The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast 96. Hustle with Heart: Inside the Operational Mindset of Vaneli Martinov
In this unfiltered second half of their conversation, Dwayne Kerrigan and Vaneli Martinov dive deeper into the mindset, systems, and soul behind exceptional operations leadership.
Vaneli—EVP of Operations for the world-renowned Wellington International—opens up about what it really means to lead from the front lines: managing 500+ seasonal staff, navigating crisis in real-time, and mentoring a team while raising a family.
From hiring with heart to dealing with "energy vampires," from picking up trash alongside the CEO to gamifying motivation in a 16-week event sprint, this episode is a masterclass in human-centered leadership.
She doesn’t hold back on the pressures, pivots, and personal sacrifices that come with the job—but also shares the mindset shifts, values, and rituals that keep her grounded and inspired.
Timestamps:
00:00 – The true nature of operations: structure in chaos
01:30 – From intern to executive: building your network with humility
04:15 – Work ethic, boundaries & the generational shift in expectations
07:00 – AI, the future of education, and what’s changing fast
10:00 – Adapting to AI: how Vaneli's team is preparing
12:00 – Company counselor: when leadership means emotional availability
15:00 – Empowering your team instead of enabling dependency
17:30 – Spotting energy drainers and culture mismatches
18:30 – What it actually takes to get fired by Vanelli
20:00 – Why most problems are rooted in miscommunication, not incompetence
21:00 – Building better onboarding, systems, and structure
23:00 – Hiring 600+ people in 3 months: inside the chaos
24:30 – Culture, compensation & the shift from scrambling to stability
25:45 – How gamification, incentives & recognition drive retention
28:00 – When your CEO leads by example (and picks up trash)
30:00 – Leadership on the ground vs. from the tower
33:00 – What Saturday nights with 10,000 people look like
35:00 – Vanelli’s operational bumper sticker: Hustle, pivot, repeat
37:00 – Fear vs. courage in leadership
39:00 – How motherhood redefined her priorities and definition of fear
42:30 – Business as a gladiator sport—and a spiritual journey
44:00 – Why leadership reflection is crucial for sustainable growth
45:30 – How to get in touch with Vaneli
Key Takeaways & Resources:
1. Leadership Is Emotional Labor
Vaneli embraces the role of “company counselor,” knowing that guiding people through emotional and professional bottlenecks is part of her value—but she’s also learned to set boundaries to avoid burnout.
2. Hiring 500+ Staff? Culture Is the Glue
They’ve moved from scrambling to stability through better pay, returning managers, incentive programs, and weekly recognition rituals. Culture wins over resumes.
3. Operations = Chaos + Calm
You can plan all you want, but execution is where the real work begins. Flexibility and adaptability are key to thriving in operations.
4. Don’t Confuse Fear with Failure
Vaneli explores the difference between being fearless and being courageous. She still feels fear—but leads with action anyway.
5. Modern Leadership = On-the-Ground Leadership
Their CEO leads by example, works beside the crew, and gets real-time feedback from front-line staff. Leadership isn’t about distance—it’s about presence.
6. AI Is Coming for Admin—Not Empathy
While they’re just starting to adopt AI tools, Vaneli acknowledges its potential for operations—but believes people will always be at the core of execution.
Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan
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Website: http://www.dwaynekerrigan.com
Disclaimer The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.