CXO Conversations
In this special edition of CXO Conversations, host revisits an engaging dialogue with , who at the time was the Chief Development Officer for the Humane Society of America. This episode covers a breadth of topics that all can benefit from; from program creation to donor ( or sales) engagement and executive leadership preparation. John's insights transcend organizational boundaries, offering actionable strategies applicable to both for-profit and nonprofit sectors. His journey from volunteering to leadership underscores the transformative power of personal experiences, while his emphasis...
info_outline Transforming a Company: From Warehouses to Tech with Food Maven's CEO Ben DedaCXO Conversations
Join host Michael Mitchel as he welcomes back Ben Deda, CEO of Food Maven, for a revealing look at the company's four-year journey. Explore key milestones, strategic shifts, and insights into navigating challenges in the food industry. Gain valuable lessons in leadership, resilience, and adaptability while gaining optimism for the future of Denver's startup ecosystem. Full show notes and resources: Key highlights include: Strategic Evolution: Ben Deda outlines Food Maven's strategic shift towards a tech-centric model, reflecting on their trajectory over the past four years. ...
info_outline Food for Thought: Revisiting Food Maven's Impact with CEO Ben DedaCXO Conversations
In this episode of CXO Conversations, host Michael Mitchel revisits an insightful interview with Ben Deda, CEO of Food Maven, and co-founder of Denver Startup Week. This conversation dives deep into Food Maven's mission to combat food waste by revolutionizing the distribution model, prioritizing sustainability, efficiency, and community impact. Ben shares his personal journey transitioning from tech to CEO, and provides insights into the inception and growth of Denver Startup Week, highlighting its format, impact, and key lessons learned. Join Michael and Ben as they explore sustainable...
info_outline Leading with Impact: Laura Ortman's Journey to CEO at COLOGIXCXO Conversations
In this episode of CXO Conversations, host engages with , CEO of , to explore her dynamic journey from the athletic fields through various pivotal roles in the tech industry to her current position at the helm of a leading network-neutral interconnection and Hyperscale Edge data center company. Laura shares her comprehensive insights into the power of teamwork, perseverance, and a broad understanding of business operations that shaped her into a results-driven leader. She delves into the nuances of customer experience, the importance of culture, and the collaborative ethos underpinning...
info_outline From Ambition to CEO: The Role of Resilience in Leadership with Grant StanisCXO Conversations
In this episode of "CXO Conversations," host Michael Mitchel welcomes , a dynamic CEO renowned for his resilience and strategic acumen in the corporate world. Stanis shares his compelling journey from his first student council campaign to the helm of major corporations, revealing the pivotal role of resilience in climbing the corporate ladder. Delve into his insightful reflections on the multifaceted challenges of a CEO, from transforming struggling companies to fostering team growth and innovation. Stanis's unique approach, blending disciplined execution with a positive mindset, offers...
info_outline From Soldier to Statesman and Venture Capitalist: Patrick J. Murphy's JourneyCXO Conversations
Dive into 'CXO Conversations' with host as he welcomes The Honorable . From a U.S. Army officer to a congressman and venture capitalist, Murphy's journey is a tale of resilience and leadership. In this episode, explore his transition from military service to influential roles in Congress and the private sector. Discover how Murphy's leadership philosophy, shaped by experiences in the armed forces and public office, guides his current role at Stoney Lonesome Group, a venture capital firm supporting veteran-owned businesses. Key highlights include: Murphy's leadership philosophy...
info_outline Season Recap: A Year of Executive Insights and Leadership LessonsCXO Conversations
In this season finale of CXO Conversations, host takes a moment to reflect on the remarkable year of 2023, revisiting the wealth of knowledge and diverse experiences shared by prominent executives, like Eric Lougher, David Cox, Craig Cummings, Janine Davidson, and many more. Michael’s Key Highlights: Stephen Brown's journey to becoming a President at 32, emphasizing confidence, seizing opportunities, and continual learning. Rand Lewis’s insights on the hallmarks of great leadership and his experience as a successful investor. Raphael Crawford Mark's transition from Founder to...
info_outline From West Point to the Boardroom: Jack Blaha's Leadership OdysseyCXO Conversations
Join host in a conversation with , CEO of , as they delve into his journey from and military service to becoming a prominent figure in the corporate world. Blaha delves into the synergy between his military discipline and his achievements in the fast-paced world of SaaS industries like hospitality and social media marketing. He sheds light on the pivotal role of emotional intelligence in shaping company culture and the profound impact of a CEO's leadership style, offering invaluable advice for ambitious leaders on mastering the art of adaptability, the art of building robust professional...
info_outline The Importance of Community Engagement for Your CareerCXO Conversations
As the leader of a large public university and former undersecretary of the U.S. Navy, has dedicated 30 years of her career to academic, civilian, and military service. Since 2017, she has been the President of , where she has been a staunch advocate for underrepresented students, DACA recipients, and military and veteran students. Prior to her work in higher education, she was appointed by former President Barack Obama as the 32nd undersecretary of the . She's also a trailblazing pilot, being the first woman to fly the 's tactical C-130. In today’s episode, Janine reflects on...
info_outline Building Your Career Transition Elevator PitchCXO Conversations
From the frontlines in Afghanistan to the center of the Texas startup ecosystem, has built an incredible career developing technology that solves real-world problems. He’s now General Partner at a venture capital firm in Austin that invests in technology startups, with a special focus on those founded by military veteran entrepreneurs. Join us as we delve into Craig's inspiring journey, his insights into technology investments, and the unique perspective he brings to the entrepreneurial world. In this episode, Craig shares with Michael his experience: Crafting an elevator pitch...
info_outlineBennie S. Covington, Chief People Officer for Integrated Financial Settlements, comes on the show to share his story about falling into HR even as he tried to avoid it, what it means to run a successful business, and what you need to cultivate to be a strong leader and aspire to the C-suite, even when you don’t!
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Bennie S. Covington has helped small businesses, nonprofits, Fortune 500, and global organizations align their culture to their mission-critical goals to help them to create a blueprint for success in the global market. He leverages best practices in Agile principles, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and adult learning theory to do this effectively.
He has mentored hundreds of leaders and managers globally in the U.S., Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, and Belgium. In 2017, he earned recognition for being in the top 10% of global leadership development programs in the areas of executive coaching, team development, and new leader development from HR.com.
He currently is the Chief People Officer at Integrated Financial Settlements. As a community leader, he has participated in the Downtown Denver Partnership leadership program, served on the Five Points Business District Welton Street Design Working Group, and the Denver Mayor’s Pedestrian Committee.
GET IN TOUCH WITH BENNIE ON LINKEDIN
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
OC Executive Search: OCExecutiveSearch.com
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[1:52] Michael introduces Bennie and asks him to share an interesting tidbit about himself as well as share a little about Integrated Financial Settlements.
LEGACY [9:30] Bennie touches on how his goal at the onset of his current role was to stabilize, partner, and transform HR in the business. He walks us through the key points to keep in mind in order to tackle such an undertaking and what sustainability really means for a business.
DREAMS OF A CXO ROLE? [13:01] Being C-suite, even being in HR, had never been on Bennie’s radar; he talks about the very personal way he became interested in HR and how he came to see CXO roles as a way to transform operations.
C-SUITE QUALITIES [18:06] In order to be tapped for a C-suite role, you have to demonstrate some understanding of business. Bennie talks about a few more reasons why he may have been initially tapped for the VP role as well as some questions he was asked.
IMPORTANT EXPERIENCE [21:35] Having some background in the more technical aspects of the job might have been helpful in the beginning, so Bennie suggests that if you do have a strong interest in a field, you should stay up-to-date.
RADIO [26:02] Bennie was aiming for a radio hosting career, he recounts how that began in earnest and how he actually changed paths when the industry began consolidating. He does rely upon some of that experience for public speaking.
LEVEL SETTING [33:12] Bennie shares a tip to make sure people follow you in a conversation.
CHRO to CEO? [33:46] Bennie doesn’t know if CHRO moves to CEO but it seems like it might be the time for it.
ADVICE [36:50] Understand the business and the number 1 expense is Bennie’s biggest piece of advice for aspiring CXOs. Bennie shares a city design example!
BEST WORST JOB BENNIE EVER HAD [42:00] Call center work… Bennie touches on what he learned working in a field that was not for him.
[46:50] Michael thanks Bennie for coming on the podcast to share his insight and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please give us 5 stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Integrated Financial Settlements
SPECIAL THANKS TO