This week on The Intersection Podcast as part of our Intersection Podcast Rewind series, we are joined by Nyerere Billups, an ex-senior pharmaceutical leader, motivational speaker, and talent magnet. In this episode, Nyerere shares her powerful journey from homelessness to leadership, and emphasizes the importance of making intentional choices while challenging systemic inequities. As we dive into her story, Nyerere discusses the concept of bringing your whole self to work, how personal empowerm...
Jul 16, 2025•49 min•Season 1Ep. 133
This week on The Intersection Podcast, we’re revisiting a conversation with John Higginson, the previous CTO of Chief, as he shares his expertise on driving Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in the tech industry. John explains the vital role white men can play in championing DEI efforts, and how simple, but powerful changes—such as removing gendered language from job descriptions and establishing Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)—are making a significant impact on fostering mo...
Jul 02, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 132
This week on The Intersection Podcast, we're joined by Michaela Ayers , a multidisciplinary artist and DEIA strategist who is redefining how creativity can be a catalyst for deeper connection and transformational learning in organizations. Michaela, the founder of Nourish Community, brings a wealth of experience designing community-centered, art-infused learning experiences that prioritize the body, storytelling, and imagination. In this episode, we explore how somatic, interactive learning can ...
Jun 11, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 131
This week on The Intersection Podcast, we are joined by Julye Williams, founder of The Project 2043 Institute, where she works to help organizations prepare for our increasingly multiracial society. Julye, an advocate for racial and social justice, brings 20 years of expertise in education, youth programs, and social-emotional learning. She has developed the Liberatory Consciousness Framework, a powerful tool for organizations looking to advance in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ...
Jun 04, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 130
In today’s episode of The Intersection Rewind , we revisit a powerful conversation with Emily Voorde, the founder and CEO of IntuStrategies, a consultancy dedicated to advancing disability inclusion. Emily's journey is a testament to the work being done to ensure that leadership spaces and organizations are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Emily shares that “disability inclusion isn’t just about compliance or accommodations, it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels val...
May 21, 2025•45 min•Season 1Ep. 129
We're excited to bring you this episode as part of The Intersection Rewind: 10 Powerful Conversations that Still Resonate. This series features 10 of our most downloaded and favorite conversations from the last five years. . The wealth gap in America continues to widen, with systemic inequities disproportionately affecting communities of color. According to research, Black households hold just 12 cents for every dollar of white household wealth, while Latinx families hold only 21 cents for each ...
May 07, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 128
How Can You Leverage AI to Drive DEI? 🤔 Data-driven decision-making is crucial for building inclusive and high-performing teams. Yet, only a fraction of organizations are using AI to its full potential. Join me and Torin Ellis, Founder of The Torin Ellis Brand, as we explore how to leverage AI to create more equitable HR practices and inform strategic leadership decisions. Listen now for insights that can shape your HR practices and drive business results. Available now on your favorite podcast...
Apr 10, 2025•40 min•Season 1Ep. 127
"It’s important to identify your values and to see how those values impact your leadership decisions, especially when you're feeling stretched thin." What if saying "no" made you a stronger, more effective leader? Leadership isn’t just about what you take on—it’s about what you let go of. In this episode, we explore how intentional leadership and values alignment create stronger teams, healthier cultures, and better results—without burnout. Stephanie Waite, Founder of 7air Consulting, shares pow...
Mar 19, 2025•45 min•Season 1Ep. 126
"You can only lead others through change effectively when you’ve first mastered leading yourself through uncertainty." In this episode, Tiffany Perry, culture change architect and founder of Amberus Partners, shares why slowing down and focusing on what you can control is key to leadership resilience. From journaling to executive coaching to reconnecting with nature—discover the tools that help leaders stay grounded and effective in times of major upheaval. Available now wherever you listen to y...
Mar 05, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 125
Did you know that 40-50% of new senior leaders fail within their first 12 months? Stepping into a senior role isn’t just about a new title—it’s about navigating complexity, managing change, and redefining what success looks like. In this episode with Alida Al-Saadi, we dive into the leadership change model we co-developed, designed to support leaders during this pivotal transition. Whether you’re stepping into an executive role for the first time or refining your leadership approach, this conver...
Feb 19, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 124
Burnout isn’t an individual struggle—it is an organizational crisis. According to a recent survey by On Ramps and The Memo I Never Got, 95% of social sector senior executives experience burnout, and 63% are considering leaving their roles because of it. The pressure to perform at the highest level, constantly be ‘on,’ and navigate todays complex challenges is relentless. But here’s the truth: Rest isn’t a luxury—it’s an organizational imperative. Sabbaticals aren’t about stepping away; they’re a...
Feb 05, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 123
It’s time to step out of the shadows. As women, we often let our corporate roles define us, losing sight of who we truly are. In this episode of The Intersection , I speak with Catlin O'Shaughnessy Coffrin where we unpack what it takes to reclaim our identities and rediscover who we were meant to be. Listen to the full conversation on your favorite podcast platform to explore what it means to cultivate your personal brand and proclaim your voice. Find the link in the first comment below. Resourc...
Jan 15, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 123
With the upcoming holidays upon us, I'm taking time off but for your listening pleasure I'm rebroadcasting the most downloaded episode of 2024. My guest, Nyerere K Billups, shares his personal journey as a leader which resonated with so many in The Intersection Podcast community. Grab your beverage of choice and listen to this powerful episode (link is in the first comment). I'm sending a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has liked, shared, or listened to the podcast. It means the world to me....
Dec 25, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 122
We’re joined by Alexandra Levit is the Founder and CEO of Inspiration at work and the founder of Driven—an app and program designed to support historically underrepresented job seekers as they navigate the emotional stress of unemployment. Alexandra shares how a protracted job search impacts mental health, particularly for Gen Z, who are entering the workforce with the worst mental health of any generation. We explore actionable insights on managing the emotional toll of a job search while focus...
Dec 11, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 121
How might organizations support financially stressed employees and why does it matter? For three decades Jaquette Timmon s has explored the intersection of money, business, and life. During my conversation with Jaquette we discussed the often-overlooked issue of financial stress and its impact on both personal well-being and workplace engagement. Tune in for a powerful conversation about the relationship between your personal finances, employee engagement, and what organizations can do to bring ...
Nov 13, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 120
What does it take to lead in today's complex workplace? Sonya Kaleel , a future-focused leader and founder of The Inclusion Practice is conducting cutting-edge research on the competencies needed to lead and communicate in tumultuous times. Sonya discusses the fear of saying the wrong thing, the isolation many senior leaders experience, and the importance of epic listening. Tune in for a powerful conversation about what is possible when we lead from authenticity and connection. Resources: Learn ...
Oct 30, 2024•41 min•Season 2Ep. 119
I’ve been feeling it lately. What is the “it” you ask? It’s the apprehension some leaders have when discussing DEI. Most of us working in this space have experienced this troubling shift in our organizations and/or clients. This got me thinking…why? In this episode I discuss… Possible reasons why we’re experiencing this shift What you can do differently Two disruptive voices to follow - head on over to their profiles (after you listen to the podcast 😀) @Paul Lidio and @ Lily Zheng. Psst…it’s no...
Oct 16, 2024•16 min•Season 2Ep. 1
This week’s replay is with the amazing Halleemah Nash, Founder of Rosecrans Ventures. Hallemah is a people strategist, social entrepreneur, and internship innovator dedicated to scaling professional development for Generation Z talent of color. Halleemah is passionate about creating cultures where excellence and cultural authenticity intersect. We discuss building today’s workforce for tomorrow and reimagining what talent looks like. Because if we don’t it’s too easy to hire the same people and ...
Oct 02, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 117
The summer hiatus is winding down and new episodes are on the horizon. Stay tuned for Season 6…we’ve got exciting topics and guests on the horizon. This throwback episode was recorded with Lauren Leader during Women’s History Month at the height of the Pandemic. Many of the same issues like work life integration, child care, and lack of remote work options are still an everyday struggle for many women. Lauren is the co-founder and CEO of All In Together, a non-partisan, non-profit organization d...
Sep 18, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 116
The summer hiatus continues and I’m making some exciting updates to the podcast. I can’t wait to share them! In the meantime I’ve got another awesome replay of one of my favorite episodes featuring John Higginson, formerly CTO at Chief. He is now at Curriculum Associates, and in addition to his role John is also a tech advisor to the board of directors of several organizations and a member, investor, and advisor with Hyde Park Angels. “[Things] have changed some, but if you look at technology te...
Sep 04, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 115
We all need a break and I’m taking a summer hiatus to rest and restore. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with a replay of one of my favorite episodes featuring Dr. Tina Opie and Dr. Beth A. Livingston the authors of Shared Sisterhood: How to Take Collective Action for Racial and Gender Equity at Work . Dr. Tina Opie is an Associate Professor of Management and a prominent voice in the fields of research, teaching, consulting, and public speaking. Dr. Opie is the founder of Opie Consulting Group ...
Aug 14, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 114
Happy Wednesday and welcome back to the Intersection Podcast! In this episode, I have the privilege of speaking with Gizelle Clemens, Director of Alumni and Donor Engagement at National Medical Fellowships. Gizelle is a fervent leader working at the intersection of disability, gender, and race. She is both a disruptor and unifier driving systemic organizational change Giselle shares her personal experience as a Black disabled woman and the challenges she faced in getting a proper medical diagnos...
Jul 17, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 113
One thing I know for sure is that doing the work of DEI and social justice can be emotionally draining. Finding ways to nurture yourself is critical. Which is why, on this week's episode, I'm honored to speak with Taylor Elyse Morrison. She is the Founder of The Inner Workout, Facilitator, and Podcast host. Inner Workout is Taylor’s brainchild, born out of her mission to help others beat burnout through sustainable self-care practices. Inner Workout is a personal development tool inspired by yog...
Jul 03, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 112
Welcome back to the Intersection Podcast! In this episode, I have the privilege of speaking with Corliss Gardner, the Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Old National Bank. Corliss began her career in finance and, like many of us, found her passion in creating more equitable and inclusive workplaces. . We discuss Corliss's background, beginning with her early start in banking and how she navigated spaces often being “the only” . In this conversation, we...
Jun 19, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 111
Welcome back to the Intersection Podcast! This week’s conversation is with Jamaal Glenn, an Entrepreneur, Professor, Writer, and Speaker. Jamaal is the founder and CEO of an investment holding company that advises on strategy, investment execution, and corporate governance. In this conversation, we discuss… Why offering remote work options are critical to attracting and retaining top talent the importance of experimenting with generative AI to extend the capabilities of existing workers versus f...
Jun 05, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 110
Happy Wednesday, and welcome back to the Intersection Podcast! This week I am speaking with Author, Activist, and DEIB Champion Ericka Carmona-Vega. Ericka is a former Human Resource Executive who left the corporate world to pursue her dream of transforming the way we think about leadership. Ericka is also the founder of Flor y Canto Academy. Ericka’s soon to be published book, RISE: The West Awakens, is a revolutionary take on how ancestral knowledge and wisdom can inform how we lead today. In ...
May 22, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 109
Happy Wednesday, and welcome back for another episode of the Intersection Podcast! I’m excited to host Thane Kreiner, co-founder of the Black Corporate Board Readiness program at Santa Clara University with Dennis Lanham. In addition to this role he is a board member, Advisor, and former CEO with over 30 years experience starting and growing enterprises. In our conversation, Thane and I discuss the mission to increase Black representation on corporate boards. We tackle this conversation by discu...
May 08, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 108
Welcome to this episode of the Intersection Podcast! Today, I’m privileged to host Suzanne Jakstavich, Human Resource Executive, Leadership Coach and proud mom. Suzanne has a deep commitment to developing people and culture strategies that empower talent, foster growth, and drive business success. Suzanne's leadership journey was shaped by personal experiences, including growing up with disabled grandparents and observing her parents' work environments. Her people-centric approach emphasizes psy...
Apr 24, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 107
Welcome to this week's episode of the Intersection Podcast! We are excited to have Kate North, a workplace strategy expert, to explore hybrid work and its impact on inclusive workplaces. As a principal at Global Workplace Analytics (GWA), Kate brings over 30 years of experience as a trusted advisor to business, HR, and real estate leaders. Her passion lies in crafting transformative workplace strategies that align organizational culture with business goals. Kate is dedicated to helping organizat...
Apr 11, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 106
Welcome to this week's episode of the Intersection Podcast! We are honored to have Emily Voorde, Founder and CEO of INTO Strategies, a disabled-led firm dedicated to fostering inclusivity in moments, movements, and campaigns. Emily’s journey from an AmeriCorps member to 2nd grade teacher and then serving as a liaison to Disabled Americans and K-12 educators in the Biden-Harris Administration is nothing short of inspiring. With a passion for justice and equitable access to education, Emily brings...
Mar 27, 2024•41 min•Season 1Ep. 105
