Creating a Cohesive Culture for Large Organizations - an Interview with Jen Kirkpatrick, VP Americas Networking Sales at Cisco
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the honor of speaking with Jen Kirkpatrick, VP Americas Networking Sales at Cisco, about creating a cohesive culture for larger organizations. At the core, it’s about finding your voice and leading with heart.
Jen’s leadership journey is rooted in early encouragement from her mother, who instilled a fearless “why not me?” mindset that’s stayed with her throughout her career. From being the only girl playing quarterback with the neighborhood boys to the only woman in executive tech rooms, Jen has built her career by stepping forward—even when she didn’t feel ready.
She shared how her mindset has evolved over time, from doubting her seat at the table to walking confidently into rooms and sitting squarely at the center. Jen emphasized the importance of speaking up, not apologizing for your voice, and realizing that leadership is a journey of continuous learning.
We also explored what it takes to build a cohesive culture in large org...
Own Your Story, Elevate Your Impact and Visibility - an Interview with Erika Irby, Director, GTM Small Medium and Corporate Business, Americas at Microsoft
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Erika Irby, the Director, GTM Small Medium and Corporate Business, Americas at Microsoft, to explore how embracing your personal story can fuel your professional impact. Erika's energy, authenticity, and strategic insight lit up the conversation as we discussed storytelling, visibility, and fearless leadership—especially as women in tech.
Erika’s leadership journey began early—at just 17, she chose to stay behind and start college while her military family moved overseas. That moment, powered by grit and independence, set the tone for her lifelong mantra: "I will figure it out." Erika’s resilience, her trust in the universe, and her ability to turn obstacles into growth moments have shaped an inspiring career across education, tech, and executive leadership.
We also dug into the challenges women face with visibility, self-advocacy, and storytelling—especially in corporate environments. Er...
Evolving Business, Evolving Leadership - an Interview with Melissa DiMuro, Chief People, Culture & Marketing Officer at Limbach
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Melissa DiMuro, the Chief People, Culture & Marketing Officer at Limbach, about leading with resilience during times of change and the importance of evolving alongside the businesses we serve.
Melissa’s journey started in a blue-collar household and was shaped by the strength and grit of her grandmother—a farmer’s daughter who raised twelve siblings and worked multiple jobs just to keep food on the table. That legacy of resilience deeply influenced Melissa’s leadership style and commitment to growth through discomfort.
Though her path wasn’t linear—initially aspiring to be a psychologist—Melissa leaned into her natural strengths and built a career across multiple male-dominated industries including printing, aviation, and construction. Her ability to navigate change and adapt through uncertainty positioned her as a transformational leader who prioritizes systems thinking, emotional intelligence, and ...
Corporate Leader to Thought Leader - an Interview with Sara Connell, Author, TEDx Speaker, Coach and Founder, Thought Leader Academy
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the true pleasure of speaking with Sara Connell, bestselling author, TEDx speaker, coach, and Founder of Thought Leader Academy, about the transformative journey from corporate leader to thought leader. Sara’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and the power of claiming your voice — and using it to create meaningful, lasting impact.
Sara’s career began in the corporate world at a top advertising agency, where she quickly realized that while the training was invaluable, the culture was toxic. It took a mental and physical health crisis for Sara to finally make the leap out of corporate life — a leap inspired by a chance encounter with a life-changing book she discovered in an airport bookstore. That single book inspired her to commit to writing the stories and messages she wished had existed for her, and ultimately to empower other leaders to do the same.
Throughout our conversation, Sara spoke candidly about the mindset shif...
Creating a High Performing Culture for Growth - an Interview with Sandy Ball, Chief People Officer at Aspida
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Sandy Ball, Chief People Officer at Aspida, about navigating leadership in times of rapid change, standing firm in your values, and leading with authenticity. Sandy’s candor and warmth made this conversation feel like a masterclass in people-centered leadership.
Sandy’s leadership journey is rooted in her natural curiosity about people and what drives them. She credits her early experience working at GE for shaping her people philosophy — recognizing that every individual, no matter their role, wants to feel seen, heard, and valued. This belief has guided her through a career spanning multiple industries and leadership transitions.
We talked about what it means to lead in today’s environment where uncertainty is constant, and the courage it takes to stay aligned with your values when navigating tough organizational dynamics. Sandy spoke openly about the importance of creating psychological safety, bu...
Asking for What You Need and Creating a Sustainable Culture - an Interview with Liz Almeida, Chief Human Resources Officer at Panasonic North America
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the true pleasure of sitting down with Liz Almeida, Chief Human Resources Officer at Panasonic North America. Liz shared an inspiring story of resilience, curiosity, and leadership transformation — and a much-needed reminder that success rarely follows a straight line.
Liz’s career didn’t start in HR. She originally aspired to be a mechanical engineer at NASA, but a tough academic setback in college and the support of a powerful mentor helped her pivot, embrace curiosity, and lean into unexpected opportunities. That openness not only changed her career trajectory but shaped her leadership philosophy today.
Throughout our conversation, Liz reflected on the critical importance of culture transformation, psychological safety, and co-creation — especially during times of disruption. She believes the best cultures are intentionally built around clear values and inclusive leadership that invites vulnerability, innovation, and diverse pe...
Achieving Organizational Health During Change - an Interview with Lori Borg, Vice President, Americas Go-To-Market Strategy, Global Partner Solutions at Microsoft
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Lori Borg, Vice President of Americas Go-To-Market Strategy for Global Partner Solutions at Microsoft. In this heartfelt conversation, Lori opened up about her leadership journey, the transformative power of organizational health, and why leading with vulnerability and transparency matters now more than ever.
Lori’s leadership story began with overcoming stereotypes. Growing up, she found herself boxed in by limiting labels, only to later reject them by leaning into her passion for business and performing. A pivotal moment came in high school when she shifted her focus from piano performance to business competitions, discovering her true love for leadership, influence, and growth.
She shared how embracing her unique strengths has helped shape her career—from founding successful businesses to now leading at Microsoft. Lori emphasized that organizational health is the secret sauce behind high-p...
Good Enough to Go for Greatness - an Interview with Kim Dorsett, Chief Human Resources Officer for Capital Impact Partners
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Kim Dorsett, Chief Human Resources Officer for Capital Impact Partners and CDC Small Business Finance, both part of the Momentus Capital branded family of organizations. Kim and I spoke about what it really means to believe you're good enough to go for greatness. This episode was a powerful reminder that mindset, boundaries, and bold action are the cornerstones of breakthrough leadership.
Kim’s leadership journey is grounded in the lessons she learned from her mother, who always expected excellence and taught her to strive five times harder. That relentless commitment to personal growth has carried Kim from early career milestones to her current executive seat. With a nod to her children for encouraging her to share her story, Kim spoke openly about how structure, discipline, and saying no have been critical to her success.
She highlighted the importance of essentialism—focusing only on w...
Giving Voice In Society and In Our Companies - an Interview with Johnita Due, Executive Vice President of Integrity and Inclusion for CNN and TNT Sports
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Johnita Due, the Executive Vice President of Integrity and Inclusion for CNN and TNT Sports. Johnita’s story is one of purpose, resilience, and deep conviction. She spoke about using her voice—and helping others find theirs—at the highest levels of media and corporate leadership.
Johnita’s foundation was shaped early by her parents, both civil rights leaders. Her mother led the first jail-in during the movement, and her father, a “freedom lawyer,” modeled activism through law. Inspired by their work, Johnita pursued law with a vision to create change—not just in courtrooms, but in boardrooms and newsrooms.
Her journey into media law allowed her to amplify underrepresented voices through journalism and storytelling. Now, as a leader overseeing both integrity and inclusion, Johnita helps CNN and TNT Sports foster cultures of trust, truth, and equity—internally and externally.
She offered candid re...
Culture Transformation for High Performing Teams - an interview with Brenda Dysinger, Chief Human Resources Officer of Seneca Gaming Corporation
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the pleasure of speaking with Brenda Dysinger, Chief Human Resources Officer of Seneca Gaming Corporation, about the evolving landscape of leadership, the power of authenticity, and how HR can be a true strategic driver in an organization.
Brenda’s leadership journey is a testament to resilience and adaptability. She spoke about her early career, where she had to navigate male-dominated spaces and learn how to advocate for herself and others. Her approach to leadership is rooted in fostering trust, prioritizing culture, and leading with transparency.
She shared how HR has transformed from a compliance-focused function to a core driver of business success. In her role, Brenda ensures that employee engagement, leadership development, and inclusion are at the forefront of corporate strategy. She believes that when leaders invest in people, they create stronger businesses and better results.
Brenda also emphasized the importance of con...
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