Imagining Bridges to Better Leadership

About Mark Ryski: Mark Ryski is the Founder and CEO of HeadCount, a pioneer in store traffic and conversion analytics since 1994. He is the author of two landmark books—When Retail Customers Count, the first book ever written on the subject, and CONVERSION: The Last Great Retail Metric, now considered the industry’s definitive guide. His expertise has been featured in Forbes, the Wall Street Journ...

About Christian Boucousis: Christian “Boo” Boucousis is a former fighter pilot, CEO of Afterburner, and host of The Few Podcast. With decades of experience leading high-performance teams in both military and business environments, Boo empowers leaders to apply proven fighter-pilot methodologies, such as flawless execution and disciplined debriefing, to thrive in today’s rapidly changing world. He...

About Phillip Bogolub: Phillip is a rare fusion of logic, creativity, and soulful curiosity. He’s a movie writer, creator, and producer whose stories don’t just entertain — they challenge the way we see the world. As a music composer, his soundtracks speak without words. As a philosopher, he asks the questions we didn’t even know we needed to answer. And just when you think you’ve got him figured...

About George Pesansky: George Pesansky is a recognized leader in Operational Excellence, with a career spanning more than 30 years in performance optimization, executive coaching, and systematic improvement. He has trained and coached over 10,000 professionals across six continents and helped Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits alike drive measurable results. He is the founder of Capacity2Care, a...

About Gui Costin: Gui Costin is the Founder and CEO of Dakota, a financial software, data, and media company based in Philadelphia, PA. Dakota’s flagship product, Dakota Marketplace, is a database of institutional investors used by over 6,000 fundraisers and many of the leading global investment firms. Prior to starting his entrepreneurial career, Gui earned his Bachelor of Science in Rhetoric and...

About Lamell McMorris: Lamell grew up on Chicago’s South Side, navigating challenges and learning early that persistence isn’t just a mindset—it’s a necessity. From there, he built Phase 2 Consulting and now advises Fortune 100 executives, civic leaders, and organizations working to bridge public, private, and nonprofit sectors. His journey inspired The Power to Persist: 8 Simple Habits to Build L...

About Jana Franklin:  Jana Franklin is a serial entrepreneur, franchise expert, and business efficiency strategist based in St. Louis, Missouri. She is the Founder and CEO of CEO Concierge, a premium virtual assistant agency that connects fast-moving entrepreneurs and executives with highly trained virtual assistants from the Philippines, enabling them to delegate effectively and lead with cl...

About David Bellar:  David Bellar is a dynamic leader at the intersection of faith, education, and service. He is the President and CEO of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University — a role that combines academic leadership with a deep commitment to the mission of forming compassionate, purpose-driven professionals. He is not only a seasoned educator and visionary administrator, but he’s...

About Meg Crosby and Howard Cleveland:  Meg Crosby is a seasoned strategist, trusted advisor, and champion of culture. With a deep background in organizational development and executive leadership, Meg brings clarity, compassion, and candor to the often-complex work of aligning people with vision. Howard Cleveland is a big-picture thinker with a gift for systems, structure, and sustainable so...

In this episode, Kevin and Patrick Ungashick discuss: Why a successful business exit depends more on the team than the transaction The myth of “building a great company” vs. building a great team How leadership culture often fails when founders remain the sole point of value The impact of mentorship and storytelling on leadership development Lessons from D-Day and how wartime leadership translates...

In this episode, Kevin and K'Lee Terrazas discuss: How entrepreneurs can solve business bottlenecks by improving intake processes and using emotional intelligence The importance of problem-solving, delegation, and strategic thinking in scaling a business Why mentorship, coaching, and continuous learning are critical for leadership development How sharing your personal story can create deeper conne...

In this episode, Kevin discusses: The Myth of "Getting to the Top" in leadership Why viewing leadership as a solo climb is fundamentally flawed The importance of using your leadership perspective to help others How true leadership is about connection, not control The danger of seeing yourself as "above" your team Key Takeaways: The top is a vantage point, not a destination. It gives you perspectiv...

In this episode, Kevin and Chris Robinson discuss: Why complacency often hides behind success and busyness The power of clarity and intentional growth in leadership effectiveness How mentorship, proximity, and community accelerate leadership momentum The difference between contentment and complacency — and how to spot it Creating a leadership legacy through influence, dignity, and relational respe...

In this episode, Kevin and Robert Rhoton discuss: Why organizational efficiency often comes at the cost of human connection How unresolved trauma affects leadership capacity and relational intelligence Creating regulated leaders through intentional systems, not reactive behavior How mentorship, community, and curiosity drive lasting change Building trauma-informed cultures in corporate, clinical,...

In this episode, Kevin and Drew Smith discuss: Turning fear into curiosity as a leadership superpower The danger of self-censorship and how leaders can create judgment-free spaces Building psychological safety and trust to unleash creativity and innovation The overlooked influence of middle managers on team culture and resilience Why embracing your full story, including failures, makes you a bette...

In this episode, Kevin and Theresa Crimmins discuss: Leading through adversity and guiding a mission during a funding crisis How phenology connects nature’s rhythms to human decision-making The importance of listening with both heart and intellect in leadership conversations Using storytelling and curiosity to engage diverse audiences around science and community issues Finding personal growth and...

In this episode, Kevin and Phillip Bogolub discuss: Leading with nothing but a dream, faith, and a deadline How apprehension and uncertainty signal authentic faith Why ideas and creativity are meant to be shared, not hoarded The unseen, sacred power of imagination in leadership Creating impact through service, conversation, and small, unseen moments Key Takeaways: Every powerful vision begins with...

In this episode, Kevin and Michelle Machado discuss: How the digital age and COVID disrupted human connection and leadership habits Why mindset transformation is essential for lasting personal and organizational change The growing crisis of loneliness, social disconnection, and what leaders can do about it Embracing intuition, alignment, and faith when taking career and life risks The power of sto...

In this episode, Kevin and Marcela Andrés discuss: How Marcela’s career pivot from corporate insurance to education reshaped her leadership purpose The power of seeing humanity first in leadership and organizational culture Breaking down silos in education, business, and community systems to foster connection The role of self-awareness, storytelling, and embracing personal history in effective lea...

In this episode, Kevin and Scott Duffey discuss: The importance of humility, faith, and compassion in criminal justice leadership How law enforcement leaders can build trust through active listening and genuine connection The evolving conversation around mental health awareness in public safety professions The value of mentorship and learning from both good and flawed leaders The need for self-awa...

In this episode, Kevin and Dr. Eugene Manley Jr., PhD, discuss: The importance of empathy, courage, and standing on principle as a leader Breaking down medical jargon and increasing health literacy in underserved communities How health equity and advocacy reshape cancer care for marginalized populations Mentorship, perception, and leadership development beyond formal titles Why the STEM pipeline n...

In this episode, Kevin and Laurie Battaglia discuss: How Laurie’s early life and career shaped her leadership journey The critical role of trust-building in leadership and organizational culture Why lazy, outdated leadership models are no longer sustainable The power of inclusion, mentorship, and championing diverse voices Embracing leadership self-awareness and leading by example Key Takeaways: L...

In this episode, Kevin and Judy Ryan discuss: How traditional control models in leadership create inferiority complexes and disengagement The importance of fostering personal responsibility within every person in an organization Shifting from power-over dynamics to shared power, value-based systems The role of dignity, trust, and mutual empowerment in culture transformation Adlerian psychology’s i...

In this episode, Kevin and Cedric Johnson discuss: The essential role of creativity in leadership during times of disruption How faith, wellness, and the arts contribute to human flourishing and leadership Integrating AI into leadership and nonprofit strategy with integrity The importance of risk-taking and discernment in leadership journeys Mentorship, community, and collaboration as foundations...

In this episode, Kevin and Maria Ross discuss: What empathy truly means in leadership and business decision-making Breaking the myth that empathy makes leaders weak or indecisive How leaders can build empathy muscles and foster human connection Balancing performance, people, and mental health in high-pressure environments The five pillars of empathetic, effective leadership Key Takeaways: Empathy...