Leaders in the Arena

How do you grow from an individual contributor to a confident owner and culture-builder? In this episode of ⁠⁠Leaders in the Arena⁠⁠, Caroline Lewis shares her path from Director of Operations to CEO/Owner at Lawson House, and the lessons she learned leading a creative services firm through growth, team development, and client impact. We’ll unpack the mindset shifts, operating rhythms, and people...

In today’s complex business environment, design is no longer just about aesthetics—it is a critical driver of value, innovation, and culture. In this episode of ⁠⁠Leaders in the Arena⁠⁠, join Strat Parrott, a thought leader in integrating design with business strategy to create distinctive solutions for clients. With a proven record of helping organizations bridge design and business, Strat offers...

In this episode of ⁠⁠ Leaders in the Arena ⁠⁠ , we’re joined by Charlie Ursell, Managing Director at Tidal Strategies. Charlie is a seasoned transformation leader with deep expertise in strategic collaboration, co-design, and unlocking group intelligence to drive innovation and lasting impact. This session focuses on one of the most timely and critical topics facing leaders today: how to harness g...

The most effective leaders inspire trust, navigate change with confidence, and equip their teams with the tools to succeed. The Future Ready Leadership Collection by Bridge Innovate offers four integrated tracks of leadership development—Leadership & Change, Innovation & Customer Experience, Teaming, and Strategy—this leadership accelerator approach combines Activate Skills sessions with a...

True transformation goes beyond launching new initiatives—it requires a culture that supports and sustains change. In this episode of ⁠⁠Leaders in the Arena⁠⁠, we’re joined by Kevin O’Meara, Executive Vice President, Supply Chain and Enterprise Strategy at Shaw Industries and a seasoned executive with deep experience leading complex, enterprise-wide change. Kevin shares insights from his work at S...

In today’s fast-paced business environment, leadership demands more than functional expertise—it requires a broad, cross-disciplinary perspective. In this episode of ⁠⁠Leaders in the Arena⁠⁠, hear from two retired senior executives from Unum—Tom White and Wendy Gibson—for a dynamic 30-minute conversation on how leadership development must evolve to meet today’s challenges. Tom and Wendy explore ho...

In this episode of ⁠⁠Leaders in the Arena⁠⁠, join Tabitha Kapic, Director of Innovation at the Chalmers Center, for a bold conversation on how creativity and design thinking are driving grassroots innovation around the world—especially in places often overlooked. Discover how the Chalmers Center (www.chalmers.org) is equipping local leaders to spark change from within, using a faith-based, asset-b...

Generative AI is revolutionizing the way professionals solve problems, drive innovation, and enhance creativity. By automating repetitive tasks, generating new ideas, and providing deep insights, AI is becoming an essential tool across industries. This one-hour session is designed to equip leaders and professionals with a strong foundation in AI fundamentals while integrating human-centered design...

When disaster strikes, the Red Cross moves fast—but never alone. In this episode of ⁠⁠Leaders in the Arena⁠⁠, join us as Julia Wright, Executive Director at American Red Cross of Southeast Tennessee, takes us on a quick dive into how they mobilize volunteers, partners, and donors to meet urgent community needs. We’ll cover: What community mobilization really looks like The role of trained voluntee...

Too many "problems" are really just three symptoms in a trenchcoat. In this episode of ⁠⁠ Leaders in the Arena ⁠⁠ , join expert facilitator and problem-solver Seth Owings for a fast-paced conversation on how to uncover root issues hiding in plain sight. We’ll explore how to apply tools from user-centered design and cognitive psychology to build sharper, smarter problem-solving frameworks...

What if your next competitive edge isn't a new strategy, but a more authentic leader? In this episode of ⁠⁠ Leaders in the Arena ⁠⁠ , we explore how coaching can unlock untapped leadership potential and drive real business results. Vicki Gordan, Senior Vice President and Chief Auditor at Unum® (Retired), and Sherri Parks, Holistic Life Coach, share practical insights on how developing authenti...

In this episode of ⁠⁠ Leaders in the Arena ⁠⁠ , Keri Randolph, Executive Director of Chattanooga 2.0, dives into the game-changing Chattanooga Future Fund and its transformative impact on Hamilton County students. We explore the innovative financial solution designed to address educational and opportunity gaps, empowering the next generation of leaders. Key Topics Include: What is the Chattanooga...

In this episode of ⁠⁠ Leaders in the Arena ⁠⁠ , hear an engaging and insightful session on how adaptability and continuous learning are key drivers of leadership growth. This episode with Wendy Gibson and Tom White, retired SVPs from Unum, is designed for both emerging and seasoned leaders who want to enhance their leadership skills and navigate change effectively. Discover practical strategies fr...

Engaging your leadership team in shaping and executing talent strategy is crucial to organizational success. In this episode of ⁠⁠ Leaders in the Arena ⁠⁠ , explore why leadership development is vital for inspiring and equipping talent at all levels. Join Us To Learn: Why Leadership Development Matters: The ROI of investing in your leaders. Engaging Leaders in Talent Strategy: How to get leaders a...

In this episode of ⁠⁠ Leaders in the Arena ⁠⁠ , join Dr. Mark E. Mendenhall, J. Burton Frierson Chair of Excellence in Business Leadership at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, for a practical dive into leadership ethics. Dr. Mendenhall explores a fundamental framework to apply as leaders when making decisions and giving direction. Topics: Breaking down the many ethical theories into a pr...

Success today requires more than just a solid strategy—it’s about collaboration that sparks innovation and insights. In this episode of ⁠⁠ Leaders in the Arena ⁠⁠ , hear from Susan Harris and Barry White from Chattanooga Tourism to learn how a unified approach can drive growth. In this session, you’ll learn how to: Leverage diverse perspectives for stronger strategies Make strategic planning a con...

In this episode of ⁠⁠ Leaders in the Arena ⁠⁠ , join Jonna Van Thiel, Ph. D. for an in-depth exploration of how Learning & Development drives business success. In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, L&D plays a crucial role in fueling organizational growth. In this session, we’ll examine how L&D initiatives can align with overarching business goals, strengthen teams, and foster a cultu...

In today’s competitive business landscape, strong, cohesive teams are the foundation of success. In this episode of ⁠⁠ Leaders in the Arena ⁠⁠ , Dr. Martha E. Rader explores why investing in team development is critical and how it can accelerate your organization’s growth. During this session, we’ll explore: Why Team Development Matters : Understand how investing in your team can directly impact p...

In today’s fast-paced business environment, companies often struggle with the weight of complexity in their strategies and operations, which can slow down decision-making and impede growth. To unlock their full potential, businesses need to embrace *strategic simplification* alongside innovative technologies like AI. By streamlining processes, optimizing resources, and cutting through unnecessary...

A well-executed board retreat can enhance your nonprofit’s strategy and boost board engagement. In this episode of ⁠⁠ Leaders in the Arena ⁠⁠ , join Bridge Consultant Rachel Gammon as she shares expert insights on planning a retreat that drives lasting success, along with her experiences working with Bridge and Mission Increase. In this session, you’ll discover: Designing Impactful Retreats: Essen...

Today’s customers are informed, discerning, and empowered with more choices than ever. To truly connect, businesses must move beyond traditional methods of understanding their audience and craft tailored experiences that resonate with distinct customer needs. In this episode of ⁠⁠ Leaders in the Arena ⁠⁠ , join Senior Consultant Luke Plating as he shares how companies can transform customer engage...

Generative AI is revolutionizing the way professionals solve problems, drive innovation, and enhance creativity. By automating repetitive tasks, generating new ideas, and providing deep insights, AI is becoming an essential tool across industries. This one-hour session is designed to equip leaders and professionals with a strong foundation in AI fundamentals while integrating human-centered design...

Nonprofit boards hold the key to organizational success, yet many board members are not fully equipped to serve at their best. In this episode of ⁠⁠ Leaders in the Arena ⁠⁠ with our guest, Glenda Hicks, we will dive into why effective board performance is essential, the impact of proper training and self-assessments, and how board leadership can drive meaningful change in the nonprofit sector.  Wh...

In a highly complex market, designing and prototyping solutions are critical to maintaining and growing market position.  In this episode of ⁠⁠ Leaders in the Arena ⁠⁠ , join us as we sit down with Bridge Consultant Adam Wolcott to discuss ‘Acceleration with AI-Enabled Design.’ Discover how artificial intelligence is transforming design by enhancing data analysis, optimizing patterns, and streamli...

Change is inevitable, but how you lead through it shapes your future. In this episode of ⁠⁠Leaders in the Arena⁠⁠, Dave Gambrell, Dean of Enrollment Management at Covenant College, joins Bridge Innovate to discuss his leadership journey. Faced with the challenges of new leadership and growing operational demands, Covenant’s Admissions Department partnered with Bridge Innovate to take part in The L...