Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business 1050: LISTENING in leadership and building a culture where people succeed w/ Elliot Epstein
Discover the transformative journey of Elliot Epstein, founder of Luminary People Advisors, as he takes us from the bustling streets of Chicago to the heart of mission-driven company culture. Elliot's story is one of passion ignited by early experiences with socioeconomic disparities, steering him towards a life of service. We'll explore how his diverse background, from contemplating careers in acting and therapy to championing public policy through the Coro Fellows Program, sculpted his unique approach to HR and talent development. His impactful tenure with Teach for America teaches us the true power of education and community engagement in shaping visionary leaders.
Elliot shares the evolution of people advising in the corporate world—moving beyond traditional HR roles into strategic partnerships that drive real business impact. He emphasizes the art of listening to individuals, understanding their motivations, and creating a culture that genuinely reflects a company's values. We'll tackle the challenge of cutting through the corporate jargon to unveil an organization's true ethos, ensuring that companies not only talk the talk but walk the walk. This episode unveils how effective listening can inspire meaningful change, both in professional settings and broader societal contexts.
Finally, journey with us through the crossroads where education and entrepreneurship meet, guided by Elliot’s insights on strategic planning and inclusive culture creation. By applying principles of backwards planning, he demonstrates how clear goal-setting can transform both schools and businesses into thriving communities. Elliot delves into his own entrepreneurial experiences, sharing wisdom on maintaining innovation amidst growth and the importance of valuing one's contributions. Through his narrative, we learn the necessity of agility in business, meeting clients where they are, and the perpetual cycle of learning and adapting.
ABOUT ELLIOT
Elliot Epstein brings dynamic HR, talent, and strategy expertise from years in high-performing startups and nonprofits. As a trained improviser, his approach combines strategic thinking with creative problem-solving to help clients identify and execute high-impact initiatives. Most recently, as Vice President of Startup Enablement at Redesign Health, Elliot led talent strategy for operating company founding teams and served as an executive coach to CEOs and board members. Previously, he built people teams at venture-backed healthcare startups, including Galileo Health. Elliot began his career with Teach For America, first as a corps member in NYC, then driving record-breaking recruitment campaigns nationally. He later led talent at Success Academy Charter Schools during a period of dramatic growth, and held recruiting roles at Two Sigma Investments. A Brown University Psychology graduate, Elliot lives on Manhattan's Upper West Side with his husband and two young daughters. He enjoys reading, fitness, and NYT crossword puzzles.
LINKS & RESOURCES