Quo Vadimus Leadership

Suzanne Bernard, Reneta Johnson
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What if the key to advancing your career isn't just technical expertise—but the ability to genuinely connect with others?  Welcome to Quo Vadimus Leadership, where you'll discover the relational skills that transform good professionals into exceptional leaders.  In each 45-minute episode, you'll hear real stories from the people shaping our industry—manufacturing executives, airline leaders, air traffic controllers, university innovators, and safety experts—as they share the challenges they've faced, the relationships that made the difference, and the practical strategies you can apply immediately.  Whether you're navigating a career transition, building a team, negotiating your first major contract, or aspiring to leadership, you'll walk away with actionable insights on how to build the authentic connections that open doors, create opportunities, and accelerate your growth.  We're Suzanne Bernard and Reneta Johnson, aerospace executives and entrepreneurs who've helped launch facilities and develop strategies across the globe, and we're here to bring you the conversations, industry news, and leadership wisdom you need to thrive in aerospace. Join us as we explore what really matters in this industry—because your next opportunity might just be one relationship away.

Episodes

  1. JAN 22

    Inside Captain Rob Devadason's mind: Saying No, Flying Safe and Leading Under Pressure

    From runway‑side childhood wonder to Embry‑Riddle and the captain’s chair, Rob takes us inside the making of an airline pilot—and the leadership mindset that keeps people safe: say no when it’s not right, aviate‑navigate‑communicate, and compartmentalize under pressure. We pull back the curtain on ALPA’s 80,000‑pilot safety network and his front‑row role as Airport Safety Liaison at Washington Reagan, where pilots, ops, and controllers fix risks in real time—and what really happens when incidents strike. Stick around for candid stories, practical travel truths and a simple way to thank your crew that means more than you think.

    44 min

  2. 12/09/2025

    Mindset, Empathy, and AI: Jason Hopper on Humanizing the Job Search

    Quo Vadimus Leadership Podcast - Career Coaching and Leadership DiscussionJason's Career JourneyBackground: Started in staffing and recruiting for 14 years before transitioning to career coaching.Transition Story: Lost his job, attended state unemployment sessions, and was offered a position as a job coach with the state of Texas. Initially hesitant about the role, wondering if it was "where recruiters go to die, Jason decided to try the job for three months. Ended up working for the state for seven yearsCurrent Role: Career and financial coach at Jewish Family Service (JFS) for almost six years, starting in March 2020 during the pandemic.Certifications: Certified career coach and certified financial coachLeadership Philosophy and StyleLead by Example: Core principle learned early in career as assistant manager at a video store. Actively participates in tasks rather than just managing from behind. Sends job search articles to clients twice weekly (Mondays and Fridays). Attends networking meetups himself, including a weekly gaming meetupPositive Mindset: Believes success is 80% mindset and 20% reaction to circumstances. Emphasizes making each day a choice between good or bad. Focuses on building clients up rather than pointing out limitationsHumanizing Complex Job Search JourneysAI-Generated Insight: LinkedIn AI analysis identified this as Jason's superpowerKey Components: Empathy: Understanding each client's unique situationActive Listening: Sitting quietly while clients speak, then responding thoughtfullyAvoiding assumptions about problems before fully understanding the situationTraining Approach: Emphasizes to new coaches the importance of listening first, then sharing knowledgeNonprofit Leadership ExperienceTransition Impact: Moving from competitive staffing industry to nonprofit work. More pure intent in helping people. Motivates going above and beyond job requirementsExamples of Extra Effort:Volunteering in food pantry during free time. Researching alternative resources for former clients in need. Taking initiative on additional helpful tasks.Public Speaking and CommunicationBackground: Speech and debate experience through high school and collegeState Role: Conducted 2-4 presentations weekly for seven years on job search topicsKey Principles: Authenticity: Be yourself rather than trying to imitate othersAcceptance of Mistakes: Acknowledge errors with humor and move forwardAudience Connection: Focus on genuine interaction rather than perfectionJason's "Caffeinate Your Career" PodcastLaunch: Started January 2022 as LinkedIn Live stream with two other coachesEvolution: Originally three coaches discussing multiple job search topics per hour. Transitioned to Jason hosting with senior director Alison as co-host. After Alison's retirement, switched to monthly guest formatFormat Changes: Reduced from 60 minutes to 40 minutes based on audience engagement data. Maintains Tuesday 10 AM Central time slot. Future Plans: Scheduled guest speakers through March, moving to dedicated podcast studio in new office2025-2026 Career AdvicePrimary Recommendation: Learn artificial intelligenceAI is not going away and companies are increasingly using it34% of hiring managers now ask candidates about AI usage. Examples: Interview preparation, content creation, email finding. Can be trained to write in personal voice and styleLeadership Focus for 2026: Increased focus on supporting staff through uncertain times. Active listening and asking questions before implementing performance plans. Open and honest communication about challenges and solutions

    47 min

  3. 12/09/2025

    Empathy, Clarity, and AI Velocity with Dharam Chandra

    QuoVadamus Leadership Podcast - Interview with Dharam JhandrasikarGuest Background and JourneyProfessional Experience: Nearly 20 years in IT sector, AI, and machine learning with extensive experience driving large-scale digital transformationsCareer Path: Started at IBM, then Oracle, which brought him to the US 15 years agoIndustry Expertise: Spans healthcare (Cenera Tech, Proteus Digital Health), entertainment (Sony), e-commerce (Stitch Fix), and consulting (Globality)Leadership Evolution: Leadership journey began 3-4 years after starting at Oracle, shaped by the transformational experience of moving from Bangalore to San FranciscoLeadership Philosophy and ApproachCore Leadership Style: Empathetic, structured, and empowering leader who brings clarity during chaosKey Principle: "Everyone is a CEO in their own role" - believes in giving full autonomy and accountability to team membersLeadership Foundation:Lead with curiosity, not egoClarity is a superpower - people can't execute what they don't understandInvest in people early as they become essential multipliersStay humble and continue learningCultural Adaptation and ChallengesPrimary Challenge: Cultural shock when transitioning from conservative Bangalore environment to US cultureAdaptation Strategy:Aligning personal principles with new cultural norms while maintaining collaborative mindsetBridging cultural gaps through mutual understanding and learningViewing cultural differences as opportunities for growth rather than barriersTechnology and AI PerspectiveCurrent Focus: Staying current with AI adoption and transformation, given rapid technological evolutionIndustry Impact: Leveraging experience in autonomous processes and intelligent robotic processes to understand AI's transformational potentialStrategic Approach:Shorter roadmaps (6 months instead of 2-5 years) due to rapid technological changeFocus on short-term, measurable goalsStay hungry to evolve with new technologies and dimensionsCareer Aspirations and DreamsChildhood Dream: Always wanted to be an aerospace engineer, passionate about aviation and aircraftCurrent Interest: Remains deeply interested in aviation industry, both commercial and military aircraftFuture Goals:Continue thought leadership in enterprise applications, data integrations, and AIFocus on entrepreneurship as a "conscientious entrepreneur"Develop products that bring value to people and the world beyond just profitAdvice for International LeadersCore Message: Stay true to yourself and bring out your passion - people in the US are ready to listenSuccess Factors:Maintain humility and show gratitudeLeverage your unique gifts and knowledge capacityStay hungry and passionate about your pursuitsDon't second-guess past decisions - view unsuccessful experiences as learning opportunitiesFuture Projects and CollaborationUpcoming Initiative: Supporting a new project focused on helping others relocate and settle successfully in the USGlobal Vision: Project has potential for global footprint and significant impact on people's lives worldwideSpace Economy: Interest in participating in the next space economy developmentsHoliday Wishes and Closing ThoughtsWishes everyone a successful, peaceful, and joyful holiday seasonEncourages taking time to rest, reset, and rechargeAdvocates stepping into the new year with renewed energy and clear intentions

    32 min
  4. Solving Hard Problems: Mentorship, Momentum, and Modern Leadership with Elena Condos

    12/09/2025

    Solving Hard Problems: Mentorship, Momentum, and Modern Leadership with Elena Condos

    From servant leadership to mentorship that scales, this episode with Elena Condos dives into how to lead through rapid change with empathy, integrity, listening, and real connection. With two decades in SaaS and recent leadership in Microsoft’s Healthcare & Life Sciences, Elena traces her journey from a life-changing study-abroad in Japan at 16 to mentoring founders through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s SelectUSA Global Women in Tech program—sharing why saying yes to hard problems, building inclusive teams, and embracing uncertainty are the fastest paths to growth. Stick around for practical playbooks and soul-level inspiration from a leader who’s building the future—and helping others do the same.

    38 min

  5. 12/09/2025

    Passenger Advocacy with Founder: Jennifer Rykaczewski

    Guest: Jennifer, Founder of www.AffordableSkies.orgEpisode Overview: This inaugural episode features Jennifer's remarkable journey of launching Affordable Skies—a consumer advocacy nonprofit for air travelers—despite having no prior aerospace industry experience. Starting with just 68 members in December of 2024 she grew the organization to nearly 7,000 members within 12 months.Key Discussion Topics:Leadership & Risk-Taking:Transitioning from political campaign management and business development into aerospace. Taking calculated risks based on thorough research. Persistence and finding alternative approaches when facing resistance. The importance of "never letting fear of striking out keep you from playing the game" (Babe Ruth quote).Building Affordable Skies:Identifying a critical gap in consumer advocacy for air travel Starting as a one-person operation managing all aspects (website, marketing, outreach) Growing from 68 to 7,000 members in less than a year Establishing an advisory council and seeking sponsorships/partnershipsConsumer Advocacy Focus:Top consumer concern: affordability and price sensitivity (consistent across 8 surveys) Safety concerns and supporting air traffic control modernization Providing education to reduce consumer misunderstandings about air travel Supporting legislation like the Airport Gate Competition Act Responding to every consumer inquiry personallyCall to Action: Jennifer emphasizes the need for industry partnerships and sponsorships from airlines, airports, OEMs, and government stakeholders. She invites listeners to join as free members at AffordableSkies.org and share the mission within their networks to help give consumers a voice in the aviation industry.

    34 min
  • 5 Episodes

About

What if the key to advancing your career isn't just technical expertise—but the ability to genuinely connect with others?  Welcome to Quo Vadimus Leadership, where you'll discover the relational skills that transform good professionals into exceptional leaders.  In each 45-minute episode, you'll hear real stories from the people shaping our industry—manufacturing executives, airline leaders, air traffic controllers, university innovators, and safety experts—as they share the challenges they've faced, the relationships that made the difference, and the practical strategies you can apply immediately.  Whether you're navigating a career transition, building a team, negotiating your first major contract, or aspiring to leadership, you'll walk away with actionable insights on how to build the authentic connections that open doors, create opportunities, and accelerate your growth.  We're Suzanne Bernard and Reneta Johnson, aerospace executives and entrepreneurs who've helped launch facilities and develop strategies across the globe, and we're here to bring you the conversations, industry news, and leadership wisdom you need to thrive in aerospace. Join us as we explore what really matters in this industry—because your next opportunity might just be one relationship away.

Information

  • Creator
    Suzanne Bernard, Reneta Johnson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean