TheEdge Podcast

Hosted by ClearEdge Marketing

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Dec 2024

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TheEdge podcast works to shine a bright light on the stories, wisdom and career guidance of the women executives (and their workforce allies) who are elevating the talent and tech industries. Our “How to Lead and Thrive” format is focused on providing listeners with real-world advice they can use to drive their own careers and companies forward. Our host is talent and tech industry thought leader Leslie Vickrey, who is a passionate advocate for creating equity and positive change in the world of work and one of the co-founders of ARA, a 6,000 people-strong national organization focused on supporting women in technology.

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10 recent

December 6, 2024Episode 106

An Attitude of Gratitude with Natasha Lee, CEO and Co-Founder of Floyd Lee Locums

When she got her start in staffing, Natasha Lee was handed the local white pages and told, “Good luck!” Since that day, she has carved a space in healthcare staffing that has given her the chance to bring her attitude of gratitude to everything she does. She has welcomed new people to the industry that she loves and driven an impact that reaches far beyond her desk. In this episode of TheEdge, Leslie Vickrey sits down with Natasha to talk about how she has grown in this space from day one, what it was like starting a staffing firm of her own, and how she brings her positive attitude to her work every day. Driving Success with Confidence “If I was willing to do the work, the rest would work itself out because I worked really, really hard,” Natasha mentioned when talking about what it is that she loves about the staffing industry. Hard work leading to success is a major theme throughout Natasha’s career, which ultimately led her to where she is now as CEO and Co-Founder of healthcare staffing company Floyd Lee Locums, which is looking at a multi-million dollar year just 7 years since they opened. Focusing on Wins, Not Problems When asked about building the award-winning company culture at Floyd Lee Locums, Natasha shared, “We have Teams chats all day long where we’re giving each other accolades for the small wins. We are going to have problems. Everybody has problems. But we don’t focus on the problems. We focus on the win. We focus on when we’re getting it right so that we can duplicate those efforts.” This never-ending positivity is nothing short of infectious and has led to a team and a company that impacts an industry that deserves the best support. Give a listen to Natasha’s episode to get the inspiration you need to approach your work everyday with an attitude of gratitude. For more episodes of TheEdge, click here.

September 30, 2024Episode 105

Building Something Bigger with Heather Jennings, President of iDEAL Personnel Services

When most people sign up for LinkedIn, they make their URL their name. Heather Jennings made hers, healthcarestaffing. Her dedication to the industry is second to none and led her to her current role as President of iDEAL Personnel Services, a healthcare employment and education staffing firm that recently celebrated its 15th anniversary. In this episode of TheEdge, Leslie Vickrey sits down with Heather to talk through how her grandmother’s history of horse diving in Atlantic City inspired her to live a life filled with sports and resilience and how she has learned to use her voice, advocate for herself, and build a purposeful career and team that is leading an industry forward. Finding Confidence in Your Worth “For a long time, I did find myself overextending to prove my worth. And despite doing good work, I struggled to advance. It was frustrating and at times, I doubted if I’d ever break through, but the key to building resilience was to shift my mindset from constantly seeking external validation to recognizing my own value and contribution,” Heather shared when asked how she was able to take the leaps she’s made in her career. While it may have taken her time to find that confidence in herself, she now brings that value into her every day at work, including how she interacts with and leads her team. Leading with Passion and Purpose “I encourage everyone to stay connected to our mission and our mission statement is, ‘Connecting people and creating paths to thrive together.’ It’s just not a statement that we put on paper. It’s words that we live by,” Heather shared when asked how she builds a team that is so enthusiastic about their work. Heather Jennings believes in leading with transparency and empathy and she shares how she embraces recognition as a practice in the episode. Give a listen to learn her leadership secrets as well as find the inspiration you need to bring the best of yourself to work every day. Find more episodes of TheEdge here.

July 29, 2024Episode 104

Lifelong Learning and Leadership with Leslie Snavely, President of CHG Healthcare

When Leslie Snavely first applied at CHG Healthcare 5 weeks into parental leave with her first child, she got a rejection in less than 24 hours. But she didn’t take no for an answer and has since spent her career working her way up the company to her current role as President. In this episode of TheEdge, Leslie Vickrey dives into how Leslie’s midwestern roots helped her grow into the leader she is today and how she uses her lifelong love of learning to tackle every new challenge with an eye for opportunity. Learn It, Dream It, and Work For It “Growing up in central Ohio, I learned that it was my responsibility to take control of my life,” Leslie shared when asked how her work ethic grew from her midwestern roots. Being raised by two teachers, she knew that learning everything she could at any chance meant that doors would open for her. She has brought that passion for learning into every facet of her life and even uses it when mentoring and leading her teams…even if their learning looks different than hers. “I’ve had to learn to really listen and understand how people learn…The people that I lead have tremendous potential and my job is to help them get to where they want to be, wherever that ‘where’ is.” The Only Competition Is Yourself In the conversation, Leslie shares how she maximizes her potential by knowing that the only competition she’s really up against is herself. “I don’t feel the need to out ski someone or out mountain bike someone…me doing these things comes from a place of, ‘Why wouldn’t I?’” That doesn’t mean everything always goes according to plan! Sometimes you have to get up and dust yourself off (literally…Leslie has dislocated her shoulder three times mountain biking, but she always gets back on the trail) and keep going after what you want. When she first got rejected for the marketing role she applied for at CHG she had to make a decision. “In some sense, I’ve channeled in my life that ‘no’ is a reason to assess. Is it really something I want? If yes, keep persisting. And it almost turns into a challenge for me. They said no, how am I going to get them to a yes?” Give a listen to the episode to learn what Leslie Snavely did to get that yes and how it has led to a 14-year career that reminds her every day that, “Work doesn’t just have to be work. It can be fun too.” For more episodes of TheEdge, click here.

June 13, 2024Episode 103

Sales Success with Jessie McGowan, SVP, Business Development, PeopleScout

Sales organizations at staffing firms have long been perceived as a male-dominated field. However, women are increasingly breaking barriers and achieving remarkable success in sales leadership roles. Our most recent episode of TheEdge podcast features a conversation between Leslie Vickrey and Jessie McGowan, Senior Vice President, Business Development, at PeopleScout, A TrueBlue Company. Their insightful discussion explored the challenges and rewards of navigating sales as a woman, offering valuable advice for those looking to thrive in this competitive field. This episode is a must-listen for: Women considering or working in sales organizations Sales managers and leaders in the Staffing Industry Anyone passionate about creating a more equitable and inclusive workplace Overcoming Challenges and Finding Success Jessie acknowledged the challenges faced by women in sales. From confronting stereotypes to navigating a culture that may not always be welcoming, women often encounter unique obstacles. However, she emphasized that these hurdles can be overcome by focusing on developing key skills. Here are some key takeaways from the conversation: Communication is King (or Queen): Strong communication skills are essential for success in sales. Being able to articulate the value proposition, connect with clients, and build rapport are all crucial aspects of the job. Embrace Resilience: The sales profession comes with its share of rejections and setbacks. Developing resilience allows you to bounce back from challenges and stay motivated in the face of adversity. Lifelong Learning: The sales landscape is constantly evolving. A commitment to continuous learning ensures you stay up-to-date on industry trends and equip yourself with the latest sales methodologies. Mentorship: A Catalyst for Growth The conversation highlighted the importance of mentorship, particularly for women in sales. Jessie shared her own experience of being guided and encouraged by a supportive mentor who played a pivotal role in her journey to sales leadership. Mentors provide invaluable guidance, share industry knowledge, and offer a safe space for discussing challenges. Mentorship can take various forms, not just through dedicated mentors but also through supportive colleagues and leaders. Building a strong network of mentors can provide the encouragement and sponsorship necessary to propel women towards success in sales. Building an Inclusive Sales Team Jessie emphasized the importance of fostering an inclusive sales environment. This means creating a space where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas, voicing concerns, and contributing their unique perspectives. A truly inclusive environment requires challenging the status quo and dismantling any existing biases within the sales team. By promoting open communication and building trust, leaders can create a more positive and productive work environment. This, in turn, leads to a more diverse and engaged workforce, ultimately contributing to better decision-making and improved sales performance. The path to success in sales leadership is paved with hard work, dedication, and the development of key skills. However, as Jessie McGowan’s story demonstrates, women can excel in this field by overcoming challenges, finding strong mentors, and advocating for themselves within a supportive and inclusive sales environment.  

April 18, 2024Episode 10213 min

Authenticity, Strategy, and Purpose with Vinda Souza, CMO at RefAssured

Vinda Souza, CMO at RefAssured, joins Leslie Vickrey on TheEdge for a conversation that’s both inspiring and thought-provoking. They delve into the importance of marketing as a strategy, finding your authentic voice and brand purpose, and how DEI as a strategy is faring in today’s market. This episode is a must-listen for marketing leaders in the staffing industry, women looking to navigate their careers with confidence, anyone passionate about creating a more equitable and inclusive workplace. Why Marketing Gets Lost in the Shuffle: The Staffing Industry vs. Tech Giants How can women in marketing leadership secure the resources they need within the staffing industry? What unique strategies can be used to build a strong employer brand in staffing? How to Leverage Storytelling and Authenticity to Craft a Powerful Employer Brand Why is storytelling such a powerful tool inmarketing? How can you leverage authenticity to connect with potential candidates? The importance of paying more than lip service to your DEI initiatives Should DEI be a strategy or a tactic? How can we prioritize these initiatives in today’s market? In life and throughout the episode, Vinda doesn’t shy away from the challenges. She emphasizes the importance of companies actively seeking solutions to combat bias and empowering women throughout the entire recruitment process. Drawing on her own experiences witnessing vast improvements in diversity throughout her life, she ignites a spark of hope. Vinda believes that with collective action, we can accelerate progress towards a future free from bias. Join Vinda and Leslie on The Edge as they challenge the status quo and empower you to own your voice!  

February 8, 2024Episode 10113 min

Discovering Purpose – Lesly Cardec, SVP Marketing & Recruiting at ClearEdge

A Journey Through Leadership and Innovation In the latest episode, Leslie Vickrey welcomes Lesly Cardec, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Recruiting for ClearEdge Recruiting. With over four years of dedicated service to ClearEdge, Lesly brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the table as she reflects on her journey and the groundbreaking developments in ClearEdge Recruiting‘s first year anniversary. Discovering Purpose in the Staffing Industry Lesly Cardec’s journey in the staffing industry began with a serendipitous job application, much like many others in the field. What started as a simple application turned into a lifelong passion for purposeful work. Her role within the industry has recently changed from a marketing focus to a recruiting one, providing a front row seat to the impact the work can make. A Visionary Partnership: Building ClearEdge Recruiting Leslie Vickrey and Lesly Cardec’s partnership exemplifies visionary leadership and entrepreneurial spirit. From their initial interactions to the inception of ClearEdge Recruiting, their collaboration has been marked by innovation, dedication, and a shared commitment to excellence. Together, they embarked on a journey to create ClearEdge Recruiting, setting the stage for a year of remarkable achievements and transformative growth. Celebrating One Year of Success As ClearEdge Recruiting marks its one-year anniversary, Lesly Cardec reflects on the milestone with gratitude and excitement. Amidst the challenges and triumphs of the past year, ClearEdge Recruiting has emerged as a beacon of excellence. With a relentless focus on client success and a passion for driving impactful change, Lesly looks forward to the promising future ahead. A Journey of Growth and Inspiration In her role as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Recruiting, Lesly Cardec has embraced the challenges and opportunities of leadership with grace and determination. From where she began to her current position as a trailblazing leader, Lesly’s journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of passion, perseverance, and purposeful work. As ClearEdge Recruiting embarks on its next chapter of growth and innovation, Lesly remains steadfast in her commitment to driving positive change and empowering organizations to thrive. Connect with Lesly Cardec To connect with Lesly Cardec and learn more about ClearEdge Recruiting’s innovative solutions, visit her LinkedIn profile and join the conversation today.  

November 16, 2023Episode 10044 min

Taking a Leap of Faith, Angela Alberty, Co-Founder at MyBasePay

On the latest episode of TheEdge, our host, Leslie Vickrey, ClearEdge Marketing CEO and Founder, is joined by Angela Alberty, Co-Founder, MyBasePay. Angela and Leslie explore many commonalities as they move through the conversation, including their upbringing by strong single mothers. As entrepreneurs and moms, many of the values instilled in them at young ages shine through in this conversation and their work. The pair discuss balancing work life and family, the support they have received from Allys and male mentors including Angela’s co-founder Cesar Jiminez, and they wrap it up with Angela doing a quick (yet deep) dive into Future of Work trends. Growing up in a single mother household, Angela knew the importance of being able to provide for herself. After a short stint chasing her dream of broadcast journalism, she turned to the staffing industry where she saw a brighter future. All along, she knew that family was very important to her, so much so that she left a role she was rapidly advancing in when she had her first child. Angela returned to the workforce soon after, when approached by Cesar Jiminez to start MyBasePay, an Employer of Record. The pair have built not only a fast growing and successful company, but also a culture where Angela is able to prioritize her family and her teams are as well.   If you have listened to TheEdge before, you know that allyship is a common theme. It comes as no surprise that Angela and Leslie share more with each other about the importance of Allies in the workplace and some that they have found along the way. Cesar, who co-founded MyBasePay with Angela has not only been an ally to Angela in her work, but together they have also created a majority women executive board. Angela also shares about how her husband has stepped up to support her and been one of her greatest supporters. She shares a story about when her supportive mother was encouraging her to take the safe road, go back to a job that she knew and loved, while her husband was beside her encouraging her to take on the new experience of co-founding a company, because he knew she could do it! While these were both coming from a place of love, she took the road less traveled and is very glad she did.  To wrap up the episode, Angela reminds us that the future of work is now, it is the current state of work. She talks about the way that technology, and specifically AI, is transforming the way that we communicate and providing opportunities for automation like we haven’t seen before. She also reminds us to think about the changes we are continuing to see in the world such as a more globalized workforce and employers being able to be more responsive to their employees needs around the world. With the addition of a new generation coming into the workforce and what Angela shares is a generation that values reskilling and upskilling and is looking for more agility and varied opportunities. These are just a few of the points she makes as she takes on where our industry stands today.  Angela and Leslie have so many shared passions, from their families to, to lifting women up, and ensuring the future of our industry, it is evident in this electric conversation. 

October 3, 2023Episode 9943 min

Trusting Your Gut, Kendra Cato, Director of Enterprise Strategy at Bullhorn

On the latest episode of TheEdge, our host, Leslie Vickrey, ClearEdge Marketing CEO and Founder, is joined by Kendra Cato, Director of Enterprise Strategy at Bullhorn. Kendra came to her role at Bullhorn 5 years ago. Kendra opens with telling Leslie about the experience of sharing the news about this position and new career direction with her family and not being met with the enthusiasm she expected. In that moment, she chose to bet on herself and trust her gut. This wasn’t the first time in her life she had trusted her gut, with the wise words of her father whispering in the back of her mind, and it’s served her well. Kendra’s passion of design and art is evident throughout the conversation, as she exclaims, “Life is art!” when Leslie asks her about how she incorporates her passions in to her professional life. She shares ways that she has created space both professionally and personally for creativity and design and lead with a heart wanting others to experience the same. As co-authors of the book, Together We Rise, Leslie had a front row seat to Kendra’s creative process and the pair discuss the vulnerability that it took to write a book during the pandemic with 13 other female staffing industry leaders. The book hopes to break down stereotypes, instill confidence and encourage the next generation of leaders to rise up. Kendra opens up with the audience and Leslie about experiences she has had over the years that led her to discover and really define what her purpose and ‘why’ is in life, now a cornerstone to the decisions she makes in her day to day life. Before wrapping up the episode, Kendra and Leslie discuss where the staffing industry is today in it’s DEI journey. Kendra shares about her own experiences in varying workplaces as a Black woman and the importance of inclusion and belonging. She underlines the importance of creating spaces where employees can show up as their full selves and are respected and celebrated. The episode closes out with a challenge for the audiences to find and join a gathering or event outside of their demographic to expand their networks, experiences, and/or cultural competencies.

August 17, 2023Episode 9830 min

Life Isn’t Always A Straight Line, Janet Elkin, President and CEO at IMN Enterprises

On the latest episode of TheEdge, our host, Leslie Vickrey, ClearEdge Marketing CEO and Founder, is joined by Janet Elkin, President, IMN Enterprises. Janet shares many insights about her career with Leslie, underscoring the fact that ‘life isn’t always a straight line’. After a few twists and turns through her career, Janet purchased Icon Medical Network which has now grown to become IMN Enterprises with additional acquisitions. In this episode, the pair discusses imposter syndrome, the positive changes they want to impress on our industry through their entrepreneurship journey, and the importance of caring for your employees, yourself, and your clients. The pair kick off their conversation with a joyful reflection on Janet’s very first job as a child, a magician! She tells the story of how her father encouraged her to share her newfound skills with other children by performing at birthday parties within their communities, honing her stage presence and learning valuable lessons along the way. While she got her first taste of entrepreneurship at a young age, she began her career by building an organization that held jewelry fundraisers for local hospitals. This was her first step into healthcare, where she was introduced to the joy that came from being able to give back to hospitals and provide support to patients through her work. Things aren’t always a straight line and like so many others, Janet and Leslie’s careers and life paths reflect that. The pair talk about overcoming adversities in personal and professional lives, and how they often intersect. Janet shares with Leslie about her first marriage, which was plagued with substance use and abuse by her then husband, and how that gave her a new and unexpected direction. She persevered through those times and found herself having to rebuild, which included her first move into healthcare staffing. As Janet shares about her work in this industry, they discuss the importance of having a care driven nature in your work. They remark on the importance of finding the right person for the right job and how the team at IMN is doing that in their various verticals. Of course, a conversation on care driven nature isn’t complete without a discussion on self care for yourself, your employees, and the impact that can make. When looking at the larger staffing industry, one they both are passionate about, they discuss different approaches they are taking to push the industry towards equality. Janet shares stories of why she chose to start her own business, barriers that she experienced in previous roles, and how she is working at IMN Enterprises to build more equitable practices and opportunities. They discuss programs like ClearEdge Rising, a new Leadership Development program, and Building Iconic Women, a program that Janet is looking to begin which will help women move from VP positions to the C-suite. Programs such as these, not only help women to grow in their careers, but open the eyes of others in leadership positions and give them the opportunity to become allies for women in their workplaces. The conversation is full of stories and insights from both Leslie and Janet on entrepreneurship and their own experiences with imposter syndrome, rising others up, and the day to day work of being a woman and leader in this industry.  

April 13, 2023Episode 9728 min

Being The CEO Of Your Own Career: Janelle Bieler, President at Adecco Canada

On the latest episode of TheEdge, our host, Leslie Vickrey, ClearEdge Marketing CEO and Founder, is joined by Janelle Bieler, President, Adecco Canada. Leslie and Janelle start off the episode by discussing what it means to be the CEO of your own career. The pair then discuss the Dress for Success ‘Your Hour, Her Power’ campaign which is raising funds for programs supporting women entering and re-entering the workforce. The campaign highlights groundbreaking women in leadership positions across various industries, this year including both Leslie and Janelle. The episode wraps up with an exploration of what it means to be a power mom, and Janelle’s participation in a book of the same title. Janelle has now worked at Adecco for eight years, and this episode opens with a story from when she was interviewing for the position. She was in her final interview with Joyce Russel, Adecco US President at the time, and in that conversation she made it clear she was looking for a position that did not necessarily have longevity, but had opportunity for growth and promotion within the company. Stating this clearly was Janelle’s way of taking control of her career and it has served her well, with a clear understanding of her goals, she has moved from Regional Vice President to President of Adecco Canada. This March, Women’s History Month, Leslie and Janelle were both honored as a part of the #YourHourHerPower, a campaign organized by Dress for Success International. Your Hour Her Power was created to inspire hope and resilience among women by honoring groundbreaking women in leadership positions across various industries. Leslie and Janelle reflect on the different reasons this campaign means so much to them and their companies. They discuss how their companies are working to rise up women, how the staffing industry stacks up when looking at equity for women in the workplace, and discuss the important work that Dress for Success is doing for women entering or re-entering the workforce. Leslie then asks Janelle about what it means to be a mom to her two daughters. Janelle reflects on the importance of teaching your daughters from a young age to advocate for themselves, and to stand up for what they believe in, understanding they don’t always have to fit in. Janelle then shares about her experience being featured in the book “Power Moms”, by Joanne Lublin. In the book she talks about something that is not often talked about when discussing women in leadership and motherhood, miscarriage.This wasn’t a topic she had planned on sharing about, but one that organically came about through conversations with Joanne. She shares about the support she received and the importance of being able to talk about it. If you are interested in learning more about Dress for Success and the work they are doing with women around the globe, please visit their website here. To donate to the Your Hour, Her Power campaign and learn more about why ClearEdge Marketing is excited to be a part of it, you can visit our campaign page here.