Imagining Bridges to Better Leadership

About Greg Hedgepeth: Greg Hedgepeth is the Director of Marketing and Communications for the NC State University Graduate School and President & CEO of Substantial Media, an award-winning platform amplifying the voices and stories of Black and Brown communities. With over 16 years of experience in higher education marketing and communications, Greg is also a certified digital marketing profess...

About Dr. Andy Scarpelli: Dr. Andrew Scarpelli is a Chicago science and art professor whose training is in microbiology and synthetic biology. He is a 2020 Global Community Biosummit fellow and SciArt Resident in “The Bridge” program. He is cofounder and president of the community biolab ChiTownBio. He is greatly interested in expanding the utility of biotechnology into fields such as art and soci...

About Polina Kratova: Polina Kratova is the Founder of Rising Stars, an organization focused on reimagining K–12 education through innovation, AI, and experiential learning. She leads a multidisciplinary team building future-ready programs and products designed to prepare students for the evolving world of work, creativity, and human potential. Through Rising Stars, Polina helps empower the next g...

About Stephanie Olson: Stephanie Olson is a speaker, author, and CEO of The Set Me Free Project®. With a BA in Psychology, an MA in Strategic Communication, and an honorary doctorate, Stephanie's expertise spans leadership, trauma, and resilience. A survivor of domestic and sexual violence, she brings lived experience and research to her work, inspiring audiences across the U.S. Her mission focuse...

About Andy Posner: Andy Posner is the founder and CEO of Capital Good Fund. He’s a leader redefining what financial stewardship looks like—proving that effective leadership is not just about vision, but about using that vision to lift people out of poverty. Andy’s work blends purpose, courage, and action, making him a model for leaders who want to create real, measurable impact. In this episode, K...

About Jonathan Shively: Jonathan has over 35 years of experience as a pastor, educator, fundraiser, and church and nonprofit executive. He is currently the Executive Director of Fox Valley Hands of Hope, a nonprofit providing no-cost grief care following a death loss. Additionally, he is a leadership and organizational companion through ArtistryLeads. Jonathan’s personal mission is to increase ind...

About Lisa Goldenthal: Lisa Goldenthal is a Top 15 Executive Coach, bestselling author, and host of WholeCEO with Lisa G. Known for her signature BOSS Method, she helps high-performing CEOs and leaders master energy, emotional intelligence, and execution to lead powerfully in disruptive times. With decades of experience coaching elite executives and teams, Lisa blends mindset, accountability, and...

About Ari Rastegar: Ari Rastegar is the Founder and CEO of Rastegar Capital, a vertically integrated real estate investment firm with a diversified portfolio spanning multifamily, industrial, and mixed-use properties across the United States and abroad. Dubbed “The Oracle of Austin” by Forbes, Ari has built a billion-dollar platform grounded in innovation, data-driven strategy, and disciplined exe...

About Bob Campana: Robert “Bob” Campana is a California builder, landscape designer, real estate developer, restaurateur, and all-around serial entrepreneur. Born in San Francisco, he grew up in the Sierra Nevada foothills. At age twenty, he quit his job on a backwoods survey crew to travel the world, a journey that changed his life. Returning to California, he started a small business manufacturi...

About Michael Ryer: Michael E. Ryer serves as President and CEO of Amigos Internacionales, bringing nearly five decades of ministry and nonprofit leadership to the organization. His calling began in Bonham, Texas, where he first served as a Music and Youth Minister at Boyd Baptist Church before leading in various youth, education, and administrative roles across North and East Texas. An educator a...

In this episode, Kevin discusses: Why self-leadership is the hardest form of leadership The importance of feedback as a mirror for growth How perception shapes influence and connection The role of humility and self-awareness in building credibility Moving from positional authority to authentic influence Key Takeaways: The toughest person to lead is yourself. Leaders often give themselves grace the...

About Jack Corby: Jack Corby is the Vice President of Stevens Strategy, LLC. Jack leads the firm’s day-to-day operations, business development, and relationship management, and supports the team of consultants in their work with our clients. Jack holds a B.A. in Policy Studies from Elon University. In this episode, Kevin and Jack Corby discuss: Challenges in higher education Adapting to student ne...

About Colleen Perry Keith: Colleen Perry Keith, Ph. D., is the 14th and first female president in the 140-year history of Goldey-Beacom College, assuming the role on July 1, 2019. With nearly 40 years of experience in higher education, she previously served as president of Pfeiffer University and Spartanburg Methodist College. Dr. Keith serves on multiple boards, including the Partnership (educati...

About Mark Ryski: Mark Ryski is the Founder and CEO of HeadCount, a pioneer in store traffic and conversion analytics since 1994. He is the author of two landmark books—When Retail Customers Count, the first book ever written on the subject, and CONVERSION: The Last Great Retail Metric, now considered the industry’s definitive guide. His expertise has been featured in Forbes, the Wall Street Journ...

About Christian Boucousis: Christian “Boo” Boucousis is a former fighter pilot, CEO of Afterburner, and host of The Few Podcast. With decades of experience leading high-performance teams in both military and business environments, Boo empowers leaders to apply proven fighter-pilot methodologies, such as flawless execution and disciplined debriefing, to thrive in today’s rapidly changing world. He...

About Phillip Bogolub: Phillip is a rare fusion of logic, creativity, and soulful curiosity. He’s a movie writer, creator, and producer whose stories don’t just entertain — they challenge the way we see the world. As a music composer, his soundtracks speak without words. As a philosopher, he asks the questions we didn’t even know we needed to answer. And just when you think you’ve got him figured...

About George Pesansky: George Pesansky is a recognized leader in Operational Excellence, with a career spanning more than 30 years in performance optimization, executive coaching, and systematic improvement. He has trained and coached over 10,000 professionals across six continents and helped Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits alike drive measurable results. He is the founder of Capacity2Care, a...

About Gui Costin: Gui Costin is the Founder and CEO of Dakota, a financial software, data, and media company based in Philadelphia, PA. Dakota’s flagship product, Dakota Marketplace, is a database of institutional investors used by over 6,000 fundraisers and many of the leading global investment firms. Prior to starting his entrepreneurial career, Gui earned his Bachelor of Science in Rhetoric and...

About Lamell McMorris: Lamell grew up on Chicago’s South Side, navigating challenges and learning early that persistence isn’t just a mindset—it’s a necessity. From there, he built Phase 2 Consulting and now advises Fortune 100 executives, civic leaders, and organizations working to bridge public, private, and nonprofit sectors. His journey inspired The Power to Persist: 8 Simple Habits to Build L...

About Jana Franklin:  Jana Franklin is a serial entrepreneur, franchise expert, and business efficiency strategist based in St. Louis, Missouri. She is the Founder and CEO of CEO Concierge, a premium virtual assistant agency that connects fast-moving entrepreneurs and executives with highly trained virtual assistants from the Philippines, enabling them to delegate effectively and lead with cl...

About David Bellar:  David Bellar is a dynamic leader at the intersection of faith, education, and service. He is the President and CEO of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University — a role that combines academic leadership with a deep commitment to the mission of forming compassionate, purpose-driven professionals. He is not only a seasoned educator and visionary administrator, but he’s...

About Meg Crosby and Howard Cleveland:  Meg Crosby is a seasoned strategist, trusted advisor, and champion of culture. With a deep background in organizational development and executive leadership, Meg brings clarity, compassion, and candor to the often-complex work of aligning people with vision. Howard Cleveland is a big-picture thinker with a gift for systems, structure, and sustainable so...

In this episode, Kevin and Patrick Ungashick discuss: Why a successful business exit depends more on the team than the transaction The myth of “building a great company” vs. building a great team How leadership culture often fails when founders remain the sole point of value The impact of mentorship and storytelling on leadership development Lessons from D-Day and how wartime leadership translates...

In this episode, Kevin and K'Lee Terrazas discuss: How entrepreneurs can solve business bottlenecks by improving intake processes and using emotional intelligence The importance of problem-solving, delegation, and strategic thinking in scaling a business Why mentorship, coaching, and continuous learning are critical for leadership development How sharing your personal story can create deeper conne...

In this episode, Kevin discusses: The Myth of "Getting to the Top" in leadership Why viewing leadership as a solo climb is fundamentally flawed The importance of using your leadership perspective to help others How true leadership is about connection, not control The danger of seeing yourself as "above" your team Key Takeaways: The top is a vantage point, not a destination. It gives you perspectiv...