Empowering Leadership
38 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 months ago -Being a leader requires a unique combination of self-awareness, intellect, skills, experience, vision and commitment. The most effective leaders are willing to open themselves to constant learning and to look deep within for the source of their success. Dorrier Underwood's "Empowering Leadership” podcast provides insights, real-life stories, and interviews with leaders to support your leadership as well as those above, below, and beside you. Subscribe now and get a regular dose of leadership exploration with Doug McVadon, President Dorrier Underwood.
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Episodes
Rena Witherspoon - Senior Program Director, Diverse Donors and Field Engagement, American Red Cross
January 02, 2024 08:58 - 46 minutes - 64.2 MBSickle cell anemia is a genetic disease that disproportionately affects the African-American community, and is one of the nation’s leading causes of death. While we mostly know the Red Cross for their emergency and disaster relief, they’re also fighting against blood-borne illnesses like sickle cell. For more than 25 years, Rena (pronounced like “Renae”) Witherspoon has been boots-on-the-ground in communities from Omaha to Dallas educating people about the dangers of sickle cell. Her t...
Episode 26: Michael DeVaul - YMCA National Director of Strategy for Boys and Young Men of Color
November 20, 2023 09:16 - 45 minutes - 104 MBThe future generations of young leaders of color are some of those most in need of positive role models, and Michael DeVaul of the YMCA is one the leading voices in this discussion. A long-time community leader in Charlotte, NC, Michael has worked with the YMCA professionally for more than 40 years. It was in 2020 that Michael stepped into a new role working on a national level to help provide leadership training, programming and resources to the next generation of leaders of color. Mich...
Rev. Louis Negrón - Executive Director of 100 Black Men of Atlanta
October 16, 2023 08:16 - 34 minutes - 79.5 MBThe city of Atlanta is unquestionably one of the capitals of Black culture in America. From being the home of Martin Luther King Jr. to the birthplace of trap music, Atlanta is consistently at the heartbeat of Black America. This makes the city and region a center for Black leadership, and today’s guest on the Empowering Leadership podcast is one of the voices leading that charge. Reverend Louis Negrón Sr. is the Executive Director and CEO of 100 Black Men of Atlanta, a non-profit organiza...
Elizabeth Chew - Former Senior Director of Museum Programs and Chief Curator for Montpelier
September 11, 2023 08:14 - 33 minutes - 77.6 MBWithin the last few generations, American historians have peeled back the layers on the traditional teachings of the founding of the US to more prominently include the role of slavery, particularly by the founding fathers. A focus on telling the “whole truth” seeks not to dismiss the accomplishments of founders like James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, but instead paint a more complete picture. That includes the role of indentured servitude that allowed these leaders the ability to devote the...
James Perkins - Mayor of Selma, Alabama
July 31, 2023 08:08 - 37 minutes - 86.8 MBFew places in the United States embody the push for civil rights equity in both the past and present like Selma, Alabama. The site of one of the final battles of the Civil War, the Montgomery Marches and the infamous Bloody Sunday, this small town of just 20,000 people (80% of whom are African American) has been a symbol of race relations for many generations. Only few people know this city’s soul and history as well as three-time Mayor James Perkins. Born and raised in Selma, Mayor Perkin...
Kristi Nelson, Author of "Wake Up Grateful: The Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing for Granted"
July 03, 2023 08:10 - 44 minutes - 60.7 MBA simple yet profound change can make a massive difference in our lives. For Kristi Nelson, it was the decision to wake up everyday with a sense of gratefulness, and appreciating the things she had instead of wanting for things she didn’t have, or longing for a life she didn’t lead. Almost thirty years ago, Kristi was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer, after a year of dealing with fever, pain, and a loss of motor function. During this time, Kristi sported an appreciation for the unknown, beca...
Heather Fortner, CEO and Chair of the Board of Signature FD
June 05, 2023 17:40 - 37 minutes - 87.1 MBHeather Fortner is the CEO and Chair of the Board of Signature FD, a private wealth management and consulting firm located in Atlanta, GA. Naturally as someone in her role, Heather is called upon each and every day to embody the skills, wisdom and guidance required of a leader. Heather Fortner joins host Doug McVadon on today’s episode of Empowering Leadership to discuss this podcast’s namesake: the ability to empower through leadership. Heather talks about working her way up from custome...
Jaylen Smith, Mayor of Earle, Arkansas
May 08, 2023 07:44 - 23 minutes - 54.2 MBOne of the most common mistakes in leadership is the idea that it takes decades of experience to become a leader, but as 18 year-old Jaylen Smith reminds us, leadership knows no age limit. Last fall, Smith was elected Mayor of Earle, Arkansas, a town of less than two thousand people about thirty minutes west of Memphis. Mayor Jaylen Smith joins host Doug McVadon for a discussion about what inspired Jaylen to rise to the occasion and take a leadership role when those twice his age either co...
Kathy Minardi, Executive Director of Whole School Leadership
April 11, 2023 01:53 - 47 minutes - 65.2 MBPerhaps no other professional ecosystem lends to the principles and values of leadership more than education. Inherently, the teachers, academics and professionals need to demonstrate leadership qualities to be able to lead the thinkers and doers of the next generation. Today’s guest on the Empowering Leadership podcast has spent her whole career learning, practicing and teaching educational leadership practices. Kathy Minardi is the founder and executive director of the Whole School L...
Marjorie Hudson, Author of “Indigo Field”
March 16, 2023 20:42 - 1 hour - 83 MBOn today’s episode of the Empowering Leadership podcast, host Doug McVadon speaks with author Marjorie Hudson about George Moses Horton, the first black man to publish a book in the American South. Horton was an enslaved person in Chatham County, North Carolina in the early 19th century. Traveling north to Chapel Hill to sell produce at the behest of the plantation owner, Horton would gain notoriety for the eclectic poems he would write. He would go on to publish several books and be ...
Ray Whittaker, Poet and Author
February 13, 2023 17:25 - 35 minutes - 80.5 MBExperiences with death, whether it be through losing a loved one or having a brush with it yourself, can be some of the most impactful experiences we'll ever face. How one responds to that adversity often defines new trajectories in that person's life. For today's guest on the Empowering Leadership podcast, host Doug McVadon talks to Ray Whittaker. A poet and author, Ray discusses losing his wife, and then having battled a disease that nearly took his own life. Through his poetry, Ray fi...
Joe George, former Senior VP of Merchandising for Harris Teeter
January 10, 2023 16:02 - 55 minutes - 128 MBJoe George is a long tenured executive with a track record of achievement in multiple high level roles including as a VP at Harris Teeter. George found a talent for building strong and dynamic teams, which helped him leave an imprint in the corporate world. While he was clearly well suited for the roles in which he occupied, George eventually left the corporate space to pursue work he felt was more meaningful, including teaching at-risk high school youth. Joe George sits down with host Dou...
Michael Watson of Watson Tate Savory Architects
November 27, 2022 09:00 - 45 minutes - 105 MBDespite the greatest ambitions of the most visionary leaders, life circumstances can change trajectories and priorities in an instant. Through no fault of their own, people can be thrust into a much different battle than the ones they had envisioned most of their lives. This kind of journey through the unkown by definition requires bravery and leadership. Todays guest on the Empowering Leadership podcast is Michael Watson, who was one of the co-founders of Watson Tate Savory Architects. Af...
Leona Tate, Civil Rights Activist
November 14, 2022 14:27 - 39 minutes - 90 MBWhen thinking about the civil rights era, one of the biggest mistakes we can make is thinking that the people and events of the time are buried in ancient history. In reality, we are lucky to have many of the survivors of some of the most segregated times of modern history still among us to tell their story. Today's guest on the Empowering Leadership podcast is Leona Tate, who was just six years old in 1960 when she and three other young black girls who were the first to integrate into fo...
Phil Armstrong with Greenwood Rising: The History Behind The Tulsa Race Massacre
June 21, 2022 19:00 - 54 minutes - 124 MBMuch of the discourse about racial equity over the past several years has centered on revisiting events of the past and understanding their effect on our world today. One of the most prominent examples of this is the reexamination of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Spurred by dubious claims of harrasement, a mob of white citizens burned, shot and looted the Greenwood community, one of the most wealthy and distinguished black communities in the country, known as Black Wall Street. After a nig...
Danny Skinner with the Minnesota Street Project: Discovering Oneself Through Trauma
April 13, 2022 12:00 - 36 minutes - 83.7 MBToday’s guest on Empowering Leadership views the body as an instrument that must be cultivated through contemplation and self care. Danny Skinner is a project manager at Minnesota Street Project, an artist-led collaborative that provides studio space, gallery space, and services to San Francisco's creative community. Danny’s journey from tactician to strategist gives him an appreciation for the power of relationships to reveal what is wanted and needed. In today’s episode, he speaks t...
Amy Hofland with The Crow Museum of Asian Art: Mindfulness as a Leadership Practice
March 21, 2022 17:27 - 42 minutes - 98.4 MBAt first glance, some may see very little overlap between the world of art and the world of business. Today's guest on the Empowering Leadership podcast helps us see beyond the surface and dig deep into this issue. Amy Hofland is the Senior Director of the Crow Museum of Asian Art at the University of Texas at Dallas, and she joins host Doug McVadon to talk about how art and business intersect, and how each of those worlds can learn from each other. Amy is also a practitioner of mindfulnes...
Brad King with Stitch Golf: What Is Your Blind Spot?
March 07, 2022 09:00 - 49 minutes - 113 MBStitch Golf is one of the fastest growing, most exciting golf brands in the US right now, and on today’s episode of Empowering Leadership, CEO Brad King joins the conversation. Brad is a natural born entrepreneur, having purchased his first franchise business in college. Brad joins host Doug McVadon to talk about Brad’s business experience and the lessons he’s learned. Brad speaks about growing one of his companies to have 200 employees, nine warehouses and a contract with Staples, bu...
Michael Braine of Public Storage: Mission First, People Always
February 21, 2022 16:44 - 48 minutes - 111 MBMichael Braine, Chief Technology Officer of Public Storage joines host Doug McVadon on today’s episode of Empowering Leadership. Michael discusses the evolution of management and the need to balance people’s livelihoods with the pressures of production. Michael talks about finding strength in vulnerability, as well as the inspiration behind one of his mottos, “Mission First, People Always.”
Healing the Divide with Giovanna Kanu
February 04, 2022 21:28 - 53 minutes - 123 MBOur guest on today's episode of Empowering Leadership is Giovanna Kanu, consultant and managing member of GSCK Consultant, LLC. Giovanna's leadership journey began when she was doing clinical research for the pharmaceutical industry. Now she works as an independent consultant and co-leads Healing the Divide, a program based at the Center for Spiritual Living. Doug and Giovanna talk about her journey of self-awareness, and ways to talk about racism without getting mired in guilt ...
Giovanna Kanu with GCSK Consultant LLC: Understanding the Why
February 04, 2022 21:28 - 53 minutes - 123 MBOur guest on today's episode of Empowering Leadership is Giovanna Kanu, consultant and managing member of GSCK Consultant, LLC. Giovanna's leadership journey began when she was doing clinical research for the pharmaceutical industry. Now she works as an independent consultant and co-leads Healing the Divide, a program based at the Center for Spiritual Living. Doug and Giovanna talk about her journey of self-awareness, and ways to talk about racism without getting mired in guilt ...
Jesse Milan: Authenticity, Partnership, and Lessons from HIV
November 16, 2021 19:10 - 53 minutes - 123 MBLeadership is built on a person's relationships, experiences, their own unique drive to succeed. Today's guest on Empowering Leadership has deeply moving and profound ties to all of these. Jesse Milan is CEO of AIDS United in Washington DC-based non-profit that has funded and advocated for AIDS research, therapy, community programs and more in its 30-year history. Jesse joins host Doug McVadon to talk about his journey to his current position, including a personal tragedy that shaped the...
Jesse Milan of AIDS United
November 16, 2021 19:10 - 53 minutes - 123 MBLeadership is built on a person's relationships, experiences, their own unique drive to succeed. Today's guest on Empowering Leadership has deeply moving and profound ties to all of these. Jesse Milan is CEO of AIDS United in Washington DC-based non-profit that has funded and advocated for AIDS research, therapy, community programs and more in its 30-year history. Jesse joins host Doug McVadon to talk about his journey to his current position, including a personal tragedy that shaped the...
Jessica Cork of YKK
October 04, 2021 23:19 - 57 minutes - 132 MBIf YKK sounds familiar, but you're not quite sure where you've seen it, you're not alone. YKK is the Japanese company that makes many of the world's zippers that you might find right now in the pants you're wearing. Today's guest on Empowering Leadership is Jessica Cork, who has spent time working in the Japanese Consulate before transitioning to the private sector and working with YKK. Jessica talks to host Doug McVadon about her affinity towards Japanese culture growing up, living in w...
Jessica Cork of YKK: Celebrating Japanese Values and Culture
October 04, 2021 23:19 - 57 minutes - 132 MBIf YKK sounds familiar, but you're not quite sure where you've seen it, you're not alone. YKK is the Japanese company that makes many of the world's zippers that you might find right now in the pants you're wearing. Today's guest on Empowering Leadership is Jessica Cork, who has spent time working in the Japanese Consulate before transitioning to the private sector and working with YKK. Jessica talks to host Doug McVadon about her affinity towards Japanese culture growing up, living in w...
Debra Carlton of Kaiser Permanente: Wellbeing as a Critical Aspect of Leadership
September 17, 2021 20:58 - 1 hour - 148 MBTo be a great leader, you must first be in good enough condition to meet the mental and physical demands of leading a team. This starts with what you do and don't put into your body, and today's guest on Empowering Leadership is an expert in just that. Recently retired internal medicine specialist Dr. Debra Carlton joins host Doug McVadon on this episode to talk about how losing two of her beloved uncles at a young age inspired her to become a doctor. Debra reflects on her career, whic...
Debra Carlton, Retired Internal Medicine Specialist
September 17, 2021 20:58 - 1 hour - 148 MBTo be a great leader, you must first be in good enough condition to meet the mental and physical demands of leading a team. This starts with what you do and don't put into your body, and today's guest on Empowering Leadership is an expert in just that. Recently retired internal medicine specialist Dr. Debra Carlton joins host Doug McVadon on this episode to talk about how losing two of her beloved uncles at a young age inspired her to become a doctor. Debra reflects on her career, whic...
Brenda Howerton, Durham County Commission Chair: Leadership Requires Compassion for Others
May 12, 2021 01:41 - 38 minutes - 88.9 MBLeadership is often thought of as how we present ourselves in the workplace, and how we give direction and inspiration to our colleagues and peers. Today's guest on Empowering Leadership is well versed in that world of leadership, but also has redefined leadership as a personal and spiritual endeavor as well. In today's episode, host Doug McVadon talks to Durham (NC) County Commission Chair Brenda Howerton about the many ways in which she has embodied leadership for herself and those arou...
Brenda Howerton, Durham County Commission Chair
May 12, 2021 01:41 - 38 minutes - 88.9 MBLeadership is often thought of as how we present ourselves in the workplace, and how we give direction and inspiration to our colleagues and peers. Today's guest on Empowering Leadership is well versed in that world of leadership, but also has redefined leadership as a personal and spiritual endeavor as well. In today's episode, host Doug McVadon talks to Durham (NC) County Commission Chair Brenda Howerton about the many ways in which she has embodied leadership for herself and those arou...
Deborah Bosley, the Plain Language Group: The Power of the Spoken Word
April 30, 2021 19:25 - 58 minutes - 135 MBEffective leadership depends on effective communication, and yet, communication is at the heart of almost every business breakdown. For decades, “communication” has appeared time and again on company survey results, regardless of industry or organizational size, and with employees and customers. So while the benefits of well-crafted communications are plenty, the consequences of ineffective communication can be critically damaging and even have legal and financial repercussions. Today's gu...
Dr. Deborah Bosley of The Plain Language Group
April 30, 2021 19:25 - 58 minutes - 135 MBEffective leadership depends on effective communication, and yet, communication is at the heart of almost every business breakdown. For decades, “communication” has appeared time and again on company survey results, regardless of industry or organizational size, and with employees and customers. So while the benefits of well-crafted communications are plenty, the consequences of ineffective communication can be critically damaging and even have legal and financial repercussions. Today's gu...
Andrew Parlour, Buhler Group: Setting Ego Aside
April 06, 2021 20:52 - 57 minutes - 133 MBEmpowering a team doesn't mean you let go of the reins and put your feet up on the desk while everyone else works, according to Andrew Parlour. It actually involves a higher level of involvement with your team and holding them accountable. On today's episode of Empowering Leadership, Andrew Parlour of the Bühler Group joins host Doug McVadon. Bühler Group is a Swiss-based, fifth generation family-owned company that employs more than 12,000 people world wide and specializes in consumer food...
Andrew Parlour of Bühler Group
April 06, 2021 20:52 - 57 minutes - 133 MBEmpowering a team doesn't mean you let go of the reins and put your feet up on the desk while everyone else works, according to Andrew Parlour. It actually involves a higher level of involvement with your team and holding them accountable. On today's episode of Empowering Leadership, Andrew Parlour of the Bühler Group joins host Doug McVadon. Bühler Group is a Swiss-based, fifth generation family-owned company that employs more than 12,000 people world wide and specializes in consumer food...
Tamara Jones
March 17, 2021 08:00 - 58 minutes - 135 MBNo matter who you are, 2020 was a big year for learning and evolution. The pandemic and Black Lives Matter movement have fundamentally and permanently shifted the way many organizations do business. We suspect the most successful companies and organizations will be adapting to these new realities now and in the future. Joining host Doug McVadon on today's episode of Empowering Leadership is Tamara Jones, Managing Director of Clean Energy Works and previously the Director of the Social...
Tamara Jones, Principal of Evident Impact: How Our Family Dynamics Impact Us as Leaders
March 17, 2021 08:00 - 58 minutes - 135 MBNo matter who you are, 2020 was a big year for learning and evolution. The pandemic and Black Lives Matter movement have fundamentally and permanently shifted the way many organizations do business. We suspect the most successful companies and organizations will be adapting to these new realities now and in the future. Joining host Doug McVadon on today's episode of Empowering Leadership is Tamara Jones, Managing Director of Clean Energy Works and previously the Director of the Social...
Welcome to Empowering Leadership
March 09, 2021 09:00 - 4 minutes - 11.3 MBWelcome to Empowering Leadership, a podcast by Dorrier Underwood. If you're discovering us for the first time, get to know Dorrier Underwood by listening to this short episode featuring Doug McVadon, Dorrier Underwood Senior Consultant and President and host of Empowering Leadership. If you like what you hear, subscribe now and never miss the latest episode!
Coming Soon: Empowering Leadership
January 07, 2021 18:25 - 9 seconds - 341 KBComing Soon: Empowering Leadership
We Are in This Together
May 11, 2020 08:00 - 15 minutes - 34.9 MBJust a few weeks before Dorrier Underwood was putting the bow on the first episodes for this podcast series, the COVID-19 pandemic became a very real situation that was impossible to ignore. Connection is more important now than ever, and though in many ways we’re in a whole new world, we’re still publishing this podcast because Dorrier Underwood’s mission has always been to empower innovative leaders and visionary thinkers no matter the circumstance they find themselves in. That is certainl...