What happens when the people trying to change lives are working within systems that are holding them back?

In this episode of Worth the Work, host Jason Dana Costa sits down with Kris Salyards, Executive Director of The Bridge Youth & Family Services and Founder of Anchor Point Integrative Therapy, to explore the human side of nonprofit leadership, the power of trust, and what it really takes to build organizations that create lasting impact.

With more than 30 years of experience in social work, Kris shares how growing up in a family with 10 adopted siblings shaped her understanding of compassion, systemic challenges, and the importance of giving people the support they need to thrive.

Together, Jason and Kris discuss why struggling organizations often need better systems rather than better people, how leaders can navigate conflict without assigning blame, and why building trust within an organization is just as important as earning the trust of the communities it serves.

Kris also shares one of the most defining experiences of her career: leading a homeless youth organization through COVID-19 while launching a capital campaign to build a new shelter, despite being told the campaign wasn't feasible. The experience tested her resilience, challenged her understanding of leadership, and taught her a powerful lesson about the difference between owning a mission and being its steward.

The conversation also explores burnout, mentorship, the importance of clinical supervision, and why even the most dedicated leaders must recognize when it's time to step away.

At its heart, this episode asks a question every mission-driven leader should consider: How do you give everything you have to a mission without losing yourself in the process?

Whether you're leading a nonprofit, working in healthcare, supporting vulnerable communities, or building a purpose-driven organization, this conversation offers valuable lessons on leading with humility, strengthening systems, and remembering what makes the work worth doing.

Because great leadership isn't about making yourself indispensable. It's about building something that continues to make a difference long after you've moved on.

Great leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about creating opportunities, building trust, and knowing when to get out of the way.

In this episode of Worth the Work with Jason Dana Costa, Jason sits down with Dr. Dani Kimlinger, CEO and Partner of MINES and Associates, an international business psychology firm focused on behavioral health, organizational effectiveness, and employee well-being.

Dani shares how growing up with limited resources in Colorado and working at a homeless youth shelter shaped her commitment to helping people overcome barriers and access meaningful opportunities. She reflects on the mentors who helped her grow from a young professional into a CEO, and why confidence often comes after taking on difficult challenges, not before.

Together, Jason and Dani explore what it means to lead with humility, empower employees to take risks, and build resilient organizations without losing sight of their mission. Dani also opens up about navigating uncertainty surrounding federal funding, supporting employees through difficult transitions, and maintaining trust when leaders cannot promise all the answers.

The conversation also examines the future of behavioral healthcare, including the role of AI in improving access to services, the importance of peer support, and why meaningful innovation requires better integration rather than simply more solutions.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How early life experiences can shape a leader's purpose and values.
• Why great mentors build confidence through opportunities, not just encouragement.
• How recognizing your weaknesses can make your entire team stronger.
• What it takes to maintain employee trust during uncertainty and organizational change.
• Why leaders sometimes need to remove themselves as barriers to their team's success.
• How AI, partnerships, and evidence-based care are changing access to behavioral health services.
• Why protecting an organization's mission matters just as much as embracing innovation.

Whether you're leading a healthcare organization, managing a growing team, or working to create a healthier workplace, this conversation offers practical insights into building organizations where people feel supported, empowered, and motivated to do meaningful work.

Because leadership isn't just about growing an organization. It's about making the people and the work worth investing in.

What does it take to lead healthcare organizations through crisis, rising costs, workforce challenges, and constant pressure without losing sight of the people you serve?

In this episode of Worth the Work with Jason Dana Costa, Jason sits down with behavioral health executive Yonzetta Brook Tillman, PhD to explore the leadership lessons she has gained from decades of working across hospital and community-based healthcare systems.

Yonzetta shares how growing up with a strong sense of community shaped her approach to collaboration and leadership, and how early experiences in behavioral health helped develop her passion for strategic planning and public health.

She also reflects on leading through some of healthcare's most challenging moments, including 9/11 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Yonzetta explains why preparation, reliable communication, leadership presence, and trusted relationships are critical when teams are operating under intense pressure.

The conversation also explores the financial realities of healthcare leadership. Yonzetta discusses how organizations can reduce waste, improve workflows, use technology effectively, strengthen workforce planning, and control costs while still protecting the quality and humanity of patient care.

Jason and Yonzetta also discuss recruitment, retention, burnout, resource management, and the importance of keeping the mission at the center of difficult operational decisions.

Ultimately, Yonzetta explains why the work remains worth doing: the moments when patients, families, and communities experience meaningful change because someone showed up to help.

This episode is a conversation about strategic leadership, resilience, operational excellence, and remembering the human impact behind every healthcare decision.