How Corporate Sustainability & Environmental Compliance Shape the Future of Business

In this episode of Nexus at UCF, Natalie Broadhurst sits down with Michael Hewitt, former Director of Sustainability Programs at Publix and former Director of Environmental Affairs at La-Z-Boy, to explore corporate sustainability and environmental compliance and how it’s shaping the future of business. From navigating regulatory frameworks and corporate responsibility to leading large-scale sustainability initiatives at major organizations, this conversation dives deep into innovation, leadership, and the evolving role of environmental strategy in today’s corporate landscape.

With decades of experience in environmental affairs and service on boards such as Sustainable Florida and the Food Waste Reduction Alliance, Michael shares insights into how businesses can remain compliant while building long-term value through sustainability. Whether you're a business student, aspiring leader, or corporate professional, this episode offers a practical look at how environmental responsibility intersects with profitability and strategy.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Teaser

00:35 Welcome to Nexus + Meet Michael Hewitt

01:38 Michael's Start in Environmental Compliance

05:18 Corporate Sustainability and Environmental Compliance: Defined & Elaborated

07:27 The Damage Non-Compliance with Environmental Regulations can do

10:51 The Consequences Toward the Bottom Line (Regarding Non-Compliance)

13:25 How the Mindset Pertaining to Environmental Compliance has Shifted through time

16:16 How Chasing Sustainability can Help a Business

21:38 Consumers Want More than a Good Product

23:54 Detrimental Wasted Resources: Food and Water

27:59 Detrimental Wasted Resources: Water (Elaborated)

32:43 Success and Failure in Water Conservation

36:35 Beginning Stages of Implementing Rule about Sustainability

41:22 AI in the World of Environmental Compliance

44:42 Wrapping up: Doing Sustainability Right

46:02 Outro: Thank you for Listening!

🔗 Connect with Us
🌐 Website: https://nexusatucf.wixsite.com/nexus-at-ucf
💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nexusatucf
📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/nexusatucf
🎵 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@nexusatucf
▶️ More episodes: https://youtube.com/@nexusatucf
🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.

🔗 Connect with UCF
🏛️ College of Business Website: https://business.ucf.edu/
📊 College of Business on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/ucf-college-of-business/posts/?feedView=all

🌐 UCF Website: https://www.ucf.edu/
💼 UCF on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-central-florida/posts/?feedView=all

📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay connected to the future of business.

We apologize for the audio quality in this episode and appreciate your understanding.

#NexusatUCF #BusinessInnovation #Sustainability #EnvironmentalCompliance #CorporateLeadership #UCFBusiness

Turning a college side hustle into a purpose-driven business isn’t easy—but Kayla Doering did exactly that. From teaching swim lessons as a freshman at the University of Central Florida to founding Kayla Swimming Sailors while building a full-time career in tech recruiting, her journey is anything but ordinary.

In this episode of Nexus at UCF, hosted by Natalie Broadhurst, Kayla opens up about what it really takes to start, grow, and sustain a business during your college years. She shares what it looked like to balance classes and clients, compete in pitching competitions, learn to ask for help, and how entrepreneurship shaped her confidence, leadership style, and career path. If you’ve ever thought about launching something of your own but felt unsure where to begin, this conversation is your sign to just start.

⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 Teaser
00:30 Welcome to Nexus + Meet Kayla Doering
01:50 How did Kayla’s Swimming Sailors begin?
04:20 How confident were you in building your own business?
05:20 Facing Setbacks + Overcoming criticism of peers
08:20 Words of wisdom for founders
10:18 How did UCF help when starting your business?
12:34 Utilizing community & mentorship when creating a business
13:45 How do you keep your morale high in stressful times?
15:08 How do you build a business brick by brick despite restraints?
17:01 What sacrifices must you make juggling a full time job and your business?
18:30 What was the shift from student founder to employed founder like?
20:10 How would you have started your business if you knew what you know now?
22:44 How do you combat a “grindset” mindset?
24:21 The mindset & skills of an entrepreneur + Improving your communication
26:58 Teaching kids: It’s harder than it looks!
27:52 Learning to ask for help: A crucial skill for a founder
28:20 What have you learned from founding your business + How do you continue to grow?
30:02 Concluding Thoughts
31:16 Outro: Thank you for Listening!

🔗 Connect with Us
🌐 Website: https://nexusatucf.wixsite.com/nexus-at-ucf
💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nexusatucf
📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/nexusatucf
🎵 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@nexusatucf
▶️ More episodes: https://youtube.com/@nexusatucf
🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.

🔗 Connect with UCF
🏛️ College of Business Website: https://business.ucf.edu/
📊 College of Business on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/ucf-college-of-business/posts/?feedView=all

🌐 UCF Website: https://www.ucf.edu/
💼 UCF on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-central-florida/posts/?feedView=all

📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay connected to the future of business.

In this episode of Nexus at UCF, host Natalie Broadhurst sits down with Patricio Cuesta, a founder, executive mentor and keynote speaker to explore how neuroscience, emotional regulation, and AI intersect to shape the future of leadership and business. Drawing from decades of executive experience, this conversation breaks down how understanding the brain can unlock better decision-making, stronger teams, and long-term relevance in a rapidly evolving workplace.

From managing emotions under pressure to leveraging AI as a tool rather than a threat, this episode dives deep into innovation, self-awareness, and the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence. Listeners will gain actionable insights on future-proofing their careers, leading with intention, and becoming 1% better every week through neuroscience-backed habits.

⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Teaser
0:28 – Welcome to Nexus + Meet Patricio Cuesta
1:54 – Interest in Neuroscience and AI
3:13 – Material on this topic
3:45 – Parts of the brain and how they work
5:12 – How neuroscience connects with business
5:50 – Nerodiversity changes leadership
7:15 – 7 neuroscience hacks to boost your career
8:52 – Danger of pseudoscience
9:09 – Neuroplacisity
10:06 – How to gain and maximize leadership and management skills
11:15 – Helping employees learn these skills
12:15 – Problems with AI in the workplace
13:29 – Staying relevant and fulfilled in an AI world
14:45 – AI helping humans become better
16:36 – Control what you can control
17:07 – Being in control of our emotions
18:40 – People are skeptical of his ideas
19:49 – Challenging moment in his career
22:00 – Achieving small goals
23:00 – Teaching things that can be done tomorrow
25:30 – Connecting neuroscience and AI to the workplace
27:05 – Experience as a mentor at UCF and Blackstone LaunchPad
28:03 – Fulfilling moments
29:00 – The importance of self-awareness
30:12 – Outro – Thank you for listening!

🔗 Connect with Us
🌐 Website: https://nexusatucf.wixsite.com/nexus-at-ucf
💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nexusatucf
📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/nexusatucf
🎵 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@nexusatucf
▶️ More episodes: https://youtube.com/@nexusatucf
🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.

🔗 Connect with UCF
🏛️ College of Business Website: https://business.ucf.edu/
📊 College of Business on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/ucf-college-of-business/posts/?feedView=all

🌐 UCF Website: https://www.ucf.edu/
💼 UCF on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-central-florida/posts/?feedView=all

📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay connected to the future of business.

We apologize for the audio quality in this episode and appreciate your understanding.

#NexusatUCF #BusinessInnovation #Podcast #LeadershipDevelopment #AIinBusiness #Neuroscience #FutureOfWork #ProfessionalGrowth

What does it really take to become a great founder in today’s fast-changing business world?🌎 You’ll hear real insights from someone who’s lived it—both as a startup founder and as a venture capital deal team lead.

On this episode of Nexus at UCF, host Natalie Broadhurst sits down with Diego Rivera, a venture capital deal team lead at Capital Key Ventures and founder of Dr. Sports and Athletics, to explore what makes a great founder and how early-stage decision-making shapes the future of business. From resilience and adaptability to avoiding common startup mistakes, this conversation dives deep into innovation, leadership, and the evolving role of venture capital in today’s entrepreneurial landscape.

🔗 Connect with Us
🌐 Website: https://nexusatucf.wixsite.com/nexus-at-ucf
💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nexusatucf
📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/nexusatucf
🎵 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@nexusatucf
▶️ More episodes: https://youtube.com/@nexusatucf
🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.

🔗 Connect with UCF
🏛️ College of Business Website: https://business.ucf.edu/
📊 College of Business on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/ucf-college-of-business/posts/?feedView=all
🌐 UCF Website: https://www.ucf.edu/
💼 UCF on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-central-florida/posts/?feedView=all

📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay connected to the future of business.

#NexusatUCF #BusinessInnovation #Podcast #StartupMindset #FoundersJourney #VentureCapitalInsights #EntrepreneurLife #FutureOfBusiness

How do you build a culture that shapes tomorrow’s leaders? 🌱

In this episode of Nexus at UCF, host Natalie Broadhurst sits down with Dean Sheila of the Burnett Honors College and Dean Marty, Senior Associate Dean of the Burnett Honors College, to explore the culture within the College, how leadership influences student growth, and how community-driven environments mirror successful business cultures. From developing personal and professional skills to fostering collaborative and innovative spaces, this conversation dives into leadership, innovation, and the evolving role of organizational culture in shaping future business talent.

🔗 Connect with Us
🌐 Website: https://nexusatucf.wixsite.com/nexus-at-ucf
💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nexusatucf
📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/nexusatucf
🎵 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@nexusatucf
▶️ More episodes: https://youtube.com/@nexusatucf
🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.

🔗 Connect with UCF
🏛️ College of Business Website: https://business.ucf.edu/
📊 College of Business LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/ucf-college-of-business/posts/?feedView=all
⭐Burnett Honors College Website: https://honors.ucf.edu/
💫Burnett Honors College LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/burnett-honors-college/posts/?feedView=all
🌐 UCF Website: https://www.ucf.edu/
💼 UCF on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-central-florida/posts/?feedView=all

📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay connected to the future of business.

#NexusatUCF #BusinessInnovation #Podcast #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #FutureOfBusiness #HigherEducationLeaders #ProfessionalGrowth

How do creative marketing and branded experiences shape real-world connections in a digital age? ✨

In this episode of Nexus at UCF, host Dwayne Jones sits down with Dean Caravelis, CEO, author, and mentor, to explore how immersive brand experiences and creative campaigns are reshaping the future of business. From leveraging branded merchandise to spark connection to building authentic offline communities in a digital world, this conversation dives deep into innovation, leadership, and the evolving role of marketing and brand strategy.

🔗 Connect with Us
🌐 Website: https://nexusatucf.wixsite.com/nexus-at-ucf
💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nexusatucf
📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/nexusatucf
🎵 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@nexusatucf
▶️ More episodes: https://youtube.com/@nexusatucf
🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.

🔗 Connect with UCF
🏛️ College of Business Website: https://business.ucf.edu/
📊 College of Business on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/ucf-college-of-business/posts/?feedView=all

🌐 UCF Website: https://www.ucf.edu/
💼 UCF on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-central-florida/posts/?feedView=all

🔗 Connect with Dean
🌐 Blezoo Website: https://blezoo.com/
📖 Dean’s Book: https://a.co/d/cbyHaKO
🎵 Dean’s Mixtapes: https://www.mixcloud.com/graphtek/

📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay connected to the future of business.

#NexusatUCF #BusinessInnovation #Podcast #CreativeMarketing #BrandExperience #Entrepreneurship #UCFAlumni #HumanConnection #MarketingStrategy

What does it really take to bridge the gap between college and the real world? 🎓✨ In this inspiring conversation, we explore how academic learning can transform into business-ready thinking, and why hands-on experience, soft skills, and adaptability matter more than ever.

In this episode of Nexus at UCF, host Natalie Broadhurst sits down with Dr Christopher Leo, a business consultant, mentor, and associate lecturer at UCF’s College of Business, to explore how education and practical experience intersect to shape the future of business. From early work experience and the power of internships to AI, LinkedIn, and the evolution of business education, this conversation dives deep into innovation, leadership, and the evolving role of higher education.

🔗 Connect with Us
🌐 Website: https://nexusatucf.wixsite.com/nexus-at-ucf
💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nexusatucf
📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/nexusatucf
🎵 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@nexusatucf
▶️ More episodes: https://youtube.com/@nexusatucf
🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.

🔗 Connect with UCF
🏛️ College of Business Website: https://business.ucf.edu/
📊 College of Business on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/ucf-college-of-business/posts/?feedView=all

🌐 UCF Website: https://www.ucf.edu/
💼 UCF on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-central-florida/posts/?feedView=all

🔗 Connect with Christopher Leo
▶️ LeaderShrimp Scampi: https://www.youtube.com/@christopherleo8632

📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay connected to the future of business.

#NexusatUCF #BusinessInnovation #Podcast #Leadership #CareerDevelopment #UCFBusiness #FutureOfWork #AIinBusiness #Nexus

In this episode of Nexus at UCF, host Dwayne Jones sits down with Tim Fischer, CEO of ADA Lift Rentals of America and Southeast Elevator, to explore accessibility and how it’s shaping the future of business. From home elevators that allow people to age in place to ADA-compliant solutions for major sporting and music events, this conversation dives deep into innovation, leadership, and the evolving role of accessibility in creating inclusive experiences.

🔗 Connect with Us
🌐 Website: https://nexusatucf.wixsite.com/nexus-at-ucf
💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nexusatucf
📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/nexusatucf
🎵 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@nexusatucf
▶️ More episodes: https://youtube.com/@nexusatucf
🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.

🔗 Connect with UCF
🏛️ College of Business Website: https://business.ucf.edu/
📊 College of Business on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/ucf-college-of-business/posts/?feedView=all
🌐 UCF Website: https://www.ucf.edu/
💼 UCF on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-central-florida/posts/?feedView=all

🔗 Connect with Tim’s Businesses
🌐Southeast Elevator: https://seelevator.com/
🌐ADA Lift Rentals of America: https://adaliftrentals.com/

📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay connected to the future of business.

#NexusatUCF #Nexus #Podcast #Business #BusinessInnovation
#AccessibilityInBusiness #InclusiveDesign #FutureOfEvents #UniversalDesign #ADAInnovation