Red Light, Green Light

In this episode, Cindy Skalicky interviews Dr. Seth Dobrin, who shares his eclectic career journey from being a geneticist to leading innovative projects in various industries, including biotech and AI. Seth discusses the importance of authenticity in leadership, the transition from being a manager to a true leader, and how to motivate teams through engagement and value propositions. He emphasizes...

In this episode, Cindy Skalicky interviews Heath Naquin, Senior Vice President of New Ventures and Innovation at the Science Center in Philadelphia. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the fields of innovation and energy, particularly focusing on the importance of communication, fundraising, and the transition from lab work to leadership roles. Heath shares insights on the emotional a...

In this episode of Red Light, Green Light, host Cindy Skalicky interviews Giselle Tavares, a vice president at Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Giselle shares her journey from Brazil to a successful career in pharmaceutical science, discussing her educational background, specialization in biochemistry and physical chemistry, and the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field. The conversatio...

In this episode of Red Light, Green Light, host Cindy Skalicky interviews Nick Karaskiewicz, a leader in technology and cybersecurity. They discuss Nick's journey into cybersecurity, the importance of spotting talent, and how to effectively communicate and sell oneself in a professional setting. Nick shares insights on the significance of transparency, self-assessment, and the mindset needed for l...

In this episode of Red Light, Green Light, host Cindy Skalicky interviews James (Jim) Edwards, CEO of Elite Strategic Services and author of 'To Invent Is Divine.' They discuss Jim's journey from politics to intellectual property, the importance of creativity and ownership, and how these concepts relate to human flourishing. Jim shares insights from his book, including the biblical perspective on...

In this episode of Red Light, Green Light, host Cindy Skalicky interviews Michael Yinger, a senior RPO director at Korn Ferry. They discuss Michael's diverse career path in talent acquisition, the intricacies of recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), and the importance of understanding client needs. Michael shares insights on training and mentoring in recruitment, navigating challenges in hiring,...

In this conversation, Sridharan Muthuswamy shares his journey from being a PhD student at Virginia Tech to becoming a chief architect in the tech industry. He discusses his experiences in startups, the transition from engineering to leadership roles, and the importance of hands-on experience in technology. Sridharan highlights key projects, including a successful collaboration with Google, and ref...

In this episode of Red Light Green Light, host Cindy Skalicky interviews Arun Dharan, a global account manager at Cisco. Arun shares his diverse career journey, from his early aspirations in medicine to his current role in tech. He discusses the importance of effective communication, the art of presentations, and the influence of key figures in his life. Arun also delves into his passion for Muay...

In this episode of Red Light, Green Light, host Cindy Skalicky interviews John Wolf, CEO of Dubois Chemicals, discussing his journey from a chemical engineer to a leader in the specialty chemicals industry. They explore the importance of mentorship, the transition from technical roles to leadership, and the skills necessary for effective communication and presentation. John shares insights on the...

In this episode of Red Light, Green Light, host Cindy Skalicky interviews Joe Jacobi, a gold medalist in whitewater canoeing from the 1992 Olympics. Joe shares his journey to winning the gold medal, the dynamics of teamwork in a two-person canoe, and the importance of communication and trust in partnerships. He emphasizes the lessons learned from the river, including the concept of surrender and t...

In this episode of Red Light, Green Light, host Cindy Skalicky interviews Chris Letsos, the CEO of Kids Chance of America. They discuss the organization's mission to provide scholarships to children affected by workplace injuries and the personal experiences that drive this mission. Chris shares insights on the challenges faced by nonprofits, the importance of community involvement, and the need f...

In this episode of Red Light, Green Light, host Cindy Skalicky interviews boundary expert Sheryl Green, who shares her journey from burnout to empowerment through the establishment of healthy boundaries. Cheryl discusses the importance of recognizing personal limits, the impact of leadership on workplace culture, and the necessity of self-care. She emphasizes that boundaries are not just about say...

In this episode of Red Light, Green Light, host Cindy Skalicky speaks with Derek Eberhart, Associate Vice President for Research and Executive Director of Innovation Gateway at the University of Georgia. They discuss the journey of innovation and technology transfer, the importance of effective communication in pitching ideas, and the role of the Innovation Gateway in supporting researchers and st...

In this episode of Red Light, Green Light, host Cindy Skalicky interviews Greg Crumpton, Vice President of Safety and Industry Liaison at ServiceLogic. With over 40 years of experience in the HVAC industry, Greg shares his journey from growing up in the field to leading in a major company. The conversation explores the evolution of data centers, the impact of AI, effective communication strategies...

In this episode of Red Light, Green Light, host Cindy Skalicky speaks with Nelisha Firestone, a seasoned financial advisor and founder of Firestone Financial Group. They discuss the critical importance of exit planning for business owners, the challenges they face, and the overwhelming feelings that often accompany the transition process. Nelisha shares insights on the maturity trajectory of busin...

Sura Al-Naimi is an innovation psychology expert and former Disney Innovation Director who helps Fortune 500 leaders solve a fascinating paradox: why smart, capable teams consistently default to safe thinking—and how to systematically unlock breakthrough innovation. After 20+ years building innovation programs at Disney and with Fortune 500 companies, Sura discovered that sustainable innovation is...

In this episode of Red Light, Green Light, host Cindy Skalicky interviews Ellen Robinson, an executive coach with a rich background in corporate leadership and entrepreneurship. Ellen shares her journey from working with major brands to discovering her passion for coaching. The conversation delves into the importance of self-discovery, the role of mentors, and effective communication strategies in...

In this episode of Red Light Green Light, host Cindy Skalicky interviews Nona Prather, an expert in the speaking industry and author of '24 Ways to Get Paid to Speak.' Nona shares her journey into the speaking world, the differences between speaker bureaus and booking agencies, and the evolving trends in speaker representation. The conversation delves into the importance of audience engagement, th...

In this episode, Anne Dooley shares her extensive career journey in advertising, discussing her experiences from working at Leo Burnett to leading global accounts at BBDO. The conversation explores the evolution of advertising, the importance of passion in work, and the skills necessary for effective persuasion and presentation. Anne emphasizes the need for leaders to adapt to fast changes in the...

In this episode of Red Light Green Light, host Cindy Scalicky interviews Deb Rubin, CEO and founder of Tomorrow Zone, a leader in equipment finance and digital transformation. Deb shares her journey through the industry, the importance of mentorship, and the challenges of communicating complex technology concepts. The conversation also delves into the future of AI in equipment finance and how it c...

In this episode of Red Light Green Light, host Cindy Skalicky interviews Tim Beshears, Vice President of Fox Search Group. Tim shares his unique career journey from nonprofit management to executive recruitment, emphasizing the importance of process improvement in hiring. He discusses the challenges faced by organizations in filling IT roles and the need for effective communication and storytellin...

In this episode of Red Light, Green Light, Cindy Skalicky interviews Dr. Nell Masey O'Neill, an executive coach specializing in scientific communications. They discuss Dr. Nell's journey from academia to the corporate world, the cultural aspects of innovation, and the importance of effective communication in presenting scientific ideas. Dr. Nell shares her experiences with influential mentors, the...

In this episode of Red Light, Green Light, host Cindy Skalicky interviews Buck Bradberry, founder of Entrepreneurial Performance Labs. They discuss the intersection of psychology and entrepreneurship, exploring Buck's journey from a pre-med student to a consultant in organizational psychology. The conversation delves into the importance of assessments in leadership development, the role of motivat...

In this episode, Nichole Bui shares her journey from immigrating to the U.S. from Vietnam to becoming a senior executive in IT consulting. She discusses her early career experiences, the importance of relationships and mentorship, her educational background in aerospace engineering and computer science, and her passion for problem-solving. Nichole emphasizes the significance of stakeholder buy-in...

In this episode of Red Light, Green Light, host Cindy Skalicky interviews Missy Jenkins, Assistant Vice President for Research at Texas Tech University. They discuss Missy's journey to Texas Tech, the role of universities in fostering innovation, the importance of mentorship, and the challenges and successes in grant funding. Missy shares insights on how researchers can improve their pitches and t...