Leadership NOW with Dan Pontefract

Dana Griffin is the Co-Founder and CEO of Eldera, an innovative platform dedicated to bridging the gap between generations. Dana joins Leadership NOW where Dan delves into her journey, the inspiration behind Eldera, and her vision for a future where the wisdom of elders is recognized as a valuable resource for societal growth and intergenerational solidarity. Dana, originally from the picturesque Transylvania region of Romania, has carved a unique path in the world of tech and social impact. With a rich background as a data and advertising executive, she shifted her focus towards the age-tech industry, driven by a deep-seated belief in the untapped wisdom of older adults. Eldera is a testament to this belief, creating a global intergenerational mentoring program that connects elders with the younger generation, facilitating not just the sharing of knowledge, but also fostering enduring relationships. Dana's work is grounded in her own experiences, having been raised by her grandparents and continually inspired by elder mentors throughout her life. An Encore Gen2Gen Innovator Fellow, Dana is not just a business leader but a thought leader, advocating for the principled use of AI for innovation and social good. She has been recognized as a '40 under 40' change-maker by AdAge and holds multiple trademarks and patents focused on aging and wisdom. Dana's interests extend beyond her professional pursuits, exploring the realms of human consciousness and well-being. Visit www.eldera.ai for more information about Dana and Eldera. Visit www.danpontefract.com for more details about Dan Pontefract and his award-winning books.

Amy Blankson is a happiness expert, the Co-Founder and Chief Evangelist of the Digital Wellness Institute, and the author of several bestselling books, including "The Future of Happiness." Amy joins Dan Pontefract on Leadership NOW for a deep-dive discussion on a host of issues and topics related to digital wellness. Amy is on a mission to help us create a more positive world that prioritizes Digital Flourishing—that sweet spot where productivity, health, and happiness meet. By harnessing a simple, research-backed framework, Amy and her team help reimagine digital well-being so people can thrive. As a member of the UN Global Happiness Council and a fellow of the World Innovation Organization, Amy actively engages in initiatives aimed at promoting happiness as a core value in society. Her work has been featured in prominent media outlets such as PBS, The New York Times, Forbes, and The Huffington Post. Amy is the only person to have ever received a Point of Light Award from two U.S. Presidents and has over 15 years of experience leading teams in how to convert stress into joy. With degrees from Harvard and Yale, Amy is being continually recognized for her pioneering contributions to the study of positive psychology and its application in the digital age. More about Amy and the Digital Wellness Institute at https://www.digitalwellnessinstitute.com/ More about Dan Pontefract at https://www.danpontefract.com/

Ilya Kneppelhout co-founded The Offline Club as a response to our increasingly digital world. In this episode of "Leadership NOW," we explore the club's origins, digital intoxication, loneliness, and how It aims to "inspire people to swap screen time for real-time, today and tomorrow." Located in Amsterdam, The Offline Club offers a space where members can disconnect from their digital devices and reconnect with the real world. The idea is to provide a tech-free sanctuary where individuals can enjoy genuine conversations and immerse themselves in the moment reminiscent of the pre-digital era of the '90s. The club's core principle is mandatory disconnection from online devices, fostering an environment for genuine human interaction. Ilya’s vision extends beyond individual well-being to inspire a global movement towards offline engagement, aiming to facilitate a worldwide "reconnection" with others and oneself. More about Ilya and The Offline Club at their site: https://bento.me/theofflineclub More about Dan Pontefract and "Leadership NOW" here: https://www.danpontefract.com

Alex Brueckmann is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of “The Strategy Legacy,” and “Secrets of Next Level Entrepreneurs.” He is the founder and president of Brueckmann Executive Consulting based in Vancouver, Canada. In this episode of Leadership NOW, Alex and Dan discuss the nine core elements of organizational identity from his book "The Strategy Legacy." Alex has impacted thousands of leaders worldwide. His clients include high-growth start-ups and Fortune 500 executive teams. He holds degrees and certificates in management, leadership, and strategy from EBS University, INSEAD, and Harvard Business School. More about Alex Brueckmann at: https://brueckmann.ca/ More about Dan Pontefract at: https://www.danpontefract.com/

Eddie Turner is an in-demand, Harvard-trained leadership development expert who works with leaders to “Accelerate Performance and Drive Impact!”® He is "Changing the Face of Leadership" and helping to create “Better Workplaces and a Better World”™ as a Principal Consultant and Executive Coach at Linkage, a SHRM company. Eddie joins Dan Pontefract on this episode of “Leadership NOW” to discuss his book “140 Simple Messages to Guide Emerging Leaders” and all things under the leadership sun. Eddie has significant experience driving digital transformation, systems integration, and developing leaders at all organizational levels. This includes major corporations like Pepsi, Deloitte, GE, Dell, Apple, the NFL, and the WNBA, among others. Eddie is one of the Top 25 Thought Leaders in Leadership by Thinkers 360, the Power List of the Top 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership by leadersHum, and one of the Top 25 Mentors on the Globe by the International Federation of Learning and Development. Eddie has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, CNN, Fox News, PBS, NPR, and ABC. Eddie studied leadership and organizational behavior at Northwestern University, earning a Bachelor of Science. He also holds an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School. More about Eddie over here: https://eddieturnerllc.com/why-eddie/ More about Dan Pontefract at: https://www.danpontefract.com/

Tony Martignetti is a trusted advisor, leadership coach, facilitator, best-selling author, podcast host, and speaker. He combines over 25 years of business and leadership experience with extreme curiosity to elevate leaders and equip them with the tools to navigate change and unlock their true potential. In this episode of Leadership NOW with Dan Pontefract, Tony sits down with Dan to discuss his new book, "Campfire Lessons for Leaders: How Uncovering Our Past Can Propel Us Forward.” Before becoming the founder and Chief Inspiration Officer of Inspired Purpose Partners, Tony was a finance and strategy executive with experience working with some of the leading life sciences companies. Along his journey, he also managed small businesses and ran a financial consulting company. Tony hosts The Virtual Campfire podcast and is the author of “Climbing the Right Mountain: Navigating the Journey to An Inspired Life." He has been featured in many publications, including Fast Company, Forbes, Life Science Leader, and CEO Today. Thinkers360 has recognized him as one of the Top Voices in Leadership and by LeadersHum as one of the Biggest Voices in Leadership. Find out more about Tony and his new book at https://www.ipurposepartners.com/book More about Dan Pontefract and his range of services and body of work at https://www.danpontefract.com

Rebecca Kirstein Resch is an award winning serial entrepreneur, an ally to the next generation, and an architect of better workplaces that work for everyone - and powered by humane technology. In this episode of Leadership NOW, Rebecca sits down with Dan to discuss a whitepaper she co-authored with Dana Fulwiler Volk titled "Questions Are The Answer." It's a deep-dive look at improving business impact and employee well-being by democratizing access to knowledge with purposeful tech. She is the founder & CEO of inqli - an AI-powered social knowledge-sharing platform that accelerates employee and enterprise growth by matching every question to trusted knowledge at work. Rebecca has worked alongside world-renowned educators, researchers, and technologists as she’s followed the thread of human growth and development from the classroom to the workplace, and back again in search of transformational systemic change. Her career highlight: sharing the stage with her hero and most-watched TED speaker in history, Sir Ken Robinson. Rebecca envisions a world where everyone has access to opportunities for meaningful work and fulfilling lives. You can read the white paper here: https://www.inqli.com/reports/questions-are-the-answer More about Dan Pontefract at https://www.danpontefract.com/

Jennifer McCollum is an acclaimed speaker, consultant, coach, and author of the fab book "In Her Own Voice: A Woman’s Rise to CEO." It's the focus of her book, where Dan and Jennifer discuss several different facets of importance regarding gender equity and gender-related issues. With two decades of experience leading and building businesses in the leadership space, her expertise includes how to close the gap to gender equity, why the most effective leaders are inclusive leaders, and how to demystify inclusion for leaders and organizations. She has delivered workshops, keynotes, webinars, and podcasts to thousands of leaders globally on live and virtual stages. Jennifer is also the former CEO of Linkage, a SHRM company, where she oversaw the strategic direction and global operations of this global leadership development firm. Linkage has been consistently ranked as a top 20 training company worldwide, providing assessments, training, coaching, consulting, and conferences. Prior to Linkage, Jennifer spent 10 years in Atlanta working for The Coca-Cola Company. She also spent a decade growing businesses within Korn Ferry and the Corporate Executive Board (CEB), now Gartner. At CEB, she led product management within the leadership division, driving innovative solutions that helped organizations select, develop, and place leaders at all levels. She also ran CEB’s Leadership Academies business, which developed more than 30,000 professionals in 2,100 companies throughout 50 countries. Previously, Jennifer served as CEO of IntraVision, a leadership consultancy she founded and grew over the course of 8 years. She worked with public companies, start-ups, associations, and nonprofits. Her passion is creating vision, executing strategy, and managing cohesive teams toward aspirational goals, with a special focus on supporting women in leadership roles. More about Jennifer's book "In Her Own Voice" at https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/731273/in-her-own-voice-by-jennifer-mccollum/ More about Dan Pontefract and the Leadership NOW program at www.danpontefract.com/podcast

Todd Hirsch is the "modern economist." In this episode of "Leadership NOW," he delves into the challenges of economic forecasting in today's unpredictable global environment. He discusses the limitations of traditional methods in accurately predicting economic trends amidst frequent, unforeseen 'black swan' events. Todd advocates for a shift from prediction to preparation, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and readiness for various potential outcomes. Our conversation further explores the impact of geopolitical events and environmental crises on the economy. Todd highlights how incidents like Russia's invasion of Ukraine and severe weather events directly affect economic conditions worldwide. He also addresses the erosion of public trust in economic expertise, noting the growing skepticism towards expert advice, especially during periods of economic uncertainty. Throughout the dialogue, Todd's insights illuminate the interconnected nature of global events and economics, stressing the need for leaders to be cognizant of a wide range of external factors that can abruptly shift economic landscapes. For more than 25 years, Todd worked as an economist for such renowned institutes as ATB Financial, the Canadian Pacific Railway, the Canada West Foundation, and the Bank of Canada. Having had a front-row seat to the key issues and trends impacting and transforming our world, Hirsch delivers dynamic, clear-eyed talks on the economy, adaptability, and creativity. Hirsch served as the vice president and chief economist for ATB Financial for over 15 years. He also previously taught economics at the University of Calgary and for the executive education program at the University of Alberta. In recognition of his work, Hirsch has received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum (2022) and Diamond (2012) Jubilee Medals, the University of Alberta’s Alumni Honour Award, and an honorary degree from Mount Royal University. The author of four books, Hirsch’s latest, Spiders in COVID Space: Adapting During and After the Pandemic, captures the inspiring and compelling stories of businesses and not-for-profits that reinvented themselves during the pandemic. He is currently the Director of the Energy Transition Centre at Innovate Calgary. Visit him at www.toddhirsch.com

Join me in a captivating episode of "Leadership NOW" as I sit down with Dr. Kirstin Ferguson as she unveils the nuances of modern leadership. An expert with a diverse background, including roles in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the Royal Australian Air Force, Dr. Ferguson challenges traditional leadership models in her book, 'Head & Heart: The Art of Modern Leadership.' She advocates for a more inclusive leadership definition, emphasizing that true leadership is about influencing change beyond formal titles. Dr. Ferguson introduces a balanced model that blends intellectual and emotional intelligence, essential for today's leaders. The conversation also explores her approach to democratizing leadership, encouraging every team member to embrace their leadership potential, thereby transforming organizational cultures. Dr. Ferguson's insights inspire a rethinking of leadership, highlighting its dynamic nature in our contemporary world. Dr. Kirstin Ferguson is one of the world's most recognised leadership experts. The winner of the international Thinkers50 Distinguished Award for Leadership, she is also ranked in the top 50 thinkers in the world. Kirstin researches, writes, speaks and advises major international brands on what it means to be a modern leader, and how to build modern leadership cultures. Kirstin’s career includes three decades of senior leadership experience including a previous appointment by the Australian Prime Minister as Acting Chair and Deputy Chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.Kirstin was recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2023 for her significant contributions to business, and gender equality. Kirstin has previously been the CEO of a global consulting firm, was a senior executive at a leading corporate law firm and spent nearly 10 years as an Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force, including at a fighter jet squadron. Kirstin’s second book, Head & Heart: The Art of Modern Leadership, debuted in the top 10 non-fiction bestseller list on release, and was named as one of the top 10 best new management books in the world in 2023. It was also awarded the Royal Society of Awards Career Book Award in 2023. Kirstin holds a PhD in leadership and culture as well as Honours degrees in Law, and also History. She is an Adjunct Professor at the QUT Business School and a Sir Winston Churchill Fellow. Visit https://www.kirstinferguson.com/meet-kirstin/ for more details.