Elevate Podcast: Powered by Braden

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Welcome to the Elevate podcast, where we host local leaders, both from businesses that are for-profit and non-profit, and that have shaped our community. If you’re looking for leadership insights, wanting to learn more about elevating your skills in business, then Elevate was made for you.

  1. Aug 13

    Elevate Ep 48: Dr. Harry Wilkins, President & CEO of Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network

    What does it mean to leave a legacy that will go on to save lives? In this episode of Elevate Powered by Braden, Jason sits down with Dr. Harry Wilkins, President and CEO of Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network, for a powerful conversation about leadership, organ and tissue donation, community impact, and the experiences that changed the course of his career. Dr. Wilkins shares his journey from growing up on the South Side of Chicago with dreams of working on cars to becoming a surgeon, healthcare leader, and advocate for organ and tissue donation. He also recounts the pivotal experience that changed his career trajectory and ultimately helped lead him to Gift of Hope. One act of generosity can create a ripple effect that reaches families, communities, and people you may never meet. Episode Chapters 00:00 Elevate Intro 00:18 Opening to Episode 00:38 Meet Dr. Harry Wilkins and Gift of Hope 01:15 Growing Up on Chicago's South Side 02:27 Track, Competition and Early Ambitions 03:30 From Muscle Cars to an Unexpected Career Path 05:02 The Advice From His Mother That Changed Everything 06:16 Northwestern and the Path to Medicine 07:38 Finding a Faster Route to Medical School 08:52 Residency, Surgery and Trauma Care 10:03 Building a Career as a Trauma Surgeon 12:21 The 2005 Moment That Changed His Path 14:14 Becoming Involved in Organ Donation 16:16 Moving From Medicine Into Leadership 18:01 The Evolution of Organ Transplantation 20:18 Supporting Donor Families 22:17 How the Organ Donation and Transplant Process Works 24:06 What Donation Means for Donor Families 26:19 Why Personal Stories and Education Matter 28:01 How to Become an Organ Donor 30:01 Technology's Role in the Future of Transplantation 30:20 AI, Innovation and the Future of Organ Donation 32:30 Organ Perfusion and Extending Transplant Opportunities 33:57 The Urgent Need for Organ Donors 35:21 Community, Kindness and the Butterfly Effect 38:22 Leaving a Legacy 39:57 Life Outside Work 42:14 Final Thoughts and the Ripple Effect of Sharing Stories Learn more about Gift Of Hope on their website: giftofhope.org Keywords: Dr. Harry Wilkins, Harry Wilkins Gift of Hope, Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network, organ donation, tissue donation, organ donor, organ transplantation, transplant waiting list, organ donation awareness, Gift of Life, healthcare leadership, nonprofit leadership, CEO leadership, leadership podcast, leadership legacy, leaving a legacy, community impact, Chicago healthcare, organ transplant technology, AI in healthcare, organ perfusion, future of transplantation, donor families, transplant recipients, Elevate Powered by Braden, Braden Business Systems #Leadership #Legacy #OrganDonation #GiftOfHope #HealthcareLeadership #CommunityImpact #OrganDonor #Transplantation #elevatepodcast The Elevate Podcast is filmed and produced by Braden Business Systems with Jason Ulm and Lauren Knauer

  2. Aug 11

    Elevate Ep 47: The Grit it Takes to Become a CEO, with Ammar Khan, CEO of Calderon Textiles

    What does it take to grow into leadership, navigate a family business, and prepare a decades-old company for the future? In this episode of the Elevate Podcast, Jason Ulm sits down with Ammar Khan, CEO of Calderon Textiles, to explore a leadership journey that started in Indianapolis and included sweeping warehouse floors, making boxes, studying at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, building a career in global supply chain, and eventually returning home to help lead the family business. Episode Chapters: 00:00 Preview: The Erik Braden College Story 00:57 Elevate Intro 01:46 Meet Ammar Khan, CEO of Calderon Textiles 02:22 Growing Up in Indianapolis and Carmel 03:21 Changing Schools and Learning to Adapt 06:13 Knowing When It Is Time for a Change 07:20 Learning Grit in the Family Business 08:22 Starting at the Bottom of the Warehouse 09:39 Leaving Calderon for Mike’s Carwash 10:31 The Lesson That Sent Him Back to the Warehouse 11:24 College, Career Choices and Finding His Own Path 13:19 Indiana University and Kelley School of Business 13:31 Meeting Erik Braden at IU 15:20 Building a Career in Supply Chain 15:50 Entering the Oil and Gas Industry 17:08 Global Manufacturing and International Experience 18:13 A Family Business Reaches a Turning Point 19:17 The Call That Brought Ammar Back to Indianapolis 20:29 Returning to Calderon Textiles 21:22 Becoming CEO and Leading Through Disruption 22:40 Leadership Through Change and Adversity 22:59 How Calderon Textiles Has Evolved Since the 1980s 24:19 Growing to 500 Products and Six Distribution Centers 26:03 Technology and the Evolution of the Business 27:20 When a Technology Implementation Nearly Failed 28:19 The Danger of Overengineering Technology 29:15 Using Technology to Scale the Business 29:35 The Move Toward a Paperless Warehouse 30:54 RFID Technology Meets Textiles 31:48 AI, Data and the Future of the Supply Chain 33:10 Why Every Business Is Now a Technology Business 34:08 What Community Means to Ammar 34:59 Supporting The Villages of Indiana 37:22 Finding Balance Outside of Work 38:00 Family, Travel, Fitness and the Next Chapter 38:58 Closing Thoughts Learn more about Calderon Textiles: https://www.calderontextiles.com The Elevate Podcast features conversations with influential leaders who are shaping businesses and communities. Hear the experiences, decisions, challenges, and lessons that helped define their paths to leadership. Subscribe for more conversations with business leaders driving meaningful change across Indiana and beyond. Learn more about Braden Business Systems at bradenonline.com #Leadership #FamilyBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessLeadership #CEO #SupplyChain #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #IndianapolisBusiness #IndianaBusiness #ElevatePodcast #BradenBusinessSystems

  3. Aug 5

    Elevate Ep 46: Emmy Hildebrand, CEO at HVAF of Indiana

    Elevate Podcast: Powered by Braden

  4. Aug 4

    Elevate Ep 45: Sean Brady, CEO of Cadmium Shares Leadership Lessons Essential to Every Professional

    Can hard work really create luck? Yes, in fact, it can. In this episode of the Elevate Podcast, host Jason Ulm sits down with Sean Brady, CEO of Cadmium, to explore an extraordinary leadership journey that began with humble beginnings and led to the executive suite of a leading Cadmium. In this episode you'll learn: - How work ethic creates opportunity - Why mentorship can change your career forever - The leadership lessons Sean learned in the restaurant industry - Why reading transformed his approach to leadership - How authentic leadership builds stronger teams - The importance of developing people before focusing on results - Why experiences matter more than possessions - How to build a culture where employees thrive Episode Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:00:44 Meet Sean Brady, CEO of Cadmium 00:01:28 Growing Up in Oklahoma City 00:02:45 Football, College, and Early Ambitions 00:04:47 From Dishwasher to Restaurant Leader 00:06:05 Meeting the Mentor Who Changed Everything 00:09:59 Becoming a Restaurant Owner 00:12:06 Leadership Lessons and the Power of Reading 00:14:00 Building a Career Beyond Hospitality 00:20:00 Transitioning into Technology Leadership 00:27:00 Growing People and Building Great Teams 00:33:00 Leadership Through Change and Adversity 00:39:00 Company Culture and Authentic Leadership 00:44:53 Family, Experiences, and Life Outside of Work 00:47:10 Final Leadership Takeaways If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and Share for more interviews with business leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers who are elevating their organizations and communities. Learn more about Braden Business Systems: https://www.bradenonline.com #Leadership #LeadershipPodcast #BusinessLeadership #CEO #SeanBrady #Cadmium #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #Mentorship #ExecutiveLeadership #CareerGrowth #WorkEthic #PersonalDevelopment #CompanyCulture #ElevatePodcast

  5. Jul 30

    Elevate Ep 44: Building a People-First Business with Rich Diaz, CEO of Advanced Resources

    How do you scale a business while keeping people at the center of every decision? In this episode of the Elevate Podcast, Jason sits down with Rich Diaz, CEO and owner of Advanced Resources, to discuss his journey from Kansas City to leading a fast-growing Chicago-based talent and business solutions firm. Rich shares practical leadership lessons on building strong teams, creating a top workplace, betting on yourself as an entrepreneur, and using AI and automation to help people work smarter—not replace them. Rich also talks about Advanced Resources’ work in executive search, interim staffing, accounting and finance solutions, HR consulting, and helping organizations navigate growth and change. Episode Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:43 Meet Rich Diaz, CEO of Advanced Resources 01:21 Growing Up in Kansas City 03:07 A Life-Changing College Experience 05:03 Psychology, Research & Finding Business 07:04 Starting a Career in HR 08:45 Becoming a Leader at 24 11:13 Learning to Motivate and Invest in People 14:44 Rebuilding and Growing Advanced Resources 18:09 “At Advanced, It’s Personal” 21:04 The Decision to Become an Owner 25:12 What Advanced Resources Does 30:23 AI, Automation & the Future of Work 33:26 Using AI for Knowledge Transfer 36:09 Giving Back to the Community 40:00 Leadership Lessons and Business Growth 40:58 Family, Purpose & Being Present 43:26 Closing Thoughts Check out Advanced Resources: https://www.advancedresources.com Subscribe for more leadership stories, business insights, and conversations with the people shaping their communities. #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #AI #HumanResources #ExecutiveSearch #Staffing #ElevatePodcast

  6. Jul 28

    Elevate Ep 43: Scaling Through Packaging with Nick Novy, Founder & CEO of Korpack

    How do you build a company that can scale without sacrificing speed, service, or trust? In this episode of Elevate: Powered by Braden, Jason sits down with Nick Novy, founder and CEO of Korpack, at the company’s headquarters in Bloomingdale, Illinois. Nick shares how he progressed from at Michigan State University to working in sales, leading teams, and ultimately launching Korpack in 2015. Nick explains how Korpack helps manufacturers and emerging brands improve efficiency, reduce packaging costs, implement automation, and prepare for growth. He also discusses the company’s three core differentiators—speed, technology, and trust—and how tools such as ERP systems, Excel, automation, and AI can give employees more time to solve problems and build stronger customer relationships. Episode Chapters 00:00 – Intro 00:44 – Meet Nick Novy of Korpack 01:22 – Growing Up in the Chicago Area 03:32 – Discovering Packaging Engineering 06:06 – Internships and Early Career Lessons 08:07 – Starting a Career After 9/11 10:08 – Nick’s First Sales Role 13:06 – Learning to Create Better Solutions 14:47 – Developing as a Sales Leader 16:25 – Recognizing the Need for a Scalable Model 17:37 – The Idea Behind CorePack 19:14 – Launching Korpack in 2015 20:31 – What Korpack Does 21:47 – Speed, Technology, and Trust 24:01 – Building Trust Through Honest Advice 27:15 – Technology, Excel, Automation, and AI 30:49 – Family and Community 32:33 – Life Outside of Work 34:17 – The Reality of Entrepreneurship 35:22 – Helping Emerging Brands Scale 36:15 – Nick’s Final Advice Check out Korpack: korpack.com Keywords: Nick Novy, Korpack, packaging solutions, packaging automation, packaging engineering, supply chain efficiency, manufacturing growth, business scalability, entrepreneurship, emerging brands, leadership engineering, business automation, Elevate Podcast, Braden Business Systems

  7. Jul 23

    Elevate Ep 42: A Conversation with Indiana Governor Mike Braun

    In this episode, Braden Business Systems has the honor of having Indiana Governor Mike Braun as a guest on our Elevate Podcast. Host Jason Ulm explores how technology, innovation, and strong communities are driving business success across the state, while discussing the challenges and opportunities facing today's leaders. Governor Braun reflects on his journey from building a successful business to serving as Indiana's Governor. Along the way, he shares lessons on leadership, economic development, artificial intelligence, manufacturing, workforce growth, and the opportunities shaping Indiana's future. Whether you're a business owner, executive, entrepreneur, or someone passionate about Indiana's future, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on leadership and the evolving business landscape. In this episode, you'll learn about: - Governor Mike Braun's entrepreneurial journey and leadership philosophy - The future of business and economic development in Indiana - How artificial intelligence is transforming industries - The role of technology in driving innovation and growth - Building stronger communities through leadership and collaboration - Opportunities and challenges facing Indiana businesses About The Elevate Podcast: The Elevate Podcast brings together business leaders and innovators to share ideas that inspire growth, leadership, and innovation. Powered by Braden Business Systems, each episode explores the trends, technologies, and strategies helping organizations thrive in an ever-changing world. Connect with Braden Business Systems 🌐 https://www.bradenonline.com Follow The Elevate Podcast for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of business, technology, and Indiana. #MikeBraun #IndianaGovernor #IndianaBusiness #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #ArtificialIntelligence #Technology #Innovation #EconomicDevelopment #BusinessPodcast #ElevatePodcast #BradenBusinessSystems

  8. Jul 21

    Elevate Ep 41: Strategies for Success with Dee McDonald PhD, President of Bethel University

    Can leadership, faith, and education transform lives? Dee McDonald believes they can. In this episode of the Elevate Podcast Jason Ulm sits down with Dr. Dee McDonald, President of Bethel University in Mishawaka, Indiana, to discuss leadership, higher education, servant leadership, career growth, and building communities that make a lasting impact. Dee shares his journey from growing up in La Porte, Indiana, playing baseball, and beginning his career in admissions before serving in executive leadership roles across the country. He explains why becoming President of Bethel University was his dream job and how the university is preparing students to lead with excellence, integrity, and purpose. Episode Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:44 Meet Dee McDonald, President of Bethel University 01:35 Growing Up in La Porte & The "Slicers" Story 03:22 Baseball Dreams & Playing in College 07:15 Becoming a Teacher & Coach 11:03 From Coaching to Higher Education 13:46 Career Growth & New Opportunities 21:33 Returning to the Midwest 24:26 Becoming President of Bethel University 32:13 The Story, History & Mission of Bethel 40:07 AI, Technology & Ethical Leadership in Education 44:02 Community, Service & Leadership 51:10 Life Outside of Bethel University 57:09 Closing Thoughts Want to learn more about Bethel University? Check out their website: https://betheluniversity.edu Whether you're a student, educator, entrepreneur, nonprofit leader, or business executive, this conversation is full of practical leadership insights you can apply in your own career. 🎙️ Elevate: Powered by Braden features conversations with business, nonprofit, education, and community leaders who are making a difference throughout Indiana and beyond. 👍 Like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more leadership conversations every week.

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Welcome to the Elevate podcast, where we host local leaders, both from businesses that are for-profit and non-profit, and that have shaped our community. If you’re looking for leadership insights, wanting to learn more about elevating your skills in business, then Elevate was made for you.

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