HR Liftoff Megan Couch

Ashley Brundage's career journey has been nothing short of inspirational. After facing significant challenges like discrimination, harassment, and even homelessness early on, Ashley took a courageous step into a second career as a means of survival. Little did she know then that this pivotal decision would pave the way for her to become a nation-leading voice in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

From humble beginnings as a part-time associate, Ashley defied the odds and rose through the ranks at a major financial services organization. In under five years, she attained the role of National Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion - a remarkable feat that spoke volumes about her grit and capabilities.

Today, Ashley runs Empowering Differences, an organization she founded based on 10 Empowering Actions that enabled her to overcome obstacles and advance her exceptional career. Her credibility is further bolstered by an extensive list of accomplishments, including serving as the Vice Chair of GLAAD's National Board of Directors, Past President of the Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber of Commerce, consulting for the White House, and receiving a prestigious DEI award from the Governor of Florida.

We are truly honored to welcome the trailblazing Ashley Brundage to the show today. Her inspirational story and wealth of experience overcoming adversity make her an ideal guest to share invaluable insights.

Vanessa Joy is an innovation-focused leader, podcast host, and trans rights advocate with over 15 years of experience. She helps organizations understand the challenges of hiring and the solutions that can be implemented.

Join us as we talk to Jon Barnes! He is a master at gathering people together and inspiring them with a vision of what could be. He is a speaker, trainer, and communicator that brings a unique and unforgettable style to small and large groups alike. Whether it’s through his YouTube channel and social videos, marketing and personal brand training, inspirational group workshops, OR his published books, Jon Barnes is on a mission to help others find their unique story and tell it in a compelling way.

Dr. Jonathan Baktari, MD is the CEO at both e7 Health and US Drug Test
Centers and the host of Baktari MD. e7 health is a preventative health
and wellness company that has been called the “the Uber of preventive
medicine” and was named the Best Technology Company in the
Healthcare Space in 2019. US Drug Test Centers is a nationwide network
of over 20,000 testing centers in the US and is revolutionizing drug and
alcohol testing across the nation.
Both of these groundbreaking technology companies were born out of
a combination of Dr. Baktari’s expertise as a doctor, medical director
and educator and his over 20 years of clinical, administrative and
entrepreneurial experience. A former triple board-certified physician with
specialties in internal medicine, pulmonary and critical care medicine,
being a healthcare CEO is only the latest chapter in Dr. Baktari’s life
mission to help others by making integrative preventative medicine
available to everyone.
Dr. Baktari has always believed that helping others was the ultimate
achievement in life. Now, as a business leader, sought-after speaker and
podcast host, he’s excited to share his expertise in preventative health,
tech entrepreneurship and other topics that can’t be found anywhere else.

We welcome Linc Kroeger to Liftoff! He is a Social Innovator, President at Knight Moves, and an Enterprise Technology Expert!
Linc and his company focus on the next generation of elite technology professionals through extensive training in tech disciplines. There is an intentional focus on including Native American, rural, and urban underserved communities
Linc served on the Technology Association of Iowa board for three years and he was assigned by Governor Kim Reynolds to her Empower Rural Iowa Task Force and has been identified as “the most innovative leader on bringing tech jobs to rural in the nation” by U.S. Congressmember Ro Khanna representing Silicon Valley.
His Key Focus: Empowering Native American, rural, and urban underserved communities to break through barriers that block socio-economic inclusion!

SOPHIE THEEN, award-winning people management expert and author of the upcoming book, THE SOUL OF STARTUPS: The Untold Stories of How Founders Affect Culture[Wiley | August 2, 2022], joins us on today's cast!

If you are looking for an excellent resource for company founders, entrepreneurs, managers, and executives, you have found the right place!

Sophie discusses how a company's culture is a top-down necessity and why it's vital for founders to create a workplace where employees can thrive and nurture their emotional maturity. There's a common misconception that a company's people make its culture. In reality, startup culture begins and trickles down from the top of a company's founder. That founder's personality, including their emotional maturity, can lift or destroy their organization's culture. So, how can founders identify whether their personalities positively impact their culture and make changes if not?

Listen up here!