In this episode of The Leadership Lounge Podcast, we have the pleasure of introducing our new Director of Leadership Development, Donald Woolridge Sr., MBA. As an expert in learning and development, Donald is passionate about helping organizations and individuals grow and thrive. He oversees the LeadingBetter™ brand, which is dedicated to fostering leadership excellence across various sectors. We dive into the LeadingBetter™ approach, exploring how we support organizations in building strong, ef...
Apr 01, 2025•19 min•Season 1Ep. 11
In celebration of Women's History Month, this special podcast episode highlights the work we do at the Leadership Louisville Center and LeadingBetter™ to empower women leaders. Join us as we are joined by two powerhouse guests: Lisa Zangari, our in-house Executive Coach, and Cynthia Knapek, President and CEO of the Leadership Louisville Center. Together, they dive into the importance of women’s leadership, share insights on how we’re shaping the future for women in leadership roles, and discuss ...
Mar 06, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In celebration of Black History Month, we’re extending our recognition with a special two-part podcast series. In part 2, we are featuring Ashley Duncan, Vice President of Inclusion and Diversity at Republic Bank and a member of our Board of Directors. Ashley’s career has been dedicated to diversity and inclusion. Ashley reflects on the key lessons she’s learned about influence, resilience, and how black leaders can have an impact in predominantly non-Black spaces. She dives into the challenges ...
Feb 27, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 9
This Black History Month, we’re extending our celebration with a two-part podcast series. In Part 1, we speak with Dr. Douglas Craddock, Vice President of Community Engagement at the University of Louisville and Leadership Louisville Center board member and alum. Dr. Craddock shares his experiences as a Black leader, discussing key lessons on leadership, resilience, and making an impact in predominantly non-Black spaces. Dr. Craddock’s perspective offers a powerful model for leadership in the mo...
Feb 27, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 8
In this episode of The Leadership Lounge , we're joined by our Director of Business Development, Engagement Manager, and Talent Development Leader to discuss the power of intentional leadership in the new year. Together, they explore how leaders can be purposeful in their approach to guiding teams, share their personal intentions and aspirations for 2025, and offer valuable tips for leaders who are setting goals for themselves and their teams. Whether you're looking to refine your leadership sty...
Jan 31, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 7
In this inspiring episode of the Leadership Lounge Podcast, we’re joined by Pattie Dale Tye, COO for Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC. Pattie Dale shares her insights on what it means to show up authentically in your job and the importance of being a woman in leadership. She reflects on the mentors and individuals who helped shape her journey and discusses how she’s paying it forward in her career today by giving back to others and supporting them along their leadership paths. We also dive into her new b...
Dec 18, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 6
In this episode of The Leadership Lounge , we’re joined by the new Executive Director of YPAL (Young Professionals Association of Louisville), along with current and past YPAL presidents, to discuss the importance of creating spaces for emerging leaders in our community. We dive into the strong connection between YPAL and the Leadership Louisville Center, exploring how both organizations collaborate to support leadership development and foster growth in Louisville. Listen in as we share valuable...
Nov 27, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 5
The ability to have civil conversations across differences is essential for effective leadership. This episode delves into the challenges and opportunities that happen when we seek to understand - not only for ourselves, but for our workplaces, our communities, and beyond. We'll explore strategies for fostering understanding, building empathy, and navigating difficult conversations with grace and respect. Join us as we discuss the importance of active listening, the power of perspective-taking, ...
Oct 30, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 4
You need a network of strong women. We've put them at your table. Join us as we share Jennifer Green, Chief Legal Officer at Yum! Brands Digital & Technology, and Judge Jessica Green's inspiring journeys and pearls of wisdom. Support the show
Sep 26, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 3
You need a network of strong women. We’ve put them at your table. Join us as we share Kim Baker, President and CEO of the Kentucky Performing Arts- the first woman and first Kentuckian to serve in this capacity's story and lessons that she has learned throughout her life! Support the show
Aug 16, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 2
In our inaugural episode, we explore the essence of social impact leadership through the lens of the Leadership Louisville Center. Join us as we uncover the ah-ha moments that inspire and transform individuals into impactful leaders. Discover why the Leadership Louisville Center stands as the largest leadership organization in the country and learn about our new brand, LeadingBetter™. We also introduce you to our groundbreaking initiative, The National Community Leadership Collaborative, featuri...
Jul 24, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Carolyn Tandy, the SVP and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for Humana, Inc., has had an amazing career, spanning from the White House to the Fortune 500. In this conversation we learn more about her journey, her mentors, and her vision for our community. The Leadership Louisville Podcast is possible with support from PNC Bank. Support the show
Sep 13, 2022•47 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Dr. Tom Owen is a Louisville legend. An archivist with the University of Louisville for decades, a former member of the Louisville Board of Alderman, a former Metro Council member from district 9, a mayoral candidate, and a partner with the Leadership Louisville Center for over 40 years. Tom has enthralled audiences with his stories of Louisville history, and now we talk about his own leadership journey. Support the show...
Jun 16, 2022•51 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Aaron is joined by his friend (and former Leadership Kentucky classmate) Amy Luttrell, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Kentucky. Amy came to Louisville to lead Goodwill in 2014 after decades with the organization in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Tennessee. They talk about the real work of Goodwill, which is often different than the perceived mission, and how Goodwill goes beyond jobs and into housing, education, transportation, and felony expungement. Support the show...
Feb 02, 2022•39 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Dan Mann is the Executive Director of the Regional Airport Authority, and he shares his journey from the military to airport management, the importance of building networks, and how to lead a critical piece of infrastructure through a global crisis. Special thanks to PNC Bank for supporting episodes of the Leadership Louisville Podcast Support the show
Nov 03, 2021•46 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Mike Moll, SVP of PNC Bank, takes on the role of interviewer in this conversation with Cynthia Knapek, President of the Leadership Louisville Center. Topics include the science of leadership, the power of confidence and courage, and something about "leap and the net will appear." The Leadership Louisville Podcast is supported by PNC Bank Support the show
Sep 14, 2021•56 min•Season 2Ep. 7
David Lopez came to Louisville in 2018 as the Chief Development Officer at Metro United Way. A Mexican-American originally from San Diego, David brings a fresh perspective to our city, and it's reflected in this conversation. We talk about his career, how he came to Louisville, and in particular what it's like to be an "only" in an organization. Support the show
Aug 20, 2021•46 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Jerry Abramson is a legend in Louisville leadership. As a mayor for 21 years, a Lieutenant Governor, and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs to President Obama, he has seen our government work at all levels, and he brings those experiences to this conversation. We learn why he got into Public Service (versus "politics") and what he sees as his vision for the city of Louisville in the future. Support the show...
Jun 09, 2021•54 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Louisville Public Media President and General Manager Stephen George stops by the podcast to discuss his career journey - across multiple cities and multiple forms of media - to eventually come back to his hometown and lead an organization that has continued providing news throughout the pandemic and racial justice movement in Louisville. Despite challenges, the organization is expanding the newsroom in 2021. Join Aaron and Stephen for a great conversation on leadership, pivoting, and growing in...
Apr 18, 2021•51 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Dave Christopher is the Founder and CEO of AMPED (Academy of Music Production Education and Development) in the Russell neighborhood, and he's also leading the newly opened Russell Technology Business Incubator (RTBI). He and Aaron discuss the wisdom he learned from his father, how he started in tech by repairing his family's tube television, and how entrepreneurship can change lives. Support the show
Mar 26, 2021•59 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Louisville native David Mattingly is a Peabody and Emmy Award-winning journalist with four decades of experience reporting domestically and abroad. For 23 years David had a front-row seat to history as a CNN National Correspondent, but he considers returning to his hometown to be his most rewarding assignment. Aaron and David discuss being present for history, from 9/11 and hurricane Katrina to COVID-19, and how trust in media is changing in our world of "fake news" and misinformation. Support t...
Mar 01, 2021•57 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Colonel Pam Stevenson has had an incredible journey, from the West End of Louisville to the US Air Force (and stations around the globe) for 27 years - and then back to Louisville and into the Kentucky House of Representatives for District 43. In this episode she shares stories and leadership lessons from an amazing career and how she plans to collaborate with all of Kentucky to help build a better tomorrow for everyone. Support the show...
Jan 28, 2021•45 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Aaron gets a chance to catch up with a longtime friend, Mike Moll, Senior VP at PNC Bank. Mike grew and developed his leadership over a long career with PNC here in his hometown of Louisville. Mike and Aaron discuss how a career can evolve even if you're at the same company for a long time. They also discuss the two-way nature of mentoring relationships. Support the show
Jan 11, 2021•44 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Aaron spends an hour with Dr. OJ Oleka and they discuss everything from leading during a pandemic, to education as a path out of poverty, to being black and politically conservative in 2020. At one point OJ mentions this book which we said would be in the show notes: Black Elephants in the Room: The Unexpected Politics of African American Republicans (George Gund Foundation Book in African American Studies), https://www.amazon.com/dp/0520291905/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_4P5XFb61MSCP0 Special thanks t...
Dec 02, 2020•59 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Aaron and Jeff discuss how the nonprofit sector, which is the fourth largest employer in the commonwealth of Kentucky, is surviving during COVID-19 and how more members of our community can get involved in philanthropy to help make our city better for everyone. Support the show
Nov 13, 2020•47 min•Season 1Ep. 16
In this episode, Evon Smith, CEO of OneWest talks with us about her journey to leadership and to Louisville – and what makes the West End a unique, vibrant place. Support the show
Sep 28, 2020•52 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Aaron is back at it behind the mic and bringing you some fresh insight from our friend Ben Reno-Weber. His story is a fascinating example of how exposing ourselves to other cultures, worldviews, and even parts of town can inform the ways we bring change with us when we return home. Support the show
Sep 15, 2020•52 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Lisa Benson is the leader of one of Louisville's largest media outlets, Louisville Business First, part of a national network of business journals. Aaron and Lisa discuss the challenges of becoming a leader just in time for 2020, gain an outsider's perspective on our city, and talk about pivoting content and events to virtual (and still keeping readers engaged). Support the show
Sep 08, 2020•47 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Aaron Miller sits down with Walter Woods, who moved to Louisville in 2017 to lead the Humana Foundation. They discuss leadership, ego, getting out of your own way, racial justice, and the importance of being a mentor. Support the show
Aug 30, 2020•53 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Robert Barry Fleming talks about growing up in Frankfort and returning to Louisville to lead an iconic Louisville arts institution. Robert mentions three sources that we want to add here to the notes: - Catalyst Project - Racial Equity Institute - The People's Institute for Survival and Beyond We also encourage you in the conversation to do some research on Anne Braden. Support the show...
Jul 13, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 10
