Roar with Lakecia Gunter

When you possess an unshakable will to win, no obstacle has the power to derail you. This level of perseverance is in the DNA of great leaders. Rather than allow poverty, misfortune, or lack of support to determine who you are, it’s possible to take the reigns and steer yourself towards greatness.How does one make the decision to defy the odds, regardless of their circumstances? Where do perseverance and determination come from? Well, money can’t buy it. This is the magic of the mind. Possibility thinking centers on the idea of shifting how you think about who you are. Rather than looking at your situation in a single moment, and deciding that this must be your lot in life, possibility thinking throws you a lifeline. It sifts through the sands of reality and searches for those little flecks of gold, helping you to recognize opportunities. You find empowerment through opportunities, no matter how big or small they are. This revs up the engine of self-confidence, and that confidence becomes the foundation on which you can begin to build your dreams. It might take time, but once you’ve found a way to start believing in yourself, and you’re willing to put in the time and do the work, success is a certainty. We can’t control how we come into the world. Our financial and social circumstances are what they are. Our job is to do our best to persevere through them until we have the ability to control them. But if we’re clever enough, if we have just a little bit of self-esteem propping us up from even a single influence in our lives, someone who’s looking at what’s inside of us, rather than judging only what they see on the outside, we can start to detach from that mould and shape ourselves. We begin to recognize our greatness, and it becomes possible to rise up and make waves. My guest today is Mr. George Tinsley. Along with his wife of 48 years, together they own the highest-grossing KFC franchises in Florida and are among the most successful African American couples in the state. George Tinsley is a six-time basketball Hall of Famer, a millionaire entrepreneur, leader, motivator, coach, and most importantly, a family man. His story is one about a man who's risen from rags to riches. Having grown up in an era where racism was openly tolerated, his poverty and inner city beginnings didn’t pave an easy path towards success. Through faith, tenacity, education, and a relentless drive to transform obstacles into opportunities, he beat the odds. Today, he and his wife own more than 50 restaurant franchises in Florida and Kentucky, with their brands representing the majority of dining options in the Tampa International Airport, Miami International Airport, and Louisville International Airport. George Tinsley’s success goes far beyond his own personal achievements. He has helped many others, myself included, gain a stable footing on our career ladders. He gave me my first job opportunity at one of his KFC restaurants when I was 14 years old. For those of us who had the opportunity to work for George Tinsley and his wife in their franchises, we saw African American leaders who were vested in our career success, and more importantly, our success in life. Today, he shares some insights about his rise to the top, and how perseverance and possibility thinking made his dreams a reality. Some Questions I Ask:What stands out as a defining moment in your life where you realized that, despite your obstacles and circumstances, you could still be successful? (10:49)How did you capitalize on your intellectual ability and athletic gifts to navigate yourself towards a better future? (17:35)How did a career in sports prepare you for your next steps in life? (28:44)How did you transition from winning in the game of basketball to winning in the game of franchises? (34:52)What has been the key to success for you in Mississippi, and what's sustained you over the years? (48:37)What would you say is one of the biggest mistakes or failures that you guys had to navigate through, and what did you learn from it? (52:04)What’s the next chapter for you? (57:55)What is some of the advice that you have for entrepreneurs or franchise owners? (1:01:43)In this episode, you’ll learn about: Turning rejection into determination (10:52)Recognizing and reciprocating kindness (14:27)Being a fearless first as the minority (27:04),(34:12)Building a legacy from the ground up (39:10)Staying resilient when the bottom drops out (42:41)Learning from your mistakes (53:19)Community involvement as a key to success (56:01)Having the right team in place (1:04:25)Seeing opportunity through obstacles (1:06:11)Connect with Geroge Tinsley:LinkedInResources: Book- The Determined EntrepreneurBook- Black Wealth/ White WealthWebsite: Tinsley Family ConcessionsPodcast: Obstacles to Opportunities Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“When you have an itch, there is an ART to how to approach it. The A is for ask, R is for research, and T is for test. “Choosing to leave the comfort of stable, well-paying work in order to pursue our passions is an intimidating prospect. For many out there, making that transition can be a struggle and it can feel like there is a lack of resources at our disposal to get our ideas off the ground. Taking the risk to invest in ourselves and develop an independence through entrepreneurship, however, can be one of the best decisions we make for our careers. Joining me today is Reneta Jenik, the Founder and CEO of ‘Foodom’ - an Online Marketplace dedicated to making meals affordable and accessible to busy families that want to eat cleaner and healthier, while at the same time reducing their waste close to zero. Reneta was inspired to create this framework after examining the issues that were present at her own dinner table. After realizing that other families were experiencing similar concerns, she embarked on a journey to create what is now a successful in-home meal preparation startup. Though Reneta did not come from a background in the food industry, the skill set she developed at previous tech giants such as Intel, became invaluable in her current venture at ‘Foodom’. She believes that the core marketing and business practices that were present at previous jobs were just as prominent in creating the framework for her startup and helped her to navigate the company structure. In today’s episode, we discuss why Reneta decided to transition out of corporate culture and start a small business, how Covid-19 has impacted her team’s approach to processing and manufacturing issues, as well as marketing insights and advice for budding business owners! We also talk about how Reneta’s upbringing influenced her core values surrounding food and why she had such an unwavering commitment to seeking justice at a young age. For anyone out there looking to take the leap and carve out a niche for themselves within the entrepreneurship space, tune in to Episode 20 of Roar!Some Questions I Ask:Could you talk about your background and who influenced you the most growing up? (3:04)Is there a defining moment in your life that shaped you for entering adulthood? (6:10)How did you come up with the concept for ‘Foodom’ & How has it evolved since its inception? (12:16)How have you been able to leverage your experience as a Tech Executive to tackle issues within the food industry? (19:16)How has COVID impacted your business? (22:40)What have you considered to be your biggest mistake or failure and how did you navigate it? (26:11)What are the most important characteristics for an individual to possess who is wanting to break into entrepreneurship? (28:03)What You’ll Learn in this Episode:How to step up when you see injustices happen. (6:24)How all great ideas begin with an itch & how to listen to that intuition. (09:34)The first step toward starting a business: identifying people’s needs. (12:45)How to scale a small business by seeking external help. (15:27)The key to a successful startup. (21:56)The current trends in the food market & how are companies supporting their employees in this regard. (24:08)Why a partnership with a co-founder is similar to marriage. (26:57)Reneta’s advice for entrepreneurs and business owners. (29:11)What the acronym ‘A.R.T’ stands for & its importance for a startup. (30:03)The importance of leaving shame aside and asking questions ‘like there’s no tomorrow’. (30:57)Some helpful resources and organizations that can help you with your startup journey. (31:59)Starting a business doesn’t have to be costly. (34:22)Connect With Reneta Jenik:LinkedInEmail: service@myfoodom.com‘MyFoodom’ - Website‘MyFoodom’ - Facebook‘MyFoodom’ - LinkedInResources:TV Show: ‘Undercover Billionaire’ Book: Eric Ries - The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“When things are uncertain, that is the time for black women to step into being information centers and nodes, because then you have an opportunity”Black women are the most educated demographic in the United States, yet very few of us are seated at decision-making tables across the corporate world. If we want to change the pay disparity and ensure our voices hold space in these important conversations, we need to have the courage and take action in order to get there. My guest today is Rukaiyah Adams, a trailblazer in the field of financial services, investment, and institutional asset management. She has secured a seat at numerous tables of influence, power, and decision making. Rukaiyah is the Chief Investment Officer at Meyer Memorial Trust, one of the largest charitable foundations in the Pacific Northwest. She's responsible for leading all investment activities to ensure the long term financial strength of the organization. Before joining Meyer, she ran the $6.5 billion capital markets fund at The Standard, where she oversaw six trading desks that included several bond strategies, preferred equities, derivatives, and other risk mitigation strategies. Rukaiyah is the chair of the prestigious Oregon Investment Council, the board that manages approximately $100 billion of public pension and other assets for the state of Oregon. During her tenure as chair, the Oregon State Pension Fund has been the top-performing public pension fund in the United States.Rukaiyah has been opening doors and breaking through glass ceilings,  paving the way for other women of color to be seated at the table. She's made it to the top and she's sending the elevator back down to bring up more people who look just like her. She is passionate about owning her seat at the table and driving lasting change both in the makeup of the table and the impact of the table. She's an African American woman who's earned not just a place at the table, but the chair at the head of it. Getting to that table is one thing, but owning your seat is another. Once we make it to the table, it can be easy to just sit back and revel in our success. For Rukaiyah, that wasn’t enough. Earning her seat wasn’t the pinnacle. She wanted to change the makeup of the table, shake it up from the inside, and direct real change that would benefit her community. She has never been afraid to make unpopular decisions and does not compromise on her ethics. Owning her seat at the table is about demonstrating consistent excellence. With excellence comes confidence in her decision making skills, and that in turn gives her the power to invest ethically, benefiting the people who need it most. Rukaiyah grew in Northeast Portland in a strong black community she describes as being “a hotbed for black thinking in the 70s and 80s”.  It was a place where her self-confidence was encouraged through the nourishment she received from family relationships and powerful community connection. She’s dedicated much of her energy in the finance sector towards rebuilding and reenergizing the historic community center where she was raised. In today’s episode, we talk about owning the seats we occupy at the table. We also discuss how times of uncertainty can actually be the most opportune moments for women of color to step up into leadership. This episode was recorded on Black Women’s Equal Payday, so there was truly no better time to talk about how to get more women of color into positions of power and leadership. Some Questions I Ask:Who were some of your biggest influences in life? (7:48)When did you discover your ROAR? (10:40)Who influenced your love of community? (16:07)What did your career journey look like? (18:37)When did you start to find your voice? (24:21)How have you learned from your failures? (35:25)What is your advice to young women of color? (46:24)What is your vision for Portland? (49:22)How would you have been impacted as a young girl seeing the success of women of color today? (1:01:02)What You’ll Learn in this Episode:How Rukaiyah’s relationship with her Grandfather made an impact on her life (9:04)Why the decision to leave public school had a transformative effect (11:06)How code switching is being flipped around (14:45)How being an outsider became an unexpected benefit during the financial crisis (20:53)The powerful moment when she recognized her moral responsibility as a black woman in finance (24:41)Her strategy when she faces pushback (30:18)The unique choices women in business have to make about family (38:42)A recent success in Portland community building (44:04)Connect with Rukaiyah Adams:LinkedInTwitterResources:Meyer Memorial TrustVideo: TED: Homegirls’ Guide to Being PowerfulVideo: Tech Fest 2017 Book: The Overstory by Richard Powers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Communication is the one leadership quality that will make you or break you.”Being an effective communicator is possibly the most important quality in any leader, but it’s easier said than done, and the two skill sets don’t always come in the same package. For some, it takes work. Leadership communications is about more than translating a mission statement. It's about organizing a set of ideas in a clear and compelling way that people can understand, inspiring people to lean in.The people with the best communication skills have the most influence, and they possess the rare ability to provide leadership amid chaos. Navigating through Covid-19 has been a prime example of the importance of effective communication. Companies are collectively entering new territory. Meetings look different, office environments have changed, and day to day interactions have gone digital. Experiencing these changes, Is it possible that we’ve been underestimating the value of good communication all along? My guest today is Daniel Casse, a true master in the world of communications and leadership. He is the co-founder and managing partner of High Lantern Group, a firm focused on business communications, strategic positioning, and thought leadership for executives.   For nearly 20 years, Daniel has been an advisor to chief executives and senior officers of the world’s largest and most influential companies in every major industry.  He has worked directly with more than 100 chief executives and senior corporate officers to improve how they communicate and share strategic thinking.  He has also worked with dozens of companies to define and expand their business narrative, helping them to tell an in-depth story about their business to customers, investors, and their own employees.Research indicates that there's a strong link between communication and effective leadership, so it’s never been more important for leaders and executives to focus on these skills. In this episode, we talk about why communication matters, and how you can become a more effective communicator, and an all around better leader. Some Questions I Ask:Who were some of your biggest influences growing up? (5:02)Was there a defining moment that helped you find your ROAR? (6:23)How do you define Communications? (10:02)How can we improve our communication skills while working from home? (15:15)How have you helped leaders become better communicators? (19:53)Who, in a business organization, needs to work on communication? (21:05)Who are some of the top leaders you see in today's corporate environment? (32:21)What You’ll Learn in this Episode:Daniel’s journey into Communications (8:32)Why poor communicators become poor bosses (12:18)The silver lining of virtual meetings, and how you can use it  to your advantage (14:08)How to have a successful meeting (17:25)Presentations: To slide or not to slide?  (23:49)How women can learn to control the room (26:40)What Jack Welch taught him about leadership (30:09)A lesson in succinct employee handbook writing (33:06)Connect with Daniel Casse:LinkedInResources:High Lantern GroupTED: Jay WalkerG100Movie- Blue ChipsBook- Framely Parsonage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” - Shirley ChisolmIn 1968, conventional precepts came tumbling down when Shirley Chisolm became the first black woman elected to Congress. Shattering that glass ceiling wasn’t easy, particularly at the height of the Civil Rights era in America.  As a woman and a person of color, every step of that journey would have felt like an impossible uphill battle. Yet somehow, she made it to the top and secured her seat at one of the most important tables in the world, paving a brave new path for women of color everywhere. Today, more and more seats of power are being filled by women of color. However, no matter how far we’ve come, there’s always further to go in terms of access and equality in the business world. According to the data from the National Women's Law Center, the pay gap between white men and women of color is equal to around $23,653 per year. Closing this gap can only be achieved when women of color have the power to make salary decisions, and that power only exists within people who have seats at the table. My guest today is Minda Harts, a woman with a mission to help accelerate the position of women of color in business. Through Memo LLC, she presents an inspiring career development platform that provides resources to help close the pay gap. She’s also an Assistant Professor at New York University Wagner, and author of The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table, a bestseller that offers actionable advice on the path towards career success. In her work, Minda centers on the importance of your personal belief that you deserve a seat at the table you’re trying to secure. The work also doesn’t end when you get there, because for women of color there is the added responsibility of making the path to the table less difficult for other women of color who come after you. This depends not only on you, but the alliances you’re able to create at that table. She says it’s all about listening, educating, and activating your allies and resources for the benefit of all women of color who are on their way to filling those seats in the future. In today’s episode, we’ll uncover the success secrets of women like Shirley Chisolm and Minda Hart, and learn what it takes to secure our own seats at the table. Some Questions I Ask:Who were some of your biggest influences growing up? (7:34)Was there a defining moment that really stood out that has helped you achieve your desires? (9:22)Why was it so important for you to write this book? (12:21)How has your book been received? (14:55)What are some of the specific places and spaces you think about when you talk about “the table”? (16:30)How important is it to have a career coach in order to achieve success? (26:05)What advice would you give to my ally listeners who want to do their part in elevating women of color to their rightful place at the table? (35:30)How did you identify the right people for your squad and how do you utilize them today? (44:39)What You’ll Learn in this Episode:The power of having strong female role models in life (7:44)Why belief in your belonging in the room is the first step (16:46)How to leverage the power of being in the room (19:17)How inclusion plays a role in the journey towards being able to sit at the table (23:04)How women of color can find balance between creating change within systems and outside of systems (30:17)A perspective on the future for women of color in the workplace (36:45)What women of color can do in the salary negotiation process to ensure they are asking for what they’re worth (39:28)Connect with Minda Harts:WebsiteLinkedInTwitterResources: Book: The MemoPodcast: Secure the Seat Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“You create your opportunities by asking for them”Norman Vincent Peale said “Change your thoughts and you can change your world.” Think about a time in your life when you had an idea or an opportunity that really excited you, something that would require you to push beyond the borders of your comfort zone. Perhaps it was asking for a promotion or a raise, or maybe you wanted to ask someone out to dinner, but the very thought made you nervous or uncomfortable. Did you adhere to those boundaries, or did you choose to move beyond them, undaunted? Consider how decisions you’ve made to be bold and embrace the power of asking have impacted your life. Think about the connections that asking has created, and doors that have opened as a result. Looking back, do you regret taking any of those leaps? It’s important to recognize that when it comes to making big moves, we can give fear too much power to dictate our actions. But we don’t have to. Today’s guest comes from my very own alma mater, the University of South Florida. Robert Bishop is Dean at the USF College of Engineering in beautiful Tampa. He’s recognized as a Distinguished Teaching Professor and Researcher in Aerospace Engineering, and he's a specialist in the Application of Systems and Control Theory to modern engineering products. Through serving on the University of South Florida's College of Engineering advisory board alongside Dean Bishop, I’ve seen how his fearless mindset has transformed the department and inspired growth and innovation. He’s someone who understands first hand the remarkable power of asking. Robert Bishop has co-authored with astronauts, sat down with Presidents, met brilliant artists, and he’s chilled backstage with rockstars. All of this happened through the simple power of asking. We create a lot of complex reasons in order to justify our fears, giving ourselves permission to refrain from asking bold questions that have the potential to alter the direction of our lives. In this episode, we discover how clarity of purpose gave Robert Bishop the courage to make the big, bold asks that got him where he is today. Some Questions I Ask:Who were some of your biggest influences growing up? (7:02)Has moving around so frequently made it easier for you to connect and build relationships? (8:03)What stands out for you as a defining moment that helped you chart your course and your path forward? (8:59)Was there ever any fear or self doubt when you’ve made big asks in your life? (16:20)How have you been able to recognize and capitalize on those moments when the universe seems to open a door for you? (22:51)How have you built that leadership capability in yourself, since you say it wasn’t an innate skill? (27:17)What are some of the things that you're doing to cultivate that empathetic leadership and that leadership growth mindset in your engineers at the college? (31:16)What are you most proud of? (39:36)What You’ll Learn in this Episode:The invisible subculture of “military brats” (5:00)Robert Bishop’s first bold ask at 17 years of age  (11:17)How another bold ask led him to consider a career in academia (14:05)How a bold move as a teenager led to a lifetime of backstage rockstar encounters (17:26)How to inspire successful people to engage with you (20:33)How he brought a “Moonwalker” into the classroom (21:00)The spontaneous conversation with President Jimmy Carter that inspired his concept of leadership (28:46)Why the Leadership Program is designed to put more value on the human element within engineering (32:39)How the very busy Robert Bishop unwinds (hint: it’s not Netflix, like the rest of us...) (46:54)Connect with Robert Bishop:TwitterLinkedInUSFYou Tube BioResources Mentioned:Book: Jimmy Carter- Always a ReckoningVideos: VH1- Where Are They Now? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“It’s great that I’m the first, but what’s most important is that I’m not the last.”If you’re a wine lover or a visionary, you are going to adore my guest today! Bertony Faustin is a philosopher, thought-provoker, and change-maker, and his spirit is one that will endure all obstacles and setbacks, all while inspiring others to do the same!In 2008, Bertony became the first recorded black winemaker in Oregon – and the journey that led him to this incredible accomplishment was not typical, nor could it have been. You are going to hear his entire story of how he pivoted from being an anesthesiologist to a successful trailblazer and futurist in the wine industry.Bertony embodies all the characteristics of a visionary leader. He’s looking to change the world and he’s doing that by courageously using his freedom of choice and breaking the societal stereotypes that sometimes hold people in their narrow boxes. He forges clarity into what the future should look like, builds connectedness in every arena, and shapes a positive culture for the next generation.While I was listening to his story, I particularly loved his mindset of taking leaps of passion instead of leaps of faith, and how his business signature is not the wines he produces but the taste of life and the experience he is offering to the people that cross his threshold at Abbey Creek Vineyard. For him, relational capital means more than all the money one can ascertain, and he constantly works on creating an industry culture based on meaningful connections.Listen to Episode 15 of Roar, and learn how you can change an industry by having the right vision. I’m sure you’ll enjoy Bertony’s unique way of thinking and you’ll definitely feel motivated to go after your dreams with boldness.     Some questions I ask:Why did you decide to go into the movie industry and what is your documentary about? (13:14)What sets you apart? What is the Abbey Creek experience and what type of customers are you servicing? (22:15)How did you get people to buy into your leadership vision as a winemaker? (25:20)Are you stepping into any other new business arenas in 2020 or beyond? (34:42)In this episode, you will learn:How & why Bertony made a great pivot from being an anesthesiologist to making wine. (04:37)How stereotypes can sometimes prevent people from going after their vision and purpose in life. (10:46)The difference between a mentor and a coach. (15:03)How to make the most impact in the field you activate in & How Bertony repurposed the wine industry. (17:27)How you can change the world, by focusing on one person at a time. (23:46)The biggest mistake in branding & the importance of marketing the person, not the product. (25:42)Envision versus envisage & where people get stuck. (27:58)Why it is better to take leaps of passion instead of leaps of faith. (30:17)The reason why Bertony created the Pinot Noir Juice. (35:14)The trap of “giving back” & how Bertony sees this needs to be done. (36:26)Connect with Bertony:WebsiteFacebookInstagramLinkedInResources mentioned:Book: Chris Voss – Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On ItDocumentary: Bertony Faustin – Red, White & Balck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Success is a result of navigating challenges and overcoming obstacles on the way to achieving your dreams, and everyone who has reached it in different stages of their lives can tell you that it doesn’t happen by accident. There’s a pattern, a template, a formula that all the accomplishments have in common - and my purpose is to find all the ingredients that form the recipe of success, and share them with you all!Today, I’m excited to talk about yet another ingredient of success – perhaps one of the most important ones – and that is, building successful teams. I have the true pleasure of sharing an expert on the topic, a great friend of mine, Alex Molden. Alex gives us the success secrets and formulas used in building winning teams in the NFL and how these recipes, formulas, and tips can be used in creating strong, long-lasting, and productive teams in a multitude of arenas.Alex is an ex-NFL Player, Speaker, Leadership & Personal Development Coach, and the host of the podcast called “The Shark Effect”. Alex’s main focus is to strengthen team collaborations, communication, and transparency, using his patent Leadership Workshop. Being an NFL football player for 8 years, Alex learned the secrets of winning teams, no matter the industry – and his formula has given many organizations and executives proven solutions to help them build a more galvanized team.There’s no one who knows more about what it takes to be part of a winning team and how to show up and be the best player you can be on the field and create that environment for success. So, listen to Episode 14 of Roar to learn how to create the right culture with your closest people, both in your personal life, as well as in your professional ventures.  Some questions I ask:Tell us a little bit about your background: where are you from, and who were some of your biggest influencers growing up? (04:57)When you think back on your past experiences, was there one defining moment that pushed you forward, in spite of all the obstacles around you? (14:55)How would you describe yourself? Who are you? What’s important to you? (17:46)What were some of the things that you saw your coaches focused on, to build a great team? (31:51)Who inspires you today? (56:43)In this episode, you will learn:How the ‘windshield effect’ works to get you closer to achieving your goals. (12:15)The lessons Alex learned from being part of good & bad teams throughout his career. (21:39)The importance of treating practice like a real game. (25:11)The role culture plays in a team & How you can create it. (28:45)The three words that can take your team to a higher level: assignment, alignment, and adjustment. (33:30)The values Alex is passing onto his children. (44:14)The meaning of the metaphor, “Keep a shark in your tank”. (47:28)The ingredient that can get you to higher heights: people that can make you feel uncomfortable by telling you the truth. (51:26)What Alex’s podcast is all about. (01:00:00)Connect with Alex:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPodcast: The Shark Effect Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When was the last time you took a leap of faith in your career? What benefits did you reap out of that jump?There are moments in our lives when our inner voice is asking us to make a change in our careers. At the same time, fear will cross our road, preventing us to take on opportunities that could guide us on the path to success. To challenge that fear, one needs to have faith in themselves, in their abilities acquired up to that point, and just rise to the occasion.Making leaps of faith for your career is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself – and my guest today, Mary Willner, is the perfect example of how having the courage to step out of your comfort zone and take risks pays great results in the end. She shares the lessons she’s learned over the years on how to be a leader, how to build relationships and trust and she also advocates for the importance of not selling ourselves short, even though our inner critique can be powerful sometimes.Mary is currently enjoying her life as a retired tech executive, and prior to this, she has had an amazing career of more than 35 years as a Vice President with Top Fortune 50 companies, including IBM and Intel. She believes that, in order to succeed, you have to get a seat at the table and let your voice be heard – and how else can you do that, if not by going all in, no matter the obstacles?I encourage you to take a small leap of faith right now, and listen to Episode 13 of Roar because I guarantee you it will be worth it! You will learn that regardless of how things turn out, you will get to the other end of the experience stronger, wiser, and more successful because of your willingness to try. Some questions I ask:Tell us a little bit about your background – where are you from? And who were some of your biggest influences growing up? (05:01)What stands out for you as a defining moment that helped you find your roar? (08:36)How have you helped other leaders take those leaps of faith? (14:01)How do you navigate the feeling of failure and really find the way to get up one more time and take that next leap? (18:58)What did you discover about yourself when you took the leaps? What were some of the things that still stick with you today about how to have faith versus fear? (26:21)What does it really mean, as a leader, to be ready to jump? (28:40)In this episode, you will learn:The importance of nurturing your relationships with your clients, customers, and suppliers. (06:41)One of Mary’s biggest realizations when it comes to happiness at work and at home. (10:58)Taking big leaps require having supportive people around you. (12:28)When to apply to a job & What most senior managers are looking for in a candidate. (16:40)The importance of making your homework and provide yourself with a parachute before you jump. (20:35)Why looking for someone to replace you when you decide to leave is the right thing to do both for you and the company you’re working for. (21:49)One example of how small leaps of faith lead to a more significant one. (23:29)Connect with Mary:LinkedInResources mentioned:Book: Bell Hooks – Ain’t I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Education is the main pillar of a thriving society and is at the forefront of our evolution as leaders and game-changers. It expands our minds and opens up our world to infinite possibilities, and it helps us grow into anything we want.My guest, Justice Adrienne Nelson, is a pioneer and a trailblazer who believes in the power of education and how it can truly transform our lives and the communities we engage in – and her actions truly mirror her judgment. Today, she joins me to talk about her journey to becoming the first African American to sit on Oregon State Supreme Court and about her passion for ensuring that the system works for everyone.Judge Nelson earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Criminal Justice Summa Cum Laude from the University of Arkansas. In 2006, she was appointed as a trial judge on the Multnomah County Circuit Court in Portland, Oregon - making her the second African American female judge in the state of Oregon – and in 2018 she was appointed to the Oregon Supreme Court - becoming the first African American to sit on the state’s highest court and on any appellate state court.Over the years, Adrienne has been very active in the legal community and she is a frequent speaker on several topics, including diversity, inclusion, equity, leadership, and professional development. She serves as a mentor to many people, especially to students, helping them realize that they have the power to become whoever they want in life, regardless of their status, race, gender, or the place they come from.  I feel truly honored to have Judge Nelson in my show and to learn from her the ins and outs of our judicial system. Listen to Episode 12 of Roar, to discover the actions she takes to bridge the gap and bring justice to us all.Some questions I ask:Tell us a little bit about your background: where are you from? And who were your biggest influences growing up? (02:57)When you think about your early experiences, which one stands out as a defining moment that really helped you find your roar? (08:44)What led you to pursue a career in law? (14:40)Did you ever have any problems or challenges that you’ve encountered along the way, simply because people were a little bit surprised to see you sitting on the bench in the State’s highest court? (24:24)How diverse is the judiciary system, and what role do you think diversity plays in the court’s mission? (30:20)How can individuals help people like you, to create a judicial system that lives up to the idea of equal justice for all? (39:06)What are some of the ideas and programs that you’ve implemented as a judge, that focus on bringing the voices together for good? (44:28)In this episode, you will learn:The importance of understanding that our zip code should not limit our ambitions. (05:02)The racial injustice Adrienne experienced in her teenage years & How that influenced her future. (09:52)The power of human support, mentorship, and a strong community in someone’s life. (17:01)Adrienne’s recipe on how to deal with tough or important situations, without feeling overwhelmed. (21:54)The reasons Adrienne loves being in the Supreme Court & How she manages to bring value through the position she holds. (27:39)What Adrienne does to serve as a role model for young, diverse students that aspire to be part of the law environment. (34:55)The three words that can help change our country into a better place & the actions we can take do drive that change. (40:54)The honor Adrienne has received of having a high school named after her & what this means for her. (51:20)Connect with Adrienne:LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.