The PowerHouse Cool Collabs

In this inspiring episode of PowerHouse Cool Collabs , Wendy Cohen reunites with longtime friend and industry icon Michael Menn , Principal Architect and Owner of Michael Menn Ltd. (MM Ltd.) , for The Journey of a Builder of Relationships . Together, they explore the evolution of an extraordinary design-build firm built on integrity, collaboration, and heart-centered leadership. As Michael shares...

When the soul whispers, “There’s more,” the heart must listen. Katie Johnson shares her remarkable journey from a profit-driven career in pharmaceutical sales to co-founding Revolved , a nonprofit born from faith, humility, and a calling to serve. In this heartfelt conversation with Wendy Cohen, Katie reveals how a leap into the unknown led her to Africa, to Wild Hope , and to discovering a new rh...

In this heartfelt episode of  PowerHouse Cool Collabs , I sit down with my dear friend and soul sister  Elizabeth Cohen  — a woman whose journey from fashion to design business leadership is as inspiring as it is generous. Elizabeth helped grow  Studio M Interiors  from 6 to 25 designers, blending strategy with soul. Now, through  E C Consulting Ltd. , she’s guiding other design firms toward growt...

In Episode 24 of PowerHouse Cool Collabs , host Wendy Cohen welcomes longtime friend and trusted PowerHouse SMART leader Nancy Jacobson, Founder of Kitchen Design Partners. As Nancy celebrates her firm’s 20th anniversary this October, she reflects on a journey built on mutual respect, partnership, and design expertise. From spectacular kitchens that showcase the artistry of collaboration with arch...

Episode 24 of the PowerHouse Cool Collabs podcast, Wendy Cohen  sits down with  Mary Pat Wallace , Founder of  The Luxury Bed Collection . A Chicago native and 30-year design industry veteran, Mary Pat has turned her own search for rest into a lifelong mission: to elevate sleep as the foundation of health, joy, and living well. Her journey began as a young mother and entrepreneur who simply couldn...

In this episode of PowerHouse Cool Collabs , Wendy Cohen sits down with interior designer and entrepreneur Bria Hammel, whose journey from her first sales role at Ethan Allen to launching Bria Hammel Interiors while nine months pregnant is nothing short of inspiring. Bria shares how she built two celebrated firms—Bria Hammel Interiors and Brooke & Lou—through fearless learning, organic growth,...

What does it take to scale with both purpose and momentum? In this episode of PowerHouse Cool Collabs , Wendy Cohen sits down with Leanne Reichhoff , Founder, CEO + Marketing Strategist of Re3 Creative , a visionary leader who has grown her firm into a full-scale agency with two fabulous partners and a talented 15-person team. Leanne opens up about her own path—why clarity, connection, and convers...

In this episode of  PowerHouse Cool Collabs , Wendy Cohen sits down with architectural interior designer Lauren Coburn, whose creative path blends fine art, architecture, sustainability, and soulful leadership. From growing up in a family of artists in Michigan to launching her career under design icons Stanley Tigerman and Margaret McCurry, Lauren shares the highs, the hurdles, and the heart that...

Join us for an inspiring, energizing podcast interview hosted by Wendy Cohen with a woman who proves that empowered women really do empower women. Jennifer Convy is a true creative force — a celebrated TV host, interior designer, and connector who has spent her career transforming spaces, telling stories, and inspiring others to shine. Best known as the star and producer of beloved series like  Fi...

In this podcase episode Christine Woodward, founder of 19th&CO, Harvard‑trained manager, and Johns Hopkins MBA candidate, reveals the hands‑on framework she’s used to help boutique interior design studios scale with confidence. From Gensler’s global stages to her own consultancy, Christine Woodward has distilled two decades of high‑end architecture, design and operational know‑how into a growt...

In this powerful episode of PowerHouse Cool Collabs, Wendy Cohen sits down with Ken Crawford , a lifelong community builder, to explore what it really means to design with empathy and intention. Ken opens up about his design philosophy, his leadership as President of the ASID South Florida chapter, and how service to others — from colleagues, students and to civic boards — has fueled his journey....

In this episode, we sit down with  Melinda Jakovich LaGrange , one of Chicagoland’s most trusted real estate brokers — a true insider whose expertise, discretion, and deep relationships have helped shape the city’s landscape for over 30 years. Melinda shares stories from her remarkable career, reflecting on the power of collaboration, navigating high-profile transactions, and delivering a premium,...

In this inspiring episode, Wendy Cohen sits down with Claire Staszak, Principal of Centered by Design , to explore how honoring architectural history and cultivating creative partnerships define her life and work. Claire’s journey began with a commitment to giving back—her first professional chapter was with Habitat for Humanity in San Francisco. That spirit of service, combined with her early wor...

Welcome to PowerHouse Cool Collabs—the commutable 20-minute podcast where we spotlight cool leaders in our network who believe in the power of collaboration, live with an attitude of gratitude, and give back to help humanity thrive. In this episode, we meet the extraordinary Kathy Smart , Chief Marketing Officer of PBS Contractors . From her roots in Canada to her vibrant life in Naples, Florida,...

In this 20-minute episode, Wendy Cohen, and guest, Susan El-Naggar, discuss the intersection of beauty, wellness, and service—and how staying connected to purpose has defined their paths. Wendy Cohen, host of PowerHouse Cool Collabs, interviews interior designer and trailblazing creative, Susan El-Naggar, for a rich conversation about transformation—both personal and professional. Susan shares her...

In this uplifting 20-minute episode of PowerHouse Cool Collabs , we sit down with entrepreneur and community advocate, Marla Cloos. As the Founder and Executive Director of Construct My Future , Marla is revolutionizing how middle and high school students explore careers in the construction industry. From immersive summer camps to the groundwork of a national internship program, Marla shares her i...

Meet Vicki Bachman: Relationships are at the heart of impactful work, and Vicki has mastered the art of building them.   In this episode, we dive into the world of purpose-driven partnerships with Vicki Bachmann, Vice President of Business and Healthcare Partnerships, at MATTER. Vicki shares her career journey from for-profit to nonprofit, the power of relationships in creating impact, and how bus...

In this inspiring episode of PowerHouse Cool Collabs , host Wendy Cohen, CEO of PowerHouse Companies, sits down with Gordon Held, Co-President & Owner of Scott Byron & Co. Together, they explore how Gordon and his business partner, Ken Williams, are building on a 40-year legacy while redefining luxury landscape architecture through a culture rooted in authenticity, imagination, equity, fea...

Last week on PowerHouse Cool Collabs , we gave you a sneak peek into the heart of art and philanthropy as Wendy Cohen spoke with artists Michelle Gorga and Miriam Pereira of David Lawrence Centers. They explored the impact of giving back through creativity and the power of living with an attitude of gratitude. Now, in Episode 10, we bring you the full conversation with Michelle and interior design...

In this episode, we dive into the world of art, philanthropy, and luxury with Michelle Gorga . Join us as we explore her latest artist collaboration at the PowerHouse Naples Luxury Conference and how giving back through creativity is shaping the industry. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation on art, impact, and high-end connections!

What if your backyard could be your personal oasis—feeding your family, improving your health, and supporting wildlife—all while withstanding Florida’s toughest storms? Wendy Cohen dives into this vision with Cameron James, Co-Partner of Bring Back Eden. Together, they discuss the company’s birth, and the plans for rapid growth, the impact of sustainable food forests on communities, and how stewar...

In this inspiring episode of  PowerHouse Cool Collabs , we sit down with Matt Hudson, Principal and Owner of M.Hudson Design, a boutique landscape architecture firm in Jupiter, FL. Matt shares how his values—Communication, Empathy, Discipline, Greatness, and more—shaped the success of his luxury residential landscape design business. Learn how his team’s commitment to these principles has fostered...

In this episode, Adrienne Russ, VP of Frazier Homes, shares how she joined forces with her brother, Andre Frazier, to transform their custom home-building firm into a leading luxury brand in Ohio. What does it take to turn a family-owned business into a luxury home-building powerhouse? Adrienne shares her incredible journey of driving strategic growth and fostering a culture rooted in core values...

Wendy Cohen welcomes Mark Ostrom, founder of Joy Collaborative, to Episode 6 of the PowerHouse Cool Collabs Podcast. Mark shares his personal journey and the inspiration behind his nonprofit, which creates life-enriching spaces for kids and youth with life-limiting conditions. From his early vision in college to his impactful role in designing the Rainforest Cafe, Mark’s story reveals how Joy Coll...

In this dynamic episode of  PowerHouse Cool Collabs , host Wendy Cohen dives into an engaging conversation with Pamela McNally, a true powerhouse in the luxury industry. As a former SVP of Marketing & Digital at NKBA and Executive VP at Sandow Media, Pamela has redefined success by driving astounding growth trajectories, leveraging her visionary leadership, and pioneering digital transformatio...