Colonel Merryl Tengesdal (ret), born in 1971 in The Bronx, New York, is a trailblazer in the field of aviation and a symbol of perseverance and excellence. She is notably recognized as the first and only African American woman to pilot the U-2 “Dragon Lady,” a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft in the United States Air Force. Her journey to this remarkable achievement began with a degree in electrical engineering from the University of New Haven, where she was one of only three women in her program and actively participated in basketball and ROTC. Merryl’s military career started in the Navy as a commissioned officer after graduating from Officer Candidate School in 1994. She excelled as a Naval Aviator, piloting the SH-60B Seahawk Helicopter and serving in various global locations, including the Middle East, South America, and the Caribbean. Her transition to the Air Force marked a historic moment as she became the only Black woman to fly the U-2 spy plane, accumulating over 1,000 flight hours and participating in critical reconnaissance missions worldwide. To know more about Merryl visit her website: www.merryltengesdal.com

Chris Schembra, a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, keynote speaker, and one of the leading voices on the power of gratitude and human connection in the workplace. In a world where over half the workforce feels lonely and nearly 8 out of 10 people are disengaged at work, Chris offers a radical but refreshingly simple idea: the key to thriving isn’t pushing people harder, it’s helping them feel seen, appreciated, and connected. He’s the creator of the 7:47 Gratitude Experience™, a framework used by hundreds of companies like Google, Microsoft, IBM, Dell, Citi, and even the U.S. Navy to build trust, deepen relationships, and create cultures of belonging. Over the past decade, Chris has facilitated more than 750 transformative experiences, helping thousands of professionals slow down, reconnect, and rediscover what truly matters. Known as “The Gratitude Guru” by USA Today, Chris is also the author of Gratitude and Pasta and Gratitude Through Hard Times. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Good Morning America, Forbes, Fast Company, and more, and he serves on the Executive Board at Fast Company and as a Founding Member of the Rolling Stone Culture Council. Whether through a question, a story, or a plate of pasta, Chris’s mission is clear: to help people unlock human potential, one meaningful moment at a time. To know more about Chris visit his website: www.chrisschembra.com

Scott Jacoby is a Grammy Award-winning Writer, Producer, Engineer, Mixer, Musician and Recording Artist. His work – spanning all media and virtually every genre of music – has garnered awards, graced platinum-selling albums and topped charts throughout the world. John Legend, Coldplay, Vampire Weekend, Sia, Jason Mraz, Janelle Monae, Pink, Aloe Blacc, Natasha Bedingfield, Moses Sumney, Laura Izibor, Stormzy, Ty Dolla Sign, Rachel Platten, Jose James, Rozzi, Vanessa Hudgens, Fabolous, Jackie Evancho, SZA, Allen Stone, Chimene Badi, Naturally 7, Son Little, Ronnie Spector and Cory Henry are a few of his diverse and notable collaborations. An acclaimed Composer, Scott has scored and engineered award-winning feature-length films (New Worlds: The Cradle of Civilization, The Immigrant, My Last Day Without You), documentaries (Frontline’s Policing The Police, CNBC’s Escape From Havana, Doped – The Dirty Side of Sports), television shows (Keeping Up With The Kardashians, The Shield, Book Of Pooh), and national television commercials (Old Navy, Oscar De La Renta, Jansport) for the world’s leading studios, film-makers and brands. Scott is the Founder/President of EUSONIA – a family of progressive music industry enterprises which includes a state-of-the-art recording studio in Manhattan (Eusonia Records), an independent record label featuring Grammy-winning and nominated artists (Eusonia Studios), and a world-class recording equipment company (Eusonia Audio). Scott is also the CEO of his production company, SCOJAC Music Productions. To know more about Scott visit his website: Scott Jacoby is a Grammy Award-winning Writer, Producer, Engineer, Mixer, Musician and Recording Artist. His work – spanning all media and virtually every genre of music – has garnered awards, graced platinum-selling albums and topped charts throughout the world. John Legend, Coldplay, Vampire Weekend, Sia, Jason Mraz, Janelle Monae, Pink, Aloe Blacc, Natasha Bedingfield, Moses Sumney, Laura Izibor, Stormzy, Ty Dolla Sign, Rachel Platten, Jose James, Rozzi, Vanessa Hudgens, Fabolous, Jackie Evancho, SZA, Allen Stone, Chimene Badi, Naturally 7, Son Little, Ronnie Spector and Cory Henry are a few of his diverse and notable collaborations. An acclaimed Composer, Scott has scored and engineered award-winning feature-length films (New Worlds: The Cradle of Civilization, The Immigrant, My Last Day Without You), documentaries (Frontline’s Policing The Police, CNBC’s Escape From Havana, Doped – The Dirty Side of Sports), television shows (Keeping Up With The Kardashians, The Shield, Book Of Pooh), and national television commercials (Old Navy, Oscar De La Renta, Jansport) for the world’s leading studios, film-makers and brands. Scott is the Founder/President of EUSONIA – a family of progressive music industry enterprises which includes a state-of-the-art recording studio in Manhattan (Eusonia Records), an independent record label featuring Grammy-winning and nominated artists (Eusonia Studios), and a world-class recording equipment company (Eusonia Audio). Scott is also the CEO of his production company, SCOJAC Music Productions. Website: www.scojac.com www.cantinuummusic.com

Keren Eldad (“Coach Keren”) is a top executive coach helping high achievers—from Olympic athletes to Fortune 500 leaders—reach extraordinary success. As the bestselling author of GILDED: Break Free From the Cage of Ambition, Perfectionism, and the Relentless Pursuit of More, she challenges ambitious individuals to redefine success on their own terms. As the founder of THE CLUB, Keren empowers high performers to unlock their full potential. Recognized as a Top Ten Executive Coach by the ICF, Real Leaders Magazine, and Goop, she holds advanced degrees from The London School of Economics and the University of Jerusalem. A former C-suite executive with experience in 17 countries, she coaches in English, Spanish, Hebrew, and French. With over 500,000 TEDx views and a global speaking presence, Keren’s insights inspire leaders worldwide. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, Ryan, and their beloved pets. To know more about Keren visit her website and socials: Website - https://kereneldad.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachkeren Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/coachkeren Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coached-with-coach-keren/id1467079024

Riley Tejcek, a native of Carmel, Indiana, grew up with a passion for sports from the moment she could walk. She went on to play Division I softball at George Washington University, earning a degree in Political Science before commissioning into the United States Marine Corps. Today, Riley is a pilot with Team USA Bobsled and an Olympic hopeful for 2026. In her very first international competition, she captured two bronze medals in the North American Cup and has since competed in back-to-back World Championships. Her journey continues as she trains with determination to represent the United States on the world’s biggest stage. To know more about Riley visit her socials: Instagram: @riley.tejcek LinkedIn: @Riley Tejcek

Pamela Levine, most recently serving as the CEO of Manduka (leading yoga brand), has a long tenure in the health and wellness space with over 25+ years in brand leadership in consumer goods. After early years in technology consulting, she pivoted her career and went back for her Masters in Sport Management landing her in sales management for global sport product companies such as Saucony and Quiksilver. Over the years, she has been lucky enough to lead best in class brands in sport and the health & wellness lifestyle ranging from $50M to $250M. She most enjoys growing beloved community driven brands for both short-term performance and long-term growth. She has also been consistently a member of senior management teams for both public and private companies including serving on Board of Directors during her tenure. She is a proud University of Massachusetts Amherst alum with both a Masters degree in Sports Management Masters (2001) and an Undergraduate degree in Mathematics alongside a Japanese minor. She is also a UMass Student Athlete alum where she played Tennis from 1990-1994, including successfully leading a Title IX correctional action to reinstate four Women’s teams at the University, including her tennis team, including needed financial resources. Golf was introduced (and taught) to her during her Graduate program and has served as a key networking tool in her career to this day. Originally from New Jersey (no accent, but a huge fan of NY sports), she spent many years in New England / Boston and is now based in Los Angeles, CA where she avidly plays tennis and golf with her family and friends. To know more about Pamela visit her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelawlevine/

Denise Brown, MD, has over three decades of experience as a physician, CEO, and Chief Strategy Officer. She is a transformation leader who helps women in business learn how to prioritize and avoid stress and burnout. A thought leader in self-care for working women, Brown is a graduate of The University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine, with training at Stanford and Vanderbilt. She resides in Austin, TX with her husband and children. Linkedin: @denisesbrownmd Instagram: thefairygoddoctor To know more about Denise visit her website: www.denisesbrownmd.com

Dr. Dre bio: Dr. Andrea Mata, PhD, is on a mission to throat-punch the mental health crisis and equip people with the tools they need to take control of their lives. Statistically, she shouldn’t be where she is today—growing up as the daughter of a Mexican immigrant in a gang-infested neighborhood on the Southside of Chicago. But Dr. Mata transformed her challenging upbringing into a source of strength, inspiring resilience in families, businesses, and communities nationwide. With advanced degrees from Valparaiso University and Kent State University, Dr. Mata founded BrightSpot Families and partnered with the Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Toledo. Her direct, relatable approach offers actionable strategies for navigating mental health challenges and creating lasting change. To know more about Andrea visit her website & socials: https://www.drdremata.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdremata/ https://www.youtube.com/@drdremata Podcast Sponsor: Summit Leadership Group Summit Leadership Group transforms organizations by developing bold, agile leaders who inspire performance and lead with purpose. Through tailored coaching and immersive training, we ignite lasting growth where it matters most—at the intersection of people, culture, and results. https://www.summitleadershipgroup.com/

Our guest today has been called a “soothing gut punch.” Rachel Druckenmiller brings the perfect mix of warmth and wake-up call that sticks with you long after the mic drops. She’s a TEDx speaker, singer-songwriter, and award-winning entrepreneur who spent 13 years as a corporate HR leader before founding UNMUTED in 2019. Rachel’s worked with leaders at Deloitte, Citizens Bank, and Sherwin-Williams, helping thousands of people step up, say YES, and show up fully at work and in the world. Named one of Forbes' Next1000 honorees, a 40 Under 40 Game Changer by Workforce Magazine, and a Best of the Stage Speaker by Smart Meetings, Rachel is known for reigniting the human spirit at work and helping people become their bravest, boldest, most UNMUTED selves. She married her college sweetheart, never turns down a dance party, and will absolutely steal the mic at karaoke. Connect with her on LinkedIn, Spotify, and on her website www.RachelDruckenmiller.com. Social Media Links: - Website: www.RachelDruckenmiller.com - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelbdruckenmiller/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unmutedlife/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/racheldruckenmiller - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0u42nNEz1pAsJsoEcDkTvA?si=43gptFwPRtGbHh5pxFH6xQ

Paul Ollinger quit his job at Facebook to chase his comedy dream. (Don’t ever do that.) This highly unprofitable decision has allowed him to headline major clubs like Carolines on Broadway, Cobbs (SF), and Zanies (Nashville and Chicago). He has performed at the Hollywood Improv and Comedy Cellar, and headlined his own show in the 2024 New York Comedy Festival. Paul is the host of the Reasonably Happy podcast, on which he explores the connection between money, happiness, work, and meaning in conversations with some of the world’s most interesting people. Previous guests include LL COOL J, Deepak Chopra, Judd Apatow, Paul Shaffer, and winners of the Nobel Prize, Heisman Trophy, and Olympic gold medals. He has just published a collection of essays, also titled Reasonably Happy, in which he shares humorous, thoughtful, and sometimes touching insights from over 200 of these interviews. Podcast Sponsor: Summit Leadership Group Summit Leadership Group transforms organizations by developing bold, agile leaders who inspire performance and lead with purpose. Through tailored coaching and immersive training, we ignite lasting growth where it matters most—at the intersection of people, culture, and results. To know more about Paul visit his website: www.paulollinger.com

Joe served as MD and Senior Partner at BCG. In The Generous Leader, Joe shares a performance review: He was told he was not the best at problem-solving solo; but with others, he could solve any challenge. His manager identified his key strength - a person who could connect. Joe spent 37 years with BCG, co-founded the Washington DC office, led office systems, started BCG’s NA Public Sector business, led BCG North America, founded and chaired BCG’s Center for Inclusion and Equity. Joe earned his BA from Whitman College, MBA from HBS. Joe is currently serving his second term as Whitman’s Board Chair. Joe has been married to Sarah for over 40 years, has four children, eight grandchildren. To know more about Joe visit his website: www.joedavis.com

Jenner Marcucci is the founder of Summit Leadership Group. He has extensive expertise in the areas of leadership development, sales training, communication skills, and executive team development. Most recently, Jenner served as Vice President, Learning & Development for Catalina Marketing – $600M company specializing in personalized digital media. Prior to that, Jenner worked for16 years at Pfizer Inc. in sales, key accounts, sales training, sales management, operations and leadership development. Jenner was instrumental in creating, launching, and implementing Pfizer’s worldwide leadership development strategy. Pfizer was recognized as the number one training company in the world for three consecutive years with a field force of 15,000 in the US. Jenner holds a BS in International Business and Spanish from Brigham Young University. He served a 2 year volunteer mission in Madrid Spain. He is fluent in Spanish and has conducted multi-lingual training in Spanish, Italian, Japanese, German, and French. His international clients are diverse and include those from Japan, Mexico, UK, Italy, Germany, France, Denmark, Switzerland, Russia and Australia. His favorite career is being a husband and fathe to five children and three grandchildren. Currently his wife Meridith has placed him on a performance improvement plan. Podcast Sponsor: Summit Leadership Group Summit Leadership Group transforms organizations by developing bold, agile leaders who inspire performance and lead with purpose. Through tailored coaching and immersive training, we ignite lasting growth where it matters most—at the intersection of people, culture, and results. To know more about Jenner visit his website: www.summitleadershipgroup.com

In this two-part series, we sit down with the man behind the rise of Destiny’s Child, and the father of global icon Beyoncé, to unpack the business decisions, leadership principles, and unapologetic boldness that took a dream from Houston, Texas to the world stage. Dr. Mathew Knowles is a powerhouse in both the boardroom and the classroom. Before the music, he was shattering records at Xerox, consistently ranked in the top 5% of sales professionals nationwide. That high-performance mindset laid the foundation for what would become Music World Entertainment, a global music and media conglomerate under his leadership. As founder, CEO, and executive producer, Dr. Knowles shaped the careers of Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé, Solange Knowles, and other Grammy Award-winning artists. He’s credited with over 450 million records sold, multiple Billboard and MTV accolades, and pioneering some of the most strategic brand partnerships in entertainment. Today, Dr. Knowles is a sought-after keynote speaker, author, college professor, and global thought leader in leadership, branding, entrepreneurship, and the future of the music industry. He holds degrees in Economics and Business Administration from Fisk University and has taught at institutions including Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M. He’s the author of 6 books, including: The DNA of Achievers: 10 Traits of Highly Successful Professionals Racism From the Eyes of a Child The Emancipation of Slaves Through Music Public Relations and Branding 101 for Musicians Destiny’s Child: The Untold Story The DNA of Achievers: Volume 2 – Business and Life Lessons from Mathew Knowles In Part 1, we explore his leap from corporate to culture-shaper — what it took to build a business around Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child, and the mindset that fueled every strategic decision. In Part 2, we continue the journey into his evolution as an educator, speaker, and advocate — and what modern leaders can learn from his decades of navigating high-stakes industries with precision and vision. Whether you’re a sales leader, entrepreneur, artist, or executive — this conversation will challenge your thinking and spark your ambition. To know more about Mathew visit his website: www.mathewknowles.com

In this two-part series, we sit down with the man behind the rise of Destiny’s Child, and the father of global icon Beyoncé, to unpack the business decisions, leadership principles, and unapologetic boldness that took a dream from Houston, Texas to the world stage. Dr. Mathew Knowles is a powerhouse in both the boardroom and the classroom. Before the music, he was shattering records at Xerox, consistently ranked in the top 5% of sales professionals nationwide. That high-performance mindset laid the foundation for what would become Music World Entertainment, a global music and media conglomerate under his leadership. As founder, CEO, and executive producer, Dr. Knowles shaped the careers of Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé, Solange Knowles, and other Grammy Award-winning artists. He’s credited with over 450 million records sold, multiple Billboard and MTV accolades, and pioneering some of the most strategic brand partnerships in entertainment. Today, Dr. Knowles is a sought-after keynote speaker, author, college professor, and global thought leader in leadership, branding, entrepreneurship, and the future of the music industry. He holds degrees in Economics and Business Administration from Fisk University and has taught at institutions including Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M. He’s the author of 6 books, including: The DNA of Achievers: 10 Traits of Highly Successful Professionals Racism From the Eyes of a Child The Emancipation of Slaves Through Music Public Relations and Branding 101 for Musicians Destiny’s Child: The Untold Story The DNA of Achievers: Volume 2 – Business and Life Lessons from Mathew Knowles In Part 1, we explore his leap from corporate to culture-shaper — what it took to build a business around Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child, and the mindset that fueled every strategic decision. In Part 2, we continue the journey into his evolution as an educator, speaker, and advocate — and what modern leaders can learn from his decades of navigating high-stakes industries with precision and vision. Whether you’re a sales leader, entrepreneur, artist, or executive — this conversation will challenge your thinking and spark your ambition. To know more about Mathew visit his website: www.mathewknowles.com

Moe “The Closer” Allen—a firestarter, a disruptor, and the powerhouse founder & CEO of UpStatus Logistics LLC. Moe is on a mission to close the wealth gap for entrepreneurs—especially those underestimated by traditional lenders and underrepresented in rooms where decisions (and deals) are made. Through her work, she helps founders tap into non-personal capital, rewire their beliefs about money, and build businesses with true staying power. She’s not here to coddle. She’s here to change the game. Over the past eight years, Moe has helped thousands of clients ditch the self-funding grind and shift into smarter, scalable financing strategies. Her sessions and keynotes are a mix of financial expertise, mindset transformation, and unapologetic truth-telling. She’s part credit strategist, part business therapist, and all-in on your success. On Instagram, she’s known as @moethecloser, where she’s not shy about dropping bombs like: “Banks don’t care about your dream.” “Stop using your own money for every deal.” “You don’t have a money problem—you have a strategy problem.” To know more about Moe visit her website: www.moethecloser.com

Michael Stutts is the Chief Brand Officer at Dollar Shave Club, the OG viral direct-to-consumer razor company that changed an entire industry. Michael’s job is to keep the fire of the brand, grow the omnichannel customer base, and drive innovation to bring new products and categories to market. Before Dollar Shave Club, Michael held executive roles in Marketing, Digital, and Information Technology at Azamara Cruises and Bloomin Brands, Inc. Prior to his industry roles, Michael was a Managing Director and Partner at the Boston Consulting Group focused on Consumer Industries, Private Equity, and Marketing & Sales practice areas. Michael serves on the Board of Directors of Birdcall, a regional chain of fast casual restaurants. He also serves on the Writing and Learning Center Advisory Board at his alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Michael received his MBA from The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. When not selling razors or chicken sandwiches, you’ll likely find Michael traveling the world to see concerts or to North Carolina to watch his beloved Tar Heels and Panthers. To know more about Michael visit his socials: Instagram: @mstutts Linkedin: @michaelstutts

Adam House Sr. is the visionary founder of the House of Bricks, a comprehensive platform for entrepreneurs that integrates Advisory, Community, and Academy. As a 7x entrepreneur with three high-multiple exits,a podcast host, and former pro basketball player, Adam leverages over 25 years of experience to empower entrepreneurs. His mission is to significantly reduce the failure rate of startups and small businesses by providing the tools, support, and strategic guidance necessary for sustainable success. Adam’s leadership combines strategic insight with deep personal values, honed through his unique experiences, including serving as Chaplain for the Miami Heat. Adam House’s approach to entrepreneurship is grounded in the compound effect of consistent, disciplined actions. He emphasizes the power of doing small things every day, combined with unwavering discipline and accountability, to build lasting success. Adam views life’s experiences as bricks—each one can either weigh you down or be set down to build a solid foundation. His blend of faith-driven leadership, strategic insight, and practical experience makes him a compelling and impactful guest for podcasts focused on entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal growth. To know more about Adam visit his website: www.houseofbricks.io

Mickey Bergman is a two time nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize, a fringe diplomat, CEO of Global Reach, a best selling Author, regular contributor to the NY Times, the Washington Post, Huff Post, The Boston Globe and numerous other well known publications. He is a gentleman, an outlier and an influencing force in some of the most well known hostage negotiations which you will hear about today. Mickey Bergman is the CEO of Global Reach, a non-governmental, non-profit organization that negotiates the release of political prisoners and hostages around the world. With over 18 years in various aspects of strategic diplomacy, Mickey coined the term Fringe Diplomacy to describe the new field he is forging, an innovative discipline exploring the space in international relations just beyond the boundaries of States and Governments’ capacity and authority. He manages relationships and private diplomacy efforts in North Korea, Cuba, Myanmar, Russia, Iran, Gaza, Venezuela and Africa. Nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize (2019 & 2023) alongside former Governor Bill Richardson; Mickey has led his teams at Global Reach and the Richardson Center to facilitate the release of more political prisoners than any other organization. Prior to his work with Global Reach, Mickey was Vice President and Executive Director of the Richardson Center for Global Engagement; Executive Director of the Global Alliances Program at the Aspen Institute; is a professor at Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, where he teaches about emotional intelligence in international relations, and was consultant to the Clinton Global Initiative. Mickey’s book, IN THE SHADOWS; True Stories of High-Stakes Negotiations to Free Americans Captured Abroad, came out in June 2024. He has also published numerous articles and opinion pieces in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, Foreign Policy Online, and HuffPost.He was recently honored with the 2023 James W. Foley Legacy Foundation American Hostage Freedom Award and serves on the Center for Strategic and International Studies Commission on Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention. Mickey is a native of Tel Aviv and former combat officer in the Israel Defense Forces. He holds a master’s degree in foreign service from Georgetown University. To know more about Mickey visit his socials: Instagram: @Mickey.Bergman X: @mickeybergman

Kathy Love is a certified self-care coach, 2x TEDx speaker, and bestselling author of My Self-Care Sh*t: The Workbook*. With over a decade of experience in wellness, leadership, and coaching, she helps —stop the people-pleasing and start reclaiming energy, time, and peace. Known for her bold yet compassionate approach, Kathy combines practical tools with deep mindset work to help clients break patterns of burnout, codependency, and chronic overgiving. She brings clarity, humor, and hard-won wisdom to every session, guiding people back to themselves with radical honesty and unwavering support. Her signature programs and workshops offer simple, sustainable self-care strategies that don’t require expensive spa days—just a willingness to pause, breathe, and get your self-care sh*t together. To know more about Kathy visit her website: www.kathyleckey.com www.myselfcareshit.com

Shola Richards is the CEO and Founder of Go Together Global®, the best-selling author of the award-winning book Civil Unity, and he is leading a worldwide movement to change the world based on how we treat each other at work. His tireless international efforts to make the world a kinder place from San Juan to Singapore have earned him the well-deserved nickname, “Brother Teresa”. As a speaker, Shola has shared his transformative leadership message with major media outlets such as the TODAY Show and CBS This Morning, with Fortune 500 companies such as Google and Microsoft, and in his greatest honor to date, in September 2021, he was invited to testify in front of the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill to share his expert recommendations on how to bring more civility to Congress (he’ll be the first to tell you that they could use a refresher course.) To know more about Shola visit his website: www.sholarichards.com