@Work Podcast

Jennifer De La Jara is the Director of Philanthropy at Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, where she leads fundraising initiatives and forges partnerships with donors, foundations, and corporations to advance Goodwill's mission of economic mobility.

With a career spanning roles like Director of Education at International House and Director of Workforce Development at Charlotte Bilingual Preschool, Jennifer brings a wealth of experience in education, workforce development, and community advocacy. She served as an At-Large Member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education from 2019–2023, was named a Hunt Institute State Policy Fellow in 2023, and received La Noticia's Excelente Award in 2022 as Non-Latin Person Most Supportive of the Latino Community.

Jennifer De La Jara is our guest today on The @Work Podcast.

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Dr. Elizabeth Teagarden on LinkedIn

CTK@Work

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Jennifer De La Jara

Dena Diorio is the Mecklenburg County Manager, serving as the CEO of the largest county in the state. With a wealth of experience in executive oversight and managerial leadership, she directs department heads to ensure that county operations align with policies set by the Board of County Commissioners. In her role as County Manager, she oversees 6,000 employees and manages an annual operating budget of $1.5 billion, along with a capital program exceeding $1 billion. A collaborative leader, she has developed strong partnerships with the Board of County Commissioners, department managers, and community organizations, fostering effective problem-solving related to County programs. Dena actively represents the County in projects with local jurisdictions, state agencies, and community organizations, and is dedicated to addressing citizen concerns through thorough research and engagement. Dena Diorio joins us today on The @Work Podcast.

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Dr. Elizabeth Teagarden on LinkedIn

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Dena Diorio

Karen Calder is the Executive Director of Classroom Central and a dynamic nonprofit leader with expertise in fundraising, marketing, operations, and program development. With experience spanning both nonprofit and for-profit sectors, she combines business acumen with a passion for community impact, ensuring students and educators have the resources they need to succeed.

Karen Calder is our guest today on The @Work Podcast.

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Dr. Elizabeth Teagarden on LinkedIn

CTK@Work

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Karen Calder

Byrd Bergeron is a trailblazer in the luxury travel industry and the visionary CEO of The Travel Byrds: A Novel Travel Agency. Leading an $8MM agency, Byrd has redefined what it means to travel in style by creating an innovative model that allows travel agents to focus on designing unforgettable experiences while a specialized support team manages the logistics, from invoices to spa appointments.

Under Byrd's leadership, The Travel Byrds has set a new standard for excellence with a meticulous triple-check process that ensures every itinerary is flawless. Whether it's a last-minute reservation or a complex multi-destination journey, Byrd and the team consistently exceed expectations, turning dream vacations into seamless realities.

Byrd's passion for crafting bespoke travel experiences has earned her a reputation as an "extreme vacation enthusiast," pushing the boundaries of luxury, efficiency, and adventure.

Byrd Bergeron is our guest today on The @Work Podcast.

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Dr. Elizabeth Teagarden on LinkedIn

CTK@Work

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Byrd Bergeron

Christopher James Lees is an acclaimed conductor known for his dynamic performances and commitment to contemporary music. Since 2018, he has been Resident Conductor of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and Principal Conductor of the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra. Lees has also conducted major orchestras like the Los Angeles, New York, and Rochester Philharmonics and collaborated with Pulitzer Prize-winning composers such as John Adams and Jennifer Higdon. A passionate advocate for music education, he has worked with student orchestras nationwide. Lees holds degrees from the University of Michigan and has trained for the Boston Marathon.

Christopher James Lees is our guest today on The @Work Podcast.

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Dr. Elizabeth Teagarden on LinkedIn

CTK@Work

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Christopher James Lees

Barbara Bleiweis has been a Supervisor for the Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District since 2017, where she advocates for sustainable land and water practices. She has led efforts to increase community awareness of soil health, water quality, and their impact on local food systems. Bleiweis played a key role in securing the Farmland Preservation Plan for Mecklenburg County and is active on several boards, including the North Carolina Association for Soil and Water Conservation Districts. She is also a member of the National Association of Conservation Districts' Water and Climate Committee.

Barbara Bleiweis is our guest today on The @Work Podcast.

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Barbara Bleiweis

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Dr. Elizabeth Teagarden on LinkedIn

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Tameka Gunn is the President and CEO of Community Link, a nonprofit organization committed to helping individuals and families achieve financial stability and housing security. With 19 years of experience in social work, Tameka has spent much of her career in management roles, including overseeing the agency's Homelessness to Housing and Asset Building programs. Her leadership ensures these programs are impactful, fostering long-term change in the community. Joining Tameka with us in the studio is Tierra Brant, an experienced commercial loans consultant — who also leveraged the services of Community Link on her own family's journey to homeownership. Tameka Gunn and Tierra Brant are our guests on this episode of The @ Work Podcast. -- Tameka Gunn Tierra Brant

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Dr. Elizabeth Teagarden on LinkedIn

CTK@Work

This is @Work with Dr. Elizabeth Teagarden. For over a decade, Dr. Teagarden has worked with small to medium enterprises to create more drama free workplaces. Here on the @Work podcast, she speaks with presidents, owners and executives of companies about their unique workforce ecosystems and how they create great places to work.

On this episode, Billy Lipari and Pete Futia from Sur-Seal talk about how they create a respectful workplace.

Billy Lipari is the marketing director and Pete Futia is the chief operating officer at Sur-Seal. Sur-Seal is a top tier manufacturer of engineer components. They help their customers solve complex sealing, insulation, thermal and protection challenges. Sur-Seal offers a range of custom die-cut, molded, formed and extruded parts. On their website they state that they foster a positive company culture that values the contributions of their employees, and we believe they keep their word. Billy Lipari and Pete Futia are our guest today on the @Work Podcast.

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Pete Futia on LinkedIn

Billy Lipari on LinkedIn

Sur-Seal

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Dr. Elizabeth Teagarden on LinkedIn

CTK@Work

Daniel Fogarty

Daniel Fogarty is the Executive Director of First Tee of Greater Charlotte. First Tee is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Professional Golfers Association of America. The program helps kids get access to golf clubs, courses and scholarships. Along with learning the fundamentals of golf, participants also build important character traits that carry into life including accessing their inner strength, building self-confidence, and learning resilience.

Daniel is joined in the studio today by Isabella Mebane who is a participant at First Tee.

Daniel Fogarty and Isabella Mebane are our guests on this episode of The @ Work Podcast.

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Daniel Fogarty

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Dr. Elizabeth Teagarden on LinkedIn

CTK@Work

This is @Work with Dr. Elizabeth Teagarden. For over a decade, Dr. Teagarden has worked with small to medium enterprises to create more drama free workplaces. Here on the @Work podcast, she speaks with presidents, owners and executives of companies about their unique workforce ecosystems and how they create great places to work.

As a single mother of modest means in the 1970s, with no retail or business experience. Syble Latta faced many challenges when she decided to open a bridal salon. The economic times were bad, and banks felt that women were a loan risk and treated them differently from men in business. However, Syble had passion, determination and a commitment to meeting the needs of her customers.

For over 50 years, Poffie Girls has served women in all of their special events from high school prom to wedding day to Mother of the Bride. And Syble is passing along the business to her daughter, Pam Nixon, the original Poffie Girl. Pam has worked in every aspect of the business with guidance from her mom as she now looks forward to taking Poffie Girls into the future.

One of the top bridal salons in the Southeast, Poffie Girls has an undisputed reputation for honesty, high quality products, competitive pricing, and, of course, real customer service. Syble Latta and Pam Nixon are our guest today on the @Work Podcast.

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Poffie Girls Website

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Dr. Elizabeth Teagarden on LinkedIn

CTK@Work