Nexus at UCF

What does it take to become a leader people actually want to follow? From emotional intelligence to mentorship and resilience, this conversation explores the skills that make leadership transferable and impactful across industries evolving workplace. In this episode of Nexus at UCF, host Luke Kelly sits down with Jamie Merrill, the president and CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida, to...

What if your side hustle could actually give you more energy instead of draining it? In this episode of Nexus at UCF, host Natalie Broadhurst sits down with Dr. Jim Gallo, Faculty Talent Management at UCF / Human Resources Principals Professor, to explore the role of side hustles in career development and personal growth, and how it’s shaping the future of business. From time management and priori...

What if the key to success in business isn’t avoiding failure—but learning how to rise from it? In this episode, we explore how resilience, curiosity, and strong leadership can transform both individuals and organizations. In this episode of Nexus at UCF, host Natalie Broadhurst sits down with Dawn Sipley, President of “Sipley The Best”, to explore resilience in the workplace and how it’s shaping...

How Corporate Sustainability & Environmental Compliance Shape the Future of Business In this episode of Nexus at UCF, Natalie Broadhurst sits down with Michael Hewitt, former Director of Sustainability Programs at Publix and former Director of Environmental Affairs at La-Z-Boy, to explore corporate sustainability and environmental compliance and how it’s shaping the future of business. From na...

Turning a college side hustle into a purpose-driven business isn’t easy—but Kayla Doering did exactly that. From teaching swim lessons as a freshman at the University of Central Florida to founding Kayla Swimming Sailors while building a full-time career in tech recruiting, her journey is anything but ordinary.  In this episode of Nexus at UCF, hosted by Natalie Broadhurst, Kayla opens up about wh...

In this episode of Nexus at UCF , host Natalie Broadhurst sits down with Patricio Cuesta, a founder, executive mentor and keynote speaker to explore how neuroscience, emotional regulation, and AI intersect to shape the future of leadership and business. Drawing from decades of executive experience, this conversation breaks down how understanding the brain can unlock better decision-making, stronge...

What does it really take to become a great founder in today’s fast-changing business world?🌎 You’ll hear real insights from someone who’s lived it—both as a startup founder and as a venture capital deal team lead. On this episode of Nexus at UCF, host Natalie Broadhurst sits down with Diego Rivera, a venture capital deal team lead at Capital Key Ventures and founder of Dr. Sports and Athletics, t...

How do you build a culture that shapes tomorrow’s leaders? 🌱 In this episode of Nexus at UCF, host Natalie Broadhurst sits down with Dean Sheila of the Burnett Honors College and Dean Marty, Senior Associate Dean of the Burnett Honors College, to explore the culture within the College, how leadership influences student growth, and how community-driven environments mirror successful business cultu...

How do creative marketing and branded experiences shape real-world connections in a digital age? ✨ In this episode of Nexus at UCF, host Dwayne Jones sits down with Dean Caravelis, CEO, author, and mentor, to explore how immersive brand experiences and creative campaigns are reshaping the future of business. From leveraging branded merchandise to spark connection to building authentic offline com...

What does it really take to bridge the gap between college and the real world? 🎓✨ In this inspiring conversation, we explore how academic learning can transform into business-ready thinking, and why hands-on experience, soft skills, and adaptability matter more than ever. In this episode of Nexus at UCF, host Natalie Broadhurst sits down with Dr Christopher Leo, a business consultant, mentor, an...

In this episode of Nexus at UCF, host Dwayne Jones sits down with Tim Fischer, CEO of ADA Lift Rentals of America and Southeast Elevator, to explore accessibility and how it’s shaping the future of business. From home elevators that allow people to age in place to ADA-compliant solutions for major sporting and music events, this conversation dives deep into innovation, leadership, and the evolving...

Clean data isn’t just numbers—it’s the key to safer, smarter, and more profitable business.  In this episode of Nexus at UCF, host Cory Gunning sits down with Dave Kuketz, Vice President of MDM Global Strategies at Sphera, to explore Master Data Management (MDM) and how it’s shaping the future of business. From the challenges of data governance to the critical role of clean data in safety, sustain...

Theme parks aren’t just selling tickets—they’re selling worlds. Here’s how immersive design drives guest loyalty and revenue. In this episode of Nexus at UCF, host Dwayne Jones sits down with Dr. Ray Eddy, award-winning UCF professor and former Disney stuntman, to explore how immersive experiences are transforming business. From the psychology of immersion to the future of AI-driven theme parks, t...

On 8/20, grab your headphones, and prepare for launch...