Leadership & Executive Teams Episodes

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Tony Crescenzo, a Marine Veteran, former Chief Executive Officer of IntelliDyne, and now President of Intelligent Waves LLC. Tony Crescenzo shares lessons from his service as a Marine, being willing to take on the costs of standing up for what’s right, and the many leadership lessons learned in leading teams and organizations through change. Some highlights: -Tony Crescenzo on the value of standing up for what’s right. -Why ...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talks with Dan Simons. Dan Simons is the co-founder of the Farmers Restaurant Group. In this episode, Dan shares his journey of becoming a purpose-driven individual and leader. Dan Simons also shares the inspiring story of how Farmers Restaurant Group and his team faced the crisis while staying focused on their values and becoming better as a result. Some highlights: -Dan Simons on how his upbringing gave him a greater sense of purpose a...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Marty Rodgers, Senior Managing Director to US Southeast which is responsible for Accenture’s business in 10 states, including Charlotte, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. Marty Rodgers shares his perspectives on inspiring leaders and service hood to create a successful team culture. Some highlights: -Marty Rodgers shares how constructive criticism can help bring out leadership in you -How Marian Wright Edelman impacted Marty’s l...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Jean Case, Chairman of National Geographic Society, CEO of the Case Foundation, CEO of Case Impact Network, and author of Be Fearless: 5 Principles for a Life of Breakthroughs and Purpose. Jean Case talks about the 5 Principles to cultivate fearlessness: 1) Make a Big Bet 2) Be bold, take risks 3) Make failure matter 4) Reach beyond your bubble and 5) Let urgency conquer fear. Jean discusses each principle, citing real-life sto...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Phil Simon, a dynamic keynote speaker, and world-renowned technology and collaboration authority and an award-winning author of eleven business books and counting, most recently Reimagining Collaboration: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and the Post-COVID World of Work. Phil Simon shares how to more effectively use technology in leading our organizations in a changing world of work. Some highlights: Phil Simon talks about how t...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talks with Bill Novelli, a distinguished professor of the practice at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business, former CEO of AARP, co-founder of Porter Novelli, and author of the book Good Business: The Talk, Fight, Win Way to Change the World. Bill talked about the concept of doing well by doing good in business and how ethics is important when leading an organization. Some highlights: Bill Novelli on giving everybody a fai...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Jim Braun about pursuing what you are passionate about. Jim Braun shares the story of how he left his stable corporate job and 2 degrees to do what he loves the most. He also gives advice to young people still figuring out what they want to do for the rest of their professional lives. Some highlights: Jim Braun’s career as an aerospace engineer and how he found out it wasn’t for him Why Jim Braun pursued his MBA How reading...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Herman Bulls, Vice Chairman Americas, JLL. Herman Bulls talks about his leadership journey, from modest beginnings to eventually becoming one of the most influential people in the real estate industry. Some highlights: How Herman Bulls has been able to stand out in leadership roles throughout his schooling, military service and professional career. Herman’s six keys to success Leading organizational culture change Dealing ...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Todd Cherches, CEO of BigBlueGumball and author of VisuaLeadership: Leveraging the Power of Visual Thinking in Leadership and in Life. Todd Cherches shared experiences that transformed him as a leader. He also talks about the power of visual leadership and how it can improve communication as well as inspire those you lead. Some highlights: Todd Cherches’ upbringing and how reading became a big part of his leadership and life ...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Andy Grimm, CEO of Apple Federal Credit Union. Andy Grimm shares leadership lessons learned as he rose through the ranks at Apple Federal Credit Union, eventually to earn the position of CEO. Andy Grimm also shares leadership insights on how he has led the organization through different transformation initiatives. Some highlights: How Andy Grimm’s early years influenced his resilience. The role Andy Grimm’s mom played in his...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talks with Bob Johansen, renowned futurist and author of the book Full Spectrum Thinking. Bob Johansen talks about future back thinking, the importance of seeking clarity while avoiding certainty and how leaders can thrive in a VUCA World. Some highlights: ● Bob Johansen on what led him to become a futurist ● Categorical thinking versus full spectrum thinking ● Bob Johansen on how to develop foresight and insight for greater clarity ●...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talks with Tom Fong. Tom Fong founded Compcierge USA and is currently with MYTA technologies. Tom shared his perspectives on leadership and disruptive technologies. Additionally, Tom Fong shared the reason for his commitment to youth programs and leadership in the Chinese-American community. Some highlights: Tom Fong on how learning to use the cash register in his grandfather’s restaurant taught him life lessons. Tom on the opportunitie...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Steven Sasson who invented the digital camera while working at Kodak, earning him The National Medal of Technology and Innovation award. Steven Sasson shares the story of how digital photography came to be, the many inventions that made it more accessible to eventually take the place of film photography. Steven Sasson also talks about the support for the invention at Kodak and the many cultural and leadership challenges that go...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talks with Robert Morgan, founder and CEO of Talaria Media, Pivotal Moments, Managing Partner at Caneel, co-founder of GoodSeeker, and former CEO of MorganFranklin Consulting. Robert Morgan discussed how his personal life experiences aided him in establishing multiple successful and how he effectively worked with co-founders to nurture a great organizational culture. Some highlights: The lessons Robert Morgan learned from battling cancer...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli discusses the importance of appreciating your team members and celebrating well-planned effort rather than just celebrating success. He also shares why who we choose to celebrate and what we choose to celebrate makes a big difference in nurturing a growth mindset and a great organizational culture. Some highlights: Appreciation in the workplace and the underwhelming statistics The magic ratio of positive versus negative interactions Ho...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, John Veihmeyer, former global chairman of KPMG, looks back on how he started rising through the ranks at KPMG and why leading with self-awareness and empathy was critical in rebuilding morale. John Veihmeyer also shares valuable lessons in developing resilience in leadership, inspiring a purpose-driven culture in a company, and leading for impact. Some highlights: ● How performing in musicals in high school helped John Veihmeyer later in his career ● ...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Jim Dyke, a partner in the law firm of McGuireWoods LLP. Jim Dyke served as Virginia’s Secretary of Education under former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, and as Domestic Policy Advisor to former Vice President Walter Mondale. Mr. Dyke shares lessons learned based on his vast leadership experience. Some highlights: ● Jim Dyke shares how his upbringing impacted his commitment to leadership and a desire to leave a legacy of im...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Doug Dennerline, the president and CEO of BetterWorks, a performance enablement solution company that aligns workforces to the organization's top priorities with their market-leading OKR (Objectives and Key Results) software. Doug Dennerline shares his thoughts on leading with empathy, the transformational power of OKRs and the future of work. Some Highlights: Doug Dennerline on the HP Way, John Chambers and growth at Cisco. H...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Dr. Charlene Drew Jarvis, neuroscientist and former Washington DC council member and chair of the committee on economic development, recounts stories of her father, Dr. Charles Drew, and shares stories of her life as a scientist and politician, and how the intersectionality of her passions empowers her to ask the right questions in solving complex problems and leading a community. Some highlights: Dr. Charles Drew’s life and legacy as the pioneer of blo...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talks with Dan Pontefract, CEO, and Founder of Pontefract Group and author of four books including his most recent book Lead, Care, Win: How to Become a Leader Who Matters. Dan Pontefract shares his thoughts on how to lead with greater humanity, care, and compassion. Some highlights: Dan Pontefract on the pandemic as a potential to reset Dan Pontefract shares how crisis can impact leadership values How to increase employee engagement even...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Lidia Soto-Harmon, CEO of Girl Scouts of National Capital Region, and Chair and a trustee of the Migration Policy Institute. Lidia Soto-Harmon shares her inspiring story, the importance of being open to opportunities and how to lead a purpose driven organization through crisis. Some highlights: ● Lidia Soto-Harmon on the need for generosity in relationships. ● Importance of patience and humility in leadership. ● How leaders...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Kon Apostolopoulos, founder and CEO of Fresh Biz Solutions and the co-author of 7 Keys to Navigating a Crisis. Kon Apostolopoulos shares how leaders can lead their organizations through and post-crisis. Some highlights: ● Kon Apostolopoulos shares his perspective on what it takes to lead post-crisis ● How purpose-driven leaders create great organizational culture ● Kon Apostolopoulos talks about the importance of flexibility...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Rynthia Rost, former GEICO Vice-President for Public Affairs, and the current executive advisor to IBM International Foundation. Rynthia Rost talks about the importance of finding your voice and using it to impact positive change. Some Highlights: ● How Adler’s management was changed because of young Rynthia Rost’s confidence to speak up. ● The importance of finding your voice and speaking up to advance progress in communitie...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Michael Rogers, Former Executive Director of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG). Prior to his appointment at COG, Mr. Rogers enjoyed a distinguished career as City Administrator and Deputy Mayor for Operations for the District of Columbia, was Director of the Mayor’s Office of Contracts/Chief Procurement Officer for the City of New York and Vice President/Municipal Services for Ogden Services Corporation...