The People-Forward Leadership™ Podcast

Dr. Carol Parker Walsh, JD, PhD, PCC
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Management
  • Updated Weekly

Perspective and insights needed to address today’s challenges while positioning for tomorrow’s opportunities.

  1. 8h ago

    Pause, Listen, and Lead: The Psychology of People-First Leadership with Shakira Naraine

    Episode 46: Pause, Listen, and Lead: The Psychology of People-First Leadership with Shakira Naraine  "Catch people doing something right every day." ~Shakira Naraine  Episode Summary  Every leader knows the pull to react in the moment. The tense negotiation, the restructure that has people rattled, the technology rollout everyone fears. Shakira Naraine, Chief People and Culture Officer at the Toronto Transit Commission, has built her career on resisting that pull. A student of human behavior with 25 years of federal public service leadership behind her, she leads culture and labor partnerships for a workforce that moves over a million riders every weekday, and she does it by pausing, listening, and keeping her eyes on the prize. If you lead people through pressure, change, or uncertainty, this conversation will change how you handle your next hard moment.  Key Takeaways  Pause and listen before you respond. The moment is temporary; the relationship is long-term.  Psychological safety comes down to how comfortable people feel telling the truth, including the hard things.  Trust gets built one small interaction at a time, through consistency and follow-through.  AI adoption is a people strategy. Lead it with honesty about how jobs will change and a real commitment to reskilling.  Balanced, specific appreciation earns you the credibility to deliver difficult messages that actually land.  About Shakira Naraine  Shakira Naraine is the Chief People and Culture Officer for the Toronto Transit Commission. She has an extensive career leading multidisciplinary teams in public sector human resources and is passionate about continuous learning. After serving in the federal government for 25 years, Shakira joined the TTC in 2023 and is enjoying her role as a leader and change maker. Shakira holds an Honors Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Toronto and a post-grad certificate in Human Resource Management. She is a wife and mother, and knows that a well-rounded approach to personal and professional development takes a village – and is grateful to pay it forward in a learning capacity.  Resources & Links  Learn more about Shakira Naraine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shakira-naraine-36712153/   Learn more about Toronto Transit Commission: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/accountability-operations-customer-service/city-administration/city-managers-office/agencies-corporations/agencies/toronto-transit-commission/    Learn more about the People-Forward Leadership™ framework: www.thriveaxisgroup.com  Call to Action  Connect with us for behind-the-scenes content and leadership tips:  LinkedIn  Instagram  Facebook  YouTube  Enjoyed this episode? Don't miss the next one. Subscribe to the People-Forward Leadership™ Podcast:  Spotify  Apple Podcasts     Leave a 5-Star Review: Share your biggest takeaway from today's episode by leaving a review on your podcast platform.  Reach out: To learn how we can support your organization in implementing People-Forward Leadership™, email us at hello@thriveaxisgroup.com.  Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation valuable, please share it with a colleague or friend who might benefit. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you tune in for future episodes.

    Pause, Listen, and Lead: The Psychology of People-First Leadership with Shakira Naraine

  2. Aug 13

    The Problem Solver: How Tiffany J. Gunter Rebuilt Trust and Redefined Transit for an Entire Region

    Episode 45: The Problem Solver: How Tiffany Gunter Rebuilt Trust and Redefined Transit for an Entire Region  “I made one promise walking into those garages. Whatever you bring me, we're going to fix it and fix it for good." ~Tiffany J. Gunter  Episode Summary  What does it take to lead 2,000 square miles of public transit in the region that invented the car, and win 67% of the vote for it? Tiffany J. Gunter grew up riding the buses she now runs as CEO of SMART, and she leads the way she always has, as a problem solver. In this conversation, she reveals the unglamorous, deeply human work behind one of the most remarkable turnarounds in public transportation. If you lead an organization where trust has eroded, where teams work in silos, or where your people are watching to see if you mean what you say, this episode will show you what rebuilding actually looks like.  Key Takeaways  Visibility is a leadership discipline. Gunter rebuilt trust by showing up in garages, listening to frontline staff, and solving the problems they named.  Dignity drives results. A 25% system-wide ridership increase started with cleaner buses, honest communication, and respect for riders and employees alike.  Technology should augment your people, never replace them. SMART used predictive tools to take a chronically late route from 35% to 88% on time.  Culture change shows up in public. When your community says your organization treats its employees well, you've built something real.  About Tiffany J. Gunter  Tiffany J. Gunter is the CEO and General Manager of the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), where she leads the agency's strategy, operations, and service delivery across Southeast Michigan, with a focus on safe, equitable, and reliable transit. Since joining SMART in 2022 as Deputy General Manager, she has helped drive service improvements, organizational modernization, and stronger community partnerships. Prior to SMART, Tiffany held leadership roles at the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan, and brings experience in higher education, automotive, and retail. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Michigan, executive leadership certifications from Harvard University and the University of Notre Dame, and serves on several community boards while remaining active in civic leadership.    Resources & Links  Learn more about Tiffany J. Gunter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanygunter/   Learn more about SMART: https://www.smartbus.org/   Recommended Reading: The Power of TED https://www.amazon.com/shop/drcarolparkerwalsh/list/NU2PW07SCC6R?ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d&ccs_id=b5f73f34-2a56-4d47-8113-d61d460bb141   Learn more about the People-Forward Leadership™ framework: www.thriveaxisgroup.com    Call to Action  Connect with us for behind-the-scenes content and leadership tips:  LinkedIn  Instagram  Facebook  YouTube    Enjoyed this episode? Don't miss the next one. Subscribe to the People-Forward Leadership™ Podcast:  Spotify  Apple Podcasts     Leave a 5-Star Review: Share your biggest takeaway from today's episode by leaving a review on your podcast platform.  Reach out: To learn how we can support your organization in implementing People-Forward Leadership™, email us at hello@thriveaxisgroup.com.  Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation valuable, please share it with a colleague or friend who might benefit. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you tune in for future episodes.

    The Problem Solver: How Tiffany J. Gunter Rebuilt Trust and Redefined Transit for an Entire Region

  3. Aug 6

    It's Not About You: Building a Brain Trust That Leads from 40,000 Feet with Dawn Distler

    Episode 44: It's Not About You: Building a Brain Trust That Leads from 40,000 Feet with Dawn Distler  “Leadership is never about you." ~Dawn Distler  Episode Summary  Could your organization run well without you in the room? Dawn Distler built her entire leadership on making the answer yes. The CEO of Akron's METRO RTA started as a bus operator 39 years ago and rose to become the national Transit CEO of the Year, leading two different agencies to top system honors along the way. Her secret has nothing to do with being the smartest person in the room. She surrounds herself with people who are, builds a brain trust she trusts more than her own solo judgment, and pulls her leaders up to the 40,000-foot view so the whole system sees what she sees. If you've ever wrestled with how to develop your people when you can't always win on pay, how to let go without losing the big picture, or how to build a team that performs beyond your own reach, Dawn's conversation with me is your blueprint. This is leadership stripped of ego and backed by results.  Key Takeaways  Surround yourself with the smartest people in the room, then actually listen to them.  When you can't win on pay, win on development, even if you're growing people for their next opportunity.  Pull your leaders up to the 40,000-foot view and teach them to delegate so the organization thrives without you.  Take responsibility publicly, coach privately, and give credit always.  Technology should speed up the system, never replace the human care that people depend on.  About Dawn Distler  Dawn Distler is a 39-year veteran of the public transportation industry. She began her career as a bus operator at METRO before being promoted to SCAT Operations Manager, and later, Assistant Director of Customer Services. After serving 17 years at METRO, Dawn headed south to join the leadership team at Davidson Transit Organization in Nashville, TN. She later became the Director of Transit for the City of Knoxville, TN, where she led the organization to win the 2017 American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) Outstanding Transit System Award. Dawn returned to METRO to serve as CEO in 2018 and continues to champion equitable transportation as an essential service. Dawn also serves on the leadership team for the Ohio Public Transit Association (OPTA) and is a member of APTA’s Board of Directors. In 2024, Dawn was named the Transit CEO of the Year for the entire country, and in 2025, led her team at METRO to victory as the Outstanding Public Transportation System of the Year.  Resources & Links  Learn more about Dawn Distler: linkedin.com/in/dawn-distler-00455a11   Learn more about Metro RTA: https://www.yourmetrobus.org/   Learn more about the People-Forward Leadership™ framework: www.thriveaxisgroup.com  Call to Action  Connect with us for behind-the-scenes content and leadership tips:  LinkedIn  Instagram  Facebook  YouTube  Enjoyed this episode? Don't miss the next one. Subscribe to the People-Forward Leadership™ Podcast:  Spotify  Apple Podcasts   Leave a 5-Star Review: Share your biggest takeaway from today's episode by leaving a review on your podcast platform.  Reach out:  Learn how we can support your organization in implementing People-Forward Leadership™. Email us at hello@thriveaxisgroup.com.  Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation valuable, please share it with a colleague or friend who might benefit. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you tune in for future episodes.

    It's Not About You: Building a Brain Trust That Leads from 40,000 Feet with Dawn Distler

  4. Jul 30

    The CLIMB to People-First Leadership: Building Future Leaders to Innovate, and Serve with Derik Calhoun

    Episode 43: The CLIMB to People-First Leadership: Building Future Leaders to Innovate, and Serve with Derik Calhoun  "Systems move organizations, people move systems.” ~Derik Calhoun  Episode Summary  What happens when the kid from Richmond grows up to run train operations for the very system that serves his hometown? In this episode, I sit down with Derik Calhoun, Chief Transportation Officer at BART, for a conversation about leadership that starts in the mirror and ends on the frontline. This conversation will change how you think about your own leadership. Derik shares how to step into a complex system in your first 90 days, why “building a tree” of legacy matters more than building a resume, and what shifts when you finally understand who you actually work for as a leader. The son of two union presidents, he makes the case that trust with your frontline is earned through honesty and presence, and that psychological safety in high-stakes work means raising honesty, never lowering standards. If you lead people at any level, you'll walk away with the CLIMB framework in your pocket and a challenge you won't be able to shake, which is to develop your people with the same intensity you develop your operations.  Key Takeaways  Lead from the mirror first asking yourself daily, “What could I have done better today?”  Your first 90 days as a new leader are for listening, not launching.  Middle management is where culture lives or dies, so cultivate it.  Unions are partners in workforce development, so build relationships that matter and last.  Psychological safety means increasing honesty, not compromising standards.  Adopt AI to elevate people, make room for the next generation of leaders, but not as a tool to replace critical thinking.  About Derik Calhoun  Derik Calhoun is currently the Chief Transportation Officer for BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) he joined BART in February of 2025. He manages and oversees, through subordinate managers and supervisors, all operations and activities of the Transportation Department, including movement and control of revenue railed vehicles throughout the system within the Operations Control Center (OCC).    Before joining BART, Calhoun was Chief Operating Officer at Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), managed a budget of $350 million and provided executive-level operational oversight and direction for VTA's bus and light rail operations, maintenance, Accessible Services, and Facilities Maintenance. Also helped to reinforce VTA’s workforce development program (Highroad partnership) with ATU.    Before VTA, Calhoun served as the Director of Transportation for 6.5 years at AC Transit, in Alameda County, California. In that role he managed the delivery of transportation services for all operating divisions, opened the new TEMPO BRT along the international corridor in Oakland during the Pandemic, managed a budget of $238 million, opened a new Operations Control Center, and helped open and manage the Sales Force Transit Center. Calhoun also spent over 20 plus years in the private sector as a General Manager and Regional Vice President. He was able to see over 100 contracts, and was involved and chaired several union negotiations with ATU, Teamsters, IBEW, SEIU, and AFSCME.    Resources & Links  Learn more about Derik Calhoun: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derik-calhoun-604a933/   Learn more about BART: https://www.bart.gov/   Learn more about the People-Forward Leadership™ framework: www.thriveaxisgroup.com    Call to Action  Connect with us for behind-the-scenes content and leadership tips:  LinkedIn  Instagram  Facebook  YouTube    Enjoyed this episode? Don't miss the next one. Subscribe to the People-Forward Leadership™ Podcast:  Spotify  Apple Podcasts     Leave a 5-Star Review: Share your biggest takeaway from today's episode by leaving a review on your podcast platform.  Reach out: To learn how we can support your organization in implementing People-Forward Leadership™, email us at hello@thriveaxisgroup.com.  Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation valuable, please share it with a colleague or friend who might benefit. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you tune in for future episodes.

    The CLIMB to People-First Leadership: Building Future Leaders to Innovate, and Serve with Derik Calhoun

  5. Jul 23

    Episode 42: Are You Ready? How Leaders Build Pipelines, Trust, and the Conditions for Their People to Thrive with Yvonne Lopez-Diaz

    Episode 42: Are You Ready? How Leaders Build Pipelines, Trust, and the Conditions for Their People to Thrive with Yvonne Lopez-Diaz  "The people strategy IS the business strategy." ~Yvonne Lopez-Diaz  Episode Summary  The leaders who thrive won't be the ones asking "do we have the right people?" They'll be the ones asking "are we ready?" In this episode, Yvonne Lopez-Diaz makes the case that workforce strategy is business strategy, and that future-ready organizations are built on the conditions that let people do their best work and see a future worth staying for: trust, clarity, and real opportunity to grow. She shares how to build talent instead of just hiring it, how to develop a pipeline that pays off for years, and why AI raises the value of judgment and leadership rather than replacing it. The through line is simple and demanding: every strategy is delivered by people, so leaders can't afford not to invest in them.  Key Takeaways  Stop asking if you have the right people; ask if you're creating the conditions for them to thrive and stay.  Build talent, don't just hire it: internal development, stretch assignments, and cross-functional exposure.  A real pipeline takes belief, early engagement, and long-term investment, not one-off initiatives.  Treat people as assets to grow, not constraints to manage.  AI raises the premium on judgment and leadership; prepare people to work alongside it, don't just chase the tools.    About Yvonne Lopez-Diaz  Yvonne Lopez-Diaz is Senior Vice President and National Workforce Strategist at HNTB Corporation, with more than 26 years leading talent strategy and organizational development in transportation and 17 years in pharmaceutical HR leadership. A nationally recognized leader and former Chair of the WTS Foundation, she advanced initiatives that awarded over $2 million in scholarships and strengthened the pipeline of women in transportation. She is a COMTO Women Who Move the Nation honoree, a two-time recipient of the Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award, and was named one of ENO's Top Women to Watch.  Resources & Links  Learn more about Yvonne Lopez-Diaz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvonne-lopez-diaz-51a4254/   Learn more about HNTB: https://www.hntb.com/   Learn more about the People-Forward Leadership™ framework: www.thriveaxisgroup.com    Call to Action  Connect with us for behind-the-scenes content and leadership tips:  LinkedIn  Instagram  Facebook  YouTube    Enjoyed this episode? Don't miss the next one. Subscribe to the People-Forward Leadership™ Podcast:  Spotify  Apple Podcasts     Leave a 5-Star Review: Share your biggest takeaway from today's episode by leaving a review on your podcast platform.  Reach out: To learn how we can support your organization in implementing People-Forward Leadership™, email us at hello@thriveaxisgroup.com.  Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation valuable, please share it with a colleague or friend who might benefit. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you tune in for future episodes.

    Episode 42: Are You Ready? How Leaders Build Pipelines, Trust, and the Conditions for Their People to Thrive with Yvonne Lopez-Diaz

  6. Jul 16

    Episode 41: The Power of Storytelling: How to Lead with Narrative to Build Trust, Mobilize Change, and Grow a People-Forward Business with Nikki Frenney

    Episode 41: The Power of Storytelling: How to Lead with Narrative to Build Trust, Mobilize Change, and Grow a People-Forward Business with Nikki Frenney  "Anyone can lead if people trust them and like them. It has nothing to do with your title." ~Nikki Frenney  Episode Summary  Nikki Frenney is a storyteller, and in this episode she makes the case that storytelling is one of the most underrated leadership tools in business. As Vice President of Customer Success at MV Transportation, the largest privately owned passenger transportation company in North America, she has helped guide the company's growth from a $24 million business to over $1.2 billion in annual revenue, now moving more than 110 million people a year, and she traces that scale back to a discipline she's carried since her early days in journalism: knowing how to tell the story of who you are, why you do what you do, and who you're becoming.  If you've ever thought leadership required a title, or that storytelling was a nice-to-have rather than a strategic, essential skill, this conversation will change how you think about both.  Key Takeaways  Why storytelling is a strategic, essential human skill that builds the trust that grows a business.  Why influence built on relationships, trust, and institutional memory outlasts any title.   How transit workers quietly sustain local economies and quality of life by getting people to work, medical care, and school.  Why AI and autonomous tools should augment people rather than replace them, and what responsible adoption requires.  A practical roadmap for aspiring leaders several levels below where they want to be.    About Nikki Frenney  Nikki Frenney serves as Vice President of Customer Success at MV Transportation, the largest privately owned passenger transportation company in North America. Over a tenure that has spanned the creation of MV's marketing and communications function, a role as Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, and her current customer success leadership, she has helped guide the company's growth from a $24 million business to more than $1.2 billion in annual revenue. Her career began in journalism before moving through government and crisis communications into transit, where work in paratransit shaped her enduring commitment to accessible mobility as a foundation of community life.  Resources & Links  Learn more about On the Move Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/our-very-first-episode-of-on-the-move-ugcPost-7467294483597074434--ciX/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAFFxugBNhAp8oJ24KehmRVfh8SyzyrY9SE   Learn more about MV Transportation: https://mvtransit.com/   Learn more about the People-Forward Leadership™ framework: www.thriveaxisgroup.com    Call to Action  Connect with us for behind-the-scenes content and leadership tips:  LinkedIn  Instagram  Facebook  YouTube    Enjoyed this episode? Don't miss the next one. Subscribe to the People-Forward Leadership™ Podcast:  Spotify  Apple Podcasts     Leave a 5-Star Review: Share your biggest takeaway from today's episode by leaving a review on your podcast platform.  Reach out: To learn how we can support your organization in implementing People-Forward Leadership™, email us at hello@thriveaxisgroup.com.  Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation valuable, please share it with a colleague or friend who might benefit. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you tune in for future episodes.

    Episode 41: The Power of Storytelling: How to Lead with Narrative to Build Trust, Mobilize Change, and Grow a People-Forward Business with Nikki Frenney

  7. Apr 9

    What AI Can't Replace in a Great Leader

    Episode 40: What AI Can't Replace in a Great Leader  "AI can think faster, write better, and analyze more than you. So the question isn't how do you keep up with it, it’s how do you level up what you bring to the table that AI simply cannot replicate." ~ Dr. Carol Parker Walsh  Episode Summary  AI isn't coming…it’s here. And while the conversation around AI often focuses on tools, productivity, and keeping up, this episode goes deeper. Dr. Carol Parker Walsh makes the case that the most important leadership work right now isn't learning to use AI, it's honing the distinctly human skills it can never replace: critical thinking, judgment, presence, courage, and emotional intelligence. Because in a world where AI levels the playing field on technical skills, how you show up for people is what will set you apart.  Key Takeaways  AI is raising the bar on critical thinking, don’t let it think for you  Judgment, presence, and courage are the leadership skills that can't be outsourced  Emotional intelligence isn't a personality trait, it’s a skill you build through consistent practice  The professional pause (3–5 seconds) is one of the most powerful EQ tools you have  How you show up in the storm sets the tone for how your entire team shows up  Use AI as a tool to support your growth, never as a replacement for what's uniquely you    Resources & Links  Learn more about the People-Forward Leadership™ framework: https://www.thriveaxisgroup.com/   Recommended reading: The 3 Pillars of People-Forward Leadership™  Radical Candor by Kim Scott: https://www.amazon.com/shop/drcarolparkerwalsh/list/NU2PW07SCC6R?ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d&ccs_id=e5333e0e-d357-4992-9482-0593c4fbda41   Call to Action  Connect with us for behind-the-scenes content and leadership tips:  LinkedIn  Instagram  Facebook  YouTube  Enjoyed this episode? Don’t miss the next one. Subscribe to the People-Forward Leadership™ Podcast:  Spotify  Apple Podcasts  Leave a 5-Star Review: Share your biggest takeaway from today’s episode by leaving a review on your podcast platform.  Reach out: To learn how we can support your organization in implementing People-Forward Leadership™, email us at hello@thriveaxisgroup.com.  Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation valuable, please share it with a colleague or friend who might benefit from learning how to rebuild their leadership container for stronger results. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you tune in for future episodes.

    What AI Can't Replace in a Great Leader

  8. Apr 2

    The Messy Middle: Why Your Growth Is Hiding in the Hard Parts

    Episode 39: The Messy Middle: Why Your Growth Is Hiding in the Hard Parts    "Growth always comes out of the messy middle. Not the planning stage. Not the retreat. Not after you've figured it out. In the mess. Through the mess." ~ Dr. Carol Parker Walsh  Episode Summary  The leaders who are growing the most aren't the ones who have it all figured out, they're the ones willing to stay in the hard parts. In this episode, Dr. Carol Parker Walsh talks about the messy middle and makes the case that the discomfort, tension, and uncertainty you're trying to get out of so fast is actually where your greatest growth lives. Drawing from conversations with three extraordinary leaders this season, Shawn Donaghy, Donishea Martinez, and Traci Rossi, Carol explores what it really looks like to lead through conflict, learning, and trust-building without taking the easy exit.  Key Takeaways  Conflict isn't a sign something is broken, it’s a sign two people are actually thinking  Defaulting to your old playbook when the context changes is fear-based leadership, not strength  Psychological safety isn't announced, it’s built in small, repeated acts of showing up  The most advanced leadership move you can make is admitting what you don't know yet  Rushing to resolution robs you of what the mess is trying to teach you     Leaders Featured in This Episode:    Traci Rossi - Executive Director, Friends of the Children – Portland - Episode 34  Donishea Martinez -  Executive Commercial Leader, Genentech - Episode 35  Shawn Donaghy - CEO, North County Transit District - Episode 36    Resources & Links  Learn more about the People-Forward Leadership™ framework: https://www.carolparkerwalsh.com   Recommended reading: The 3 Pillars of People-Forward Leadership™  Call to Action  Connect with us for behind-the-scenes content and leadership tips:  LinkedIn  Instagram  Facebook  YouTube  Enjoyed this episode? Don’t miss the next one. Subscribe to the People-Forward Leadership™ Podcast:  Spotify  Apple Podcasts  Leave a 5-Star Review: Share your biggest takeaway from today’s episode by leaving a review on your podcast platform.  Reach out: To learn how we can support your organization in implementing People-Forward Leadership™, email us at hello@thriveaxisgroup.com.  Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation valuable, please share it with a colleague or friend who might benefit from learning how to rebuild their leadership container for stronger results. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you tune in for future episodes.

    The Messy Middle: Why Your Growth Is Hiding in the Hard Parts
See All (46)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Perspective and insights needed to address today’s challenges while positioning for tomorrow’s opportunities.

Information

You Might Also Like