Building Leadership Community

Show Notes What do winning teams consistently get right? In this episode of Building Leadership Community, Coach Dora Mendez and HR expert Kyle Patrick Smith explore leadership as responsibility and service. They unpack authenticity, accountability, and why people-first leadership creates teams that thrive, especially during times of change. Check out Kyle Patrick Smith’s books: Recruiting Is Easy...

What does it take to build organizations where people truly thrive? In this episode of Building Leadership Community, Coach Dora Mendez sits down with Stephan Spilkowitz, Director of Engagement and Culture at Westchester Jewish Community Services, nonprofit trailblazer, and organizational culture consultant. Together, they explore inclusive leadership, wellness in the workplace, community building...

Season 3 of Building Leadership Community Podcast opens with a powerful conversation between host Coach Dora Mendez and activist, advocate, and author Zenaida Mendez. In this episode, Zenaida shares her immigration journey, decades of leadership in New York City, and the inspiration behind her memoir Amor y desamor de la diáspora. Together, they explore leadership rooted in culture, bilingualism,...

Welcome to Building Leadership Community , the podcast spotlighting leaders who drive positive social impact through bold, values-aligned leadership. In this special preview episode, Coach Dora reflects on growth, wellness, and community as we close out 2025 and look ahead to an inspiring Season 3. You’ll hear candid insights on leadership development, entrepreneurship, and the power of choosing s...

It's the Season Two Finale ! In this incredibly special episode, host Dora Mendez is joined by her husband and podcast producer, Dylan K. Rogers, and their two incredible children, Naomi and Mateo, to discuss leadership right where it matters—at home. In this episode: The Future of Leadership: Hear from Naomi and Mateo as they share their perspectives on what makes a good leader, what they li...

Get a sneak peek into the Season 2 Finale of the Building Leadership Community Podcast! Host Dora Mendez is joined by her family—producer Dylan Rogers and children Naomi and Mateo —for a candid conversation about leadership at home. Plus, listen for a special preview of the amazing guests and themes lined up for Season 3! Support the show 🎥 Watch on YouTube @CoachDoraM . Listen wherever you get y...

It can be lonely at the top, but it doesn't have to be. In this powerful episode of the Building Leadership Community Podcast, host Dora Mendez sits down with her sister, the multi-talented Rocío Mendez . Rocío is an award-winning actor, fight and intimacy director, and currently the resident Intimacy Director at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. In this episode, Rocío shares: How her backgrou...

Get ready to be inspired! In this teaser for the latest episode of Building Leadership Community Podcast, host Dora Mendez introduces her sister, the incredibly talented and award-winning theater artist, Rocio Mendez . Rocio has carved a unique path as a leader in the arts, working as an actor, fight and intimacy director on Broadway and with national theaters. Listen for a sneak peek as Rocio sha...

Welcome to this special episode of the Building Leadership Community Podcast! Coach Dora Mendez is joined by her husband and podcast producer, Dylan Rogers, to answer your most frequently asked questions about launching a podcast . This episode is dedicated to providing you with the tools and strategies you need to finally share your voice with the world. In this episode, we dive into: Getting Sta...

On this episode, host Dora Mendez welcomes a very special guest, Lore Barcelona , Executive Director of Sinergia Inc . Dora shares her personal connection to Sinergia, having served on its Board of Directors. Lore discusses her inspiring journey, from starting as a young nurse from Honduras who didn't speak English to becoming the executive director of an organization she considers family. Lo...

Get ready for an inspiring conversation with Lore Barcelona, Executive Director of Sinergia Inc., as she sits down with host Dora Mendez on the Building Leadership Community Podcast. In this sneak peek, Lore discusses her personal connection to Sinergia, her journey from Honduras to becoming a leader, and how Sinergia empowers families. You'll hear about her advice for future leaders and the...

Welcome to a new episode of Building Leadership Community Podcast. This week, host, Coach Dora Mendez is joined by author, speaker, and founder of H.O.L.A. Books LLC , Heidi Monika Romer . Dora and Heidi, who are co-authors in the Extraordinary Latinas, Volume 4 , dive deep into the importance of uplifting and sharing the stories of Latina leaders. Heidi shares her background as a first-generation...

Get ready for an insightful conversation with author, speaker, and founder of All Books LLC, Heidi Monica Romer. In this upcoming episode, host Dora Mendez sits down with Heidi to talk about fostering authentic leadership and empowering professionals to build stronger, more engaged communities. Heidi shares her journey as a bicultural, first-generation American leader, her work with United Latinas...

On this episode, host, Coach Dora Mendez speaks with Dora Jones , Director of Talent Acquisition at Horizon Health Services and founder of Casa Consulting . Dora Jones discusses her personal leadership journey, which began at home as the oldest of four to Dominican parents. She shares how her passion for service and helping people get jobs led her to a career in human resources and talent acquisit...

This week on the Building Leadership Community Podcast, host Dora Mendez sits down with fellow HR leader Dora Jones . They discuss Dora Jones’s journey from growing up in the South Bronx to becoming the Director of Talent Acquisition at Horizon Health Services, and the work she's doing to support women of color in leadership. Dora Jones also shares some powerful advice about success being &qu...

Join Dora Mendez in this insightful episode of Building Leadership Community as she speaks with Stephanie Martinez , a distinguished leader with over two decades of experience in HR, entrepreneurship, and coaching. Stephanie is passionate about cultivating psychologically safe environments that champion leadership development and success. In this conversation, Stephanie recounts her diverse career...

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Building Leadership Community! In our upcoming interview, host Dora Mendez talks with dynamic leader Stephanie Martinez, an HR and entrepreneurship expert. Stephanie shares her journey of building psychologically safe environments for growth and success. We'll also dive into the transformative power of community, especially for those in leadership roles....

Show Notes: In this compelling episode of the Building Leadership Community Podcast, host Dora Mendez welcomes Angela R. Lewis, a true force of nature. Angela, a former professional basketball player, impactful coach, published author, and the Head of Operations at Speaker Hub, discusses her diverse career trajectory. Key takeaways from this episode include: From Court to Career: Angela shares how...

Get ready for an inspiring conversation with Angela R. Lewis! In this upcoming episode of the Building Leadership Community Podcast, Angela shares her unique journey from pro basketball to leading operations at Speaker Hub. Discover why she believes in following your curiosity, taking bold opportunities, and how service is at the heart of true community. Don't miss her insights on leadership...

Welcome to Building Leadership Community! In this inspiring episode, host Dora Mendez sits interviews a very special guest, Carmen Mejia – raffle winner and the driving force behind Carmen's Culture Mix! A Journey of Wellness and Impact: Carmen, an expert in health and wellness, shares how her decades of work have empowered individuals mentally, physically, and spiritually through dance, uniq...

Get ready for an inspiring conversation with Carmen Mejia, a champion of health and wellness! In this upcoming episode: Carmen shares her journey empowering individuals through dance, wellness programs, and community outreach. Learn about her unique approach to leadership, integrating movement and recreational therapy to foster healing and personal transformation. Subscribe now so you don't m...

Host, Coach Dora Mendez , founder and CEO of Coach Dora LLC , is joined by Priscilla Guasso , the visionary founder of Latinas Rising Up in HR and owner of Manifesting Leadership Group, LLC. Priscilla, a proud Chicago native now living in Miami, brings over 19 years of global HR experience and a passion for empowering Latinas. In this inspiring episode, Priscilla shares her personal and profession...

In this upcoming episode, host Dora Mendez sits down with Priscilla Guasso, founder of Latina Rising Up in HR. Priscilla opens up about her career trajectory, the importance of a strong personal foundation, and how community can help you navigate life's toughest storms. Tune in for the full conversation on June 27th! Connect with Priscilla & Latina Rising Up in HR: Website: http://www.lat...

In this episode of Building Leadership Community, host Dora Mendez welcomes Alison Martin—Founder and Chief Program Officer of Engage Mentoring. Alison shares her remarkable story of resilience: from being emancipated at 17 and raising a child at 18, to leading a multimillion-dollar nonprofit by age 29. Together, we explore: The hidden challenges and untapped potential of young professionals. How...

Join us for a sneak peek into our upcoming episode! In this preview, we sit down with Allison, founder and Chief Program Officer of Engage Mentoring. She shares insights into her leadership journey, revealing how her past experiences perfectly aligned to establish Engage Mentoring and how her work continues to make a significant impact on companies today. Get ready to be inspired by her story of b...