Real Leadership

From navigating a high-stakes maternity leave during the pandemic to stepping in as interim CEO during a health crisis, Chrissy Dunlap, Chief Revenue Officer at BirdieBox, knows what it means to lead with heart and grit. Her journey is a masterclass in balancing personal adversity with professional leadership, and she shares it all on this week’s episode of Real Leadership. From her start in the s...

How do you rise above a challenging start to lead one of the top companies in the baking industry? In this episode, Jim Weaver sits down with Mike Porter, President and COO of New Horizons Baking Company, to discuss his inspiring journey from a troubled adolescence to industry leadership. Mike shares how resilience, mentorship, and a people-first mindset have been key to his success. From implemen...

How do you lead in an industry with over 20,000 competitors, all vying for the same freight loads? In this episode, Jim Weaver sits down with Drew Herpich, Chief Commercial Officer at Nolan Transportation Group (NTG), one of the largest freight brokerages in the U.S. Drew brings a wealth of experience from his 14 years at Coyote Logistics and shares how NTG is navigating an evolving logistics land...

What does it take to lead a global powerhouse like Shell through history's most critical energy transition? Carolyn Comer, President and CEO of Shell Energy North America, knows exactly how to turn big challenges into big opportunities—and she’s sharing her playbook in this must-listen episode of Real Leadership. Carolyn pulls back the curtain on the energy industry’s biggest hurdles: reliability,...

Reducing Fear in the Workplace How do you take a family business from survival mode to thriving on the global stage? Paula Marshall, CEO of The Bama Companies, did just that by focusing on reducing fear in the workplace. In this episode, Paula shares how she transformed Bama’s culture by fostering open communication and collaboration. She emphasizes the power of making employees feel valued and se...

Empowerment Without Abandonment Ever wondered how the leader of a $3.1 billion company maintains a culture of independence and accountability across multiple industries? David Walker, President and CEO of EBSCO Industries, shares his secret: Empowerment without Abandonment. In this episode, David explains how giving his teams the freedom to be entrepreneurial—without leaving them to fend for thems...

He’s driving operational excellence in a world of milk runs, cross-docks, and lean practices. Richard DeBoer, Executive Vice President of Supply Chain Logistics at Carter Logistics, combines financial acumen with operational expertise to lead one of the top logistics firms. Drawing on his wealth of experience as CFO and COO, Richard has propelled Carter Logistics into a period of expansion, fortif...

We’re still reeling a bit from what we just learned: The uncomfortable truth behind building a great culture. How will the next revolution in packaging impact your business, too?  When innovation beats iteration. Our guest in this episode took us in directions we weren’t expecting (but man, did we need to go there!) His passion and pragmatism are changing an industry.  Wes Carter, President of Atl...

The transcendent career of a recovering politician.   Before Steve Ammons became the CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance, he served as a Jefferson County Commissioner, focusing on economic development and information technology. Steve’s journey from entrepreneur to city council member to a key figure in regional economic growth has left a lasting impact on the Birmingham region. In this episod...

Living the pros and cons of being a young leader Before stepping into his role as President of Operational Technologies Corporation (OpTech), Maximiliano Navarro III honed his entrepreneurial skills and gained invaluable insights from his family’s business. When it comes to drive and commitment, Maximiliano proves age is just a number.  In this episode of Real Leadership, we explore:  How early ex...

A dramatic career shift changed everything.  David Reid, the dual-hatted Chief Technology Officer and Chief Marketing Officer at NOV, brings a unique blend of visionary technology and strategic marketing to one of the leading global energy equipment providers. With a background that spans architecture and engineering, David is helping to steer new frontiers in the energy sector. In this episode of...

He’s tried — and failed — to retire twice. Randy Tucker is the current Chairman and CEO of Wineshipping and a key board member of the international 3PL, GEODIS. With a knack for numbers and a passion for people, Randy is still pursuing the art of building a perfect culture. In this episode of Real Leadership, we discuss:  Why culture is key to performance and how to build a culture at scale Why mo...

He has a first-hand view of the future of energy infrastructure.  Chris McConnachie is the Chief Financial Officer of New York for National Grid, one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the U.S. In this episode, we explore Chris’s career journey from England to the Empire State, and Chris sheds light on the invisible forces powering our lives. In this episode, you will: Discover the...

His strategy delivers more with less — and it’s generating billions in revenue.    Bill Canady is the CEO of two major companies, OTC Industrial Technologies and Arrowhead Engineered Products. He’s the mastermind behind a business strategy that has generated a $3 billion boost in shareholder value and the author of the upcoming book “The 80/20 CEO.” In this episode, we discuss:  Why leaders should...

This ownership strategy is changing the way we work.  Rocky Fiore, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of Prairie Capital Advisors, is an expert in Employee Stock Ownership Plans (called ESOP).  For owners considering an eventual exit from your business or those just hungry for a strategy that can position your company for greater success, this is worth a listen. In this episode, you wil...

A chance conversation launched his career.  Before Stephan Mathis became the co-founder of the billion-dollar company Molo Solutions, he was a part-time valet. But Stephan didn’t let his humble beginnings hold him back — he used them to pave his path forward.  In this episode of Real Leadership, we discuss: Why failure in your twenties can be the secret ingredient for future success When to take a...

Strategy is NOT the key to success.  Tammi Carter, Chief Executive Officer at E4D Technologies, reveals the secret sauce propelling success in the dynamic world of manufacturing and technology. In an era of rapid change, Tammi is orchestrating a transformative culture that's turning heads and changing the industry. In this episode, we dive beneath the surface of traditional manufacturing to discus...

Rediscover your WHY. In a world racing for the next best thing, Kellye Terrell, Human Resources Executive at Georgia Tech, believes in letting your purpose define your pace. Is this episode your wake-up call to slow down and find a more authentic way forward? Join us for a journey into the heart of reflective leadership, where we discuss: Why you should embrace a daily reset The power of grounding...

Leaders, STOP TALKING… Michael Bartikoski, COO at CraftMark Bakery shares his battle-tested leadership philosophy honed by working for industry titans like Coca-Cola, Hershey, Quaker Oats, Nestle, and Pepsi. Leaders often think they need to have all the answers and solve all the problems, BUT do they? You’ll be so inspired by Mike’s story that you’ll want to send this to your entire team. You'll d...

What's really holding you back from thriving in chaos? Find out in this episode…   Robert J. Hunt, an executive coach from Frisco, Texas, dedicated to developing leaders and championing the journey from victimhood to victory. As the co-author of "Nobody Cares Until You Do" and the founder of the Renaissance Executive Forums in Dallas, Fort Worth, Robert's insights into leadership, accountability,...

This leadership advice transcends industries. From turning around a university's financial crisis to pioneering cutting-edge automotive technology, President of the Systems Group of Companies Michael Thomas knows what it takes to make an impact. In this episode of Real Leadership, we explore the magic of transforming deficits into triumphs, all while securing a remarkable encounter with a vice pre...

This is how you disrupt an industry.  At age 27, Will Jenkins co-founded freight brokerage company MoLo Solutions and began a fascinating journey of growth, grit, and game-changing innovation. Today, Will knows what it takes to build a billion-dollar company from the ground up.  On this episode of Real Leadership, dive into a riveting journey through the world of transportation and entrepreneurshi...

This is how leaders can help anyone learn anything — and change the course of a company in the process.    Discover how Carin Sampson ​​unleashed IBT Industrial Solution's potential by embracing curiosity.    As the Vice President of Marketing and Human Resources at IBT Industrial Solutions, Carin has helped the respected 70-plus-year-old business pivot for a bold new future. From embracing change...

This is how he moved from company contractor to COO.    Mike Schillinger took a different path to the top, and the results speak for themselves.    In the world of plastics, one man's journey from IT consultant to COO unveils the secrets behind thriving company, Advanced Plastic. From sprint races and unexpected challenges to the art of balancing flexibility and rigidity, discover how this custom...

This got her to the top at Airbus.  Get inspired by Bettsie Norton, a top executive at the Airbus U.S.  While many executives lead with heavy-handed authority, Bettsie does things differently.   Join us as we uncover the strategies, mindset and personal traits that have propelled Bettsie to the forefront of the aviation manufacturing industry.  You will also discover: What's next in the fast-movin...