Lisa Williams spent her career across three consulting firms, and her path wasn't a straight line either: she touched recruiting, comp, and employee relations before landing on what she actually loved, coaching and leadership development.
Every week, Courtney (a former Fortune 500 SVP and Head of HR) sits down with senior leaders, executives, and career trailblazers to pull back the curtain on what really happens when talent gets assessed, careers get made, and promotions get decided
Latest Episode:
“It’s Not the Title, It’s What You Did”: Chris Lynch on Dotted Lines, Keeping It Real, and Asking for Help
Chris Lynch spent 13 years at Bank of America before moving on to Sony, PayPal, and now US Bank, where he leads credit and lending work at a national level. He and I unpack how he navigated dotted-line reporting, why “keeping it real” earned him more trust than a polished corporate persona, and why asking for help is an executive-level skill. We also get into the boss who told him he wanted him to apply just so he could turn him down, and why Chris was promised director three times, crushed the job each time, and still learned it’s not the title, it’s what you did. A warm, honest conversation about results, demeanor, and leaving the mask behind.
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE
Why Your Best Work Is Keeping You Stuck and What To Do When You're At a Career Plateau - Solo Episode with Courtney
Courtney breaks down why high performers stall at mid-career, the difference between being a top performer and being seen as high potential, and the shifts that move you into executive-level roles.
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"You Always Know More Than You Think": Shari Chernack on Imposter Syndrome, Empire Builders, and Redefining Executive Presence
Shari Chernack is a two-time Chief People Officer with a career spanning Deloitte, Dell, and Korn Ferry. She and I unpack why you always know more and less than you think, and why she can’t stand the phrase “executive presence.”
"Running Toward, Not Away": Darrell Fincher-Crusan on Sponsorship, Self-Reflection, and Staying Relevant
Darrell is a former Head of HR at Octapharma Plasma and a recovering people pleaser. He and I unpack the difference between a mentor and a sponsor, and the question that's reframed every career pivot he's made since: running away, or running toward?
 "Introvert, But Promoted Anyway": Mandy Wong on Trust, Self-Mastery, and Reading the Room
Mandy Wong is a Director at Canada Post who spent years convinced her introversion was holding her back. She and I unpack the trust equation she learned in corporate, and why she believes "executive presence" is really just presence, full stop.
"You Get What You Work For": Ben Brooks on Standing Out, Being Indispensable, and Getting What You Ask For
Ben Brooks rose from Lockheed Martin to VP and SVP of HR in his late 20s without ever taking a single HR class, proving along the way that wanting something badly enough only matters if you're willing to prove it.
"From Garbage Truck to Fleet Director": Michelle Martin on Blockers, Self-Belief, and Building Relational Capital
Michelle started her career as a temp garbage collector, and rose to Director of Fleet Maintenance at a massive multinational environmental services company, proving to herself along the way that a senior leader's doubt didn't have to be the final word.
Your Brand Isn't a Tagline": Lisa Williams on Perception, Sponsors, and Letting Go of Outcomes
"From Covering to Belonging": Richard Hinton on Identity, Trust, and Learning to Lead as Yourself
Richard Hinton spent 16 years rising through the ranks at one company, from HR coordinator to Head of HR, and his path wasn't easy: covering who he really was for years, until a moment in 2020 made him stop and ask who he was underneath it all.
"No Is a Complete Sentence": Denise Moss on Grit, Boundaries, and Building Your Own Path
Denise Moss went from bank teller to VP of HR, and her path wasn't a straight line: married at 17, a mom at 18, she rebuilt her career more than once and spent years stuck at the director level before figuring out what actually moves the needle.
Michael Kubit on Executive Presence, Trust, and Letting Go of Control
Michael Kubit went from hotel maintenance to CIO at some of the largest universities in the country, and he's got strong opinions on what actually makes a leader. A grounded, no-jargon conversation from someone who took the non-traditional road to the top.
"Don't Take the Butter": What Executive Presence Actually Looks Like with Kacy Wickenhouser
Kacy went from staffing welders to Chief HR Officer at a Fortune 500 energy company. She and Courtney unpack the trust jar, the "don't take the butter" rule, and why you're always auditioning for your next promotion.
From Art to Tech Leadership: A Journey of Courage, Growth, and Authenticity With Lauren Newton
Lauren went from art school to Head of People at Facebook and Medium. She shares the time a manager nearly blocked her promotion over one pushback, and how her network fought for her in that room.
From Hollywood Extra to HR Leader: The Power of Storytelling With Patrick Sutton
Patrick went from teenage actor (yes, cast in A Time to Kill) to HR leader who's mentored talent at hyper-growth startups. He and Courtney get into the 60-second elevator pitch, why "unicorns" burn out but legends last, and how reading the room comes down to the first pitch you throw.
Unlocking Authenticity and Resilience in Your Career with Colleen Lauria
Colleen went from performing perfection in HR to embracing her full self, mental health and all, as her biggest professional asset. She and Courtney get into why executive presence is really about resonance, the three skills that never go out of style, and why "am I in the right place" beats "why am I not getting promoted."
