The Path To Leadership

Send us Fan Mail Discover the incredible journey of James Williams, the regional public affairs manager for Black Hills Energy, as he shares how his early experiences with the American Red Cross shaped his passion for community service and energy education in Kansas. From his roots as a "Wichita kid" to becoming a pivotal figure in energy solutions and public affairs, James's story...

Send us Fan Mail Amidst a whirlwind January, I find myself reflecting on how quickly time has passed and the impactful connections made along the way. From reconnecting with Leadership Kansas classmates to engaging with both longstanding and new clients, the month has been nothing short of exhilarating. As I gear up for workshops at the Kansas Park and Recreation Association conference, I'm r...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an insightful exploration featuring Josh Shorter, COO of Integrated Components, as he unfolds his inspiring entrepreneurial journey in the challenging world of aerospace manufacturing. Founded by his father on September 11, 2001, a pivotal and challenging time for the industry, Josh shares the evolution of the family-owned business in Wichita. Through his personal anec...

Send us Fan Mail Kansas City's entrepreneurial scene takes center stage as we sit down with Dan Smith, co-founder of Porter House KC. Get ready to uncover the fascinating journey of a man who transitioned from teaching entrepreneurship at the University of Kansas to creating a thriving support hub for urban entrepreneurs. With projects like small business development classes and mentoring pro...

Send us Fan Mail Prepare to be inspired as Brad Douglas, a multitalented leader with a background as diverse as it is impressive, shares his journey from concert-level pianist to influential positions in law, politics, and business. Brad's story is a remarkable testament to the power of adaptability and personal growth. Hear how his experiences as an attorney, lobbyist, and Senate staffer, co...

Send us Fan Mail Blake Vargas shares his journey from a business path to becoming a superintendent driven by passion for education and community service. His experiences reveal the importance of mentorship, bridging resource gaps in rural education, and fostering meaningful connections for student success. • Blake’s journey from business to education  • Leadership Kansas experience fostering commu...

Send us Fan Mail Beth King's transition from the corporate world to founding her own business, Lead Through Style, is an inspiring journey of self-discovery and passion. Her love for fashion, rooted in her early job at Express, never faded even as she pursued a path in marketing and nuclear weapons contracting. Drawing inspiration from Glennon Doyle's "Untamed," Beth realized h...

Send us Fan Mail What if effective leadership is less about control and more about trust and empowerment? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Lisa Thimmesch, CEO of Lasting Coach and Consulting, who has dedicated over 30 years to mastering leadership in the pharmaceutical industry. Lisa shares her passion for leadership, manufacturing, and the profound impact of her experiences with Lead...

Send us Fan Mail What if the path to leadership starts with a passion for technology and a high school computer course? Jeff, the founder of Pelaccio and Partners and mastermind behind The Corporate Couch podcast, joins us to reveal how his early interests paved the way for a diverse and fulfilling career. From AT&T to solopreneurship, Jeff has navigated the ups and downs of the corporate worl...

Send us Fan Mail Kimberly Richtig thought she could sidestep a banking career, only to find herself entrenched in a world she never anticipated. Hear how a high school job offer turned into a lifelong journey through the banking industry, with Kimberly now leading as the Community Bank President at Interest Bank. Her story revives the nostalgia of traditional banking days, from balancing checkbook...

Send us Fan Mail What if your journey from education to entrepreneurship could revolutionize memory care? Join us as we sit down with Mandy Shoemaker, an inspiring figure who has transitioned from the classroom to co-founding Prairie Elder Care and Connectivities. Discover how she, alongside her sister-in-law Michaela Gibson, identified a critical gap in memory care and responded with a unique, na...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the inspiring journey of Lieutenant Colonel Bryan Gregory, as he shares his remarkable path from JROTC to a strategic leadership role. This episode promises insights into the profound experiences that have shaped him and the unique community bonds within military life. With Veterans Day reflections, we honor the dedication of service members and explore the invaluable rol...

Send us Fan Mail Discover an inspiring journey of resilience and service as we sit down with Kelli Campbell-Goodnow, the executive director of the Valor Partners Foundation. After the heartbreaking loss of her husband, a Marine pilot, Kelli found solace and purpose in community support, propelling her into the nonprofit world. Her story is a testament to overcoming personal tragedy and dedicating...

Send us Fan Mail Leadership isn't just about steering a ship; it's about knowing when to adjust the sails. Join us as we journey with Jenna Washnieski, a dynamic leadership coach who has carved her niche in the nonprofit sector, focusing on health-related causes like HIV/AIDS and the National MS Society. Her narrative is both a roadmap and a reflection on how personal milestones and chal...

Send us Fan Mail Monique Garcia's journey from her family's iconic Connie's Mexico Cafe to founding Garcia Group LLC is nothing short of inspiring. As Monique shares her transformation, listeners will gain insights into her diverse experiences across public service, the private sector, and academia, all of which have equipped her with a robust set of skills. From grant writing to ma...

Send us Fan Mail Michele Markham, the visionary behind EAG Advertising and Marketing, shares her compelling journey from the corporate sphere to entrepreneurship, while juggling personal commitments. What does it take to transition from a high-flying corporate executive to the founder of a vibrant agency? Michele offers a fascinating glimpse into her world, where professional ambition meets person...

Send us Fan Mail Join us as Erica Kruckenberg shares her inspiring journey from Texas to Kansas, starting from her impactful service in the Peace Corps in Uzbekistan to her dynamic roles in the corporate sector and education. Erica's philosophy, inspired by a mentor, of writing one's purpose in pen and the path in pencil underscores her approach to leadership and growth. Listen as Erica...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when an aspiring engineer pivots to become a financial leader? Join us for a captivating conversation with Marc Shaffer, the financial planner, CFO, and owner behind Searcy Financial Services and Allos Investment Advisors. Marc shares his transformative journey from engineering student at K-State to discovering his passion for financial planning, thanks to a chance me...

Send us Fan Mail Ready to uncover the hidden potential of AI in your workplace? Join us as we sit down with Rob Ervin, the Digital Learning Manager at Smithfield Foods, who shares valuable insights from the recent Training Magazine Tech Learn Conference. From his journey from sports information to instructional design, Rob emphasizes the importance of teamwork and adaptability in navigating today’...

Send us Fan Mail Can aligning your time management strategies with your personal and professional goals truly revolutionize your path to leadership? Join me, Dr. Katie, as we embark on a journey of self-discovery and strategic prioritization. In this episode, I explore the transformative power of conducting a personal SWOT analysis to identify the skills, certifications, and relationships necessar...

Send us Fan Mail Ready to shatter the myths surrounding entrepreneurship? Join us as we sit down with Jill Hathaway, the dynamic Regional Director of the Small Business Development Center. Jill opens up about her transition from corporate sales to entrepreneurship, detailing her experiences with a family manufacturing business and the closure of her own retail venture in 2014. We'll uncover t...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to grow as a leader and step out of your comfort zone? Join us as we kick off season two of "Path to Leadership" with an exploration of the transformative experiences and rich learning opportunities from the Leadership Kansas program. This season, I'll introduce you to some of my incredible classmates and share the diverse insights we've gaine...

Send us Fan Mail While we are on a summer break, we wanted to share with you a recent podcast we were on with EAG Advertising and Marketing.  You can check them out at https://eagadv.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/rhondajhale/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieervin/ www.jolyean.com www.katieervin.com Check out Rhonda's Etsy shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThingsForge Orde...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how turning points in business can shape your future? This episode promises profound insights into business growth and the transitions that accompany it. Join us as we reflect on our recent mid-year review at Catalyst Development, diving into what’s working well and pinpointing areas for improvement. With mixed emotions, we announce Emma's departure from Catalys...

Send us Fan Mail Can you imagine achieving clarity, focus, and renewed energy just by hitting pause at the midpoint of the year? This episode of Paths of Leadership invites you to join us at Catalyst Development as we embark on our mid-year review process, a powerful exercise to recalibrate, refresh, and strategize. Inspired by Emma and Jenna's recent LinkedIn post, we expand on their insight...