Flip the Tortilla

A number of years ago, Vishu Patel was a summer intern in my organization at J&J. She clearly had the "it factor" way back then, and I have since had the pleasure to watch her grow as a person and now a successful executive at LinkedIn. Vishu has achieved many levels of success in a short period of time! She shares lessons about navigating careers, developing multiple income streams, and the pursu...

Dr. Sue Desmond-Hellmann is an American icon - a physician-scientist who led the development of the first gene-targeted drug for treating breast cancer, former CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Chancellor of UCSF, and esteemed board member. Sue shares how her purpose and personal values shaped her career.  Priceless.

Kaye Foster is a wildly successful leader (and an incredible person) whose purpose is to "give voice to the voiceless." She is adviser, philanthropist, and former C-suite senior executive in human capital at several companies including Johnson & Johnson and Onyx Pharmaceuticals. She serves on the board of multiple public, private and non-profit organizations. You will enjoy her humble confidence,...

Mark Divine is a master of many things! He is a Navy SEAL Commander, best-selling author, yoga master, and human potential expert. He shares the power of vulnerability and how to balance courage and compassion.

Paola Prudden married her soulmate. They had the kind of love many people could only hope for in this lifetime. Then the unthinkable happened. Her husband was diagnosed with cancer. Over the course of a few years, Paola became a full-time caregiver while raising her three children and working. Sadly, her husband lost his battle with cancer. Through the pain and loss, Paola emerged with profound in...

Lisa Alvarez-Calderon has worked as a senior executive for some of the top companies around the world. What you may appreciate even more is her ability to make career and life decisions that are in concert with her values. The saying "you can have it all but not at the same time" is certainly true and Lisa shares how she made her bold choices. You will love her honesty and integrity.

Do you have an unrealized idea that involves helping others but struggle with making it happen? Then you will love this episode of Flip the Tortilla! Ajit Vakharia, founder and CEO of Flare Education, is passionate about addressing the systemic racism and generational poverty plaguing American communities. He created a program to help high school students in Boston gain real-world experience throu...

April Zambelli-Wiener, Ph. D. is a Hopkins-trained epidemiologist and healthcare entrepreneur. She is founder of TTi Health Research & Economics and works to address rare diseases which impact only 1% of the population. As a family member and caregiver of children with rare congenital defects, April's passion and commitment are an inspiration. In this episode, April talks about how she got comfort...

Did you know that 7% of meaning is communicated through spoken word, 38% through tone of voice, and 55% through body language? Understanding non-verbal communication and reading body language are advantageous skills for anyone. Join Denice as she talks with Shelly O'Donovan body language expert and instructor at Wharton. You will learn some great tips!

"You can have it all, but not at the same time." Working moms know this challenge well.... the delicate balance of personal and professional goals and demands. In this episode, I talk to my good friend, Amy Saltzman, an accomplished marketer, world traveler, wife, and mom to two children under the age of three. Millennial moms are experiencing overwhelming complexity driven by the pandemic, changi...

Ever wonder how people become a CEO? In this episode of Flip the Tortilla, you have the opportunity to get the inside scoop from Rob Ross, CEO of Surface Oncology. Rob certainly has extraordinary career experience (oncologist, researcher, industry) and educational background (Harvard, Columbia, Stanford). What is even more special, is his incredible purpose and passion - the inner fire that drives...

Some leaders are also really special human beings. Biopharma executive, Dan Lynch, is one of those people. He has achieved "rarefied air" success (executive venture partner at Google Ventures, Board Chair of nearly 15 public companies, former CEO) while being the epitome of a values-based, inspirational leader. In this episode of Flip The Tortilla, we learn about Dan's philosophy and why every per...

Asking for what we want can be hard. Knowing how and when to ask is a bit of an art. And then when we go about asking, how do we balance confidence and humility? Jessica Meng, a biopharma executive with an incredible track record of success across multiple companies shares her lessons in asking and getting what you want in your career. She shares her inspirational story in this episode.

"Tell me about yourself." Ever freeze when you get this question? Jean Allen, Partner and Head of Global Communications Practice at Heidrick & Struggles, gives real-world advice on how to tell your story in a way that is interesting and impactful. Jean has talked to thousands of candidates (and executives) and also talks about how to control rambling and fill in uncomfortable gaps in conversations...

"Tell me about yourself." Ever freeze when you get this question? Jean Allen, Partner and Head of Global Communications Practice at Heidrick & Struggles, gives real-world advice on how to tell your story in a way that is interesting and impactful. Jean has talked to thousands of candidates (and executives) and also talks about how to control rambling and fill in uncomfortable gaps in conversations...

The last several years have tested all of us. Cali Williams Yost, Workplace Strategist and Futurist, is an expert in high-performance flexibility. She has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, USA TODAY, NPR and the TODAY Show. Cali shares some great ways to better adapt to the unpredictable changes and challenges that surround us.

Michelle Carnahan is bold and direct. She tells it the way it is while maintaining a sense of humility and empathy. She has run mega-million companies as well as startups. Her fun, approachable style is refreshing. Michelle and Denice have known each other for years. You will really enjoy their conversation!

Michelle Carnahan is bold and direct. She tells it the way it is while maintaining a sense of humility and empathy. She has run mega-million companies as well as startups. Her fun, approachable style is refreshing. Michelle and Denice have known each other for years. You will really enjoy their conversation!

Michelle Carnahan is bold and direct. She tells it the way it is while maintaining a sense of humility and empathy. She has run mega-million companies as well as startups. Her fun, approachable style is refreshing. Michelle and Denice have known each other for years. You will really enjoy their conversation!

Michelle Carnahan is bold and direct. She tells it the way it is while maintaining a sense of humility and empathy. She has run mega-million companies as well as startups. Her fun, approachable style is refreshing. Michelle and Denice have known each other for years. You will really enjoy their conversation!

Michelle Carnahan is bold and direct. She tells it the way it is while maintaining a sense of humility and empathy. She has run mega-million companies as well as startups. Her fun, approachable style is refreshing. Michelle and Denice have known each other for years. You will really enjoy their conversation!

Michelle Carnahan is bold and direct. She tells it the way it is while maintaining a sense of humility and empathy. She has run mega-million companies as well as startups. Her fun, approachable style is refreshing. Michelle and Denice have known each other for years. You will really enjoy their conversation!

Joyce Cacho is a force of nature. She became one of the first black women to serve on a Fortune 500 Board of Directors. Recently named to Savoy Magazine's list of Most Influence Black Executives, Joyce is an expert on board governance, finance, ESG, and climate change. She is fluent in 4 languages, Joyce has worked in prestigious roles across the globe. Joyce shares insights on making a big impact...

This episode will provide inspiration and tips for anyone thinking about making a career decision. Denice is joined by Smita Pillai, seasoned executive, and current Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Regeneron. Smita shares how she has successfully navigated through roles and companies to realize her aspirations. Smita also about how she has been able to make great career decisions - even wh...

Introverts can survive in an extrovert world! Denice talks to self-described introvert Andy Yost, Chief Marketing Officer of Kinsa, who shares his actions for not just surviving, but thriving in the C-suite! Andy says that finding ways to adapt, like asking a question first in a meeting, have been keys to his success. He also talks about his career journey that took him from finance to media to a...