Move Fast. Break Shit. Burn Out.

In our latest episode, we chat with Renee Henze, the Chief Sustainability Officer at IFF (International Flavors and Fragrances). Renee highlights the powerful intersection of work and personal passion. She describes her journey into sustainability as an unexpected opportunity to combine her professional expertise with her deep commitment to the environment. For example, she recounted her role at DuPont, where she was involved in creating sustainable practices for salmon farming. This role allowed her to pursue her passion for environmental sustainability while driving innovation in the industry​. Renee also discusses two of her biggest challenges as a Catalyst executive: pushing through organizational resistance and keeping up with market shifts. She emphasizes the importance of relying on data and customer-driven needs to advocate for change effectively. By understanding market dynamics and being adaptable, she has led her teams through significant transformations​​. Renee underscores the importance of empathy in leadership. She explains that focusing on the needs at every level of the business and bringing empathy into leadership makes one more effective. By understanding and addressing the human aspects of change, she has built trust and aligned team efforts toward common goals. Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In our latest episode, we chat with Jackye Clayton, VP of Talent Acquisition and DEIB at Textio, and Katee Van Horn, Chief People Officer at Web Pros – who are the acclaimed hosts of the Inclusive AF podcast. Jackye and Katee discuss their journeys as Catalysts for change in DEIB, highlighting the importance of transparency, resilience, and meeting people where they are to overcome resistance and drive meaningful transformation in organizations. They emphasized creating inclusive environments and leveraging discomfort to achieve impactful results. Katee Van Horn, Chief People Officer at WebPros, shared her experiences of stepping into challenging roles and pushing organizational boundaries to improve employee experiences. She emphasized the significance of operating in the gray areas and bringing the team along as Catalysts, encouraging them to make mistakes, learn, and grow. Jackye Clayton, VP of Talent Acquisition and DEIB at Textio, recounted her unconventional path to leadership. Despite not having a college degree, she leveraged relationships and took on roles she wasn’t initially qualified for, demonstrating resilience and adaptability. Her journey underscored the importance of leaning into discomfort, breaking norms, and continuously iterating to achieve impactful results. Both guests discussed the critical role of transparency and clear communication in navigating resistance. They stressed the need for organizations to create inclusive environments where everyone feels they belong. The conversation also touched on the backlash against DEIB initiatives, with Jackye and Katee advocating for meeting people where they are and bringing them along on the journey towards equity and inclusion. Their insights remind us that pushing past resistance often involves a combination of self-advocacy, allyship, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. By doing so, leaders can foster a diverse workforce that collaborates effectively and drives more powerful, innovative outcomes for the organization. Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In our latest episode, we sit down with Marti Grimminck, a global business executive, social entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and futurist designer. As the founder and CEO of International Connector, Marti shares her journey, highlighting her Catalyst nature and her passion for driving change through innovative solutions and projects. Marti discusses her transition from entertainment production to founding International Connector, emphasizing the importance of seeing the interconnectedness in diverse projects and pulling others in to create impactful solutions. She describes how her company, known for its insights into younger generations and workforce development, emerged from recognizing the need to engage millennials and Gen Zs effectively. Throughout the conversation, Marti shares her thoughts on being a Catalyst, defining it as someone who not only envisions but also takes actionable steps to create programs, solutions, or companies. She reflects on the challenges she faced as a Catalyst executive, particularly the need to bring people along on the journey and building confidence to convince others of the vision. A key takeaway from the episode is Marti's approach of "Rethink, Reimagine, Redesign," which underscores her ability to adapt and evolve based on emerging opportunities and market needs. She also emphasizes the importance of listening to clients, understanding their specific challenges, and tailoring solutions accordingly. This episode offers valuable insights into Marti Grimminck's career and her strategies for leading transformation in large organizations, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in driving bold, powerful change. Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In our latest episode, we sit down with Melora Zaner, the Chief Design Officer at TIAA, who integrates her punk rock roots with a strategic design vision to lead transformative change. Starting her journey as a songwriter and lead singer in a punk band, Melora learned the power of creating meaningful connections through art, storytelling, and design. This foundation has shaped her professional ethos of being “firm in intention but flexible in form”, guiding her through diverse roles in her career. In her current position, Melora emphasizes the importance of inclusive leadership, aiming to bring others along in her journey. She reflects on her experiences, from the early days of designing at Microsoft to living and working in China, highlighting her role in pioneering meaningful. Melora believes in fostering a design-led culture that inspires and empowers clients and customers, focusing on creating environments where people can build history and memories together. Through her work, Melora continues to champion the idea that technology evolves, but the meaningful experiences it enables can have a lasting impact. Tune in and connect with your inner punk rocker. Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In our latest episode, we sit down with Jason Fraser, a seasoned Product and Design Leader with a mission to save the world. Jason believes one of his Catalyst superpowers is helping people shift their view a little bit, gain insight and then make forward progress. He shares the application of his superpowers with early-stage founders, as well as his work with government clients, especially his role in helping the Air Force establish its first software innovation lab for the Department of Defense and hosting workshops at the White House. His years of experience were documented in the book he co-authored, Farther Faster and Far Less Drama, sharing experiences and approaches to driving innovation. The book offers practical advice to effectively drive change. In particular, we talk about the concept of UBAD - Understanding, Belief, Advocacy, Decision Making – as a way to ensure others are on the journey with you: “When you want to drive change you need to make sure that people both understand what is happening and believe in it. And if people don't understand or believe, they will remain either frightened or insulted.” Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In our latest episode, we chat with Franck Cormier, the Lead Partner and President of Smarttasking Inc. He shares insights from his extensive career, having held roles at AT&T, Orange Business Services, Ciena, and Vodafone, focusing on driving innovation and transformation. Franck shares a leadership philosophy grounded in three key principles that were born from a client complaint that led to a strategic pricing review. First, there is the need to "think the future from the future," which involves envisioning long-term goals and planning. Next is the necessity of "bringing the team together on a common agenda," fostering collaboration and unity within the organization. Lastly, he highlights the value of "creating impact from the start," ensuring that initial efforts yield tangible results to build momentum and credibility. In addition to these principles, Franck is deeply committed to fostering innovation and creating an environment where teams can thrive. He champions the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership, believing that understanding and addressing the human aspects of change are vital for success. Franck’s approach is not just about implementing strategies but also about nurturing a culture of continuous improvement and resilience, explaining that organizations need to accept that some initiatives will not scale. He notes that in a world where the pace of change is accelerating and there is a lot of volatility and uncertainty, it is crucial for companies to adapt and support those who can play an active role in the organization and making sure that they are supported to ensure that their visions are realized. Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In our latest episode, we chat with Ian Wright, Founder and CEO of the Disruptive Innovators Network. Known for his innovative leadership, Ian shares his journey from the public sector to building a community of innovators. During the conversation, Ian discusses lessons from his early career, emphasizing that change often fails when people don’t stop to understand the problem they’re trying to fix. This realization led him to adopt a more thoughtful approach, focusing on understanding the problem clearly before attempting to solve it. Then he explains how to implement massive shifts without risk, introducing the concept of having two teams: one to manage the future and one to manage the past. This dual-team strategy helps manage both current operations and the transition to the future, ensuring a smooth progression. He underscores that failures in driving change are usually cultural, not technical. Therefore, bringing people on board and becoming a storyteller are essential skills for effective leadership, emphasizing the need for clear communication. Ian also shares his experiences as a Catalyst executive, often having ideas that no one else could see. He stresses the importance of timing, knowing when to push on and when to let go—a decision-making process he refers to as “Play or Pass". Finally, Ian shares that a successful Catalyst executive needs a strong peer network, exceptional resources, and a bit of inspiration. These elements are vital for navigating the complexities of leadership and driving impactful change. Tune in to this episode to gain insights from Ian's experiences and learn how to lead transformative change in your organization. Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

We loved our engaging chat with Lenin Oyuga, Head of Telco Digital Partnerships MEA at Mastercard. With his extensive background in technology strategy and business leadership, Lenin is renowned for making cutting-edge technology applicable and influential across continents, including Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In this episode, Lenin shares his approach to being a Catalyst for change within large organizations. He discusses the crucial roles of innovative thinking and strategic execution in driving transformation and fostering growth. His insights into leveraging cross-functional collaborations to create sustainable competitive advantages are particularly enlightening. Lenin also reflects on his personal journey, highlighting his work with the We Are Family Foundation and Young African Leadership Initiative. Beyond his professional achievements, he shares a personal note, revealing that being a father has been his most fulfilling role, grounding and driving his ambition to effect change. Tune in to this compelling conversation that's both energizing and inspiring. Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

We jump into a chat with an outstanding guest from the world of commerce, Sharon Gee, the Senior Vice President of Sales and Partnerships at Feedonomics. Known for her energetic leadership and innovative approach to business, Sharon brings a ton of experience from global companies like BigCommerce, BORN Group, Tribal DDB, and more. During the episode, Sharon shares her philosophy on driving transformation within large organizations and the crucial role of catalysts in sparking growth and innovation. She dives into the challenges and strategies of leading change, highlighting the importance of aligning diverse teams toward shared goals. Sharon’s insights into building effective partnerships and leveraging her extensive network to boost business growth are super engaging. Sharon also opens up about her unique journey from touring as a spinto soprano to becoming a top corporate executive, showing how she blends her artistic flair with her business savvy. Don’t miss out on this engaging conversation that’s both inspiring and eye-opening. Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In our latest episode, we chat with Christina Rapsomanikis, the Global Vice President of Digital & e-Commerce at Mars. Known for her dynamic leadership and transformative vision, Christina takes us through her journey from fast-paced innovation to embracing a more intentional and tranquil approach. Christina opens up about a turning point when her health forced her to slow down. Initially resistant, she discovered that this shift allowed her to work more mindfully, enhancing both her impact and well-being. By slowing her pace, Christina made more thoughtful, strategic decisions that led to sustainable, long-lasting change within her organization. Beyond that, Christina shares her insights on the power of mentorship and building a supportive network of fellow Catalysts. She emphasizes how surrounding herself with like-minded individuals has been crucial for her growth. Creating a supportive group of trusted advisors has helped Christina maintain balance while continuing her transformative journey. Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.