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
Jun 13, 2022 • 47min
Jim Whitehurst, Former President Of IBM And CEO of Red Hat
In today's fast-paced and ever-changing landscape, leaders know that it takes speed and agility for a company to succeed. Yet many are frustrated that their organizations aren't moving fast enough to stay competitive. In this episode, J.R. Lowry talks to Jim Whitehurst, a Senior Advisor at IBM and Special Advisor to the private equity firm, Silver Lake. Jim is the former President of IBM and Chairman and CEO of Red Hat, which IBM acquired in 2019. Before that, he was the Chief Operating Officer of Delta Air Lines. He began his career at Boston Consulting Group, where he rose to the level of partner before joining Delta in 2001. He also wrote a book called The Open Organization: Igniting Passion and Performance, which the Harvard Business Review published in 2015. Today, Jim shares some insights on effective leadership, employee motivation, and company culture. If your organization is struggling to adapt to the digital and social age, this episode is for you.
May 30, 2022 • 47min
Yolanda Taylor - Investment Manager, Yoga Studio Owner, Author, Non-Profit Board Member
There isn’t one right path because life gets in the way, and you have to work around that. J.R. Lowry introduces Yolanda Taylor, an Investment Manager, Small Business Owner, and Author of Take Me Back to Redway. Yolanda talks about the importance of hard work and determination. Even if you’re scared to take the next step, do it anyway. At the end of the day, your life and career are a series of short-term decisions. You may not get there on your first try or second. But you will! Just be confident in yourself and hang on to hope. Tune in!
May 16, 2022 • 45min
Erol Munuz: Actor Turned Corporate Marketing, PR, And Communications Executive
Many of us worked through multiple jobs before finally ending up with our dream. Erol Munuz has the journey that provided him with hard-won wisdom he has learned for the rest of his life. In this episode, he shares how he went from being an actor in New York to working in corporate marketing, PR, and communications executive. Now, Erol is currently the Senior Vice President for Content, Programs, and Events at State Street. He talks to J.R. Lowry about the events across his career path, highlighting how pursuing a dream has, in many ways, benefitted him. Join this conversation for lessons about career transitions and growth.
May 9, 2022 • 47min
Becca Carnahan - Career Coach, Author, Blogger, Mom
The joy and fulfillment we get from doing the things we love are immeasurable and greater than random work. Becca Carnahan always loved sports marketing, so she started her career as a sales representative for the Boston Celtics. Now, Becca has her own business, which focuses on helping parents find more fulfilling jobs that they love without giving up the flexibility that they need as part of their lives. In this episode, she shares valuable insights on building relationships, authenticity, finding your own voice, and enjoying what you do.
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.
