Community Leadership in Times of Turmoil with Holly
Executive Decisions by SYM Financial Advisors
Release Date: 03/14/2023
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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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_outlineHolly Miller is the CEO of United Way of Midland County in Midland, Michigan. She is an integral part of the community and is in leadership positions for many teams and collaborative groups. Her work with the Rotary Contemporary View Club, Midland Business Alliance, Health and Services Council, and Midland Area Wellbeing Coalition helps improve lives and bring people together. She is a graduate of Lansing Community College at Kendall and Kendall School of Design where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. Holly lives in Midland with her husband and enjoys spending time with her two children and four grandchildren.
Today, Holly recounts her journey to becoming a community leader and how a health scare helped her reorganize her priorities. She discusses how her mindset about community work has allowed her to work in the face of criticism and how that’s helped her keep her team motivated. She tells us some stories about the historic flooding in 2020 and how she helped her community during the local upheaval and a global pandemic. Holly also shares her vision for the future of her community and reveals how aspiring community leaders can get involved.
“It's in the struggle or the change or the unknown that you really learn more about yourself.” - Holly Miller
This week on Executive Decisions:
- How Holly got her start as a community leader
- How a health scare helped Holly realize her true passion
- The people who inspired Holly to challenge herself
- How Holly ignores the naysayers
- The role of integrity in nonprofit work
- How United Way brings volunteers together after a crisis
- United Way gives a voice to the voiceless
- How Holly views leadership
- How the pandemic and devastating floods influenced programming and collaboration
- How to make every dollar help the most people
- What Holly is most excited about for the future of her community
- Debunking myths about people in need
- Where Holly draws her strength as a leader
- How Holly balances her work life and personal life
- Holly’s advice for aspiring community leaders
Resources Mentioned:
- Book: Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brené Brown
- Book: Dare To Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brené Brown
- Book: The Motive: Why So Many Leaders Abdicate Their Most Important Responsibilities by Patrick M. Lencioni
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “As a leader, it can be a little tough to try to collaborate and positively move all these resources in a very emotional time for the community.” - Sarah Delahanty
- “I am continuously impressed with the ability of people to just lean into change, raise their hand and say, how can I help?.” - Holly Miller
- “If you've ever had to ask for help, whether it's through an organization or a family member or a friend, it's a humbling experience.” - Sarah Delahanty
Connect with Holly Miller:
- Holly Miller on LinkedIn
- United Way of Midland County on LinkedIn
- United Way of Midland County Website
- Email: [email protected]
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.
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