StartEdUp Podcast

Devin is another co-founder and the current Chief Executive Officer of Kennected - an Indy-based SaaS company with over 16,000 users. He is a serial entrepreneur, an inspiring leader, and an adept marketer. In this episode we dig into how flipping shoes started a passion of entrepreneurship, and the urgency of success to help his sister get cancer treatment meant he had to succeed- now. As the CEO of Kennected, Devin directs the daily workflow and is responsible for the overall success of over 100 employees. His leadership led to Kennected being a recipient of the coveted Mira award - for technological innovation. His vision is to build a world where people value relationships even more than money; where people feel inspired to help their fellow business professionals each and every day. This vision has directly led to Kennected being voted a “Top Place to Work” in Indianapolis. Devin’s employees see him as an inspirational and empathetic thought leader who always maintains both a positive work environment and a culture of hard work, thoughtfulness, and understanding. He always leads by example - bringing out the absolute best in others. Devin Johnson’s Why Video LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/leadflow/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/devinallenjohnson/

Dr. Jose Moray is one of the most accomplished persons I've interviewed. His passion to help serves others centers around his intense curiosity to not just learn, but find ways to help others. His bio reads like a Nobel Prize winner, and his drive matches. From his website (drjosemorey.com): CEO and Founder of Ad Astra Media LLC; providing role models and educational STEAM content to encourage more diversity in STEAM related fields. He is the Chief Medical Officer for Ever Medical, an Eisenhower Fellow with the 2020/2021 ZHI-XING Fellows Program and is a health and technology keynote speaker, author and a consultant for NASA, Forbes, MIT and the White House Office of Science and Technology. He is considered a leader in exponential technology innovation and excels at leading multidisciplinary teams that sit at the epicenter of biotechnology, AI, and aerospace. He is considered the first Intergalactic Doctor and is often featured on Forbes, Univision, CNBC and NASA360. His latest essay “The Future Shock of Medicine: How AI will Transform Disease, Death and Doctors” was recently reviewed by The Wall Street Journal along with other contributions by contemporary thought leaders. He serves as a technology and business advisor for MIT, NASA, UVA, African Innovation Alliance, US-Polish Alliance for Innovation and has served as special envoy to the Polish Space Agency. As Chief Engineering Council in charge of Innovation for Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, he directs international engineering teams in technology and intellectual property development.

"Doing the work" and staying busy. Is it important- or killing you?

Jacques M. Jean is the Founder & CEO of TechFides, and I met him at the Festival of the Diaspora. Jacques is an accomplished business professional with over 20 years of experience in planning and implementing global technology strategies. Prior to forming TechFides, Jacques held an executive position where he served as an IT Business Stakeholder for the $4B IT Division of Schneider Electric Company where he led and championed driving their IT strategy and project-related portfolios. Earlier in his Schneider tenure, Mr. Jean also led the development and implementation of the IT engagement strategy for their $7B dollar Industrial Automation division. Prior to joining Invensys, Jacques spearheaded the Value-Based Planning group at Honeywell International, where he collaborated with all business unit CIOs, optimized the IT infrastructure services, and minimized overhead and costs. Jacques also served as the IT Six Sigma Leader in Latin America for Honeywell Corporate, responsible for Regional Program Management and Six Sigma deployments across Latin America and the Caribbean. Jacques began his career as an IT Security Policy Business Analyst with AlliedSignal. Earlier in his Schneider tenure, Mr. Jean also led the development and implementation of the IT engagement strategy for their $7B dollar Industrial Automation division. Prior to joining Invensys, Jacques was the IT leader for the Honeywell CPG business in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Jacques also spearheaded the Value-Based Planning group at Honeywell International, where he collaborated with all business unit CIOs, optimized the IT infrastructure services, and minimized overhead and costs. Jacques also served as the IT Six Sigma Leader in Latin America for Honeywell Corporate, responsible for Regional Program Management and Six Sigma deployments across Latin America and the Caribbean. Jacques began his career as an IT Security Policy Business Analyst with AlliedSignal. Jacques is a member of the Executive Advisory Board for Tartan Advisory Partners. Jacques is also a philanthropist with three libraries under his belt across the northern side of Haiti. Jacques’ academic credentials include earning a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University and furthering his studies with an Executive Program in Business Marketing Strategy from Harvard Business School and an Executive Program in LEAD to Impact from the University of North Carolina KenanFlagler Business School with the Schneider Electric Executive Corporate Leadership program in Budapest. Jacques also holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from la Universidad de Guadalajara in Mexico. Jacques is fluent in many languages such as Creole, French, Spanish, English, and some Portuguese.

People want to be "led." But what is the difference between motivation and leadership. Moreover, how do we take motivation and turn it into self-discipline?

Cordell Carter is brings 20 years of experience to his leadership of the Aspen Institute Socrates Program, a global education forum for leaders and Expectant Advisory, a privately-held leadership consultancy. He also is the catalyst behind the Festival of the Diaspora. This podcast is a three part series each Wednesday about the Festival. I was so impressed by the festival and everyone that brought ideas and a mindset, focusing on possibilities. Fore more information go to: https://festivalofthediaspora.org/

Andrea Pontremoli is the CEO and General Manager of Dallara Motorsports in what is known as the "Italian Motor Valley." His passion for racing and innovation is what has driven this company to be the innovation fuel for top brands and collaborators like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani, among others. For more information about Dallara, go to: https://www.dallara.it/en

Jamal and I discuss "the slap." Actually we don't really- I rant on how little I care about celebrities, and the death of comedy. Will Smith and Chris Rock are at the center, but this represents something bigger. Per usual, Jamal and I had slightly different takes, but agreed on many things. Enjoy.

Dallara is a company that powers the most famous brands in the world: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani, Ducati, Maserati- just to name a few! So it was with great anticipation to kick off a relationship with this amazing company as we will be hosting college students to go over to Italy and collaborate with some iconic brands!

Dreamer, Disruptor, and Creator. Ashley is on a mission to create a company that gives busy women valuable time back in their day for the people and projects that matter most. She has built MySherri to be a premium, boutique in-home management company that employs and deploys an excellent in-home workforce. She helps women normalize getting support in the home while reducing the guilt and shame associated with asking for help. Ashley’s experience with food and housing insecurity as a child propels her to ensure that her team is empowered to achieve their own balance by offering a true living wage, paid time off, benefits, extensive training, and professional development opportunities. Prior to founding MySherri, Ashley was a physician that gained a profound understanding of what it means to need balance. Whether it be in medicine or business, Ashley has changed the lives of many by bringing authenticity and passion to every conversation. A huge fan of real conversation and connection, she is always interested in engaging in meaningful relationships built on the foundation of making the world around us better.