This leadership development podcast is brought to you by: Ovi Vasquez, Inspirational Leadership Keynote Speaker. Fatherless farm boy from rural Guatemala—Inspiring teams to peak performance. He challenges teams to embrace change and step into bold leadership through leadership culture. He grew up in a village off-the-grid, migrated to the U.S., learned English in two years, graduated from high school in three years, earned a B.A. in management, in two years. Ovi has worked for Apple, Tesla, Salesforce, and Uber. He is a TEDx speaker, author, and a social entrepreneur.

GUEST BIO: Kevin Chavez, Executive Director and founding member of ATDLE, has over 30 years of experience as a teacher and administrator in the U.S. and abroad. He holds degrees from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and Concordia University–Portland and previously served as Principal of Thomas Edison Charter Academy. He is dedicated to expanding high-quality, culturally responsive dual language programs for diverse learners.

Find our guest at: https://www.atdle.org
Find our host at: https://www.ovinspires.com

Leadership Development Keywords: executive leadership, servant leadership, bilingual education, dual language programs, culturally responsive leadership, talent retention, mentorship, community engagement, educational equity, organizational leadership

Leadership Development Summary: In this episode, Kevin Chavez shares how leadership is rooted in service and relationships. Shaped by educator parents, sports, student government, and working-class values, Kevin explains how collaboration, integrity, and people-first leadership drive long-term impact. His insights apply to schools and corporations focused on retention, belonging, and developing future leaders.

10 Takeaways on Leadership Development
✅ Leadership is service
✅ Relationships fuel growth
✅ Give students and staff voice
✅ Integrity builds trust
✅ Collaboration strengthens systems
✅ Mentorship shapes future leaders
✅ Culture drives sustainability
✅ Bilingualism is an asset
✅ Community expands impact
✅ Leadership is about giving back

5 Titles for Leadership Development
✅ Leadership as Service: Kevin Chavez on Building Systems
✅ From Classroom to National Impact
✅ Why Dual Language Leadership Matters
✅ Collaboration Over Control
✅ Serving Communities Through Education

5 Sound Bites for Leadership Development
🗣 “Leadership is service.”
🗣 “People come first.”
🗣 “Bilingualism is identity.”
🗣 “Relationships sustain organizations.”
🗣 “We grow leaders by giving responsibility.”

10 Chapters on Leadership Development
00:00 – Meet Kevin Chavez
03:00 – Defining Leadership as Service
06:00 – Family Influence and Work Ethic
10:00 – Sports and Student Government
13:00 – Dual Language Leadership
17:00 – Retaining Educators Through Connection
21:00 – Supporting New Leaders
25:00 – Bilingualism as an Asset
29:00 – Building National Networks
33:00 – Final Leadership Message

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Leadership Culture podcast
Executive leadership podcast
Educational leadership podcast
Organizational leadership podcast
Professional Development podcast
Change Management podcast
Corporate leadership podcast
School leadership podcast
Top Leadership podcast for managers
Building High-Performance Teams podcast

This leadership development podcast is brought to you by: Ovi Vasquez, Inspirational Leadership Keynote Speaker. Fatherless farm boy from rural Guatemala—Inspiring teams to peak performance. He challenges teams to embrace change and step into bold leadership through leadership culture. He grew up in a village off-the-grid, migrated to the U.S., learned English in two years, graduated from high school in three years, earned a B.A. in management, in two years. Ovi has worked for Apple, Tesla, Salesforce, and Uber. He is a TEDx speaker, author, and a social entrepreneur.

GUEST BIO: Meet Dr. Jason Eitner, the youngest superintendent in New Jersey history, National Superintendent of the Year, and two-time White House speaker. A former teacher and district leader, Dr. Eitner is known for challenging broken systems, demanding accountability, and leading with consistency, empathy, and presence. His leadership spans education reform, workforce pathways, and executive coaching.

Find our guest at: www.eitnereducation.com
Find our host at: https://www.ovinspires.com

Leadership Development Keywords: executive leadership, accountability, systems leadership, consistency, empathy, talent development, organizational culture, workforce pathways, educational leadership, change management

Leadership Development Summary: In this episode, Dr. Jason Eitner shares how growing up in a working-class family and being told he would “never amount to anything” fueled his rise to superintendent at age 32. He explains why real leadership requires boots-on-the-ground presence, consistent standards, and deep listening. His insights apply to corporate and education leaders building trust, retaining talent, and leading through resistance.

10 Takeaways on Leadership Development
✅ Leadership requires presence
✅ Consistency builds credibility
✅ Listen before responding
✅ Empathy drives performance
✅ Standards must stay clear
✅ Accountability protects culture
✅ Talent grows through opportunity
✅ Recognition fuels retention
✅ Systems must serve people
✅ Leadership is earned daily

5 Titles for Leadership Development
✅ From “You’ll Never Be Anything” to Superintendent
✅ Boots on the Ground Leadership
✅ Consistency Is the Real Culture
✅ Accountability Without Ego
✅ Leading When Not Everyone Agrees

5 Sound Bites for Leadership Development
🗣 “Leadership is boots on the ground.”
🗣 “Consistency keeps you alive as a leader.”
🗣 “Listen, don’t just hear.”
🗣 “Standards protect people.”
🗣 “If it’s not working, stop riding the horse.”

10 Chapters on Leadership Development
00:00 – Meet Dr. Jason Eitner
03:00 – Defining Leadership
06:00 – Early Influences
10:00 – Youngest Superintendent at 32
13:00 – Accountability and Consistency
16:00 – Empathy in Leadership
20:00 – Developing Talent
25:00 – Retention and Recognition
30:00 – Quiet Leaders and Visibility
35:00 – Final Leadership Message

#OVinspires
#LeadershipMessengers
#leadership
#community

Leadership Culture podcast
Executive leadership podcast
Educational leadership podcast
Organizational leadership podcast
Professional Development podcast
Change Management podcast
Corporate leadership podcast
School leadership podcast
Top Leadership podcast for managers
Building High-Performance Teams podcast

This leadership development podcast is brought to you by: Ovi Vasquez, Inspirational Leadership Keynote Speaker. Fatherless farm boy from rural Guatemala—Inspiring teams to peak performance. He challenges teams to embrace change and step into bold leadership through leadership culture. He grew up in a village off-the-grid, migrated to the U.S., learned English in two years, graduated from high school in three years, earned a B.A. in management, in two years. Ovi has worked for Apple, Tesla, Salesforce, and Uber. He is a TEDx speaker, author, and a social entrepreneur.

GUEST BIO: Sheila Peterson 2024 North Dakota Teacher of the Year. Sheila's mission centers on inspiring and empowering her students while fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment.

Find our guest at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-peterson-nd24
Find our host at: https://www.ovinspires.com

Leadership Development Keywords: servant leadership, talent retention, teacher leadership, autonomy, high expectations, student voice, educational equity, resilience, values-based leadership, community impact

Leadership Development Summary: In this episode, Sheila Peterson shares how hardship, strong mentors, and a relentless work ethic shaped her leadership. She explains why leadership is a privilege to serve, how listening reduces burnout, and how empowering others builds loyalty and performance. Her insights translate directly to schools and organizations seeking to retain high-performing teams.

10 Takeaways on Leadership Development
✅ Leadership is service
✅ High expectations build confidence
✅ Autonomy fuels motivation
✅ Listening reduces burnout
✅ Build capacity across teams
✅ Rotate leadership roles
✅ Empower before you promote
✅ Effort matters more than perfection
✅ Belonging drives retention
✅ Breathe life into people

5 Titles for Leadership Development
✅ Servant Leadership That Retains Talent
✅ From Hardship to Teacher of the Year
✅ Why Autonomy Builds High Performers
✅ Leading With High Expectations and Care
✅ Building Belonging Across Generations

5 Sound Bites for Leadership Development
🗣 “Leadership is a privilege to better others.”
🗣 “High expectations change lives.”
🗣 “When given a seat, take it.”
🗣 “Empowering others fuels me.”
🗣 “Every student has an asset.”

10 Chapters on Leadership Development
00:00 – Meet Sheila Peterson
04:00 – Defining Servant Leadership
07:00 – Coaches and Early Influence
11:00 – Family, Work Ethic, and Resilience
15:00 – Building Capacity in Teams
18:00 – Retaining Talent Through Autonomy
22:00 – Connecting With the Next Generation
26:00 – Mentorship in Action
31:00 – Rapid Fire Insights
35:00 – Final Message of Hope

#OVinspires
#LeadershipMessengers
#leadership
#community

Leadership Culture podcast
Executive leadership podcast
Educational leadership podcast
Organizational leadership podcast
Professional Development podcast
Change Management podcast
Corporate leadership podcast
School leadership podcast
Top Leadership podcast for managers
Building High-Performance Teams podcast

This leadership development podcast is brought to you by: Ovi Vasquez, Inspirational Leadership Keynote Speaker. Fatherless farm boy from rural Guatemala—Inspiring teams to peak performance. He challenges teams to embrace change and step into bold leadership through leadership culture. He grew up in a village off-the-grid, migrated to the U.S., learned English in two years, graduated from high school in three years, earned a B.A. in management, in two years. Ovi has worked for Apple, Tesla, Salesforce, and Uber. He is a TEDx speaker, author, and a social entrepreneur.

GUEST BIO: Laura Jeanne or Jeannie Penrod is the 2024 Nevada Teacher of the Year and a highly experienced high school educator in the Clark County School District. She teaches a range of disciplines and integrates project-based and social-emotional learning to foster student advocacy. A recognized teacher leader, Jeannie is also a published writer, community education activist, and national presenter and leader on innovative teaching and learning practices, as well as on education systems change.

Find our guest at: www.linkedin.com/in/laura-jeanne-penrod-162b75253

Find our host at: https://www.ovinspires.com

Leadership Keywords: leadership development, relational leadership, social emotional learning, educator wellness, humility in leadership, talent retention, collaboration, values-driven leadership, community impact, systems change

Leadership Summary: In this episode, Laura-Jeanne Penrod shares how hardship, caregiving, and quiet leadership shaped her path to becoming Nevada Teacher of the Year. She explains why leadership means walking alongside people, not standing above them. Executives and education leaders will learn how humility, empathy, and small structural changes reduce burnout, strengthen trust, and retain top talent.

10 Takeaways on Leadership
✅ Lead alongside people, not ahead of them
✅ Humility builds trust
✅ Ego blocks collaboration
✅ Love people well, even when it’s hard
✅ Listening reduces burnout
✅ Small changes improve retention
✅ Autonomy fuels passion
✅ Mental health matters in leadership
✅ Visibility grows impact
✅ Risk creates growth

5 Titles for Leadership
✅ Walking Beside, Not Above: A New Model of Leadership
✅ Quiet Leadership With Lasting Impact
✅ Humility, Heart, and Systems Change
✅ Why Love Belongs in Leadership
✅ Retaining Talent Through Trust

5 Sound Bites for Leadership
🗣 “Leadership is walking alongside people.”
🗣 “If ego leads, people disengage.”
🗣 “Burnout is real. Listening changes it.”
🗣 “Love people well.”
🗣 “Rejection is redirection.”

10 Chapters on Leadership
00:00 – Meet Laura-Jeanne Penrod
03:00 – Defining Leadership
06:00 – Family and Early Influence
10:00 – Mental Health and Empathy
13:00 – Becoming a Quiet Leader
17:00 – Humility and Collaboration
21:00 – Retaining Talent
25:00 – Developing Future Leaders
29:00 – Wisdom and Risk
33:00 – Final Reflections

#OVinspires
#LeadershipMessengers
#leadership
#community

Leadership Culture podcast
Executive leadership podcast
Educational leadership podcast
Organizational leadership podcast
Professional Development podcast
Change Management podcast
Corporate leadership podcast
School leadership podcast
Top Leadership podcast for managers
Building High-Performance Teams podcast

This leadership development podcast is brought to you by: Ovi Vasquez, Inspirational Leadership Keynote Speaker. Fatherless farm boy from rural Guatemala—Inspiring teams to peak performance. He challenges teams to embrace change and step into bold leadership through leadership culture. He grew up in a village off-the-grid, migrated to the U.S., learned English in two years, graduated from high school in three years, earned a B.A. in management, in two years. Ovi has worked for Apple, Tesla, Salesforce, and Uber. He is a TEDx speaker, author, and a social entrepreneur.

GUEST BIO: Casey Cuny is the 2024 California Teacher of the Year. He teaches 10th grade Honors English and Senior Mythology at Valencia High in Santa Clarita, California, serving as English Department Chair and Instructional Coach. He teaches in National University’s Master of Education program and was awarded the 2025 Academic Excellence Delphi Award. Casey works with ASU as a consultant and developer of the new California Teacher Credential Program for the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Innovation.

Find our guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-cuny or visit caseycuny.com
Find our host: https://www.ovinspires.com

Leadership Keywords: leadership development, values-based leadership, talent retention, culture building, AI in education, instructional leadership, mentorship, resilience, organizational culture, community impact

Leadership Summary: In this episode, Casey Cuny shares how surviving childhood cancer forged humility, agency, and purpose—and how those lessons translate into modern leadership. He unpacks listening-first leadership, autonomy that fuels passion, and why retaining top talent starts with respect, clarity of vision, and removing unnecessary friction. Short, practical insights for executives leading people-centric teams.

10 Takeaways on Leadership
✅ Lead by listening
✅ Model humility over ego
✅ Communicate a clear vision
✅ Give autonomy to spark passion
✅ Build belonging to retain talent
✅ Value frontline contributors
✅ Normalize vulnerability
✅ Focus on daily excellence
✅ See potential before it’s visible
✅ Let purpose guide decisions

5 Titles for Leadership
✅ Humility Is the Advantage
✅ From Classroom to Culture
✅ Why Listening Retains Talent
✅ Leading Without Ego
✅ Vision, Autonomy, Belonging

5 Sound Bites for Leadership
🗣 “Leadership is listening and enabling.”
🗣 “Ego blocks the bridge to impact.”
🗣 “Autonomy fuels passion.”
🗣 “You’re undefeated when you do the right thing daily.”
🗣 “See their potential before they can.”

10 Chapters on Leadership
00:00 – Meet Casey Cuny
03:30 – Defining Leadership Today
06:30 – Resilience That Shapes Leaders
10:00 – Mentors & Vulnerability
14:30 – Humility vs. Ego
18:30 – Vision That Mobilizes Teams
22:00 – Retaining Talent Through Autonomy
26:30 – AI, Education & the Future
30:30 – Lessons for Executives
34:00 – Legacy & Impact

#OVinspires
#LeadershipMessengers
#leadership
#community

Leadership Culture podcast
Executive leadership podcast
Educational leadership podcast
Organizational leadership podcast
Professional Development podcast
Change Management podcast
Corporate leadership podcast
School leadership podcast
Top Leadership podcast for managers
Building High-Performance Teams podcast

This leadership development podcast is brought to you by: Ovi Vasquez, Inspirational Leadership Keynote Speaker. Fatherless farm boy from rural Guatemala—Inspiring teams to peak performance. He challenges teams to embrace change and step into bold leadership through leadership culture. He grew up in a village off-the-grid, migrated to the U.S., learned English in two years, graduated from high school in three years, earned a B.A. in management, in two years. Ovi has worked for Apple, Tesla, Salesforce, and Uber. He is a TEDx speaker, author, and a social entrepreneur.

GUEST: Connie Hall, the 2023 Nevada State Teacher of the Year, is currently a Kindergarten teacher for the Washoe County School District in Nevada. She is very enthusiastic about teaching children, helping other teachers and families, and supporting her community. One of her primary goals is to build meaningful relationships with those within her sphere of influence. And she gets great joy from former students who come back to share how she was instrumental in their successes.

Find our guest at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connie-hall-340344141

Find our host at: https://www.ovinspires.com

Leadership Keywords: educational leadership, teacher development, values-based leadership, relational leadership, talent retention, early education, mentorship, classroom culture, education equity, SEL, community impact

Leadership Summary:
In this episode, Connie Hall shares how growing up quiet and overlooked shaped her into a leader fueled by love, faith, and consistency. From volunteering as a teen to national recognitions, Connie reflects on how showing up with excellence, empathy, and honesty keeps teams strong. She shares actionable insights for retaining talent and nurturing a culture of trust in both schools and corporations.

10 Takeaways on Leadership
✅ Show up professionally
✅ Celebrate others' wins
✅ Create safe spaces
✅ Lead through listening
✅ Stay grounded in values
✅ Uplift the next generation
✅ Retain talent by removing stress
✅ Don’t forget the front lines
✅ Let care drive decisions
✅ Speak with confidence and truth

5 Titles for Leadership
✅ From Quiet Kid to State Teacher of the Year
✅ Love Is the Leadership Strategy
✅ Why Real Leaders Remember the Front Line
✅ The Power of Showing Up Well
✅ Teach, Lead, and Still Care

5 Sound Bites for Leadership
🗣 “You don’t quit. You keep moving forward.”
🗣 “Be willing. That’s where the doors open.”
🗣 “I don’t train to be better than you, I train to be better than me yesterday.”
🗣 “A leader should want everyone around them to grow.”
🗣 “You lead by creating a safe space.”

10 Chapters on Leadership
00:00 – Meet Connie Hall
04:00 – Her Teaching Philosophy
08:00 – Early Life in a Two-Room School
11:00 – College Lessons That Sparked Her Path
14:00 – Mentors Who Believed In Her
17:00 – How Visibility Opens Opportunity
21:00 – Grit, Faith, and Relentless Drive
26:00 – Values Every Leader Should Show
31:00 – Retaining Talent Through Listening
40:00 – Personal Reflections and Legacy

#OVinspires
#LeadershipMessengers
#leadership
#community

Leadership Culture podcast
Top Management podcast
Business leadership podcast
Executive leadership podcast
Organizational leadership podcast
Transformational leadership podcast
Top Leadership podcast for managers
Building High-Performance Teams podcast
Corporate leadership podcast
School leadership podcast
Educational leadership podcast
Professional Development podcast
Change Management podcast

This leadership development podcast is brought to you by: Ovi Vasquez, Inspirational Leadership Keynote Speaker. Fatherless farm boy from rural Guatemala—Inspiring teams to peak performance. He challenges teams to embrace change and step into bold leadership through leadership culture. He grew up in a village off-the-grid, migrated to the U.S., learned English in two years, graduated from high school in three years, earned a B.A. in management, in two years. Ovi has worked for Apple, Tesla, Salesforce, and Uber. He is a TEDx speaker, author, and a social entrepreneur.

GUEST BIO: Noé Lemus-Diaz is a GTM strategy and operations leader at LinkedIn Marketing Solutions, building scalable commercial systems across Sales, Deal Desk, Pricing, Finance, Legal, and Product. He turns complex, high-stakes deals into clear governance, decision frameworks, and operating rhythms that protect revenue, increase velocity, and reduce friction. He’s focused on AI-first ops and expanding career pipelines for underrepresented talent.

Find our guest at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nld
Find our host at: https://www.ovinspires.com

Leadership Keywords: leadership development, Latino leadership, GTM strategy, inclusive leadership, AVID, educational equity, operations excellence, mental models, mentorship, employee experience, career access, AI tools, LinkedIn, resilient leadership

Leadership Summary:
Noe Lemus shares how growing up in a farmworker family shaped his values and mental models for leading in tech. He breaks down how AVID taught transferable skills, why showing up builds trust, and how reflection powers resilience. His practical advice bridges education, identity, and corporate leadership.

10 Takeaways on Leadership
✅ Lead by showing up
✅ Mental models solve real problems
✅ Don’t wait to be ready to lead
✅ Equity starts with perspective
✅ Give space, then listen
✅ Family shapes leadership
✅ Create balance with purpose
✅ Let talent rise before judging
✅ Advocate without shame
✅ Reflect to overcome

5 Titles for Leadership
✅ From Farm Fields to LinkedIn Strategy
✅ AVID Lessons for Corporate Success
✅ Leading Without Permission
✅ Mental Models in Motion
✅ How Resilience Builds Belonging

5 Sound Bites for Leadership
🗣 “If no one steps up, you must.”
🗣 “Copy how they speak until your voice forms.”
🗣 “My sister led so we didn’t have to pick fruit.”
🗣 “Being Latino shaped me more than I thought.”
🗣 “Show up. That’s leadership.”

10 Chapters on Leadership
00:00 – Meet Noe Lemus
02:00 – From AVID Student to LinkedIn Leader
05:00 – Early Role Models and Latino Educators
08:00 – Corporate Lessons from Rural Life
12:00 – College Challenges and First-Gen Barriers
17:00 – Identity, Leadership, and Family Roles
21:00 – Mental Models and Ray Dalio
24:00 – Avoiding Burnout and Building Belonging
28:00 – Spotting Untapped Talent
32:00 – AI, Tools, and Final Advice

#OVinspires
#LeadershipMessengers
#leadership
#community

Leadership Culture podcast
Top Management podcast
Business leadership podcast
Executive leadership podcast
Organizational leadership podcast
Transformational leadership podcast
Top Leadership podcast for managers
Building High-Performance Teams podcast
Corporate leadership podcast
School leadership podcast
Educational leadership podcast
Professional Development podcast
Change Management podcast

This leadership development podcast is brought to you by: Ovi Vasquez, Inspirational Leadership Keynote Speaker. Fatherless farm boy from rural Guatemala—Inspiring teams to peak performance. He challenges teams to embrace change and step into bold leadership through leadership culture. He grew up in a village off-the-grid, migrated to the U.S., learned English in two years, graduated from high school in three years, earned a B.A. in management, in two years. Ovi has worked for Apple, Tesla, Salesforce, and Uber. He is a TEDx speaker, author, and a social entrepreneur.

GUEST BIO: Meet Dr. Alex Alejandro Jauregui, a lifelong advocate for emergent bilinguals whose work in Buena Park School District, the Cotsen Foundation, and Biola University centers one belief: students’ heritage languages and cultures are powerful assets. He partners with teachers and coaches to design classrooms where translanguaging is welcomed, biliteracy is the goal, and every child’s story is seen, heard, and honored.

Find our guest at: https://cotsen.org
Find our host at: https://www.ovinspires.com

Leadership Keywords: educator development, teacher coaching, emergent bilinguals, biliteracy, educational equity, translanguaging, professional mentorship, instructional leadership, program design, values-based leadership, student voice, Latino leadership, community impact

Leadership Summary: In this episode, Dr. Jauregui shares how his grandmother’s wisdom and early mentors shaped his leadership path from East LA to statewide coaching roles. He breaks down how relational coaching, music, cultural pride, and servant leadership drive long-term team success. His story speaks to resilience, family values, and inclusive leadership. For corporate and school leaders, his message is clear: empower people, create safe zones to fail, and lead with empathy.

10 Takeaways on Leadership
✅ Mentorship is a responsibility
✅ Active listening builds trust
✅ Let others fail and grow
✅ Lead with values, not ego
✅ Culture is an asset
✅ Music connects across language
✅ Coaching should be relational
✅ Invest in people first
✅ Create safe spaces to learn
✅ Center leadership on gratitude and faith

5 Titles for Leadership
✅ From Janitor to Doctor: Alex Jauregui’s Leadership Blueprint
✅ Coaching Is Culture
✅ Mentorship in Motion
✅ Lead by Listening
✅ Bilingual by Pride

5 Sound Bites for Leadership
🗣 “Mentorship is walking alongside, not above.”
🗣 “Every teacher needs a coach, not just new ones.”
🗣 “My abuelita said, you will be bilingual. You will use your voice.”
🗣 “Failure is not the end. It’s where growth begins.”
🗣 “Hard conversations are brave conversations.”

10 Chapters on Leadership
00:00 Meet Dr. Jauregui
04:00 East LA Roots
06:00 Mentors and Programs
10:00 Music, Faith, Culture
13:00 Janitorial Work for Tuition
16:00 Grandma’s Language Lessons
20:00 Coaching the Cotsen Way
25:00 Teacher Growth Through Mentorship
30:00 Advice for Corporate Leaders
35:00 Free Tools, Faith, Final Message

#OVinspires
#LeadershipMessengers
#leadership
#community

Leadership Culture podcast
Top Management podcast
Business leadership podcast
Executive leadership podcast
Organizational leadership podcast
Transformational leadership podcast
Top Leadership podcast for managers
Building High-Performance Teams podcast
Corporate leadership podcast
School leadership podcast
Educational leadership podcast
Professional Development podcast
Change Management podcast