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

This week on the Everybody Leads podcast, Tim Lupinacci welcomes Jonathan Litt, Principal, Co-Founder, and Board Member of MONTICELLOAM, LLC, a specialized multifamily and seniors housing lending firm with expertise in providing bridge loans and managing credit risk. Jonathan has over 30 years of experience as an owner/operator and lender in the multifamily and senior housing industry. He serves as Chief Compliance Officer and oversees investor relations at MONTICELLOAM. Jonathan also leads the firm's seniors housing advisory services and workout group. He serves as the Vice President of the Grateful Americans Charity, a non-profit organization that provides resources aimed at ending Veteran homelessness and combating post-traumatic stress disorder.

Jonathan discusses his leadership journey, learning from great leaders, leading by doing, and the value of having others as a sounding board and a gut check. He also shares leadership lessons from leaders who have inspired him, the importance of finding time to give your mind a break, and being intentional about helping team members grow professionally.

Other topics discussed include:

• Jonathan’s Leadership Journey
• Emulating Great Leaders
• Implementing Discipline to Drive the Organization Forward
• Building Trust and Helping Team Members Grow from Mistakes
• Focusing on Time Management
• Daily Habits to Manage Stress
• Leadership Books and Resources
• Work with Grateful Americans Charity
• Supporting Team Members at MONTICELLOAM
• People Who Have an Influence and Impact Without a Big Title

Additional Resources:

Charity:

• This episode is in support of Jonathan Litt's designated charity, Grateful Americans Charity. We have made a donation to Grateful Americans Charity as a thank you to Jonathan for joining Everybody Leads. To learn more about the Grateful Americans Charity, please visit https://www.gratefulamericanscharity.org/.

Books:

• Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't by Jim Collins.
• Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In by Roger Fisher, William L. Ury, and Bruce Patton.

MONTICELLOAM, LLC:

• Website: https://monticelloam.com/

Contact Jonathan Litt:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-litt-95060b17/

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 interviews Lisa Calhoun, Founding Managing Partner of Valor Ventures, the South’s first woman-led institutional venture capital firm, now investing in its third fund. Under Lisa’s leadership, Valor leverages a portfolio of AI and SaaS software companies based in the South and features best-in-class infrastructure, including “Vic,” a visionary AI-powered investment management platform. In 2016, she established the Startup Runway Foundation, the nation’s largest nonprofit, introducing underrepresented founders to their first investors. Lisa is a Kauffman Fellow and recipient of the Kauffman Fellows Leadership Award for the Class of 2023. She was recently ranked among the nation’s top 30 women early-stage investors by Business Insider and named Atlanta Investor of the Year 2024 by Startup Atlanta.

Lisa discusses her inspiring leadership journey to becoming an experienced leader in venture capital. She shares the importance of setting a clear direction that others can choose to follow, building a community of courage, living a life of no regrets by taking risks, and letting endless curiosity offset fear. Lisa imparts valuable wisdom that is useful for anyone aiming to develop as a leader.

Other Topics Include:

• Lisa’s Leadership Journey
• Having Courage and Taking Risks
• Early Inspirations
• The Startup Runway Foundation
• Moving Forward with Resilience After Setbacks
• Daily Disciplines to Manage Stress
• Embracing the Power of AI
• Individuals Who Had an Influence on Lisa

Additional Resources:

Charity

• This episode is in support of Lisa Calhoun's designated charity, Startup Runway. We have made a donation to Startup Runway as a thank you to Lisa for joining Everybody Leads. To learn more about the Startup Runway, please visit https://startuprunway.org/.

Valor Ventures:

• Website: https://valor.vc/

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 Lindsey Davis Stover and Shivam Mallick Shah, co-founders of 1953 Tequila, a women-led, additive-free, ultra-premium tequila brand. Lindsey Davis Stover is the president of 1953 Tequila and a partner at Edwards, Davis Stover & Associates, LLC. Lindsey has an extensive background in veterans' and defense policy consulting. She was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and served as the VA’s White House liaison. Lindsey also served as Chief of Staff for former U.S. Congressman Chet Edwards.

Shivam Mallick Shah is the CEO of 1953 Tequila and President of Summit Advisors, Inc. Shivam previously worked as an Investment Banking Analyst and Management Consultant. She also worked in the government and philanthropic sectors, including working in education with two of the world’s largest philanthropies. She also served as Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Innovation.

Lindsey and Shivam discuss their leadership of 1953 Tequila, creating a product that reflects their values, engaging in mission-driven work, and elevating the stories of women. They also share the value of mentorship, having a big picture in mind, and taking risks by doing things differently.

Other Topics Discussed Include:

• Lindsey and Shivam’s Leadership Journeys
• The Importance of Mentorship and Building Relationships
• The Story Behind 1953 Tequila and its Bottle Design
• Dealing with Setbacks
• The Growth of 1953 Tequila
• Advice For Young Leaders and Entrepreneurs
• Individuals Who Made a Big Impact on 1953 Tequila

Additional Resources:

Charities:

• This episode is in support of Lindsey Davis Stover's designated charity, the National Military Family Association. We have made a donation to the National Military Family Association as a thank you to Lindsey for joining Everybody Leads. To learn more about the National Military Family Association, please visit https://www.militaryfamily.org.
• This episode is also in support of Shivam Mallick Shah's designated charity, the E.L Haynes Charter School. We have made a donation to the E.L Haynes Charter School as a thank you to Shivam for joining Everybody Leads. To learn more about the E.L Haynes Charter School, please visit https://www.elhaynes.org.

1953 Tequila

• Website: https://1953tequila.com/

Contact Lindsey Davis Stover

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsey-davis-stover-1b65707/

Contact Shivam Mallick Shah

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivam-mallick-shah-54a953135/

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, Tim Lupinacci welcomes Wade McGuinn to the Everybody Leads podcast. Wade is the founder, longtime CEO, and managing shareholder of McGuinn Homes, an award-winning and innovative company that delivers quality and affordable homes. The company’s mission is to transform one life at a time by delivering great homes that strengthen communities. Wade is a certified master builder who has been building homes in South Carolina and surrounding areas for over 40 years. His leadership of McGuinn Homes is focused on building community and giving back.

Wade discusses his leadership journey, growing a team through shepherding and stewardship, recruiting other leaders to support the company’s vision, and building a culture around giving back. Wade also shares insights about the value of emanating tov, acknowledging that hubris is the enemy, being present and building trust, and having a franchise way of thinking.

Other Topics Discussed Include:

• Wade’s Leadership Journey
• Early Inspiration to Start His Own Business
• How Wade Infused His Vision and Commitment into His Team
• Being Purposeful About Giving Back to the Community
• Leadership Advice
• Books That Have Influenced Wade
• Individuals Without a Title Who Had an Influence on Wade

Additional Resources:

Charity:

• This episode is in support of Wade McGuinn 's designated charity, the McGuinn Homes Foundation. We have made a donation to the McGuinn Homes Foundation as a thank you to Wade for joining Everybody Leads. To learn more about the McGuinn Homes Foundation, please visit https://mhf.networkforgood.com/projects/238478-mcguinn-homes-foundation.

Books:

• The Winding Road to Excellence by G.T. Toby Stansell
• The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber
• Good To Great by Jim Collins
• Built to Last by Jim Collins and Jerry I. Porras
• The Speed of Trust by Stephen M.R. Covey and Rebecca R. Merrill
• Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud

McGuinn Homes

• Website: https://www.mcguinnhomes.com/

Contact Wade McGuinn

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wade-mcguinn-42003014a

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 Jon Olson, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, & Corporate Secretary at Blackbaud, a leading provider of software services for the social good sector. Jon oversees a diverse portfolio of legal matters, including litigation, intellectual property, and privacy, while managing a 40-person team and a $50M annual spend for Corporate Real Estate and Procurement. He is passionate about sustainability, employee engagement, and business technology innovation and has received many accolades. Jon is a member of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Hollings Cancer Center Citizens Advisory Council and serves on the board of the Charleston Symphony and Charleston Jazz.

Jon discusses a hallmark of his leadership style, which involves empowering motivated individuals and letting them take the initiative on projects. He also shares insights on building a successful legal team at Blackbaud, the importance of communication, trusting your intuition, making decisions by balancing matters of the head and the heart, and building a learning organization by creating roles in which individuals can grow.

Other Topics Discussed Include:

• Jon’s Leadership Journey
• The Importance of Empowerment and Creating a Shared Vision as a Leader
• The Mission of Blackbaud
• Learning and Pivoting from Setbacks
• Adjusting to the Remote Work Dynamics
• Building a Learning Organization
• What Inspires Jon to Be the Best Version of Himself
• Advice for Young Leaders and Beneficial Resources
• Leaders in Jon’s Life Who Made an Impact Without a Big Title

Additional Resources:

Charity:

• This episode is in support of Jon Olson's designated charity, the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. We have made a donation to the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center as a thank you to Jon for joining Everybody Leads. To learn more about the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, please visit https://hollingscancercenter.musc.edu/.

Books:

• Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
• Grant by Ron Chernow

Blackbaud:

• Website: https://www.blackbaud.com/

Contact Jon Olson:

• Website: https://www.blackbaud.com/company/executive-leadership/jon-olson
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonwolson/

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