Southwestern LEAD

Southwestern LEAD is an international leadership training program that teaches and coaches members on ways to turn success principles into success habits. Our podcast features coaches, special guests, and clips from our courses. Learn more at southwesternlead.com.

Ron Alford is an endurance athlete, having completed many marathons, triathlons and “ultramarathon” events. He lives with the strong belief that true success and enduring joy comes from principle-centered living; everything else flows from there. Ron is a certified Elite Level Sales and Leadership Coach. He has mentored, coached, and trained over 600 young people on ethical sales techniques and is...

Nicole Wingard is a creative media professional with a background in entrepreneurial work. She consults small firms and major brands on their social media strategies. As a Texas native, she competed in the Miss Texas pageant for four years, consistently placing in the top 10 and top 5. She is the program director for an international debate team and one of our featured LEAD personalities.

While attending CU-Boulder, Shane Blick started a venture that quickly grew to over $1M in annual revenue. As an entrepreneurial leader, Shane adheres to a mantra of never asking a colleague, team member, or business partner to do something he has not already committed to doing himself.

Allee-Sutton Hethcoat is an actress, model, and an attorney from Nashville. She graduated from Belmont University as a member of Alpha Chi honor society, which limits membership to the top 10 percent of an institution’s junior, senior and graduate students. After graduation, her attention was drawn to the Miss Tennessee USA organization – because their mission is to encourage young women to develo...

Dr. Tom Hanson is a #1 best-selling author, world-renowned speaker, and pro sports psychologist who has worked with Hall of Fame athletes and championship teams. In our interview, he shares his professional experience and lessons from his book 'Who Will Do What by When: How to Improve Performance, Accountability and Trust with Integrity'.

Matt Ross: How does meritocracy compare to DEI in how it can shape a successful society and workplace? Why is it critical that talent, effort, and achievement are recognized and rewarded in today's world?