraging her experience in leadership and personal development to help them get the most of out their lives and careers.

From her beginnings as a consultant at Deloitte to her time as VP of HR at Covestro, Laurel has seen more sides of the business world than most. She's achieved technical mastery of HR, with a deep knowledge of the rules and regulations that must be followed.

She's also a people person, perceptive and outgoing, with a sixth sense for helping others to see the difference between what they want and what they need. The culmination of this is in her personal philosophy: "lead with your heart, act with your head."

Find out more at: https://laurelrutledge.com

Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device.

Leave us an iTunes review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on iTunes, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on iTunes.

True curiosity is a tool leaders use to move their organizations forward. By being truly curious about your people, their perspectives and their ideas, you bring for the best your organization has to offer. However, it takes courage to be curious. Why? Because the answers to the questions we ask are not always the answers we want. But TRUE leaders understand that all information is valuable information in the formation of strategies and actions. So get curious and see how much more you can accomplish.

About the Host:

Laurel Rutledge's human-centered approach, empathy, and understanding of individual needs make her a top-notch personal advisor and women's leadership coach.

Her care and compassion have made her an indispensable guide for countless women navigating the next phases of their lives and careers. Add to that her intimate knowledge of the HR landscape, and it becomes clear why her HR clients have had such transformative experiences. Just as Rutledge has helped countless others get out of their rut and off of the ledge, so too can she help you.

After receiving her MBA, Laurel moved from accounting and consulting to human resources, driven by a desire to do good in a business environment. It quickly became apparent that the switch had been a good choice — she flourished professionally and became happier, satisfied with the difference she could make through her work.

After a 30-year career, she left the corporate world, but her passion for HR and helping others has only grown. Now, she works one-on-one with clients, leveraging her experience in leadership and personal development to help them get the most of out their lives and careers.

From her beginnings as a consultant at Deloitte to her time as VP of HR at Covestro, Laurel has seen more sides of the business world than most. She's achieved technical mastery of HR, with a deep knowledge of the rules and regulations that must be followed.

She's also a people person, perceptive and outgoing, with a sixth sense for helping others to see the difference between what they want and what they need. The culmination of this is in her personal philosophy: "lead with your heart, act with your head."

Find out more at: https://laurelrutledge.com

Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device.

Leave us an iTunes review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on iTunes, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on iTunes.

Aleta has spent her entire career at the same organization, but it's not what you think. She has been able to carve out a career that is both broad and deep because she was (1) open to opportunity (2) worked to prove her capability/reliability and (3) had both supporters and sponsors working on her behalf. Listen to her guidance on how to build a career where you are…if you are willing to say 'yes' to opportunities that may seem farfetched.

About the Guest:

Aleta Richards is head of the Coatings, Adhesives & Specialties (CAS) sales and market development business unit for Covestro LLC. In her role, Richards leads the North American CAS business and serves as a member of the Covestro U.S. Country Council.

Having started her career at Covestro (then part of Bayer) in 1990, Aleta is well acquainted with the organization and brings to the role more than 25 years' experience in marketing, sales, product management, human resources and general management. She has held various leadership positions throughout the company, including time spent in the Polyurethanes and Inorganic Basic Chemicals businesses. Aleta also served as head of the Bayer U.S. HR/Services organization, which provided HR administrative services for roughly 14,000 Bayer employees. Most recently, Aleta served as head of regional product management for the North American Polycarbonates business.

Aleta supports two employee resource groups - ACCESS, an internal network for African American employees, and CHAMPS, another employee resource group for employees, who are serving or have served in the military. She also co-hosts leadership and cultural exploration sessions for multiple employee groups throughout the global organization.

In recognition for her efforts, Aleta recently joined the class of 2018 Women of Excellence award recipients by the New Pittsburgh Courier, received the Pittsburgh Most Powerful and Influential Women Award by the National Diversity Council and a Minority Achievers Award from Talk Minority Advocacy Group.

A Pittsburgh native, Aleta received both her bachelor's degree and M.B.A. in marketing and international business from the University of Pittsburgh. She has also just received a Doctorate in Business Administration from Georgia State University. She continues to support the PITT Community as the Vice President of Operations for the PBAN Board of Directors, a group dedicated to ensuring diversity within the Katz Business School MBA Program and as a Board member of the Pittsburgh Promise.

Aleta and her husband, Frank, currently reside in Robinson Township, Pennsylvania.

Personal Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-aleta-w-richards-7986a95/

About the Host:

Laurel Rutledge's human-centered approach, empathy, and understanding of individual needs make her a top-notch personal advisor and women's leadership coach.

Her care and compassion have made her an indispensable guide for countless women navigating the next phases of their lives and careers. Add to that her intimate knowledge of the HR landscape, and it becomes clear why her HR clients have had such transformative experiences. Just as Rutledge has helped countless others get out of their rut and off of the ledge, so too can she help you.

After receiving her MBA, Laurel moved from accounting and consulting to human resources, driven by a desire to do good in a business environment. It quickly became apparent that the switch had been a good choice — she flourished professionally and became happier, satisfied with the difference she could make through her work.

After a 30-year career, she left the corporate world, but her passion for HR and helping others has only grown. Now, she works one-on-one with clients, leveraging her experience in leadership and personal development to help them get the most of out their lives and careers.

From her beginnings as a consultant at Deloitte to her time as VP of HR at Covestro, Laurel has seen more sides of the business world than most. She's achieved technical mastery of HR, with a deep knowledge of the rules and regulations that must be followed.

She's also a people person, perceptive and outgoing, with a sixth sense for helping others to see the difference between what they want and what they need. The culmination of this is in her personal philosophy: "lead with your heart, act with your head."

Find out more at: https://laurelrutledge.com

Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device.

Leave us an iTunes review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on iTunes, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on iTunes.