WGU Alumni Podcast

On this episode of the WGU Alumni Podcast, we sit down with WGU alum Derrick M. Johnson II, a business strategist, experience designer, and longtime leader in the meetings and events industry. Derrick shares how earning his master's degree in Management and Leadership from WGU helped him evolve from executing projects to thinking more strategically about leadership, purpose, and outcomes. He also reflects on navigating the disruption of the events industry during the pandemic and how asking better questions helped him embrace change and create new opportunities.

Throughout the conversation, Derrick shares his perspective on leadership, adaptability, and the importance of understanding the "why" behind what we do. He also discusses his new book, Before the Agents: Staying Human in the Age of Intelligent Machines, a personal story of reinvention and a practical exploration of AI, creativity, and human value. It's an insightful conversation about lifelong learning, embracing change, and building momentum through continued growth, adaptability, and a willingness to challenge yourself.

Explore Derrick's Book: Before the Agents

For those considering a career transition, Derrick encourages readers to start with the problems they can help organizations solve and identify the experiences that demonstrate their value. It's a practical way to tell a more compelling career story, especially when pursuing opportunities that look different from previous roles.

Learn more: https://dmvdjdj.com/beforetheagents

To learn more about the WGU Alumni experience, including events, benefits, and ways to stay connected, visit wgu.edu/alumni.

On this episode of the WGU Alumni Podcast, we sit down with two-time WGU graduate Laura Wing, an author, business coach, workplace communication expert, and entrepreneur who decided to return to school at age 59. Laura shares what prompted that decision, why WGU was the right fit, and how she went on to earn both a bachelor’s degree in UX Design and a master’s degree in Management and Leadership by age 60.

As we kick off Season 3 and our theme of Momentum, Laura shares what happened after earning those degrees and how she immediately began putting what she learned into practice. From applying UX principles to her businesses to gaining new confidence and leadership skills, Laura reflects on how education created new possibilities at an already accomplished stage of her career. She also shares lessons from writing 11 books, why she believes a book can be a powerful career and networking tool, and her advice for anyone ready to turn an idea into something real. It’s a conversation about lifelong learning, betting on yourself, and creating momentum at any stage of life.

To learn more about the WGU Alumni experience, including events, benefits, and ways to stay connected, visit wgu.edu/alumni.

Season 3: Momentum

What happens after you earn your WGU degree?

In Season 3 of the WGU Alumni Podcast, we’re exploring the momentum that education can create—from new careers and opportunities to leadership, lifelong learning, impact, and unexpected new directions.

Join us as WGU graduates share where their degrees have taken them, what they’re building now, and where they’re going next.

Because earning your degree isn’t the finish line. Sometimes, it’s just the beginning.

On this episode of the WGU Alumni Podcast, we sit down with WGU alum Thomas Graham II, whose career spans two seemingly different worlds. By day, Thomas is a Senior Clinical Account Director at Elevance Health, helping organizations improve healthcare outcomes. Outside of work, he has developed a passion for magic, using it as a creative way to teach life skills through the 8 True Traits Foundation.

Throughout the conversation, Thomas shares how curiosity, communication, resilience, respect, and leadership have shaped both his professional career and his passion for inspiring others. He reflects on the role WGU played in his journey, why lifelong learning continues to matter, and how creating moments of wonder can leave a lasting impact in the workplace, the classroom, and everyday life. It's a fun, insightful conversation about leadership, personal growth, and finding extraordinary lessons in unexpected places.

To learn more about the WGU Alumni experience, including events, benefits, and ways to stay connected, visit wgu.edu/alumni.

On this episode of the WGU Alumni Podcast, we sit down with WGU alum Aryhel Freeman, a multidisciplinary security and intelligence professional whose career has spanned law enforcement, counterintelligence, insider threat, and security leadership. Aryhel shares how his path from the football field to the intelligence community shaped his approach to leadership, risk assessment, and helping organizations identify problems before they become crises. 

Throughout the conversation, Aryhel offers practical insights on what separates high-performing leaders from the rest, the importance of balancing people and mission, and how education can create momentum in competitive career fields. He also reflects on earning his degree from WGU while working full-time and raising a family, why he describes the experience as "common sense," and how lifelong learning continues to fuel his growth as a leader. It's an inspiring conversation about service, leadership, and the power of investing in yourself. To learn more about the WGU Alumni experience, including events, benefits, and ways to stay connected, visit wgu.edu/alumni.

On this episode of the WGU Alumni Podcast, we sit down with WGU alum Miesha Adams to explore how a pivotal middle school experience sparked a mission that’s now changing lives across Atlanta and beyond.

As the founder of Operation Level Up Leadership Youth Edition, Miesha is building a pathway for students in Title I schools to develop leadership skills, explore career opportunities, and see what’s possible beyond the limits often placed on them early. Her work blends leadership development, entrepreneurship, and real-world exposure—meeting students where they are and helping them level up.

Miesha shares how her journey through Teach for America, the pandemic, and her experience at WGU helped turn a question into a movement. It’s a powerful reminder that leadership starts with relationship, mentorship matters, and one moment can shape an entirely new future—not just for you, but for generations to come.

To learn more about the WGU Alumni experience, including events, benefits, and ways to stay connected, visit wgu.edu/alumni.

From helping entrepreneurs get their first idea off the ground to supporting major employers expanding in the region, WGU graduate Brian Fleming spends his days focused on one mission: building communities where people want to live, work, and start businesses. As executive director of the Sherburne County Economic Development Authority (Minnesota), Brian works behind the scenes to strengthen local economies by connecting founders and companies with the resources, partnerships, and incentives they need to grow.

In this episode, Brian shares practical insights for entrepreneurs everywhere—from tapping Small Business Development Centers and SCORE mentors to identifying real opportunities by solving pressing problems. With an MBA and a master’s in cybersecurity from WGU, he also explains why protecting digital trust is now essential for every business. His perspective blends strategy, community connection, and practical action, offering a simple reminder: strong local economies are built when people invest their time, talent, and ideas where they live.

To learn more about the WGU Alumni experience, including events, benefits, and ways to stay engaged, visit wgu.edu/alumni.

On this episode of the WGU Alumni Podcast, we share how distinguished graduate Hope Kiehl identified a critical gap in life skills education and turned it into a statewide movement. A first-generation graduate and family and consumer sciences educator, Hope transformed that realization into action—modernizing life skills education through hands-on instruction, digital tools, and classroom experiences that make budgeting, nutrition, time management, and healthy decision-making tangible and relevant.

Her work has grown beyond the classroom. Through her initiative, Leading a Lifetime of Life Skills, Hope has built a statewide program across New Jersey that partners with nonprofits and youth organizations to deliver practical workshops tailored to real needs. She has also leveraged her platform as Miss Central Jersey Coastline to expand that impact, advocating for independence, leadership, and service at scale. Her journey is a reminder that it’s never too late to invest in yourself—and to make a meaningful difference in the lives and communities around you.

Connect with Hope here: https://kiehlhope.wixsite.com/leading-a-lifetime-o

After decades in consulting, Rob Berg didn’t slow down—he doubled down. From sacrificing meals to buy books in his early years to earning his master’s at WGU later in life, Rob’s career has been fueled by curiosity, courage, and a belief that growth doesn’t expire at 50.

In this episode, Rob shares why technology never transforms organizations—people do. We explore his human-first approach to AI, what separates failed pilots from lasting adoption, and how intelligent organizations embed tools into real work instead of chasing trends. From authorship to advisory work, Rob reflects on originality, ownership of time, and why the most valuable consultants build something no one else can replicate. If you’re considering your next evolution—or wondering if it’s too late—Rob’s story is a reminder that the call to grow only gets clearer with age.

After earning his BSN in the Philippines, Daniel Velez built a life and career in the United States rooted in service, discipline, and family legacy. Two decades later, already serving in executive leadership, he made a surprising decision: return to school.

In this episode of the WGU Alumni Podcast, Daniel shares how he pursued his MSN while leading senior living operations in Michigan, balancing CMS standards, financial performance, and a culture of empathy for residents and staff alike. We talk about the differences between nursing pathways in the U.S. and abroad, why leadership in post-acute care requires both heart and operational rigor, and the habits that helped him grow from clinician to vice president.

If you’ve ever wondered whether growth has an expiration date, Daniel’s story is a reminder that it doesn’t — and that leadership rooted in service only gets stronger with time.