In this episode of The Cleary Mind[s] Podcast, host Tom Egan sits down with Donna Oser, President and CEO of the Michigan Society of Association Executives, for a conversation about leadership, entrepreneurship, career growth, and the power of education. Donna reflects on her journey through nonprofit management and association leadership, sharing how her passion for helping others grow, solving organizational challenges, and leading through governance has shaped her career.

Throughout the episode, Donna emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurship as a mindset—not just for starting businesses, but for approaching challenges with curiosity, creativity, and resilience. She encourages students and young professionals to gain as much experience as possible, communicate clearly about their goals and needs, and make themselves indispensable within their organizations by leaning into opportunities and supporting their teams.

Donna also opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome as the first person in her family to attend college and eventually earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees later in life. She shares how higher education transformed not only her career trajectory, but also her family’s future—creating a path that inspired her children to pursue advanced education and intentionally shape the lifestyles they wanted for themselves.

The conversation closes with thoughtful advice for students about networking, building confidence, embracing failure as part of growth, and never assuming that college or career advancement is out of reach. Donna’s story is an inspiring reminder that success is built through persistence, continuous learning, and the willingness to keep evolving personally and professionally.

In this episode of The Cleary Mind[s] Podcast, host Tom Egan sits down with Carrie Barber, CEO of Dawn Food Products, a fifth-generation family business and global leader in bakery manufacturing and distribution. Carrie shares the story behind Dawn’s 105-year legacy, its people-first culture, and how the company’s mission of being a “partner for business success” drives every aspect of the organization.

Throughout the conversation, Carrie discusses the importance of company culture, leadership, and customer relationships. She explains Dawn’s “Circle of Excellence” philosophy, where team members, collaboration, innovation, and customer success all work together to create a competitive advantage. She also shares how Dawn intentionally keeps its culture alive through daily recognition, storytelling, and encouraging employees to “catch people living the culture.”

Carrie reflects on her own career journey—from growing up around the family business and realizing at age 12 that leadership is fundamentally about helping people solve problems, to building confidence by working outside the family company before eventually returning to Dawn. She offers practical advice for students and young professionals about goal-setting, embracing career detours, stepping outside comfort zones, and understanding that career growth is not always vertical.

The episode also explores work-life integration, mentorship, networking, and the importance of being fully present wherever you are. Carrie emphasizes that true growth comes from stretching yourself, surrounding yourself with talented people, and building strong relationships both personally and professionally. It’s an inspiring conversation filled with thoughtful leadership insights, personal stories, and practical wisdom for anyone building a career or leading a team.

In this episode of The Cleary Mind[s] Podcast, host Tom Egan sits down Brian Berry, VP of Key Accounts at Total Security Solutions in Fowlerville. Brian's career has been built around growth, leadership, and creating opportunities for others - from scaling organizations and leading international business operations to earning an MBA later in life, the conversation explores what it truly means to build a successful and meaningful career.

The episode dives into powerful lessons on leadership, personal branding, networking, and career development. Listeners will hear practical advice on “raising your hand” for opportunities, creating career options through continued education, and understanding the importance of “life balance” rather than just “work-life balance.” The guest also shares impactful personal stories about mentorship, leadership compassion, and how experiences—from international business challenges to family hardships—helped shape his leadership philosophy.

Throughout the discussion, students and young professionals are encouraged to think beyond titles and salaries, focusing instead on relationships, discipline, communication, and authenticity. The episode highlights the importance of protecting your personal brand in the digital world, learning from experienced mentors, and understanding that true success often comes from helping others grow alongside you.

The conversation closes with a reminder that perfection doesn’t exist, setbacks are part of every journey, and growth comes from facing challenges head-on. It’s an inspiring and practical episode filled with real-world insights for anyone looking to lead, grow, and create more opportunities in both career and life.