More Elephant

We have finished the first season of the More Elephant podcast and while we build a few 'best of' podcasts to share with you, we are digging into the archive and reposting a few gems in their entirety. We are starting with our conversation with Melissa Romo, author of "Your Resource Is Human: How Empathetic Leadership Can Help Remote Teams Rise Above." As the role of remote work evolves, and we assess how to create more flexibility as our relationship with work changes, Melissa outlines the secrets of empathetic leadership, unveiling a roadmap for building thriving cultures and forging genuine connections in today's remote and hybrid workplaces. Melissa’s book has been lauded by workplace and leadership experts as “the book 21st century leaders and followers have been pining for.” We discuss the return to office movement, the need for remote work to be a valid option for some, highlight the importance of TRUST as a foundation for effective remote leadership, and Melissa's call for reflective evaluation of individual readiness for remote work and its benefits. #remotework #moreelephant #empatheticleadership #workthatmatters

In this episode of the More Elephant podcast, we engage in an insightful conversation with Alan Stein, the founder and CEO of Kadima Careers. Kadima is on a mission to level the playing field for underestimated talent by accelerating one million careers by 2040 by offering a framework, support, and practical advice for navigating corporate careers, developing relationships, and defining strategies for negotiating your worth. Listen in to discover insights on personal branding, career advancement, and earning your worth, as well as practical tips for leveraging LinkedIn, bypassing automated job filters, and mastering job negotiation strategies. You’ll hear about many facets of the Kadima experience, including K-Jam—the Kadima Job Acquisition Method—and the various coaching and support programs offered by Kadima Careers. Kadima translates as forward in Hebrew. This conversation focuses on helping anyone keen on moving their career forward confidently. Listen. Learn. Live. Better. #workthatmatters #moreelephant #knowyourworth #kadimacareers #career #managingyourcareer #selfimprovement #financialhealth

In this episode of the More Elephant Podcast, Lorna Kapusta, Head of Women and Engagement at Fidelity Investments, discusses the importance of financial planning and investing for women. The conversation discusses how often we leave behind the teaching of financial literacy and underappreciate the need for tailored solutions to meet women’s unique needs. Lorna candidly shares her journey, including anxiety and stress related to her lack of financial well-being earlier in life and the pivotal More Elephant moments that led her to her current role. We discuss the Women Talk Money program and the power of women supporting women in financial conversations, which has elevated in importance as a post-pandemic response to rethinking how we approach financial health. We align on the importance of financial education and empowerment for women. Lorna emphasizes the need for women to start somewhere and engage in myriad resources beyond Fidelity to begin saving, investing, and planning for the future. Listen, learn, live, better indeed! #workthatmatters #moreelephant #financialhealth #representation #fidelityinvestments

In this episode of the More Elephant podcast, we celebrate Pride month in the United States and continue our feature of highlighting great work by non-profit leaders and their teams. We talk with Jaymes Black, CEO of Family Equality, the leading non-profit focused on fighting to protect and support LGBTQ+ families. Jaymes shares their journey from corporate America to leading Family Equality and being at the forefront of efforts to elevate the stories of LGBTQ+ families while continuing to give voice and challenge discriminatory efforts to delegitimize the community. They highlight the importance of storytelling, community collaboration, and the role of joy and hope in advocacy work while stressing the increasing importance of collaboration and partnership within the LGBTQ+ community to address discrimination and inequality. Listen in to gain insight into the transformative efforts of Family Equality, a beacon of hope in the ongoing fight for equal rights and representation for all LGBTQ+ families. Learn how you can be an ally in the journey. #workthatmatter #familyequality #moreelephant #lgbtq #pride #activelistening #representationmatters

In this edition of the More Elephant podcast, we delve into the incredible journey of GRAMMY® Award-winning bassoonist Monica Ellis, one of the driving forces behind the renowned Imani Winds Quintet. Monica's story is a testament to the transformative power of music, from her roots in Pittsburgh to her time at Oberlin and Julliard, leading to the global recognition of Imani Winds. The episode sheds light on the groundbreaking impact of the quintet, revolutionizing wind music and reshaping perceptions of how Black chamber music is seen and heard. They have become a beacon of change in the classical music scene and a national treasure. Their 2024 GRAMMY® win for 'Passion for Bach and Coltrane' showcases their musical prowess. Furthermore, their educational initiatives through the Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival and Foundation are shaping the future of classical music. As a mark of their impact, the quintet holds a permanent presence in the classical music section of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. Monica's journey exemplifies resilience, faith, and the profound influence of music on individuals and communities alike. Explore the inspiring narrative behind this beacon of change in classical music. #workthatmatters #moreelephant #classicalmusic #representation

Committed to driving tech towards sustainable social change for our most vulnerable communities, moving our world small steps closer to justice, Veronica Juarez joined the latest More Elephant podcast to share her origin story and journey to becoming a seed stage investor, most interested in tech companies founded by Latinx entrepreneurs in the areas of B2B SaaS, Marketplaces, and Fintech solutions through her company, Dahlia VC. Listen and learn more at moreelephant.com.

In the latest episode of the More Elephant podcast, we dive into the world of venture capital funding for Latinx entrepreneurs. Our guest, Veronica Juarez, Founder of Dahlia VC, shares her journey from a political career to her mission of addressing the underrepresentation of Latino entrepreneurs in the venture space. Veronica's early-stage venture capital fund focuses on supporting seed-stage tech companies that specialize in B2B enterprise software, marketplaces, and FinTech solutions for the Latinx market. The discussion sheds light on the impact of inherent biases in capital allocation, the importance of creating wealth and opportunities for Latinx communities, and the role of specialized venture funds in driving social change and economic justice. Join us as we explore the challenges and opportunities in the venture capital industry and how we can work towards a more equitable and inclusive future. #workthatmatters #latinxentrepreneurs #venturecapital #representation #moreelephant

In this latest episode of the More Elephant podcast, we are in conversation with Evan Leaphart, Founder of Kredit Academy, and Mike Gross, COO and Head of Education, who join us to discuss the team’s journey from Kiddie Kredit, a mobile app designed to educate children on the credit system by completing chores, to Kredit Academy, a solution and approach dedicated to equipping teens and young adults with the knowledge and tools for optimal credit health. In 2023, the team was awarded a $1 million investment from the 43North startup competition to continue the movement toward a financially literate future, creating an opportunity for the next generation to embrace credit management with confidence and wisdom. From their personal journey of friendship and entrepreneurship over many years to relocating to Buffalo after winning the 43 North investment, Evan and Mike share how Kredit Academy aims to make financial education accessible and engaging. Focusing on education, behavioral change, and community engagement, they discuss the broader implications of their work on generational wealth and financial well-being. As we listen, learn, live, better on More Elephant, Evan and Mike are great examples of how an idea can change lives and build pathways to durable financial health. #workthatmatters #moreelephant #financialhealth #financialeducation #literacy #whencreditworks #themoreyouknow #ideas #leadership #representation

As we continue the More Elephant conversations with founders and, more specifically, about how we put more people on a path to financial well-being, financial literacy is vital to provide empowerment and durable financial freedom. Education is the foundation upon which financial literacy stands. It starts with teaching our kids the value of money, the importance of saving, and the power of compound interest. By breaking down complex concepts into relatable and engaging lessons, we can transform how people view and handle money. Financial literacy is not just about money; it’s about life, our dreams, and our legacy. In a world where financial literacy is more crucial than ever, Kredit Academy emerges as a practical idea and beacon of hope for the younger generation. Read more about the power of financial literacy and Kredit Academy in the latest blog post, and listen to the upcoming More Elephant conversation with their team next week, wherever you get your podcasts. #workthatmetters #moreelephant #kreditacademy #financialliteracy

We're back after a brief Spring Break in NYC surviving earthquakes and rain! In our newest podcast, we delve into a conversation with Byron Slosar, the CEO and Founder of hellohive. hellohive, a virtual recruiting platform that secured $3.4 million in Series A funding earlier this year, is committed to connecting next-gen talent to companies with a significant diversity and inclusivity lens, making everyone feel valued and integral to the recruitment process. Byron shares how the platform facilitates self-identification and self-expression for students and recent graduates. hellohive allows corporations to find talent and understand them better, enabling a more humanized interaction throughout the recruiting process. He shares his founder story, how it’s a full circle moment that connects many of the talents he had built throughout his life journey and includes a stop-off at the circus. As with many founders, he talks about the challenges building a business brings while raising a son and how he has learned to embrace his perceived weaknesses and turn them into a source of strength and grit. We are buzzing from this conversation and know that you will 'bee' too! #changeagents #workthatmatters #moreelephant #representationmatters #careers #development #diversity #inclusion #originstory #founderstory #entrepreneurs #hellohive