It's easy to be impressed by the résumé, an All-American athlete, author of 15 books, a speaker who's influenced thousands of leaders. But none of that was the most memorable part of this conversation. This one pulls back the curtain on the human underneath the accomplishments, because the people who change us rarely do it from a stage. They do it across a table, in a hallway, in the moments they aren't trying to be impressive, just honest.

Who he is: Byrd is an All-American athlete, the author of 15 books, and a speaker who has influenced thousands of leaders. But the titles aren't the point, what he hopes to be remembered for is the hope he's left in other people.

What he does: He writes, speaks, and leads, but more than that, he shows up for the conversations that actually matter, the ones about being human.

What he believes: That the most important conversations aren't about success, they're about humanity. About the moments that break us, shape us, and teach us how to hope again.

How he works: Across the table, not from the stage. Byrd connects in the honest, unguarded moments, talking openly about forgiveness, fathers, regret, and the weight people carry that no résumé will ever reveal.

In this episode:

• Why the people who change us rarely do it from a stage
• Honest conversation about forgiveness, fathers, and regret
• The weight people carry that no résumé will ever reveal
• What it means to live a life that inspires hope in others

New episodes of 15 Minutes With drop weekly. Subscribe so you never miss a conversation.

It's easy to see someone in their role and assume they always had it figured out. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real journey: leaving public health, looking honestly at the next ten years, and choosing not to let the work turn him into someone he doesn't recognize. Jordan names something a lot of us feel and rarely say out loud, that people can sense when you're performing, and they can feel it when you're real.

Who he is: Jordan is a Project and Engagement Manager at Workday who left public health to get here. He didn't follow a straight line, he made a deliberate choice about who he wanted to be over the next ten years.

What he does: He leads projects and engagements at Workday, and on the side runs a food page, Meals by Jordan, on Instagram.

What he believes: That you have to belong to yourself first, and that the bravest thing you can do is refuse to abandon yourself just to be accepted.

How he works: By staying real instead of armoring up. Jordan brings his whole self to the work, trusting that people can feel the difference between performance and authenticity.

In this episode:

• Why belonging to yourself has to come first
• Leaving public health and choosing the next ten years on purpose
• Why people can always sense when you're performing
• The pull to armor up, and the courage not to

New episodes of 15 Minutes With drop weekly. Subscribe so you never miss a conversation.

It's easy to see a clinical psychologist and author and assume she has it all figured out. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real story, how tragedy turned to triumph in Andrea's life and in Lee's, and what it actually takes to keep showing up for your kids and yourself in the middle of it.

Who she is: Andrea Mata, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, the founder of BrightSpot Families, and the author of The No. 2 Parenting Book. She's spent her career in the trenches of family life, and like everyone, she's still doing her own work too.

What she does: She helps parents build stronger bonds with their children, protect their own mental health, and find clarity in the daily chaos no parenting class ever fully prepares you for.

What she believes: That even the people who help others heal are still healing themselves, and that there's strength, not shame, in naming that out loud.

How she works: With honesty and hard-won clarity. Andrea meets parents where they actually are, turning her own experience of tragedy and recovery into a path others can follow.

In this episode:

• What actually matters in raising kids today
• How tragedy turned to triumph in Andrea's life and Lee's
• Why even the people who help others heal are still doing the work
• Protecting your own mental health in the middle of family chaos

A powerful close to a powerful month. This one closes out Mental Health Month with a voice every parent and every survivor of tragedy needs to hear.

It's easy to see a therapist and assume their understanding comes only from training. This conversation pulls back the curtain on a perspective most clinicians simply can't replicate, one that sits at the intersection of clinical expertise and lived experience. Rose talks about what veterans actually need from mental health care, how trauma shows up long after the uniform comes off, and why healing is never linear.

Who she is: Rose is a licensed therapist and a U.S. Army veteran. Her path gives her something rare, an understanding of service and struggle from the inside, not just the textbook.

What she does: She provides mental health care grounded in both clinical training and lived military experience, with a particular focus on veterans.

What she believes: That the work of healing is never linear, and that veterans need care from people who actually understand what they carry.

How she works: From the intersection of expertise and experience. Rose meets people honestly and without pretense, in a way only someone who's served and healed can.

In this episode:

• What veterans actually need from mental health care
• How trauma shows up long after the uniform comes off
• Why healing is never linear
• The perspective that comes from serving and surviving

It's easy to see a president of an organization and assume the title tells the story. This conversation pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to lead when the margin for error is thin and the meaning of the work is everything. As President of Compass Connections, Sonya leads an organization devoted to caring for some of the most vulnerable populations in the country, demanding operational excellence and deep humanity in equal measure.

Who she is: Sonya is the President of Compass Connections, leading an organization that cares for some of the most vulnerable people in the country. She leads where the stakes are highest and the room for error is smallest.

What she does: She runs a mission-driven organization at scale, delivering operational excellence and deep humanity at the same time, every single day.

What she believes: That service has to be more than a slogan stitched onto a wall, and that the best leaders show up for the people the world too often overlooks. She calls the people doing this work the "Superhero Generation."

How she works: By holding excellence and humanity together. Sonya leads at scale without losing sight of the individual people the mission exists to serve.

In this episode:

• Why leadership is easy when the stakes are low, and what changes when they're not
• What it takes to lead a mission-driven organization at scale
• Why service has to be more than a slogan on a wall
• The story behind the "Superhero Generation"

New episodes of 15 Minutes With drop weekly. Subscribe so you never miss a conversation.

It's easy to see a long résumé and assume the doors all opened easily. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real journey behind an Executive Director, licensed clinical therapist, Rule 31 Mediator, and 40 Under 40 honoree who has stewarded millions in grant funding, trained rooms of 1,500, and shaped the strategic future of more than 50 nonprofits across Middle Tennessee.

Who she is: Amiee Sadler, LMSW, CNP, is Executive Director of Miriam's Promise, a licensed clinical therapist, a Rule 31 Mediator, a Nashville Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree, and a two-time Lipscomb University alum.

What she does: She leads mission-driven nonprofit work, stewarding major grant funding and shaping the strategic future of dozens of organizations across Middle Tennessee.

What she believes: In trauma-informed care, and that leadership doesn't have to choose between people and performance. You can lead with both heart and rigor.

How she works: By refusing the false choice. Amiee pairs deep clinical insight with strategic discipline, delivering on mission and results at the same time.

In this episode:

• The real journey behind a multi-hat nonprofit leader
• What trauma-informed care actually requires
• Leading with both heart and rigor, never just one
• Mission-driven leadership that won't compromise on people or performance

In this bonus cut, Tim Stein goes deeper on what it really means to lead with a people-first mindset when the stakes are high and the work is personal. It's the kind of insight you don't get from a job description or a leadership book. It comes from the field, the boardroom, and the lived experience of someone who has been knocked down and gotten back up more than once.

Short clip. Big takeaway.

Watch the full conversation in episode #43, then come back for more new episodes of 15 Minutes With every week. Subscribe so you never miss a moment.

It's easy to see a CHRO and assume the climb was clean. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real journey, from walk-on to scholarship athlete at the University of Pittsburgh, fighting through injuries and addiction that would have shattered most people's faith. That same grit carried Tim from sales floors into HR leadership at DICK'S Sporting Goods and now American Addiction Centers, where he serves as Chief Human Resources Officer.

Who he is: Tim is the Chief Human Resources Officer at American Addiction Centers. He didn't take a smooth path, he fought through injury and addiction, going from college walk-on to the C-suite on grit alone.

What he does: He leads people through complex transformations and builds people-first culture in a multi-site healthcare environment.

What he believes: In teamwork, accountability, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence, and that supporting mental health and recovery belongs at the center of the workplace, not the margins.

How he works: From lived experience. Tim brings recovery, resilience, and a people-first conviction to leading culture where the work is personal.

In this episode:

• The real journey from college walk-on to CHRO
• Fighting through injury and addiction without losing faith
• Building people-first culture across a multi-site healthcare environment
• What it really takes to support mental health and recovery at work

New episodes of 15 Minutes With drop weekly. Subscribe so you never miss a conversation.

It's easy to see a talent strategist and assume the title came first. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real journey, more than two decades of helping organizations build spaces where people feel truly seen, valued, and free to be who they are. For Kumari, that passion was forged in community and in the intentional work of raising two sons, deciding every day to be purposeful about the world she's helping build for them.

Who she is: Kumari is a talent strategist, thought leader, and by every account a genuinely good human. Her path didn't start with a title, it started with belief, forged in community and in motherhood.

What she does: For over two decades she's helped organizations build spaces where people feel truly seen, genuinely valued, and free to be who they are.

What she believes: That belonging isn't a perk, it's the point, and that nobody should have to choose between being themselves and belonging where they work.

How she works: With purpose that came before the paycheck. Kumari leads from conviction first, building the kind of world she wants for her sons into every organization she touches.

In this episode:

• Why the belief came first and the career followed
• Building spaces where people feel truly seen and valued
• How community and motherhood shaped her leadership
• What it means to lead as a genuinely good human

It's easy to see an HR technologist and assume the path was always clear. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real journey, what it actually feels like to step outside your comfort zone when the stakes are enterprise-wide and global, and why the best systems aren't just built for today but for a future you haven't imagined yet.

Who he is: Zeeshan is an HR technologist turned skills revolution architect. He didn't arrive here overnight, he spent 16 years building systems for global organizations before betting on himself.

What he does: He architects the skills revolution, building systems that help global organizations prepare for a future that doesn't look like today.

What he believes: That the most important configuration is the one you do on yourself, and that building people and building systems are equally meaningful work.

How he works: By designing for what's next, not just what's now. Zeeshan steps outside the comfort zone at enterprise scale and builds for a future others haven't pictured yet.

In this episode:

• Why the most important system you configure is yourself
• What stepping outside your comfort zone feels like at global scale
• Why the best systems are built for a future you can't yet see
• Betting on yourself when you're afraid to

It's easy to see two stars and assume you know the whole story. This conversation pulls back the curtain and goes beyond the rank, into the journey of a leader who served more than 32 years in the military, spent time in investment banking, and decided his greatest deployment might still be ahead of him. We explore what drove him to serve and why he's now building something entirely new for the people who served alongside him.

Who he is: Major General Matt Smith (Ret.) is a two-star general turned graduate program architect. He didn't arrive here on a straight path, he served more than 32 years in uniform and moved through investment banking before his next call to serve.

What he does: He's building a first-of-its-kind business program that gives veterans a bridge between the life they served and the life they've earned.

What he believes: That purpose doesn't retire when you do, and that a call to serve never truly expires. Veterans' greatest experience shouldn't get lost in translation.

How he works: By turning service into the next mission. The general is building the bridge no one ever handed veterans, channeling decades of leadership into helping others cross it.

In this episode:

• Why a call to serve never expires, it just changes uniforms
• The journey across 32 years of service and a turn in investment banking
• Building a first-of-its-kind business program for veterans
• Why purpose doesn't retire when you do

It's easy to see a founder and CEO and assume he just arrived there. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real journey, 20+ years of progressive HR leadership across global organizations that led Anthony to build HR Certified and become one of the most passionate voices in the space.

Who he is: Anthony is the Founder and CEO of HR Certified, a Forbes Coaches Council contributor, and a leader known to many as #datHRguy. He earned that voice across 20+ years of progressive HR leadership in global organizations.

What he does: He helps HR professionals increase their confidence and marketability through access, certification, and career development.

What he believes: That access and certification change careers, and that every HR professional deserves the confidence and credentials to compete.

How he works: With real talk, real strategy, and real results. Anthony cuts through the noise to give HR pros practical paths forward, not platitudes.

In this episode:

• The 20+ year journey to founding HR Certified
• Why certification is really about access and career development
• How to increase your confidence and marketability in HR
• The "real talk" philosophy behind #datHRguy

It's easy to see an enterprise strategist and assume the doors were always open. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real journey, from rural South Georgia to reshaping operations at one of the nation's largest financial institutions. Samantha shares why her colleagues stopped calling her Samantha and started calling her Coach Sam, and what it really costs to build a legacy while building everyone else up around you.

Who she is: Samantha is an accountant turned enterprise strategist and community coach. She didn't start with every advantage, she came up from rural South Georgia and refused to let where she started cap where she'd go.

What she does: She reshapes operations at one of the nation's largest financial institutions while coaching and building up the people around her, the work that earned her the name Coach Sam.

What she believes: That limited resources don't mean limited results, and that strategy without heart is just a spreadsheet. Real impact requires both.

How she works: By building legacy and people at the same time. Samantha pairs enterprise strategy with genuine coaching, lifting others as she rises.

In this episode:

• Why limited resources don't mean limited results
• The real journey from rural South Georgia to enterprise strategy
• How Samantha became "Coach Sam"
• Why strategy without heart is just a spreadsheet

It's easy to see a Global VP of HR and assume she took the obvious route. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real, unconventional journey, from accounting to human resources, from a published author at 16 to a leader recognized as a Woman to Know in HR. Jasmine shares the lessons that fueled 500% sales growth at T-Mobile and how she scaled a company's headcount by 200% while improving engagement and cutting attrition.

Who she is: Jasmine is a Global Vice President of Human Resources, recognized as a Woman to Know in HR, and a published author since age 16. She didn't take a straight line here, she came up through accounting and built something unconventional.

What she does: She leads global HR and people operations, scaling organizations while keeping engagement, belonging, and talent development at the center.

What she believes: That the most effective HR leaders focus on developing people, not just managing metrics. Culture and belonging are the real drivers, not the dashboard.

How she works: With a storyteller's perspective on culture. Jasmine builds the kind of organizations where headcount and engagement rise together, balancing business performance with being human.

In this episode:

• The unconventional path from accounting to global HR leadership
• How people development drove 500% sales growth and a 200% headcount scale
• Why the best HR leaders look past metrics to people
• Bringing a storyteller's lens to culture and belonging

It's easy to see a CEO and founder and assume she just arrived there. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real journey, from admissions recruiter in Rochester to leading a tech recruitment firm in Atlanta. Julia talks about what it takes to be the number one performer in your company and why she believes hiring is about creating culture, not checking boxes.

Who she is: Julia is the CEO and founder of Aligned Recruitment Co., a recruiter of A-players, and a self-proclaimed "living the dream" mom of two. She didn't land at the top by accident, she built it from admissions recruiter to firm leader.

What she does: She builds teams that don't just fill seats but drive performance, matching the right people with the right companies in tech recruitment.

What she believes: That hiring is about creating culture, not checking boxes. The real work is matching purpose with potential, not just filling a role.

How she works: By aligning A-players with companies where they'll actually thrive. Julia navigates the tension between speed and quality and finds the people who genuinely move the needle.

In this episode:

• The real journey from admissions recruiter to tech recruitment CEO
• Why hiring is about creating culture, not checking boxes
• What it takes to be the number one performer in your company
• How to find people who actually move the needle

It's easy to see a lifelong HR leader and assume the path was always clear. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real journey of a native Austinite who built her career from the inside out. We explore her path to leadership, her love for her community, and why she believes HR must be the example setters.

Who she is: Angela L. Shaw, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, is an SVP of Talent, a native Austinite, and a lifelong HR leader. She didn't arrive here by chance, she built it over a full career rooted in her community.

What she does: She leads talent at the senior level, building leaders and better workplaces while helping people navigate their own paths in HR.

What she believes: That HR must set the example, and that leadership can be both brave and kind. The goal isn't just better leaders, it's better humans.

How she works: From the inside out. Angela leads with roots and community at the center, modeling the kind of brave, kind leadership she wants others to carry forward.

In this episode:

• What it really looks like to lead from the inside out
• Why HR has to be the example setters
• How leadership can be both brave and kind
• Building roots, building leaders, and building better workplaces

It's easy to see a co-founder and assume she just arrived there. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real journey, from a hashtag (#WellBuiltWorkday) to a fast-growing content engine, a scaling team, and a Workday playbook designed to last instead of collapsing at the first change request. People often wonder what drives leaders to evolve and become, and that's exactly what we explore with Ceci.

Who she is: Ceci is the co-founder of Well Built Solutions and one of the Workday ecosystem's most trusted educators and architects. She didn't land that reputation overnight, she built it, turning a hashtag into a movement.

What she does: She helps organizations stop renting consultant brainpower and start building real in-house Workday capability, with a playbook designed to outlast any single go-live.

What she believes: That you should build something that lasts, not something that collapses at the first change request. Real capability lives inside your team, not on a consultant's invoice.

How she works: As a builder and architect in her own right. Ceci scales teams, creates content that educates the whole ecosystem, and designs for durability over quick fixes.

In this episode:

• Why you should stop renting consultant brainpower and build in-house
• How a hashtag (#WellBuiltWorkday) became a fast-growing content engine
• What it takes to build a Workday playbook that lasts
• What really drives leaders to evolve and become

It's easy to see a founder and podcast host and assume she just landed there. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real journey behind one of the industry's most trusted advocates for human-centered hiring. Desiree brings clarity, conviction, and candor, and goes well beyond frameworks and titles to talk about leadership, accountability, and what it really means to be a good human at work.

Who she is: Desiree is the founder of Do Better Consulting, co-host of Talentless: A Recruiters' Podcast, and one of the industry's most trusted voices in modern talent strategy. She earned that trust by telling the truth, not by playing it safe.

What she does: She builds scalable, high-trust talent systems and helps organizations fix what's broken in hiring, focusing on what actually works instead of what just sounds good.

What she believes: That good hiring is human-centered, and that being a good human at work isn't separate from doing the job well, it's the whole point.

How she works: With clarity, conviction, and candor, and a high volt of energy and focus. Desiree leads with truth and accountability, naming what's broken so it can actually be fixed.

In this episode:

• The truth about what's broken in hiring, and what actually works
• How to build scalable, high-trust talent systems
• Why leadership and accountability go beyond frameworks and titles
• What it really means to be a good human at work

It's easy to see a finance transformation leader and assume the confidence was always there. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real journey, including imposter syndrome at higher altitudes and the evolving stages of personal leadership. This isn't a conversation about spreadsheets. It's a conversation about ownership.

Who he is: Daniel Kadeba is a CPA, finance transformation leader, and consultant, the kind of executive organizations call when guesswork is no longer an option. He didn't reach that level overnight, he grew through the evolving stages of personal leadership to get there.

What he does: He leads finance transformation, helping organizations replace guesswork with clarity and make decisions that actually hold up when the stakes are high.

What he believes: That growth is more than a numbers game, and that leaders too often avoid the truth hiding in their data. He's clear-eyed about the dangerous myth that speed equals momentum.

How he works: With ownership and accountability. Daniel pushes leaders to face the truth instead of avoiding it, and to build growth on discipline rather than the illusion of speed.

In this episode:

• Why leaders avoid the truth hiding in their data
• The evolving stages of personal leadership
• Imposter syndrome at higher altitudes
• Why speed doesn't equal momentum

It's easy to look at someone leading at Nicole's level and assume she just arrived there. This conversation pulls back the curtain on what nobody says out loud, why perfectionism is a leadership trap, why failing faster is modern instead of messy, and what it costs to use your voice in rooms you once shrank inside. Nicole's back on the show, and this time it gets personal.

Who she is: Nicole is BDO's Workday Practice Leader and a returning guest. She didn't arrive at this level, she built it, with will, grace, community, and yes, some exhaustion and a laugh in the middle of it.

What she does: She leads Workday change and enterprise transformation while living the full reality of the modern working parent, leader, and creator, refusing to keep her career life and creator life in separate boxes.

What she believes: That perfectionism is a leadership trap, especially for "oldest daughter energy" folks, and that you don't arrive, you earn it, sometimes at real cost. Your leadership doesn't clock out, and your life doesn't compartmentalize.

How she works: By failing faster and leading out loud. Nicole uses her voice in rooms she once shrank inside, integrating career, family, and creativity instead of splitting herself across them.

In this episode:

• Why perfectionism is a leadership trap, not a standard to chase
• Why failing faster isn't messy, it's modern
• What it takes to use your voice in rooms you once shrank inside
• Why you don't "arrive," you build it, with will, grace, and community

It's easy to assume the effective people just performed their way to the top. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real journey, one that proves transformation doesn't happen when you perform, it happens when you align. Nick didn't become more "sales-like" to win. He became fully himself, and that's exactly what made him extraordinary.

Who he is: Nick is a leader in enterprise transformation who built his effectiveness by leaning into who he actually is, not by becoming louder, more aggressive, or more "sales-like."

What he does: He transforms organizations by translating complexity into clarity, replacing outdated systems with human-centered progress, and making enterprise change feel safe, achievable, and real, especially for healthcare organizations serving people at their most vulnerable.

What he believes: That you don't need to become someone else to become extraordinary, you just need to become fully yourself. Transformation comes from alignment, not performance.

How he works: Not by pushing products, but by restoring time, dignity, and focus to the organizations he serves. Nick leads with authenticity, making change feel human instead of forced.

In this episode:

• Why authenticity is the engine that actually scales and sells
• How transformation happens through alignment, not performance
• Translating complexity into clarity for healthcare organizations
• Why becoming fully yourself is the real path to extraordinary

It's easy to see a founder and executive coach and assume she's always had this clarity. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real journey, from VP of HR to executive coach, leadership strategist, and founder of The ElevateHer. Nakisha earned her perspective the hard way, and as she puts it, "the oil cost me." This is a masterclass in regulated leadership, mentorship, faith, and impact.

Who she is: Nakisha is a former VP of HR, an executive coach, a leadership strategist, and the founder of The ElevateHer. She didn't arrive at this wisdom overnight, she paid for it in experience and earned perspective.

What she does: She coaches leaders and builds leadership frameworks that actually scale, while mentoring young girls and helping people lead without ego or noise.

What she believes: That walking heavy matters more than chasing numbers, and that you have to secure your own oxygen mask first. Real leadership means telling the truth in the room and dropping the corporate theater.

How she works: As a regulated leader who reframes chaos instead of reacting to it. Nakisha anchors her leadership in faith, people, rest, and reflection, and models that asking for what you need is a superpower, especially for women.

In this episode:

• Why nobody telling the truth is what actually sinks organizations
• Why "walking heavy" matters more than chasing numbers
• How regulated leaders reframe chaos instead of reacting to it
• Why asking for what you need is a leadership superpower

It's easy to see a project manager, doctoral student, entrepreneur, and mother of two and assume she just holds it all together effortlessly. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real journey, a Tanzanian-born leader whose story embodies resilience, discipline, and faith-driven transformation. Gloria opens up about what it actually takes to balance motherhood, leadership, and ambition while staying grounded in purpose.

Who she is: Gloria is a Tanzanian-born healthcare IT project and program manager, a doctoral student, an entrepreneur, and a mother of two. She didn't arrive here on an easy path, she built it through resilience, discipline, and faith.

What she does: She leads healthcare IT projects and programs, runs her consulting firm Bama Technology, and homeschools her son, all at once.

What she believes: That success isn't about titles, it's about alignment and courage. She's an advocate for mental health, the power of rest, and the beauty of unlearning and relearning as both a parent and a professional.

How she works: With discipline and intention. Gloria manages her time around what matters, honors rest instead of grinding through it, and leads from a grounded sense of who she is.

In this episode:

• What it takes to balance motherhood, leadership, and ambition
• Building Bama Technology while homeschooling her son
• Mental health, therapy, and the power of rest
• Why leadership starts with knowing who you are

Wayne returns for an encore, and this time we go inside Emory's MBV program, elite, top-tier academics with zero shortcuts. This conversation pulls back the curtain on why he chose Emory and what it actually takes to translate military excellence into corporate wins. Real camaraderie, serious rigor, and leadership that delivers.

Who he is: Wayne is a veteran, a healthcare technologist, a leader of teams, and an Emory MBV graduate. He carries the 101st Airborne bond and a hard-earned belief that nothing worth having comes without the work.

What he does: He leads in project management and corporate strategy, turning military excellence into measurable business results.

What he believes: That there are no shortcuts, everyone earns their place through the same door, and that recruiters too often miss the massive leadership veterans actually bring.

How he works: With big accountability and 24/7 ownership, no excuses. Wayne leans on the Emory network and the discipline of his service to deliver results.

In this episode:

• Why he chose Emory's MBV program: rigor, camaraderie, and no handouts
• Translating military excellence into corporate wins
• The leadership veterans bring that recruiters keep missing
• The 101st Airborne bond and the rule that you earn your way through the door

It's easy to see top-tier credentials and assume the path was smooth. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real journey, ten-plus years serving America, elite training, Vanderbilt, Emory, and a hard transition from service to strategy that Wayne navigated with discipline and resilience. But underneath all of it is the thing that grounds him most: being a father.

Who he is: First and foremost, Wayne is a father, and that's the lens he leads through. He's also a healthcare technologist and a leader of teams who served America for more than ten years, bringing elite training and top-tier credentials from Vanderbilt and Emory into the civilian world.

What he does: He leads teams in healthcare and technology, carrying military discipline and execution into high-pressure environments, including COVID parking-lot triage.

What he believes: That you win by controlling what you can control, and that veterans create value on day one through execution, loyalty, and results.

How he works: Calm under pressure and grounded in what matters. Wayne builds unstoppable teams with the grit he carried out of the Army and the steadiness that comes from leading at work and at home.

In this episode:

• The man behind the résumé, and why fatherhood grounds his leadership
• The transition from military service to healthcare strategy
• Why "control what you can control" wins every time
• How veterans create value on day one (plus rapid fire and the bone-in wings debate)

New episodes of 15 Minutes With drop weekly. Subscribe so you never miss a conversation.

It's easy to see someone at the top and assume they started there. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real journey, 17 years inside one of the world's largest financial institutions, from his early days as a teller to shaping global talent strategies as an Executive Director. Daniel lived the full arc of leadership, and he chose people every step of the way.

Who he is: Daniel is the Global Head of Emerging Talent at one of the world's largest financial institutions. He didn't land there overnight, he earned it across 17 years, starting as a teller and rising into a leader who shapes global talent strategy.

What he does: He builds the programs that don't just recruit talent but nurture it into tomorrow's leaders, standing at the crossroads of business and humanity.

What he believes: That if you don't understand people, you'll never understand results. People are the heartbeat of every organization, and potential is worth more than any number on a report.

How he works: With resilience, patience, and a relentless belief in the human spirit. Daniel leads people, builds futures, and keeps legacy, chasing potential over short-term wins.

In this episode:

• The real journey from bank teller to Global Head of Emerging Talent
• Why understanding people is the key to understanding results
• How to nurture talent into tomorrow's leaders, not just recruit it
• What 17 years in one institution teaches you about legacy

It's easy to see someone running their own business and assume they just made it. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real journey, from Racine to Dallas, from her own battle with debt to building a mission out of it. Lexx is real about the hustle, honest about the scams in the game, and bold about what it actually takes to win.

Who she is: Lexx is a credit repair specialist who took her own financial struggles and flipped them into a calling. She didn't arrive here with it all figured out, she earned it the hard way, from Racine to Dallas, debt to redemption.

What she does: She helps people fix their credit, build their businesses, and unlock the futures they deserve, turning financial setbacks into comebacks.

What she believes: That credit isn't just a number, it's freedom, opportunity, and power. And that the first step to building wealth is often saving yourself first.

How she works: With authenticity, knowledge, and the courage to bet on yourself. Lexx keeps it real about the hustle and honest about the scams, so people can win without getting played.

In this episode:

• The real journey from debt in Racine to a mission in Dallas
• Why credit is freedom, opportunity, and power, not just a number
• How to spot the scams in the credit repair game
• Why betting on yourself is the first step to building wealth

In this episode of 15 Minutes With, we dive into her journey: navigating childhood challenges, breaking barriers in finance and project management, and stepping boldly into her vision of becoming a global world leader.

Along the way, we laugh about Afrobeats, Burna Boy concerts, and the surprising truth about being an introvert who lights up every room.

Victorious doesn’t just manage projects—she inspires movements. And her message will leave you remembering her words long after the episode ends:
👉 “You’re not broken. You’re still becoming.”

Who he is: Ravi is an innovator, executive, and technologist on the frontlines of Workday transformation. He didn't get here by title, he got here by building multimillion-dollar partnerships and pioneering new deployment models.

What he does: He architects enterprise technology, leading AI-driven Workday transformation and helping organizations navigate disruption.

What he believes: That AI isn't here to replace people, it's here to empower them, and that bold experimentation and resilience matter more than titles.

How he works: By translating complexity into clarity so leaders can actually act. Ravi meets disruption with vision and execution, helping organizations think bigger than ever.

In this episode:

• The real future of AI in enterprise systems
• Why bold experimentation and resilience matter more than titles
• How to translate complexity into clarity so leaders can act
• Why now is the moment to think bigger

It's easy to assume people just land in roles like Cameron's. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real journey, a 13-year climb through the Workday ecosystem that runs from Wall Street to Six Sigma transformations to global integrations. Cameron takes us inside how he learned to lead teams through complexity and come out the other side with results.

Who he is: Cameron is a leader who has spent his career where finance, operations, and technology collide. He didn't arrive at the top by accident, he earned it across 13 years in the Workday ecosystem, from Wall Street to global transformation work, now leading customer engagement at ERPA.

What he does: He leads customer engagement at ERPA, guiding teams and organizations through complex change and turning operational complexity into measurable growth.

What he believes: That mastering change is less about surviving disruption and more about turning it into opportunity. And that leadership, at its core, is about developing people who can rise to every challenge.

How he works: With a perspective that's sharp, global, and deeply human. Cameron leads when the stakes are high and the road is uncertain, building people up so they're ready for whatever comes next.

In this episode:

• The real 13-year journey through the Workday ecosystem
• How to turn disruption into opportunity instead of just surviving it
• What it takes to lead when the stakes are high and the road is uncertain
• Why leadership is really about developing people who can rise

In this bonus episode, Lee Cage Jr. takes the DisruptHR Nashville stage to ask the uncomfortable questions that make us rethink who we are, how we show up, and how we assess value. This one's for the disruptors, the audacious architects of change who know that "business as usual" is officially over.

You know the type. Invisible on a normal day, but when the pressure hits, their grit, hustle, and ability to thrive under pressure become the lifeline the whole organization leans on. Too often, all that hope, innovation, and true leadership stays locked in the trunk, waiting to be unleashed when the road gets rough.

So ask yourself: when the rubber meets the road, are you coasting, or are you the one who shows up when it matters most?

In this talk:

• Why "business as usual" is officially over
• How organizations overlook their most valuable people until crisis hits
• Rethinking who you are and how you show up at work
• Reimagining how we actually assess value

New episodes of 15 Minutes With drop weekly. Subscribe so you never miss a conversation.

It's easy to look at a leader like Tia Smith and assume she just arrived here. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real journey it takes to become a Culture Carrier, a thought leader, and a Forbes HR Council member. Tia understands what most people miss: culture isn't a buzzword, it's the backbone.

Who she is: Tia is a Culture Carrier, thought leader, and Forbes HR Council member. She didn't land that voice by accident, she earned it by leading through real disruption and learning, over time, how to carry culture in rooms where strategy and technology tend to dominate.

What she does: She helps build organizations that innovate without losing their humanity, carrying culture into the highest-stakes rooms and keeping people at the center of how the future of work gets shaped.

What she believes: That culture isn't a buzzword, it's the backbone. The future belongs to those who shape it intentionally, not those who just chase it, and innovation means nothing if it costs you your humanity.

How she works: With resilience and intention. Tia leads people-first in a world built around technology, modeling how to stay steady when disruption is the norm.

In this episode:

• The real journey to becoming a trusted Culture Carrier
• How to build organizations that innovate without losing their humanity
• Carrying culture in rooms where strategy and technology dominate
• How to lead with resilience when disruption is the norm

It's easy to assume people just land in roles like Kimberly's. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real journey, from Teach For America to leading enterprise-wide digital transformations, a story of reinvention, resilience, and purpose. Live from Charlotle's Queen City, Kimberly opens up about how she went from educator to one of the most trusted voices in the Workday ecosystem.

Who she is: Kimberly is a Senior Manager at BDO and a former educator who started in Teach For America before technology reshaped her path. She didn't arrive here in a straight line, she earned it through reinvention and years of guiding organizations through hard change.

What she does: She leads enterprise-wide digital transformations in the Workday ecosystem, helping organizations navigate the messy, meaningful work of change.

What she believes: That trust isn't a title, it's a process you earn. Real change is about building change fitness instead of change fatigue, and leading with strategy, empathy, and intention.

How she works: With warmth, wit, and clarity. Kimberly leads from the middle, debunking myths like "Go Live" and helping people find courage in the middle of complex change.

In this episode:

• The real journey from classroom teacher to transformational tech leader
• Why the "Go Live" moment is a myth, and what actually matters
• How to build change fitness instead of change fatigue
• Why trust is a process you earn, not a title you're given

She went from auditing risk at KPMG to building a Workday transformation practice from nothing to leading a powerhouse team at BDO. Nicole Fleischmann's path was anything but linear, and that's exactly why her take on leading change is worth hearing.

Who she is: Nicole is BDO's Workday Practice Leader, with a career that runs from Audit and Risk Advisory at KPMG, to building CrossVue's Workday Transformation practice from the ground up, to leading a powerhouse team at BDO today.

What she does: She leads Workday change management and enterprise transformation, reshaping how organizations approach change across leadership, strategy, and operations.

What she believes: That people-first isn't soft, it's smart strategy. Change only sticks when the people living through it are at the center of how it gets designed.

How she works: With precision and purpose. Nicole leads bold career pivots and scales teams without losing the human thread, driving change that holds up long after the project ends.

In this episode:

• The risks that paid off, and the lessons from the ones that didn't
• Why people-first is smart strategy, not a soft skill
• How to lead, scale, and drive change without losing yourself
• What it takes to build a transformation practice from the ground up

What does it actually take to create a workplace people don't want to leave? Ciera Parks has made a career out of answering that question, and in this fast-paced conversation she breaks down how culture really gets built and why most leaders get it wrong.

Who she is: Ciera is a culture architect and HR strategist known for transforming workplaces from the inside out and championing people-first leadership.

What she does: She reshapes the employee experience, building cultures where authenticity thrives, innovation takes root, and top talent actually stays.

What she believes: That culture isn't a perk or a poster on the wall. It's built on purpose, and real change means breaking the hidden barriers leaders too often leave untouched.

How she works: With heart, courage, and clarity. Ciera leads from a place of authenticity, helping organizations attract and retain the people who drive them forward.

In this episode:

• How Ciera is reshaping the employee experience
• What it really takes to build cultures that attract and retain top talent
• The hidden barriers leaders have to break to create meaningful change
• Why leading with heart is a strategy, not a soft skill

In this episode of 15 Minutes With, Lee Cage Jr. sits down with Kasra Mojtahedi for a fast-paced conversation on what it actually takes to drive enterprise transformation that sticks.

Who he is: Kasra is a Partner at BDO USA and a CPA with 15+ years working at the intersection of innovation, leadership, and operational excellence.

What he does: He leads Enterprise Transformation and Technology Enablement at BDO, advising organizations on digital strategy and post-merger integration across project-centric business cycles—opportunity to cash, procure to pay, record to report, and beyond.

What he believes: That transformation isn't a technology problem—it's a leadership and alignment problem. Most digital initiatives fail not because the tools are wrong, but because purpose, people, and process were never aligned to begin with.

How he works: Kasra turns strategy into measurable action, leading change across functions and systems with a focus on financial compliance, cost accounting, and performance optimization—aligning purpose, innovation, and impact so organizations actually thrive.

In this episode:

• Why most digital transformations fail—and how to fix it
• What it really takes to lead change across functions and systems
• How Kasra and his team turn strategy into measurable results
• The mindset shift that separates buzzwords from real impact

Darius Brown is a results-driven Account Sales Executive, recognized for his ability to build strong client relationships and drive revenue growth. With a deep understanding of customer needs, Darius excels in consultative selling, strategic account management, and business development.

Passionate about delivering value, Darius thrives on helping organizations navigate complex challenges by aligning tailored solutions to their goals. His expertise spans enterprise sales, customer success, and market expansion, making him a trusted advisor to his clients.

With a commitment to excellence and a people-first approach, Darius fosters meaningful partnerships that extend beyond transactions—focusing on long-term success and mutual growth. His ability to connect with stakeholders at all levels, combined with his strategic mindset, makes him an invaluable asset in any sales-driven environment.

Beyond his professional achievements, Darius is known for his dedication, integrity, and passion for continuous learning. Whether driving new business opportunities or strengthening existing relationships, he is always focused on delivering exceptional experiences and measurable results.

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Kenton’s career transitioned from practicing law to becoming a leading expert in Workday implementations and enterprise-level deployments, where he has successfully guided organizations through the intricacies of HR and financial transformation. His expertise spans project management, change management, and system optimization, ensuring seamless transitions and optimal system adoption for clients.

As a deployment strategist, Kenton leverages his problem-solving skills and legal acumen to address both the technical and human elements of large-scale initiatives. He excels in managing diverse teams and aligning project goals with organizational priorities, ensuring that every implementation delivers measurable success.

Kenton is known for his outstanding communication skills, delivering clarity and guidance to clients and teams alike. His approach combines strategic foresight, a results-driven mindset, and a deep commitment to creating long-term value through successful Workday deployments.

Beyond his professional expertise, Kenton is recognized for his thought leadership, continuously innovating ways to improve processes, mitigate risks, and ensure the best possible outcomes for every project. His unique combination of legal expertise and program management skills positions him as an invaluable leader in the world of enterprise software solutions.

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With an extensive background in alliance management, business development, and enterprise solutions, Shelly has a track record of building and nurturing high-impact partnerships that drive growth and transformation. She specializes in Workday ecosystem alliances, ensuring seamless integration and optimization for organizations looking to maximize their investment in Workday solutions.

Passionate about collaboration and innovation, Shelly thrives in dynamic environments where she can connect people, ideas, and technology to create meaningful business outcomes. Her strategic vision and deep industry expertise make her an invaluable asset to OneSource Virtual’s global partnership initiatives.

Beyond her professional achievements, Shelly is known for her thoughtful leadership, relationship-first approach, and commitment to delivering excellence. She is dedicated to empowering organizations with the tools and insights they need to succeed in an evolving digital landscape.

Christopher doesn’t believe in quick fixes or surface-level transformation. He believes in deep listening, real partnerships, and solving for the why before rushing to the how. This episode dives into the tensions between policy and practice, the moments that made him question everything, and the quiet leadership traits that leave the biggest impact.

If you've ever wondered how to navigate mission-driven work without burning out — or how to influence systems without losing your soul — this conversation will meet you right where you are.

A masterclass in purpose-driven leadership, vulnerability, and truth-telling, this is 15 minutes that might just shift your entire lens on impact.

Darcy's career has been defined by her ability to strategically align technology with business objectives, ensuring that each transformation initiative is both impactful and sustainable. She specializes in transition management, helping organizations navigate the people side of change while optimizing Workday’s capabilities to maximize efficiency and performance.

As a deployment strategist, Darcy brings a meticulous, data-driven approach to project execution, focusing on achieving smooth transitions, minimizing disruption, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Her ability to engage stakeholders, communicate effectively, and lead cross-functional teams has earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor for successful Workday transformations.

Darcy is known for her holistic approach to change—balancing the technical and human aspects of every project to ensure long-term success. Her commitment to client satisfaction and transformational leadership makes her a driving force behind every organization’s journey to success in the evolving world of Workday solutions.

Beyond her professional expertise, Darcy is passionate about mentoring emerging leaders in the change management and deployment space, empowering them to excel and drive their own impactful transformations.

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Before rejoining CBIZ, Sara expanded her expertise in Workday Human Capital Management (HCM), gaining hands-on experience in large-scale implementations across healthcare, manufacturing, and not-for-profit sectors. Holding active Workday HCM and Launch certifications, she combines technical acumen with a deep understanding of workforce solutions, making her a strategic partner for organizations optimizing their HR and timekeeping systems.

Beyond her technical proficiency, Sara’s bubbly personality and driven mindset set her apart. She thrives in fast-paced, collaborative environments, bringing meticulous attention to detail, adaptability, and a people-first approach to every project. Her ability to resolve challenges, build strong client relationships, and maintain composure under pressure makes her a trusted consultant and invaluable asset in the world of HCM and workforce management.

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With a strong track record of driving HR digital transformation, Damiem specializes in developing and executing solutions that enhance organizational agility and innovation. His work is centered on improving HR capabilities, streamlining processes, and ensuring seamless employee, manager, and executive experiences. By leveraging data-driven insights, he empowers organizations to make informed decisions that yield both immediate and long-term impact.

A champion of continuous improvement, Damiem is committed to fostering a culture of growth and scalability. Through strategic initiatives and systematic interventions, he expands organizational capacity and drives meaningful change, ensuring HR functions remain proactive, efficient, and future-ready.

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With clarity and compassion, Leslie unpacks the art of balancing operational excellence with genuine human care. From optimizing processes to elevating the employee experience, she shows that the most effective leaders are those who listen, learn, and lead with empathy.

Whether you’re building teams, driving transformation, or rethinking your approach to HR, this conversation will remind you that the future of leadership is deeply—and beautifully—human.

From process improvement to change management, Liz breaks down how great leaders don’t just manage projects—they inspire progress. With international experience, fluency in Spanish, and a people-first leadership style, she’s mastered the art of collaboration and influence across cultures and teams.

Tune in to discover how Liz redefines leadership through strategy, diversity, and continuous improvement—and why true transformation starts with curiosity and courage.

It's easy to see a founder and nationally recognized voice and assume the path was always clear. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real journey, how burnout broke her, and why that breakdown became the breakthrough that launched her purpose-led career. Nakisha talks candidly about navigating hard corporate truths and leaving security behind to pursue alignment.

Who she is: Nakisha is the founder of The ElevateHer and a nationally recognized voice in HR transformation, strategy, and leadership development. She didn't arrive here on a straight line, she got here through burnout, hard truths, and the courage to walk away from a six-figure role.

What she does: She helps women of color not just survive HR but thrive and lead it, building inclusive workplaces and developing next-generation leaders.

What she believes: That HR can be a calling, not just a department, and that breakdown can become breakthrough. Alignment is worth more than a title or a paycheck.

How she works: With the warmth of a mentor and the sharpness of a strategist. Nakisha leads through self-definition, boundary-setting, and professional courage, elevating voices that have long gone unheard.

In this episode:

• How burnout broke her, and became the breakthrough
• Why she walked away from a six-figure role to pursue alignment
• Helping women of color thrive and lead in HR, not just survive it
• A masterclass in self-definition and boundary-setting

New episodes of 15 Minutes With drop weekly. Subscribe so you never miss a conversation.