How'd Her Career Get There?

Some people learn leadership in business school. Katie Turner came by it naturally, the one who took charge of group projects and rooms that needed someone at the helm. That drive carried her through nearly two decades of leading marketing teams across nonprofits, healthcare, and higher education, including work with the American Red Cross and Howard Community College, before asking herself what i...

Lauren interviews Heather Bacher, Senior Vice President and Team Leader at Queenstown Bank, whose career is built on connection, trust, and a people-first approach to leadership. What started as a natural ability to build relationships and help others navigate challenges evolved into a career centered on communication, collaboration, and creating meaningful impact. A clear through line in Heather’...

Lauren sits down with Erin Lamb, a speech-language pathologist and the President and CEO of the nonprofit Gateway MD, whose career spans healthcare, education, and complex systems. Known for helping families and professionals make sense of environments that often feel overwhelming, Erin has built a reputation for bridging expertise with real-life experience. Her path, however, has been anything bu...

Lauren speaks with Jacquie Cohen Roth, a leader in the cannabis industry whose journey is defined by resilience, curiosity, and drive. From an early pull toward entrepreneurship, Jacquie learned to lean on the strength and wisdom of the women who came before her, shaping her belief in education, growth, and pushing beyond her limits. Today, she is the founder and CEO of CannabizMD and The Tea Pad...

In this episode, Lauren speaks with Amy Clark, leadership strategist, executive coach, and founder of Growth Minded Leadership Group. With a calm and grounding presence, Amy shares how her naturally reflective and growth-oriented mindset led her to build a business rooted in something she felt was missing from traditional leadership development. Rather than focusing only on skills, expertise, or p...

In this episode, Lauren speaks with Jessica Quincosa, Esq., Executive Director of Community Legal Services in Prince George’s County. Driven by a commitment to service, Jessica has built a career focused on expanding access to justice for communities that are often underserved. Raised by Cuban immigrant parents in a close-knit community, Jessica’s passion for public service was shaped early on by...

In this episode, Lauren talks with Brooke Lively, a serial entrepreneur, author, and longtime insider in the legal world who knows law firms from the inside out. Brooke shares a peek into her unique career path, from retail and finance to working in her family’s law firm and ultimately building companies that help attorneys grow smarter, calmer, and more profitable practices. With sharp insight, q...

In this episode, Lauren speaks with Kim McKay, Assistant Secretary of Programs for the Maryland Department of Disabilities, whose career has been shaped by both professional experience and personal purpose. Although she grew up around medicine, Kim knew early on that her path was not clinical. While working in healthcare administration, her son’s autism diagnosis became a turning point that led he...

In this episode, Lauren sits down with Christian Pulley, nicknamed as the “silent assassin.” A quiet yet confident leader, Christian has made history as the first African American City Administrator for the City of Laurel. Named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women by  The Daily Record , she is a Certified Public Manager who has spent her career shaping community growth and driving progress since joini...

In this episode, Lauren speaks with Katie Collins-Ihrke, Executive Director of The Arc of Howard County, an organization dedicated to achieving full community life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Katie’s passion for advocacy started early, shaped by her experiences growing up with an aunt who had cerebral palsy and later working with a family whose children had autism....

Get ready for KNN! In this episode, Lauren chats with Kelsey Nicole Nelson, an award-winning sports broadcaster whose dynamic presence is immediately captivating. Known for her work with FOX Sports, the Atlantic 10 Conference, American University women's basketball, and  MLBbro.com , Kelsey brings energy and expertise to every platform. She's also the creative force behind the award-winnin...

In this episode, Lauren speaks with Yvette Diamond, an entrepreneur whose career has been anything but ordinary. She went from selling computer components after a teacher sparked her interest in technology, to serving as COO of an international publishing company, to running a health and beauty enterprise, and now to leading operations at Project JumpStart, Inc. while heading her own company, Our...

Hannah Shuman is the President and CEO of Tricerat, but her journey to the top wasn’t about taking the easy road, it was about proving herself. Growing up with a logical, tech-driven father and a warm, empathetic mother, Hannah embodies both intellect and heart. Her dad sparked her early interest in STEM, and now she’s passionate about doing the same for the next generation of girls. A self-descri...

*****Before we begin, please note that today’s episode contains discussions that may be sensitive or triggering for some listeners. If you're struggling with your mental health, we encourage you to seek support—you're not alone, and help is available. While we are joined by a licensed therapist, this conversation is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for prof...

In this episode, we sit down with Jaime Windon—photographer, journalist, world traveler, and founder of Maryland’s first true cane-to-glass spirits distillery in over 40 years. Jaime shares her one-of-a-kind journey from global storytelling to entrepreneurial spirit-making. We talk about trusting your gut, taking creative risks, and building something entirely new from passion and vision. Whether...

Meet Gina Ramsey, president of Pink Dog Digital, whose journey from self-doubt to entrepreneurship is nothing short of inspiring. Starting out in her career, she wasn’t always confident in her abilities. But with the encouragement of mentors who saw her grounded, no-nonsense approach to problem-solving, she started aiming higher. Eventually, she took the leap and built her own full-service digital...

Karen Barbour’s journey is one of resilience, determination, and purpose. After losing her mother at a young age, she took pride in caring for her father while developing a strong work ethic that would later define her career. She went on to build a successful surety bond business and became a fierce advocate for small businesses, founding organizations like the Alliance for Hispanic Commercial Co...

In this episode, we’re joined by Susie Comer, a true trailblazer in the construction industry. As a woman leading her family’s construction business, Susie carries forward a legacy of hard work and trust instilled by her dedicated father. She shares her unique experience stepping into this role, the values that guide her, and how she’s built her own path in a traditionally male-dominated field. Be...

In this episode, we meet Dana Clark of Clark | Azar & Associates Inc., a trailblazing civil engineer and successful business owner who’s breaking barriers in a male-dominated field. Passionate about empowering women, she’s dedicated to mentoring young professionals and creating a supportive environment for them in her industry. Through her leadership, she’s giving women a voice, inspiring the...

Meet Jennifer Dewees, the president of Maryland Center for Construction Education and Innovation, Inc. and co-founder of Maryland Apprenticeship Connector. Her passion lies in unlocking the potential of tomorrow's workforce. Since traditional paths of college or trade schools aren't always the right path for everyone, Jennifer sees boundless opportunities in apprenticeships. She believes t...

Pattie Dash joins Lauren in Episode 50 of “How’d Her Career Get There?” where she reflects on her career path through the nonprofit sector. Her trajectory was marked by continual growth, fueled not only by the support of mentors but also by the strong foundation and moral lessons instilled by her parents. Recognizing her potential, these mentors guided her journey, nurturing her talents and empowe...

In this captivating episode of "How'd Her Career Get There?" Lauren delves into the journey of Kathleen Methric, who traded her flute for a lab coat and eventually found her rhythm in the pharmaceutical industry. Growing up, she thought about pursuing a career in music, but her practical father's advice steered her towards a more stable path in the sciences. Embracing his wisdom,...

In this episode Lauren talks with Louise Blomqvist, EMEA President of Bambuser.  Coming to New York City from a small town in Sweden, Louise shares her story starting with aspirations of ballet and shifting to retail and working with luxury brands.  The through line of her life is deep-routed in work ethic and personal connection.  Hear how those attributes helped drive her career and propel those...

In this episode, Lauren talks with business owner Tiffany Wondrow, President of C&R Services based in Nashville, Tennessee. Hear Tiffany talk about growing up in New Orleans with an entrepreneurial mom and an alcoholic father. Going into the military before eventually joining forces with her husband in a commercial painting business, Tiffany talks openly about not letting your past define you...

This week Lauren talks with Dr. Emerald Mitchell, the Founder and Executive Director of Moves and Grooves.  Dr. Mitchell’s journey will leave you clapping, cheering and wanting to get up and dance!  Hear how she founded an organization to help youths in the community because she had such an impactful experience with a similar organization as a child.  Raised by a single mom and one of 5 children,...