Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged

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Host Laura Bennett dives into an engaging series where leadership, innovation, and personal stories intersect in the realms of federal government and industry.

  1. Oct 21

    Before You Hire the Rainmaker

    What does it really take to build a successful growth organization and why isn’t hiring a great business development leader enough? In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett sits down with Peter Brown, founding partner of APAGO and a longtime executive recruiter in the federal contracting industry, to explore the connection between leadership, talent, culture, and sustainable growth. They discuss what organizations should consider before hiring senior BD talent, how trust and clarity influence performance, and why growth strategy needs to come before the search for a “rainmaker.” The conversation also explores realistic growth expectations, aligning talent with company goals, and creating an environment where strong leaders can do their best work. To connect with Peter, visit his LinkedIn page here. Learn more about APAGO by visiting their website here. Connect with host Laura Bennett on LinkedIn here.

    Before You Hire the Rainmaker

  2. Sep 16 ·  Video

    Where Mission Meets Growth: Leading Federal Transformation

    In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, host Laura Bennett sits down with Dr. Scott Green, CEO and co-founder of G2 Consulting Group, to explore his journey from psychologist and federal consultant to growth executive, advisor, and entrepreneur. Scott shares what he has learned about leading complex federal engagements, building trust with clients, aligning strategy with execution, and guiding organizations through growth and transformation. The conversation also examines how leaders can balance business performance with mission impact—without losing sight of the people and communities their work is ultimately intended to serve. To connect with Scott, visit his LinkedIn page here. Learn more about G2 Consulting Group by visiting their website here.

    Where Mission Meets Growth: Leading Federal Transformation

  3. Aug 19 ·  Video

    Leading with Intention: Building Confidence, Credibility, and Executive Presence with Krista Yager

    What does it take to step into bigger leadership roles without losing your authenticity along the way? In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, host Laura Bennett sits down with Krista Yager, Vice President of Health at Peraton, to explore the experiences and intentional decisions that shaped Krista’s journey from entrepreneur and founder to a senior executive leading growth and transformation across complex healthcare organizations. Krista shares her perspective on establishing credibility in a new organization, developing confidence and executive presence, building relationships rooted in trust, and staying focused when every priority feels urgent. Their conversation offers candid, practical insights for leaders who want to navigate change, expand their influence, and create a career path that reflects both their ambitions and who they truly are. To connect with Krista, visit her LinkedIn page here. Learn more about Peraton by visiting their website here.

    Leading with Intention: Building Confidence, Credibility, and Executive Presence with Krista Yager

  4. Jul 15 ·  Video

    Leading Transformation with Trust: A Conversation with Patrick Newbold

    What does it take to lead transformation in organizations that serve millions of people? In this episode of Coach's Corner: Leadership Unplugged, host Laura Bennett sits down with Patrick Newbold, Chief Information Officer for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), to discuss the leadership principles that have guided his career across CMS, the Social Security Administration, NASA, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Rather than focusing on technology, this conversation explores the human side of leadership, how Patrick's upbringing and experiences with public services inspired a career in public service, why trust, integrity, and empowerment are the foundation of effective leadership, and what he's learned about guiding organizations through large-scale transformation. Whether you're leading a team, managing change, or developing your own leadership style, Patrick shares practical insights on building trust, empowering others, and creating lasting impact in complex environments. To connect with Patrick, visit him LinkedIn page here.

    Leading Transformation with Trust: A Conversation with Patrick Newbold

  5. Jun 17 ·  Video

    The Hidden Complexity of Health IT and the Leadership Gap Behind It

    Why is health IT so hard? It sounds like a simple question, but the answer reveals a web of complexity that goes far beyond technology. From interoperability and legacy systems to competing priorities, cybersecurity threats, organizational incentives, and human behavior, health IT sits at the intersection of some of the most challenging problems in modern healthcare. In this episode of Coach's Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett chats with Dr. John Scott, Interim Chief Data Officer for the Veterans Health Administration, pediatric cardiologist, and clinical informatics leader with more than 35 years of experience across military and veteran healthcare systems. Together, they explore why health IT remains one of the most difficult challenges facing healthcare organizations today and what that reveals about leadership. The conversation examines the gap between technical expertise and effective leadership, the tension between business priorities and operational realities, and the challenges leaders face when making decisions about systems they may not fully understand. Dr. Scott also shares insights on measuring what truly matters in healthcare, balancing the needs of clinicians, patients, and stakeholders, and navigating the unique complexities of operating within large federal health organizations. Whether you're a healthcare leader, technology professional, government executive, or simply interested in how large systems succeed—or fail—this conversation offers valuable lessons on leadership, operational excellence, and managing complexity in an increasingly data-driven world. Topics include: Why health IT is harder than most people realize The hidden complexities behind interoperability and system integration Leadership lessons from clinical informatics Balancing business priorities with technical realities The impact of incentives on healthcare outcomes Federal healthcare challenges and opportunities Building trust between leaders, clinicians, and technical teams What future health IT leaders need to get right How leadership evolves throughout a career To connect with Dr. John Scott, visit him LinkedIn page here. Connect with Laura Bennett on LinkedIn here.

    The Hidden Complexity of Health IT and the Leadership Gap Behind It

  6. May 20 ·  Video

    Leadership Self-Efficacy: How Identity Shapes Who Steps Up to Lead – an Interview with Dr. Robin Atkins

    What shapes a leader’s confidence—and why do so many capable leaders still question themselves? In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett sits down with Robin Atkins—organizational psychologist, executive coach, and change leadership expert—to explore the concept of leadership self-efficacy and how identity, culture, and lived experience influence the way leaders show up. Drawing from her research on first- and second-generation East Asian American women, Dr. Atkins shares insights on the internal side of leadership—how confidence is built, where it gets challenged, and why relational leadership is often overlooked. This conversation goes beyond surface-level leadership advice and gets into the real tension between capability and confidence. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “ready” to lead—or how to help others step into leadership more fully—this episode will challenge the way you think about leadership from the inside out. To connect with Robin, visit her LinkedIn page here.

    Leadership Self-Efficacy: How Identity Shapes Who Steps Up to Lead – an Interview with Dr. Robin Atkins

  7. Apr 15 ·  Video

    Reinventing Leadership: From Federal Service to President with Kathleen Scudder

    In this episode, Laura Bennett, Principal and Leadership Coach, reconnects with Kathleen Scudder, President of Trusted Driver Federal Solutions and former Senior Executive with the U.S. Border Patrol, where she spent over 27 years leading complex, mission-critical operations. Since her last appearance, Kathleen has made a significant transition from federal service to industry—and now into entrepreneurship—bringing a fresh perspective on leadership and reinvention. Laura and Kathleen explore what it really means to step away from a long-standing career identity and build something new. Their conversation touches on leadership evolution, resilience through change, and how the definition of “having it all” shifts across different stages of life and career. This episode offers an honest look at transition, growth, and what it takes to lead in a completely new chapter. To connect with Kathleen, visit her LinkedIn page here. Learn more about Trusted Driver Federal Solutions by visiting their website here.

    Reinventing Leadership: From Federal Service to President with Kathleen Scudder

  8. Mar 18 ·  Video

    Leadership at Every Altitude

    What does it really mean to shape a market instead of chase one? In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, host Laura Bennett sits down with Mike Nachshen — founder of Fortis Strategic Communications and former aerospace and defense executive — to talk about leadership at every altitude. From serving as a U.S. Air Force officer to leading international communications for a $16B business unit at RTX, to launching his own firm, Mike shares the hard-earned lessons that only come from operating inside high-stakes environments. We unpack the difference between visibility and influence, how strategic communications becomes a competitive weapon, and what it takes to build credibility in the aerospace, space, and defense ecosystem. Mike offers candid insight into stepping out of a prime contractor environment and into entrepreneurship — including the leadership muscles that had to stretch. We also explore his personal involvement with the Space Force Association at the New England chapter level, and why investing in the next generation of national security space leaders matters now more than ever. This conversation is thoughtful, honest, and refreshingly real — including a few unscripted moments that remind us leadership isn’t polished… it’s practiced. If you care about strategy, national security, entrepreneurship, or shaping markets with intention — this one’s for you. To connect with Mike, visit his LinkedIn page here. Learn more about Fortis Strategic Communications by visiting their website here.

    Leadership at Every Altitude
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Host Laura Bennett dives into an engaging series where leadership, innovation, and personal stories intersect in the realms of federal government and industry.

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