Heli is a Start-Up Investor & CX Designer. As the first and only woman of color in the tech start-up space, Heli offers fantastic perspective on how innocent decisions can lead to unintentional exclusion and disrupt productivity. She shares her lived experiences with culture fails, leadership wins and suggestions on how to create an inclusive culture that gives people space to make mistakes, reconcile and strengthen team cohesion. Heli Rodriguez Prilliman is an entrepreneur, investor, writer, and experience designer with over a decade of experience in the Silicon Valley startup scene. She was part of the founding team at Fivestars – recognized by Y Combinator as one of their Top 100 YC Startups, Fivestars was acquired by SumUp in late 2021. She's the founder of Lacquerbar U, a venture-backed online education platform for nail technicians to get the entrepreneurial skills they wont get in today's antiquated beauty school systems. Out of more than1900 applicants, Lacquerbar U was one of the first 24 startups selected to participate in the inaugural Backstage Capital Accelerator led by Arlan Hamilton. Heli also serves as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Fourthwave, a startup accelerator for women-led tech companies,  Raised in Stephenville, Texas, she is a graduate of the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University. Heli is the proud daughter of a Mexican immigrant business owner and a college educator, and she is also the granddaughter of Pauline Gasca Valenciano, a Fort Worth civil rights activist. Following in her Abuela’s footsteps, Heli is currently running for US senate in Texas in 2024.

Elliot Barnett shared some fantastic insights about the root of all conflict. Part of the conversation was around our subjective realities. I wanted to take this a step further and unpack bias as it relates to the utility of micro-aggressions. I refer to paradigm blindness in this episode. I have since re-framed that ableist language as Fixed Paradigm Perspective. Although I didn't make that distinction in this episode, moving forward I will be referring to FPP or Fixed Paradigm Perspective in all of my content. A small, two-person airplane with engine trouble lands safely on an adjacent highway. As it's making its way to the shoulder, a motorist slams into the plane. When the police arrive and question the driver, they are deeply confused and honestly report, "I didn't see the plane". How can that possibly be?  I'll explain all this and more on this episode of the C-Change show.You can take the implicit bias assessment I mention in the episode, RIGHT HERE.If you would like to bring a bias training to your organization, you can reach me here: cultureworks@maurabarclay.comThanks for listening! Don't forget to subscribe and share the love.

Many men know change is needed to stay competitive, but struggle to take steps to create that change. What is in the way?Join me as I speak with Elliot Barnett, a pioneer in mental fitness hacking, as he helps us understand why habits and bias are so hard to change and what is needed to make it happen. For more info about reclaiming your mental wellness, mental fitness training and living an optimal life, check out Elliot's fascinating and effective work: https://mycoreinsights.com 

Original episode: S1 E9 July 14, 2022.Leejon Killingsworth works for a female founder in the dive bar franchise business. Through his incredible savvy he helped them pass 1 BILLION in sales. His practical insights about how to empower women were forged both in the club promotion and food/bev biz, which he parlayed into the film/television biz. It got me thinking about how much has changed and how many middle-aged 'rich white guys' may be feeling like the rug has been pulled out from underneath them. Could a lack of psychological safety for the socially dominant privileged group be part of the problem? Listen and let me know your thoughts. Think you or a friend would be a good guest for the show? Please reach out to my team: cultureworks@maurabarclay.com

Coyote Ugly has the distinction of being the first and only in a couple of categories: Female founder of dominantly female run dive bars that just broke the BILLION dollar mark in sales with bars/restaurants, merchandising, licensing, franchising, Hollywood films, dvds, soundtracks, MTV reality shows and even their own bourbon brand.  Leejon Killingsworth is the marketing genius behind Lilianna Lovell, the juggernaut entrepreneur who started it all.In this episode, we discuss his unlikely beginnings and how he leverages his position to be a champion and ally for underrepresented people - women in particular. He has some powerful insight to share with other strong, smart men.

Mike agreed to be interviewed and days later, Roe v Wade was overturned. Suddenly, our topic shifted. Mike and his team have created an incredibly inclusive and psychologically safe space at Predictive Index. We dig into those details as well as how he as the leader of this organization is addressing the legal implications of health benefits for his female employees who work across the US. Don't miss this one.More about Mike Zani:Mike Zani is CEO of The Predictive Index (PI), the talent optimization leader. Prior to The Predictive Index, Mike was CEO of ShapeUp, a social SaaS wellness platform that was sold to Virgin Pulse in 2014. Previously, Mike served as president of LEDCO, a manufacturer of rugged computer peripherals, where he led its acquisition and eventual sale to Havis, an industry leader in police radio consoles. It was at LEDCO where Mike, a customer of The Predictive Index, developed his passion for the company’s vital management tools. Mike is a co-founder and partner of Phoenix Strategy Investments, a private investment fund that acquired LEDCO in 2004, ShapeUp in 2009 and The Predictive Index in 2014. He also worked as a strategic consultant at the marketing firm Digitas.  An avid sailor, Mike began his career in marketing and sales with Vanguard Sailboats and He was a coach for the 1996 U.S. Olympic Sailing Team. He is the best-selling author of the book The science of dream teams He holds a B.S. from Brown University and an MBA from Harvard.

             "C-CHANGE SHOW - Changing  Business Culture for GOOD."Steve Raack has worked everywhere from NASA to numerous consulting jobs where he had the opportunity to observe what was working for culture and what wasn't. As in interim CEO, he is often called upon to turn things around at a company. He is in a position to influence culture for the future good of the company, but how do you do that without alienating everyone you are trying to support? Steve spills the tea about his long, storied history climbing the corporate ladder in all-white leadership teams and the hard choices he was forced to make: stay, get the title and make the money or leave with your integrity. Don't miss this episode!More about Steve Raack:Currently an Interim CEO / COO, Board Member and Strategic Advisor for multiple companies. His focus is on scaling conscious eCommerce brands using omni-channel strategies in the Industries of Skincare, Beauty, Nutritional Supplements, PickleballPassionate about evolving direct to consumer strategies - increasing acquisition, increasing retention, increasing lifetime value and building strong, sustainable brand cultures. An advocate for mandatory flip-flop Fridays!  Breadth and depth of experience across multiple industries: - As a CEO and COO, I have helped raise over $40 Million (debt and equity) - As a founding CEO / COO, have scaled start-ups from ideas to $100+MM brands - As an interim CEO, have turned around a flailing brand and sold it to a strategic partner-  Husband, father of 3 girls (family first) and Proud Eagle Scout. 

In E5, I interviewed James (Jamie) Ninni of CIBC Bank, US.  When Jamie started his career in banking 15 years ago, it was all "middle aged, bald and grey haired white guys". (he says since he's bald too he gets to say that) Now, he reports to a woman and loves the collaboration.  As a military veteran, he is also a card carrying member of Bro culture.  He brought that 'asses and elbows' approach to business. Although he was able to achieve his objectives and make a name for himself, he left a trail of bodies from "friendly fire". It was a clever manager that presented Jamie with a choice that changed the trajectory of his career and his life.  Join us to learn more about this pivotal moment and how powerful manager relationships can be.James Ninni is the Managing Director, Head of Risk, Governance, and Fraud Management for CIBC Bank in the US. He has over 15 years in the financial industry and his credentials include anti-money laundering as well as being a certified treasury professional. He's a military veteran having served 4 years in the Navy as a Search & Rescue Swimmer responsible for waterborne rescue, recovery, and humanitarian missions. 

When Jamie started his career in banking 15 years ago, it was all "middle aged, bald and grey haired white guys". (he says since he's bald too he gets to say that) Now, he reports to a woman and loves the collaboration. He has called out bullies in the boardroom and mentored women and POC's making sure their voices are heard as they step into leadership. As a military veteran, he is also a card carrying member of Bro culture. How does he stand comfortably in two places at once?  Join us for his journey from Navy search and rescue bad-ass to boardroom bad-ass.James Ninni is the Managing Director, Head of Risk, Governance, and Fraud Management for CIBC Bank in the US. He has over 15 years in the financial industry and his credentials include anti-money laundering as well as being a certified treasury professional. He's a military veteran having served 4 years in the Navy as a Search & Rescue Swimmer responsible for waterborne rescue, recovery, and humanitarian missions. 

Join me as we unpack some of the powerful concepts and perspectives introduced by Daniel Epstein in our initial interview. In this highlight, helping CEO's and other senior level leaders create successful diverse decision making groups. It's not easy, it's messy but the results are priceless. If you need to bring more understanding, more empathy and get more results to your team, department or organization, let's talk: cultureworks@maurabarclay.comSee you next time!