Career Sessions, Career Lessons
JR Lowry, PathWise.io
Each of us has a unique career story to tell. For the lucky few, their career trajectories are like rockets heading for the stars, with no turning back. More typically, our career paths are more like a game of Chutes and Ladders, with advances and setbacks along the way. On this podcast, guests from a range of industries and backgrounds share their career journeys and the lessons they've learned. Hear from C-level executives, leading academics, entrepreneurs, mid-level leaders, ex-military members, leadership coaches and other career experts, non-profit workers, and gig economy participants. Each guest shares their unique story and career insights to inform and inspire your own path. Career Sessions is part of PathWise.io. Whether you’re just a few years out of school or well into your professional life, PathWise helps you live the career you deserve. PathWise provides comprehensive career and professional development coaching, content, courses, and community, backed by a group of leading coaches and career management experts. Career Sessions’ host, James (J.R.) Lowry, has had multiple careers of his own and learned countless lessons along the way. A Duke engineer by background, he spent the early part of his career as an officer in the US Air Force . From there, J.R. earned an MBA from Harvard Business School to accelerate his transition into the private sector. Following grad school, he spent over a decade with the consulting firm, McKinsey and Company, working with clients across a range of industries and business situations. He then made a second career shift into financial services, spending time at Fidelity Investments and State Street Bank. Most recently, he joined Janus Henderson Investments as their Chief Operating Officer. Multiple leadership development programs honed his skills, advanced his career, and fueled his desire to help others with their professions. He hosts this podcast in a personal capacity, and any views expressed are his own and not those of his current or any former employer.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 2, 2022 • 41min
Andrew Messick, CEO Of IRONMAN Group
Every single little detail counts for your customer. If you're managing IRONMAN triathlons, the athletes expect you to have everything lined up. They've been training for months, and they expect to have a smooth experience all throughout. Join J.R. Lowry as he talks to Andrew Messick about the IRONMAN Group and how he manages customer experience. Andrew is the CEO of the Ironman Group, a role he has held for the past 11+ years. He also worked for the NBA, McKinsey & Company, and then at Sara Lee before the IRONMAN Group. Learn how these work experiences added up for him and shaped him to be who he is. Know why it's important to run through all the details for your customer. Finally, learn how to do good work and to take a chance.
Apr 25, 2022 • 49min
Tracy Keogh, 3-Time HR Executive Of The Year
Going beyond the administrative duties of HR is what you need to do in strategic HR. Tracy Keogh has done just that. She got into the mindset of reinvention and reinvented everything from culture to management. She placed people front and center. Tracy has worked with and supported many great CEOs and helped develop world-class leaders. She worked for Sapient, Analog Devices, Hewlett Packard, and more. She now works for Great Hill Partners as the Chief People Officer and Growth Partner. Join J.R. Lowry as he talks to Tracy about her journey into HR. Discover how she went from working in the bank to working with one HP. Find out some leadership qualities a CEO should have in today's business landscape. Find out the importance of strategic HR today!
Apr 18, 2022 • 48min
Dr. Rob Garofalo, MD, International Expert On The Health Needs Of Marginalized Youth
When it comes to the marginalized youth, many doctors or clinicians, unfortunately, don't have the skillset to relate with them. However, Dr. Rob Garofalo is different. He experienced many challenges in his life, including surviving cancer. Dr. Garofalo is a pediatrician, researcher, activist, author, ally, and leader. He also founded the charity Fred Says, which raises money for HIV-positive youth. Join J.R. Lowry as he talks to Dr. Garofalo about how he was able to be so open about all his issues. Discover the many communities he visited so that he could share his story. Tune in and be inspired to be honest and open with yourself today!
Apr 11, 2022 • 45min
Robina Verbeek and Susanna Twarog, Co-Founders of SOS
We get too caught up in getting ready and don't notice that we've left the most important things behind. And, most often than not, we find ourselves stuck in a situation where we cannot access health and wellness products when we need them. Robina Verbeek and Susanna Twarog, co-founders of the innovative start-up SOS, join J.R. Lowry to share how their vision was formed. They sit together to discuss the importance of access to premium health and wellness products on the go. Robina and Susanna share how they redesigned and reimagined the concept of vending machines and personal essentials through SOS. Listen in and learn more as they tackle how they can evolve into the next generation of machines and continue to build their company.
Apr 4, 2022 • 43min
Debbie Lovich, Managing Director & Senior Partner, Boston Consulting Group
What does the future of work look like? In this episode, J.R. Lowry talks to the expert herself. Debbie Lovich is a Managing Director & Senior Partner at the Boston Consulting Group is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious management consulting firms. With a focus on leadership, BCG has produced top consultants. Debbie shares her story and experiences at BCG, and we hear her views on leadership and creating work-life balance. Tune in and learn more from top in the business world and learn their lessons as you build your career path.
Mar 28, 2022 • 46min
Trevor Rozier-Byrd, Founder And CEO Of Stackwell Capital
Black Americans are one of the most underinvested sectors in the US markets today. Stackwell Capital is a fintech startup that aims to change that. J.R. Lowry talks to the founder and CEO of Stackwell Capital, Trevor Rozier-Byrd. Together, they dive into Trevor’s career—looking back at his experiences as an M&A lawyer, working for the SEC, and his motivations for creating Stackwell. Tune in for great insights from Trevor as he shows his path to success.
Mar 21, 2022 • 53min
Danny Warshay, Executive Director Of The Nelson Center For Entrepreneurship At Brown University
Entrepreneurship is considered one of Brown University’s highest-rated programs. Like many others in the field, Danny Warshay embraced this empowerment and carved his path. He believes that entrepreneurship is not a gift but rather a process that anyone can learn. In this episode, Danny sits with J.R. Lowry to talk about his journey through the entrepreneurial world. From his college days to his life on the other side of the academe, Danny takes us through how he sees entrepreneurship across these two lenses. Listen in and learn more as Danny shares about his business breakthroughs and his passion for leading start-ups to their success.
Mar 14, 2022 • 41min
Bill Boor, President And CEO Of Cavco Industries
Bill Boor is the President and CEO of Cavco Industries, a company focused on designing and building systems-built structures. As CEO, Bill makes decisions that can affect the success of the company. So how does he do it? J.R. Lowry teams up with Bill to give us a look at a journey of leadership and learning. Tune in and hear great insights on leadership, decision making, and finding the right fit.
Mar 7, 2022 • 41min
Rohini Dey - Vermilion Restaurateur And Founder Of Let's Talk Womxn
Finding success in a single career path is hard, but today's guest managed to do the improbable four times and counting. Rohini Dey moved from the academe to the World Bank and McKinsey and now the restaurant business. She is the founder and owner of Vermilion, an Indian-Latin fusion restaurant in Chicago. She is also the founder of Let's Talk Womxn, which connects and empowers women business owners to support each other's businesses and collaboratively battle the pandemic. Rohini joins J.R Lowry to share her journey. The two discuss the glass ceiling in the different industries and share ways we, as a society, can make moves toward progress. Tune in to their discussion to learn all about it.
Feb 28, 2022 • 38min
John Judge, The Trustees President And CEO
Now more than ever, protecting the outdoors has become—and should be—the priority. One of the people helping create positive changes and moves for the environment is John Judge. John is the President and CEO of The Trustees, a non-profit land conservation and historic preservation organization dedicated to preserving natural and historical places in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He joins J.R. Lowry to share insights on what it’s like to run and manage a non-profit. John also offers valuable advice on leadership and fundraising for leaders in the sector. Listen in on their enlightening conversation for more insights.
