BEYOND BARRIERS

Leadership doesn’t come with instructions, it’s created piece by piece. In this episode, Chastity Lord, President & CEO of the Jeremiah Program, reveals how she has built a career by embracing uncertainty, dismantling inequities, and leading with courage. From her early years as a first-generation college graduate raised by a single mom, to leadership roles at The Posse Foundation, Achievement First, and Color of Change, Chastity has shaped opportunity at every level. Today, she leads Jeremiah Program, one of the most impactful organizations for single mothers and their children, growing it by more than 300% in just five years. Tune in to learn how to lead when no roadmap exists, why storytelling is a powerful lever for systems change, and what it takes to design leadership that thrives in a world without blueprints. Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest. The key moments in this episode are: [00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [01:17] Chastity Lord's Leadership Journey [04:02] Early Life and Education [07:14] Career Beginnings and Mentorship [12:31] Joining the Jeremiah Program [14:38] Navigating Uncertainty and Leadership [25:10] Finding Comfort in Discomfort [26:07] Parenting and Leadership [26:46] Feedback and Public Leadership [28:34] Navigating Messy Leadership Moments [39:10] The Power of Community [40:00] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

The strongest leaders aren’t defined by their titles—they’re defined by their ability to adapt, listen, and lead with humanity.  In this episode, Michele Smith, CEO of the Museum of Pop Culture, reveals how she built a career on resilience, authenticity, and courage. From her start in contract negotiation to international business development, to helping the Woodland Park Zoo weather the storm of COVID-19, Michele’s story shows that leadership is less about having the answers and more about practicing presence, empathy, and trust. At MoPOP, she continues to expand cultural conversations by highlighting marginalized stories and creating spaces of belonging. Tune in to learn how to lead with authenticity, why resilience is a muscle you build over time, and what it takes to create cultures where people feel valued and included. Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest. The key moments in this episode are: [00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] The Importance of Authentic Leadership [01:25] Meet Michelle Smith: A Journey of Leadership [03:11] The Value of Understanding Contracts [08:28] Leading the Museum of Pop Culture [11:55] Navigating Leadership Challenges [23:26] Building Confidence and Resilience [27:35] The Role of AI in Nonprofits [28:52] Crawl, Walk, Run: A Strategy for Policy Implementation [30:46] AI's Role in Shaping Pop Culture [42:26] Effective Meeting and Mentorship Practices [44:47] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts  

Building confidence, navigating career detours, and leading with care takes more than ambition—it takes resilience, clarity, and heart. In this episode, Claire O’Keefe, Partner and Head of Partner Development at Cerity Partners, shares how resilience, intuition, and care have shaped her unconventional journey from the classroom in Ireland to leadership in one of the fastest-growing independent wealth management firms in the country. You’ll hear how Claire built confidence through practice, turned unexpected pivots into stepping stones, and discovered that leadership is ultimately about the people you grow and the legacy you leave behind. Tune in to learn how to navigate detours with clarity, cultivate resilience through challenges, and lead with heart in every stage of your career. Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest. The key moments in this episode are: [00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] The Importance of Critical Feedback [01:12] Claire O'Keefe's Journey [05:16] Building Confidence and Resilience [12:34] Personal Branding and Leadership [15:41] Overcoming Fear and Embracing Growth [22:07] Welcoming New Colleagues with a Theme Song [23:09] Daily Rituals for a Balanced Life [25:53] Building Meaningful Relationships [29:42] Navigating the Hybrid Work World [31:45] Legacy and Leadership [34:56] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts  

Balancing leadership, motherhood, and startup life takes more than time management—it takes clarity of purpose and the courage to lead differently. In this episode, Amanda DeLuca, Founder & CEO of Riley, shares how clarity, empathy, and lived experience have shaped her journey from leadership roles at Google, Eventbrite, NerdWallet, and Etsy to launching a parenting platform that meets families where they are. You’ll hear how Amanda transformed the challenges of early motherhood into a mission-driven business, built a culture of trust in high-growth environments, and learned to protect her priorities without losing momentum. Tune in to discover how to turn personal insight into innovation, lead with empathy and accountability, and navigate life’s most demanding seasons with purpose. Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest. The key moments in this episode are: [00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] Empowering Failure and Innovation [01:17] Meet Amanda DeLuca: Career Journey [05:00] The Birth of Riley: Solving Parenting Challenges [13:23] Decision Making: Hats, Haircuts, and Face Tattoos [18:11] Leadership and Personal Growth [22:41] Balancing Public and Private Life [27:21] Balancing Work and Family Life [24:42] Leadership Lessons from Mentors [30:54] Handling Criticism and Emotional Reactions [33:14] Daily Rituals and Family Time [34:09] Empowerment Through Parenthood [37:53] Advice to My Younger Self [44:18] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

Leadership growth doesn’t happen by accident—it happens when you shift from doing the work to empowering others, building trust, and leading with heart. In this episode, Emily Portney shares lessons from her 30-year career in financial services—from starting as a rotational analyst at J.P. Morgan to becoming CFO of Barclays International, CFO of BNY Mellon, and now Global Head of Asset Servicing at BNY. Emily opens up about how she learned to delegate, lead through uncertainty, and create safe spaces for bold conversations. She shares why curiosity is her leadership superpower, how building trusted teams fuels growth, and why giving yourself grace is just as important as driving results. Tune in to discover how to lead with influence, build resilience in the face of change, and become the kind of leader people trust and follow. Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest. The key moments in this episode are: [00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] Building Effective Teams [01:17] Introducing Emily Portney [02:14] Emily's Career Journey [03:40] Leadership Lessons and Styles [09:39] Navigating Change and Adaptability [15:20] Personal Branding and Authenticity [18:18] Building Confidence and Resilience [24:32] Navigating Unaskable Questions [26:02] Making Difficult Decisions [27:37] Managing a Dynamic Schedule [32:55] Building Strong Relationships [35:36] Mentorship and Sponsorship [39:03] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

What if the parts of yourself you’ve been told to hide are actually your greatest leadership advantages? In this episode, Becca Chambers—Chief Marketing Officer at Scale Venture Partners—shares how embracing neurodiversity and authenticity has shaped her journey from tech leader to one of LinkedIn’s most influential voices. With ADHD as her superpower, Becca has built award-winning brands, advised fast-growing startups, and reached millions by showing up fully as herself. You’ll discover why working with your brain, not against it, is essential for growth, how authenticity builds trust, and why telling your story is your best strategy for advancing your career on your terms.  Tune in to explore how unmasking who you are can help you build a bold, meaningful career while leading with courage and impact. Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest. The key moments in this episode are: [00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] Understanding Neurodiversity [01:07] Meet Becca Chambers [02:22] The Oxford Comma Debate [04:30] Becca's Career Journey [08:41] Embracing Authenticity [10:54] Building a Personal Brand [19:40] Leadership and Resilience [22:51] Building Confidence and Resilience [24:06] Balancing Perfectionism and Decision Making [25:53] Advocating for Neurodiversity [37:38] The Importance of Networking [41:44] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

Career growth doesn’t happen by accident—it happens when you take the stretch role, nurture your network, and build resilience along the way. In this episode, Ann Bordelon shares how she went from advising Fortune 100 companies to leading finance at Sam’s Club and Walmart Asia, and now guides the University of Arkansas as Executive Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration. Ann opens up about saying yes to opportunities that scared her, how building genuine relationships became her secret weapon, and why self-care is non-negotiable for leaders at every level. Tune in to discover how to transform fear into fuel, build a network that supports your ambitions, and take ownership of your career, one bold step at a time Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest. The key moments in this episode are: [00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] Embracing Failure and Leadership [00:56] Meet Ann Bordelon: Career Highlights [02:42] Ann's Journey at Walmart [05:47] The Importance of Mentorship and Sponsorship [11:01] Navigating Career Twists and Turns [18:00] Building Confidence and Resilience [20:56] Decision Making and Input [21:28] Daily Habits and Self-Care [22:43] The Joy of Cycling [25:59] Facing Fear and Uncertainty [30:21] The Importance of Mentorship and Sponsorship [32:57] Evolving Work Environments [37:55] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

What if the key to lasting success isn’t going faster—but knowing when to slow down? In this episode, Melanie Steinbach—Chief People Officer at MasterClass—shares how courage, clarity, and career pacing have shaped her journey across executive roles at McDonald’s, Cameo, and now one of the world’s leading learning platforms. You’ll hear how Melanie’s career has been marked by bold leaps, personal reinvention, and a commitment to learning over knowing. She opens up about navigating imposter syndrome, recovering from a painful setback, and what it really takes to lead with integrity through change. Tune in to discover how to build confidence through curiosity, lead with self-awareness, and embrace the power of purpose at every stage of your career. Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest. The key moments in this episode are: [00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] Overcoming Imposter Syndrome [01:15] Meet Melanie Steinbach [03:27] Melanie's Career Journey [05:21] Career Lessons and Family [06:53] Navigating Career Challenges [17:28] The Importance of Learning [23:57] Daily Habits for Success [27:03] Management Hygiene and One-on-One Meetings [27:50] Research on Manager-Employee Relationships [30:49] Overcoming Failures and Setbacks [35:20] Creating Safe Work Environments [43:07] The Importance of Continuous Learning [46:09] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

Success isn’t always about going bigger—it’s about getting clearer. In this episode, internationally recognized yoga instructor, author, and creative visionary Alanna Zabel shares her remarkable journey from leading retreats and teaching yoga to building a global lifestyle brand—only to walk away from it all when it no longer aligned with her values. You'll hear how Alanna transformed unexpected opportunities into impact-driven ventures, how she navigated public success with private purpose, and why she chose alignment over applause at every turning point. Whether you’re building something new or rethinking your next step, this episode will remind you: staying true to who you are is the boldest move you can make. Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest. The key moments in this episode are: [00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:26] Personal Core Connection [01:07] Alanna Zabel's Journey [05:13] Current Projects and Future Goals [08:01] Navigating Challenges and Staying Grounded [11:42] Building Authentic Value [23:09] Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs [27:39] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

What would it take to build a global movement that empowers millions of girls to change the world through technology?  In this episode, you’ll meet Tara Chklovski, the powerhouse behind Technovation—the world’s largest tech entrepreneurship program for girls. Born in India and raised by women who shattered expectations, Tara shares how self-reliance, vision, and the courage to walk away from a PhD in aerospace engineering led her to launch a nonprofit that’s transforming lives in over 120 countries. With a bold new goal of equipping 25 million girls with AI and tech skills by 2030, she’s creating a future where innovation is driven by inclusion—not exclusion. You’ll hear what it means to stay relevant in a world that’s changing faster than ever, why confidence is something you build, not something you’re given, and how creating—even in small ways—can transform your sense of purpose. Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest. The key moments in this episode are: [00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:26] The Importance of Staying Relevant as a Leader [01:01] Meet Tara Chklovski: Building a Global Movement [02:29] Tara's Personal Journey and Family Influence [03:40] Starting Fresh: From Aerospace to Nonprofit [05:14] The Birth of Technovation [09:43] Impact and Ripple Effects of Technovation [12:25] Leadership and Personal Branding [14:03] Facing the Future: Innovation and AI [20:15] Building Confidence Through Creation [21:28] Intentional Living and Decompression [21:59] Physical Strength and Social Support [25:38] Setting and Achieving Ambitious Goals [27:42] Sustaining Energy and Fighting for Equality [30:52] The Importance of Community and Self-Reliance [34:18] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts