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. Sep 17

    Episode 50: Lead As a Resource, Not With Your Title: Rosa Medina-Cristobal on Rebuilding DART's Workforce

    Episode 50: Lead as a Resource, Not With Your Title: Rosa Medina-Cristobal on Rebuilding DART's Workforce  "Instead of asking what your employees are doing wrong, ask what tools, support, or resources they're missing." ~Rosa Medina-Cristobal  Rosa Medina-Cristobal joined Dallas Area Rapid Transit as head of human resources in March 2020, weeks before her team went remote and the pandemic left the agency with roughly 500 positions it couldn't fill. She brought DART back to full staffing during the hardest hiring market transit has ever seen, and in this conversation she is candid about what that required of her as a leader. Thirty years into public service, Rosa has built her authority through trust, transparency, listening to her people, and creating a culture of support and success. If you lead in transit or are a new or emerging leader in any field, it's a chance to learn from someone who has a lot of wisdom to share.  Key takeaways:  Why trust took three years, and why it’s the right number.  What happens when you report the misses before the wins.  The difference between having the seat and being the resource.  Why leadership isn’t about your title but what you do with it.  Why transit has to compete for graduates the way any other industry does.  What DART is settling before it lets AI near a hiring decision.    About Rosa Medina-Cristobal    Rosa Medina-Cristobal is the Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), leading the agency’s people and workforce functions. With more than 30 years of experience in public administration across municipal government and public transit, she is a recognized leader in workforce development and organizational leadership. A 2013 Mass Transit Top 40 Under 40 honoree and graduate of the American Public Transportation Association’s Leadership Class of 2023, she serves on APTA’s Workforce Development Committee, she is on the Board of Directors for Latinos in Transit where she also chairs the Avanzando Workforce Development Task Force for LIT. Rosa holds a B.A. in Political Science from The University of Texas at Arlington and an M.P.A. from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.    Resources & Links  Learn more about Rosa Medina-Cristobal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosa-medina-cristobal-7a20573b/   Learn more about DART: https://www.dart.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: 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 50: Lead As a Resource, Not With Your Title: Rosa Medina-Cristobal on Rebuilding DART's Workforce

  2. Sep 10

    Blessed Are the Flexible: Building a Culture of Adaptability Across a Workforce You Don't Employ with Doran Barnes

    Episode 49: Blessed Are the Flexible: Building a Culture of Adaptability Across a Workforce You Don't Employ with Doran Barnes  "Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be broken." ~Doran Barnes  What does it take to build a strong, inclusive culture when the people driving your buses and turning your wrenches don't technically work for you? Doran Barnes has been answering that question for 23 years. As CEO of Foothill Transit since 2003, he leads an agency where every frontline operator and mechanic is employed by a private contractor, and he has built shared purpose across that line anyway. In this episode, Doran shares the leadership philosophy behind it all, from his start driving a bus in college to preparing his agency for the Olympics, and reveals the hiring practices, values, and daily disciplines that make transit a people business first.  Key takeaways:  Why culture doesn't require an employment contract.  How Foothill's unorthodox approach to interviewing allows them to assess how candidates contribute, listen, and interact, and build shared ownership of a new hire's success before day one.  Why flexibility and resiliency only protect an organization when they're lived values, tested and proven through real disruption.  What ethical AI adoption should actually look like.  Why relentless relationship building with employees, partners, and community is the key to people-forward leadership™.  About Doran Barnes  Doran Barnes has dedicated his career to making public transportation more efficient, accessible, and community-focused. As CEO of Foothill Transit since 2003, he leads a 38-line bus system and oversees operations for 360 buses that serve thousands of commuters every day. His leadership extends to managing private contractors, ensuring the agency runs smoothly and meets riders' needs. Before stepping into this role, Doran honed his expertise as CEO and General Manager of Tulsa Transit in Oklahoma, where he spent two years fostering public transit solutions.  A lifelong advocate for public transportation, Doran’s influence reaches far beyond Foothill Transit. He serves on the Board of Directors for Access Services, the paratransit provider for Los Angeles County, and has held leadership roles within the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), including Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary-Treasurer. His commitment to advancing the industry is also evident in his work with the Transit Cooperative Research Program’s Oversight and Project Selection (TOPS) Commission, where he currently serves as Immediate Past Chair. Doran also serves on the Executive Committee of the California Transit Association, contributing his vision to statewide transit policies. Doran was recently appointed to the CalStart board of directors and was elected corporate secretary.   Doran’s academic background reflects his global perspective and commitment to public service. He earned a master's degree in public administration from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from UC Davis.  Doran’s contributions aren’t limited to transit. He is deeply engaged in his local community, serving on the Planning Commission for the City of San Dimas, the San Dimas Chamber of Commerce board, and the East Valley Community Health Center board. He’s also a Past President of the West Covina Rotary Club and a member of the Tennant Foundation Board of Directors.  With over two decades of experience, Doran Barnes is not just a leader in the transit industry; he is a passionate advocate for building stronger, more connected communities.  Resources & Links  Learn more about Doran Barnes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doran-j-barnes/   Learn more about Foothill Transit: https://www.foothilltransit.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: 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.

    Blessed Are the Flexible: Building a Culture of Adaptability Across a Workforce You Don't Employ with Doran Barnes

  3. Sep 3

    Access to Opportunity: How Charles Frazier Is Rebuilding Transit by Going to the People Doing the Work

    Episode 48: Access to Opportunity: How Charles Frazier Is Rebuilding Transit by Going to the People Doing the Work   "Go to the people that are doing the work.” ~Charles Frazier  Charles Frazier took the city bus to his first job. Today he leads the transit system for an entire region, and he has never forgotten what that ride made possible. In this conversation, the CEO of Chattanooga's CARTA shares how a system underfunded for 30 years gets rebuilt through the people closest to the work, why he treats influence as something earned rather than granted by title, and how he's preparing his workforce for autonomous vehicles by upskilling employees instead of replacing them. If you lead people through change, constraint, or criticism, this episode gives you a playbook grounded in humility and results.  Key takeaways:  Transit is access to opportunity, and so is leadership. Your job is opening doors for your people the way someone once opened one for you.  Build influence over authority. Trust, clarity, and storytelling align teams in ways a title never will.  If every decision defaults to you, your organization is in a danger zone. Empower your subject-matter experts and ask for consensus recommendations.    About Charles Frazier    Charles D. Frazier is the Chief Executive Officer of the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA), assuming the role in January 2024 following a nationwide search. He brings over two decades of public transit leadership to the region, having previously served in executive roles at major transit systems in Florida and Arkansas.    Resources & Links  Learn more about Charles D. Frazier: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-d-frazier/   Learn more about CARTA: https://www.gocarta.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: 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.

    Access to Opportunity: How Charles Frazier Is Rebuilding Transit by Going to the People Doing the Work

  4. Aug 27

    Why Leadership Patterns Repeat Themselves: Breaking the Cycle with Recursive Leadership Theory

    Episode 47: Why Leadership Patterns Repeat Themselves: Breaking the Cycle with Recursive Leadership Theory  "The system will keep reproducing itself until somebody inside it decides to reproduce something better." ~Dr. Carol Parker Walsh  Episode Summary  Every leader has watched it happen. A new executive arrives, announces a new day, and eighteen months later the organization has either absorbed them in so it continues to be business as usual or it’s driven out its best people. In this solo episode, I share the theory I published this summer that explains why this pattern repeats across organizations and industries, and what it takes to break it. Recursive Leadership Theory took more than twenty years to arrive, beginning with an argument I made in graduate school alongside Dr. William Cross, the founder of Black identity theory, and it now serves as the theoretical grounding beneath the entire People-Forward Leadership™ framework. If you're stepping into a new role, inheriting a culture you didn't build, or wondering why your change efforts keep sliding back to the way things were, this episode gives you the diagnosis and the intervention, including three moves you can make today, this week, and this month.  Key Takeaways  Why organizations reproduce the same leadership patterns even as the leaders change.  The three expanding circles of real change, and why every one of them starts with you.  How to seed a new pattern in your team one small, visible repetition at a time.  Why redesigning one recurring structure does more for culture than any announcement.    Resources & Links  Learn more about Recursive Leadership Theory: https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.7156440   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.

    Why Leadership Patterns Repeat Themselves: Breaking the Cycle with Recursive Leadership Theory

  5. Aug 20

    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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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Perspective and insights needed to address today’s challenges while positioning for tomorrow’s opportunities.

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