Shining a Light with Beth Kieffer Leonard Shining a Light with Beth Keiffer Leonard

One of the long-standing effects of the pandemic is that for many of us, it forever changed the way we work. As the pandemic stretched on, and the lockdown became more of a way of life, businesses had to shift gears, shut down, lay off employees, and start again.







In this episode, we hear contrasting stories with similar threads: as one woman reinvents herself, and one woman finds the support and courage to launch her innovative new business















About the Guests​















Michelle Tran Maryns is Founder & CEO of We Sparkle Co., a public benefit corporation building a stronger + more inclusive economy by equipping underestimated entrepreneurs with the AI-powered tools they need to succeed.















Tammy Lee is CEO of Xena Therapies​, a cool therapy medical device company and biotechstartup. Her product is connecting with women and she had to briefly pause her startup duringthe pandemic. Tammy has a background in journalism and can detail how storytelling is acritical part of her business strategies.















Episode Five Workbook







This workbook is designed to guide you through the podcast, giving you the tools to appropriately reflect on your listening experience. We encourage you to use this workbook to help you further understand how to bring more heart & humility into your leading experience.Download Here















Additional Resources























Xena Therapies























Meet Tammy Lee























We Sparkle























Meet Michelle Tran Maryns























The Science of Well-Being























Finnovation Lab























MN Cup

Successful leaders use influence to help others reach their highest potential. The capacity to influence others comes from passion and authenticity that can lead to the greatest impact on work cultures and our greater communities.







We hear from two women doing just that in the spheres of manufacturing, construction, and technologies, using their influence as leaders beyond these realms to make a powerful impact on society.















About the Guests​























Anne Behrendt is President, CEO and majority owner of Doran Companies. She leads the fourth-largest woman-owned business in Minnesota and took an unlikely path to CEO last year, beginning her tenure in uncertainty. Her philosophy of saying ‘yes’ to opportunity positions her uniquely to see the silver linings in this pandemic as she works to create safe worksites and healthy employees.















Kay Phillips, co-owner of ATEK companies, has been moved to become more active in racial justice after George Floyd’s killing. She has been deeply steeped in charitable causes and speaks about how passion and empathy are essential to influence and leadership.















Episode Four Workbook







This workbook is designed to guide you through the podcast, giving you the tools to appropriately reflect on your listening experience. We encourage you to use this workbook to help you further understand how to bring more impact & influence into your leading experience.Download Here















Additional Resources























Doran Companies























Atek Companies















Harvard Business Review – Definition of Entrepreneurship

Leaders take responsibility for the well-being and improvement of their communities. The COVID-19 pandemic combined with the aftermath of George Floyd brings Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work into closer view.







Companies are addressing inequities and also implementing anti-racist strategies that require a structural and personal commitment for unity and change not just in the workplace community, but in the greater community in the Twin Cities, Minnesota and beyond. This episode highlights how intentional work fuels crucial connections that strengthen our community.















About the Guests​























Lili Hall, CEO of Knock, Inc., leads a women/minority owned creative agency in north Minneapolis. Hall is Brazilian and began her business right after 9-11 as a mother of two young children. She is an overcomer who understands the need to process crises and after George Floyd’s death, she led an emotional call with her employees to allow them the space to feel the devastation and outrage. She also did pro-bono work helping BlPOC businesses find a temporary home and business plan in the Mall of America after their buildings were damaged in protests.















Susan Shields is a retired textiles entrepreneur and designer who wants to make an impact through her artwork while using the medium to create understanding and racial equity. She photographed the George Floyd artwork and is compiling the artwork into a book, where the proceeds will support the street artists who made the public murals.















Episode Three Workbook







This workbook is designed to guide you through the podcast, giving you the tools to appropriately reflect on your listening experience. We encourage you to use this workbook to help you further understand how to bring more community & connection into your leading experience.Download Here















Additional Resources























Knock, Inc.























Poetry by Rashaunea Ambers-Winston























Lake Street Speaks Open Mic Series

In times of crisis, women leaders rose to the occasion with sensitivity and understanding of the stress, anxiety, and frustration that people are feeling striving to meet needs. Specifically, in this episode, these leaders responded with compassion and empathy during a time of twin pandemics, with both a public health and racial crisis unfolding across the globe.







With Minnesota at the epicenter of racial unrest, we learn how these women used compassion at the forefront to spark change and focus their efforts on anti-racism and racial equity within their spheres of influence.















About the Guests​























Alison Rempel Brown, CEO of the Science Museum of Minnesota, is working hard to use science to educate the public about the pandemic and race. She’s committed to social justice equity, not just through the museum education reflecting this priority but also when managing her organization. She took diversity in race and socioeconomic status into account when forced to conduct layoffs.















Anika Ward is President and CEO of the Sankofa Leadership Network. For over 20 years, Anika’s worked to advance equity and eliminate disparities through a strategic, relationship-based approach to transforming systems. A trusted advisor with a career spanning private, nonprofit, and government sectors, Anika has advanced statewide initiatives centering on equity and inclusion within education, science, workforce development, community investments, cultural arts, and community health and well-being.















Episode Two Workbook







This workbook is designed to guide you through the podcast, giving you the tools to appropriately reflect on your listening experience. We encourage you to use this workbook to help you further understand how to bring more equity & empathy into your leading experience.Download Here















Additional Resources























Science Museum of Minnesota























Statement on Equity and Inclusion























Women Presidents’ Organization























Sankofa Leadership Network























NYC Birder Incident – Twitter























George Floyd videos – CNN























George Floyd – KARE 11

If there was ever a time to lead with heart, it was during the trying times of 2020-2021. This episode explores those who embody heart-based leadership, to inspire loyalty and build powerful relationships by being kind, caring, and humble. Leading with heart doesn’t always mean a soft approach, it can also mean high expectation and firm accountability.







Beth Kieffer Leonard kicks off this first episode with her vision on leading with heart and what this leadership style can inspire. She moderates the conversation in an interview style with Kate Kelly from PNC Bank and Kim Motes for the Children’s Theater. Camille Burns from national WPO joins Beth during the episode intro to speak to the outstanding community of WPO Chapter One.















About the Guests























Kate Kelly, PNC Regional Bank President, is deeply steeped in service and philanthropic efforts. Her philosophy is to choose trust over fear. “As you lead people, the more you trust, the more things come together,” said Kelly.















Kim Motes , Managing Director for Children’s Theatre Company, Kimberly Motes became Managing Director for Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) in February 2016 where she leads all business aspects for the theatre. CTC is the nation’s premiere theatre for multigenerational audiences and an important cultural asset in Minnesota.

















Episode One Workbook







This workbook is designed to guide you through the podcast, giving you the tools to appropriately reflect on your listening experience. We encourage you to use this workbook to help you further understand how to bring more heart & humility into your leading experience.



Download Here















Additional Resources

























Children’s Theater Company

























Women Presidents’ Organization

























CANMN























PNC Bank

























We See You White American Theater

























CTC Virtual Performance of “The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow”

























Serve Minnesota

On International Women’s Day 2021, we proudly present Shining a Light, a limited series podcast, where we put a spotlight on women in leadership and female entrepreneurship.





Each episode, narrated by Beth Kieffer Leonard, Managing Partner of Lurie, LLP, weaves together insight from female business leaders to inspire the next generation of female entrepreneurs. Together, they explore the trials and triumphs of leading during a pandemic and racial unrest during 2020-2021, and dives into the qualities of remarkable women creating a legacy in the business world, providing both visibility and lessons for women to take into their own ventures.

Learn more and hear their stories, here: https://luriellp.com/shining-a-light-podcast/