This week on the Everybody Leads podcast, Tim Lupinacci welcomes Monique Trusclair Maddox, President and CEO of the Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Foundation, and Father Timothy Kesicki, Chair of the Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Trust, which funds the work of the foundation. The Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit partnership that works to mitigate the dehumanizing impact of racism while dismantling the continuing legacy of slavery in America through truth, racial healing, and transformation. The foundation provides scholarships, housing support for the elderly, and supports important racial healing programs.

Monique Trusclair Maddox holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Prairie View A&M University. With more than 30 years of corporate experience, including a career in IT leadership and leading her own consultancy firm, Macrame Technologies, Monique has helped companies of all sizes make pivotal decisions that have facilitated their growth and success. Following a life-altering discovery about her family, Monique cast a vision to grow the Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Foundation to positively impact current and future generations of descendants.

Father Timothy Kesicki entered the Society of Jesus in 1984 and was ordained a priest in 1994. He worked as a priest at the Jesuit Refugee Service in Uganda, as part of an educational relief effort. Before becoming chair of the Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Trust, Father Kesicki served as President of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States, the Provincial of the Chicago-Detroit Province of the Society of Jesus, and President of Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio.

Monique and Father Kesicki discuss their leadership journeys and breakthroughs, leading with humility, engaging in restorative justice, and the power of reflection and dialogue. They emphasize that healing must be descendant-led and rooted in listening and honoring past commitments.

Other Topics Discussed

• Monique’s Leadership Journey
• Father Kesicki’s Leadership Journey
• Acknowledging the Jesuits’ Ties to Slavery
• Incorporation of The Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Foundation
• The Positive Movement Facilitated by the Foundation
• Steps to Take for Reflection and Healing
• Confronting the Past and the Joy of Doing the Work
• Individuals Without a Big Title Who Have Had an Impact on the Foundation
• Ways to Connect and Get Involved with the Foundation

Additional Resources:

Charity:

• We have made a donation to Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Foundation as a thank you to Monique Trusclair Maddox and Father Timothy Kesicki for joining Everybody Leads. To learn more, please visit https://www.descendants.org/

Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Foundation

• Website: https://www.descendants.org/

Contact Monique Trusclair Maddox

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquemaddox/
• Email: monique@descendants.org

Contact Father Timothy Kesicki

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-kesicki-9574a4a9/

Thank you for listening, and please join us again to hear from more exceptional leaders.

Click for more:

• https://everybodyleads.org
• https://www.bakerdonelson.com

Producer: Jason Plank
Intern: Claudia Bonney Amamoo

This week on the Everybody Leads podcast, Tim Lupinacci welcomes Lindy Cleveland, founder and executive director of Unless U, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting adults with developmental disabilities academically, spiritually, physically, socially, and vocationally. Inspired by her brother Jordan, Lindy founded the organization in 2014 to provide continued education and job training for adults with developmental disabilities. Lindy obtained a bachelor’s degree in human development and family life education from Samford University. She has been featured by various media outlets, including Al.com, Birmingham Business Journal, and TEDx. Lindy is passionate about serving Unless U students and their families through servant leadership and creating an environment that promotes belonging and independence.

Lindy discusses her leadership journey, the vision and core values for Unless U, and driving the most value by trusting others and delegating responsibilities. Lindy emphasizes the importance of assessing pride, growing and scaling by building community and culture, and speaking life into others.

Other Topics Discussed:

• Lindy’s Leadership Journey
• The Inspiration and Vision Behind Unless U
• Lessons Learned from Running a Non-profit
• Delegating Responsibilities
• Instilling Culture into the Unless U Team
• Moving Forward from Challenges and Mistakes
• Pouring into the Unless U Team
• Advice to Young Entrepreneurs
• Inspiring Leaders Who Lead Without a Big Title

Additional Resources:

Charity

• This episode is in support of Lindy Cleveland's designated charity, Unless U. We have made a donation to Unless U as a thank you to Lindy for joining Everybody Leads. To learn more about Unless U, please visit https://www.unlessu.org/

Book

• The Bible Recap by Tara Leigh Cobble

Contact Lindy Cleveland

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindy-cleveland-unlessu/

Thank you for listening, and please join us again to hear from more exceptional leaders.

Click for more:

• https://everybodyleads.org
• https://www.bakerdonelson.com

Producer: Jason Plank
Intern: Claudia Bonney Amamoo

This week on the Everybody Leads podcast, Tim Lupinacci sits down with Jody Luke, president of Love Does, a nonprofit founded by Bob Goff that fights for human rights, cares for the vulnerable, and provides education in conflict zones worldwide. Under her leadership, Love Does has expanded internationally to 14 countries while broadening its reach domestically to help refugees, single moms, and the incarcerated. Jody has an accounting and business administration background and has served as a chief financial officer for various companies. Over the past 20 years, she’s guided businesses and nonprofits in a leadership capacity, both as an officer and a board member.

Jody shares her remarkable leadership journey and provides insights on the value of listening and becoming a student of your staff, taking risks, recognizing challenges as opportunities, and being intentional about developing the leadership potential of your team. She also reflects on the impact of Love Does, advocating for youth during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the stories of inspiring individuals who lead without a title.

Other Topics Discussed Include:

• Jody’s Leadership Journey
• Inspirations That Encouraged Jody
• Being Comfortable with Failure and Learning from It
• Advocating for Youth During the Pandemic
• The Mission and Global Impact of Love Does
• Daily Disciplines and Prioritizing Time
• Leadership Books and Resources
• Developing the Leadership Potential of Others
• Love Does’ Dream Big Program
• Inspiring Individuals Who Lead Without a Title

Additional Resources:

Charity:

• This episode is in support of Jody Luke's designated charity, Love Does. We have made a donation to Love Does as a thank you to Jody for joining Everybody Leads. To learn more about Love Does, please visit https://lovedoes.org/donate/

Books

• Leading with Significance by Joey Havens
• Developing the Leaders Around You by John C. Maxwell

Contact Jody Luke:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jody-luke-6475416/

Thank you for listening, and please join us again to hear from more exceptional leaders.

Click for more:

• https://everybodyleads.org
• https://www.bakerdonelson.com

Producer: Jason Plank
Intern: Claudia Bonney Amamoo