Pathfinders Podcast: Navigating Your Career Map with a Personal Board of Advisors

Lattitude
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The Pathfinders Podcast, hosted by CEO of Lattitude, Pete Schramm, features in-depth interviews that delve deep into the backgrounds stories and professional journeys of C-Suite Executives, HR and non-HR leaders, Business Owners across the globe, and more. Pete poses insightful questions that transparently detail the experiences, people and ideas that brought these successful professionals to where they are in their careers today. If you are excited to learn more about career, mentorship, professional development journeys, and who knows what else Pete will come up with then this is a show you will want to subscribe to and follow for our ~twice monthly episodes.

  1. 4D AGO

    If It’s Worth Doing, It’s Worth Overdoing: A Career Journey with Holly McIlwain

    On this episode of the Pathfinders Podcast, we’re joined by the incredible Holly McIlwain, an organizational consultant, psychometric expert, and founder of Brave Woman Project. Holly’s career journey is anything but linear. She went from growing up on a farm and dreaming of being a child psychologist, to training as a middle school teacher, to leading school assemblies out of a 12-person van, to entrepreneurship, and now to executive coaching. Holly shares how her career maps evolved; not by always knowing what she wanted, but by knowing what she didn't want. Along the way, she built a powerful personal board of advisors, leaning on mentors from all chapters of her life, including former professors, nonprofit leaders, and business executives. We get into a deep discussion about feedback, psychometric assessments, and how the right tools (with the right science behind them) can transform both individual growth and organizational effectiveness. Holly’s no-nonsense approach is a masterclass in aligning values, behaviors, and data to drive real change at work. Plus, we dig into the origin story of her nonprofit, Brave Women Project (BWP): a community created during the pandemic to support women in leadership navigating mental health, grief, and career challenges. If you care about feedback, mentorship, retention, and building cultures that actually support people, you’re going to love this conversation.

    40 min

  2. SEP 16

    Work Hard, Get Results: A Journey to Leadership with Jeff Hancher

    In this episode, Pete Schramm sits down with Jeff Hancher — veteran, former Fortune 500 executive, leadership podcast host, and founder of Jeff Hancher Enterprises. From humble beginnings in a one-light Pennsylvania town to leading a thriving consulting practice, Jeff shares how grit, mentorship, and a commitment to service shaped every step of his journey. His story began with dreams of becoming a truck driver, a path he eventually took with Cintas Corporation after serving in the U.S. Army. That “seasonal job” lasted 24 years and led to 10 promotions, thanks to what Jeff calls his earliest career plan: “work hard and get great results.” But Jeff also reveals what that plan lacked — intention. After missing out on a major promotion, a mentor handed him the book Career Warfare, opening his eyes to the importance of personal branding, mentorship, and strategic planning. That moment sparked a new chapter: actively building a personal board of advisors and seeking feedback from leaders he admired. He credits much of his growth to mentors like Dan Billy, who didn’t just teach him sales strategies, but practical insights like the difference between a suit coat and a sport coat — and how to lead with both humility and polish. Now, Jeff leads a firm specializing in executive coaching, sales strategy, and leadership development — and he’s on a mission to “pay forward” what so many mentors gave to him. His new book, Firm Feedback in a Fragile World, launches June 2025. It’s designed to help leaders master the art of delivering challenging feedback without damaging trust — a skill Jeff calls essential for the future of leadership. His mantra? Be soft on people, hard on standards, and never stop growing. He also shares one of his top tactical tips: send personalized, under-60-second video messages on LinkedIn to reach out to potential mentors or leaders. It’s how he landed connections with top names in leadership, and it works. Jeff closes by urging organizations to shift from checkbox-driven mentorship to true engagement. Career mapping, when done right, isn’t about compliance — it’s about clarity, confidence, and creating cultures where people grow with intention. His advice is simple but powerful: “Leaders are busy — so make mentoring something they get to do, not something they have to do.” Whether you’re leading a team, looking for your next move, or searching for the right guide to help you level up, this episode is packed with insight you can put into action.

    42 min

  3. SEP 2

    Keep Climbing: Designing Career Maps That Drive People & Performance with Matt Thomas

    In this episode of Pathfinders, host Pete Schramm sits down with Matt Thomas, a talent development leader whose career is grounded in purposeful growth, people-first leadership, and a knack for building thriving teams. From his early days organizing sports leagues and working construction, Matt developed a deep respect for hard work and teamwork. These two values would ultimately shape his career philosophy. His winding educational journey, from Cincinnati State to Xavier University, helped him zero in on a passion for leadership and management, ultimately swapping out a marketing focus for a more human-centered business path. His motto, “Don’t assume what you want—go experience it,” frames his entire professional evolution. Matt’s story emphasizes the power of career mapping—a deliberate process he first implemented back in 2008. Rather than chasing job titles or climbing for the sake of prestige, Matt coaches individuals to pursue alignment with their skills, values, and passions. He walked listeners through the nuts and bolts of crafting a career map: reflecting on strengths, identifying the type of company and team culture that energizes you, understanding your ideal scope of responsibility, and defining success beyond a title. That clarity, he says, empowers professionals to act with purpose and gives organizations a reliable way to grow talent from within. He also stressed the importance of surrounding yourself with a Personal Board of Advisors (PBA)—mentors, peers, and leaders who challenge your thinking, expand your perspective, and help you stay accountable. For Matt, this included a tough-love uncle, a first boss who exemplified empathetic leadership, and trusted colleagues who helped him sense-check big decisions. These guides didn’t give him answers; they asked better questions. When paired with a strong career map, this mentorship ecosystem helps professionals navigate change and growth with more intention, and far less guesswork. For companies, the business case is clear: structured development boosts retention, improves succession planning, and reduces costly turnover. Matt framed this as a strategic decision, not just a cultural one. When employees understand where they’re going and how to get there, organizations benefit from deeper engagement and better performance. “It’s cheaper to build talent than to buy it,” he emphasized. Whether you’re early in your career or reevaluating your next move, Matt’s practical wisdom, backed by years of lived experience, is a masterclass in sustainable professional growth.

    42 min

  4. AUG 19

    Teach it Forward: Developing People and Purpose with Michelle Orbovich-Williams

    This week on Pathfinders, Pete Schramm sat down with Michelle Orbovich-Williams, a talent and organizational development leader whose story is a masterclass in resilience, clarity, and career agility. From early dreams of becoming a marine biologist (or an NSYNC backup dancer!) to juggling nursing school while working full-time in retail, Michelle’s journey is marked by courageous pivots and purposeful growth. Her turning point came when she realized she was more energized by developing people than clinical care. This prompted her to switch paths and step fully into the world of HR. Michelle’s early experiences at Bath & Body Works, and a well-timed StrengthsFinder assessment, opened the door to leadership and talent development. Encouraged by a store manager who became a career champion, and later, mentor Randy Egolf, Michelle moved into learning and development roles at Victoria’s Secret and Alliance Data. She credits her evolution to a trusted personal board of advisors, including Dr. Brenda Jones, Mike from Cardinal Health, and Susan, who each offered guidance at key career inflection points. Their questions, encouragement, and accountability helped her navigate relocation, grief, and career transitions with intention. Today, Michelle serves as Manager of Talent Development and Leadership at ZOLL Cardiac Management Solutions, leading strategies that support over 3,000 mission-driven employees. She champions the 70/20/10 learning model—and adds a personal twist: learning isn’t complete until you teach it forward. Her approach to L&D emphasizes human connection, microlearning, and aligning personal growth to business impact. Whether you’re early in your career or navigating change midstream, Michelle’s story is a reminder that career development is rarely linear, and that’s okay. Michelle left listeners with two essential takeaways: build resilience and agility as your career superpowers, and invest in a community that lifts you personally and professionally. Empowering your people with a career map and a personal board of advisors isn’t just good for individuals—it’s transformative for organizations. When employees feel seen, supported, and clear about their growth? That’s when your culture truly comes alive.

    37 min

  5. AUG 5

    Burnout, Breakthroughs, and Building People-First Teams: Career Lessons and Growth with Cindy Gordon

    On this episode of Pathfinders, we are joined by the one and only Cindy Gordon, Chief People Officer at Madison Energy Infrastructure. Cindy takes us on a wild, thoughtful, and inspiring career journey that includes wanting to be a dump truck driver, a fashion designer, AND a pro wrestler. (Yes, a triple threat if there ever was one.) Cindy shares how she navigated her career using curiosity, courage, and a willingness to follow what felt interesting, even when the path wasn’t linear. From studying psychology, nutrition, and zoology, to building her career at McKinsey over 15 years across roles in HR, recruiting, and professional development, Cindy crafted her own map by chasing what lit her up. We dig into how she transitioned from consulting into leadership at startups like Oscar Health and Policygenius, before starting her own consulting practice. Now, as the first-ever CPO at Madison Energy Infrastructure, she’s building a people-first function from the ground up. Cindy shares practical advice on building your personal board of advisors, battling burnout before it beats you, and the importance of asking for help; not as a sign of weakness but as a tool for growth. She drops wisdom on the power of reflection, proactive networking, and how even small wins can create big impact. Oh, and she’s also on an eternal quest for the world’s best chocolate chip cookie, croissant, and Neapolitan pizza. (New Yorkers, you’ll want to take notes!)

    34 min

  6. JUL 22

    Beyond Borders and Benefits: Lessons in People-Centered Leadership with Zuzel Prieto

    On this episode of Pathfinders, Pete Schramm sits down with Zuzel Prieto, a globally seasoned HR executive and co-founder of the People Advisory Group. With a career spanning continents, industries, and executive teams, Zuzel brings a powerful perspective on the value of career mapping, mentorship, and embracing the uncomfortable moments that drive real growth. Starting with a chalkboard and an imaginary classroom, Zuzel’s passion for teaching evolved into a purpose-driven career in HR; one rooted in developing people and driving organizational effectiveness. From her early days in labor relations at Liz Claiborne to leading complex global HR initiatives at Ralph Lauren, she’s seen the power of pairing people strategy with business goals firsthand. In this episode, Zuzel and Pete unpack two cornerstone concepts of professional development: the Career Map and the Personal Board of Advisors. Zuzel shares how these tools helped shape her own path, from shifting out of accounting into HR, to stepping into international leadership roles, sometimes by choice, sometimes by surprise. Her story reinforces a powerful message: growth often starts when we say “yes” to the unknown. They dive deep into the importance of foundational HR experience (union environments, retail roles), the criticality of mentorship across functions, and how leaders can help their teams spot and seize career-defining opportunities. Whether you’re navigating M&A transitions, considering an overseas assignment, or building out mentorship programs at scale, Zuzel shares candid, practical insights that are as relevant for HR pros as they are for business leaders. Today, Zuzel is helping organizations of all sizes with end-to-end people strategy, from onboarding to succession planning, through the People Advisory Group. Her advice? Stay open. Stay curious. And surround yourself with trusted advisors who challenge and champion you at every stage of your journey. This is an episode full of real talk, relatable lessons, and a few global travel stories for good measure. For anyone mapping out what’s next, Zuzel’s story is a masterclass in leading with heart, strategy, and a global mindset.

    41 min

  7. JUL 8

    Nurture Before You Need: Building a Career of Purpose with Amy Bouque

    On this episode of the Pathfinders Podcast, Amy Bouque, Chief People Officer at Kelly Services, joins Pete Schramm for an insightful conversation on what it means to lead, grow, and navigate a meaningful career. From her childhood dream of becoming an astronaut to forging a career in labor relations, HR, and people leadership, Amy’s story is rooted in resilience, intentionality, and relationships.  She opens up about how early mentors, especially a fourth-grade teacher who saw her potential, shaped her journey. Amy shares how her career evolved through the support of former leaders, emphasizing the importance of nurturing relationships before you need them. Her personal board of advisors has played a pivotal role in every major transition. Amy and Pete dive deep into the power of a career map and how, even though Amy spent years helping others build theirs, she realized she hadn’t fully formalized one for herself. They explore how creating clarity around career goals, skills, and relationships strengthens teams and reduces costly, unwanted turnover across organizations. If you’re looking for advice on navigating change, investing in relationships, and designing a career, and a life, with meaning, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom, humor, and heart!

    38 min
  8. Coal Mines to Career Maps: Resilience, Mentorship, and Mapping a Career with Rob Thomas

    JUN 10

    Coal Mines to Career Maps: Resilience, Mentorship, and Mapping a Career with Rob Thomas

    In this powerful episode of Pathfinders, host Pete Schramm talks with Rob Thomas, a Marine Corps veteran and HR leader whose career has spanned an extraordinary range of experiences—from underground coal mines to boardroom strategy. Rob’s professional journey didn’t follow a straight line. After growing up in a challenging environment with no clear blueprint for success, he pursued college, then shifted course to serve in the Marines. It was there, by the needs of the Corps, that he first stepped into a personnel administration role, unwittingly launching a career in HR that would later define his civilian life. When he left the military, Rob faced the same uncertainty many veterans experience in transitioning to the civilian workforce. He took on several retail and HR roles before making a bold move: working as an underground coal miner to support his family. That decision, while unconventional, led to an unexpected breakthrough: a hiring manager saw HR experience on his résumé and called him in for a corporate HR interview instead. That single conversation became a turning point, opening the door to a new chapter of professional development and leadership in the HR space. Throughout the episode, Rob reflects on the importance of self-awareness, mentorship, and strategic growth. He shares how informal mentors from his time in the military helped shape his thinking, and how having a long-term goal, becoming a senior HR leader by 2027, has guided his choices ever since. He encourages younger professionals to embrace discomfort, stay flexible, and use a “career map” to track their development. Rob also emphasizes the importance of regularly reviewing and adjusting that map, both as individuals and alongside trusted mentors or a personal board of advisors. Rob’s story is not just about upward mobility; it’s about resilience, transformation, and paying it forward. Now working on career navigation strategies inside his organization, he’s helping others build their own maps, showing that meaningful progress is possible, no matter how unexpected the path may be. His journey is a reminder that success is not always linear, and that leadership often comes from those who’ve learned to lead themselves through the hardest of transitions.

    28 min
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About

The Pathfinders Podcast, hosted by CEO of Lattitude, Pete Schramm, features in-depth interviews that delve deep into the backgrounds stories and professional journeys of C-Suite Executives, HR and non-HR leaders, Business Owners across the globe, and more. Pete poses insightful questions that transparently detail the experiences, people and ideas that brought these successful professionals to where they are in their careers today. If you are excited to learn more about career, mentorship, professional development journeys, and who knows what else Pete will come up with then this is a show you will want to subscribe to and follow for our ~twice monthly episodes.

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