Professional Quotient

As environmental awareness grows and sustainability becomes a top priority for both companies and consumers, a growing number of professionals, especially among younger generations, are rethinking what meaningful work looks like. With ecological urgency mounting, many are exploring ways to align their careers with causes they care about. But what does it really take to leave corporate comfort behi...

For many professionals—especially those early in their careers—landing the right opportunity often comes down to more than just qualifications. Research shows that nearly 80% of available positions aren’t advertised publicly, meaning personal connections play a major role in how positions get filled. Still, figuring out how to build those connections in an intentional and authentic way isn’t alway...

AI-generated content is becoming the norm as budgets tighten and deadlines shrink, leaving less room for slow, intentional craftsmanship and true human creativity. In today’s economy, the challenge isn’t just keeping up—it’s standing out. For filmmakers and visual artists, the pressure to prioritize speed over soul is growing. But what does it take to build a creative career that endures, in a wor...

What if leadership isn’t about power—but presence? That’s the question increasingly confronting leaders at a time when emotional intelligence, heart-centered management, and self-awareness are proving essential to long-term impact. As Gen Z and Gen Alpha bring new expectations around authenticity, empathy, and reflection into the workplace, the need to rethink how we define “wise leadership” is mo...

In a world that increasingly values emotional intelligence, the link between self-awareness and professional success has never been more crucial. As conversations around inclusion broaden to recognize different cognitive styles and lived experiences, professionals who understand their own strengths, motivations, and ways of processing the world are better equipped to adapt, lead, and grow. Researc...

As AI and digital tools expand the boundaries of production, one thing remains unwavering: human creativity is indispensable. And today, that creativity is under pressure—last year, as many as 70% of professionals working in the media, marketing, and creative industries reported experiencing burnout. In this moment, supporting the people behind the work isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a stra...

In a world where workplace disengagement is rising — with global employee engagement falling to just 21% in 2024 — leaders and teams are increasingly searching for meaning, connection, and growth in their work. Amid this shift, professionals are asking deeper questions about purpose and fulfillment, both individually and collectively. That’s exactly where Paul Plamondon’s work lives: at the inters...

Not every path into analytics starts with code and spreadsheets. For some, it begins with curiosity, adaptability, mentorship, and a willingness to learn something entirely new. That’s the case for Mayank Malviya, whose journey from a humanities education in India to a career in U.S.-based market research reveals how initiative and mentorship can accelerate professional advancement while shaping h...

Nobody warns you that college success isn’t just about brains — it’s about balance, too. In this refreshingly honest episode of Professional Quotient hosted by Jason Winningham, high school teacher Jacob Mutchler reunites with two of his former students, Lilly Salcedo and Oscar Davila, to reflect on what really mattered in their first year of college. From unexpected appreciation for Delta Math to...

What happens when sharp accounting meets sun-soaked strategy? In this episode of Professional Quotient: Conversations that Build Equity, host Jason Winningham welcomes Olivia Barr, Senior Product Manager at CBRE, for a dynamic conversation that explores career pivots, process excellence, people leadership, and the power of community. Olivia brings the full spectrum of professional equity and a mul...

Learning matters more than grades. In this episode of the Professional Quotient: Conversations that Build Equity, host Jason Winningham sits down with Jacob Mutchler, a high school calculus teacher whose path to the classroom took a few unexpected turns—from English major to hotel worker to passionate math educator committed to purpose-driven teaching. Jacob shares how his love of learning and hea...

What if the most powerful way to grow your career isn’t by perfecting your pitch, but by telling your story? In this episode of Professional Quotient: Conversations that Build Equity, host Jason Winningham welcomes Hunter Lopatin, the Director of MarketScale, to explore the real value of visibility and voice in the workplace. The discussion explores Hunter's unexpected journey into media, the powe...

In this episode of Professional Quotient, host Jason Winningham sits down with Andrea Kilburn, the HR EEO and Affirmative Action Compliance Manager at EssilorLuxottica. Andrea has built her career on problem-solving, advocacy, and the power of precise thinking. Andrea shares her unique path from mortgage underwriting to HR compliance, and how being late-diagnosed as autistic reframed her professio...

The Engineer Who Builds Communities, Not Just Systems! Angelie Vincent has spent more than two decades in aerospace engineering, but her real legacy might be the communities she's built along the way. Now an AI Integration Engineer at Boeing, Angelie joins Professional Quotient host Jason Winningham for a wide-ranging conversation on neurodivergent leadership, workplace inclusion, and how careers...

What if the biggest pivot of your career started with a conversation?  In this episode of Professional Quotient, host Jason Winningham welcomes Fanny Dunagan, CEO and Content Strategist of PathLynks, LLC. Fanny shares her journey from high-pressure consulting in Singapore to founding her own media and branding company — and why learning to network was the skill that unlocked it all. Her path...

What if your “non-traditional” resume is actually your greatest professional asset? In this vibrant and deeply honest episode of Professional Quotient, host Jason Winningham sits down with Audrey Malone, CHRM, MSOL, and Strategic Storyteller. Audrey shares what it’s like to build — and rebuild — a career that doesn’t fit into a single box. From radio host to hospitality pro, commercial real estate...

If you want to raise your PQ, learn to speak up! In this episode of Professional Quotient (PQ), host Jason Winningham, Founder and Principal Consultant of Professional Quotient, sits down with Lauren Sanchez, Chief Operating Officer at Semper Mind. Lauren reflects on her journey from feeling like a “baby deer” navigating the unpredictable terrain of the startup world to becoming a confident leader...

What happens when you stop waiting to be chosen—and choose yourself? In this episode of PQ: Conversations that Build Equity, Jason Winningham talks with Amy Chavez, a seasoned marketing professional and graphic designer who boldly forged her career in commercial real estate, even before she had the credentials. Amy shares how a gutsy cover letter set her on her own path, how she tunes out the nois...

What does a mayor learn about human nature? In this episode of Professional Quotient: Conversations that Build Equity, host Jason Winningham sits down with Gerard Hudspeth, longtime mayor of Denton, Texas, and a respected figure in civic leadership. Drawing from his years in public service, Hudspeth explores how leading a city reveals the core traits of resilience, empathy, and service. Gerard ope...

In this episode of Professional Quotient: Conversations That Build Equity, host Jason Winningham sits down with Alicia Layfield, founder of Casa Layfield, a boutique marketing agency in Houston, Texas. Alicia shares how she built her business from the ground up—not by following a perfect plan, but by showing up, staying open, and turning connections into community building through marketing. From...

Beth Sirull, President and CEO of the National Organization on Disability, joins Jason Winningham on PQ: Conversations that Build Equity to share a powerful career journey shaped by a passion for social enterprise, economic equity, and disability inclusion. From her early work in community finance to leading a national nonprofit, Beth reveals how she’s built her professional equity by empowering h...

In this episode of Professional Quotient: Conversations That Build Equity, host Jason Winningham speaks with Mike O’Hora, a former Marine turned learning executive, now the founder of Semper Mind. With a career spanning sales, HR, and talent development, Mike brings a unique blend of resilience, humility, and wisdom to this powerful conversation about career growth and personal leadership. They di...

In this episode of Professional Quotient (PQ), host Jason Winningham sits down with Katie Steinberg, Director of Growth at MarketScale, for a candid conversation packed with practical sales career advice, focusing on what really drives success in B2B sales beyond cold calls and quotas. Katie’s approach to sales is refreshingly human. She prioritizes listening over pitching and sees herself as a “c...

In this episode of Professional Quotient: Conversations That Build Equity, host Jason Winningham welcomes legal powerhouse and mentor extraordinaire Liz Atlee for an honest conversation about leadership confidence, imposter syndrome, transparency in leadership, and the importance of simply raising your hand—even when you feel unsure. Liz brings a wealth of experience navigating high-stakes legal a...

In this inspiring episode of PQ: Conversations That Build Equity, host Jason Winningham sits down with Rosanna Hudson—affectionately known as “RoRo”—to explore how career resilience fuels the development of professional equity through trust, adaptability, and the courage to ask better questions. Rosanna is a seasoned real estate broker licensed in both Texas and California, with a journey that spa...