On this episode of the podcast, I talk with Wendy Wilsker, managing partner, with Boyden, an international executive search firm.  Our trend lines include:

• the current state of executive search;
• allyship for the Jewish community; and 
• understanding the executive search process. 

Website: https://www.boyden.com/

Bio
Since 1993, Wendy Wilsker has served the non-profit sector as a front-line fundraiser, consultant, executive recruiter and senior manager. Wendy is currently Managing Partner at Boyden, a global executive search firm. Prior to joining Boyden, Wendy Wilsker served as Chief Advancement Officer for Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Boston. From 2010 to 2014, Wendy served as a Search Director at Lindauer Global. Wendy has led Development Programs at Combined Jewish Philanthropies, American Jewish Committee, The Rashi School and Lahey Hospital.  Wendy and her husband Michael reside in Westborough, MA with their four children. Wendy is a proud alumna of the SI Newhouse School of Public Communication at Syracuse University. In her free time Wendy enjoys hiking, biking, travelling and riding her Peloton, #wendyhockeymom!

On this episode of the podcast, I talk with Steven Mezzacappa, author of Passion With Purpose.  Our trend lines include:

• go beyond living your passion…experience it ;
• struggles with depression and removing mental health stigma; and 
• understanding career and personal fulfillment. 

Special rate: Download his new book for .99 cents on Amazon

Website: http://www.passionwithpurpose.life/ 

Bio
Steven Mezzacappa is a  graduate of The Pennsylvania State University where he received a Bachelor of Architectural Engineering degree with a concentration in Construction Management. It was during his five years at Penn State that the vision for Passion With Purpose was born.

Thoughts for such an organization came to Steve as early as his freshman year. Seeing a college culture engulfed by peer pressure, and the immense challenges of authenticity faced by his peers, Steve dreamed of an organization one day being on campus that would give students the tools and atmosphere to be authentic and pursue their passions despite the overwhelming obstacles to do so while in college. It is here where the motto for Passion With Purpose originates – Semper Authentica – Always Authentic. 

On this episode of the podcast, I talk with Dr. Yonette Thomas of Strategic Transitions LLC.  Our trend lines include:

• when your career lightbulb flickers;
• incorporating all your passions; and 
• the ongoing social justice movement and push for equity in higher education.

Bio
Dr. Yonette Felicity Thomas is a globally acknowledged thought leader, urban health champion, and an advocate for valuing the health of women and girls as an economic imperative.  A social epidemiologist/medical sociologist, she founded UrbanHealth360, an NGO focused on the health of urban populations in the Global South and has served as the chief of Epidemiology in the NIDA/NIH, held academic positions at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Howard University, and as a vice president for research. Following her passion, she founded Strategic Transitions LLC to help individuals at all stages of their journey make strategic professional transitions while keeping their passion alive.  See more about Dr. Thomas’ work at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dryonettefthomas/.  As a founding board member of Women’s Economic Imperative (WEI), she leads the organization’s focus on the health of women and girls as an economic value. Her work as a board member of LVCT Health in Nairobi, Kenya, and as a global advisor for Evidence for Sustainable Human Development Systems in Africa (EVIHDAF) and the Centre for Urban Health and Development within the Asian Institute of Poverty Alleviation (CUHD-AIPA) extends her focus on the global south and the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals in this last decade. She is the Associate Editor for Women and Girls for Cities & Health.

Email: ythomas@yfthomasdr.com

Website: www.yonettethomasphd.com

LN: www.linkedin.com/in/dryonettefthomas/

Twitter: @YFThomasPhD

On this episode of the podcast, I talk with Dale Wright, Associate Dean of Advancement in the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois.  Our trend lines include:

• the transition from alumni relations to development and the tough decision to leave your alma mater;
• preparing young professionals for a career in advancement;
• helping Deans and academic leaders build their fundraising acumen; and 
• the ongoing social justice movement and push for equity in higher education.

On this episode, I talk with Lauren Hamilton, Associate Director of Student and Recent Alumni Programs at Boise State.

Trendlines include:

• the challenge of COVID,
• Student Engagement, and
• the CASE ASAP community.

This episode’s trend lines include:

• the impact of developing your team;
• launching a campaign during a pandemic; and
• and service to CASE.

Bio
Shaun Keister became UC Davis’ first vice chancellor for development and alumni relations in 2011 and functions as the campus’s chief development officer, leading a team of over 300, and president of the UC Davis Foundation. In his role as vice chancellor, Keister also serves on the Chancellor’s Leadership Council. He led UC Davis in completing its first comprehensive campaign raising more than $1.13 billion from 110,000 donors. He led the planning and recent execution of the university’s $2 billion Expect Greater campaign launch. 

Previously, Keister served in leadership development roles at Penn State, Florida State, and Iowa State. 

Keister is an active member of CASE, having both chaired and participated in many district, national, and international conferences. He is a recipient of the CASE Crystal Apple award in recognition of his outstanding performance at CASE international educational programs. Most recently, Keister has served on the CASE Philanthropy Commission.  

Keister has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Penn State and a master’s and doctoral degree in sociology from Iowa State.