Guest: Torey Carter-Conneen

What a magnificent top 10 list! From Joe Leo on birthing a company to Joe Grace, who births audiences for companies, we've got Torey Carter-Conneen on inspiring unity and focus by simplifying complexity. And then, of course, there's James Hyman, who's made a successful career as a serial turnaround CEO. He balances accountability and empowerment within his teams to make progress. Topping it off is Kyle Buckett, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL who has lived up to the importance of culture improvement and fit in creating elite teams. This is the stuff not from people who write books, although several have written books, but from people who have created or transformed and ultimately lifted teams and companies to new levels. I'll warn you, they don't make it sound easy, but they do share what drove them. Pick an episode on a relevant topic and listen in as they dive in. Several common themes emerge across these episodes of Success Beneath the Surface:
Leadership and Team Building: Many of the guests, including James Hyman, Joe Leo, Kyle Buckett, and Torey Carter-Conneen, discuss strategies for effective leadership and building high-performing teams. This includes balancing accountability with empowerment, understanding individual team members, and creating a culture of excellence.
Adapting to Change and Complexity: Several episodes touch on navigating complex business environments, whether it's James Hyman's approach to restructuring companies, Joe Leo's entrepreneurial journey, or Torey Carter-Conneen's efforts to unite diverse constituents in a trade association.
Customer Focus and Understanding: Joe Grace's insights on direct-to-consumer marketing and Deborah Fell's experience with the trampoline park client highlight the importance of deeply understanding customer needs and tailoring experiences accordingly.
Authenticity and Storytelling: Joe Grace emphasizes the power of authentic storytelling in marketing, while other guests touch on the importance of aligning personal values with organizational missions.
Continuous Learning and Skill Development: Many guests, including James Hyman and Joe Leo, stress the importance of broadening skill sets and learning from experiences to drive success.
Innovation and Adaptability: From leveraging AI in business to adapting marketing strategies, the episodes highlight the need for leaders to stay innovative and adaptable in changing business landscapes.
Creating a Supportive Culture: Multiple episodes touch on the importance of fostering a supportive environment where team members can grow, take risks, and reach their full potential.
These themes collectively emphasize the multifaceted nature of leadership and success in various business contexts, from startups to large organizations, across different industries. You can find the full playlist here >

In episode 49 of Success Beneath the Surface, host Deborah Fell spoke with Torey Carter Conneen, CEO of the American Society of Landscape Architects. One key theme was simplifying complexity. As the leader of a trade association with diverse constituents, Torey sees his role as uniting everyone around a shared mission.
Deborah reflects that whether in complex organizations like Torey's or simpler ones, complexity can quickly arise from a lack of listening and leadership. Without the air of inspiration, problem-solving focus, and commitment to achieving better outcomes together, complexity takes over.
Torey shares how his roles have been driven by a deep connection to organizational missions and purposes that align with his own values.
About Torey Carter-Conneen
An accomplished executive leader with over 20 years of experience, Torey Carter Conneen formulates strategies and plans to drive organizational success. As COO of AILA, he oversees operations, education, conferences, publications, finance, and more to support the 15,000+ immigration attorney members. He led the development of strategic and operating plans and ensured accountability against goals. As SVP, Finance, and CFO at the Center for American Progress, he oversaw accounting, administration, and IT for the $50M organization and advised the President & CEO as part of the executive team. As Acting President & CEO of the Victory Fund and Institute, he partnered with leaders and the Board on strategic, operating, and financial plans during the CEO’s sabbatical. He excels at managing deadlines and challenges while delivering immediate results. Skilled at cultivating engaging work environments to promote performance excellence.
Torey Carter-Conneen on LinkedIn
Deborah Fell on LinkedIn
Chief Outsiders

Do you aspire to lead with purpose and service? This week’s Success Beneath the Surface podcast features a remarkable discussion with Torey Carter Conneen, CEO of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Host Deborah Fell artfully draws out Conneen's inspiring path to nonprofit leadership guided by his family’s ethos of community service.
From his first nonprofit role out of college to helming major associations today, Conneen walks the talk of mission-driven business. He shares the CEO mindset needed to align strategy with core values during difficult decisions, constantly engaging stakeholders while moving change forward. For growth leaders who want their organizations to balance purpose, service and sustainability while thriving financially, this is an episode you can’t miss. Tune in for an uplifting dose of wisdom.
About Torey Carter-Conneen
An accomplished executive leader with over 20 years of experience, Torey Carter Conneen formulates strategies and plans to drive organizational success. As COO of AILA, he oversees operations, education, conferences, publications, finance, and more to support the 15,000+ immigration attorney members. He led the development of strategic and operating plans and ensured accountability against goals. As SVP, Finance, and CFO at the Center for American Progress, he oversaw accounting, administration, and IT for the $50M organization and advised the President & CEO as part of the executive team. As Acting President & CEO of the Victory Fund and Institute, he partnered with leaders and the Board on strategic, operating, and financial plans during the CEO’s sabbatical. He excels at managing deadlines and challenges while delivering immediate results. Skilled at cultivating engaging work environments to promote performance excellence.
Torey Carter-Conneen on LinkedIn
Deborah Fell on LinkedIn
Chief Outsiders