Beyond Small Talk Chad Cherry and Lauren Cherry Magee

Chief Play Officer Eric Newman joins us to talk Roc Solid Foundation, the WHY behind the non-profit and promotes the release of his new book, What Hope Looks Like.


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PK, Chad, and I have a nice chat about collaboration in the workplace including effective strategies/tools for collaboration, differences in how men and women approach collaboration, and how technology has been instrumental in this area during the pandemic. 
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PK Kriha is Sr. Vice President of Employee Health & Benefits with Marsh & McLennan Agency (MMA). She provides advice on health and welfare plans, wellbeing/wellness programs to a diverse base of corporate clients. She helps corporate leaders understand the full scope, implications and cost of various employee benefits strategies and potential plan design changes, not just the immediate line item expense.  
Along with her team, she also helps solve business challenges by deploying strategies that create better health care consumers and keeps employers current on regulatory issues, including those related to health care reform legislation. PK has a natural ability to make strong business connections, network with talented individuals, and match people to cultures. These talents and more have earned her a reputation of integrity and as a professional resource extending beyond employee benefits. PK joined RJF in 2002, where she quickly became a partner. Acquired by MMA in 2011, she continues to provide leadership in multiple areas within MMA. 
PK was honored with the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal’s 2020 Women In Business Award and also Employee Benefit Adviser’s Most Influential Women in Benefit Advising for 2017. She has also been recognized for her extensive knowledge, customer service philosophy and her involvement in leadership development and Diversity & Inclusion initiatives at MMA. 
She is involved in several community organizations including Giving WoMN, Benilde St. Margaret’s School, the College of St. Benedict, Youth Frontiers, Family Enhancement Center, Banyan and more. PK has two children and resides in St. Louis Park.
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For more information about the Harvard Business Review article we discussed, "In Collaborative Work Cultures, Women Carry More of the Weight", please visit: https://hbr.org/2018/07/in-collaborative-work-cultures-women-carry-more-of-the-weight

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Chad and I welcome Will Fediw back to the Beyond Small Talk podcast and ask Will to help make the distinction between mentorship and sponsorship. Mentorship tends to be a passive role; a mentor is a source of guidance and advice. Whereas sponsorship is a more active process; it requires the sponsor to spend human capital for the benefit of another. We dig a little bit deeper into the benefits of sponsorship and also share some of our favorite stories about sponsorship opportunities. 

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Will Fediw is the Vice President of Industry & Government Affairs at Virginia Maritime Association (VMA).

As Vice President of Industry & Government Affairs, Will Fediw plays a leading role in creating and implementing business development and legislative strategies to improve the economic and political climates for VMA member companies and Virginia’s port. Furthermore, he keeps VMA’s membership and leadership advised of industry, regulatory, and legislative developments within Virginia’s maritime supply chain sector, ensuring open and timely communication and representation.

For over a decade, Will has been involved in maritime operations, marine terminal development, external affairs, and stakeholder advocacy. While working closely with federal, state, and local governments in several ports around the country, he led marine infrastructure permitting for deepwater terminals, maritime transportation initiatives & legislation, and maritime economic development solutions.

Growing up in Hampton Roads, Will graduated from Old Dominion University in 2008 with a degree in Maritime Supply Chain Management, during which he was an intern at Norfolk International Terminals. Following graduation, he served as a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard specializing in maritime safety & security regulatory compliance. Additionally, he managed the regulatory oversight and maritime risk analysis for $47B of regional energy projects under development.

Afterwards, he worked as the Director for Marine Development and Regulatory Compliance for Venture Global LNG, a private natural gas firm currently developing marine export terminals in the Gulf Coast. During that period, he also served as the Vice-Chair of the Louisiana Energy Export Association, a regional advocacy coalition of energy exporters.

Additionally, Will holds a Master of Business Administration through the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School.

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To read the Harvard Business Review article we referenced today, "Want More Diverse Senior Leadership? Sponsor Junior Talent", visit: https://hbr.org/2020/10/want-more-diverse-senior-leadership-sponsor-junior-talent.


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In today's episode, Chad and I sit down with Will Fediw to talk mentorship. We offer our armchair theories on both sides of the equation: the mentor and the mentee. We discuss the various roles of a mentor and potential benefits to providing mentorship. And we also focus in on the expectations of the mentee and how to go about asking for a mentor. 

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Will Fediw is the Vice President of Industry & Government Affairs at Virginia Maritime Association (VMA).

As Vice President of Industry & Government Affairs, Will Fediw plays a leading role in creating and implementing business development and legislative strategies to improve the economic and political climates for VMA member companies and Virginia’s port. Furthermore, he keeps VMA’s membership and leadership advised of industry, regulatory, and legislative developments within Virginia’s maritime supply chain sector, ensuring open and timely communication and representation. 

For over a decade, Will has been involved in maritime operations, marine terminal development, external affairs, and stakeholder advocacy. While working closely with federal, state, and local governments in several ports around the country, he led marine infrastructure permitting for deepwater terminals, maritime transportation initiatives & legislation, and maritime economic development solutions. 

Growing up in Hampton Roads, Will graduated from Old Dominion University in 2008 with a degree in Maritime Supply Chain Management, during which he was an intern at Norfolk International Terminals. Following graduation, he served as a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard specializing in maritime safety & security regulatory compliance. Additionally, he managed the regulatory oversight and maritime risk analysis for $47B of regional energy projects under development.  

Afterwards, he worked as the Director for Marine Development and Regulatory Compliance for Venture Global LNG, a private natural gas firm currently developing marine export terminals in the Gulf Coast. During that period, he also served as the Vice-Chair of the Louisiana Energy Export Association, a regional advocacy coalition of energy exporters. 

Additionally, Will holds a Master of Business Administration through the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School.

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You can find Brené Brown's Dare to Lead Podcast episode with Jim Collins on Curiosity, Generosity, and the Hedgehog here: https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-with-jim-collins-on-curiosity-generosity-and-the-hedgehog/ (December 14, 2020). 

You may also consider checking out Jim Collins' books, "Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't" and "BE 2.0 (Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0): Turning Your Business into an Enduring Great Company" which honors his coauthor and mentor, the late Bill Lazier.


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This episode was inspired by a dialogue Chad and Lauren had discussing their latest book club selection.  In section 3 of Dare To Lead: Brave Work, Tough Conversations, Whole Hearts, author Brene Brown breaks down Daring Leadership vs. Armored Leadership.  We pick out a handful of learnings that hit home and apply them to experiences in our own lives.  Brene Brown does such a wonderful job using storytelling and providing language so we can articulate what we are feeling and experiencing!  

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To explore articles, book excerpts, videos, and guides, visit the Dare to Lead Hub at https://daretolead.brenebrown.com. You may even want to download artwork of your favorite quote as a daily positive affirmation! 

Podcast References: 

Marc Marling's Corporate Thought Podcast: A bonus conversation with brother & sister Chad Cherry & Lauren McGee on building relationships (April 1, 2020) -- https://corporatethought.com/corporate-thought-podcast/

Brene Brown's Dare to Lead: Brene with President Barack Obama on Leadership, Family, and Service (December 7, 2020)

Brene Brown's Dare to Lead: Brene with Simon Sinek on Developing an Infinite Mindset (January 18, 2021)

Also referenced, Simon Sinek's The Infinite Game.


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It was an honor to have Charlie Luck on the podcast as our guest.  His stories of going from a rock-based business to a values-based business are inspiring!  The creation of InnerWill Leadership Institute is such a gift to those who choose to engage.  The work Charlie and his team are doing to improve the lives of his colleagues and clients really resonated with our idea of being the best version of yourself SO THAT you may inspire others to do the same!  Special shout out to Camille Cherry and Betsey Fortlouis for connecting us to Charlie!



Charlie Luck, Founder & Chairman of InnerWill Leadership Institute

As President and CEO of Luck Companies, Charlie Luck is the third-generation family member to lead the 97-year-old, privately held organization. He is focused on developing the company’s vision, and leads the Strategic Leadership Team, guiding Luck Companies towards fulfilling its mission to "ignite human potential through Values Based Leadership and positively impact the lives of others around the world."  The mission of Luck Companies to ignite human potential is activated through the associates in each of the organization’s three business units: Luck Stone, Luck Ecosystems and Luck Real Estate Ventures.  Under Charlie’s leadership, Luck Companies has grown to become the largest family-owned and operated aggregates company in the country. The company has also been recognized on a local, state and national level for their innovative practices and progressive culture.

Charlie began his career with the company in 1980 as a summer trainee while enrolled at Virginia Military Institute. He graduated in 1983 with a civil engineering degree.  Charlie competed on the NASCAR circuit for four years before returning to Luck Companies.  After working in many facets of the business, as well as attending several executive education programs at Darden School of Business (UVA), he rose to President and CEO in 1999.

An Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award recipient and Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame inductee, Charlie has served on numerous boards to include:  National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance, Luck Foundation, Saint Christopher's School, YMCA, Virginia Military Institute's Jackson-Hope Fund, Virginia Foundation of Independent Colleges, as well as the Robins School of Business Executive Advisory Council.

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For more information about Values Based Leadership, visit https://innerwill.org or https://www.linkedin.com/company/innerwill.

To explore Luck Stone, Luck Ecosystems, and Luck Real Estate Ventures, visit: https://www.luckcompanies.com.






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