Success Beneath the Surface

What happens when personal tragedy becomes professional purpose? In this powerful episode, Christine Verini, CEO of CancerCare, shares her extraordinary 30-year journey from mixing chemotherapy as a pharmacist to leading one of the nation's most impactful cancer support organizations. Sparked by her sister's inflammatory breast cancer diagnosis at 28, Christine has dedicated her entire career to helping cancer patients and their families navigate one of life's most challenging experiences.
From launching life-saving drugs in 40 countries to developing innovative meal delivery programs, Christine's path wasn't linear—but it was always purposeful. Now as CEO, she's tackling healthcare's "red tape crisis" while building compassionate, people-first leadership that transforms both organizations and lives. Her insights on leading through uncertainty, making tough decisions with empathy, and staying true to your mission will resonate with any leader facing today's complex challenges.
Key Points in this episode:
Purpose Drives Success Living your passion and purpose creates unexpected opportunities and sustained career satisfaction.
People Make Organizations Compassionate leadership that prioritizes people first leads to stronger, more resilient teams.
Infrastructure Enables Impact Investing in foundational systems and capabilities is essential for organizational effectiveness and growth.
Decisive Yet Inclusive Great leaders make tough decisions while finding meaningful ways to include their teams in the process.
Growth Happens Outside The biggest breakthroughs come from embracing uncertainty and stepping outside your comfort zone.
Healthcare Needs Reform The "red tape crisis" in healthcare is costing organizations productivity while adding stress to already vulnerable patients.
Christine Verini brings over 25 years of oncology experience to her role as Chief Executive Officer at CancerCare, a national nonprofit providing support services to cancer patients and families. Her career spans progressive leadership roles from medical science liaison to executive positions in global marketing and corporate communications. Notable achievements include developing the Magnolia Meals at Home program for cancer patients, launching metastatic breast cancer treatments in nearly 40 countries, and receiving national recognition through the Eisai Human Healthcare Award (2012) and PharmaVOICE 100 Most Inspiring Award (2019). At CancerCare since 2015, she leads the organization's strategic vision and daily operations across key departments including social services, finance, and communications. She also serves as Chair of HealthyWomen and previously served on the Board of Directors of CancerCare New Jersey. Her advocacy work is driven by personal experience with cancer's impact on families.
 

This conversation  will challenge everything you think you know about leadership identity.  Deborah Fell sits down with powerhouse CEO Ticki Favaroth, a faith-driven leader who has mastered the art of showing up authentically while building multiple successful enterprises.
Ticki doesn't mince words: "People don't get to choose my life" - and in this raw, transformative conversation, she explains exactly what that means for leaders who want to build a lasting legacy rather than just temporary success.
From her journey through 20 years in corporate America to founding HR&Co and leading The BOW Enterprises, Ticki shares the hard-won wisdom about identity, boundaries, and the courage to let things burn when they're meant to transform.
This isn't your typical business strategy episode - it's a masterclass in becoming the leader you're meant to be, complete with practical frameworks for navigating change, building authentic relationships, and focusing on what you can actually control.
Perfect for CEOs, founders, and leaders ready to move from pleasing everyone to leading with purpose.
About Ticki Favaroth
Ticki Favaroth is a faith-driven CEO, founder, and strategic advisor known for empowering leaders and building legacy-focused ecosystems. As Senior Partner & Managing Director at HR&Co., she delivers people-first solutions that drive sustainable growth. She also serves as President of The BOW Enterprises, Vice President & COO of The BOW Collective, and founder of The ADISA Institute. With an MBA from Texas Woman’s University and a BBA from Texas Tech, Ticki’s impact spans Fortune 500s, government, and nonprofits. Rooted in faith and authenticity, she equips others to confront hard truths, redefine success, and lead with purpose
Ticki's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ticki/

What if I told you the most successful CEOs I've interviewed this quarter share one counterintuitive trait? They don't try to be the smartest person in the room. From architecture to military leadership to digital transformation, the pattern is unmistakable. 
Looking back at this quarter's most listened-to episodes—featuring Jonathan Moody (Moody Nolan), Rear Admiral Brian Luther (Navy Mutual), Ryan Frederick (Transform Labs), Harold Green (Global Emissionary), Eddie Solomon (Net at Work), Joe Yaccarino (MTF Biologics), Jeff Ostenso (Ironmark), and James Hyman (serial turnaround CEO)—I discovered something remarkable.
The golden thread connecting every transformative leader: They refuse to be the smartest person in the room.
From Jonathan's "create more footprints, not bigger shoes" philosophy to Brian's "reflected light leadership," from Ryan's embrace of "continuous not knowing" to Eddie's insight that "entrepreneurship belongs in psychology," these leaders share seven powerful traits:
→ Anti-ego leadership - Building teams instead of thrones→ Vulnerability as strength - Admitting what they don't know→ Empowerment over control - Creating conditions for others to succeed→ Psychological wisdom - Understanding leadership is about mindset→ Radical transparency - Building trust through openness→ Purpose-driven growth - Companies that matter, not just profit→ The learning advantage - Staying curious regardless of expertise
Whether it's Harold at 69 still having daily learning conversations, Joe asking "is that even legal?" and building from curiosity, Jeff realizing his company "feeds 500 people," or James discovering that Hollywood leadership doesn't work—the pattern is clear.
The most successful leaders amplify their impact by avoiding being the bottleneck.
Join me as we unpack the strategies that turn good companies into thriving communities where everyone succeeds together.
Some of the episodes in this list:
EP105: Reflected Light: Leading Through Your People
EP103: The Power of Humble Listening in Leadership
EP96: Making Carbon Reduction Measurable and Meaningful
EP87: Why This Successful Family Business Said No to Nepotism
EP83: Heroes at Every Level of Healthcare Innovation
EP81: How Teaching the Game of Business Built an Empire
EP63: A CEO’s Competitve Edge - Mastering the Art of Corporate Turnarounds
 
 
 

In this powerful commentary episode, Deborah Fell reflects on her recent conversation with Jeff Grass and the stark reality facing mid-market businesses today. Drawing from hundreds of CEO conversations, she reveals why some companies thrive during crisis while others struggle for years—or don't survive at all.
The Three Types of Companies in Crisis:
Those that thrive (like Jeff's Hungry Marketplace)
Those still struggling five years later
Those that didn't make it
Deborah unpacks the counterintuitive truth that the key to rapid growth is subtraction—eliminating the activities that cloud real results. When every department shows green but business growth shows red, it's time to focus on what truly matters: your customers' biggest pain points.
What separates thriving CEOs from the rest?
They clarify direction and required outcomes
They make 2-3 big strategic decisions per year
They lead with inspiration, not just management
They ensure every team member understands their role in the bigger picture
This episode includes powerful excerpts from Jeff Grass's interview, highlighting how culture built in good times becomes your lifeline during the storm. As Deborah puts it: "Where the eyes are focused, the mind and body go. Get your team looking up and to the right."
This episode is perfect for CEOs facing current market headwinds, leaders struggling with focus amid distractions, and executives who want to understand why some businesses defy market trends while others wait it out.
Listen to Jeff's full episode here - #110.
About HUNGRY Marketplace
HUNGRY’s mission is to deliver happiness & wellbeing to the workplace by providing amazing food and food experiences. HUNGRY has a comprehensive platform for office catering, group order, special events, pantry, markets & snacks which enables complete customization to client need.  HUNGRY now operates in 19 major cities across North America. and is rapidly disrupting the $60 billion office food industry.  Learn about HUNGRY at www.TryHungry.com
 

Deborah Fell sits down with Jeff Grass, CEO and co-founder of Hungry Marketplace, to explore how exceptional leadership and company culture can turn a 95% revenue loss into a thriving business.
Jeff shares the remarkable story of how Hungry Marketplace—a food tech platform connecting local chefs with corporate clients—not only survived the COVID-19 pandemic but emerged stronger than ever. When office catering disappeared overnight, Jeff and his team didn't just adapt—they innovated their way out of crisis, ultimately delivering 1.5 million meals per month to underserved communities and partnering with organizations like World Central Kitchen.
About HUNGRY - HUNGRY’s mission is to deliver happiness & wellbeing to the workplace by providing amazing food and food experiences. HUNGRY has a comprehensive platform for office catering, group order, special events, pantry, markets & snacks which enables complete customization to client need.  HUNGRY now operates in 19 major cities across North America. and is rapidly disrupting the $60 billion office food industry.  Learn about HUNGRY at www.TryHungry.com

There's a fundamental difference between being busy and being effective. You can have a team that hits every activity metric and checks off every box—but if revenue isn't growing, are they really succeeding?
This week's commentary explores a powerful shift: moving from loyalty-based cultures to accountability-based ones. It's the difference between rewarding people for showing up versus rewarding them for delivering results that actually move the business forward.
We dive into what it means to build a culture where everyone understands how their role contributes to business goals and has the tools to deliver real outcomes. This isn't about micromanagement—it's about creating an environment where success is clearly defined and team members can see the direct connection between their work and company growth.
When done right, this shift doesn't just transform businesses—it transforms lives.
The full episode is here.
 
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Carolyn Lagermasini is President and Founder of Association & Conference Group (ACG), which she launched in 2005 after experiencing lackluster service as a volunteer board member and recognizing the industry's potential. With over 25 years of event and association management experience, including launching a successful division at a premier conference production company, Carolyn has grown ACG from an idea to a thriving firm employing over 20 professionals across 13 states. She holds a BA and BS from Rutgers University, earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential, and actively serves on the Rutgers University Alumni Association Alumni Leaders Council and as a member of the AMC Institute.
 
LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:
SOCIAL HANDLES FOR OUR GUEST:
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-lagermasini/
COMPANY ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/association-&-conference-group-llc/ 
COMPANY WEBSITE: https://associationconferencegroup.com/ 
CHIEF OUTSIDERS:
WEBSITE: https://chiefoutsiders.com 
LINKEDIN PAGE: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chief-outsiders/ 
X HANDLE: @chiefoutsiders
FACEBOOK HANDLE: @ChiefOutsiders
DEBORAH FELL ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahfell 
 

Twenty years ago, when Carolyn Lagarmasini launched her association management company as fully virtual, industry veterans said it was impossible. Today, her company spans 13 states with 26 employees, and COVID proved she was decades ahead.
"I once had a coach who said, the minute you start to shrink, you die," Carolyn reflects. Her story embodies this philosophy: jumping off cliffs without knowing where you'll land, seeing broken processes instead of broken people, and shifting from a loyalty-based to an accountability-based culture. From her mother, who ran for Congress, to her own leap from stay-at-home mom to entrepreneur, Carolyn turns uncertainty into opportunity.
She reveals how she's preparing for industry disruption as five generations collide in the workforce and what she's learned about building culture when teams never meet face-to-face.
Carolyn Lagermasini is President and Founder of Association & Conference Group (ACG), which she launched in 2005 after experiencing lackluster service as a volunteer board member and recognizing the industry's potential. With over 25 years of event and association management experience, including launching a successful division at a premier conference production company, Carolyn has grown ACG from an idea to a thriving firm employing over 20 professionals across 13 states. She holds a BA and BS from Rutgers University, earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential, and actively serves on the Rutgers University Alumni Association Alumni Leaders Council and as a member of the AMC Institute.
 
LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:
SOCIAL HANDLES FOR OUR GUEST:
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-lagermasini/
COMPANY ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/association-&-conference-group-llc/ 
COMPANY WEBSITE: https://associationconferencegroup.com/ 
CHIEF OUTSIDERS:
WEBSITE: https://chiefoutsiders.com 
LINKEDIN PAGE: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chief-outsiders/ 
X HANDLE: @chiefoutsiders
FACEBOOK HANDLE: @ChiefOutsiders
DEBORAH FELL ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahfell 

Deborah Fell reflects on one of the most powerful leadership insights from her conversation with Jonathan Moody: the radical humility of a CEO who built his success by recognizing he didn't need to be the central force driving everything. When Jonathan became CEO of Moody Nolan in January 2020, just before the pandemic, he made a crucial decision to create an executive team structure rather than trying to fill his legendary father's singular leadership role.
In this brief yet impactful commentary, Deborah explores how Jonathan's approach challenges the traditional CEO archetype and why his vulnerability and team-first mindset have become the foundation for navigating unprecedented uncertainty. For leaders struggling with the pressure to be perfect or those building their executive teams, Jonathan's story offers a refreshing alternative to the lone-wolf leadership model.
The full episode is here.
ABOUT JONATHAN MOODY:
Driven by a passion to continue his father’s legacy, Jonathan D. Moody has entrenched himself in firm leadership, driving growth and innovation. Moody Nolan has grown to over 350 employees and 12 offices across the nation. The firm’s designs have now won over 300 design citations, including 47 from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and 44 from the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). Jonathan has helped continue and extend the firm’s position as the largest African American-owned architecture firm. Moody Nolan continues to garner national attention by promoting “diversity by design.”
CONNECT: LINKEDIN | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM

Jonathan Moody, CEO of Moody Nolan—recognized by Fast Company as one of the world's most innovative architecture firms—reveals the decade-long succession journey that positioned him to lead just before the pandemic struck.
"More time is better," Jonathan reflects on the gradual handoff from his father—a process filled with strategic "sink or swim" moments and culminating in a smooth transition of power in January 2020. His insights on building an executive team, establishing trust through transparent communication, and maintaining the firm's "diverse by design" philosophy provide a blueprint for sustainable leadership transition.
For family businesses and organizations planning succession, Jonathan's humble approach offers practical wisdom on preserving company values while evolving the leadership model—proving that deliberate, patient transitions build the strongest foundations for navigating uncertainty.
ABOUT JONATHAN MOODY:
Driven by a passion to continue his father’s legacy, Jonathan D. Moody has entrenched himself in firm leadership, driving growth and innovation. Moody Nolan has grown to over 350 employees and 12 offices across the nation. The firm’s designs have now won over 300 design citations, including 47 from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and 44 from the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). Jonathan has helped continue and extend the firm’s position as the largest African American-owned architecture firm. Moody Nolan continues to garner national attention by promoting “diversity by design.”
CONNECT: LINKEDIN | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
 

In this week's commentary, Deborah Fell explores the wisdom from her conversation with Rear Admiral Brian "Lex" Luther on leading through change. "The balance of leadership is hard," Deborah notes, "with internal issues, external forces, and human complexity creating cloudy challenges." Yet Lex's transformation of Navy Mutual reveals a fundamental truth: you can't lead if no one follows.
He prioritized his people rather than issuing directives and wondering why progress stalls. His approach of turning long-tenured employees into owners of change while managing "soft saboteurs" demonstrates that transformation starts with engagement, not mandates.
As Luther powerfully stated, "Leaders shine brightest with reflected light." Like Bill Marriott's philosophy that caring for employees leads to satisfied customers and ultimately profit, Lex's military precision and transparent communication created a framework where change could thrive.
 
Brian E. Luther, USN (Ret.), President and Chief Executive Officer | LinkedIn
Brian Luther assumed the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Navy Mutual in October of 2020. Prior to his position as CEO, Luther served for two years as the Chief Strategy Officer of Navy Mutual, assisting the CEO with developing, communicating, executing, and sustaining corporate strategic initiatives. He considers it a privilege to lead an organization whose primary mission is to serve military service members and their families, and will continue to serve Navy Mutual Members and potential Members with honor and integrity.
Before joining the Navy Mutual Team, Luther served as a naval aviator in the U.S. Navy. At sea, his tours included operational squadrons Sea Control Squadrons (VS) 22 and 24, Carrier Air Wing SEVEN, and as the commanding officer of VS-24. After completing the Navy Nuclear Power Training program, he served as the Executive Officer on the USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Commanding Officer on the USS Tarawa (LHA-1) and the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), and Commander of Carrier Strike Group 2/George H.W. Bush Strike Group.
Luther also served multiple tours in the Pentagon on the Joint Staff, Navy Staff, and Navy Secretariat as an Action Officer, Financial Analyst, Congressional Liaison, Director of Operations and Plans (N31) and, before joining the Navy Mutual team, the Budget Officer for the Department of the Navy.
 
About Navy Mutual
Navy Mutual is a nonprofit, member-owned mutual association established in 1879 to provide affordable life insurance and peace of mind to members of the military and their families. As the nation’s oldest federally recognized Veterans Service Organization, its mission and commitment to protect those who defend us remain unwavering. Financially strong, Navy Mutual is proud to be a first-choice life insurance provider to servicemembers and their loved ones. Through quality life insurance products, no-cost educational and veterans services programs, and unparalleled service, Navy Mutual has earned the loyalty and support of its membership. For more information, visit navymutual.org.