Leadership Insights Podcast

If you want to witness a leader’s passion and authentic expression at its fullest, you must hear Nicole Quiroga’s interview! A daughter of Latino immigrants, Nicole grew up in a warm, affectionate, emotive household and built her career at a company that helps her stay connected to her roots. Her leadership style is a beautiful blend of passion, kindness, creativity and a dash of Latin flare!

In this super dynamic, energizing, candid interview Nicole shares what it can be like for kids from bilingual, bicultural homes to transition to the “real world”; tips for leaders managing multicultural workplaces; guidance for social change organizations on how to partner with the media; and so much more!

What you’ll learn:

• What it was like for Nicole to grow up in loving, passionate, protective Latino immigrant family
• How she navigates the line between warmth and affection of her culture and professional boundaries of standard workplaces
• How Nicole has worked to overcome being "too nice"
• What it's like to balance emotions and intellect as a leader when you lean more naturally towards emotions
• Strategies Nicole employs to sharpen her organization, focus and planning skills
• Who are the leaders she most admires and what she learns from them
• What Nicole considers her mission and greatest responsibility to the Latino community as the leader of Telemundo
• Recommendations for hiring and working with the Hispanic market
• Specific strategies for nonprofits to reach out and gain media support and partnership
• Moving stories of how Telemundo has impacted causes and organizations serving women

Links & Resources

• Telemundo – Spanish-language television channel Nicole brilliantly manages
• Kristina Bouweiri – Link to one of our previous amazing guests whom Nicole referenced in her interview
• Greater Washington Board of Trade – organization led by one of Nicole’s mentors Jim Dinegar
• Doug Duncan - Link to one of our previous amazing guests whom Nicole referenced in her interview
• My Sister's Place – DC-based non profit helping victims of domestic violence that Nicole referenced in her interview
• Mother's Day Celebration sponsored by Telemundo Nicole wanted to share

About Nicole Quiroga 

Nicole Quiroga, a native of Washington DC, is the General Manager of Telemundo WZDC-25 in Washington D.C. and Telemundo WZTD-45 in Richmond, VA.  In her position, Ms. Quiroga predicts market trends, sets budgets and performance expectations, ensures station compliance with FCC requirements and has overall responsibility for maintaining and growing the profitability of both stations.

Ms. Quiroga is a television broadcaster with expertise in media sales, journalism, multi-cultural marketing, and strategic planning.   She is deeply passionate about educating and empowering Washington DC’s Latino community and, over her 15 years at Telemundo, has forged strategic partnerships with community and corporate organizations which allow her to execute outreach campaigns that provide Hispanic families access to critical information and resources.

Ms. Quiroga is highly experienced in the planning, financing and executing of local and national campaigns that focus on the advancement of Latinos in the U.S., to include Hispanic-targeted trade shows, grassroots events and over-the-air initiatives. Her most recent success was the launch of Agenda, a local public affairs television program produced in partnership with ABC7/News Channel 8.

A sales trainer and speaker, Nicole is frequently invited to speak on topics such as selling to the Hispanic market, increasing sales through cross-cultural communications, and harnessing the power of Latinos now and in the future.

Ms. Quiroga mentors young women on their journey to becoming executives in the fields of media, communications and journalism.  She works with the National Hispana Leadership Institute and the Latino Student Fund to provide one-on-one coaching and tutoring sessions to young girls and women between the ages of 12-25.

Nicole holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Marketing from the University of Maryland. She is a graduate of the Leadership Greater Washington Executive Program, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government Leadership Program and the National Hispana Leadership Institute. She holds leadership positions at the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Latino Student Fund and the Harvard Journal of Hispanic Policy.  In 2014, Ms. Quiroga received Governor Martin O’Malley’s Outstanding Media Award, the Women Who Mean Business Award from the Washington Business Journal and the Public Service Leadership Award from the Hispanic Heritage Foundation.

 

“If you're the smartest person in the room you're in the wrong room” - Catherine Meloy

Catherine Meloy firmly believes that if you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room! She was a successful broadcasting executive when she got the call (literally) to serve as the fearless leader of Good Will. That call - along with her brilliance, commitment and passion - has helped transform countless lives in the greater Washington community and beyond. And in the debate of whether the heart or the head should prevail, Catherine uncompromisingly choses to lead with both!

In this inspiring interview Catherine shares wonderful stories of her parents instilling in her the values of discipline, love and faith. You’ll learn why she refuses to ever be the smartest person in the room and empowers her staff to help translate her lofty 5-year vision into reality. And the ways she strives to learn and grow as a leader, manager and businessperson despite being on top of her game (just read her incredible bio!)

I know you’ll find Catherine’s interview riveting and inspiring!

What you’ll learn:

• How growing up with a disciplinarian Marine dad and unconditionally loving mom shaped Catherine's identity
• Why Catherine considers discipline to be the number one attribute in business and the daily habits that help her maintain discipline and focus
• Catherine's approach to email and boundaries that help her and her team reset weekly
• How asking "What was really important a year ago?” or “What did I lose sleep over a month ago?" can help stay focused on a bigger picture perspective
• Fantastic story of why and how she made the leap from broadcasting to leading Good Will
• Why having a strong brand for any organization is so crucial
• Advice for mission-oriented leaders on learning important business skills and how to make the time for the learning and professional development
• How Catherine's spiritual faith informs her leadership style and even culture of Good Will
• How declaring your values and priorities as a leader creates greater accountability for yourself
• What Catherine considers to be her growing edges
• And so much more! 

Links & Resources

• Good Will – Catherine’s incredible organization whose mission is to transform lives and communities through the power of education and employment.
• Greater Washington Board of Trade – networking and organization in the D.C. area Catherine recommends for their great educational programs. Having been a member I agree!
• Global Leadership Summit – “Fresh, actionable and inspiring leadership content” conference Catherine raved about
• Leadership Greater Washington – amazing D.C. area networking and educational organization Catherine and I are both love and support. PSA: LGW is accepting applications for the next signature program class due in early April 2017.

About Catherine Meloy 

Catherine Meloy is the President and CEO of Goodwill of Greater Washington (Goodwill). Catherine Meloy serves as President and CEO of Goodwill of Greater Washington and the Goodwill Excel Center. She was selected in 2003 by the Goodwill Board of Trustees as a proven business leader who could dramatically extend the reach and vitality of the organization and enable it to serve an even broader segment of the disabled and disadvantaged community.

Prior to joining Goodwill of Greater Washington, Catherine had a successful 20 year management career in the radio industry.

With Catherine’s leadership, Goodwill has grown to over 800 associates; 15 retail stores; annual revenues of $42M, which include nine government janitorial contracts. In further serving and expanding the mission of Goodwill, the first adult diploma charter high school has been granted by the DC Public Charter School Board to Goodwill to open in the fall of 2016 under the title of the Goodwill Excel Center.

Catherine’s involvement in the greater Washington community includes:

• Board of Directors, Greater Washington Board of Trade
• Board of Directors, Federal City Council
• Board of Directors, DC Chamber of Commerce
• Board of Directors of MedStar Health
• Board of Directors of SourceAmerica
• Member of the DC Workforce Investment Council
• Member of the Northern Virginia Workforce Investment Board
• In January 2016, Catherine was elected to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

Catherine is a recipient of the Greater Washington Board of Trade’s “Leader of the Years Award“; was honored by Washingtonian Magazine as “Washingtonian of the Year“; was inducted into the American Marketing Association-DC Chapter Hall of Fame and was highlighted as a Most Admired CEO by Smart CEO Magazine for her successful organizational turnaround of Goodwill of Greater Washington.

She and her husband, David, who is President of Merit Hotels, live in Annapolis, Maryland and have three grown children.

 

This seems to be a particularly ideal time for a story about a single individual’s determination and capacity to transform tragedy into a movement that’s saving millions of lives world-wide!

Robin Smalley is an Emmy-winning journalist who miraculously found her life’s purpose at her best friend’s deathbed. At the lowest point in her life she decided to take a wild leap of faith, move her family to Africa and co-found a nonprofit that is tirelessly (and successfully!) eradicating pediatric AIDS globally. In the last 15 years mothers2mothers has transformed from a tiny startup to an award-winning organization that has saved and enriched 1.5 million lives of HIV-positive moms and babies who are now born healthy thanks to Robin’s extraordinary work!

Robin’s story and spirit are beyond inspiring - I know you’ll get so much from this amazing interview!

What you’ll learn:

• What Robin learned about adaptability by following her performer parents all over the world and attending 12 schools in 12 years
• How taking a dreaded science class in college opened a door to Robin's incredibly successful career in television
• Why it so pays off to truly get to know new people (you’ll enjoy stories we shared about how making a positive impact on others paid off in unexpected ways)
• What it was like for Robin to win an Emmy (the only time Oprah show ever lost!)
• How becoming a mom and volunteering at a non-profit on vacations shifted Robin's perspective and career path
• Why our reluctance to promote and advocate for ourselves holds us back as leaders
• Why it's ok to be "selfish" and help people just because it makes us feel good
• How Robin transformed the tragedy of her friend's death into a mission to change lives of millions of women and children world-wide
• How mothers2mothers transitioned from starting in a car to 900 sites in 8 countries within 3 years
• How you can join Robin's innovative, super fun campaign that empowers donors to feel great about celebrating birthdays and making a difference
• And so much more!

Links & Resources

• mothers2mothers – Robin’s amazing organization that’s eradicating pediatric AIDS globally
• Scott Jackson’s interview – the extraordinary first Leadership Insights guest, amazing human AND connector to Robin (you can tell Scott’s got a fan club here :)
• Power of Nice – book we referenced in the interview
• Streetlights – another great nonprofit Robin has supported

About Robin Smalley

After a successful Emmy-winning career as a television producer/director, Robin Smalley co-founded mothers2mothers (m2m), a Cape Town based NGO providing education, empowerment and suppport for pregnant women and new mothers living with HIV/AIDS. m2m reaches these women with a unique approach, by employing and professionalizing women from communities living with HIV, called Mentor Mothers. As role models in their townships and villages, Mentor Mothers fight stigma as valued members of health care teams that have traditionally been populated by overworked and overstressed doctors and nurses.

As m2m’s first Executive Director and current Director of m2m U.S., Robin has helped guide the organization through a period of extraordinary growth, from a tiny grassroots start-up to an international organization operating in eight sub-Saharan countries and employing over 1600 HIV-positive women who are providing health and hope to hundreds of thousands of families. m2m has been honored at the White House, has won the Skoll Entrepreneurial Award, the Schwab Entrepreneurial Award, the Global Health Council Best Practices Award, and the Henry Kravis Leadership Award. Robin is married to architect Jeffrey Smalley and has two daughters, Hannah and Sophia.

 

“My mission is to be a catalyst for positive, systemic change in the community” – Tom Raffa

Tom Raffa admits he’s is a very unusual CEO. He “winged” his way into accounting to pay for college and has built a firm (and a legacy) that focuses more on impact than on profit.  30+ years later Raffa still contributes 10% (almost $5m last year) in financial and pro-bono services to non-profits and allows *unlimited paid* community service time to any employee!  When health insurance premiums skyrocketed, Tom not only kept benefits the same for employees, he invested heavily in wellness programs to make sure his staff is healthy, happy and engaged.  Tom is an amazing visionary, entrepreneur and philanthropist and I know you’ll enjoy this interview as much as I did!

What you’ll learn:

• How one school counselor's recognition of Tom's talent planted a seed for him to attend college
• Fascinating story how Tom stumbled into accounting (by "slightly" fibbing on his resume) to be able to pay for college and “winged it” to success
• How Tom built his accounting firm on principles of helping the community (and the money would follow)
• How to instill the philanthropic mindset into the culture of an organization
• What Tom learned from his non-profit clients about mission focus
• What non profits can learn from businesses and social ventures about self-sufficiency, sustainability and marketing
• How social ventures he admires are blending the best of both worlds - business and non-profit models - to create greater impact while staying profitable
• Strategies for organizations to maximize their resources
• Tom’s philosophy on how organizations can create opportunities for collaboration / eliminate need to compete for resources
• How to embrace experimentation and even failure as a leader
• And so much more!

Links & Resources

• Raffa Learning Community – Raffa offers free classes to help non-profits succeed
• Raffa Podcast – Another fantastic, educational resource from Raffa
• Companies for Causes – Organization of CEOs Tom co-founded that works with non-profits on social change issues
• Mark Kramer article on collective impact Tom recommends

About Tom Raffa

Tom is the Founder and Managing Partner of Raffa, which he established specifically to service the needs of the nonprofit community and social sector. During his more than 35- year career, Tom has provided accounting, auditing, tax services and business consulting to the nonprofit sector, conducting studies on management structure, internal and operational controls, and management information systems. Many Raffa clients have also enlisted Tom’s assistance in assembling compensation and fringe benefits packages, executive compensation and retirement plans, venture capital/fundraising efforts, investment policies, financial projections, indirect cost proposals and matters of governance.

To serve Raffa’s clients more fully, Tom founded three affiliate organizations, Raffa Financial Services, Inc. (RFSI), Raffa Social Capital Advisors (RSCA) and Raffa Wealth Management (RWM). RFSI, formed in 1999, provides insurance and investment products and services, while RWM, formed in 2005, provides investment consulting and financial planning to private foundations and high-wealth individuals who support the nonprofit sector. RSCA was formed in 2016, to accelerate and scale those groups and individuals with solid social enterprises programs that could change the world.

Tom’s professional and volunteer support of nonprofits has garnered him several recent awards, including the 2016 Individual Making a Difference Award from The Nonprofit Village, the Georgetown Entrepreneur of the Year, the Volunteer Achievement Award from the Accountants for the Public Interest and SmartCPA two years running from SmartCEO Magazine. Raffa was recognized as the 19th Top Corporate Philanthropist in the Region in 2012. Tom was recognized for the creation of Companies for Causes and his commitment to improving education outcomes for students by the Pearl and Ivy Educational Foundation at the 2014 P.E.A.R.L.S. Awards with the Innovation in Philanthropy Award. In November, Tom will receive the Man of the Year Award from the Italian American Association (Lido Civic Club) for his unwaivering commitment to community.

Through Tom’s commitment to his employees health and wellness, the firm was recently honored with the 2016 SmartCEO's Healthiest Company Award for first-rate programming. Inside Public Accounting (IPA) and Accounting Today magazine continuously name Raffa as one of the “Top 100 Accounting Firms” in the nation. IPA’s Top 100 and IPA’s National Benchmarking Report are the industry’s longest-running and most up-to-date analysis and ranking of the nation’s largest accounting firms. A recent report recognized Raffa as its “Best of the Best,” which honors only 50 firms from across the country for their overall superior performance on more than 70 criteria. Recently, IPA recognized Raffa as the only firm in the country whose leadership embraces its international and multi-cultural staff in an article entitled, “One IPA 100 Firm Defies Diversity Statistics: 11 of 17 Partners Are Women.” This article named Raffa as the only firm in the top 100 that is women-owned making it the largest CPA firm in the US that is women-owned. It is also one of the only a few CPA firms that is a certified B Corporation.

Tom shares his expertise through articles in national publications such as The Nonprofit Quarterly, The Nonprofit Times and The Chronicle of Philanthropy, which cover issues affecting the nonprofit sector. He also has been an instructor and speaker for many nonprofit training programs and conferences and various federal agencies.

Tom is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the District of Columbia and is an active member of AICPA. He is also a founding board member of the Alliance for Nonprofit Management and the Alliance for Nonprofit Insurance and has served on the board of the Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington and Sister Cities of Montgomery County. He is a founding member of the board of Social Impact 360 and a recent member to the Park City Community Foundation board. He is also on the Advisory Board of Aspire. Tom is the Vice Chair, the Treasurer and on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Catalogue for Philanthropy. Tom is also a member of the board of the United Way of the National Capital Area where he serves on the Strategy Committee and the Audit Committee. Tom is the Treasurer and on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra.

Tom is a graduate of Georgetown University, a member of the Georgetown University Alumni Admissions Program and has served as a mentor at the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business for more than 20 years. He often speaks at Georgetown for various classes and seminars and is currently involved with the Entrepreneurship Fellowship.

 

“You have to lead by example 24-7” – Tien Wong

What does it say about you if, as a child, you fantasize about an airline being named after you? Or as an adult your proudest accomplishments are the successes of leaders you’ve helped cultivate? For Tien Wong, it says that entrepreneurship and integrity are in his blood and how he defines himself as a leader. In this candid, enlightening interview Tien shares his immigrant family story and what he has learned as a leader and entrepreneur, both through successes and missteps along the way.

What you’ll learn:

• How being the son of Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs shaped Tien’s path
• What Tien dreamed of being when he grew up (hint: we almost ended up with TWA - Tien Wong Airlines!)
• How he learned (the hard way) to grow and scale a business
• Why it's essential to hire good, even if expensive, people from the beginning
• What he learned from the common "trap" of promoting technically gifted professionals to leadership roles
• Excellent advice about importance of process, even for listeners who may not be process people (like me)
• Difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation or "pull" vs. "push” type of leadership
• Strategies for successful hiring decisions (including the right combination of brain, heart and intuition)
• How to know when to train or coach an employee to succeed and when it's time to let them go
• Importance of a robust employee orientation and coaching structure
• How to make employees feel cared for - and want to stay in touch - even if you must let them go
• Why of all his incredible accomplishments Tien is most proud of helping emerging leaders blossom
• And so much more!

Links & Resources

• Predictive Index – assessment tool Tien recommends for determining the cultural alignment of employees.
• NFTE – wonderful non-profit that brings entrepreneurial training to high school students, especially those from low-income communities (Tien and I met through our involvement with NFTE)
• Glen Ogilvie's episode – Referenced in our hiring and firing conversation with Tien
• CONNECTpreneur Forum - Tien's community for entrepreneurs based in the D.C. area

About Tien Wong

S. Tien Wong is Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Opus8, Inc., a Chevy Chase, Maryland-based private investment firm specializing in middle market buyouts, private equity and venture capital investment.

The firm seeks to acquire North American call center, CRM (customer relationship management), and outsourced marketing services and technology companies.  Opus8 also makes venture capital investments in emerging outsourcing companies in China with a special focus on tech and services companies in the following sectors: ITO (IT outsourcing), CRM, BPO (business process outsourcing), and outsourced marketing and information management.

In 1991, Tien co-founded and served as CEO of CyberRep, Inc. until its acquisition in 2003 by Affiliated Computer Services (NYSE: ACS). At the time of its acquisition, CyberRep was one of the largest privately held CRM outsourcing companies in the world, operating 6 customer interaction centers throughout the USA with over 2,300 employees and $80 million in revenue. Today, the CyberRep/ACS business unit is one of the largest call center operations in the world, with over $850 million in revenue.  In addition to garnering such prestigious awards as Customer Inter@ction Solutions magazine's MVP Quality Award and Customer Interface magazine's ACCE (Award for Call Center Excellence), CyberRep was ranked in INC. magazine's 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000's "Inc. 500" as the 51st, 53rd, 72nd and 408th fastest growing private company in the USA, respectively. CyberRep was profitable for eleven consecutive years and was backed by Allied Capital Corporation, a $5 billion investment company (NYSE: ALD).

Tien is a recognized international expert in CRM, direct marketing, and BPO. He has presented at dozens of industry events around the world, and has written numerous articles on the CRM and BPO spaces. He has also provided industry commentary on the ABC, Fox, NBC, CNBC, Maryland Public Television, and China's CCTV networks. Prior to co-founding CyberRep, he worked for ten years in commercial real estate finance and investments.

Tien was the recipient of the 2001 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for Greater Washington.  An "Entrepreneur in Residence" at the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business, he frequently guest lectures on entrepreneurship, leadership and finance at the University of Maryland, Georgetown University, and the University of Virginia.

Tien serves on the Boards of Directors of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (bsomusic.org), Technology Council of Maryland (techcouncilmd.com), HarVest Bancorp (harvestbankmd.com), Association for Corporate Growth - National Capital (acg.org), the Potomac Officer's Club (potomacofficersclub.com), and Monte Jade Science and Technology Association (mj-dc.org). He serves on the Investment Advisory Board of the Commonwealth of Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology GAP Fund (cit.org). He is former Treasurer and National Board Member of the American Teleservices Association (ataconnect.org).

Tien is Chairman of the Executive Leadership Committee for the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship's Greater Washington region. He is CEO of The Tien and Beverly Wong Foundation, which supports youth, education, and social services charities. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College where he majored in Government.

 

“Values drive our actions, responses and decisions; we each have to determine what matters to us and what we are and aren’t wiling to accept.” – Rosie Allen-Herring

Rosie Allen-Herring counts as a blessing to have grown up in a large, education-focused Southern family; surrounded by a loving, encouraging community; and crossing paths with teachers and mentors that have shaped her path and her values. Today she is an inspiration to her staff, peers and community and hearing her stories and insights on family, growth and leadership it’s easy to see why. Don’t miss this amazing interview with an extraordinary leader - Rosie Allen-Herring!

What You'll Learn:

• How Rosie’s Southern upbringing in a large, loving, education-focused family and community forever shaped her values and path as a leader
• What Rosie learned from her mom about servant leadership and how she strives to live by these principles in her life and career
• How losing loved ones has made Rosie reflect and make changes in her life
• How she perceived being the only African-American leader in numerous corporate experiences
• How bad bosses - as well as great ones - have influenced her leadership style
• What female mentors taught her about succeeding in a male-dominated environment and what males mentors contributed to her growth
• Rosie’s advice for discovering our values and making sure we’re fully aligned with them in our actions and reactions
• What she’s learned from making mistakes as a leader
• Rosie’s advice on making peace with mistakes and gaining confidence in yourself
• What confidence advice she would have given her 25-year-old self
• Tips for giving feedback and empowering people you're working with
• And so much more!

About Rosie Allen-Herring

Rosie Allen-Herring is the President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of the National Capital Area (United Way NCA). She brings to United Way NCA a keen understanding of how to leverage resources and convene public and private entities to create a collective impact in the local community as well as on a national level.

Rosie has more than 25 years of experience in the areas of strategic leadership, public and private partnership development, corporate philanthropy and community investment.

Formerly, Rosie was the Managing Director of the Community Investment and Engagement Division at Fannie Mae.  In that role, she led Fannie Mae’s corporate philanthropic strategy, and oversaw the organization’s social responsibility investments and employee engagement efforts nationwide.

Prior to Managing Director at Fannie Mae, she served as the National Regulatory Compliance Manager, Housing & Community Development. She was also the Senior Deputy Director, Washington, DC Community Business Center.

Rosie developed, implemented and managed key business strategies for the Washington Metropolitan area, resulting in investments of more than $2 billion in the region.

Rosie holds key leadership roles with several business and civic organizations, including serving on the Board of Directors for the Greater Washington Board of Trade, District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Washington Area Women’s Foundation, Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital, Prince George's Community College Foundation and several additional organizations. She served as a board member for Washington's exploratory Olympic committee, Washington 2024.

She earned a B.A. in Economics from Howard University, an M.B.A. from Strayer University and was an International Fellow of the United States-Southern Africa Center for Leadership and Public Values at the University of Cape Town (SA) Graduate School of Business and Duke University Graduate School of Public Policy.

Rosie has been honored by many organizations, including: Washington Business Journal Minority Business Leader (2015); Hope Awardee for Calvary Women's Shelter (2015); Most Influential Business Leader ( 2014 and 2013); Brava Top CEO Award (2014); Washingtonian Magazine’s Most Powerful Women (2013); Washington Business Journal’s Power 100 Leader and Washington Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business Award (2011).

She has been included on prestigious lists such as “Outstanding Young Women of America,” and “Who’s Who in America.”

 

“It’s never about you as a leader, it’s always about the organization and the impact” – Nicky Goren “Do I stay in my comfort zone and enjoy the expertise I created or walk through a new door where I don’t know anything?” is a question Nicky Goren frequently asks herself… and then walks right through the new door. She has consistently left jobs she loved and bosses who nurtured and mentored her in pursuit of new opportunities to make an even bigger difference. As the fearless leader of the Meyer Foundation Nicky is committed to transforming conversations (and mindsets) around some of the most complex and potentially controversial issues – from race to the future of philanthropy!   What You'll Learn:

• How Nicky's multi-cultural, cross-continental upbringing helped make her the amazing leader she is today
• Fun intercultural quirks Nicky and I share (although she’s not the one who hasn’t seen Star Wars)
• How advice from an early mentor – selecting three criteria to choose a job - has guided her career path. Nicky’s three have been: Be passionate about the job, enjoy people you work with and be challenged every day
• The tremendous impact of caring mentors in her life and her commitment to do the same for others
• How Nicky is overcoming her struggle to be consistently confident in her voice
• How focus on Collective Impact automatically focuses non-profits on stronger outcomes and leads to social change
• Why it’s necessary to bring different, and perhaps untraditional, stakeholders to conversations to tackle issues systemically
• How the Meyer Foundation is facilitating a conversation about race, ethnicity and why it matters so much 

Links & Resources

• Meyer Foundation – Nicky’s wonderful organization
• Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers (WRAG) Putting Racism on the Table - powerful series Nicky referenced in the interview
• First 90 Days – helpful book Nicky referenced that she uses in the first few months on a new job
• Collective Impact and Systems Leadership articles Nicky recommends

About Nicky Goren Nicky Goren is president and CEO of the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation, which pursues and invests in solutions to build an equitable Greater Washington community in which people who are economically vulnerable thrive. Founded in 1944, the Meyer Foundation is a leading supporter of local nonprofit organizations serving the DC region. Each year, the Foundation provides grants totaling more than $7 million to more than 150 organizations working in the interconnected areas of affordable housing, education and workforce development, and financial security. In addition to funding, the Foundation works to build the capacity of partner organizations, serves as a convener and advocate on critical issues, and promotes cross-sector collective action to advance solutions to community challenges. Before being selected to lead the Meyer Foundation in 2014, Nicky served for four years as president of Washington Area Women’s Foundation, which focuses on increasing the economic security of women and girls in the DC region. Prior to joining Washington Area Women’s Foundation, Nicky spent 12 years in senior positions at the Corporation for National and Community Service—the nation’s largest grantmaker supporting service and volunteering. She served as chief of staff from 2006 to 2008 and as acting CEO from 2008 to 2010, overseeing a federal government agency with a staff of 600 and a budget of $1.1 billion. A graduate of Brandeis University and Cornell Law School, Nicky began her career as assistant general counsel in the Congressional Budget Office, and then served as counsel at the newly established Office of Compliance of the U.S. Congress. She currently serves on the Raise DC Leadership Council; on the boards of the American Association of State Service Commissions, District of Columbia College Access Program (DC-CAP), Federal City Council, Greater Washington Board of Trade, Trinity Washington University, and Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers; and is a member of Leadership Greater Washington’s Class of 2013. Nicky lives in the District with her husband and two sons.  

“My employees' job is to take care of our clients; as a leader my job is to take care of them.” – Kathy Sibert Kathy Sibert firmly believes that when you are no longer excited about something you’re doing, it’s time for a change. In her case that change was life changing - she moved her family back to the U.S. after living all over the globe and gave up a corporate career to lead a then-floundering local non-profit serving the homeless in Arlington, VA. Since then Kathy has used her brilliance, commitment and incredible passion to transform A-SPAN into an award winning organization changing the lives of clients, staff and community members! What You'll Learn:

• What it was like for Kathy to transition from living and working overseas to running a local non-profit and how the two experiences are connected
• How Kathy transformed A-SPAN from a money losing, low morale organization into the incredible force for change
• How her global mindset informs her leadership style
• Differences in managing and motivating non-profit vs. corporate employees
• What Kathy learned in the corporate world that can help non-profit leaders succeed
• Difference between skill vs. cause-specific learning curves and how each can be conquered
• How do we undertake ending homelessness? (Hint: it's actually by providing homes to the homeless!)
• How to inspire caring, hope and activism in the community
• Reasons most people become homeless and what all of us have in common with a person living on the street
• What Kathy is doing to grow and develop her staff
• Importance for leaders to learn and gain support from peers
• How to recognize when it's time for a life and/or career change

Links & Resources

• A-SPAN – Kathy’s amazing non-profit providing support and housing to the homeless in Arlington, VA
• Doug Duncan interview – episode with President of Leadership Greater Washington referenced in Kathy’s interview
• Mark Bergel's interview - episode with Founder of A Wider Circle we referenced in Kathy’s interview
• Leadership Arlington – Arlington County leadership program Kathy recommends
• Center for Nonprofit Advancement - fantastic organization that awarded Kathy with an EXCEL award and recognized the A-SPAN board for their leadership.  Center's CEO Glen O'Gilvie was the featured guest on Episode 5.

About Kathy Sibert Kathleen Sibert has over 25 years of experience in financial management, staff development, strategic planning, marketing and communications. Her global work includes experience in banking, technology, marketing and the nonprofit sector in 29 countries on five continents. She earned her Master’s in Business Administration from Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona and her Bachelor of Science from Florida State University. She is currently the President/CEO of A-SPAN, which provides life-sustaining services for Arlington’s street homeless. In her role, Ms. Sibert led a strategic expansion of services, with a focus on ending homelessness through permanent housing. Since Ms. Sibert joined the organization in November 2008, A-SPAN won the contract to operate Arlington’s Emergency Winter Shelter, added the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Programs, and Nursing Services now delivered through a full-time nurse practitioner. She spearheaded Arlington’s inclusion in the national 100,000 Homes Campaign through 100 Homes Arlington, which has provided housing for 100 of the most medically vulnerable people in Arlington. Under her leadership, A-SPAN worked with Arlington’s Department of Human Services and other area homeless service providers to end veteran homelessness in Arlington last December, becoming just the second county in the nation to do so. In October 2015, A-SPAN opened a new, state-of-the-art Homeless Services Center, a first of its kind in the DC Metro area. The Center provides shelter, day and medical services including a five-bed medical respite program, year-round, all under one roof. An Arlington native, Ms. Sibert is the Co-Chair of the Outreach, Education, and Advocacy Committee of the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness. She received a 2012 Arlington Woman of Vision Award. Under her, A-SPAN was named Nonprofit of the Year for 2011 by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, honorable mention recipient of The Washington Post 2015 Award for Excellence, and Board Leadership Award 2015 winner. Ms. Sibert won the Gelman, Rosenberg, and Freedman 2015 EXCEL Award for leadership achievement in the areas of innovation, motivation, community building, ethical integrity, and strategic leadership.  

"My disability has made me a stronger, more confident leader " – David Shaffer Imagine graduating third from your Stanford Law class without studying thanks to your gift of photographic memory. Now imagine the ironic twist of fate of going blind at the height of your career - fighting for civil rights of disenfranchised individuals, including those with disabilities - and people suddenly treating you as stupid and incompetent because of your own disability. This is exactly what happened to my guest David Shaffer and his extraordinary story is sure to leave you moved, inspired and perhaps even seeing the world through his eyes! What You'll Learn:  

• How David's passion and commitment to social justice and civil rights has shaped his career (you must hear about some of the fascinating and famous cases he's led and won!)
• How he came to terms with the devastation of losing his vision and primary tool for learning (and navigating the world!)
• How David helped transform D.C. metro into one of the most accessible transit systems in the country (isn’t it great to hear some good news about DC metro!?)
• Fascinating facts about disabilities, such as 19% of U.S. population has a disability (I had no idea, did you?)
• What’s really happening for people we see with dark glasses, white canes and other individuals with disabilities
• Astounding challenges disabled individuals encounter in every day tasks that most of us take for granted - from checking bank account balance online to reading a restaurant menu to…
• Practical tips and strategies to help support our friends and colleagues with disabilities in the workplace (and beyond)
• How technology can help disabled individuals regain independence, mobility and “sin back their lives”
• And so much more! 

Links & Resources

• WMATA Accessibility – for more information about WMATA accessibility programs and initiatives
• Seeing eye phone: Giving independence to the blind – great article David shared about assistive technology for the blind
• Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind – fantastic organization David partners with and the one lead by our previous amazing podcast guest, Tony Cancelosi
• ADA – for more information about the Americans with Disabilities Act
• American Foundation for the Blind – good resource to learn more about this disability and additional information about assistive technology

About David Shaffer David Shaffer is the Access Policy Officer and was previously the Assistant General Counsel at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). David’s role includes development and implementation of ADA (Americans with Disabilities) Policy. He was previously Partner at Garvey Schubert Barer and Shaffer, Rappaports & Schmidt where he represented clients in civil rights class actions including against FBI, Secret Service and U.S. Customs Service; and represented employers and employees in ground-breaking employment and labor cases.  

"I learned how to do everything by doing it wrong the first time" -Kristina Bouweiri Kristina Bouweiri calls herself an accidental entrepreneur. Perhaps this is how she started - by marrying into the business, Reston Limousine - but her success was no accident. Kristina has brilliantly grown the tiny 5-car business to the #13 largest limousine company in the U.S.! All this despite personal and business crises, including divorce from the firm’s founder and periods of economic turmoil! What You'll Learn:

• Kristina’s amazing story of marrying into the limo business and becoming an “accidental entrepreneur”
• How she grew Reston Limousine from a tiny 5-car business to the 13th largest limousine company in the country
• How she managed to succeed as a solo owner of Reston Limousine and single caregiver to four kids and ten pets after her divorce
• What makes Reston Limousine repeatedly the Best Place to Work (compassion, listening and surveying employees on how to make their lives better)
• How being a life-long learner and networker has changed her life and business
• What self-care routines got her through the darkest time in her life and business
• Why Kristina attributes doubling the size of her company to finally learning to delegate
• What natural traits female leaders should leverage for competitive advantage
• How business coaching and master-minding has been transformational for her business
• How board service has helped Kristina build relationships and dramatically grow her business
• What Kristina is still working on as a person and a leader

Links & Resources

• Reston Limousine – Kristina’s amazing company
• Vistage – Business networking and masterminding organization Kristina recommends
• Reike - Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation Kristina uses for restoration and self-care
• Discover Your Strengths – Methodology Kristina uses to assess and best leverage her own and her staff’s strengths. I’ve used it with clients too, it’s great!
• How to get certified as a woman-owned business – useful Inc. Magazine article about becoming certified
• Globe Women’s Summit – global women’s conference Kristina recommends

About Kristina Bouweiri   Kristina Bouweiri is the sole owner of the Washington DC metropolitan area’s largest luxury transportation provider. Thanks to Kristina’s innovative business strategies over the last two decades, Reston Limousine and Travel Service, Inc. has enjoyed continued growth despite regional and national economic downturns. Starting with the diversification into wedding transportation in 1990, Kristina has expanded the business into new market segments such as government contracts and group transportation. Even as shuttle contracts led to exponential growth for the company, Kristina created new markets on the charter side, such as the company’s signature wine tours in what is now billed as DC’s Wine Country. Kristina also has led the company’s commitment to implementing the latest in technology trends. The leading private transportation provider in Washington DC when it comes to technology, Reston Limousine utilizes cameras on its bus fleet, GPS in all vehicles and TrafficLand software to monitor DC area traffic patterns. Kristina also has been an early adopter of social media, from blogging to social sharing sites including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google Plus, Instagram and more. Through LinkedIn, Kristina leveraged her international network to launch the company’s global services, which provides worldwide transportation through a vetted affiliate network. An active business community leader, Kristina is a board member of influential civic organizations and business publications such as the DC Chamber of Commerce, SmartCEO magazine, Inova Loudoun Hospital Foundation, and  Enterprising Women magazine, among others. She also is a member of the Dean’s Council of the George Mason School of Business, where she helped launch a Women’s in Business Initiative program to support students, alumnae and other businesswomen. The Washington Business Journal named Kristina one of the 50 most powerful and influential women in Washington and she has been featured in numerous media and trade publications such as The Washington Post, Washington SmartCEO and Enterprising Women. As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Bouweiri has been committed to supporting other women entrepreneurs. She is the founder of the monthly networking luncheon Sterling Women and the annual Virginia Women’s Business Conference – two programs that have helped hundreds of women entrepreneurs and executives achieve their professional goals. She also is an international speaker on topics ranging from business strategy to the use of social media in growing your business, including at the Global Summit of Women in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Her recent awards include George Mason University Outstanding Leadership Award, Heroine of Washington,  Washington Business Journal Power 100, and National Operator of the Year. See below for a complete list of her achievements. ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2015 Outstanding Leadership Award, George Mason University School of Business
• 2015 Heroines of Washington (Professional Services)/March of Dimes
• 2015 Power 100 (Connector)/Washington Business Journal
• 2015 Top Women-Owned Businesses in DC/Washington Business Journal
• 2015 Top Executive Transportation Services in DC/Washington Business Journal
• 2015 Legacy Entrepreneur of the Year/EPNET
• 2014 National Operator of the Year/LCT Magazine
• 2014 Most Admired CEO/Washington Business Journal
• 2014 Washington SmartCEO Future 50
• 2013 Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, International Women Entrepreneurs Challenge Award
• 2013 Washington SmartCEO Future 50
• 2009-1013 Washington SmartCEO Top 100 CEOs
• 2012 DC Chamber of Commerce, Business Leader of the Year
• 2011 NOVA EXEC, Top 20 InNOVAtors:
• 2011 Loudoun County Good Scout Award (first woman to receive the award)
• 2010 Ernst & Young, Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist