Pam Hoffman-Cumpata is a Forum Leader at Renaissance Executive Forums, where she provides leadership coaching and consulting to help executives grow and solve challenges. She has extensive experience in the banking and economic development sectors, having previously served as the Senior Vice President at Blackhawk Bank and the President of the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation, where she focused on creating primary jobs and economic growth in the region. Pam has also held leadership roles at LaSalle Bank and American National Bank and Trust Company, honing her expertise in commercial banking and business strategy. Through her current work, she continues to empower business leaders and organizations to thrive in a constantly evolving market.

In business, setbacks often feel like roadblocks — something to avoid at all costs. But what if these challenges, instead of hindering our progress, could be the very fuel we need to grow and transform? From failures to unexpected twists, it's the way we respond to adversity that shapes not only our career paths but also the future of the organizations we lead. How do we embrace these moments of vulnerability and turn them into strengths?

Pam Cumpata, drawing from her diverse career in banking, economic development, and now consulting, has a unique perspective on this. She believes that resilience isn't about avoiding failure; it's about getting back up after being knocked down. Pam explains that this mindset has been crucial to her work with leaders today, where she helps them not only solve problems but also build sustainable growth by fostering talent and encouraging a culture of resilience. According to Pam, the key is to never stop learning, adapting, and most importantly, staying human in the face of technological advancements like AI, which she views as a tool, not a replacement for human connection.

In this episode of In Good Company: Where Relationships Drive Results, Lisa Kilrea is joined by Pam Hoffman-Cumpata to discuss how to build resilience and foster talent in business. They dive into the importance of adaptability, the value of continuous learning, and how we can humanize progress in a rapidly evolving professional landscape. Pam also highlights the transformative impact of bringing students into the manufacturing world and the value of providing real-world career exposure to young people.

Lisa Kilrea is the Founder of WSI eResults, a leading digital marketing agency that specializes in helping manufacturers, distributors, and B2B companies grow through AI-powered, data-driven strategies. With over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience and a proven track record, Lisa has led WSI Results to deliver standout lead generation and revenue growth in the industrial sector. Her background includes work with major brands like Quaker Oats and BP Petroleum, and she's known for pioneering innovative marketing tactics that blend traditional expertise with cutting-edge digital solutions.

Many manufacturers are figuring out how to modernize without losing what already works. The pressure to adopt new tools can feel overwhelming, especially when traditional methods have carried the business for decades. But what happens when staying the same becomes riskier than changing?

According to Lisa Kilrea, a long-time digital strategist for industrial and B2B companies, the shift starts with a clear plan rather than a rush into tactics. She explains that too many businesses leap into digital efforts before understanding their buyers, their goals, or even whether their website can support the traffic they hope to attract. Drawing from years of guiding manufacturers, she compares random marketing efforts to "random acts of kindness" — nice in theory, ineffective in practice. In her view, digital transformation is less about flashy technology and more about building a foundation that sustains long-term growth.

In this episode of In Good Company: Where Relationships Drive Results, Lisa Kilrea, Founder of WSI eResults, is interviewed by Chad Franzen of Rise25 to discuss how manufacturers and B2B companies can successfully embrace digital transformation. She breaks down the importance of strategy before execution, why modern SEO means being discoverable everywhere, and how AI is reshaping both marketing and operations. Lisa also shares advice on creating content that meets today's search and buyer expectations.