Powered by Authenticity

In this episode of Powered by Authenticity , I amjoined by Cole Johnson — Lead Caseworker for WNYHeroes, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, and Afghanistan War Veteran. We begin by honoring Cole for his service, but what becomes clear throughout our conversation is that his service never stopped . It simply shifted home to Western New York. Cole walks us through the extraordinary work WNYHeroes isdoing ev...

In this episode of Powered by Authenticity , I had the joy of sitting down with someone who is making a lasting mark on Western New York through her leadership, heart, and dedication to helping others grow — Kendra Brim. Kendra is the Founder and CEO of K. Savannah Consulting, where she partners with organizations to strengthen culture, develop inclusive leaders, and build strategies that drive me...

Powered by Authenticity was thrilled to be hosted by SPoT Coffee in beautiful downtown Buffalo, New York for our conversation with Kaely's Kindness Foundation. I had such a great time sitting down with Kevin Kuchta, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, to learn more about SPoT’s incredible story and community roots. As the original craft coffeehouse in Western New York, SPoT has been fuel...

On this episode of Powered by Authenticity I am joined by Kaely Kwitek, Co-Founder of Kaely's Kindness Foundation. At just 16 years old, Kaely Kwitek was diagnosed with Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL) —a rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. During her treatment, Kaely realized there wasn’t a support group designed specifically for teen girls facing cancer. So, she decided to c...

After more than two decades helping a company grow from startup to $600 million, Shannon Seastead faced an unthinkable moment—learning she was losing her job on the way to her mother’s funeral. That loss became the catalyst for rediscovery, leading her to write Micro Moment Reset and dedicate her work to helping leaders slow down, breathe, and lead with intention. In this episode, Emily and Shanno...

In this episode of Powered by Authenticity, I am joined by Dionne Williamson, founder of UPward Design for Life, to talk about love made practical—turning empty apartments into true homes. Dionne shares how her team’s dignity-first approach delivers more than furniture: it creates spacesthat say you are safe, you are warm, you are loved . We explore how thoughtful details and community partnership...

Are you a member of your local Chamber of Commerce? If not — listen in. If you are — drop your ideas below. In this week’s episode of Powered by Authenticity, I sit down with Brian Cousins, President of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce (NY), to explore what a Chamber really does behind the scenes — the wins, the challenges, and why every local business should care. A lifelong Western New Yor...

In this episode of Powered by Authenticity , I had thedistinct pleasure to talk with Michelle Lund Philbin, Senior Global Sustainability Manager at Rich Products, and Kevin Aman, VP of Social Impact and Community Engagement at Rich Products. Together, they share how culture, purpose, and community are deeply woven into the way Rich Productsapproaches leadership and impact. Emily reflects on how sh...

In this episode, I’m joined by Scott Lewis, Owner and Chairman of the CEO Roundtable, for a powerful conversation about the role of peer groups, emotion in leadership, and why human connection remains essential for leaders today. We dig into a key question: When you’re the CEO — the one making the final calls — where do you go for support? As Scott shares, being “at the top” can often feel isolati...

In this episode of Powered by Authenticity , I’m joined by Del Reid, Founder of 26 Shirts in Buffalo, New York. Del shares his insights on leadership, networking, and the power of a giving mindset. I’ve long admired the work of 26 Shirts, and our conversation only deepened that respect. As Del explains, “26 Shirts exists to make an impact on families who are going through the worst situations of t...

This week, I’m joined by James Currey and Christian Buerk of the Circle the Wagons Foundation—two genuinely great guys working tirelessly to support Western New Yorkers impacted by cancer. In our conversation, you’ll hear: The inspiring work their foundation is doing in our community How we can all play a part in their mission The role networking has played in growing Circle the Wagons How passion...

Food is the best connector we have. At Powered by Authenticity , we couldn’t agree more—and this week, we’re thrilled to be joined by Kimberly Behzadi, founder of Read It & Eat Bookshop in Buffalo, New York. As the first culinary bookstore in Buffalo—and one of only 13 in the entire country—Read It & Eat is more than a bookstore. It’s a space filled with flavor, heart, and purpose. In this...

In this episode, I’m joined by Stephanie Kord Miller, CEO of Empower Your Results and Membership & Operations Manager for CEO Roundtable. Stephanie is a wealth of information , and her perspective on supporting fellow business owners is nothing short of inspiring. Here are a few key takeaways from our conversation: ✨ Work/Life Balance vs. Work/Life Integration: It’s time to rethink balance an...

When you look at Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York, you see a thriving organization deeply committed to community involvement and prioritizing the well-being of its employees. At the heart of this mission is strong, compassionate leadership. In this episode, I’m beyond thrilled to share my conversation with Jessica Cox, President of Highmark Western and Northeastern New York. We...

In this solo episode, I pause to reflect on the powerful stories we’ve shared so far in the WNY Changemakers series—leaders in healthcare, entrepreneurship, the arts, and beyond who are making a lasting impact right here in Western New York. I’m also asking you —should we keep this series going after it wraps? If these stories have inspired you, let us know. This is your chance to help shape what...

Welcome to Episode four of our special WNY Changemakers series on Powered by Authenticity . In this episode, I’m joined by Kristen Cronyn, founder of Meet and Eat Charcuterie and host of the Boards and Bosses podcast, in Buffalo, New York—a business born from passion, built on community, and rooted in abundance. Kristen’s journey is a true showcase of the entrepreneurialspirit thriving here in Wes...

In this episode of our WNY Changemakers series, we’re joined by Helana Shumway, Public Relations Coordinator for the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester (BCCR)—an organization that exemplifies the power of local action and unwavering compassion. Helana shares how BCCR serves individuals in Western New York who are navigating breast and gynecological cancer diagnoses—not just through resources and...

In episode two of our WNY Changemakers series, I amhonored to be joined by Dr. Meghan Underhill, Assistant Professor at the University of Rochester School of Nursing, a member of Cancer Control and Prevention at the Wilmot Cancer Institute, and a Nurse Practitioner at the Wilmot Cancer Institute. Did you know that our Western New York Community is home to some of the best cancer research and treat...

In this premiere episode of the WNY Changemakers series of Powered by Authenticity, we’re joined by Gregory Hallock, Executive Director of GoArt!—an organization that is redefining what it means to bring culture, connection, and creativity to Western New York. Gregory shares how a lifelong love of the arts led him tohis current role, and how he’s using that passion to create inclusive spaces for a...

In this episode, I’m joined by Amy Au, Founder of Innovate You , for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation about transformation, intentional coaching, and the impact of investing in personal development. We open with a sweet moment—Amy shares a cherished memory of her favorite childhood treat, and I just love the connection she draws between food, family, and the roots of who we become. Amy’s wor...

In this episode, I'm joined by Lisa Thomas, Founder of Epigenetics for Global Impact™ — and what a conversation it was. We dive into the powerful idea that inherited emotional DNA can quietly place limitations on our success, often without us even realizing it. Have you ever wondered if inherited beliefs or patterns might be holding you back — in your career, your relationships, or even your perso...

In this episode, I’m thrilled to welcome back Jacob Brown — former NFL player turned transformational speaker, coach, and author of the international best-seller Fail Forward Mentality . And most importantly? One of the kindest humans I’ve ever met. Together, we dive into our very first Author Swap, sharing the stories behind our books, the writing process, and our views on leadership, personal gr...

On this episode of Powered by Authenticity , Melissa Bernstein joins me for a conversation that is raw, rich, and full of meaning. You probably know Melissa as the co-founder of the wildly successful Melissa & Doug toy company and Lifelines—but behind the brands is a deeply creative soul who spent years struggling to make sense of the world, and her place in it. In this conversation, Melissa s...

In this episode, Emily Carlson sits down with Carrie Gallant, founder of the Gallant Leader Institute, for a deep and thoughtful conversation on human design, leadership, and negotiating with authenticity. Carrie shares her journey from Vancouver, BC to launching her company focused on empowering women executives to lead boldly and negotiate with confidence—both in the boardroom and beyond. Togeth...

In this episode of Powered by Authenticity , I’m joined by Sally Green, Vice President of Author Development at Action Takers Publishing. Sally shares her inspiring journey to her current role and highlights the essential role that self-care played in getting there. We dive into how she leveraged connections from her book projects to transform her professional path, and how intentional networking...