In this episode, Cam sits down with Jess O'Connell, Co-Founder and CEO of Newco Strategies. Formerly CEO of the Democratic National Committee, Executive Director of EMILY's List, and COO of the Center for American Progress, Jess is a highly experienced leader with a diverse background in nonprofit leadership, politics, and strategic consulting. She shares the engaging story of her journey to leadership, highlighting the importance of lived experiences and self-awareness. She also discusses the value of developing leadership skills, and emphasizes the need for leaders to prioritize impact and make strategic decisions based on the desired outcomes. Jess also emphasizes the importance of resilience, wellness, and creating a sense of belonging in the nonprofit sector, and shares her advice for  women in leadership while reflecting on the journey of transitioning to her own firm.

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In this episode, Cam sits down for a fun, engaging, and insightful chat with Sarah Sladek. Sarah is the founder and CEO of XYZ University, one of the nation’s only firms focused on generational research, employee engagement, and the development of inclusive, inter-generational workplaces. She is also the founder of a membership strategy firm, host of web show titled “Save the Associations, the author of six books, and an accomplished keynote speaker.

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Sarah discusses generational research and the challenges and opportunities of multiple generations in the workforce. She shares her leadership journey and emphasizes the importance of curiosity, self-awareness, and networking for aspiring leaders, particularly women.

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In this episode, Cam is joined by Miranda Barrett, founder of Capacity to Scale. Miranda shares her leadership journey and the inspiration behind starting her own business. She emphasizes the importance of preparation and building a strong professional network before launching a business.

Miranda shares her thoughts on the importance of women entrepreneurs finding supportive communities and surrounding themselves with people who are further along in their entrepreneurial journey. She also offers insights on surrounding yourself with smart people, hiring and delegating, learning from mistakes, tying behavior to professional goals, handling difficult conversations, letting people go, future goals for the organization, helping event organizers level up, working in associations, creating impact in associations, balancing work and family, lessons from a toxic work environment, and navigating career transitions.

In this episode, Cam is joined by Alison Heron, CEO of the Association for Child Life Professionals. Alison shares her journey in the association management industry and the benefit of having a background in membership development as a CEO. She emphasizes the value of understanding the needs and preferences of association members and the organization's inner workings. Alison also discusses the challenges of being a single mom while pursuing her education and career and the importance of flexibility and intentionality in the work environment. She offers advice for women aspiring to leadership roles and highlights the essential skills of adaptability and empathy for leaders in today's changing world.

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Alison also shares her approach to work-life balance, highlighting the importance of putting oneself first and prioritizing personal well-being. As a first-time CEO, she reflects on the challenges and rewards of the role, including the need to navigate emotions, resistance to change, and the importance of understanding the organization's history. 

In this episode, Cam sits down with Sheri Jacobs, President and CEO of Avenue M Group. Avenue M Group is a thriving consultancy that has helped more than 300 professional associations (large and small) achieve their organizational goals. Sheri shares her leadership journey through various career pathways, including photojournalism, association management, business owner, keynote speaker and more.

She emphasizes the importance of taking risks, asking questions, and being true to oneself as a leader. Sheri also discusses the need for organizations to rethink their business models to provide equal opportunities for all. She also shares exciting updates about her upcoming projects, including a keynote business.

In this episode, Cam sits down for an engaging chat with Haley Jones, Director of Member Engagement at the American Staffing Association, who inspires with her leadership journey, emphasizing the importance of women who will speak up and take their place as leaders. She shares a transformative experience with a life-threatening health crisis, which shaped her perspective on leadership.

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Haley emphasizes the need for leaders to prioritize well-being and set boundaries for a healthy work-life integration. And, through her personal experience with burnout, she also advocates for self-care, transparency, and empathy in leadership, highlighting the impact of these qualities on others. Reflecting on her journey, Haley extols the virtues of empathy and flexibility in leadership, encouraging leaders to support their team members and adapt to change. She also advises women leaders not to internalize criticism and to remember that being misunderstood does not determine or define your worth.

In this episode, Cam sits down with Artesha Moore, President and CEO of Association Forum as she shares her leadership journey and the importance of continuous learning and self-love. She emphasizes the importance of constant learning and shares her strategies for personal growth. Artesha also discusses her personal and professional challenges and triumphs, highlighting her transformative journey as a CEO. She emphasizes the importance of self-love and aligning with one's authentic self in leadership and  shares her inspiration for uplifting and supporting other women, which stems from her mother's influence and the value she places on understanding each woman's story. 

In this episode, Desiree Knight, Senior Director of Meetings and Events at the American Psychological Association, sits down with Cam to share her inspiring leadership journey and insights gained from years in the meetings and events industry. Initially stumbling into the field, she discovered her true passion for event planning while working for various associations. Through active participation in organizations like PCMA and later, through involvement in ASAE's Diversity Executive Leadership Program (Class of 2016-2018), she honed her leadership skills, recognizing the significance of attentive listening and effective communication.

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Desiree stresses the importance of leaders being open to feedback and consistently seeking new opportunities. Additionally, she accentuates the significance of treating everyone with kindness and respect. Desiree delves into the challenges and triumphs of leadership, underscoring the critical role of communication and collaboration with her team. She also reflects on becoming a strategic leader and offers advice for others on their personal growth journey. 

In this episode of the Leadership Bytes podcast, Cam Sanders interviews Danielle Duran Baron, Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Industry Relations for the School Nutrition Association. Danielle shares her non-linear leadership journey, from starting as a journalist to working in financial journalism and then transitioning to marketing and business development. She emphasizes the importance of being passionate about your work and aligning with your values.

Danielle also discusses the impact of her experience as a cancer survivor on her leadership style, highlighting the importance of kindness, honesty, and vulnerability. She advises women to be curious, not complacent, and to find fulfillment in their careers.

Lei Wang, a trailblazing and celebrated keynote speaker, athlete, author, and executive coach, joins Cam to share her extraordinary journey from being the unlikeliest candidate for success to becoming the first Asian woman and Asian American to conquer the Explorer's Grand Slam, an adventure challenge where participants attempt to climb all of the famed seven summits and ski the North and South Poles.

With contagious energy, she underscores the significance of mental and physical transformation, pushing past comfort zones, and seeking guidance and mentorship. Lei also shines a spotlight on the essential leadership skills of conflict resolution and communication, particularly in the context of diverse workforces where multiple generations are present.

In our latest episode, Cam sits down for an empowering chat with Christine Shaw, President and CEO of Naylor Association Solutions, as she shares wisdom from her leadership journey and the evolution of her leadership style.

Christine emphasizes the importance of investing in career coaching, continuously learning and growing as a leader, and highlights the key skills needed in today's leadership climate, including effective communication, structure and discipline, and transparency. She also delves into the significance of creating a supportive and inclusive environment for teams and the value of leaders finding joy in both work and a personal life. 

Samyuktha Neerja, State Associations Relations Manager for the American Nurse Anesthesiology, joins Cam Sanders to discuss her journey into the association world and passion for DEI Amplified, stressing the significance of accessibility and inclusion within organizations.

Samyuktha shares invaluable advice for leaders in the DEI space and sheds light on her personal experiences as a disabled woman of color. She advocates for diverse voices and perspectives, urging individuals to conquer internalized fears and advocate for their needs. Tune in to hear Samyuktha's inspiring story, including the impact of her mother's advocacy and the supportive communities that have helped shape her journey.

In this episode of Leadership Bytes, our host, Cam Sanders, sits down for an insightful and fun chat with Samantha Rosenberg, Chief People and Governance Officer, about her extensive career in human resources and the evolving landscape of leadership, particularly for women. They discuss the dual role of HR in representing both employees and organizations, the importance of professional development, and the essential skills needed in today's workforce. Samantha shares insights on hiring challenges, the significance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and the need for women to advocate for themselves in leadership roles. The conversation also touches on the impact of generational dynamics in the workplace and the importance of mentorship and work-life balance.

In this episode, Cam kicks off Season 3 of LeadHERShip Bytes with special guest, Velma Hart. Velma is a trailblazing leader who has decades of experience serving in chief finance and operational leadership roles, is a military veteran, CEO of Velma Hart & Associates, a past Chair of the American Society of Association Executives’ (ASAE) Board of Directors, and a founding pioneer of ASAE’s Diversity Executive Leadership Program (DELP). Her accomplishments are far too many to list, and most importantly, her commitment to service and the resulting impact on leaders is immeasurable.

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Tune in to learn more about Velma’s impactful leadership journey, her thoughts about what nonprofits and associations need most today, hear the inspiring story of how DELP got its start, and Velma’s valuable advice for women leaders, including the importance of authenticity in leadership and supportive relationships in achieving work-life integration.

In this episode of LeadHERShip Bytes, Cam sits down for an inspiring chat with our special guest, Sheila Bailey, Ph.D. Dr. Bailey spent over 40 years as an educator in public school and university systems. She earned undergraduate, master's, and doctorate degrees in education, and nearly a decade ago, she retired from full-time her career as an educator and pivoted into association management.  

Today, Dr. Bailey serves as the Executive Director of the Virginia Council of Special Educators, a state unit of the Council of Administrators of Special Education (VCASE). 

Dr. Bailey's life is an example of exemplary service—to her family, children with special educational needs, the educators who support them, her mentees, the individuals she works with in her current executive role, her community of faith and through affiliation and sisterhood as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Tune in to learn more about Dr. Bailey's leadership journey, the influencers who inspired her to become an educator, her career pivot, and hear what she has to say about the importance of advocacy for educators and recruiting diverse voices into the field of education. 

In this episode of Leadership Bytes, Cam engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Dr. Erica Fisher-Cartlidge, the Chief Clinical Officer of the Oncology Nursing Enterprise. They explore Dr. Fischer-Cartlidge's journey into oncology nursing, impactful milestones during her practice, and her eventual transition into association leadership.

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The conversation highlights the critical role of data in enhancing nursing practice and the ongoing challenges professional associations face in attracting and retaining members. Dr. Fischer-Cartlidge passionately advocates for equity in cancer care and underscores the vital role of mentorship in developing future leaders. She shares valuable insights on establishing boundaries, the essential skills modern leaders need, and the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

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Additionally, Dr. Fischer-Cartlidge emphasizes the significance of recognition in nursing and offers guidance for emerging leaders. Her perspectives are particularly relevant given current trends in oncology nursing and the integration of new technologies.