Unlocking Growth Through Leadership

Jaime Taets CEO of Keystone Group International shares her leadership strategies, the power of mentoring and how reframing challenges can unlock potential for growth. Jaime, an accomplished leader, speaker, mentor and author, shares insights from her journey—from corporate life to launching her company focused on building leadership cultures.  Jaime’s conversation with Megan Cummings Krueger offers valuable lessons for leaders at all stages. By focusing on personal growth, leveraging strengths, and reframing challenges, leaders can create thriving organizations with resilient cultures.

Practical Leadership Insights

Kimberly Grey, Vice President of Global Talent Management at Leggett & Platt, shares her practical leadership insights. Drawing from her experience at companies like Walt Disney, Best Buy, and Cargill, Kimberly highlights the importance of intentional leadership, accountability, and building meaningful relationships.

How to Ask for What You Want

Karen Laos joins Solveig Brown to discuss how to ask for what you want. Karen shares her empowering strategies for overcoming self-doubt, setting clear intentions, and confidently asking for what you desire. She breaks down her proven four-step process, which is designed to help individuals—especially women—build the confidence to speak up and get what they deserve.

Mental Health in the Workplace

Vera Michelle Lewis, Vice President of Development and Communications at the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), sits down with Megan Cummings-Krueger. They discuss mental health in the workplace, caregiving, and the transformative power of mentoring. Vera’s journey is deeply personal and professional, combining her nonprofit work with her personal experiences as a caregiver for her father, who battled Alzheimer’s.

Inclusive Leadership in Corporate America

Craig Warren, CEO of Washburn Center for Children discusses inclusive leadership in corporate America, addressing structural bias, and fostering diversity and equity in the workplace. As the first BIPOC CEO in Washburn’s 140-year history, Warren shares insights on navigating leadership while fostering environments where all identities feel welcome and supported.

Effective Cross-Cultural Communication

Gerardo Soula, Global Human Resources Leader with extensive international experience, joins host Solveig Brown to discuss effective cross-cultural communication, leading global teams, and mentoring across borders. Gerardo shares insights on how to influence effectively in a global context, roll out successful mergers and acquisitions, and bridge cultural differences to build stronger teams.

Take Control of Your Career

Ha-Keem Abdel-Khaliq, also known as Coach Ha-Keem, Global Vice President of Human Resources, sits down with Solveig Brown to discuss transformative career planning strategies. In this episode, Ha-Keem shares powerful advice on how to take control of your career development, set clear values, and recognize your role as the driver of your own career journey.

5-Step Career Framework

Maria Kauffman, Senior Automation Engineer at Carlisle Construction Materials and women’s leadership expert, joins Megan Cummings-Krueger to discuss resilience, focus, and career advancement. Maria shares her unique 5-step career framework for setting and achieving unstoppable goals. Her approach to leadership, personal branding, and mentoring offers transformative opportunities for women aiming to create positive change in their careers and lives.

Responsible AI and Ethical Leadership

Dr. Leanne Ward, Partner of Federal Government and Defense at Kearney, explores the importance of responsible AI, diversity in technology, and ethical leadership. With over 30 years of experience in digital transformation, Dr. Ward shares valuable insights into how organizations can harness technology responsibly while keeping people at the center.

Children’s Mental Health Crisis

Craig Warren, CEO of Washburn Center for Children discusses the growing children’s mental health crisis. He highlights alarming statistics, systemic challenges, and practical steps caregivers can take to support children experiencing mental health struggles.

The conversation underscores how the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated an already-existing mental health crisis among children and why greater investment in mental healthcare is essential.

Reclaiming Wellness in Leadership

Amy Brandli, Head of Operations at Visana Health, joins host Megan Cummings-Krueger to discuss practical strategies for reclaiming wellness in leadership and life. Drawing from decades of experience in healthcare, Amy shares valuable tips on the four pillars of wellbeing and how they can be integrated into daily routines for a more balanced, fulfilling life.

Authentic Executive Presence in Leadership

Adam Dill, Chief Customer Officer at Wicked Foods, discusses authentic executive presence in leadership. He explains how leaders can cultivate executive presence—a skill that’s both learned and practiced. Through self-awareness, feedback, and alignment with personal values, Adam illustrates how authentic executive presence can foster meaningful impact and build team trust.

Thriving Through Change

Tom O’Brien, Vice President of Human Resources at Trinchero Family Estates, explores the transformative power of change. Drawing from personal loss, a thriving career in HR, and his role as a mentor, Tom shares actionable strategies to navigate life’s uncertainties and be able to thrive through change.

Leadership and Influencing Strategies

Dr. Leon Zeng, Senior Director of Behavioral Marketing and Analytics at Morningstar, joins Solveig Brown to discuss leadership and influencing strategies for success.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Heather Whelpley, speaker, author, and host of the podcast Create Your Own Rules for Life, joins Solveig Brown to discuss overcoming imposter syndrome. With a wealth of experience working with companies worldwide, Heather shares valuable insights on managing self-doubt, setting boundaries, and embracing creativity. She talks us through how to protect yourself from feeling “not good enough” when you work with perfectionists or are treated as an outsider. She also offers some best practices for responding to feedback.

Navigating Grief and Finding Purpose

Jody LaVoie, CEO and Coach at Widows in the Workplace, shares her deeply personal journey through unexpected tragedy, transformation, and ultimately, purpose. Jody recounts how she stepped into a leadership role following the sudden loss of her husband, founding Widows in the Workplace and supporting others as they navigate grief and transition.

Empowering Women Leaders Through Authenticity

Sarah Blomquist, HR Consultant and Owner of SB Resources LLC, discusses empowering women, navigating contradictions, and the importance of continuous learning. Drawing on her experience working with organizations like Cargill and the Minnesota Vikings, Sarah shares personal insights into balancing authenticity with fitting in, owning one’s success, and the systemic changes needed to support women in leadership roles.

Embracing Authentic Leadership

Tricia Price, Senior Vice President of Customer Experience Operations at GM Financial, shares her journey of navigating leadership challenges, overcoming imposter syndrome, and embracing authentic leadership. Her transparent and inspiring stories shed light on common struggles leaders face and how accepting vulnerability can transform personal and professional growth.

Developing Executive Presence

James Prince, Director of Client Success and Strategic Client Experience at ADP sits down with Solveig Brown. James shares his insights on executive presence, leadership development, and the significance of Black History Month. He also offers practical strategies for leaders to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion within their teams.

Women-led Leadership and Mentoring

Missy Chicre, CEO of Menttium, and Lynn Sontag, Chairwoman and Owner of Menttium, share perspectives on women-led leadership and the role of mentoring. They delve into how mission-driven leadership fuels success, especially in times of change.

Courageous Conversations

Gloria Cotton, Senior Partner at inQuest and expert in HR and organizational development, sits down with Solveig Brown. In this insightful episode, Gloria shares valuable advice on navigating difficult conversations, addressing fear, and turning courageous conversations into meaningful action. With over 25 years of experience, Gloria’s expertise provides practical steps for leaders and individuals aiming to foster inclusive environments where everyone can thrive.

Mentoring Women in STEM

Dr. Damaris Matoke-Muhia, principal research scientist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute, discusses her dedication to empowering women in STEM through her groundbreaking work in combating vector-borne diseases. Through global mentoring initiatives and community-based programs, Dr. Matoke-Muhia champions gender equality, leadership opportunities, and improved health outcomes across Africa.

Courageous Conversations

Emily Koski, Senior Vice President and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Segment Strategy Lead at U.S. Bank, joins Megan Cummings-Krueger on the Menttium Matters Podcast to discuss courageous conversations, driving inclusion transformation, and the importance of authentic leadership. Emily shares insights from her role at U.S. Bank, her experiences in inclusive leadership, and strategies for creating a workplace that promotes belonging and inclusion. With a unique background in music performance, Emily uses her creative skills to bring energy and innovation to her work in diversity, equity and inclusion.

Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

Fabio Miranda, Operations Director at Martin Brower-Brazil sits down with with Megan Cummings-Krueger to discuss the significant impact of emotional intelligence in leadership and mentoring. Fabio shares his global experiences in supply chain management and how mentoring has shaped his career, particularly in helping individuals navigate career transitions, workplace dynamics, and personal growth.

Strategies for Navigating Change

Sue Ryan, a transition strategist, speaker, coach, and mentor, discusses her strategies for navigating change with confidence and emotional intelligence.

Reframing Perspectives

Nick Snoply, Chief Administrative Officer at American Health Network (a part of Optum), sits down with Megan Cummings-Krueger on the Menttium Matters Podcast to discuss the transformative power of reframing perspectives, thriving through change, and the importance of focus in leadership.