In this episode, Tim welcomes Kevin Chadwick, Chief Campus Officer at Northwest Mutual in Northern Virginia, for a fascinating conversation. Kevin shares a vivid journey of his professional and personal evolution, detailing his aspiration to coach the San Francisco 49ers for a week, reflecting his love for football and the value of teamwork. They discuss how his early career experiences, familial influences, and essential leadership lessons shaped his path, emphasizing the significance of personal and professional growth, mainly through challenging life events.

Kevin also shares stories of navigating his career from an intern to a leadership role, constantly driven by a mission to make an impact rather than merely an impression. He reflects on the guidance from his late father and brother, discussing the importance of core values, adaptability, and a supportive team.

To connect with Tim, visit: www.BonafideLeaders.com

Key Topics Discussed:

• Kevin Chadwick’s desire to coach the San Francisco 49ers for a week
• His football background and admiration for Jerry Rice.
• Kevin's career journey from an intern at Northwestern Mutual to chief campus officer
• Influences from his family, particularly his father, Adolphus, and his brother
• Leadership philosophy: "Make an impact, not an impression"
• Experiences and challenges in moving for career opportunities
• Importance of leadership in financial planning and community involvement.
• Personal anecdotes about Tim's and Kevin’s role as a mentor
• Ensuring growth as a leader and the impact of continuous learning

In this episode, Tim welcomes Dennis Cail, CEO and founder of Zirtue, a fintech company based in Dallas. Dennis discusses his entrepreneurial journey, from his decision to start the business in 2018 to its official launch in 2019. Highlighting the substantial lending and borrowing market among friends and family, Dennis explains how Zirtue formalizes these transactions with a platform that ensures funds are used as intended, emphasizing the importance of trust and compliance in fintech.

Dennis also shares his background, including military service and his transition to working at industry giants like IBM and PwC. He discusses the challenges of navigating regulatory landscapes, the significance of hiring experienced personnel, and the need for strong support systems. Alongside these professional insights, Dennis candidly discusses the balance between personal happiness and fulfilling financial responsibilities, managing stress, and the value of staying true to one's passions.

To connect with Tim, visit: www.BonafideLeaders.com

Key Topics Discussed:

• The decision to start the business in 2018
• The $200 billion lending market among friends and family
• Formalizing informal loans through a fintech platform
• Start-up challenges and regulatory landscape
• Importance of user acquisition and compliance
• Evolving fintech regulations
• Role of advisors and support systems
• Learning from mistakes
• Stress management and current stress level
• Importance of personal passion versus secure job
• Balancing day-to-day responsibilities with personal ambitions
• Hiring experienced personnel
• Role of family and community support in Dennis’s upbringing
• Career path from Navy to IBM and entrepreneurial ventures
• Addressing predatory lending practices
• Values and servant mindset influencing career decisions

In this episode, Tim welcomes Byron Sanders, CEO of Arete Health and former president of Big Thought. Byron shares his visionary approach to transforming the healthcare system through innovative insurance strategies to expand access to preventative care and cutting-edge biotech.

During their conversation, Byron explores the challenges and opportunities in reforming a system often driven by profit rather than health. He discusses his personal mission statement, emphasizing the importance of envisioning a fulfilling future that extends beyond material success. Byron’s diverse career trajectory—from pharmaceuticals to private banking, education, and nonprofit leadership—highlights his relentless pursuit of systemic change and equity.

Byron also opens up about his family's role in grounding him and shaping his mission. He shares personal anecdotes, such as his school years, his marriage to his long-time friend Celeste, and raising their two children. Together, Tim and Byron talk about the importance of developing a personal mission statement, fostering creativity in youth, and the responsibilities of leadership transitions.

To connect with Tim, visit: www.BonafideLeaders.com

Key Topics Discussed:

• Healthcare innovation through insurance strategies
• Expanding access to preventative care and biotech
• Shifting from "sick care" to true healthcare
• Challenges posed by insurance policies and FDA approval timelines
• Leveraging cost savings to improve employee health benefits
• Byron's journey from nonprofit leadership to healthcare
• Importance of personal mission statements
• Byron’s personal experiences and their impact on his leadership style
• The role of Big Thought in fostering youth creativity and skills
• Effective succession planning in leadership transitions

In this episode, Tim welcomes Justin Henry to talk about his journey from electrical engineering to law, education, and public service. They discuss the influential figures in Justin's life, including sports legend Jackie Robinson and his grandmother, who instilled resilience and determination in him. Justin shares the challenges he faced during his education and career, including disparities in educational opportunities and the decision to transition from a promising engineering career to joining Teach For America. This decision marked the beginning of his lifelong commitment to educational equity and community service.

Justin recounts his extensive career as a teacher and a corporate attorney, as well as his advisory roles at various organizations. He reflects on the personal costs and sacrifices inherent in leadership roles, the importance of mental health, and maintaining a balance between career and personal life.

To connect with Tim, visit: www.BonafideLeaders.com

Key Topics Discussed:

• Influential figures in Justin's life, including Jackie Robinson and his grandmother
• Educational disparities and challenges Justin faced at the University of Texas at Austin
• Career transition from electrical engineering to joining Teach For America
• Experiences and lessons learned as a middle school math teacher in Los Angeles
• Importance of educational equity and community service
• Leadership insights and personal costs of leadership roles
• Mental health and work-life balance strategies
• Impact of the Jackie Robinson Foundation on Justin's education and development
• Networking, building trust, and the significance of relationships in career success
• Justin's decision to run for the Dallas Independent School District Board of Trustees
• Reflections on authenticity and staying true to one's purpose

Tim talks to Ellen Barker, a seasoned professional and retired senior VP and CIO of Texas Instruments in this episode of Bonafide Leaders. Ellen shares her journey, highlighting her experiences with coaching, mentoring, and major career decisions post-retirement. She discusses the value of both internal and external mentors, focusing on how each provides unique insights crucial to professional growth. Ellen also reflects on her post-retirement transition, weighing personal commitments like family roles before deciding to join a publicly listed company board, driven by her desire for intellectual stimulation and impact.

Ellen and Tim also talk about pioneering her efforts in advocating for flexible work arrangements, particularly during a time when such practices were uncommon. She successfully negotiated a business plan for telecommuting to balance her professional and personal life, breaking conventional corporate norms. The episode also touches on Ellen's involvement in STEM initiatives, her unique career path, and her approach to managing stress and work-life integration.

To connect with Tim, visit: www.BonafideLeaders.com

Key Topics Discussed:

• Ellen Barker's experience with coaching
• Importance of internal and external mentors
• Career decisions post-retirement and joining a board
• Promoting flexible work arrangements
• Ellen's impact as Tim’s only female boss
• STEM initiatives and gender biases
• Career awareness and education for girls in STEM
• Ellen's approach to managing stress and work-life balance
• Overcoming career challenges and unexpected opportunities
• Relocation challenges and professional growth

In this episode, Tim welcomes Art L. George Jr., a celebrated leader with an illustrious career at Texas Instruments (TI). Art shares his unique journey from an early engineering role in Sherman, Texas, to becoming a pivotal figure in TI's analog and high-performance linear businesses. Despite facing personal and professional challenges, including a divorce and experiences with racial prejudice, Art's story is one of resilience and determination.

They discuss his strategic career moves, from managing smaller teams to overseeing central business units and eventually joining corporate boards. Art emphasizes the importance of asking for what you want, mentoring others, and the critical role of strong professional relationships. He also discusses scaling management techniques, maintaining work-life balance, and the influence of mentors in shaping his leadership path. He also gives powerful insights on navigating career challenges, fostering authentic leadership, and the power of mentorship.

To connect with Tim, visit: www.BonafideLeaders.com

Key Topics Discussed:

• Managing Precision Analog and Amplifiers and Interface (PAI) and its evolution
• The significance of taking lateral or backward steps for long-term career growth
• Personal challenges including navigating a divorce and the professional implications
• Strategies for handling personal crises in leadership roles
• Transition to a post-TI career with aspirations in public for-profit board service
• Why it is important to ask for what you want in life and get mentorship
• Managing complexity and scaling teams from smaller to larger business units
• The role of mentorship in Art’s Career
• Personal anecdotes about overcoming racial challenges in his career

Tim welcomes Derick Miller, Irving's Chief of Police to explore the important relationship between leadership, trust, and innovation in policing. They discuss the importance of aligning words with actions to build community trust and emphasize the need for innovation, discussing advances like AI in dispatch. Derick also shares a personal story illustrating the impact of effective emergency response, reinforcing his respect for emergency services.

The episode also tackles career transitions, focusing on maintaining motivation and effectiveness through different career stages. They offer insights into avoiding complacency and embracing challenges, emphasizing the importance of perspective, continuous learning, and compassion when faced with difficult decisions. They also discuss leadership development, the role of middle managers, and the strategic use of emerging technologies like drones and AI to meet the evolving needs of law enforcement.

To connect with Tim, visit: www.BonafideLeaders.com

Resources Mentioned:

- Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes by William Bridges

- The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins

- The Curve by Simon Sinek

Key Topics Discussed

• Leadership and Trust in Policing
• Innovation and Opportunities in Policing
• Career Transitions and Challenges
• Importance of Determination
• Self-Reflection and Improvement
• Middle Management Insights
• Community Engagement and Trust-Building
• Use of Technology in Policing
• Financial Management in Police Departments
• Balancing Professional and Personal Life in High-Profile Roles

Tim continues sharing his professional development story, talking about one of the most significant moves he made in his career. He discusses the pivotal moments and challenges he faced when transitioning from a finance-focused role to becoming a major division's head of finance and operations. This discussion unpacks the professional and personal hurdles, including regrets about initial relationship building, the impact of physical and logistical barriers, and the complexities of managing travel and remote work.

Discover how strategic decisions, cultural shifts, and relentless professional development helped him navigate through this demanding role. They also talk about the importance of having a reliable team, the nuances of cross-functional leadership, and how early decisions shaped his success. From systemic changes and managerial responsibilities to building trust and fostering team morale, this episode is packed with insights on effective leadership and personal growth.

This discussion is about the intricate dynamics of making significant career leaps and what it takes to thrive in the face of overwhelming challenges.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Looking back on finding ways to connect with and build better relationships with key stakeholders
• Physical barriers affecting casual communication and relationship-building
• Professional growth and the importance of learning from experiences
• Promoted to vice president and initial job struggles
• Relocation to California and its logistical and financial difficulties
• Navigating hiring and retention in a highly competitive job market in Silicon Valley
• Balancing professional demands with family responsibilities.
• Importance of reliable team members and fostering strong team dynamics.
• Personal struggles without a dedicated administrative assistant.
• Learning an expanded job role, including logistically planning events