In this powerful episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with speaker, entrepreneur, and culture strategist Abagail McKiernan for a conversation about bold leadership rooted in compassion, faith, and intentional action.

Abby shares how a simple moment, hearing a woman say “because I can” while helping someone in need, sparked a movement that grew into a community connecting more than 100,000 needs since 2017. What began as a Facebook group evolved into a powerful model of radical generosity and ultimately into a technology platform helping workplaces better care for their people.

Together, they explore what it truly means to lead from any seat, whether in a boardroom, a nonprofit, or at home. Abby opens up about navigating imposter syndrome, leading without a title, the discipline of pausing before reacting, and why culture is shaped in everyday moments. She challenges leaders to move beyond surface-level kindness and instead build systems that remove barriers, restore dignity, and create environments where people can thrive.

This episode is about courage, clarity, responsibility, and choosing compassion, not as a feeling, but as a leadership strategy.

About Abby McKiernan

Abagail McKiernan is a speaker, entrepreneur, author, and community builder who believes that kindness, when backed by action, is one of the most powerful tools a company can invest in.

She is the founder of Spark in the Dark, a peer-to-peer resource-sharing network that has helped connect over 100,000 needs since 2017, and the creator of HelpLink, a tech-based platform designed to help businesses proactively remove barriers to work for their employees.

Abby is passionate about redefining what it means to lead with compassion in the workplace and frequently speaks on the intersection of community, culture, and care.

Spark in the Dark was invited as one of 77 organizations worldwide to participate in the 2020 Facebook Community Accelerator and received the Torch of Ethics Award from the Better Business Bureau. HelpLink was selected as one of 49 organizations worldwide in 2025 to participate in the AWS and Deloitte Social Entrepreneur Accelerator.

She was featured as a 40 Under 40 to Watch in Michigan in 2021 and recognized as one of Northern Michigan’s most influential women.

Connect with Abby:
 https://helplink.org/

In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Jacob Soter, Director of Swim Smart Technologies, to unpack why trust, humility, and resilience are essential when leadership decisions carry real-life consequences. Jacob shares his journey from engineering student to leading nationwide water safety innovation, revealing how listening first, collaborating deeply, and owning mistakes builds trust that lasts.

The conversation explores leadership under pressure, learning from failure, personal resilience shaped by adversity, and why humility not ego is the foundation for sustainable impact. This episode is a powerful reminder that strong leadership isn’t about having all the answers it’s about earning trust so mistakes don’t break you or the people you serve.

Jacob Soter is the co-founder and Managing Director of SwimSmart Technology LLC, a Michigan-based company specializing in automated beach safety systems to prevent drownings. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (2019) and a Master of Business Administration (2020) from Michigan Technological University, where he participated in the SENSE Enterprise Program. 

Inspired by presentations on beach safety inefficiencies at the 2017 Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium conference, Soter pivoted from initial concepts in water safety drones to developing data-driven warning technologies integrated with National Weather Service forecasts. 

Under his leadership, SwimSmart has expanded to deployments across beaches around the United States and a first reaching Canada. A NOAA Weather Ready Nation Ambassador, Soter received the 2024 Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium's Superhero of the Year award for his contributions to drowning prevention.

Connect with Jacob:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-soter-swimsmart/

In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham talks with Renée Heywood, Ph.D., about what modern leadership is missing and why humility, mentorship, and faith matter now more than ever. Renée shares insights from decades in education and leadership on moving beyond fear, imposter syndrome, and performance-driven mindsets to lead with purpose.

They discuss the loss of mentorship, faith-driven decision-making, and what it truly means to lead people—not positions.

About Renée Heywood, Ph.D.
Dr. Heywood has over 25 years of experience in education and leadership. She is the CEO of South Shore Stars, founder of Real Talk Leadership, and author of Finding Me Finding Us for Educators, available on Amazon and at RealTalkLeadership.com.

Connect with Renée:
[email protected]
508-505-0200

Published Blogs, Articles & Resources

1. LinkedIn Post, July 17, 2025 – Front Seats Cost Extra – So “LEAD.” 

2. Path-to-Progress – Showing the Impact of Equity Work (Contributing author)

3. Heywood, R. (2021). Racial Trauma, Language Use and Biases: A Reflection on

Harmful Practices in Education. Kieli, koulutus ja yhteiskunta, 12(5). Saatavilla:

4. Krezmien, M. P., Clift, W., & Heywood, R. (2020). Using technology to unlock the

potential of diverse learners in juvenile justice settings. ResearchGate.

5. Continuum of Bias Framework (Finding Me Finding Us for Educators - Heywood,

2024) 

Published Books

1. Heywood, R. (2025). Powerful God Empowering Us. 

2. William, W., & Garret-Walker, W. (2025) The Majestic Place: The Freedom Possible in

Black Women’s Leadership. Rowman and Littlefield Publishing. (Contributing

author) 

3. Heywood, R. (2024). Finding Me Finding Us for Educators – A Reflection Journal for

Racial Reconciliation 

4. Heywood, R., & Heywood, R. (2020). I said, “I Do” to All That - Unpacking Life’s

Baggage. Extreme Overflow Publication.

In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Tris Hussey to explore why empathy is the leadership skill AI can’t replace. As organizations rush to adopt AI, many leaders are seeing rising burnout, quiet quitting, and loss of trust. This conversation breaks down what’s really happening and what to do instead.

Together, they unpack ethical AI use, human-centered decision-making, and how leaders can balance innovation with accountability, clarity, and care. If you’re navigating AI adoption, managing disengaged teams, or trying to lead with integrity in a fast-changing workplace, this episode offers practical insights to help you lead humans not just systems.

BIO:
Tris Hussey, CM is an AI consultant, writer, and marketing strategist who helps teams turn complex ideas into clear content and practical AI-enabled workflows that drive real business results. With over 20 years of experience at the intersection of technology, storytelling, and strategy, Tris has worked across startups, global organizations, and the public sector where trust, regulation, and long sales cycles matter as much as marketing performance.

Connect with Tris:
Website: https://www.trishussey.com/about-me/
Substack: https://trishusseywriting.substack.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trishussey/

In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Rachel Ngom, Christian entrepreneur, podcast host, and ministry leader, to explore faith-driven decision-making in business and life.

Rachel shares her extraordinary journey of building a million-dollar program, hearing a clear message from God to shut it down, and navigating the wilderness season that followed. She dives into the challenges of letting go of success, staying disciplined, cultivating community, and trusting God’s timing even when it doesn’t make logical sense.

This episode is packed with practical lessons on leadership, obedience, and spiritual alignment, including how to discern God’s voice, align decisions with scripture, and overcome fear during life-changing seasons. Whether you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or someone seeking guidance through uncertainty, Rachel’s story inspires us to submit our plans to God, take every thought captive, and trust Him fully.

BIO:
Rachel Ngom is the host of the She’s Making an Impact Podcast with over 400 episodes. Rachel launched her first online business in 2012, serving over 10,000 students through her online courses, coaching, and events. In 2023, the Lord had her shut down most of her million-dollar business to pursue ministry. He opened her eyes to the problems in the marketplace, with Christians being led down a dangerous path in the New Age and following worldly strategies. She’s currently enrolled in the Global School of Supernatural Ministry and the Global Awakening Theological Seminary, where she has seen Jesus radically heal people.

Connect with Rachel:
https://rachelngom.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1309272699182138/
https://www.pinterest.com/rachelngom
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw-moStPkCsqcZ4Vf1flYWQ
https://www.instagram.com/shesmakinganimpact/

In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Jaitesha Hanson, a licensed mental health counselor, neurodiversity specialist, and geek therapy certified clinician. They explore how faith, journaling, and self-leadership empower neurodivergent and autistic individuals to thrive in life and work.

Jaitesha shares her personal journey of overcoming imposter syndrome, embracing her neurodivergence, and integrating faith into daily practice. From her athletic background to starting a nonprofit, she discusses the lessons learned in leadership, accountability, and self-discovery.

This episode dives deep into tools like mad scientist journaling and internal family systems, showing how reflective practices can help you regulate emotions, embrace your authentic self, and lead with confidence. Whether you’re navigating professional challenges, personal growth, or spiritual alignment, this conversation offers actionable insights for living and leading unapologetically.

Guest Bio

Jaitesha “Jai” Hanson (she/her) is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Geek Therapist Certified clinician, and neurodivergent creative whose work centers on helping people heal through what they love.

Her clinical and creative work spans children, teens, and adults, with a focus on supporting neurodivergent individuals (including ADHDers, autistic folks, trauma survivors, and high-masking clients) who have spent years adapting to systems that were never designed for their minds.

Jai’s practice is rooted in an eclectic, human-centered framework drawing from person-centered and narrative therapy, play-based healing, somatic integration, fandom and pop-culture work, and neurodivergent-affirming care. Whether she’s unpacking trauma through character archetypes, exploring burnout through special interests, or building emotional regulation tools using metaphor and story, she meets people where they actually are.

Beyond therapy, Jai creates digital tools, curricula, and assessment frameworks that help identify different thinking and processing styles across the neurodiverse spectrum. Her work bridges nervous system science, creativity, and leadership design, with an emphasis on building systems that work for real humans—not just institutions.

This isn’t one-size-fits-all healing. It’s adaptive, relational, and grounded in lived experience.

Connect with Jaitesha:

• https://open.substack.com/pub/thealchemistslab
• https://thealchemistslab.gumroad.com
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaiteshahanson

In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, host Cory Dunham welcomes Francisco J. Quevedo to explore how experiential learning at Rutgers Business School bridges classroom theory with real‑world impact. Francisco an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in the Marketing Department, Executive Director of the Center for Marketing Advantage, Advancement, and Action, and Senator for the 2025–2028 term shares how he brings hands‑on entrepreneurship, nonprofit projects, and real consulting work into student learning to benefit businesses, nonprofits, and government partners. His approach empowers students to learn by doing, builds measurable impact, and prepares future leaders to innovate with confidence.

Francisco also discusses using AI as a research copilot (not a replacement), the importance of integrity and values in leadership, and how experiential education can transform students’ careers and community outcomes. This episode delivers practical insights on leadership, innovation, community engagement, and creating real results beyond the classroom.

About Francisco J. Quevedo:
Francisco J. Quevedo is an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in the Marketing Department at Rutgers Business School; he serves as Executive Director of the Center for Marketing Advantage, Advancement and Action and is Senator for the 2025–2028 term. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in 1978 and earned his doctorate in Marketing, MBA, and CAGSB at Pace University in New York, NY. Before joining Rutgers in 2020, he taught at Pace University and NYU and has over 40 years of corporate experience consulting with Fortune 100 firms, NGOs, and government agencies across multiple countries. His research focuses on brand management and nonprofit marketing, and he has been published multiple times in peer‑reviewed journals.

Connect with Francisco
Phone: (929) 208‑5289
Email: [email protected]
X: @NeuroBrand2020

In Episode 15 of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Alexander Jones-Thomas CEO, philanthropist, and founder of Alpha and Omega, LLC to explore courage, calling, and Christian confidence. Alex shares his journey from a challenging upbringing and foster care to creating a community-driven organization that empowers students to thrive academically, professionally, and spiritually.

Listeners will discover how faith shapes his leadership, how he embraces bold moves even when feeling unqualified, and why aligning with God’s calling is the ultimate key to lasting impact. This episode is packed with insights on perseverance, mentorship, and staying focused on what truly matters even under pressure.

Guest Bio:
Alexander Jones-Thomas is a 25-year-old entrepreneur and philanthropist currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Administration at Winston-Salem State University. He is the CEO and founder of Alpha and Omega, LLC, a community outreach organization supporting students through mentorship, brand ambassadorship, and leadership development. Alexander is passionate about bridging the gap between students and opportunities while integrating faith and leadership principles into real-world impact.

Connect with Alexander Jones-Thomas:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-da-great-amen-ra-jesus/

In this powerful episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Dr. Nishtha Sareen, an interventional cardiologist and national leader in women’s heart health, to explore why heart disease remains the number one killer of women, and why access to care must be a right, not a luxury.

Dr. Sareen shares how she built and scaled Women’s Heart Programs focused on meeting women where they are, breaking gaps in medical research, and addressing the unique cardiovascular risks women face across every stage of life. The conversation goes beyond medicine into leadership, faith under pressure, and what it takes to lead boldly when you’re challenging outdated systems.

This episode is about courage, purpose, and redefining leadership in healthcare, by putting people, faith, and accessibility at the center of innovation.

To learn more about Dr. Nishtha Sareen, check out her bio here.

In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Sandeep Singh to explore what it means to build AI and automation that truly serve humanity. Together, they unpack why technology without values can create harm, how faith and ethics act as an inner compass for innovation, and why human-centered leadership matters more than ever in an AI-driven world. This conversation challenges leaders to move beyond profit and power, focusing instead on trust, purpose, collaboration, and creating technology that supports, not replaces, the human experience.

With over 25 years of cross-industry experience spanning the food industry, global manufacturing, startup development, and industrial automation, Sandeep Singh brings a deeply human perspective to the future of technology.

As Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Cabra Dynamics LLC, Sandeep leads a family of innovation-driven divisions, including CabraMove (Autonomous Mobile Robots) and Jarvion (AI, IoT & Software Solutions). His work is guided by a clear mission: to make automation more human, intuitive, and accessible.

At the core of every project he leads, whether designing advanced robotics or mentoring emerging startups, is a firm belief that technology should amplify human potential, not replace it. In this episode, Sandeep shares how values, ethics, and intentional leadership can shape AI and automation in ways that truly serve people and organizations.

Connect with Sandeep Singh:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandeep-singh-sra/
Email: [email protected]