MENTOR dna

My husband and I met former pro surfer Damien Hobgood through a mutual friend. On a whim, Damien agreed to surprise my husband for our wedding anniversary with some friends at Amor Boutique Hotel in Sayulita MX. Damien had big dreams of surfing professionally in high school, when that wasn't even a thing. He chased that dream and surfed on the tour for 14 years, then followed that up riding b...

When I returned to Philly for my graduate work, I was a seasoned executive assistant with deep experience answering phones, sending faxes, and managing schedules for overly-busy Disney and Sony execs. Ok, so maybe I did slightly more than that, but I was at the bottom of the totem pole and had big goals of climbing my way up.  Jeff Stotland was my classmate in business school and was the only othe...

When I returned to Philly for my graduate work, I was a seasoned executive assistant with deep experience answering phones, sending faxes, and managing schedules for overly-busy Disney and Sony execs. Ok, so maybe I did slightly more than that, but I was at the bottom of the totem pole and had big goals of climbing my way up.  Jeff Stotland was my classmate in business school and was the only othe...

Growing up, I was a tomboy through and through and spent more time with guys than girls. It wasn't until college that I truly appreciated the importance of having a support group of women. Cut to 25 years later when I finally felt comfortable attending an all-women's conference, where I met Jane Mosbacher Morris , author of Buy the Change You Want to See . It was evident Jane would be an...

Growing up, I was a tomboy through and through and spent more time with guys than girls. It wasn't until college that I truly appreciated the importance of having a support group of women. Cut to 25 years later when I finally felt comfortable attending an all-women's conference, where I met Jane Mosbacher Morris , author of Buy the Change You Want to See . It was evident Jane would be an...

Gary Addeo is a mentor that’s poured into my life in such rich and impactful way, that I struggle to understand how he does it for so many other people, too. He came into my life as a bible study leader when my husband and I first met and has since been such an incredible friend to our entire family, guiding us in spiritual matters, helping with parenting questions, and acting as a sound board for...

Gary Addeo is a mentor that’s poured into my life in such rich and impactful way, that I struggle to understand how he does it for so many other people, too. He came into my life as a bible study leader when my husband and I first met and has since been such an incredible friend to our entire family, guiding us in spiritual matters, helping with parenting questions, and acting as a sound board for...

Meesh Pierce is a former tech executive who started her career in entertainment during the heyday of grunge rock. Her early days at Disney and Sony Music introduced her to the corporate world and importance of connectedness. She worked long hours answering phones, faxing Winnie the Pooh and Lion King toy concepts to China, and sneaking into hole-in-the-wall concerts until the wee hours. During the...

Meesh Pierce is a former tech executive who started her career in entertainment during the heyday of grunge rock. Her early days at Disney and Sony Music introduced her to the corporate world and importance of connectedness. She worked long hours answering phones, faxing Winnie the Pooh and Lion King toy concepts to China, and sneaking into hole-in-the-wall concerts until the wee hours. During the...

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I’ve always had a proclivity for marketing and curiosity for patterns. When I met marketing Professor Pete Fader, I didn’t realize what a big impact he would have on my career. At 26, he was one of the youngest professors at the Wharton School , and 10 years later had become one of the school’s favorites - teaching undergrad, MBA, and pHd students.  His research first focused on consumer products,...

Mark Bogh is President of Bogh Engineering , a construction and engineering company focused on public works projects, particularly in educational facilities. He started his career at the City of Redlands, then to IWA Engineers, an firm that worked on a multitude of projects for Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm . He quickly rose the ranks to become President of IWA, but felt a differen...

Mark Bogh is President of Bogh Engineering , a construction and engineering company focused on public works projects, particularly in educational facilities. He started his career at the City of Redlands, then to IWA Engineers, an firm that worked on a multitude of projects for Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm . He quickly rose the ranks to become President of IWA, but felt a differen...

In 2015, I took my kids to see Aladdin on Broadway. Between the sword fights, the spooky voice, and 8 minute “Friend Like Me” dance extravaganza which included tap dancing and fireworks, I was particularly captivated by Courtney Reed’s Jasmine performance when she says “Why can’t a woman lead the kingdom?” Courtney originated Jasmine for Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway , leading in that role for 5 ye...

In 2015, I took my kids to see Aladdin on Broadway. Between the sword fights, the spooky voice, and 8 minute “Friend Like Me” dance extravaganza which included tap dancing and fireworks, I was particularly captivated by Courtney Reed’s Jasmine performance when she says “Why can’t a woman lead the kingdom?” Courtney originated Jasmine for Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway , leading in that role for 5 ye...

I’d never given much thought to intellectual property law until one of our investment portfolio companies ran into lawsuits by trademark trolls. I’ve since learned about the subtle nuance of protecting and defending your ideas. Susan Natland is a partner at Knobbe Martens , a law firm specializing in intellectual property and also serves as Vice Chair of the USPTO Trademark Advisory Committee and...

I’d never given much thought to intellectual property law until one of our investment portfolio companies ran into lawsuits by trademark trolls. I’ve since learned about the subtle nuance of protecting and defending your ideas. Susan Natland is a partner at Knobbe Martens , a law firm specializing in intellectual property and also serves as Vice Chair of the USPTO Trademark Advisory Committee and...

I’ve noticed a few trends as I speak to my guests. One that shouldn’t surprise me, but hadn’t occurred to me, is that great leaders make career choices while also carefully considering their family’s needs. Whitney Gomez is a former finance executive who spent 11 years at Morgan Stanley, then 10 years at PAAMCO before choosing a more flexible schedule with non profit board work to focus on her fam...

I’ve noticed a few trends as I speak to my guests. One that shouldn’t surprise me, but hadn’t occurred to me, is that great leaders make career choices while also carefully considering their family’s needs. Whitney Gomez is a former finance executive who spent 11 years at Morgan Stanley, then 10 years at PAAMCO before choosing a more flexible schedule with non profit board work to focus on her fam...

This episode is in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania's Momentum Conference , an all-women's conference Oct. 1-3, 2021. Coco Brown is an aspirational entrepreneur who's served on boards and lead teams through tough economic downturns. She now is living her life's passion to help women in the latter stages of their careers; whether they're seeking board seats o...

This episode is in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania's Momentum Conference , an all-women's conference Oct. 1-3, 2021. Coco Brown is an inspirational entrepreneur who's served on boards and has led teams through tough economic downturns. She now is living her life's passion to help women in the latter stages of their careers; whether they're seeking board sea...

I started my tech career in the late 90s with Braxton Woodham , now Founder and President of Unfinished Labs . His rigor for pushing intellectual thinking means he’s a lifelong learner and an extraordinarily deep thinker. He’s repeatedly identified important truths that lead to the creation of new businesses, impacting people worldwide. Braxton’s now stitching all of these experiences together int...

Episode drops 9/14/21 I started my tech career in the late 90s with Braxton Woodham , now Founder and President of Unfinished Labs . His rigor for pushing intellectual thinking means he’s a lifelong learner and an extraordinarily deep thinker. He’s repeatedly identified important truths that lead to the creation of new businesses, impacting people worldwide. Braxton’s now stitching all of these ex...

Each Sunday as a kid, my Dad and I would go to church then head to a doughnut shop to get what was called a Texas doughnut. I’ve also spent hours riding bikes around NYC in search of the best doughnut the city has to offer. But when my friend Sumter Pendergrast, Founder of Sidecar Doughnuts approached my husband and me with his idea to open a gourmet doughnut shop in Orange County, we both poo poo...

Each Sunday as a kid, my Dad and I would go to church then head to a doughnut shop to get what was called a Texas doughnut. I’ve also spent hours riding bikes around NYC in search of the best doughnut the city has to offer. But when my friend Sumter Pendergrast, Founder of Sidecar Doughnuts approached my husband and me with his idea to open a gourmet doughnut shop in Orange County, we both poo poo...