Protégé Podcast With Rory Verrett

Protégé Podcast is back! This week we launch our series on Beltway Insiders and discuss the career lessons from Omarosa Manigault Newman. Is her story a cautionary tale about being a strong-willed woman of color in the workplace? Did she deserve to be fired so dramatically? Has her tell-all book earned her an invitation back to the BBQ? I talk with lawyer and communications expert Shaunna Jones about what we can and should learn from Omarosa’s story. On the Rant/Rave/Review Segment, I talk about Serena Williams' unfair treatment at the US Open, Nike’s Colin Kaepernick campaign, and some intriguing content on Netflix.

This week on the podcast, we continue our series “Lessons from the Top” where we talk with C-suite executives about what it takes to succeed at the highest levels in complex organizations. On this episode we have a rich conversation with Burt Fealing, the general counsel at Southwire, about the evolution of the legal function, how to become a trusted advisor to your CEO, and the best practices for leading and inspiring your team. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I encourage all of us to exercise our basic civic obligations to enact positive social change.

As a star athlete on Notre Dame's national championship team, Rod had every intention of having a career in professional football. Then, as an attorney at Entergy Corporation, Rod had every intention of enjoying a purposeful, yet stable corporate career. As the first episode in our Protégé Podcast series "Lessons from the Top," I have an intense and reflective conversation with Rod West, Entergy Corporation's Group President for Utility Operations. We talk about activating your contingency plans in the storms of life and career, what it means to truly add value at your company, and the importance of longevity in your career. We also bring back "The Breakdown" segment to analyze the leadership competencies Rod has exhibited in his dynamic career, and their importance for anyone looking to enter the C-suite. 

He's been called the Vernon Jordan of our generation. David Sutphen's network extends from Capitol Hill to Hollywood, from the Obama Administration to Silicon Valley, and from corporate board rooms to the civil rights establishment. On this week's Protégé Podcast, uber-networked technology executive David Sutphen discusses his nonlinear career path and the influential relationships he built along the way. His secrets: boundless generosity and the creative genius to see connections between people and opportunities that most people miss. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I discuss the Protégé Pipeline, exciting executive opportunities at our client partners. 

What comes first: great success or a great network? On the Protégé Podcast series “How to Build a World Class Network,” we feature leaders who’ve built incredible networks over the course of their careers. On this week’s episode, I talk with Heidi Messer, the chair and founder of Collective[i], a tech company which leverages artificial intelligence and predictive technologies to help sales professionals succeed. Heidi talks about her New York poker party for women leaders, an innovative networking event where you might find Shaquille O’Neal dealing the cards. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I review exciting executive positions we are recruiting for at Protégé Search. 

In our fourth episode in the Protégé Podcast series on D&I in the Workplace, I have the distinct honor to talk to two superstars in the diversity function. Deb Elam is the Founder and President of Corporate Playbook and the former Chief Diversity Officer at GE. Dominica Groom is the VP for Diversity and Inclusion at Freddie Mac and a former diversity executive at Marriott Corporation. We discuss the evolution of the diversity officer function, the importance of supplier diversity, and the increasing role of data in driving D&I initiatives and outcomes. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I rave about the inclusiveness of the royal wedding.

This week on Protégé Podcast, we have our third episode in our series on D&I in the Workplace. In my conversation with Harvard Law professor David Wilkins, the foremost scholar on the legal profession and a thought leader on corporate diversity, we discuss diversity within the legal profession, the myth of the pipeline problem, and what law firms and companies can do to improve D&I in their workplaces. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I rave about customer service - exceptional customer service - at a time when black people are getting the cops called on them for living their normal lives.

In the second episode in our Protégé Podcast series on D&I in the Workplace, I talk with Joanna Lane, the Vice President for Talent Engagement and Inclusion at Publicis Groupe, the world's third largest advertising and communications group. Joanna and I talk about the evolution of the diversity function and why consumer goods companies like Nivea, Dove, and others keep making culturally insensitive advertisements. We also discuss the unique perspective she brings as a Caucasian woman to the diversity function. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I rave about companies which have their chief diversity officers reporting into the CEO.

From Google to Starbucks to trade associations and nonprofits,  leadership in diversity and inclusion can be critical to organizational success. On this week's Protégé Podcast, we launch a series on Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace. On today's episode, we provide three reasons why every employee should get to know their organization's Chief Diversity Officer (CDO), and the seven leadership competencies necessary for CDOs to be impactful as culture change agents.

In our third episode in our series "Women Leaders in Media and Entertainment," I talk with Laura Lee, the SVP of Human Resources at MGM Resorts International. A people operations leader in the gaming sector for over 25 years, Laura talks about MGM's innovative talent and workforce development strategies. We also discuss how MGM has been successful in retaining and promoting diverse talent at the management level. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I rave about the startup media company CultureBanx.  

In our second episode in our series "Women Leaders in Entertainment," I talk with Nadja Webb Cogsville, Viacom's Deputy General Counsel. Nadja is now directly responsible for legal affairs for seven Viacom cable channels and the music strategy group. Whether she's overseeing a new partnership in her L.A. office or negotiating a deal with Nick Cannon in Miami, Nadja has never forgotten her humble roots in the Bronx. We talk about sponsorship and confidence, and examine the myth of work/life balance. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I talk about Viacom's business and legal affairs fellowship and the recent news about Starbucks.

What does it take to succeed in one of the most competitive industries and at the highest levels? This week we launch our series "Women Leaders in Media and Entertainment" and have a wisdom-filled conversation with Jessica Herrera-Flanigan, the EVP for Government and Corporate Affairs at Univision. Jess talks about what it takes to succeed on Capitol Hill, as a top lobbyist, and as a C-suite executive in the hyper-competitive media and entertainment industries. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I rave about affinity groups at universities and companies.  

In Part 2 of our series - Network Like A Protégé - it's all about taking our relationship building to the next level. Running, golf, tennis, and cycling can be powerful tools to stay healthy AND build a powerful network. It's why 90% of Fortune 500 CEOs play golf and why companies like Disney are organizing running events all across the country. I talk about practical tips like when to play and when to discuss business, and why these events are windows into the psyche of your next employer or next investor.   On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I rave about Howard University.

Relationships matter. Networking for some people, however, sounds about as appealing as a root canal. In today's global, hyperconnected economy, networking should be more than a necessary evil; it has to become a long term, professional habit. On this week's Protégé Podcast, I discuss seven simple things you can do to network effectively and authentically. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I give props to the millions of students who are part of the #MarchforOurLives movement.

  No matter where you are, you can change the world.   I had the distinct honor to meet four talented and committed nonprofit leaders during my trip to South Africa. They are Le'Kedra Robertson and Eshanda Fennell, two American women who replanted themselves in Johannesburg as part of their faith journey; Mirriam "Nuska" Zwane, a South African IT entrepreneur who now leads a social service organization; and Sello Hatang, the head of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Each professional is contributing their skills and energies to serve the least among them in South Africa.   Join us for a fascinating conversation about taking an international leap of faith, how to recognize "the God nudge" in your career, and what Nelson Mandela said to Afrikaner military leaders who refused to accept the new way forward.   It's a Special Episode of Protégé Podcast: Servant Leaders of South Africa.  

It's time to get your LinkedIN profile together! More and more recruiting agencies are using LinkedIN as a source for candidates, so it's imperative that your profile get set up with the right amount of information. In this episode of Protégé Podcast, I discuss what kind of photo to use, how your professional experience should be listed, and how to use the optional sections like Accomplishments and Recommendations. I also show you an often overlooked setting which can help attract recruiters to your profile, and I make the case for upgrading to LinkedIN Career Premium. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I rave about Freddie Mac's innovative internship program for autistic college students. 

This week on Protégé Podcast, it’s our third episode in our series “The Transformers,” which features conversations with inspirational professionals who are helping to transform the lives of children. This week our Guest Mentor is Rob Lake, one of the few African-American educators who’s served as a headmaster of a comprehensive independent school. Rob shares his vision about what schools can and should do to prepare children for the 21st century workforce, and how parents can do their part at home. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I rave about the inspiration, beauty, and lessons from the movie Black Panther.

This week on Protégé Podcast we continue our series "The Transformers," which features amazing professionals who are using their talents to transform the lives of children. Our Guest Mentor this week is Ursula Rochon, a visual artist and the founder of The Color Gallery, a nonprofit art studio which works to decrease community violence and school related crime by providing a creative means of expression for urban youth. Hear how this single mother left her six-figure salary and stepped on faith to follow her career purpose. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I talk about anthropological privilege and why companies need Chief Culture Officers. 

This week on Protégé Podcast​ we launch "The Transformers," a series focused on uniquely inspirational leaders who are transforming the lives of children. This week we hear from Dr. Maurice Sholas, Senior Medical Director at Children's Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota. Dr. Sholas, a graduate of Southern University, Harvard Medical School, and Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, talks about his trailblazing career as a pediatric rehabilitation physician. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I break down the career insights from Shonda Rhimes' book, "Year of Yes."

In the second episode in our Protégé Podcast series on navigating corporate culture, I talk with Karen Gray, the head of human resources North America at Christie's, the prestigious art auction house. Karen and I discuss how your intellectual curiosity and your ability to get out of your comfort zone can help you navigate through corporate culture. As part of the Rant, Rave, and Review segment, I emphasize why diversity on corporate boards matters.