Leadership Matters- A Podcast by The Bailey Group

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Mike Fidgeon, President and CEO of Hillcrest Family Services, joins host Kaylee Thomsen for a candid conversation on leadership, service, and navigating change. Mike shares how growing up with two career social workers shaped his lifelong mission to help others, how a mentor's example became a model for his own leadership style, and why he believes real g...

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Dr. Tonya Jackman Hampton, CEO and Fractional CHRO/CPO at Sequel Consulting Group, executive coach, keynote speaker, and author of The Myth of the Fearless Leader, joins host Kaylee Thomsen for a powerful conversation on fear, leadership, and what it really means to move forward. Tonya shares how early experiences with belonging and loss shaped her relationsh...

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Jen Roth, founder and CEO of Blue Sparq Marketing and founder of Wise Blue Yonder, joins host Kaylee Thomsen for a candid conversation on resilience, entrepreneurship, and embracing change. Jen shares how watching her father close his small-town CPA practice shaped her values, how a lifelong chronic illness taught her that resilience is a choice, and why she...

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Kristi Piehl, founder and CEO of Media Minefield and author of Flip Your Script, joins host Kaylee Thomsen for an honest conversation on reinvention, resilience, and the power of storytelling. Kristi shares her journey from Emmy-winning TV journalist to communications strategist, how losing her job became the gift that changed everything, and what leaders and...

In this episode of Leadership Matters, LeBrent Speed, speaker, entrepreneur, and relationship and revenue strategist, joins host Kaylee Thomsen for a deeply personal conversation on relationships, purpose, and what it truly means to lead with people at the center. LeBrent shares his journey from repeated failure in business and relationships to building B3, a community for Black entrepreneurs and...

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Glen Gunderson, President and CEO of YMCA of the North, joins host Kaylee Thomsen for a wide-ranging conversation on purpose-driven leadership, whole person well-being, and building community in a divided world. Glenn shares the defining moments and crucibles that shaped his leadership journey, why vulnerability took him a decade to embrace, and how the Y is...

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Barb Krantz Taylor, co-principal and executive coach at The Bailey Group, joins host Kaylee Thomsen for an honest conversation on loneliness in leadership. Barb explores why leaders at the top so often feel isolated, how to navigate the fine line between oversharing and undersharing, and why transparency doesn't mean letting it all hang out. She reflects...

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Sally Cornet, Executive CHRO Counselor at McLean & Company, joins host Kaylee Thomsen for a fascinating conversation on the science of the mind and how it shapes leadership. Sally unpacks what NLP actually is, why 90% of your brain operates on autopilot, and how that invisible programming impacts the way leaders show up. She shares why vulnerability build...

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Anne Schoolcraft, certified EOS implementer at EOS Worldwide, joins host Kaylee Thompson for an honest conversation on leadership, accountability, and what it really takes to build high-functioning teams. Anne shares her unexpected path from stay-at-home mom to running a family business through a financial turnaround - and eventually finding her calling as an...

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Kara Kuykendall, Founder of True North Leadership, joins host Kaylee Thomsen for a grounding conversation on alignment, communication, and what it truly takes to lead people through change. Kara shares her 27-year career journey and why she left corporate America to help executives close the gap between strategy and execution. She unpacks why alignment breaks...

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Laura Best, keynote speaker, bestselling author, and coach, joins host Kaylee Thomsen for an energizing conversation on passion, leadership, and unlocking what truly lights you up. Laura shares her journey from corporate burnout to founding Passion Collective, and why rediscovering your passions isn't a luxury - it's foundational to your health, happi...

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Tané Minnick, business guide and executive coach, joins host Kaylee Thomsen for a rich conversation on self-awareness, leadership growth, and building high-performing teams. Tané shares her unconventional path from growing up in Switzerland to leading retail divisions at Macy's and Patagonia, and the hard lessons she learned along the way. She unpacks why...

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Jennifer Zick, Founder and CEO of Authentic, joins host Kaylee Thomsen for a candid conversation on marketing, entrepreneurship, and leading with purpose. Jennifer shares how losing her job at 39 sparked the launch of Authentic, what she learned spending 13 years inside a fast-growth startup, and why most businesses misunderstand what marketing really is. She...

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Jim Willenbring, Partner, Board Director, and Executive Coach at The Bailey Group, joins host Kaylee Thomsen for a candid conversation on what it really takes to lead people well. Jim explores why most leaders learn to lead by osmosis, picking up both good and bad habits along the way, and what it looks like to treat leadership as a true professional discipli...

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Scott Schwefel, Founder and CEO of Discover Yourself, joins host Kaylee Thomsen for a fascinating conversation on self-awareness, personality, and intentional leadership. Scott shares his winding journey from aspiring architect to discovering the transformative power of Insights Discovery, and how a single moment with an employee changed everything. He reflec...

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Marilyn Vetter, President and CEO of Pheasants Forever, joins host Kaylee Thomsen for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, culture, and mission-driven impact. Marilyn shares how curiosity, courage, and strong mentors shaped her path from corporate leadership to the nonprofit world. She reflects on building healthy culture through candid feedback, aligning...

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Chris Meidt, President and CEO of North Risk Partners, joins host Kaylee Thomsen for a powerful conversation on leadership, culture, and what it takes to build a high-performing team. Chris reflects on his unique path from football coaching to corporate leadership and shares how servant leadership, talent development, and clear vision have shaped North Risk’s...

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Jaime Taets, Founder and Chief Vision Officer of Keystone Group International, joins host Kaylee Thomsen for an honest conversation about leadership, entrepreneurship, and the inner work required for growth. Jaime shares how her corporate experience, coaching journey, and commitment to impact led her to build a business centered on leadership, strategy, and c...

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Patience Ferguson, Chief Human Resources Officer for Ramsey County, Minnesota, joins host Kaylee Thomsen for a powerful conversation on values-based leadership, resilience, and authenticity. Patience shares how an early experience of being treated unfairly shaped her commitment to HR and inclusive workplaces. With over 30 years of experience across nonprofit,...

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Chris Heim, CEO of Atomic Data, joins host Kaylee Thomsen for an honest conversation about people-first leadership, change, and what it takes to lead through uncertainty. Chris shares Atomic Data’s mission to “humanize the IT experience,” reflects on stepping into a founder-led company after loss, and explains how he built trust while leading major change. He...

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Vanan Murugesan, Executive Director of Sahan Journal, joins host Kaylee Thomsen to unpack servant leadership, responsibility, and what it means to lead with humanity. Vanan shares how Spider-Man’s “great power” lesson shaped his view of privilege and duty, and why leadership is an everyday practice - not a single test. They discuss balancing empathy with acco...

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Roshini Rajkumar, CEO and C-Suite Advisor and Crisis Strategist at Roshini Multi-Media, Inc., joins host Kaylee Thomsen to explore what it means to lead calmly through uncertainty. Drawing on her background as a TV news reporter, attorney, and executive coach, she shares how leaders can navigate crises, communicate with intention, and stay grounded in facts....

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Anna Kisting, Director of Business and Clinical Intelligence at Revo Health, joins host Kaylee Thomsen to unpack what it means to lead with a growth mindset. Anna shares how coaching kids shaped her ability to spot potential in others, why “why not me?” can quickly shift confidence, and how leaders can create a safe space for learning through mistakes. They a...

In this episode of Leadership Matters, host Kaylee Thomsen speaks with David Lyman, Founder and Partner at Lyman Executive Search, about what truly determines leadership success. Drawing on decades of executive search experience, David shares why preparation, listening, and alignment are critical in the first 90 days of leadership. The conversation explores how companies choose the right leaders,...

In this episode of Leadership Matters, host Kaylee Thomsen sits down with Mike Frommelt, Co-Founder of Strategic Talent Partners, to explore what authentic leadership looks like in real life. Drawing from decades of experience in executive search, Mike shares why core values, humility, and consistent communication matter more than titles or executive presence. The conversation covers culture fit f...