People At Pyramid

Leadership is the constant that holds steady through AI, economic shifts, and everything else. This week we sit down with our member Stephen Novak, Client Lead at Aiir Consulting, to talk about what that looks like in practice. Stephen spends his days coaching leaders at companies of every shape and size, and he keeps his definition of the job simple: leadership is the act of realizing a clear and...

Steve Melchiorre went from carrying a gun as a juvenile probation officer to building wealth plans for everyday Philadelphia families. In this member spotlight, host Vince Quinn talks with Steve Melchiorre — financial planner and co-chair of the Pyramid Club's Young Executive Committee — about a career that zigzagged through law enforcement and carpentry before landing in financial planning. Steve...

This week on People At Pyramid, we talk with Deep Parmar, founder and CEO of Caramel Advisors and a longtime Pyramid Club member. Caramel is an outsourced accounting firm that takes bookkeeping, tax, audit, and financial planning off business owners' plates so they can focus on growth. Deep breaks down how he manages a team of nearly 120 people spread across a ten-and-a-half-hour time difference,...

Fred Bender has been a Pyramid Club member for over 15 years and a technologist since the 90s. As CTO of StirData, he specializes in the projects other vendors couldn't finish complex healthcare data systems, custom development for large-scale organizations, and some of the messiest IT problems in the mid-Atlantic. In this episode, Fred and Vince break down how technology touches everything but ra...

Businesses everywhere want to implement AI, but very few are thinking about governance first. Dredeir Roberts brings a rare perspective at the intersection of business law and AI, breaking down how companies can protect themselves while still moving quickly. From employee AI use policies to contract drafting, system optimization, and decision-making risk, this conversation explores what it really...

Adedeji Adebayo is changing the way people think about life insurance. In this conversation, he breaks down how it can support wealth preservation, long-term planning, and smarter financial strategy, while sharing the career journey that brought him from IT and banking into the business of helping others plan ahead. Beyond the office, Deji talks about the things that keep him grounded: the gym, sw...

Cassandra “Cass” Philips, Pyramid Club’s Member Experience Director and the person who helps “make the magic happen.” Cass breaks down what member experience really means, what kinds of ideas she can bring to life (think happy hours, nonprofit spotlights, and more), and how Pyramid Club creates so many different ways to connect.   You’ll also hear Cass’s path to Pyramid, from member-focused roles...

Catherine Chadwick is nurse with more than 40 years of experience and founder of Catherine Chadwick Consulting and The Art of Self-Craftsmanship. Catherine explains how our thoughts, emotions, and daily environments influence our health and habits, and why awareness is the first step to real change.   You’ll learn a simple way to pause and reflect without judgment, how new habits connect to new ne...

You are already networking. The question is, are you doing it online? Zac Shull, Founder of ConnectMe and Pyramid Club member, shares why short-form video has become one of the most powerful tools for business growth. From Instagram to LinkedIn, the way professionals build trust has changed, and video is leading the shift. Zac explains the psychology behind parasocial relationships and how consist...

What if the best sales strategy isn’t selling at all?   In this episode of People at Pyramid, Pyramid Club member John Reed shares a powerful shift in mindset from decades in corporate sales leadership to launching his own firm, Pinnacle Consulting. His philosophy is simple but transformative: the role of sales is to enable your client to buy by helping them understand their challenges, clarifying...

Nikki Kuhn is on a mission to make the digital world more inclusive, one accessible design at a time. As the founder of Sca11ywag and co-chair of the Technology Roundtable, Nikki helps businesses rethink how they build websites, apps, and user experiences that work for everyone. In this episode, she shares how accessibility improves user trust, boosts retention, and opens up new markets. We also e...

In this conversation, Robbie talks about what it looks like when you treat your event like a sales funnel, being a student of business, and more.    Interested in being featured on People at Pyramid? Register here: https://sbxproductions.com/people-at-pyramid/ Want help with your podcast? E-mail Vince Quinn at  vq@sbxproductions.com Want to learn about Pyramid Club Membership?  Click here. Hosted...

After a career in aerospace engineering, Frann Shore is stepping into a new season of life—one centered on connection, curiosity, and community. Recently retired from Boeing, where she managed complex avionics systems for military aircraft, Frann is now exploring what comes next. She shares reflections on her time in the industry, the challenges of transitioning out of a demanding career, and how...

Bob Zecca has spent his career showing that effective leadership starts with letting go. As co-founder of Covert Leadership Training and the organizer of the Pyramid Club’s C-suite Roundtable, Bob helps professionals create environments where people feel trusted, empowered, and equipped to lead. Drawing from years of executive experience, he shares how intentional delegation, emotional intelligenc...

Wedding DJ strategy is more than a playlist. Jon “Sugar Bomb” Ardito breaks down how professionals engineer a dance floor, read a room, and balance requests with momentum so the night never flatlines. From beatmatching and key selection to MC tone, client preferences, and venue variables, Jon explains the real craft behind unforgettable receptions.     We also dig into building Sugar Bomb Entertai...

In this episode of People at Pyramid , board-certified nurse coach and Clarify Wellness founder Seth Rotman shares how he helps high-performing professionals navigate the invisible challenges of ADHD and neurodiversity. From breaking free of masking behaviors to reshaping how we talk to ourselves (goodbye “shoulds” and “justs”), Seth offers a fresh, honest take on mental health, leadership, and cr...

In this episode of People at Pyramid, we sit down with Vern Williams, founder of The Space Erasers, to explore how a junk removal business became a trusted lifeline for realtors, contractors, and communities across the region. From clearing out hoarder houses to offering free trash pickup during a citywide strike, Vern shares how leading with generosity and hustle built his reputation—and his busi...

In this episode of People at Pyramid , David shares what it really takes to plan and execute a successful business exit. From navigating key-person risk and customer concentration to crafting honest, hard-hitting valuations, David pulls back the curtain on how mergers and acquisitions really work. He also explains why honesty (and a little poker strategy) go a long way in dealmaking. Beyond busine...

In this episode of People at Pyramid , Angelo shares how he launched Pulmonara Labs , a pharmaceutical startup developing plant-based treatments for pulmonary diseases. From partnering with his alma mater, Saint Joseph’s University, to advocating for NIH funding alongside major pharmaceutical companies, Angelo gives us a front-row seat to the realities of growing a mission-driven business in Phila...

In this episode of People at Pyramid , we talk with Nishant Desai , a digital marketing expert at WPP and a longtime member of the Pyramid Club, about what really happens behind the scenes in the world of ads and data. Nishant explains how self-serve tools from platforms like Meta and Google empower smaller brands, why data accuracy is more important than ever, and how you can get started with jus...

In this episode of People at Pyramid , we sit down with Jason Madden , senior loan officer at Guild Mortgage, to talk about more than just buying a home. Jason brings a thoughtful, client-centered approach to lending, treating every consultation like a financial analysis focused on the buyer's goals, lifestyle, and future plans. He shares practical tips on building credit, managing debt, and makin...

In this episode of People at Pyramid, we sit down with Martino Picariello, founder of Source Real Estate and a proud Pyramid Club member, to talk about building wealth, mindset, and momentum. Martino shares how he helps first-time buyers and seasoned investors alike find value in every market from Philly to the Main Line to the Jersey Shore.  Also Martino opens up about personal growth, staying gr...

For Micki McMillan, college admissions is more than a checklist. It’s a chance to help students discover who they are, what they value, and where they want to go. As a college admissions expert with Empowerly and a former educator with more than two decades of experience, Micki meets students where they are and walks with them every step of the way. In this episode, Micki shares how her own colleg...

Khamila Barnes brings more than drinks to the table. As the owner of Kitty on Top Bartending and creator of a handcrafted simple syrup line, she transforms every event into a full sensory experience. In this episode, Khamila shares how she built a mobile bartending brand rooted in creativity, flavor, and service. From custom cocktails with edible glitter to sweet potato syrups that double as tea o...

Kenneth Wilson wears many hats and a few fabulous wigs. As a financial planner at Unicorn Wealth Solutions and a celebrated drag performer in Philadelphia, Kenneth brings creativity, clarity, and community to everything he does. In this episode, he opens up about helping entrepreneurs and creatives take control of their money, refocus on their goals, and stop running on the “treadmill of life.” Yo...