Climb Higher With Her

In this bonus conversation, Darlene Repollet and Amanda Gardiner discuss the importance of persistence, strengthening relationships and how networking and human connection can open doors over time. 

Michelle Velez-Jonte shares lessons from her 25-year career in K-12 education and the experiences that shaped her as a leader. She reflects on how mentorship helped her find her voice and lead through change, as well as her dedication to creating opportunities for the next generation of Latino educators. Her story reminds us that leadership is built by embracing challenges, moving courageously and...

Sustainability leader Amanda Gardiner shares the winding path of her career, from studying opera and international affairs to advancing social impact and sustainability for global organizations. She discusses the evolution of sustainability from corporate side projects to core business strategy, the importance of building relationships to influencing change and leading with a clear set of values. 

Alumna Christina Carey Dunleavy ’98, reflects on her journey from Kean University to Disney, earning an MBA in Ireland and the value of inclusive storytelling, mentorship and trusting yourself through every career pivot. She shares empowering leadership lessons on embracing change and chasing curiosity.  

Three accomplished leaders, Kean University alumna Alexa Canas ’13, Tiffany Perkins-Munn, Ph. D., and Dr. Karma Brown Warren, continue their candid conversation on leadership, career growth and navigating rapid change in today’s workplace. They explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, why confidence is built through action and how women can advocate for themselves.

Three accomplished leaders, Kean University alumna Alexa Canas ’13, Tiffany Perkins-Munn, Ph. D., and Dr. Karma Brown Warren, reflect on the pivotal moments that shaped their careers. They share how they navigated nonlinear paths across industries including the NFL, finance and medicine, and how they made bold pivots, set clear work-life boundaries and used their voices to lead with impact. 

In this bonus conversation, Brigitte Jean-Louis and Darlene talk about the value of being authentic and embracing who you are. They share thoughts on how authenticity can influence the way we connect with others and move through life.

Kean alumna Patricia Barksdale ’95 shares how her high-touch, people-first leadership style helped create a team that feels like family and a client base that spans generations. She draws on her more than 30 years of experience to offer insight into the human side of financial planning, guiding clients through life’s toughest moments and using her own fear as motivation to grow and prepare for wha...

Brigitte Jean-Louis, director of mission advancement at YWCA Princeton, shares her journey from uncertainty to purpose-driven leadership. She opens up about the impacts of grief, early career setbacks, mentorship and advocacy. Her story highlights the power of asking for help, knowing yourself and building a career rooted in your values. 

Karla Elrod shares her journey from engineering to Wall Street and beyond, highlighting the power of transferable skills, self-advocacy and resilience in overcoming bias. 

Kean University Distinguished Professor Robin Landa discusses how authenticity, differentiation and intentional design shape powerful, values-driven leadership. The best-selling author shares strategies for standing out, earning trust and leading with clarity and delivers actionable insight to help aspiring authors and professionals take bold next steps in their careers.  The book "Leadership...

Felicia Bourke shares lessons of her journey from chemist to award-winning senior executive at Quest Diagnostics. She reflects on how courage, clarity and confidence have shaped her leadership style and offers practical advice for emerging professionals. 

Former NJ State Assemblywoman and Kean alumna Shavonda E. Sumter ’96 joins Darlene Repollet, First Lady of Kean University, to discuss her bold path from student government to the state legislature. She reflects on the early experiences that shaped her commitment to public service, the importance of advocacy in women’s health, voting rights, and mental health access, as well as what it means to “b...

Kean alumna Sara Peña ’96 reflects on her path from being a first-generation college student to serving in Governor Phil Murphy’s administration. In this candid conversation with Darlene Repollet, First Lady of Kean University, Sara opens up about the early challenges of navigating higher education, the mentors and communities that helped her find her voice, and how founding the Boys to Leaders Fo...