In this episode, we explore the journeys of two inspiring leaders, Celeste Ross, Organizational Development Manager at Praxis Packing Solutions, and Marie Lewis, Founder and Executive Director of Rebecca's Daughters as they share their stories of impact, leadership, and service. Their experiences highlight the importance of community, purpose, and empowering others to create positive change. Celeste was named the Top Honoree in the Emerging Leader category at this year's West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards, while Marie was named the 2026 Champion of Service.

Key Topics

Leadership journeys of Celeste Ross and Coach Marie

The significance of community and mentorship

The impact of awards on personal and professional growth

The role of purpose and service in leadership

Strategies for empowering emerging leaders

The importance of boundaries and self-awareness in service

The ripple effect of kindness and inspiration

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the West Michigan Brilliance Awards and Guests

01:08 The significance of recognition and community impact

03:03 Reflections on receiving the Brilliance Awards

05:30 The role of storytelling in leadership and service

07:42 Initial reactions to nominations and awards

11:43 The importance of character and humility in finalists

15:27 Creating a village and finding support systems

18:58 Celeste Ross on organizational development and empowering leaders

25:49 Coach Marie’s story behind Rebecca’s Daughters

31:04 The influence of faith and boundaries in service

37:23 Looking forward to the Brilliant Summit and community impact

44:22 Defining brilliance and acting with purpose

In this episode, Kasie Smith, president and publisher of Serendipity Media, shares the story behind West Michigan Woman Magazine, the creation of the Brilliance Awards, and the upcoming Brilliance Summit. Discover how these initiatives celebrate women, foster community, and inspire action in West Michigan.

Key Topics:

The founding of Serendipity Media and West Michigan Woman Magazine

The origin and evolution of the Brilliance Awards

The creation and purpose of the Brilliance Summit

Lessons learned from profiling women in West Michigan

The importance of community recognition and mentorship

Future opportunities for growth and engagement in the community

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Series Overview

01:06 Meet Kasie Smith and the Mission of Serendipity Media

02:05 The Inspiration Behind Starting Serendipity Media

04:25 The Launch of West Michigan Woman Magazine

09:08 Lessons from Profiling Women in West Michigan

11:24 The Origin of the Brilliance Awards

16:23 The Birth of the Brilliance Summit

19:00 Details and Impact of the Brilliance Summit

23:03 Highlights of the 2023 Brilliance Awards and Categories

24:32 Recognizing Women at All Career Stages

28:30 Topics and Speakers for the 2023 Brilliance Summit

36:25 Future Growth and Opportunities for West Michigan Women

44:52 Event Details and How to Get Involved

On a special ArtPrize themed episode of Symplicity Conversations, we are joined by Rob Sharp, a young fiber artist, shares his journey from crocheting as a hobby to creating a massive crochet bouquet for Art Prize, exploring themes of slowing down, intentionality, and imagination. Rob's piece, "Yours Truly" is featured in the Symplicity Communications Building during the ArtPrize event in Grand Rapids, September 17th-October 3rd.

Vote for Rob's piece here: ArtPrize Entries
See more of Rob's work here: https://www.instagram.com/rob.sharp.handcrafted and here: https://www.tiktok.com/@rob.sharp.handcrafted

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Rob Sharp and his crochet art

02:29 Rob's background and how he started crocheting during COVID

04:43 The inspiration behind the large crochet bouquet

08:51 The symbolism of flowers and connection in Rob's work

12:06 The process and challenges of creating a 12-foot crochet bouquet

16:18 How art prize and community support influence emerging artists

17:41 The importance of imagination and childhood wonder in art

22:50 Rob's future plans and encouragement for aspiring artists

Key Topics

Rob Sharp's background and how he started crocheting during COVID

The transition from making sweaters to creating large-scale art pieces

The process and time investment of over a thousand hours and 100 skeins of yarn

The significance of flowers and their representation in Rob’s work

The role of imagination and wonder in art, inspired by childhood and movies

Support from family and community in pursuing artistic goals

The impact of art exhibitions like Art Prize on emerging artists

Encouragement to think bigger and pursue creative dreams

In this episode, host Catherine Ripley is joined by Patrick Hayes, Chief Experience Officer and Field CISO at Third Wave Innovation, to discuss the cybersecurity challenges faced by nonprofits, the importance of data protection, and how organizations can prepare for and respond to cyber threats, especially with the rise of AI and automation.

Key Topics:

Cybersecurity challenges for nonprofits

Importance of data protection and trust

Impact of AI and automation on security

Cyber insurance and risk management

Best practices for cybersecurity in small organizations

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to cybersecurity challenges for nonprofits

02:07 The importance of trust and reputation in cybersecurity

03:58 Real-world examples of cyber threats to organizations

06:51 Valuable data targeted by attackers

10:05 Prioritizing cybersecurity protections for small nonprofits

12:57 Understanding MDR and its role in security

15:52 Monitoring and responding to cyber threats 24/7

18:46 Attackers' tactics and social engineering

22:09 The significance of cyber insurance and risk management

25:03 Common mistakes in cyber insurance applications

27:48 Aligning cybersecurity with organizational strategy

31:09 The role of third-party providers and MSPs

34:08 Privacy policies and legal considerations

36:54 Building a cybersecurity strategy with board involvement

40:12 Funding cybersecurity through community support

43:01 The upcoming Nonprofit Technology and Innovation Summit

45:48 Final thoughts on cybersecurity as a business priority

In this episode, Monica Steimle-App and Richard App share their journey of launching Innovar Advisors, a consulting firm focused on helping organizations navigate growth, strategy, and transformation. They discuss the importance of community, leadership, collaboration, and the lessons learned from their diverse experiences.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Monica and Richard and their new venture
04:55 The timing and challenges of starting a new business
08:34 Their approach to helping businesses navigate change
12:00 Leadership challenges and the importance of diverse teams
15:11 Balancing work and personal life as partners
19:41 Rapid fire questions: personal preferences and insights
20:18 Recommended books and influential reads
21:04 Technology essentials and analog preferences
23:06 Common leadership challenges today
24:47 The value of surrounding yourself with the right team
25:15 Embracing change and reacting with resilience
26:51 The importance of authentic giving and community involvement
28:58 Transition from corporate to small business leadership
29:25 Supporting leaders through difficult decisions
30:45 Building a network of trusted advisors
33:09 Celebrating successes and overcoming setbacks
36:54 The community of West Michigan and its future
40:32 Community projects and long-term vision
44:26 Overcoming imposter syndrome and self-doubt
46:54 How to connect with Monica and Richard

Key Topics:

The decision to launch Innovar Advisors and the journey behind it
The importance of community and local partnerships in business
How diverse experiences strengthen leadership and business strategies
The role of collaboration and networking in business growth
Balancing personal and professional life as business partners
Lessons learned from starting and growing a new business
The impact of technology and innovation on small businesses
Strategies for navigating change and uncertainty in business
The importance of authenticity and giving back to the community
Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders

Elizabeth Goede, founder of Ratliff Consulting, shares her extensive experience with AI, entrepreneurship, and how organizations can navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape responsibly. This episode covers AI's impact on business, ethical considerations, and practical strategies for implementation.

Chapters

00:34 — Introduction to the episode and guest

01:52 — Quote of the day from Alan Kay

02:50 — Elizabeth’s journey into AI and entrepreneurship

04:31 — The evolution of AI from 2012 to today

08:04 — The bias and diversity issues in AI development

08:50 — Ethics and responsible AI use

10:23 — AI’s role in internal and external business processes

13:01 — Helping businesses understand AI’s real potential

16:07 — What kind of organizations Elizabeth works with

20:37 — The importance of data as a company asset

28:02 — Common misconceptions about AI

29:16 — The biggest misconceptions about AI today

35:45 — The launch of Spark AI Lab and its mission

42:33 — Elizabeth’s platform for women in tech and AI

50:00 — Exciting future of AI and entrepreneurship

53:32 — Closing thoughts and key takeaways

Key Topics:

Ethical considerations and bias in AI

Data management and governance in AI

Practical applications of AI in business processes

The importance of human oversight and soft skills in AI

In this episode, Bana Qashu shares her entrepreneurial journey, leadership lessons, and insights into navigating the fast-paced tech industry. Discover how genuine relationships, resilience, and strategic partnerships drive success in business.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Bana Qashu and her background
02:00 The importance of hard work and resilience in entrepreneurship
03:44 Bana’s career journey from nonprofit to technology
06:20 Building a network and seeking mentorship
09:04 The challenges of starting and scaling a business
12:13 Leveraging AI and technology to support business operations
14:07 Bana’s consulting approach and market strategy
16:55 Opportunities in the tech industry and partnerships
19:58 The power of giving back and building a positive culture
26:52 Rapid-fire questions: books, AI, and personal preferences
40:44 Advice for emerging women leaders and entrepreneurs
44:42 The importance of authenticity, self-trust, and resilience
48:00 Closing remarks and key takeaways from Bana's story

Key Topics:

Bana Qashu’s career transition from nonprofit to technology
The importance of authentic relationships and networking
Challenges and lessons of entrepreneurship
Building strategic partnerships in tech
Leveraging technology and AI for business growth
The role of resilience and self-trust in success
Balancing work and personal growth as an entrepreneur
The significance of giving back and mentorship

Jim Glackin, Chief Revenue Officer at COEO Solutions, shares his extensive career journey in the telecom industry, his passion for customer experience, and innovative approaches at COEO to deliver business outcomes. He shares his journey from ATT to a smaller company where the focus is on building better vendor relationships and truly understanding customer outcomes.

This episode offers valuable insights into leadership, channel programs, and leveraging technology for better organizational results.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Symplicity Conversations

01:08 Jim Glacken's Career Journey

03:37 The Importance of Mentorship and Connections

14:16 Customer Experience and Technology Integration

19:58 Understanding COEO Solutions

23:14 Innovative Approaches to IT Purchasing

27:29 Quickfire Questions and Personal Insights

33:12 Pilots and Dogs: A Unique Passion Project

40:45 Leadership Lessons Learned

49:25 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Key Topics

Jim Glackin's career evolution over 30 years in telecom

The importance of customer care and relationship building

How COEO is redefining vendor and partner collaboration

The role of technology and cloud in modern business

Leadership lessons learned from large corporations to startups

The significance of mentorship and networking in career growth

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