In this episode of Leadership with Ed, Ed McGill interviews Suzanna de Baca, a multifaceted leader who has transitioned from the nonprofit sector to Wall Street and back to nonprofit leadership. They discuss her unique journey, the importance of mentorship, the evolving nature of leadership, and the critical need for empathy and adaptability in today's fast-paced world. Suzanna shares insights on empowering women in finance and the significance of being informed about one's financial situation. The conversation emphasizes the value of creativity in leadership and the necessity of planning for transitions in life.

In this episode of Leadership with Ed, host Ed McGill interviews Tiffany Tauscheck, a prominent leader in Iowa, discussing her journey from a news reporter to the President and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. They explore themes of mentorship, work-life balance, community development, and the importance of leadership in driving economic growth. Tiffany shares insights on her family mission statement, the significance of collaboration among leaders, and her vision for the future of Central Iowa. The conversation emphasizes the power of saying yes, the challenges of leadership, and the collective effort required to enhance the community.

Takeaways

Tiffany's journey from a news reporter to a business leader is inspiring.

The importance of mentorship in leadership development cannot be overstated.

Having a family mission statement helps guide personal and professional decisions.

Leadership can be lonely, but it's crucial to remember you're not alone.

Finding a pathway to yes can open doors for others.

Community development is essential for economic growth.

Collaboration among leaders is key to success.

Effective leaders are generous with their time and resources.

Listening to community needs is vital for strategic planning.

The future of Central Iowa looks bright with ongoing projects and initiatives.

In this episode of Leadership with Ed (LED), Ed sits down with Mark Horwitch of Bain & Company to explore what truly makes leaders inspirational—and why authenticity matters more than imitation. Together, they discuss how the world’s most impactful leaders didn’t succeed by copying others, but by leaning into who they genuinely are. Mark explains why there are countless ways to inspire people, and why personal growth begins with self-awareness rather than comparison.

The conversation challenges the idea of a single “right” leadership style and encourages leaders to discover and develop their own strengths. This episode is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about fitting a mold—it’s about showing up with clarity, integrity, and confidence in your unique voice. Takeaways There are thousands of unique inspirational profiles. No two inspirational figures are the same. The permutations of inspiration are vast and varied. Everyone has the potential to inspire others.

Authenticity is key to being inspirational. Finding your true self is essential for personal growth. Inspiration comes from within, not from imitation. The diversity of inspiration reflects individual uniqueness. Understanding one's authentic self enhances inspirational capacity. Personal growth is a journey of self-discovery.

LINK TO VISUALS! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lpO6Dek58dukL6NJ0XguvusBsN7lWhXJ/view?usp=sharing

00:00 – Introduction

02:30 – Mark Horwitch’s Background and Leadership Journey

03:30 – The Leadership Tool Mark Developed

05:00 – The Epiphany That Changed His Thinking

07:30 – What Bain & Company Actually Does

12:10 – What “Inspiration” Really Means

12:30 – Why Inspiration Is Personal (The Mother Teresa Example)

15:45 – The Archetypes of Inspiration

17:10 – How to Measure Whether Someone Is Inspired

18:15 – The Real Output of Inspiration

21:30 – From 76 to 33: Narrowing Leadership Strengths

24:45 – The Power of Distinguishing (“Spiky”) Strengths

25:50 – What a “Spike” Actually Is 27:32 – The Rock Pile Framework Explained

28:24 – Ed’s Results From the Leadership Survey

29:00 – How to Use the Data Effectively

29:55 – What If You Don’t Have Clear Strengths Yet?

32:03 – Visionary Thinking and Optimism

34:15 – Why Everyone Has the Ability to Inspire

36:40 – The First Step Toward Becoming Inspirational

38:12 – How to Get Others to Notice Your Leadership

40:15 – The Two Leadership Tracks They Teach

41:15 – “Take 5”: A Practical Leadership Exercise

46:00 – The Rock Pile Framework (Part Two)

48:17 – Learning How to Get Better Over Time

52:05 – The Power of Growing Within a Group

55:55 – What the Best Leaders Do Differently

In this episode of Leadership with Ed (LED), Ed McGill interviews Sara Kurovski, the Mayor of Pleasant Hill and CEO of Make-A-Wish Iowa. Sara shares her unexpected journey into leadership, the mentors who pushed her beyond her insecurities, and the lessons she learned while navigating both everyday responsibilities and extraordinary crises as a small-town mayor. She also reflects on the rewarding and often overlooked role of nonprofit leaders, the impact of volunteerism, and how serving her community shaped her approach to leadership. From managing adversity to inspiring others,

Sara’s story showcases how purpose-driven leadership can transform both organizations and communities.

Takeaways

Some of the most impactful leaders come from the nonprofit sector.

Mentorship played a crucial role in Sara’s decision to run for mayor.

Community involvement often leads to unexpected leadership opportunities.

Navigating challenges as a leader requires resilience, clarity, and support.

Transitioning to Make-A-Wish was driven by a passion for serving children and families.

Strong relationships are foundational to effective leadership.

Adversity can prepare leaders for greater responsibilities ahead.

Constructive feedback fuels personal and professional growth.

Encouraging volunteerism amplifies community impact.

Active participation in local government is essential for meaningful change.

Chapters (Corrected & Updated)

00:00 – Introduction to Leadership and Sara Kurovski’s Journey

02:52 – Becoming Mayor: The Unexpected Path

05:49 – Mentorship and Community Involvement

08:49 – Navigating Challenges as Mayor

12:04 – Building Relationships and Local Infrastructure

14:53 – Transitioning to Make-A-Wish: A New Mission

17:50 – Lessons Learned Through Crisis

21:01 – The Impact of Local Leadership on Community Well-Being

25:20 – Rallying a Team Through Adversity

26:00 – Understanding Wish Granting in Iowa

28:20 – Mentorship, Feedback, and Leadership Growth

34:23 – Bridging Political Divides in Local Government

36:57 – Future Aspirations and the Power of Nonprofits

40:37 – Encouraging Volunteerism and Community Engagement

In this conversation, Anne Ackerley discusses the importance of storytelling in finance, particularly in the context of fiduciary responsibility. She reflects on her transition into marketing at BlackRock and emphasizes the company's commitment to helping clients build better financial futures while maintaining a fiduciary role.

Takeaways

Other people tell your story, but we decided to tell ours.

The importance of being a fiduciary in finance.

Combining active and index strategies in a portfolio is crucial.

Transitioning into marketing can be a significant career shift.

BlackRock's mission is to help people build better financial futures.

Understanding the culture of a company is essential for success.

Learning new skills can lead to unexpected opportunities.

The role of marketing in communicating financial strategies.

Fiduciaries should never be on the other side of a trade with clients.

Storytelling is a powerful tool in the financial industry.

00:00 – Intro 03:45 – Larry Fink (BlackRock) 05:30 – Early Days of BlackRock 08:15 – The 8 Original Founders of BlackRock 10:00 – A Company Without Hierarchy: The BlackRock Ethos 11:00 – Rob K: The Cultural Heart of BlackRock 13:45 – Mentorship With Rob 15:45 – Realizing She Was Part of a Future Global Giant 17:10 – Career: A Story of Give and Take 18:00 – The “Marriage” of Active & Index Investing 19:00 – Becoming the Accidental CMO 21:40 – Rob’s Vision for Anne 23:30 – When the Company Didn’t Understand Active + Index 24:05 – Getting the Role as Head of the Retirement Group (Part 1) 24:50 – Mentoring Others 26:50 – Hurdles She Faced 27:00 – Getting the Role as Head of the Retirement Group (Part 2) 29:35 – “Everyone Does Know Your Story” 30:40 – Anne Loves Getting Results 31:40 – Creating the LifePath Paycheck 34:15 – Belief 35:45 – Going Back to School at Stanford 38:50 – Sports 39:15 – What’s Next: Teaching Finance & Learning AI 40:30 – Stanford Center for Longevity 42:05 – Final Thoughts

Austin Hatch shares his incredible journey of recovery after a traumatic accident, highlighting the importance of mentorship and resilience in overcoming life's challenges.

Takeaways Austin was in a coma for two months after the crash. He suffered from a traumatic brain injury and multiple broken bones. Coach B from Michigan visited him in the hospital. There were doubts about whether he would walk again. Mentorship played a crucial role in his recovery. Austin's determination to return to sports was fueled by support. The visit from Coach B inspired him to keep fighting. Resilience is key in overcoming adversity. Austin's story is a testament to the human spirit. Support from mentors can make a significant difference.

Tragedy story 2:30

1 plane crash 3:00

Coach Bielien coming to Ft. Wayne 4:30

2nd plane crash 5:10

Coach B coming to hospital 6:10

Relearning to play b ball 7:45

Power of belief 8:15

Relationship with Coach B 10:30

Do the next right thing 11:15

Honor a agreement 12:30

Going from Dominos to Grit platform 12:20

Last day at Dominos 15:30

Grit platform 17:00

Grit acronym 18:30

Be the most willing 19:25

Grit Acronym (2) 20:40

Grit (3) 23:10

Resilience is taking action every day 23:45

How he learned resilience 25:35

Greatest gift to give kids 27:10

Grit (4) 28:10

Clip 29:00

What he learned from his dad (seeing not saying) 30:45

Josiah being at funeral 32:30

Grit (5) 35:40

Coach B statement on leadership 37:00

Reflection of a leader 38:00

10 year goal 40:00

Goal everytime he speaks 41:45

Team 1st mentality 42:40

Best for the team quote 42:50

In this episode of Lead Leadership with Ed, host Ed McGill welcomes Beth Nigut, an executive vice president at EMC Insurance Companies. They discuss Beth's unique journey from being a trial attorney to a leader in corporate America, the dynamics of the leadership team at EMC, and the company's philosophy of 'keeping insurance human.' Beth shares insights on balancing professional and personal life, navigating tough conversations, and the importance of curiosity in leadership.

In this episode of Leadership with Ed, host Ed McGill engages in a deep conversation with Ashley Adamson, a three-time Emmy award-winning broadcaster and entrepreneur. They explore Ashley's journey into sports broadcasting, the importance of lifting others up, and the challenges faced in the industry. The discussion also delves into the rise and fall of the Pac-12 Network, the impact of fear on performance, and the significance of psychological safety in leadership. Ashley shares insights on coaching changes at UCLA, the role of a team historian, and her new venture, Tambor, which focuses on capturing family legacies. The episode concludes with reflections on Dan Lanning's leadership style and the legacy one leaves behind.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Podcasting

02:56 Ashley Adamson's Journey in Sports Broadcasting

05:54 The Importance of Lifting Others Up

09:06 The Pac-12 Network Experience

12:06 Reflections on Fear and Performance

14:52 The Role of Psychological Safety in Leadership

17:43 Navigating Career Transitions and Support Systems

20:44 The Impact of Helping Others

24:04 Engaging with People in Everyday Life

26:44 Insights from Coaches and Locker Room Experiences

30:34 Transforming College Football Programs

36:44 The Importance of Authentic Leadership

41:48 Capturing Legacy Through Storytelling

49:03 The Power of Connection in Coaching