Welcome to the new episode of the MACE PODCAST!
I am so thrilled to welcome back Bonnie Low Kramen from the United States!
Bonnie is a leader instructor in the admin profession and she runs her workshop, "Be the ultimate assistant" workshop where she brings her insights and experience to help people level up and be the strategic business partners they aim to be.
Bonnie is not only a trainer and a friend, she's a mentor and she's the author of STAFF MATTERS, the book she wrote back in 2023 where she addresses the issues of the workplace bringing solutions to build the ultimate workplace, in which the people want to work.
She made also a TedxTalk titled - "The Real reasons people quit" - so Bonnie is a real Expert when it comes to building the new workplace.
We are going to discuss amazing topics:
- Why is so important showing up with our true total self?
- Why Authenticity is so vital in these last days?
- Is it always right to compromise ourselves to accept what we have around and where is the limit when accepting and compromising with what we have around us?
- Why is reputation and networking so important in this job market?
Enjoy our conversation and stay tuned!
MM
Welcome to this new episode of the MACE PODCAST!
My new guest comes from the United States: Steven Puri!
Steven is the Founder and CEO of The Sukha Company with the mission to help millions of people find their focus, achieve more and have a healthy work life.
Steven's career started as a newscaster/interviewer for the #1 youth news show in theDC/Baltimore market (on WTTG-TV) and then as a junior software engineer & Thomas J.
He began working in film production and produced computer-generated visual effects for 14 movies including Independence Day which won the Academy Award for Visual Effects.
Steven then produced some indie films and eventually went studio-side to develop and producelive-action features as a VP of Development & Production at 20th Century Fox (running the DieHard and Wolverine franchises) and an EVP at DreamWorks Pictures for Kurtzman-OrciProductions where he worked on Star Trek, Transformers and more.
After Fox, Steven returned to building tech companies and founded The Sukha Company -‘sukha’ means ‘happiness from self-fulfillment’ in Sanskrit. T
he Sukha is a focus app thatbundles all the tools necessary to have a focused experience and a healthy, productive workday.
Being a Leader with 20+ years of experience in teams and people management, I discuss with Steven the Leadership styles, techniques and nuances that matter in this new hybrid workplace and that can help Leaders manage their teams effectively in a dynamic and changing business world
Stay tuned!
MM
** The Sukha Company website: https://www.thesukha.co/
Hello everyone and welcome to this new episode of the MACE PODCAST!
We are focusing today on Talent Acquisition and HR with my new guest coming from the United States: Mitch McDermott. Mitch McDermott is a purpose-driven executive and Founding Partner of Talent Ascension Group, an executive search firm redefining how talent meets opportunity. Mitch brings a dynamic blend of entrepreneurial spirit, global perspective, and a deep commitment to meaningful impact across the talent acquisition landscape. With over a decade of experience, Mitch has built a career centered around unlocking potential—both in individuals and in the organizations they serve. At the core of Mitch’s leadership philosophy is a belief in progress: progress for people, teams, and the future of work. His background reflects the same forward-thinking mindset that defines his work today—an ability to see potential where others may see limits, and a commitment to bringing that vision to life.
Empowering teams. Elevating careers. Shaping the future of work. Mitch McDermott stands at the intersection of purpose and performance, offering more than just executive search—he delivers transformation.
- Where is the intersection with AI and technology when thinking about the transformation we're seeing in the Talent acquisition landscape?
- Which are the trends and the updates in 2025 and beyond? for leaders and executives working in a new workplace?
- How can the potential be unlocked in individuals and how can this approach make the difference in the hiring process?
- With the workplace broken, how can talent acquisition contribute to restore it?
Enjoy our conversation and stay tuned!
Welcome to the new episode of the MACE PODCAST!
My new guest comes from the United States, Tara May.
Tara May is a leader in the movement for neurodiversity inthe workplace. She is CEO of Aspiritech, a revolutionary tech company that employs more than 100 autistic adults representing more than 90% of its team.Tara advocates for neurodiversity and she is a speaker championing embracing neurodiversity, mental health, and most of all, kindness, in the workplace.Tara spent more than 20 years in the corporate media space as a visionary, charismatic leader who transforms legacy organizations into thriving, future-focused digital properties.
In her career in media and tech, Tara has masterfully revolutionized companies by leading cultural shifts, innovating new products and introducing new technology to result in dramatic revenue growth.Tara is equally known for being an empowering leader, fostering high-performing teams through a positive, data-driven work environment that encouragesindividual career growth, collaboration and constant innovation.
Tara lives in Chicago with her husband and teens and tweens. Tara is the proud mother of an autistic preteen and is dedicated to championing and embracing neurodiversityin both life and work.
We will speak about Neurodiversity and the impact of technology in the business workplace:
1) Why is Neurodiversity a science today so important?
2) Where is the intersection between Neuroscience DE&I?
3) AI and Humans: Neuroscience definitely touchesthis actual debate where AI and Humans work together for a better future. How is the connection between the human sphere and the AI a growing momentum in 2025 and beyond?
Enjoy our conversation and stay tuned!
MM
Hello Everyone and welcome to this new episode of the MACE PODCAST!
I am excited to share this epsiode that we recorded live from Milan at the Italian - German Chamber of Commerce (AHK) having Diana Brandl as a special guest, with the collaboration of Irene Linguari (Assistenti dalla A alla Z) and Carla Stefanut who collaborated with me to organize this amazing initiative.
Diana is an author, a coach and an international speakerthat helps EA and Admin professionals to grow in their careers and master critical skills in the Admin role.
Diana has a strong background in Communications and is a dynamic networker. She continuously supports the role of the management assistant by speaking at internationalevents and publishing various articles in Germany and abroad focussing on Digital Transformation, Personal Branding, Strategic Networking, Mentoring,Diversity and Social Media. Diana writes her own blog The Socialista Projects and is influencing the industry with her creative initiatives such as launching the hashtag #WeAreInThisTogether.
In this episode we are going to focus on Goal Settings, Performance and Career management, with Diana sharing tip and tricks that can help us set up strategic goals and connect them with our career.
- How can we connect strategic goals with career progression? Where is the intersection to let our goals help us move on in our career?
- What are some practical KPIs that we can measure to make sure our goals are aligned and set up well?
- How can EAs and Admin Professionals be successful in setting up strategic goals with Leaders that are not valuing the role as we expect?
Enjoy our conversation and stay tuned!
MM
Welcome to the new episode of the MACE PODCAST!
Today's episode is special as I have a special guest joining me from the United States: Victoria Hill
Victoria has 15+ years of experience in the human resources marketplace. She is skilled in all aspects of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I), Leadership Development and HumanResources Management. Her focus is the human experience and building inclusive relationships. Victoria is currently working as the Sr. Director of Global Diversityand Social Impact for Advanced Group.
Victoria also facilitates Neurodiversity, Conscious Inclusion, Interview Bias, Bystander Intervention, Building Inclusive Relationships, and many other DE&I trainings for her organization as well as external partners. Victoria and her team develop diversity programs to promote unbiased decision-making while creating a safe space for employees to thrive.
We are going to speak about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion broadly, from strategy to leadership.
- Where is the Intersection with Mental Health and DE&I?
- Why thousands of professional are speaking about Mental Health and why do we have an entire month dedicated to it?
- Which is the new leadership reacting to the challenges DE&I has in the new workplace?
- Why speaking about Mental Health is more than a simple conversation?
Enjoy our conversation and stay tuned!
Welcome to this new episode of the MACE PODCAST!
Our stop is Italy and my new guest is Cinzia Zanin.
In 2015 Cinzia landed her job at Fondazione Fiera Milano, and today she is Coordinator of Accademia Fiera Milano, educational centre for the exhibition and event industry.
Cinzia has worked with more than 300 millennial and gen z students that enrolled in Accademia Fiera Milano courses to become one day Exhibition and Event managers. She supports their path since the very beginning and follows their first steps into their new careers. Her job gives her the unique opportunity to observe all the changes next gen talents are going through from a privileged position.
I met Cinzia when I coordinated with her and my friend Carla Stefanut the event in Accademia Fiera Milano with Bonnie Low Kramen, in October 2024. You can find the recording of this event/episode in the MACE PODCAST library, but I was invited again by Cinzia to speak to the master PROGEA, organized and hosted by Accademia Fiera Milano, where I shared my experience, my background and my insights to almost 20 students attending the master.
It has been a great experience and the room was LIVE!
I invited Cinzia then to share more about the master PROGEA, which are the pillars and goals of the Master programme and what is this all about in the exhibitions and events' world?
Which are the things that students can now take on in order to develop their curiosity and shape their careers as professionals?
Which are the takeways from Bonnie Low Kramen's event and how this can have an impact on the future of these students?
Enjoy our conversation and stay tuned!
Welcome to the new episode of the MACE PODCAST!
Our stop are the United States with my new guest: Rob Lion!
Rob Lion is a dynamic professor of human resource development at Idaho State University and the co-founder of Black River Performance Management, where his motto is "Work should fuel the spirit, not drain it." With over 20 years of experience in leadership, organizational development, and performance improvement, Rob is renowned for his innovative, people-first approach.
Holding a PhD in Training and Performance Improvement, he specializes in creating human-centric systems that drive growth and success within organizations. Rob leverages his deep understanding of human behavior and workplace psychology to simplify leadership complexities, equipping clients with science-backed strategies to enhance organizational culture and strengthen teams.
As a captivating speaker, Rob brings complex ideas to life with relatable stories, humor, and infectious energy. He has been featured on numerous podcasts, authored several academic papers, and is celebrated for bridging research with real-world practice.
We are going to touch base on amazing topics such as:
- Leadership: which are the most critical skills to be a better leader in this workplace?
- Working environments: Hybrid vs in Person vs proximity. Which model can help leaders to adapt to the changes our workplace is bringing to us?
- AI and the the power of connection vs the human touch as differentiator
- Business speed after, during and before the pandemic: the busyness and its consequences
Link to Black River PM: https://blackriverpm.com/
Stay tuned!
Welcome to this new episode of the MACE PODCAST!
This is a special episode with a special guest: Bonnie Low-Kramen from the USA.
We continue the pathway started last month in the second season of the MACE PODCSAT which ethos is that thousands are the stories but there is #OneHeart beating in the MACE PODCAST.
I dedicated this episode to a celebration occuring this month and that brought me two years ago, when Bonnie Low Kramen joint me in February 2023 to release the episode for her book launch, STAFF MATTERS.
Two years later, I catch up with Bonnie on the trends and updates we've seen and we focus on 4 key topics:
- Leadership: Which is the role that Leaders play when building the new workplace? Data show that lack of leadership is still of the main issue and concern from the staff, all over the world
- People: the Staff is the backbone of the companies but why people leave or stay in an organization? Which are the drivers that move the people taking those decisions? Bonnie made a TedTalk on this matter, the link is below for reference.
- The Sweet Spot: The ideal place where people would like to be and feel
- 2025 Trends: AI (Artificial Intelligence), Technology and the people: Humans matter and that's what data show when talking to people dealing with the technology
Enjoy our conversation and stay tuned!
Link of the former episode made with Bonnie in February 2023: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7B5BohIfPVFGADtRjBApgU?si=0QRp12miSE-my4PM8QHkng
TedxTalk by Bonnie Low Kramen: "The real reasons people Quit" - https://youtu.be/UHdoxXtOLss?si=uPu5uMK92fo_gP0f
Welcome to this new episode for of the MACE PODCAST!
So excited to kick off the new season with a new, fresh LOGO that the MACE PODCAST has from this year. A new LOGO but same ethos: Many stories but #OneHeart beating in the MACE PODCAST, the heart that is passionate about the stories, the experiences and the insights shared by all the guests.
And how exciting starting January 2025 with this episode where I invited the amazing Joan Burge, from the USA.
Joan Burge is known as the pioneer of the administrative training industry. Joan is an accomplished author, professional speaker, consultant, and corporate trainer.
Joan dedicated herself to inspiring excellence and encouraging administrative professionals to reach for the stars! Her company, Office Dynamics International, is a global industry leader that offers a broad range of solutions and provides high-performance, sophisticated executive and administrative assistant training and coaching Joan has authored four groundbreaking books for administrative professionals including the Amazon Best Seller Who Took My Pen …Again? Secrets from Dynamic Executive Assistants and Her administrative-career “bibles” entitled Become an Inner Circle Assistant and Underneath It All.
We will discuss interesting topics such as:
- Business partnership: how can the partnership be strategic for admin professional when working with Leaders and Executives?
- Communication in Style.. with Style: Which are the communication styles we need to encounter when being effective interacting with others?
- AI and Technology: Which is the role AI is taking in our workplace?
- Reset, refocus, recenter: A process to set things right. What is this all about?
Stay tuned!
Joan Burge website (Office Dynamics International) :
https://officedynamics.com/
Communication in Style, with Style article:
https://officedynamics.com/communicating-in-style-with-style-post/
I am excited to invite for a second time Chiara Invernizzi, from Italy!
Chiara holds a master degree in Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology.
She has 16 years of experience in the CRO branch in various roles mainly related to site contracts including as a Contracts Specialist, Lead, Manager as well as Director. Prior to joining the CRO industry, Chiara worked for 3 years in pre-clinical research and communication/contracts and investor relation in a small Italian biotech company.
Chiara’s passion for excellence in client management and effectiveness in completing negotiations rapidly as well as a natural focus on metrics and analytics have always been traits that distinguished her work and approach tonSite Contracts.
I made a former episode with Chiara earlier this year and we discussed Site Contracting and the trends we were seeing in 2023 and beyond at that time.
Now we are catching up with what we'd left to explore what's new and what's has changed.
- What are the trends and the updates in 2024 and beyond in the pharma industry from SSU and Site contracting point of view?
- Which is the so called "Site Centricity" when approaching sites in SSU? Which is the role that networks and partnerships play in the clinical trials dynamics and progress?
- Payments: how we can make them seamless for sites across the studies?
- AI and Technology: which is the impact they have in the SSU and Site contracting?
Enjoy our conversation and stay tuned!
MM.
This episode is entirely focused on Talent Acquisition and HR and I am happy to welcome, again, my guest: Mariusz Stokowacki from UK.
Mariusz was born in Poland and he moved to UK where he was able to build his career as talent acquisition professional, with more than 20 years of professional work experience that includes 15 years in pharmaceutical recruitment and sales environment.
He Worked with leading staffing firms within life sciences, at world’s leading CROs supporting stakeholders across all levels . Also, he is a qualified Professional Performance Coach supporting those who want to make a change in their career or develop personally.
We explore the new trends on TA from what we've left in 2023 and what we've seen in 2024 and beyond.
- How can companies retain the talents within their organizations? Which are the trends and what can be done better?
- How can young talents enter into the pharma industry and which steps they can take to make this step seamless?
- Which is the role of Technology and AI (Artificial Intelligence) in the TA world in 2024 and beyond?
Enjoy our conversation and check the former episode in the MACE PODCAST library!
MM.
Welcome to this new episode of the MACE PODCAST!
This is a very special episode as I recorded this live in Milan with Bonnie Low Kramen!
Bonnie is a leader training instructor of workshops for Admin Professionals and Executives and she is the author of the book titled "Staff Matters", launced in February 2023.
Bonnie travels the world to share her experiences and insights and in 2024 she is visiting Europe to present her book.
I was honored to invite Bonnie to record the episode at Accademia Fiera Milano, the place in Milan where the episode was hosted, collaborating with Carla Stefanut to make this event happen.
Accademia Fiera Milano is the training center of Fondazione Fiera Milano. Its aim is to create new professional figures for the exhibition, congress, and event industry and it has pursued for over twenty years through its master’s courses for young talents.
- Which is the role that Admin professionals play in the new workplace?
- Which are the trends in the post-pandemic world and how Admin professionals can face them?
- Which is the perception of the role around the world and why we see a paradox behind it?
- How can Admin professionals - but also ALL OF US - challenge the status quo and build the ultimate workplace?
Enjoy our conversation, happened live with an audience attending made up by Top Assistants and HR Professionals working in Milan!
Bonnie's Articles
- Harvard Business review article
- TEDx talk: "The Real Reasons people quit" with Bonnie Low Kramen
About Accademia Fiera Milano
The third edition of the Master of Arts in Event and Exhibition Design will start in January 2025. In collaboration with Scuola Politecnica di Design and Teesside University, MEED teaches the design thinking approach to understand and translate the needs of clients and stakeholders into innovative exhibition and event formats.
Accademia Home - Accademia Fiera Milano
MEED Event management & Design Course - Master Meed
... Did you know that amazing pathways cross always TWICE?
That's true, and that is why I am meeting again the wonderful Diana Brandl!
Diana is an international key note speaker, she is a trainer and she spends her time teaching admin professionals to be strategic business partners when working with Managers and Leaders across companies and organizations.
She has more than 15 years of experience as Admin professional and now she runs her own business, delivering training sessions and programs for multinational companies to educate and train admins and staff to work strategically and effectively in hybrid working environments.
She published different articles in Germany and abroad, focusing on Leadership, Personal Branding, Technology, Communication, Digital Skills, themes that we covered also during our conversation.
I met already Diana last year and our former episode is available in the MACE PODCAST library.
Check it out and listen to our new one where we catch up on amazing topics such us the trends we see across the Admin professional field in 2024 and beyond, AI, Technology, Leadership and how to grow in remote and hybrid workplace!
Enjoy our conversation!
MM.
Welcome to this episode of the MACE PODCAST!
This is a special episode as I have two guests joining me at the same time: Angela Lane and Sergey Gorbatov!
Angela Lane and Sergey Gorbatov work and write about the complex science of human performance, while making it simple. Both are practicing senior executives in talent management, leveraging Fortune 500 experience and gained across four continents.
Angela and Sergey equip leaders with practical tools for success. They are researchers, regular contributors to leading publications and the authors of influential books: 'Fair Talk: Three Steps to Powerful Feedback' and 'Move Up or Move On: 10 Secrets to Develop Your Career.' (Link: https://www.amazon.com/Move-Up-Secrets-Develop-Career/dp/1292730307).
They own the Leverage Point Podcast where they share episodes focused on Career Management: https://theleveragepoint.podbean.com/
They are also founding members of the Center for Feedback Culture at the VU University Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
In this episode we will focus entirely on Career Management. Career advancement and Success, sharing amazing insights and suggestions on how you can own your career, navigate the change and explore new horizons in the career landscape we see after the pandemic.
- How can we deal with career advancement, breaks, changes, uncertainty?
- How should we future proof our careers through continues self-development and learning?
- What determines career success in the business worlds where careers and advancement are not linear anymore?
Stay tuned!
MM
Welcome to this new episode of the MACE PODCAST.
Our next stop are the United States with my new guests, Jeffrey Emile.
Jeff is the Founder and CEO of Lynk, a platform created to enhance the human and digital experience for companies and organizations, aiming to foster the DE&I and ERG culture in the new workplace. Jeff kickstarted his career at General Motors at the age of 21. He honed his leadership skills by spearheading Product teams in the Global Sales, Marketing, and Customer Experience Division for multiple years. When the pandemic changed the way companies operated, Jeff recognized a gap in workplace connection among distributed and remote teams that would only continue to evolve and opted to invest his efforts in building Lynk.
- How the DE&I culture is important for companies and organizations nowadays and which is the connection with the ERGs?
- How ERGs can make the difference in the workplace?
- Which are the trends for 2024 and beyod for DE&I and the ERG landscape?
These are the questions we address in our conversation.
Stay tuned!
See you soon
M.
*** A Special (Audio) Letter to... ***
Happy anniversary My dear PODCAST!
Yes, the MACE PODCAST is 2 years old right now, and I am so happy to celebrate this anniversary with all of you, the special audience, the network and the guests who have contributed to make this podcast so valuable.
Many are stories, but only One is the Heart: that’s the ethos of the MACE PODCAST, the stories that you bring and the unique heart that beats for us and in us, for what matters.
So let’s keep on getting together, let’s keep on finding our WHY, let’s keep on sharing what is ok and what is not, as is within the network the power we need to face the new challenges we have.
Thanks as always for your great support and as always, I wrap up with my favourite quote, that some of you already know, some may not:
PEOPLE WHO SHINE FROM WITHIN DO NOT NEED THE SPOTLIGHT.
The WHY is our light: keep shining from within, as we may be the future lighthouse that people around us may need.
Yours truly,
Marco
Hello Everyone and welcome to this special episode of the MACE PODCAST!
This episode will cross over the ones previously made as the MACE PODCAST is now LIVE also with VIDEO streaming, available on YOUTUBE and on the podcast platform. Hope you enjoy it!
Our stop is DUBAI in the UNITED Arab Emirates, meeting the special guest, Roshel Jayasundera.
Roshel Jayasundera is an experienced leader in healthcare management, blending her expertise in consulting, leadership, and commercial acumen to champion patient-centric solutions worldwide. Her persistent commitment to transformative change has impacted patients across emerging markets, reshaping the landscape of healthcare access and affordability.
As a trusted consultant to 20 of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, Roshel has spearheaded initiatives that bridge the gap between patients and innovative treatments. Her strategic guidance has not only optimized pricing and market access strategies but has also fostered a culture of collaboration and growth within her teams. Roshel's dedication to patient-centricity is evident in every facet of her work, from devising comprehensive commercial strategies to nurturing diverse consulting teams across Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia, with her insights featured in top industry publications.
- How DE&I topics can shape the culture within the organisation?
- How Women can make the difference in their way and style of leading?
- Which are the trends we're seeing in the industry? Which role is playing DUBAI and UAE in 2024 and beyond?
These are the topics we're going to discuss! Thanks and please, enjoy our conversation!
MM
Welcome to this new episode of the MACE PODCAST! My new guest is Mirko Minenza from Czech Republic. Mirko is a recruiter in the gaming industry and he was able to envision his passion in his career. Professionally speaking he is a Business Strategy Manager at Antal, an international recruitment firm, aiming to help videogaming companies hiring talents in Europe and US. Born in Rome, he got his Master’s degree in Economics at Romatre university. After that, he wanted to become a gaming Headhunter for two simple reasons: Firstly, for his passion and secondly, doing a job that brings a positive impact on people (improving personal and professional life). He started as a headhunter in Prague, working mostly in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Moving ahead is his career, he's currently leading a cross national team of recruiters in Czech Republic and Poland to support gaming companies hire cool people to create cool games. We will focus on Trends and emerging initiatives on talent acquisition in the gaming industry with a special focus on the young professionals who want to enter in the professional world.
Stay tuned!
