Precious Time: From Corporate Leader to Purposeful Living EP 116
Release Date: 04/07/2025
Rooted in Tradition, Leading with Purpose: How Megan Palmer Rivera is Driving the Family Business EP 117
HAYVN Hubcast
On this episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed talks with Megan Palmer Rivera, CEO of Palmer’s Market and Palmer’s Catering & Events. As a fifth-generation leader in her family business, Megan shares her inspiring career of blending tradition with innovation. Megan’s journey shows how leadership and legacy go hand in hand. She shares how her early start, launching a bakery within Palmer’s Market at just 21, taught her not only how to create incredible products but also how to run a business. Over time, her focus shifted from serving customers to leading a growing team,...
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Precious Time: From Corporate Leader to Purposeful Living EP 116
HAYVN Hubcast
How do you know when it’s time to make a big life change? That’s part of the conversation that Nancy Sheed had with Mary O’Connell. Hear how a long-time corporate executive made the leap after 25 years in a global company. She explains why she knew it was time to embrace a new chapter focused on purpose, people, and personal growth. Mary shares her honest journey from navigating Y2K as a young consultant to leading international teams and ultimately choosing to step away at a meaningful milestone to reclaim time, reflect, and reinvest in what truly matters. Key Highlights: Why...
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Age is an Asset: The Rise of Midlife Entrepreneurship EP 115
HAYVN Hubcast
What does it take to leave behind a stable corporate career and successfully launch a business? Many professionals dream of entrepreneurship but making the leap can feel overwhelming. HAYVN Hubcast host Nancy Sheed sat down with Emelie Calbick, co-founder of Stage 2 Startups, to discuss the realities of starting a business later in life. Emelie shared her personal journey from the corporate world to tech startups and how she now helps others navigate this transition. Like many professionals, Emelie found herself wondering if there was something more fulfilling beyond corporate life. Research...
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How Connecticut Supports Entrepreneurs and Innovators: A Conversation with Jessica Dodge EP 114
HAYVN Hubcast
Connecticut’s innovation ecosystem is thriving. Leaders like Jessica Dodge, Managing Consultant at the Connecticut Office of Innovation are focused on supporting startups and small business initiatives throughout the state. HAYVN Hubcast host Nancy Sheed talked with Jess about how Connecticut fosters entrepreneurship, supports small businesses, and invests in the future of innovation. Building a Stronger Innovation Economy Jess emphasizes that the state leverages its vast resources, including higher education institutions, venture capital networks, and private-public partnerships, to create...
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A Stylish Content Creator’s Playbook with Julia Dzafic EP 113
HAYVN Hubcast
In chatting with Julia Dzafic, the powerhouse behind Lemon Stripes, a thriving lifestyle blog and Instagram account where she shares her take on motherhood, style, wellness, and recipes, host Nancy Sheed goes behind the scenes to find out how she does it. Julia shares her journey from working in corporate sales and marketing to becoming a full-time content creator and cookbook author. Key Lessons and Takeaways from Julia’s Journey: From Political Science to Content Creator Julia’s career path didn’t start in blogging. She originally studied political science, thinking she’d work in...
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Bridging the Woo and the Do: Katya Libin is Empowering Women Leaders EP 112
HAYVN Hubcast
In this episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed sits down with Katya Libin, an inspiring entrepreneur and co-founder of Divine Feminine Leaders (DFL). Katya shares her transformative journey from navigating challenges as the daughter of immigrant parents in New York City to redefining leadership and creating powerful communities for women. Key Lessons and Takeaways from Katya's Journey: Embrace a "Why Not?" Attitude Katya credits her early resilience and confidence to her ability to view challenges as opportunities. Growing up in New York City with immigrant parents instilled in her...
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From Science Fairs to Growing Sustainability: Lila Sullivan's Entrepreneurial Journey EP 111
HAYVN Hubcast
Tune in to this episode with Lila Sullivan, president and co-founder of , for an engaging discussion about entrepreneurship, innovation, and creating a business rooted in sustainability and care. Lila shares her journey from science fairs at Darien High School to building an eco-conscious plant care company with her childhood best friend, . Lila and Kate's entrepreneurial roots trace back to their high school years, where they bonded over science research and competitions. Their shared passion for science and nature sowed the seeds for Flourish Plant. Frustration with synthetic fertilizers...
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From Finance to FreezeNit: An Entrepreneurial Journey with Joanna Shu EP 110
HAYVN Hubcast
Starting a business can be a winding journey filled with unexpected turns. For Joanna Shu, co-founder of FreezeNit Inc, her path from finance to founding a life sciences company aimed at combating head lice was anything but traditional. Joanna recently shared her entrepreneurial journey with HAYVN Hubcast host Nancy Sheed, offering valuable insights on career pivots, resilience, and startup fundraising. Joanna’s career began in finance at Fidelity’s trading desk, but she soon realized it wasn’t her true passion. Following her interest in skincare, she launched Refresh Skin Therapy, a...
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A Journey of Reinvention and Innovation with Pia McGrath EP 109
HAYVN Hubcast
What does it take to pivot from a promising medical career to inventing a product that could revolutionize motherhood? In this episode, host Nancy Sheed chats with Pia McGrath, founder of Ainara Designs, about her remarkable journey of reinvention. From her beginnings as a medical student in Spain to becoming an entrepreneur driven by creativity and necessity, Pia’s story is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of asking, “What do I truly want?” Tune in to hear how she turned personal challenges into opportunities, creating a groundbreaking necklace for breastfeeding moms...
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Conscious Parenting: A Holistic Approach to Thriving Families EP 108
HAYVN Hubcast
Ever wish parenting came with a playbook? In this episode we hear from Andrea Anderson, a conscious parenting consultant, coach, and author, and explore the transformative practice of conscious parenting. Andrea shares with host Nancy Sheed her personal journey, practical strategies, and holistic insights into supporting children with neurodiverse needs while creating a thriving family environment. Andrea’s journey began with her two sons, both of whom are neurodiverse. She delved into nutrition, holistic health, and emotional well-being to support them better. She explains that she wanted...
info_outlineHow do you know when it’s time to make a big life change? That’s part of the conversation that Nancy Sheed had with Mary O’Connell. Hear how a long-time corporate executive made the leap after 25 years in a global company. She explains why she knew it was time to embrace a new chapter focused on purpose, people, and personal growth.
Mary shares her honest journey from navigating Y2K as a young consultant to leading international teams and ultimately choosing to step away at a meaningful milestone to reclaim time, reflect, and reinvest in what truly matters.
Key Highlights:
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Why the 25-year mark became her personal pivot point
Mary reached a major milestone at her company, a 25-year tenure celebrated annually by alumni, yet found herself craving something more. This became the natural time to reflect, reset, and decide how she wanted to spend the next chapter of her life. -
How “more precious time” became her guiding principle
Inspired by the needs of her aging parents and growing children, Mary began to reframe her priorities. Rather than focusing on productivity alone, she started asking, “Who am I doing this for?” That question led her to realign her life around family and purpose. -
Reclaiming skills and reimagining them for nonprofit causes
Even after stepping away from corporate life, Mary didn’t shelve her executive toolkit. Instead, she’s redirecting her strategic skills and leadership experience into volunteer work, especially in fundraising and board service, where she continues to create meaningful impact. -
The value of lifelong learning (she’s now taking classes at NYU!)
Recognizing that leadership in new sectors requires fresh knowledge, Mary enrolled in NYU’s professional education courses. Her commitment to learning reflects her drive not just to help, but to help well, with insight, humility, and updated expertise. -
How HAYVN has been a crucial part of her transition
Originally a lifeline during the isolating days of the pandemic, HAYVN has now become a grounding force in Mary’s post-corporate life. From walks and coffee chats to community events, it’s given her the social structure and inspiration to keep growing while staying connected.
Connect with Mary:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjoconnell/
Connect with Nancy: