Symplicity Conversations

Join us for an energy raising episode of Symplicity Conversations as we talk business, leadership, and community with Kim Bode, the dynamic owner of 8ThirtyFour Integrated Communications. Known for her bold and unapologetic approach to marketing, Kim shares her entrepreneurial journey, the challenges and triumphs of running a business, and the power of authenticity in today's digital landscape. Di...

Join us in this episode of Symplicity Conversations as we dive into the impactful world of nonprofit work with Becki Postma, Chief Impact Officer, and Kevin Nelson, Director of Donor Development, from Heart of West Michigan United Way. Discover their inspiring journeys into the nonprofit sector and how they are leveraging technology to address evolving community challenges. Learn about the transfo...

In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, we dive into the transformative journey of Jaclyn Harrison, a dynamic leader and soon-to-be author. Discover how a chance encounter with a book sparked her creative courage to pursue writing, leading to the development of a captivating fictional series. Jaclyn shares her insights on embracing creativity, overcoming self-doubt, and the power of networkin...

Join us on this episode of Symplicity Conversations as we dive into the world of conversational intelligence with Chris Adomaitis, a key player at Omilia and a leading voice in AI engineering. Discover how AI and automation are transforming customer experiences and hear Chris share insights from his journey in the industry. Learn about the balance between AI-driven automation and the human touch,...

Join us for an exciting episode of Symplicity Conversations as we dive into the whirlwind of events that have shaped our recent months, including Tech Week, ArtPrize, and our feature on the national stage with Advancements with Ted Danson. Joined by Symplicity's Director of Marketing, Doug Seites, we explore the power of preparation, creativity, and community engagement. Discover how we navigated...

In this episode of Symplicity Conversations we are joined by Andrew Griffiths from Outsource Consultants. Discover how Andrew's diverse career journey led him to redefine the BPO and outsourcing marketplace in the age of AI, automation, and cloud platforms. Explore the evolving landscape of customer experience, the strategic importance of outsourcing, and how businesses can harness technology and...

Join us on this episode of Symplicity Conversations as we chat with Patrick Hayes, Chief Strategy Officer at Third Wave Innovations. Dive into Patrick's intriguing career journey from telecom to cybersecurity and discover how Third Wave's groundbreaking approach is helping businesses combat evolving digital threats. Learn why cybersecurity is more than just a technical challenge and explore how or...

In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, join us as we chat with Jon Butler, Chief Revenue Officer at Kyros Digital and founder of Ideaventory. We explore Jon's career journey and how he’s leveraging AI to revolutionize the world of custom software. Discover how emerging technologies are reshaping business landscapes, sparking creativity, and creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs and te...

Customer experience is more than technology—it’s about people. In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, hosts Catherine Ripley and Doug Seites sit down with Erin Stewart, Senior Sales Director at Symplicity Communications, to explore how automation and empathy go hand in hand to create smarter customer experiences. You’ll learn: ✔️ What customer experience really is (and what it isn’t) ✔️ How...

In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, join us for an engaging discussion with Angela James, a seasoned professional with a diverse career spanning international borders and industries. Angela shares her unique experiences working in the criminal justice system, managing teams, and navigating personal challenges. We dive into topics like leadership, self-care, and the importance of genuine f...

What happens when a Boeing IT veteran becomes a full-time artist? In this episode of Symplicity Conversations , Catherine Ripley and Doug Seites sit down with Ted Loomis to explore his unique journey from aerospace to art. Ted shares how creativity, technology, and curiosity intersect to drive innovation and growth. They discuss: How 17 years at Boeing IT shaped his creative process The connection...

Join us on this episode of Symplicity Conversations as we talk about technology and innovation in the trucking industry. In this episode, Catherine is joined by Mark Shafer, IT Director at M&K Truck, and Brittany Hayden, Inside Technical Account Manager at Symplicity, to explore their long-standing partnership and the transformative journey of M&K's technology systems. Discover how M&K...

Join us on Symplicity Conversations as we dive into the excitement of Grand Rapids Tech Week with Jen Wangler, Vice President of Technology at The Right Place. Discover how West Michigan is emerging as a technology and innovation powerhouse in the Midwest and hear about the exciting events planned, including a keynote by Steve Wozniak, and multiple events with the Symplicity team. We’ll explore th...

Join us for this fun and enlightening episode of Symplicity Conversations as we explore the dynamic world of business and leadership, as well as how to not take yourself too seriously, with Erin Stewart, Senior Director of Sales at Symplicity. Discover Erin's unique journey, her leadership philosophy, and how she navigates the challenges of sales success. Learn about the importance of community an...

Join us on Symplicity Conversations as host Catherine Ripley sits down with Sebastian Corriere, founder of VesuvITas and a leading expert in the contact center industry. In this episode, they explore the evolving landscape of contact centers, discussing the challenges businesses face when modernizing and how to provide a human touch in a digital-first world.  Discover insights on leveraging AI, op...

Join us in this engaging episode of Symplicity Conversations as host Catherine Ripley sits down with Heather Kurzenski, CX Program Director at Intelisys. Discover Heather's inspiring journey from technical recruiting to leading in the dynamic world of customer experience and automation. We dive into the pivotal role of empathy in CX, discuss how AI is reshaping the landscape, and explore practical...

Join host Catherine Ripley in this engaging episode of Symplicity Conversations as she dives into the dynamic world of business partnerships with Katherine White and Eddie Acosta from Intelisys. Discover how Intelisys is transforming the landscape for partners, the power of leadership synergy, and the exciting innovations on the horizon. Tune in for insights on fostering strong business relationsh...

Join host Catherine Ripley as she welcomes guests from Intelisys Jamal Purvis, National Wireless and IoT Specialist, and Bhu Virdi, Cloud and AI Programs Director, for an exciting discussion on the future of technology in the channel. In this episode, we talk about everything from wireless and cloud advancements to the impact of AI, offering insights on how partners can stay ahead of the curve. Di...

Join us for a compelling episode of Symplicity Conversations as host Catherine Ripley chats with Ken Mills, president of Intelisys, about leadership, innovation, and navigating the fast-paced world of technology. Learn how Ken tackles complexity, shapes a forward-thinking culture, and builds a lasting impact through strategic vision and sound decision-making. This episode offers practical wisdom o...

In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, join host Catherine Ripley and Amir Hameed, Senior Vice President of Global Technical Solutions and Innovation at RingCentral, as they discuss the transformative power of AI in communication.   Discover how RingCentral is redefining enterprise collaboration through cutting-edge innovations and AI-driven solutions. Explore the role of technology in enhan...

In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, host Catherine Ripley sits down with Wendy Harmon, Vice President of Channel Marketing at RingCentral, to explore her inspiring journey to the C-suite and the challenges she's faced as a woman in leadership. Wendy shares valuable insights on innovation, the importance of personal branding, and the strategies she employs to navigate leadership in a globa...

Join us for an inspiring episode of Symplicity Conversations as we sit down with Becky Puckett-Wood, Vice President of Business Development at Inforum. Dive into Becky's journey from vendor to mission-driven leader, and discover how Inforum is accelerating leadership for women through strategic connections and community support. We explore the magic of Inforum's networking, where relationships tra...

Join host Catherine Ripley and Director of Marketing Doug Seites as they reflect on the first half of 2025 in this special episode of Symplicity Conversations. Dive into the stories behind their business successes, personal transformations, and the vibrant community connections that have shaped their journey. Discover how embracing change, celebrating achievements, and prioritizing personal well-b...

Dive into an inspiring conversation with former Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss and Monica Steimle-App, Senior VP at Rockford Construction. In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, host Catherine Ripley explores the dynamic journeys of these remarkable woman leaders as they discuss the power of community-centered leadership, the importance of meaningful connections, and the impact of women s...

Join us as Catherine Ripley and Alex Mead, Chief Technology Officer for City Innovations, dive into the world of AI, debunking myths and exploring its real-world applications. Discover how artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation are transforming industries and creating new opportunities for businesses of all sizes.  From practical tips on integrating AI responsibly to insightful...