Secrets of the C-Suite: The Podcast

In Episode 6 of Season 2, it's just the two of us again - Juliet and Susan - exploring the relationship between psychological safety, risk and growth.  We know that humans learn and grow best when they are, and feel, safe. We also know that in order to grow, we need to stretch beyond comfort, and into activities, areas, mindsets that don't feel easy at all. Doing so carries risk, of cour...

Episode Summary: In this episode, we sit down with Kim Bender, a visionary strategist and nonprofit leader with over two decades of experience advancing community health, economic justice, and the arts across California. From her transformational leadership at the Healthcare Foundation Northern Sonoma County to her impactful fundraising roles at GLIDE, BAMPFA, and SFFilm, Kim has consistently led...

In Episode 4 of Season 2, Juliet & Susan welcome Janéa Jackson, CEO of HomeRise, a San Francisco-based non-profit whose mission is to provide supportive housing to unhoused people.  (Note: if you're seeing a bit of pattern here, it's true that we've recently had two guests who work in the same field. We plan to keep mixing it up as we progress through the season.)  In less than...

In Episode 3 of Season 2, it's just the two of us - Juliet and Susan - delving into how unsettled 2025 has felt for us, and for so many.  While the headlines have been carrying the day, we share how we try to keep ourselves both informed and sane, not an easy feat in an environment characterized by rapid change and norm-breaking.  As leaders and podcast hosts, we're also trying to mine f...

In Episode 2 of Season 2, Juliet & Susan welcome Shireen McSpadden, Executive Director of the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing for the City & County of San Francisco, California.  In a city where homelessness has become a hot button issue, Shireen brings extensive experience and remarkable calm to her role in finding solutions to a complex issue. There's no question,...

After a several month planned recording hiatus, Juliet & Susan welcome you to Season 2 of Secrets of the C-Suite.  We are both so happy to be back with each other and with you, holding ambitious goals for the next set of episodes focusing on women in leadership, and any and all issues to related to leadership and women. Which is pretty much everything! AND we'll be bringing our discernmen...

In our final episode of the Season, we share and celebrate what we've learned along the journey of deciding to create this podcast to the lessons of our wonderful guests! We also celebrate our work and staying power - most podcasts don't even make it to 10 episodes! Most importantly, we recap the themes around leadership - how many of us came to positions of leadership by accident - pers...

In our final guest interview of Season 1, we delve into the inspiring journey of Melissa Hurrington, an unapologetic leader who has mastered the art of balancing personal and professional life. When her company turned to her for guidance during the pandemic in 2020, Melissa realized that no one truly has all the answers. This pivotal moment allowed her to show up authentically and highlight the of...

In this episode, we sit down with Charles DeSantis, a passionate advocate for community wellness and humanitarian efforts. Charles shares his inspiring journey and motivations, emphasizing his commitment to his family, community, and those in greatest need. As Georgetown University’s Chief Benefits Officer, he leads initiatives that enhance employee wellbeing and support the university's miss...

We are so pleased that Sonali Joshi, Chief Operating Officer at Cell-Ed, could join us for this episode! With more than 25-years of operations, marketing, finance, organizational development, and social innovation experience, her career has spanned private, nonprofit, and the public sectors. She has worked at start-ups, non-profits, Fortune 500 companies, and a range in between!   Sonali has dedic...

In Episode 7, we welcome Beth Cobert, someone both Susan and Juliet worked with when Beth chaired the Board of the United Way of the Bay Area (Susan was a fellow Board member and Juliet was the CFO).  At the time, Beth was a partner at McKinsey & Company here in San Francisco, where she had a lengthy career as a consultant and leader. She went on to serve in two Senate-confirmed positions in t...

In Episode 6, we talk to Scott Miller, Executive Recruiter, who shares with us his journey from working in the office of Presidential personnel at the White House (yes, that White House!) through his time in large recruiting organizations and then for the past 15 years as CEO of his own firm.  Scott provides advice to both clients and candidates for successful recruiting experiences. We learn abou...

In Episode 5, we speak with Mark Cederborg, who shares with us his extensive experience in the construction industry, particularly Ecological Restoration Construction in Northern California. Mark started in the industry by doing and learning ALL the jobs and - using his words - ending up as CEO! His views of leadership are evident and articulate, and we loved our conversation. Mark is now CEO of O...

Episode 4 with Carole Peters, CEO of United Way NEXT: The One Where We Learn About 4H and Leadership In this episode, Juliet and Susan speak with Carole Peters, CEO of United Way NEXT, the alumni organization for United Way leaders. Carole brings her special brand of leadership, enthusiasm and her open heart to this conversation, as she does to all her endeavors. We learned about her early experie...

In this Episode of Secrets of the C-Suite: The Podcast , Juliet interviews Susan to share with listeners more of her background and experience in leadership and in the C-Suite. Get in touch with Juliet and Susan at SecretsofTheCSuite@gmail.com . ** Enjoyed this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Subscribe and leave us a 5-star rating to help others discover the podcast. We’re so grateful to...

In this Episode of Secrets of the C-Suite: The Podcast , Susan interviews Juliet to share with listeners more of her background and experience in leadership and in the C-Suite. Get in touch with Juliet and Susan at SecretsofTheCSuite@gmail.com . ** Enjoyed this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Subscribe and leave us a 5-star rating to help others discover the podcast. We’re so grateful to...

Welcome to Secrets Of The C-Suite! A bi-weekly podcast devoted to exploring leadership, demystifying and humanizing what it's like to be an executive, particularly in the C-Suite, or a leader or an aspiring executive. Get in touch with Juliet and Susan at SecretsofTheCSuite@gmail.com ** Enjoyed this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Subscribe and leave us a 5-star rating to help other...