In this episode of "Everyday Leaders Leading Exceptionally," I sit down with Taren Storrs, a remarkable leader from Michigan State University with nearly a decade in her role. Taryn's journey through higher education, particularly in admissions and alumni relations, has shaped her unique view on leadership far beyond traditional titles. We delve into her adventurous spirit, having traveled to over 50 countries with a goal to visit all continents and every U.S. state—only Australia and Alaska to go!

Taren shares her insightful perspectives on combating fear in leadership, the importance of motivation and inspiration, and how leadership qualities can thrive without formal titles. Her vivid analogy of "filling the cup" emphasizes the joy and unexpected rewards of investing in others. We discuss the significance of authentic connections, both in professional settings and community involvement, and the power of personalized support, such as recognizing and responding to individual needs.

A highlight in our conversation includes Taryn's advocacy for "practicing the pause," a powerful technique for thoughtful and genuine leadership. Her wisdom on career development, relationship-building, and self-acceptance offers invaluable advice for anyone aiming to lead exceptionally in their everyday life.


Connect with Taren:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarenstorrs/

Connect with Ashley:

Ashley Pattee's website: www.evokecs.com

Schedule a call with Ashley: https://calendly.com/evokecs

Connect with Ashley on IG: www.instagram.com/evokecoachingservices/

In this episode, I sit down with Annah Aschbrenner, Senior Deputy Campaign Editor at The Washington Post, to explore her strategies for managing a team and navigating the unpredictable world of political journalism.

Annah shares her insights on balancing reactive news coverage with planned tasks, the importance of maintaining a calm demeanor, and the critical role of self-care. We delve into her journey of personal and professional growth, from receiving mentorship to embracing feedback. Annah also discusses the challenges of high-stress reporting, integrating personal priorities into work, and leading with authenticity and empathy.

Tune in for a candid conversation on leading exceptionally amidst chaos.

Annah Aschbrenner’s Bio:

Annah is the senior deputy campaign editor at The Washington Post. In her role, she helps lead coverage of the 2024 presidential campaign as well as races for the senate, house, and state level campaigns. She previously was the post-congress editor covering the rise and fall of house speaker Kevin McCarthy and innumerable spending fights on the Hill. She started her career as an intern in her hometown in Muskegon, Michigan before taking a job at the Klamath Falls Herald and News in Oregon. She eventually moved to Iowa where, as a politics editor at the Des Moines Register, she directed coverage of the 2016 Iowa caucuses and the presidential election before becoming the news director. She then went on to be USA Today's elections editor for the 2020 campaign before becoming their White House, Congress, and National Politics editor. She's a proud Michigan State University graduate, go green, and lives in Virginia with her husband, son, and hound dog.

Connect with Annah:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/annahbackstrom

Website: https://www.washingtonpost.com

Connect with Ashley:

Ashley Pattee's website: www.evokecs.com

Schedule a call with Ashley: https://calendly.com/evokecs

Connect with Ashley on IG: www.instagram.com/evokecoachingservices/

In Episode 3 of "Everyday Leaders, Leading Exceptionally," I sit down with co-founders of iCOR Solutions, Frank Cox and Zack Pittman, to delve into the power of co-leadership and transparency in fostering team growth and trust. Zack shares his insights on recovering from setbacks and continuous improvement, while Frank emphasizes the value of clear communication, accountability, and mutual respect.

We discuss their journey from thriving careers at MarshBerry, to starting their own venture, the importance of ego management, and how they intentionally built a strong company culture that prioritizes learning and openness.

Join us for a conversation filled with practical leadership advice and techniques to improve your own leadership skills.

Frank Cox’s Bio:

As a Co-Founder of iCOR, Frank has a passion for growth and development, seeking to provide value on every interaction.

Prior to iCOR, Frank was the Senior Vice President of Management Consulting at MarshBerry, the nation's leading growth and advisory firm in the Insurance industry, with more than ten years of insurance sales experience and a track record for coaching, sales training, public speaking and senior executive management. Frank led a team that was focused on delivering management consultation and sales leadership to MarshBerry’s portfolio of insurance brokerage clients. ​

Prior to iCOR, Frank worked as USI’s Senior Vice President and Chief Sales Officer, which involved leading Property & Casualty (P&C) and Employee Benefits sales. His responsibilities also included senior operations management.

Frank holds both a P&C and Life & Health license and holds certifications in DiSC training and Professional Selling Skills. Frank earned his associate’s degree in business from Grand Rapids Community College and holds a bachelor’s of science in Business Management from Cornerstone University.

Zack Pittman’s Bio:

As a Co-Founder of iCOR, Zack has a passion for sales and operational improvement, focusing on the development and execution of plans that align with organizational growth.

Prior to iCOR, Zack was the Vice President of Organic Growth at MarshBerry. As a leader of MarshBerry’s Organic Growth division, Zack worked with agencies and brokerages to build an infrastructure that would achieve growth and profitability goals, as well as working with them through the continued development and execution of that process.​

Zack has a passion for helping his clients increase sales through a strategic growth plan, while improving culture and focusing on team development dynamics. Additionally, he’s driven to develop sales leaders and sales teams to help implement a successful and repeatable sales process while also assisting firms with organizational infrastructure, business planning and sales management.

Zack holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing and marketing management from the University of Akron.

Connect with Frank & Zack:

Website: https://www.icoradvantage.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/icor-solutions/

Connect with Ashley:

Ashley Pattee's website: www.evokecs.com

Schedule a call with Ashley: https://calendly.com/evokecs

Connect with Ashley on IG: www.instagram.com/evokecoachingservices/

Join me, Ashley Pattee, as I share my personal leadership journey in this enlightening episode with my long-time friend and special guest, Julie Cnossen. Together, we delve into my path from the nonprofit sector to executive coaching, highlighting the pivotal moments and lessons learned along the way.

We'll explore how self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the courage to face conflict head-on have shaped my leadership style. Hear about the transformative impact of honest feedback, the importance of building authentic relationships, and the role of radical self-awareness in effective leadership.

Tune in for a candid discussion on navigating discomfort, the continuous loop of self-development, and my mission to inspire and support everyday leaders in our communities.

Julie’s Bio:

Julie Cnossen has nearly 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. In the past, she has served as a program director for a Grand Rapids area nonprofit focused on supporting runaway and homeless youth. Before that, Julie provided clinical services and support to men exiting the justice system, provided treatment for women who were chemically dependent, and provided trauma-focused counseling to refugees seeking safety within West Michigan. Julie received both her bachelor's and master's degrees from Grand Valley State University and maintains licensure in the state of Michigan as a clinical social worker. During her time within the nonprofit sector, she also served on several Michigan statewide boards. In 2021, Julie made a career move from the nonprofit arena to the for-profit space and currently serves as a CEO at John Grace Restoration in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

John Grace provides cleanup and repair services for residential and commercial customers within West Michigan who have experienced property loss. Julie is responsible for 115 staff members in 4 service locations in her current role. Julie holds a strong belief in collaboration in people development. In all of her positions, Julie has worked hard to create authentic and accountable spaces where leaders are empowered to focus on their strengths and develop high-performing, inclusive teams. Julie has lived and worked her entire life in West Michigan. She has been married for 22 years and has two young adult children. Julie has been involved in various faith-based communities within West Michigan and is always seeking new opportunities to provide volunteer support to justice-focused initiatives.

Connect with Julie:

Website: https://www.john-grace.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-cnossen-0069ab43/

Connect with Ashley:

Ashley Pattee's website: www.evokecs.com

Schedule a call with Ashley: https://calendly.com/evokecs

Connect with Ashley on IG: www.instagram.com/evokecoachingservices/

In our very first episode of "Everyday Leaders, Leading Exceptionally," I sit down with Julie Cnossen, an accomplished leader with nearly 20 years in the nonprofit sector and now the CEO of John Grace Restoration. We dive deep into the learner mindset, the shift from transactional to collaborative leadership, and the importance of building authentic relationships based on reciprocal feedback.

Julie shares her personal journey, including the challenges and insights gained from transitioning to a new. We explore the necessity of self-awareness, managing emotions, and the universal need for purposeful and supportive work environments.

Tune in to hear how Julie's leadership philosophy empowers teams to thrive both in nonprofit and for-profit settings. Don't miss this insightful conversation on exceptional leadership!

Julie’s Bio:

Julie Cnossen has nearly 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. In the past, she has served as a program director for a Grand Rapids area nonprofit focused on supporting runaway and homeless youth. Before that, Julie provided clinical services and support to men exiting the justice system, provided treatment for women who were chemically dependent, and provided trauma-focused counseling to refugees seeking safety within West Michigan. Julie received both her bachelor's and master's degrees from Grand Valley State University and maintains licensure in the state of Michigan as a clinical social worker. During her time within the nonprofit sector, she also served on several Michigan statewide boards. In 2021, Julie made a career move from the nonprofit arena to the for-profit space and currently serves as a CEO at John Grace Restoration in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

John Grace provides cleanup and repair services for residential and commercial customers within West Michigan who have experienced property loss. Julie is responsible for 115 staff members in 4 service locations in her current role. Julie holds a strong belief in collaboration in people development. In all of her positions, Julie has worked hard to create authentic and accountable spaces where leaders are empowered to focus on their strengths and develop high-performing, inclusive teams. Julie has lived and worked her entire life in West Michigan. She has been married for 22 years and has two young adult children. Julie has been involved in various faith-based communities within West Michigan and is always seeking new opportunities to provide volunteer support to justice-focused initiatives.

Connect with Julie:

Website: https://www.john-grace.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-cnossen-0069ab43/

Connect with Ashley:

Ashley Pattee's website: www.evokecs.com

Schedule a call with Ashley: https://calendly.com/evokecs

Connect with Ashley on IG: www.instagram.com/evokecoachingservices/

Welcome to Everyday Leaders, Leading Exceptionally. I'm your host, Ashley Pattee.

Leadership is undeniably complex. In my work as a therapist and leadership coach, I see leaders struggling with day-to-day challenges and feeling alone in their work, all while finding ways to grow and improve. For new leaders, it can feel overwhelming. For those who achieve significant leadership roles, it can feel lonely. Everyday Leaders, Leading Exceptionally is here to change that narrative.

Each episode features an interview with a different leader, where they share their experiences, challenges, and successes. We focus on connecting with leaders in our everyday spaces who are leading exceptionally. Moreover, we delve into what it takes to close the gap from being a good leader to becoming an exceptional one. Our goal is to offer insights, inspiration, and a sense of community to all leaders, whether you're just starting or well-established in your career.

Tune in to Everyday Leaders, Leading Exceptionally and discover the extraordinary stories behind everyday leadership, while learning how to elevate your leadership..

Show notes: https://www.evokecs.com/podcast/everyday-leaders-leading-exceptionally

Connect with Ashley:

Ashley Pattee's website: www.evokecs.com

Schedule a call with Ashley: https://calendly.com/evokecs

Connect with Ashley on IG: www.instagram.com/evokecoachingservices/