Marliz Briano, Operations Manager at Cydcor, began her journey with the company six years ago as part of the compliance team. In this role, she oversaw agent onboarding and ensured ongoing regulatory compliance for representatives. As her responsibilities expanded, she transitioned into a leadership role, merging compliance with the service desk team to create a unified department focused on both compliance and operational support.

Marliz Briano, Operations Manager at Cydcor, shares how curiosity shaped her leadership journey. She opens up about the challenges of shifting from a hands-on doer to a leader who empowers others—and why that transition is harder than most people expect. We also dive into the power of hiring for culture fit, how a strong team environment fuels growth, and what it really means to live out a company’s vision instead of just talking about it.

Great leadership isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about being open to learning, adapting, and growing alongside your team. If you’ve ever struggled with stepping back, trusting your people, or figuring out how to create a culture where curiosity thrives, this episode is for you.

The People Strategy Podcast is proudly sponsored by the Leadership Development Program from Elevated Talent Consulting.

Are you supporting leaders who are new to people management? Transitioning into a leadership role requires more than just technical expertise—it’s about mastering time management, delegation, coaching, accountability, and change management.

This program empowers emerging leaders to develop their own leadership style while gaining the skills needed to lead with confidence. Partner with us to build stronger, more effective leaders.

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Vera Quinn is the CEO and President of Cydcor, a global provider of outsourced sales. In her role, she’s grown revenue by more than 35% and led the company’s retail and omnichannel expansion. Vera began her career in door-to-door sales and joined Cydcor over 25 years ago, serving in various roles, including Senior Vice President, Director of Operations, and COO.

When growing leaders, organizations must foster an environment where individuals can reach their utmost potential. Leadership programs often focus on technical skills rather than the personal growth necessary to inspire and guide others. How can organizations create a culture that fosters leadership from within?

Authentic leader Vera Quinn says that leadership is an internal endeavor that begins with self-awareness and authenticity. She emphasizes the importance of developing personal strengths before leading others, identifying talent within the organization, and implementing structured development plans. Vera believes that organizations thrive when they cultivate a culture of belief and support, helping employees step into leadership roles with confidence. By aligning leadership development with core values and continuous improvement, businesses can create lasting results.

In the latest episode of The People Strategy Podcast, Traci Austin invites Vera Quinn, the CEO and President of Cydcor, to talk about authentic leadership development. Vera shares team reflection exercises to learn from failure, how to become passionate about your role, and how to grow employees through focused people strategies.

The Leadership Development Program isn’t just about theory — it’s about tangible results.

Imagine understanding how you tick and its impact on how you lead. In our last cohort, participants realized they were leading others the way they needed to be led instead of how their team members needed to be led. This increased understanding and trust within the team resulted in a better work product.

The leadership program offers tailored training covering topics like employee engagement and accountability. Through this course, you will learn and practice ways to build trust with your team and organizational leaders.

Achieving personal and professional goals yields positive results! This program is your opportunity for new leadership to learn and practice the style of leadership that drives organizational success.

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Hannah McKitrick is the Founder and CEO of My Intuitive Health, which helps corporate leaders transform employee wellness through luxury culinary wellness retreats and mind-body cooking programs. She is also a Chapter President at The Dames, LLC, which empowers women managing six- and seven-figure businesses to scale through events and membership communities. As a board-certified holistic nutritionist, Hannah uses food, connection, and embodiment to inspire vibrancy, fulfillment, and alignment among organizations and teams.

Workplace fulfillment is often overlooked in favor of productivity metrics, leading to disengagement and burnout. Leaders who prioritize efficiency over employee well-being may find their teams lacking motivation and creativity. How can leaders integrate joy into the workplace to promote engagement and fulfillment?

According to leadership and wellness expert Hannah McKitrick, creating a fulfilling work environment begins with personal joy. Leaders who intentionally incorporate activities that bring them happiness — such as mindful breaks, meaningful conversations, or creative outlets — set a positive example for their teams. Hannah recommends starting each day with a reflection on small actions that can uplift personal energy, emphasizing that joy is contagious and can transform workplace culture. Encouraging team-building activities, such as culinary wellness retreats or virtual cooking experiences, can foster connection and inspiration within teams, driving both professional and personal growth.

In episode 200 of The People Strategy Podcast, Traci Austin welcomes Hannah McKitrick, the Founder and CEO of My Intuitive Health, to discuss how leaders can infuse joy into their daily routines and organizational culture. Hannah talks about her upcoming culinary leadership retreat with Traci, how to combine personal and professional fulfillment, and her key leadership strengths.

This episode is brought to you by Elevated Talent Consulting, a leading provider of comprehensive talent management solutions.

Whether you're looking to optimize your recruitment process, enhance employee engagement, or develop effective leadership strategies, Elevated Talent Consulting has the expertise to level up your team.

Discover how they can transform your workforce at elevatedtalentconsulting.com.