Making The Tough Decisions For Your Business with Sharon Mortensen
Executive Decisions by SYM Financial Advisors
Release Date: 01/18/2022
Life 2.0: Finding Purpose Beyond Retirement
Executive Decisions by SYM Financial Advisors
In today's episode of Executive Decisions, host Sarah Delahanty speaks with Todd and Cindy Shinabarger about their inspiring journey of transitioning from demanding careers to what they call “Life 2.0”—a purposeful and fulfilling phase of life dedicated to service and impact. Todd and Cindy share their experiences of stepping into volunteer roles with Operation Mobilization, where their skills in IT and science transformed projects and systems, helping the organization achieve excellence. They reflect on the importance of being intentional, crafting a plan, and seeking purpose beyond...
info_outline
From Airplanes to Orthopedics: Leadership Lessons Learned Along the Journey with Todd Davis
Executive Decisions by SYM Financial Advisors
In today's episode of Executive Decisions, host Sarah Delahanty sits down with Todd Davis who shares his rich career history from building airplanes to his executive career in the orthopedic industry. Todd reflects on his journey from managing older union workers while still in his 20’s to his transition into executive leadership roles. He emphasizes the importance of work ethic, persistence, and building relationships, sharing valuable insights from his experiences. Todd also discusses his post-executive life, engaging in mentorship, fundraising efforts for his community, and continuous...
info_outline
A Holistic Approach to Professional and Personal Development with Dr. Drew Flamm
Executive Decisions by SYM Financial Advisors
In today's episode of Executive Decisions, host Sarah Delahanty sits down with Dr. Drew Flamm, President of Grace College & Seminary, to explore the formative experiences that shaped his leadership path and the value of embracing a spectrum of opportunities. Dr. Flamm shares personal stories of early financial discipline, the impact of mentorship on his career, and the significance of lifelong learning in both personal and professional realms. Through anecdotes and advice, the conversation delves into the integration of personal interests with family life, highlighting the holistic...
info_outline
From Pacemakers to Entrepreneurship: Navigating the Medical Device Industry with Tim Early
Executive Decisions by SYM Financial Advisors
In this episode of Executive Decisions, guest hosted by Seth Whicker, guest Tim Early, CEO of DreamOn Group, shares his insightful journey from an early career decision to move from New York to Florida, leading to a pivotal role in the medical device industry with Cordis Corporation. Tim reflects on his educational transitions, notably from West Point to Rochester Institute of Technology, and his shift from accounting to packaging engineering, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's strengths with career choices. The episode delves into Tim's experiences with changing industry...
info_outline
Cultivating Diverse Leaders and Inclusive Culture with Dionna Topps James
Executive Decisions by SYM Financial Advisors
Dionna has been with Whirlpool Corporation for 15 years and currently leads the Whirlpool Sales Enablement Team as well as being the Chief of Staff for the Sales SVP. She is responsible for creating strategies and experiences to enable profitable sales growth for both Whirlpool and its Trade Customers. Dionna has held various positions with escalating responsibility within training, operations, sales and merchandising. As an accomplished sales leader she has been awarded National Sales Manager of the year and has delivered record breaking profitable growth in each of her respective role...
info_outline
From a Service Station Garage to Financial Advisory: Insights on Risks, Rewards, and the True Measure of Wealth with Dennis McKeever
Executive Decisions by SYM Financial Advisors
Dennis McKeever has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh along with a PhD in physical chemistry from the University of California, Irvine. Dennis retired from Dow Chemical after a thirty year career where he primarily served as a senior manager in Research and Development. However, he also had two business management experiences – first as the manager of the Chemicals business for Latin America and subsequently as the VP for the Polyolefins and Elastomers business unit for Dow North America. After retiring from Dow, he served for six years as the...
info_outline
From Frogman to CEO: How Special Ops Skills Translate to Corporate Success with Matt Stevens
Executive Decisions by SYM Financial Advisors
Matt Stevens transitioned from the U.S. Navy in July 2017 after serving for 26 years as a SEAL. He attended The Honor Foundation’s (THF) inaugural East Coast class in the Spring of 2016, joined the THF SOF Advisory Board in the Spring of 2017, and then joined THF’s Board of Directors in February 2018. Throughout his career, Matt served as a Special Operations Executive leading high-performing teams conducting our nation’s most sensitive operations, cultivating interagency relationships and executing plans in dynamic environments. Matt served on the leadership team of an emerging...
info_outline
Balancing Growth and Experience with Ed Mohr
Executive Decisions by SYM Financial Advisors
Ed Mohr is the retired Vice President of Total Rewards at Whirlpool Corporation, a Fortune 200 company specializing in home appliances. With a background in HR, manufacturing, and logistics, Ed has accumulated 29 years of experience in various roles. In his current position, he is accountable for executive compensation, broad-based compensation, global mobility, benefits, health, wellness pensions, and 401 k plans globally. As a member of the Global Senior HR Leadership Team, he plays a crucial role in shaping the company's human resources strategies. Ed holds a bachelor's degree in Marketing...
info_outline
Blazing Trails and Giving Back with Jenée Velasquez
Executive Decisions by SYM Financial Advisors
Jenée Velasquez is the Executive Director of The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, a prestigious organization dedicated to philanthropy and community development. Velasquez began her professional journey as the Chief Executive Officer of Midland County's Economic Development Corporation, Midland Tomorrow, where she played a pivotal role in driving economic growth and prosperity. Prior to that, she served as the Manager of Economic Development Services and the first Downtown Development Authority Coordinator in Midland. She also worked for the Manhattan, Kansas Convention, and Visitors...
info_outline
TACTICAL | Executive Compensation
Executive Decisions by SYM Financial Advisors
In this episode of Executive Decisions Podcast, host Sarah Delahanty, a certified financial planner, talks about how her firm, SYM Financial Advisors, helps executives understand and maximize their executive compensation and benefits. She emphasizes the importance of diversifying risks and making sure clients have a game plan for the year, including determining what may be beneficial to exercise relating to stock options, selling or retaining restricted stock units, participating in employee stock purchase plans, and deferred compensation plans. Sarah also explains the complexities around tax...
info_outlineSharon Mortensen is the President and CEO of Midland Area Community Foundation, an organization that promotes philanthropic leadership to help the local community through scholarships, charity funding, and donations to Midland area nonprofits every year. As a leader, Sharon is responsible for overseeing all operations, from proposal to execution. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Defiance College and a Master’s in Counseling from the University of Texas.
Sharon joins me today to discuss the qualities a leader must possess to make the right calls for their business. She shares her professional experience, her first real job, and why a service mentality is vital in good leadership. She explains the processes involved in making leadership decisions and how to be objective with each one. Sharon also describes how the Foundation supported its local community during the pandemic and what it takes for leaders to stay at the top of their game.
"Leadership ultimately is about service." - Sharon Mortensen
This week on Executive Decisions:
- Why leaders should be more curious than judgmental
- Having a service mentality as a leader
- The great qualities that distinguish leaders of successful businesses
- The most important advice Sharon has received as a young leader
- How Sharon finds success when faced with a tough decision
- What it takes to be objective in making decisions - even if those decisions are unpopular
- The risks Sharon deemed were worth taking
- How the Foundation helped the local community during the height of the pandemic
- What Sharon believes leaders should do to be at the top of their game
- Why being a "non-profit" doesn't mean you're not supposed to make money
- The myths in the world of philanthropy
- The financial obstacles Sharon wishes people knew more about
- Sharon’s favorite vacation spot and words of wisdom
Our Favorite Quotes:
- "In decision making, you need to find the information, come to your decision, and be solid with your decision." - Sarah Delahanty
- "Money doesn't necessarily solve the problem. There has to be some action behind that to move things into a positive conclusion." - Sarah Delahanty
- "Curiosity carries you a long way as a leader." - Sharon Mortensen
Connect with Sharon Mortensen:
- Midland Area Community Foundation
- Email: [email protected]
- Midland Area Community Foundation on Facebook
- Sharon Mortensen on LinkedIn
About SYM Financial and Executive Decisions Podcast
Executive Decisions is a show for business leaders. In each episode, host and financial advisor Sarah Delahanty sits down with executives and local experts who serve them. Together, they tackle some of the harder questions that business leaders face today. From inspiring creativity in the workplace, to managing company politics, to making the best choices with executive compensation, taxes, and lifestyle — our show delivers stories and lessons learned across many industries and lifetimes.
Email Sarah at [email protected] with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation.
Follow SYM Financial on Facebook
Subscribe here:
iTunes
Android
Google Play
Stitcher
Spotify
And, if you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.