100 Most Dynamic Leaders of 2023 | Exeleon Magazine Annual Issue by Exeleon Magazine

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Clayton Thomas: Transformin g Wellness from Within I N - F O C US

Dr. Barry Sears: Redefining Health with the Zone Diet

Dr. Ahmet Bahadir Ergin TRANSFORMING DIABETIC CARE & EMPOWERING MILLIONS

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Editor’s Note As we unveil the pages of Exeleon Magazine's annual special issue - the 100 Most Dynamic Leaders of the Year - we stand in collective awe of the resolute spirits, inspiring journeys, and transformative leadership that grace our world. This year, more than ever, shines as a beacon of growth, partnership, and unwavering resilience for the Exeleon community.

2023 marked the triumphant launch of the Exeleon Women platform, a milestone that underscores our commitment to uplifting and spotlighting the in luential women steering the helm of progress across industries. Our partnerships with myriad organizations have woven a robust tapestry of collaboration, innovation, and mutual growth, fortifying the Exeleon community as a bastion of leadership and excellence.

As we turn the page to this special issue, we're not just recounting the stories of the world's most dynamic leaders; we're celebrating the indomitable spirit of leadership, the mosaic of experiences, and the rich, diverse perspectives that shape the world. This issue, undeniably, is set to be another colossal stepping-stone for Exeleon, amplifying voices and stories that deserve global recognition and applause.

This year's theme beautifully unfolds through a quartet of colors - Purple, Blue, Yellow, and Green each color painting a distinct narrative of leadership.

Ÿ Blue celebrates the resilient who navigate the tides of challenge with grace, determination, and an unwavering commitment to their mission.

Ÿ Yellow highlights the luminaries illuminating the path of progress with their brilliance, warmth, and transformative ideas.P

Ÿ Purple echoes the stories of visionary leaders, whose foresight and innovation are carving paths toward a brighter, more progressive world.

Ÿ Green honors the stewards of sustainable and mindful leadership, ensuring our world lourishes for generations to come.

Together, these colors weave a compelling tapestry, narrating the diverse tales of 100 dynamic leaders, their trials, triumphs, and the indelible impact they imprint on our global community.

In conclusion, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to each individual gracing the pages of this year's 100 Most Dynamic Leaders. Your passion, dedication, and leadership not only inspire but also ignite the lames of progress and transformation. To our featuring clients, your unwavering support and belief in the Exeleon ethos empowers us to continue this cherished tradition year after year.

Join us in this vibrant celebration of leadership, diversity, and impactful change, as we explore the compelling stories of the 100 Most Dynamic Leaders of 2023. With Gratitude and Warm Regards, Daryl Yeung Editor-in-Chief

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100 DYNAMIC LEADERS

Adam Gant

Ahmet Bahadir Ergin

Akshita Iyer

Alec Hudnut

ReAfe

SugarMD

Ome

Vici Partners

Alex Brueckmann

Alex Leveto

Alex McIntosh

Alexander Galitsky

Brueckmann Executive Consulting

Realty Companies

Owner | Thrive Natural Care

Almaz Capital

Ali Hajizade

Alicia Sable-Hunt

Altimese Nichole

Alvin Fu

Tarand Inc.

Edwards-Hunt Group

The Ezer Agency.

Bryn Mawr Communications

Amy Liu

Andrew Lampros

Ankit Yadav

Ashok Dudhat

Tower 28

Hall & Lampros, LLP

Market Maestroo

Tech Jobs Fair

Attilio Adamo

Beth Wiegan

Brad Nattrass

Braden Kelley

The Adamo Group

The Real Estate Group

Urban Gro

Human-Centered Change™

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Casey Strunk

Clayton Thomas

Corry Deale

Curtis May

Strunk Insurance Group

The Root Brands

RE/MAX One

Practical Wealth Advisors

Danielle Gronich

Danni Benson

Darren Gallop

Dean Hallett

Clearstem Skincare

Self-Love Day

Carbide

Dean Hallett Leadership

Deborah Smith

Debra Esparza

Dr. Barry Sears

Dr. Michael C. Threatt

CenterCap

Home Team of America

ZoneLabs, Inc.

Elevate Housing Solutions

Dr. Michael L. Curry

Dr. Ming-Chien Chyu

Dr. Nabhit Kapur

Elisha Lopez

Eco-friendly Plastic Materials

Healthcare Engineering Expert

Peacfulmind Foundation

Ocala Realty World

Emanuel Avina

Eric Martel

Fernanda Carapinha

Gary Garth

Avina Financial Group, Inc.

MartelTurnkey

WE Global Studios

elev8.io

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James Fedich

Jay Avigdor

Jeff Church

Jennifer Myers

Village Family Clinic

Velocity Capital Group LLC

Rowdy Energy

Agent Grad School

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Jeremy Kasler

Jesse Keyser

John Femenia

Fortune Web Marketing

CaskX

Ideal Image

Source Realty Capital

Jonathan Shroyer

Joseph Sabeh

Joshua Sherrard

Kathleen Black

Arise

Fremont Real Estate

Strategic Navigators Inc.

Kathleen Black, Inc.

Katie Zamarra

Ken Collis

Khamzat Asabaev

Kim Motola

Venue Communications

TLK Fusion

SoftSmile

ManiGlovz

Kirsty Gordon

Lacy J. Hardman

Linda Greub

Lisa Rehurek

Anywhere in Africa

Salty Peak Real Estate

Avestria Ventures

The RFP Success® Company

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Liz Toombs

Marc Boutet

Marc Sorrentino

Mark Morabito

PDR Interiors

De Marque

VRI Homes

King & Bay

Martin Mobarak

Michelle Oates-Duda

Natalie Mackey

Natalie Stavola

Frida. NFT

The Extra Mile Realtors

Winky Lux

Life and Dating Coach

Natasha Simon

Oliver Trevena

Paola Marulanda

Pranav Arora

The Real Estate Money Team

Young Hollywood

Luxury Homes Connect

JMTD Holdings

Rachel Puri

Rebecca Perez

Reiner Lomb

Rich Moyer

Lina

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Hoppin' Franchise Group

Rob Kalwarowsky

Robin Hills

Ross James

Ryan Gottfredson

Elite High Performance

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Ryan Niddel

Sasha Lund

Scott Truehl

Serena Advani

MIT45

Core Values Consulting

Friede & Associates

Seadrop Skincare

Stan Samole

Stephen Gleave

Steve Davis

Steven L. Blue

Family Tax Recovery

AECOM

Total Wealth Academy

Miller Ingenuity

Sudharika Gogna

Thane Stenner

Todd Kuckkahn

Tom Villani

Flexport

Stenner Wealth Partners+

Maxwell Leadership

Visikol Inc,

Tori Atwell

Trent Richards

Vera Cohen

Veronica Bay

The Agency.

Metrix Coin Ltd

Vera Cohen Realty

The Only International

Vladimer Botsvadze

Yana Fry

Zev Freidus

Zeynep Ekemen

Techstars

Timeless Teachings

ZFC Real Estate

Silver Defender

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100 DYNAMIC LEADERS

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COVER STORY

Dr.

Ahmet Bahadir Ergin

Transforming Diabetic Care & Empowering Millions

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100 DYNAMIC LEADERS

t takes a lion's heart to be an entrepreneur. Creating, let alone sustaining, a business from scratch can be strenuous in almost every way — emotionally, mentally, and inancially. This is even more challenging for the healthcare sector where challenges get multiplied by many industryspeci ic challenges like extensive regulation along with uncertain and unclear path to earn money.

However, healthcare is now the center for many visionaries to tackle some of the most sobering problems. And one such pioneer, Dr. Ahmet Bahadir Ergin, a leading endocrinologist, stands out as an example of an entrepreneur who believes in the power of impacting lives.

With his radiant smile, calm demeanor, and unmatched concern for patients, he goes beyond the textbook description of a doctor. In every interaction, he shows his in-depth knowledge, empathy, and a sincere eﬀort to make a diﬀerence. Yet, what truly sets Dr. Ergin apart is his unique take on leadership. He has a knack for using the ups and downs of his journey to his advantage — both con idently and adeptly.

In fact, when he engages with his team, he doesn't just share his vision — he listens, he empathizes, and tailors his approach according to each individual. As a dynamic leader, he is unafraid to take risks, leads by example, and brings his 16

intuitive abilities to communicate eﬀectively with every person on his team.

Dr. Ergin also believes in investing in his team and diligently takes the time to listen to their feedback, all the while recognizing that the best ideas often stem from suggestions and collaboration. However, Dr. Ergin's ability to demonstrate this dynamic leadership style is built on his values to be a life-long learner. He is always keen to learn more and tries to stay updated on various industry trends.

In fact, his leadership's essence is borrowed from the remarkable lessons penned in the book “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries. This is also one of the books he recommends every aspiring entrepreneur to read so as to understand the signi icance of experimenting, and approach building businesses with an innovative mindset.

These qualities make him a leader who is proactive, responsive, and always pushing the envelope to unlock higher levels of success. Fittingly, Dr. Ahmet Bahadir Ergin features on the Cover of Exeleon's 2023 listing of the 100 Dynamic Leaders of the Year.

EMPATHY IN ACTION: DIABETIC CARE Growing up, Dr. Ergin was always curious about healthcare and the impact it had on people's lives. However, it wasn't until later in his

childhood that he began to develop a speci ic interest and passion for diabetes care.

He shares, “Watching a close family member struggle with their diabetes diagnosis had a profound eﬀect on me, and I wanted to learn as much as I could about the disease and how to help those aﬀected by it.”

Later, through reading and research, he became fascinated by the intricacies of diabetes management and the everevolving treatment options available. Now, he is happy to share that his passion for diabetes care has only continued to grow, and so has his commitment to make a diﬀerence in the lives of those living with this disease. “This goal adds up many responsibilities on my plate and forces me to be more productive,” he mentions.

Additionally, to be productive, Dr. Ergin realizes that time is of the essence and managing and prioritizing an endless list of responsibilities can be a challenge. Luckily, for him, one productivity tool helps him stay on top of his game: the Pomodoro Technique.

“This time management method involves breaking down your workday into 25-minute intervals, or pomodoros, with ive-minute breaks in between. By sticking to this schedule and avoiding distractions during each pomodoro, you can increase your focus, productivity, and success,” he explains.

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COVER STORY

The Doctor Behind the Science

Founder

SugarMD

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COVER STORY

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100 DYNAMIC LEADERS

SugarMD: Patient-Centric Excellence n the healthcare space, it's not uncommon to come across gaps in knowledge and treatment. Dr. Ergin realized that this was the case for many diabetic patients who were not receiving the kind of education and wellrounded approaches they needed to manage their condition.

This led him to start SugarMD, a comprehensive solution to help patients stay informed and empowered about their diabetes diagnosis. He wanted a name that was memorable and conveyed that mission. He asserts that the name SugarMD does just that — it's catchy, straightforward, and emphasizes the importance of managing blood sugar levels.

He says, “At SugarMD, we believe that diabetes shouldn't control your life — and we're here to help you take charge. We also pride ourselves in providing our customers with the highest quality products possible as we understand the importance of getting the desired results

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for them.”

Moreover, Dr. Ergin and his team take necessary measures to ensure that their products are pure, potent, and eﬀective. One of the ways that they do this is by undergoing third-party testing. “This means that we have a completely unbiased organization to evaluate our products to ensure that they meet the highest standards in terms of safety and ef icacy.”

Additionally, their products are manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines, further guaranteeing its overall quality.

Lastly, Dr. Ergin is ecstatic to share that all of their products are proudly made in the USA, ensuring that his patients receive products that meet the highest quality standards. “Choose SugarMD, and rest assured that you are getting products that prioritize your health and well-being,” he claims.

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REFLECTING ON HIS JOURNEY As a leading endocrinologist, Dr. Ergin believes that every day brings new challenges and opportunities to empower people and make a positive impact on their lives. Throughout his career, he has made it his mission to approach diabetes with a holistic and personalized approach, tailoring treatments to each individual's unique needs.

He inds it incredibly rewarding to see his patients gain control over their health. Moreover, it's been a moment of pride for him and his company to watch their reputation grow, both nationally and globally. “Looking back, the journey has been both exciting and satisfying, and I can't wait to see what lies ahead,” he says. DISPELLING MYTHS: THE ULTIMATE DIABETES BOOK

Dr. Ergin believes that managing diabetes can be an overwhelming and confusing task, especially if you don't have a background in medicine. Luckily, The Ultimate Diabetes Book is an excellent resource to help anyone understand and manage this condition.

The distinct element of this book is that it's written in a concise and digestible manner, thus making it understandable to everyone. It covers various themes from the basics of diabetes to the latest and most relevant treatments. In fact, it serves as your go-to guide to

learn everything about diabetes and makes it manageable to live with it.

Dispelling the countless misconceptions around diabetes, he shares that the idea “sugar causes diabetes” is the biggest myth that needs to be broken.

Dr. Ergin also feels that although consuming large amounts of sugar can contribute to certain health problems, it is not the direct cause of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. In fact, diabetes is a complex condition that involves a variety of factors, including genetics and lifestyle choices. “By spreading awareness and accurate information about diabetes, we can work together to dispel harmful myths and empower those living with the disease to take control of their health,” he adds.

THE VISION: CREATING GLOBAL IMPACT With SugarMD, Dr. Ergin's vision is to create a trusted global resource for those diagnosed with diabetes. He is driven and excited at the opportunity of reaching millions of people aﬀected by this condition. While sharing his ultimate goal, he unhesitatingly states, “leaving a lasting impact and inspiring people to look after their wellbeing, even after I am no longer around.”

reliable platform for people around the world and he irmly believes that he and his team can make this dream a reality, one day at a time.

All these years, Dr. Ergin has been on the rollercoaster ride of entrepreneurship and even though it has been a journey of excitement and challenges, he has learned the importance of prioritizing his mental health.

If there is one piece of advice that has been particularly impactful for him, it is this: mindfulness. “By staying present in the moment and focused on my thoughts and emotions, I am better able to recognize when I am feeling overwhelmed or anxious. This allows me to take the necessary steps to address those feelings and prevent them from spiraling out of control,” he says.

“Good things come to those who wait, but better things come to those who work for it" — this quote has always been my go-to source of motivation, especially when it comes to managing myself and my business ventures.

Ultimately, taking care of our mental health is just as important as taking care of our businesses — and he believes that prioritizing both is the key to long-term success and happiness.

He is on a journey to oﬀer a compassionate, authentic, and

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Dr. James Fedich Leading an Innovative Path for Wellness n a world where everyone is focused on chasing success, it's easy to overlook the importance of maintaining your health. From putting eﬀorts towards building your dream life or spending time with your loved ones — taking care of your health is necessary.

To make this journey healthier and happier, one person stands out in transforming countless lives. Meet Dr. James Fedich, a seasoned chiropractor with two decades of experience, and a dynamic leader in the healthcare space.

As one of the most successful practitioners, he has led teams of chiropractors, medical doctors, physical therapists, acupuncturists, and staﬀ for more than two decades.

In his own words, “I have chosen to be the leader who pushes the cart with my team.” He adds, “I am always willing to do what it takes for our team to be successful. I have also had dozens of interns over the years and have helped train and lead the next generation of healthcare providers.”

AN UNEXPECTED DESTINY Dr. James' journey to becoming one of the inest chiropractors was set in motion by an unfortunate accident when he was 13. “I am 6 '5'' and was really into basketball. On the way to a wedding in upstate New York from NJ, someone ran a stop sign and smashed our car. My mom, dad, and brother all ended up in the hospital,” he recollects. As a result of this accident, James suﬀered from collapsed lungs, concussion, and back injuries.

After overcoming his concussion, he went through terrible back pain. His routine included attending school, returning home, and coping with night-long back spasms while lying on the loor. Finally, he found some relief when his mom took him to a chiropractor.

The following month at school, when he had his career paper due, he decided to submit his interest as a chiropractor. “I thought it was so cool, I wanted to help people the way I was helped,” he re lects.

This resolve encouraged him to pursue his Bachelor of Science

with Honors in just 3 years. He then went on to earn his Doctorate of Chiropractic within 4 years from the prestigious NYCC.

Beaming with excitement, Dr. James started his practice merely three months after his graduation. “Building a practice from zero was quite a challenge and signi icantly helped to make me a leader,” he shares. SPEARHEADING NATURAL HEALTHCARE

Dr. James was always determined to deliver quality healthcare through his clinic, Village Family Clinic. As a leader in natural healthcare, his state-of-the-art 5000 sq. feet facility has the latest tools to get non-drug pain relief. “We have two non-surgical spinal decompression machines and perform more decompression sessions than almost any chiropractor in the state. We also have a hands-free class 4 deep tissue laser which is amazing and promotes healing and decreasing pain. Our staﬀ are some of the most highly trained people in the industry and we get amazing results,” he shares.

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Clinic Director

Village Family Clinic

A GLIMPSE INTO DR. JAMES' LIFE As a business owner, author, and speaker, Dr. James leads a busy yet ful illing life. While most of his days vary, a common thread is his early start at 5.30 AM.

His day begins with a cup of coﬀee, followed by a workout in his WWW.EXELEONMAGAZINE.COM

basement involving weights and riding his peloton. Soon after, he takes a shower, changes, prepares his smoothie and is set to start his day. On days when he has longer treatment schedules, he's at the clinic by 8 am. During his lunch, he always indulges in a salad. Then, he tackles other tasks that might

involve podcast interviews, studying some materials, engaging in marketing eﬀorts or other business tasks. Following his appointments, he enjoys dinner with his two kids, Scarlett and Britton, and loves spending the rest of his time with them before he puts them to bed.

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Tuesday evenings hold a special place for Dr. James and his sixmonth old daughter. He takes her out to eat, enjoy boat rides, play golf or do something fun — just quality dad and daughter time! Fridays, on the other hand, are dedicated only for family time, and work takes a backseat. “I rarely travel to present a seminar or attend, but I am home with my family as much as possible,” Dr. James emphasizes. 26

Additionally, as part of his routine, every night he soaks his legs in his hot tub. This helps him unwind after his daily workouts and numerous patient interactions. ENVISIONING DECADES OF MORE IMPACT

With his resolute commitment and passion, Dr. James' end-goal is to help a greater number of patients from his of ice. He believes he has

the best talent and cutting-edge facility in the area and aims to grow and serve more patients.

“I also look forward to training more doctors in my of ice and outside. Helping them to help more people!” With palpable excitement he concludes, “I am excited about the next 20 years!”

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100 DYNAMIC LEADERS

Akshita Iyer Reimaging Cooking with a Smart Kitchen Solution Imagine a world where your stove is as smart as your phone—capable of being controlled from anywhere, helping you multitask, and minimizing risks in one of the most hazard-prone areas of your home. Thanks to Akshita Iyer and her innovative product - Ome Smart Knobs, this is now a reality.

Inspired from personal experience, One Smart Knobs oﬀer an unprecedented level of control and safety in your kitchen. Even more impressively, these smart knobs can automatically turn oﬀ your burner if you forget to, thereby preventing potential disasters and bringing peace of mind to millions of households. But according to Akshita, the mission goes beyond just preventing accidents.

"This isn't just about preventing accidents—it's about fostering a sense of security and control," says Akshita. "Our ultimate aspiration extends beyond saving lives and preventing damage. We aim to encourage positive cooking practices that contribute to the overall well-being and vitality of those we love." Read this full interview to know more about the technology behind 28

Ome Smart Knobs, Akshita's journey, and her vision going forward.

Talk to us about the challenges you had to face in building the Ome Smart Stove Knob. Switching from a background in neuroscience to the tech industry as a irst-time entrepreneur was not easy. Fortunately, being out of my comfort zone actually fueled my unyielding attitude. I tackled hurdles without ixating on what lies ahead. My strategy was to overcome one obstacle at a time, without worrying about how many might still be waiting. Among the major hurdles, one stood out: iguring out how to raise capital. I had absolutely no experience in this world. Even though I had plenty of support from friends and family, I soon realized that fundraising was a whole new ballgame. Having a brilliant product and a solid idea didn't cut it. I needed to dive deep into the psychology of raising money to really make it work.

For example, when I started pitching my idea to investors, I had no idea that each investor had a speci ic focus, like SaaS or Health

Tech. I vividly remember pitching our consumer device to a manager who specialized in B2B software. By the end of my spiel, his face was a picture of complete confusion.

This experience taught me a crucial lesson: thorough preparation and understanding the venture capitalists' perspective were essential. I made it a habit to research the people I was going to talk to well beforehand. This allowed me to adjust and adapt the conversation in a way that was relevant for them.

Even more, learning from other entrepreneurs who walked this path before was a game-changer. I soaked up as much as I could by listening to their journeys and taking the most useful advice for myself.

What makes Ome Smart Knobs a must have solution for kitchens and households? Ome's technology bridges a signi icant gap in the smart home by addressing the lack of connectivity with the most used major appliance — the stove. Unlike other smart kitchen gadgets that add to counter clutter, the Ome Smart Stove Knob is a retro it EXELEON MAGAZINE

CEO & Founder

Ome

solution that allows you to upgrade your primary cooking appliance without sacri icing valuable counter space.

Our device not only solves the leading cause of house ires — unattended cooking — but also sets the foundation for a comprehensive connected kitchen experience. By integrating auxiliary sensors with recipe content and grocery delivery,

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Ome will enable consumers to cook easily at home while saving time. We stand alone in our category because our technology extends beyond the consumer market. Ome enhances safety in multi-unit buildings, such as dorms, condos, and retirement communities. Our centralized dashboard enables remote monitoring and proactive safety measures for property

managers, reducing the occurrence of hazardous events and providing support to at-risk residents. From being a Teaching Assistant in Neuroscience at Duke University to innovating a irstof-a-kind kitchen solution to appearing on Shark Tank. What has this journey been like for you?

100 DYNAMIC LEADERS

Believe it or not, I never expected to know so much about kitchen appliances. After I inished my neuroscience undergrad at Duke, I decided to work at a hospital to gain some experience before applying to medical school. During that time, I got hooked on Shark Tank. It amazed me how entrepreneurs were creating businesses to solve big problems in the world — often because they faced those problems themselves. What fascinated me the most was that many of these entrepreneurs didn't have traditional engineering or business backgrounds. This got me curious about creating something myself, although I didn't

have a clear idea yet.

Around that same time, my mom accidentally left the stove on one too many times and started a kitchen ire. While looking for solutions, I realized how outdated kitchen appliances were, especially stoves (which we use a lot!). Smart appliances were expensive, and “dumb” ones didn't do much — plus, they last for ages.

That's when it hit me — my "aha moment." I was determined to make a retro it device (like the Nest thermostat or Ring doorbell) that is intuitive for the user and signi icantly cheaper than buying a whole new appliance. I thought,

"how hard could it be to make a smart device?" I didn't know what I didn't know, so I jumped right in. It turned out to be much trickier than I thought. Thankfully, I've had smart and capable people by my side throughout this journey. I wouldn't have made it this far without that village.

What would be your advice for emerging women entrepreneurs in the tech space?

Speak with conviction, no matter what you're saying. As someone venturing into the world of smart technology and as a woman, it's been quite a journey. This ield is male-dominated, and as a irst-time

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founder, I've battled with feelings of imposter syndrome. Being in rooms with seasoned individuals who are older and more experienced used to overwhelm me. I'd undermine my own ideas or even hold back from contributing — even when I had valuable insights on the topic.

But over time, through trial and error, I've come to understand the signi icance of having con idence and conveying it through the things I say. I've learned to embrace my strengths, like my knack for storytelling, connecting with others, and nurturing relationships. Con idence, I've learned, has the power to change your game.

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Finally, what is your vision going forward for Ome? What are you most excited about? Our journey of growth and innovation continues as we dive into the development and launch of our Gen 2 Smart Knob. This upgraded version will be compatible with an even wider range of stoves, boast some muchrequested feature upgrades, and be oﬀered in delightful new colors, adding a touch of vibrancy to various kitchens.

Personally, I'm thrilled about our plans to introduce the Ome Smart Knob to senior living communities, aiming to provide valuable support for those who wish to age gracefully

in their homes.

What truly excites me about our system is its potential to make a diﬀerence in the lives of older adults. Beyond just enhancing kitchen safety, we attempt to bring a holistic approach, empowering caregivers to assess the wellness of their residents.

This isn't just about preventing accidents — it's about fostering a sense of security and control. Our ultimate aspiration extends beyond saving lives and preventing damage. We aim to encourage positive cooking practices that contribute to the overall well-being and vitality of those we love.

100 DYNAMIC LEADERS

Ryan Gottfredson Elevating Leaders with Vertical Development and Mindset rganizations worldwide are spending over $357 billion on leadership training and development, with $165 billion being spent in North America itself.

However, studies also revealed that 3/4th of the global organizations rated their leadership programs to be ineﬀective. In contrast to the huge investments being made, these programs are unable to create the desired results for organizations across the world. According to the research and studies by Ryan Gottfredson, this can be attributed to the lack of focus being placed on a speci ic attribute – one that is foundational to how leaders think, learn, and behave – their mindsets.

As a mindset expert and cuttingedge leadership consultant, Ryan has helped develop thousands of leaders and empowered organizations to operate at a higher level. In his experience, some leaders possess an internal operative system wired for selfprotection. He explains that the wiring of their internal operating system to be categorized as having at least one of the following mindsets: 32

Fixed mindset – They seek to avoid failure and look good. They are prone to do what has worked in the past and have a hard time embracing what is going to work in the future. Closed mindset – They seek to always be right and in control. They are prone to be a command-andcontrol leader, dictating the direction to those they lead and often micromanaging.

Prevention mindset – They seek to avoid problems. They are prone to focus on avoiding or putting urgent ires in the short-term and are thus disconnected from long-term strategic objectives or purpose.

Inward mindset – They seek to get ahead. They are prone to do what is best for them and are not sensitive to how their decisions and actions may be having a detrimental eﬀect on those around them.

According to Ryan, “When leaders operate with one or more of these mindsets, they are being limited in their dynamism.” Contrary to this, the best leaders possess an internal operating system that is wired for value creation. These can be categorized

as having the following mindsets:

Growth mindset – They seek to learn and grow. They are willing to try new things, make mistakes, and even fail, because they know that when they do, they develop into a better version of themselves.

Open mindset – They seek to ind truth and think optimally. They inherently believe that their perspectives are limited. Thus, they are willing to explore if they are wrong, ask questions, and seek feedback and new perspectives. They do these things because they know that when they do them, they engage in higher-quality thinking and decision making.

Promotion mindset – They seek to reach goals. They know that to get from where they are (Point A) to where they want to go (Point B), they are going to have to wade through territory they have never traversed. In doing so, they expect problems to arise. They don't love problems, but they know they are part of the journey of getting to their intended destination. Outward mindset – They seek to lift others. They see those they lead and serve as been equal to or better than themselves. This allows them

EXELEON MAGAZINE

Professor, Consultant & Trainer

Ryan Gottfredson

to see others as people of value, which allows them to be sensitive to how their decision making and behaviors in luence others.

When leaders operate with these value creation mindsets, they are able to be dynamic leaders that can eﬀectively navigate both current and future demands. As a dynamic leader himself, Ryan

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has been able to leverage his experiences and integrate these mindsets. He explains, “When I have realized that I have some limiting self-protective wiring, I have been able to engage in developmental eﬀorts to operate at a higher level and become a more dynamic leader.” BECOMING AN EFFECTIVE LEADER

For Ryan, leadership has always been a subject of interest and curiosity.

During high school, he took a class in sports psychology and immediately fell in love with the subject. Through this class, he was able to read books like The Seven Habits of Highly Eﬀective People by Steven R. Covey. Moreover, he read leadership books written by 33

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established basketball coaches - Mike Krsyzewski, Pat Riley, and Rick Majarus.

He recalls, “After taking that class, I remember thinking, “If I could write books like these for my career, I would have my dream job.” So, from there, I set out to study leadership and leadership development.”

Enrolling at Indiana University for a Doctorate degree in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources, enabled him to study historical and cutting-edge science on leadership development. From this experience, Ryan learned that the majority of leadership research has primarily focused on asking and answering one question: “What do leaders need to do to be eﬀective?”

However, Ryan felt there was a visible gap that wasn't being addressed “While this is a good question and it has led to interesting answers, I feel the question is short-sighted.”

According to him, leadership is not limited to doing certain things. Instead, leadership is about being a certain type of person, someone that others want to follow.

With this perspective in mind, Ryan set out to study how to help individuals become truly eﬀective leaders, one that people want to actually follow. His relentless research on this subject enabled him to discover the role of mindsets.

“Through my study on mindsets, I have come to learn that mindsets are the most foundational aspect for how leaders operate. Mindsets are our mental lenses that shape how we see, interpret, and interact with our world,” he claims.

Today, armed with this transformative information, Ryan is on a mission to help leaders awaken and improve their mindsets so that they can elevate their being.

VERTICAL DEVELOPMENT As a leadership coach, Ryan is helping organizations vertically develop their leaders by focusing on mindsets.

Contrary to the traditional development approach (Horizontal development), vertical development focuses on improving one's internal operating system. It's an uncommon form of leadership development that largely focuses on helping leaders awaken and elevate their mindsets in order to become better.

Ryan explains the diﬀerence between these two development programs with an interesting analogy: “Horizontal development is like adding an app onto an iPad, the new app broadens the iPad's functionality. This is helpful, but it doesn't improve how eﬀectively the iPad operates. It can't do any more complex things.”

He continues, “Vertical development is like upgrading the iPad's internal operating system. This is transformational. It allows the iPad to operate at a higher level and do more complex things.”

Ryan goes on to advise organizational leaders to focus on mindsets directly. He also suggests using his Personal Mindset Assessment tool to better understand this process.

Moreover, he also advises leaders to create a psychologically safe environment. “If employees have a ixed mindset, that means that they are feeling and being selfprotective. Leaders need to sense this and make adjustments to help employees feel safe to speak up, take risks, make mistakes, and even fail at times.”

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STAYING IN BALANCE One of the key insights Ryan has learned about vertical development and mindsets is that it requires consistent small daily interventions to help (1) ensure we stay in value creation mode, and (2) exercise our positive mindset neural connections.

To integrate this insight into his own life, Ryan engages in some routine activities that help him mentally stay at a high-level zone of operation. This activities include meditating, reading inspirational quotes, engaging with a gratitude and af irmation journal, exercising, reconnecting with his purpose, and reading or exposing himself to alternative and high-level perspectives. When he is able to do these activities, Ryan feels “in balance” with himself, one within and one beyond.

Going forward, Ryan is excited to help people learn more about vertical development and mindsets. He envisions vertical development eﬀorts and mindset conversations to become a key part of leaders' and employees' everyday experiences.

“I believe that if we can do this, we can elevate and heal the world. We are making progress, but there is still a lot of work to do,” he concludes.

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100 DYNAMIC LEADERS

Clayton Thomas Transforming Wellness from Within ach and every one of our wellness journey is unique and personal. Whether it's about adopting a slower pace in life, eating cleaner, or simply prioritizing your peace, it's essential that when you get started on your wellness journey, you are setting it up to work for you.

An example of a wellness expert who is transforming this journey for people into an authentic and immersive experience is Clayton Thomas. As the Founder of The ROOT Brands, he does not believe in your typical cleanse; he is all about curing the cause, forever.

In fact, Clayton was able to make this foundational change because of his unique take on leading his people to deliver their best. “The crucial aspect,” he reveals, “lies in the ability to break free from conventional paradigms and understand how to bring about change.” As a leader, he believes in adopting a genuine leadership perspective, taking the time to grasp each person's personal mission. “True transformational leadership is all about transformation, change, innovation, and disruption,” he explains. 38

Clayton irmly believes that investing in people can lead to profound changes and progress. “By breaking free from molds and empowering our team members, we can witness remarkable transformations and create a positive impact.”

EARLY WELLNESS EPIPHANY

Clayton's journey into the health and wellness space began in a unique way. While others needed formal education to understand the intricacies behind this space, he was immersed in them from a very young age. Growing up in a veterinary practice, speci ically an integrative one, exposed him to various facets of health and wellbeing.

Even at two years old, Clayton found himself studying fecal and blood samples, peering at parasites and bacteria under the microscope. This passion continued to grow and by the time he turned eight, he was already exploring the importance of mineral supplementation. Moreover, his journey as an athlete, competing at the Division I level in track and ield, made him realize the signi icance of human performance and nutrition.

However, Clayton's thirst for knowledge didn't stop there. He soon discovered that true education in integrative health and wellness couldn't be con ined to traditional school. Instead, it required seeking answers, asking questions, and exploring various paths beyond the four walls of a classroom.

By the age of 25, he had a profound revelation. He understood that many signi icant health issues were often NOT related to what is consumed but rather to what is eliminated from our lives. And this realization shaped his philosophy. For the past 18 years, Clayton has committed himself to understanding and teaching others the root cause behind our health problems.

“I believe that true health, wellness, and performance don't have to be complex, though the solutions that are created might seem so due to marketing strategies, " he claims. “My life experiences have taught me that simplicity and understanding are the key to success in achieving optimal health and well-being.” ROOTED IN WELLNESS

Needless to mention, our health is EXELEON MAGAZINE

Founder

The ROOT Brands

at its optimal state when it's free from any toxins and chemicals. Among these toxins, heavy metals like mercury, lead, and aluminum are a massive threat to our overall well-being.

Clayton notes, research dating back to the 1950s has pointed out health issues caused by mercury toxicity. However, the medical world chooses to largely focus on treating WWW.EXELEONMAGAZINE.COM

symptoms rather than detecting the underlying problem. This led to a medical system heavily reliant on pharmaceuticals, thus generating trillions of dollars in revenue.

He emphasizes that the key to longlasting health lies in recognizing the true cause of health issues and getting rid of it from its root. “By letting the body restore balance, it can heal and regenerate without the

constant damage caused by toxins.”

He also believes that dealing with pollution and toxins is crucial for our long and healthy life. Just as a ish can't thrive in a polluted pond, our health and survival depend on taking care of our surroundings.

“There is no quick ix or band-aid solution for these problems; it requires a commitment to resolving 39

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the underlying issues. Ignoring these factors will only lead to wasted resources and diminished health in the long run,” he points out. FROM CHAOS TO SELF-CARE

Clayton has seen signi icant changes in his life since his dog, Tilly, passed away. “Tilly used to provide me with a sense of balance, taking 10 to 15 minutes each day to play and relax with her, which was therapeutic,” he shares.

While his life has some routine, it primarily revolves around managing organized chaos. He's come to appreciate that nothing in his world adheres to a ixed schedule. “Monotony tends to bore me,” he admits, “so being entrepreneurial allows me to constantly shift, adapt, and stay engaged.”

But in the midst of managing his life, Clayton also understands the importance of self-care. He believes that it's not just about feeding his body and giving it the right tools; it's also about making time for a good workout.

As a former athlete, he recognizes that his diet used to revolve around his high activity levels. However, after he stopped burning energy through sports, he hasn't adjusted his eating habits accordingly and he's striving to balance these aspects.

Clayton's approach to diet is refreshing and relaxed. He humorously calls it a "see-food diet" — in the sense that if he sees food he likes, he'll eat it. “I believe everyone should enjoy their meals 40

while also striving to eat clean and maintain a healthy lifestyle,” he says.

Additionally, he ensures that certain things remain non-negotiable: family time, self-care, and outdoor activities. Whether it's taking a moment for himself, getting his feet dirty, going for walks, or jumping into a body of water, he allows himself to enjoy life and ind his moments of peace. POWER OF PHILANTHROPY

For Clayton, the idea of giving back and having a philanthropic purpose is incredibly important because it aligns with the very nature of being human. He emphasizes that by recognizing the impact of community and rewarding people for their contributions, businesses can witness life-changing outcomes. “Successful companies become more than just sellers of products or services; they become agents of positive change,” he mentions.

“People's lives are improved as they not only bene it from what the company oﬀers but also receive rewards for sharing their positive experiences with others.” This cycle of abundance leads to a profound realization that people can pay it forward and give back. Philanthropy and giving back should be active and intentional, not just limited to making passive donations. “Our consumption habits and behaviors should be grounded in a philanthropic purpose, as they are capable of creating value and improving society at large.”

THE FUTURE OF WELLNESS INNOVATIONS Clayton irmly believes that the impactful trifecta of energy, intention, and love are the true game changers.

Sharing the future plans for his brand, Clayton's eyes are irmly set on achieving global domination for his brand while delivering a philanthropic purpose. “As we grow into a multi-billion-dollar brand and generate a billion dollars in annual revenue,” he explains, “we plan to give back $500 million to EXELEON MAGAZINE

our valued consumers, creating tremendous value for them.”

What truly excites him the most is that his products are not just an abstract idea; they are genuinely groundbreaking. “Take our root nutraceutical line, featuring Clean Slate, Zero In, Restore, Relive Greens, Give me Back my Youth, Immune Defense Shield, and Natural Barrier Support. These products are category killers, surpassing anything ever seen in the market. Their superiority comes not only from their formulation but also from the WWW.EXELEONMAGAZINE.COM

expertise of those who have meticulously crafted them,” he further elaborates.

The introduction of Rahm Roast, his coffee product, is nothing short of revolutionary. If you're a coffee drinker tired of settling for moldy coffee, Rahm Roast promises to completely change your coffee experience. “Trust me; once you try it, you won't want anything else,” he adds. But his excitement doesn't just stop there. The upcoming launch of the Envirem clothing line, spearheaded

by his wife - Dr. Christina Rahm, demonstrates his brand's dedication to inding solutions to environmental challenges.

As his company ventures into new markets, Clayton and his team continue to assess their dominance and make a meaningful diﬀerence. “I encourage you to join us on this exciting journey of innovation and transformation. Together, we can achieve greatness and leave a lasting impact on the world,” he concludes. http://www.therootbrands.com/purelivingroot

100 DYNAMIC LEADERS

Jesse Keyser The Serial Franchise Owner Transforming Leadership hat according to you makes one a dynamic leader? How do you integrate the same thought into your journey?

Having locations hours apart from each other, you must create two very strong things in your organization: You must have very strong systems, and you must have very good culture. I have a quote I share often with other entrepreneurs, “We must systemize the predictable, so we may humanize the unpredictable.” The systems make things run as smoothly as possible, in an automatic pilot fashion.

But remember life happens. Employees or customers come to you with situations you have never encountered. In these situations, great leadership can be observed. When we can stop, listen, and learn about the other people in the situation, we can almost always address and correct or improve things for them. To be a dynamic leader, you must be in the moment with people.

Having owned multiple businesses and spearheaded operations for a number of franchises, what has been the journey like for you over the years? This has been an amazing journey. Every time I pick up a new brand, it's usually in a diﬀerent business segment. I can take best practices from my other brands/industries and apply them to the newest concept. For example, I had some very successful grand openings with my Little Caesars Pizza locations. Like most restaurants, they are busiest the irst couple of months they are open for business; everyone wants to try the new place in town. Salons are a bit diﬀerent, though. They traditionally open soft, and they grow sales and employees over time. I wanted to have huge grand openings for my Sport Clips Haircuts, so I took what I learned from other concepts. I really doubled down on the employee recruitment and training; I hired more people than I needed because past experience told me that not everyone stays on your team. The last thing I wanted was

a lobby full of customers and too few employees to take care of them. Because I was over-staﬀed and provided extensive training to the team, I was able to really ramp up the grand opening marketing. I have seven of the ten biggest grand openings for that brand. Talk to us about your approach when it comes to managing teams remotely. What would be your biggest advice when it comes to remote leadership? I have four responsibilities as a leader for my company, which I instill in each of my district managers and store managers: 1. Protect the gratitude 2. Protect the vision

3. Constantly challenge the status quo

4. Constantly develop leaders around you

When these four things are done correctly, you have an amazing team. You have a deep bench illed with quali ied people, each EXELEON MAGAZINE

Co-owner

Ideal Image

capable of taking on their own locations. People stay where they are appreciated. The secret sauce to a great team—and to being the best leader possible—is to be invested in developing others so they have more value. Being a serial entrepreneur as well as a business mentor, how do you ensure work-life balance?

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I really do feel like I have this mastered. I am constantly reaching out to others who have already achieved what I want to achieve, and I observe what they are doing now with their mindset or routines. I mimic as much of what its my personality as possible. I have done a very good job creating a team around me that handles almost every issue that could arise. This gives me lots

of free time and lexibility to show up and be in the moment with my district leaders.

Entrepreneurs are aware of the 80/20 rule, but I would say most don't understand all parts of this rule. If you have developed your team and created proper systems, they will be able to produce 80% of the quality of work that you would. At this point, you must

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decide if their 80% is actually 100% to the average customer or employee. If so great—you can commence with total delegation. If not, you are inishing up that 20% in far less time than if you had to create that 100% independently. I always ask, “Is it easier to create, or to edit?” The answer is always “edit,” So, I encourage my leaders to ind other great ideas and edit them.

It is very hard to turn oﬀ the thinking—but really try to be in the moment. When with friends or family, put your phone down. Make quality time a love language 44

you speak often with people who are important to you.

Finally, what is your vision going forward for your businesses? What are you most excited about? There are a lot of things I am very excited about. After almost 20 years in business, a lot of my debt service to grow my business is getting paid oﬀ or has been paid oﬀ. This has really changed the cash low my company generates, so I am able to take on new projects that are bigger in price than I could have ive years ago.

I'm currently working on creating a restaurant concept. We plan on having the irst location open in 6 months. This would be the irst time I have actually created something from scratch and multiplied it. Most of the time I have taken other people's great ideas and multiplied it myself. I have spent a lot of time building great relationships with “founders” of other concepts. I have learned so much from them, and I know that they will be a great resource for me in the future.

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100 DYNAMIC LEADERS

Darren Gallop Safeguarding the Future of Digital Security he one thing that is absolutely certain in life is change. Perhaps, change is undeniably the only way to realize what is important to you in your life.

This realization is especially powerful in the world of dynamic leadership. These leaders understand that adapting to change is the cornerstone for success. They take charge and lead with introspection. They ditch the “this is how it's done” mindset and reinvent themselves to meet the market where it stands or where it is going. Darren Gallop is one such powerful leader. As the CEO and Co-founder of Carbide, he believes that adaptability, resilience, vision, and empowerment are the most important things that make one a dynamic leader.

When it comes to vision and empowerment, he believes in ensuring the entire company is aligned with the vision. At the same time, he feels it's essential to empower the leaders and managers in the business to take charge of their respective departments. EXPLORING THE WORLD OF

ENTREPRENEURSHIP Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, business was one of the most common dinner-table conversations for Darren.

“My mom owned and ran a dance school, while my grandfather ran an amusement park,” he remarks. This entrepreneurial focus left a lasting impact on him and shaped his entire life.

However, he reveals that security space wasn't his irst business. His early ventures were mostly in the music and entertainment ield.

Interestingly, the idea to start a security company sprung from challenges faced in his last SaaS company, where he was constantly scrutinized over the security posture and privacy compliance.

Later, this unlocked doors for him to venture into security as the more he learned about it, the more it interested him. TURNING CHALLENGES INTO OPPORTUNITIES

Given the growing and inevitable risk several businesses face today — thanks to globalization and more

skilled hackers — the need for strong security leadership is more important than ever.

To address these challenges, Darren and his team at Carbide, aim to achieve enterprise-class security for all small and medium-sized companies. Deriving its name from the carbide lamps used by miners to illuminate their path and avoid danger in the early 20th century, he and his team are doing the same for their customers in the security space. In fact, the pressing challenge for Darren was the fact that his customers were asked to meet complex requirements by their respective customers, thus requiring them to comply with several information security and data privacy frameworks.

As Darren faced a similar challenge in his last company as well, this made him determined to envision a future where security is nonnegotiable in every company's culture. “We do this through our highly skilled success team and domain experts that can make sure that through their partnership with

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Co-founder & CEO

Carbide

Carbide, they ultimately solve the problem they came to us to solve,” he adds. REACHING NEW PEAKS WITH CARBIDE

Darren's business acumen, deep interest in security and compliance, along with his entrepreneurial spirit drives Carbide's strategic vision. Additionally, his role as the Cofounder and CEO of Carbide continues to evolve. Only a few

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years ago, he was involved in customer success calls and jumping on sales calls to help sales close deals.

But as he continues to build out the leadership team and develop processes and tools, he inds himself focusing more on strategy and fundraising. “I can sleep well knowing that I have leaders in place owning more and more of the dayto-day operations,” he says. His persistence to reinvent himself continues to underpin the innovation at Carbide. “I still strive

for strategic innovation and creating new solutions to evolve our platform. I love that part of it,” he asserts.

NEXT STEPS FOR A MORE SECURE FUTURE The vision for Carbide continues to be around creating ef iciency and depth for SME security programs. Darren believes that there is still a lot of opportunity for innovation, and he is particularly excited about harnessing the possibilities of AI in an increasingly digital world.

100 DYNAMIC LEADERS

Reiner Lomb A Pioneer in Sustainable & Positive Leadership s businesses and workplace norms continue to change and evolve, the importance of reskilling and upskilling leaders has never been more important. Rather than looking at leadership skills solely as a set of behaviors, a dynamic approach is needed that includes the drivers and barriers of those behaviors, such as our emotions.

One enterprising leader unlocking these roadblocks, and rethinking the boundaries of leadership is Reiner Lomb, Founder of BoomerangCoach, a coaching irm focused on providing dynamic and transformational leadership development for corporate executives, entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, and other changemakers including those in the community and environments such as indigenous tribes.

Reiner emphasizes that just holding on to leadership titles does not make you a true leader. “While individuals with a formal managerial title can certainly be leaders, leaders can also be entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, community organizers or anyone who has a vision for positive change and makes it happen,” he explains.

This perspective holds especially true for Reiner who spent more than 20 years at Hewlett-Packard (HP). When he joined HP in the late 80s, he didn't start out in a formal leadership role as he helped launch HP's software business.

“I had a vision that inspired me to help start and grow a new business within a corporation. In that sense, I was an intrapreneur,” he re lects. Although it is worth noting that like entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs face a lot of resistance because the change they aim to create within an organization often scares people.

“My colleagues and I at HP experienced huge resistance when we were starting the company's software business, including from the top executives of the company. Yet, 24 years later when I left HP, the software business had grown from a startup endeavor to a global business with over $4 billion in annual revenue. HP became one of the top six software businesses in the world. It took many dynamic leaders to achieve that success,” he shares. HIS JOURNEY TOWARDS GLOBAL LEADERSHIP

Reiner's earliest leadership lessons

come from growing up in a divided Germany and in a small family business. The Iron Curtain, a consequence of World War II, constantly reminded him of the global forces that shaped countless lives.

Working as a child in the family business closely with his parents and siblings taught him important values, such as shared responsibility and skills. He collaboratively served for the wellbeing of the whole family, and everyone involved with the business. “I carried these values and skills into the corporate world with an emphasis on building trust and helping others succeed,” he re lects.

Later, Reiner's experiences at HP profoundly shaped his leadership philosophy and skills. As previously mentioned, during the initial phase of HP's software business, he led without a formal managerial title and that's when he learned how to lead through in luence. As the business grew, he took on formal leadership roles, including product management, strategy, channels, marketing, alliances, and sales. In these diverse roles, he held global responsibilities because the

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Founder

BoomerangCoach

software products were sold worldwide. He led teams around the world and learned the signi icance of paying attention to cultural diﬀerences.

Today, these experiences help him as an executive coach where he works with people from many diﬀerent cultures. FROM CORPORATE SUCCESS TO COACHING EXCELLENCE

At the peak of his corporate career, Reiner grew increasingly concerned about the future of society and the planet as a whole. He worried about the future of his children, and people's living conditions around WWW.EXELEONMAGAZINE.COM

the world. After some re lection, he made a pivotal decision to return to school and study sustainability.

“I felt the need to understand the issues that aﬀect our future before transitioning to my next career,” he recounts. “Fortunately, my bosses at HP supported me in going back to school while continuing in my management role.”

Through his studies, Reiner became aware that leadership is at the heart of overcoming the challenges confronting us. Shortly after completing his MBA in Sustainable Business, HP oﬀered him the opportunity to go into leadership development and that role laid the

groundwork for becoming an executive coach.

CUSTOMIZED COACHING FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Reiner irmly believes that there are common principles underpinning leadership development across diverse clients. They include learning to “Lead Self,” “Lead Others,” and “Lead Change” within and outside of an organization. Leading self may include inding your purpose, aligning it with your career and learning the skills to succeed and grow.

Leading others may include building 49

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a high-performance team, increasing employee engagement, and achieving better business results. Leading change may include creating a vision for change, mobilizing people to make your vision a reality and becoming resilient. This applies to entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, executives, or any kind of changemaker within or beyond organizations.

Reiner oﬀers tailored one-on-one coaching programs for individuals within an organization. For leadership teams, he conducts workshops, either in-person or virtually.

When multiple leadership teams in an organization are involved, such as developing a shared vision, he organizes larger retreats. In fact, he recently facilitated the 2023 Native National Partnership Retreat hosted by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, involving the Tribal leadership and the Tribes partner organizations. THE PATH TO PRODUCTIVITY & HAPPINESS

When Reiner moved from Germany to the U.S. nearly three decades ago, one of the irst diﬀerences he observed was reluctance among Americans to take vacations. Over the years, in his personal life and role as an executive coach, he has seen many people reaching the brink of burnout, often recognizing it when it is too late.

“On a personal level, I was at risk in my corporate leadership roles, especially because of my intense 50

international travel schedule,” he acknowledges. “I still travel, but I try to do it less frequently, and I allow for longer recovery times.” One positive outcome that the pandemic spurred was the widespread adoption of virtual meetings, which enabled him to balance his days better.

“Another signi icant change I have made is starting my day with selfcare, whether it is a walk in the park, swimming, biking, or yoga session before I begin my workday. Most nights, if I'm not traveling, I also try to end my day with family time. The eﬀect I have noticed is that when I do this, I'm much more creative and productive, and I feel happier,” he reveals. Expanding the Leadership Movement Reiner's vision for BoomerangCoach is connected to

his broader vision for society. He envisions a world where leaders, both within and beyond organizations, are committed to creating positive change for everyone.

The mission of BoomerangCoach is to help mobilize and develop larger numbers of those types of leaders and changemakers and to help them learn how to scale their in luence.

To further spread his message, Reiner plans to translate his book ASPIRE into other languages starting with the German Edition set to launch in October 2023.

“The translation of ASPIRE into German is exciting for me because it gives me the opportunity to reach more readers in my home country,” he says. In the future, Reiner will also speak to larger audiences and create scalable training programs. EXELEON MAGAZINE

ASPIRE: NAVIGATING LEADERSHIP WITH EMOTIONS

Reiner Lomb is dedicated to changing the outlook of emotions, and reinforcing its importance in every leader's life. Through his transformative book ASPIRE, he provides a roadmap for leadership development based on three simple premises.

First, anyone can create positive change, no matter where they are. Second, creating change requires a change in behavior, starting with one's own behavior and then in luencing the behavior of others. Third, one of the most powerful drivers of our behavior is our emotions.

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When emotions act as a barrier, ASPIRE guides leaders to identify these emotions and consciously create a shift. For instance, in order to pursue a vision of a positive future, we need to feel optimism. Optimism, like other emotions, can be learned.

While there are over 250 emotions, some experts suggest that learning all these emotions can be challenging and most leaders don't have the time. That's why in ASPIRE, Reiner addresses the seven essential emotions for leading positive change and how they can be learned.

Through ASPIRE, readers will learn empathy, compassion, and interest, elevating them to become more caring, serving, and understanding leaders. Readers also learn optimism, inspiration, and trust, which helps them become visionary leaders who inspire others, and coordinate eﬀective actions. Readers learn to become more resilient by cultivating positive emotions. For more about ASPIRE, visit Reiner Lomb's ASPIRE.

100 DYNAMIC LEADERS

Serena Advani Bringing a Waterless Solution to Skincare hat according to you makes one a dynamic leader? How do you integrate the same thought into your journey?

A dynamic leader is 1) willing to question the status quo and 2) constantly adapting to bring a vision to life. Seadrop was conceived because I wanted to question the skincare standard from the last few decades – I questioned why our skincare is mostly water (the same water we have on tap at home).

At Seadrop Skincare, we've created a patent-pending 'just-add-water' facial cleanser tablet that is freshly activated with your tap water (and packaged in a zero-waste re ill system). Dynamic leadership is about bringing that vision to others by constantly asking for feedback, staying open to critiques, and changing your strategy based on what you hear. At Seadrop, we conducted focus groups and surveys with over 400 consumers before launching – all with the goal of gathering data beyond our instincts to adapt our marketing strategies for launch.

What was the pain point that led

to the start of Seadrop Skincare? Four years ago, I found myself dealing with a hormone-related health scare – it ended up being a false alarm, but it got me to start researching the everyday endocrine disruptors in our lives. I was shocked to ind that many preservatives in beauty products (e.g., parabens) were linked to endocrine disruption. I was working in the beauty industry at the time and learned that we only need these preservatives in skincare because of its water content (for example, ~90% of a facial cleanser is water), and water breeds bacteria. I found myself asking – why not dehydrate the skincare, sell only the dry concentrates, and allow consumers to mix in the water they already have on tap at home?

I've always known that there's potential for powdered skincare the women in my family have been making homemade face masks for generations by mixing water with Indian powder ingredients.

For me, one of the brightest moments from my childhood was mixing multani mitti (a clay powder), besan (or chickpea lour), and sandalwood powder with water

to make skincare with my mom. Since then – since I was 11 – I've known that waterless skincare works. Years later, I learned that the beauty industry creates 120B units of single-use packaging annually (most of which ends up in land ills), speci ically because water-based products are dif icult to store, ship, and keep stable. In addition, waterbased skincare is annoying to travel with – either it leaks in the suitcase, or it gets con iscated by TSA (especially when I travel internationally).

With Seadrop, I set out to create a high-quality, arti icial preservativefree, waterless skincare tablet that's also 100% zero-waste. Each singledose, patent-pending facial cleanser tablet easily crushes into a powder between your dry ingers, and that powder transforms into a foamy lather with a few drops of your tap water. Our Hydrating Seafoam Cleanser's Welcome Kit comes with an eternally re illable glass jar, and each Re ill Tube (available on subscription) is biodegradable and designed to disintegrate. What were some of the challenges of starting a irst-ofits kind waterless skincare product? How did you tackle the same?

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Founder

Seadrop Skincare

Finding a formulator to bring a product like this to life was surprisingly dif icult. Typically, skincare formulators and manufacturers work with liquids: creams, lotions, and gels. They not only don't have the expertise to work with waterless products (as it's such a new category), but they also don't have the equipment needed to bring this to scale. I was determined to ind a solution, and I cold-called over 500 formulators and manufacturers before I found a stellar cosmetic chemist who developed our irst product, the WWW.EXELEONMAGAZINE.COM

patent-pending Hydrating Seafoam Cleanser tablet. How important was it for you to create a sustainable product? Talk to us about the sustainable nature of Seadrop Skincare.

If I'm being extremely candid, sustainability came second for us. Product quality was the most important – I was not going to launch our facial cleanser if it wasn't the best facial cleanser I had ever used. I wanted the cleanser to leave my skin feeling clean, but

never tight. I wanted the lather to rinse oﬀ dirt and makeup, but I didn't want it to leave a ilm behind. I wanted the water-activated ingredients to hydrate my skin, protect my skin's barrier, and gently revive and exfoliate my skin better than any other cleanser on the market. I wanted to feel the satisfaction in freshly activating my skincare with each cleanser bead. We formulated our cleanser to hydrate skin with Triluronic Acid and Oat Oil, protect skin with antioxidants from Blue Butter ly Pea Flower Powder and Orange 55

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Extract, and revive skin with gently exfoliating Papaya Enzymes.

Sustainable packaging was incredibly important, but it came next – I knew that our anhydrous form had potential for truly zerowaste packaging. I sourced a beautiful glass jar that feels great in your hand with a solid base that's built to last, but I didn't want consumers to ever have to throw it away. I wanted to create an in initely re illable skincare system, without heavy or plastic-laden re ill cartons. For our re ills, I was determined to ind suppliers who could use FSCcerti ied paper and soy-based inks

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for maximum biodegradability and curbside recyclability. After interviewing engineers at recycling plants, I learned to avoid any plastic linings in the packaging, and we didn't use any packing peanuts (only more biodegradable, FSCcerti ied paper) for shock absorbency. We are proud to now have 100% zero-waste packaging for our Hydrating Seafoam Cleanser! Finally, what is your vision going forward for the brand? What are you most excited about? Seadrop is truly irst-of-its-kind, and freshly activating each Hydrating Seafoam Cleanser bead

at the start of my skincare routine is honestly my favorite part of my day. My dream is for Seadrop to set the standard on how we see skincare – I'd love to see a world without wasteful single-use skincare packaging, unnecessarily water-laden products, and freshly activated skincare for everyone. I'd also love to partner with an ocean conservancy organization to not only keep new plastic out of our oceans, but also clean up the existing debris. And inally – I hope that someday, Seadrop will be available at a beauty retailer like a Credo, Ulta, or Sephora to bring sustainable skincare to consumers at scale!

100 DYNAMIC LEADERS

Lisa Rehurek Pioneering Change in the RFP Industry avigating the intricate world of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) requires one to have considerable expertise and insight.

The industry is riddled with varying challenges, from understanding complex requirements to tackling the unpredictable nature of the domain. Every new bid presents a unique maze of speci ications, deadlines, and uncertainties. Amidst these challenges, Lisa Rehurek and her team at the RFP Success® Company have cemented their place as RFP experts that deliver unmatched results.

The RFP Success® Company is a strategy and support consultancy that helps service-based businesses win more state government contracts. By focusing on the overall bid strategy, oﬀering hands-on fractional RFP response support, and training, the company helps hard-working organizations to do better and win more. With almost three decades of experience in the RFP space, Lisa is a strategic expert in RFP, a bestselling author, and national speaker. By leveraging her experiences and inculcating her values, she has spearheaded the RFP Success® 58

Company towards success. Since forming the company in 2010, Lisa has helped clients win over $500 million in contracts. STANDING OUT

According to Lisa, the team at RFP Success consults with business leaders to demystify the intricacies of proposal writing. Moreover, the company identi ies what evaluators are really looking for, how to earn higher scores, and what is needed to stand out from the competition. The leadership team at RFP Success® Company stays up-tospeed with industry updates, cutting-edge RFP response trends, and strategic planning methods that ensure the consulting services are best-in-class. Lisa mentions, “We've shaken up and disrupted the RFP industry by hiring world-class experts, collaboratively building, and achieving progressive goals, simplifying processes, and continuously asking the questions that consistently lead to company and client success.” The company has taken what was once a traditionally tedious task, and turned it into a collaborative,

energetic, empirically driven process, one that leads to consistent success for the clients. THE DAILY ROLE

As the Founder and CEO of The RFP Success Company, Lisa's primary focus lies in identifying and encouraging the leadership team as well as helping the clients win RFPs. “I do my best to embody a beloved, supportive, empowering coach,” she explains. She adds, “I show up every day and continue to be curious about how I can best serve my team and our clients.”

Lisa hires people who are experts in their disciplines and makes sure to support them in coaching, training, and managing their teams. With kindness, hard work, empathy, and joy being the central qualities in her leadership, she has facilitated a culture of growth and success. Furthermore, maintaining a healthy work-life balance has helped Lisa maximize her productivity level and prioritize her mental wellbeing. Her daily routine includes: “sunshine and playtime with my dogs; Wordle and Duolingo; reading a chapter in a book; reading my news sources,

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and gratitude af irmations or meditation time. The rest of it varies – business time, meeting with my team, meeting with friends or colleagues for lunch or drinks/dinner, cooking, pool time in the summer, late afternoon walks.”

Currently, Lisa is at the inishing stages of her next book – Winning in State Government: A Roadmap for RFP Success in 2023, thus spending considerable time re ining WWW.EXELEONMAGAZINE.COM

and preparing for the of icial book launch season. EMPOWERING PEOPLE

Going forward, Lisa is excited for the opportunity to service more businesses and help more people achieve successful RFP outcomes. She asserts, “Every RFP win facilitates additional capital, which creates additional jobs and opportunities.”

“Our vision is to take our solid, repeatable framework, pair it with continued knowledge of industry trends, and use it to help as many people as possible.”

The company is also launching its irst RFP Success® Small Business Accelerator program in October. Alongside Lisa, the entire team is excited to have the opportunity to support small, certi ied, and diverse businesses. 59

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Dynamic Touch Finally, beyond the of ice doors, RFP Success® Company will continue to ind ways to serve its community. “Whether it is community clean-up, serving the homeless, outreach to domestic abuse survivors, supporting The Boys & Girls Club or other local charities, we look forward to expanding our reach within the community,” she concludes. 60

A dynamic leader is one who's on a curious quest to better know and understand themselves and how to best utilize their gifts in order to serve the world. These leaders are true to themselves, they take risks, build resilience, and forge a path forward when challenges occur.

They are ambitious, optimistic and when the situation demands, they can be scrappy and sassy as

well. They act towards their dreams and inspire others to do the same. They celebrate and embrace failure as an opportunity to igure out a better way. They identify and empower others who are the best at what they do to create substantial impact in their work. Lastly, a dynamic leader is also participative and demonstrates empathy and approachability.

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100 DYNAMIC LEADERS

Yana Fry Guiding People towards Transformation hat according to you makes one a dynamic leader? How do you integrate the same thought into your journey?

A dynamic leader is a person who is able to constantly adapt to change in the most eﬀective and balanced way. In my own journey I had to adapt to new countries, new cultures, new languages, new ways of living and new ways of thinking many times. I have learned to embrace change as inevitable and the only constant part of life. It made me resilient, adaptable, quick to learn, quick to implement, and it also expanded my level of empathy after meeting so many people from so many cultures and hearing their stories.

Dynamic leadership, in my understanding, is based on emotional intelligence, resilience, global world view, purpose drive business, empathy at work and at home, inclusiveness and humility.

How are you helping people unlock their full potential? What is your mentorship approach? I believe in the balance of mind, body, and spirit, just like we have 62

been taught centuries ago in the traditional eastern philosophical schools. Most people are not realizing their full potential, either because their mind is tormented and confused, their body is not at its optimal level of health and energy, or their spirit is absent in their daily life. I help people to restore all those connections with diﬀerent parts of themselves.

My approach is a combination of the cutting edge western coaching tools and ancient eastern practices. Each person is created in a unique way, has a unique purpose and vision, and therefore requires a unique approach, tailored just for them. When a leader comes to me asking for coaching and/or guidance, we start with an honest conversation about all areas of life to see how things are right now and where they ideally should be.

Following that, I develop an individual customized coaching program for the duration of usually 6-12 months, because the process of transformation takes time and commitment on both sides. I do not babysit my clients; I encourage them to take full responsibility for their own life. I am here to walk by their side, as they are creating step by step the life, business, and

relationship they truly want to have. I give them tools, practices, and assignments along this journey to help them realize their highest potential.

I also challenge them, when it is needed, because having tough conversations and inding courage to look in the eyes of truth is a part of the coaching journey. I always hold them in their highest potential, even when they themselves might not see the light. The journey of working with me is about a deep transformation, a metamorphosis, letting go of limiting beliefs, going past fears and mental limitations, seeing, and creating new opportunities and ways of thinking and being, taking bold actions when required, and learning to be patient when the life asks to wait.

It is a very holistic approach for the courageous and committed people, who want nothing but the best lives for themselves and everyone around them. There are many pre-conceived notions and barriers when it comes to living a ful illed and purposeful life. How do you help people break past those notions and barriers?

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Timeless Teachings

Most of the barriers are in people's minds. As William Arthur Ward said “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.” So many people don't have a ful illed and purposeful life because they don't dare to dream it. I help them to break past their mental beliefs that are holding them imprisoned in the life they don't like and create new neural pathways in their brains that empower them to create a life they WWW.EXELEONMAGAZINE.COM

truly desire.

The other aspect we often work on is clarity. Most people don't know what they actually want. They have been living their lives for so many years based on other people's expectations, that when I ask them “what do you actually want for yourself?”, people often go blank in their minds. In such cases it becomes a journey of reclaiming self-identity, getting to know who

you are on a deep level, what are your own wants and needs.

In my experience, women often don't know those things about themselves, because they are conditioned since a very young age to take care of everybody else's needs before their own. That leads to a lack of self-knowledge, lack of self-esteem and lack of self-love. The step after that would be to ind and cultivate inner strength and 63

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Finally, what is your vision going forward for your brand and community? What are you most excited about? Finally, what is your vision going forward for your brand and community? What are you most excited about? I am excited about of icially launching a curated membership later this year for people who are united by passion, purpose, and possibilities of life. I would like to give my community soulfully curated experiences online and of line that will empower people to realize and embody their highest potential for the bene it of them and everyone around them.

I believe that together we can create so much goodness for the world. I would also like my podcast Timeless Teachings to become a go to place for people who want to learn from the best experts and thought leaders about self-mastery, human advancement, and happiness. I truly believe that each human being is here to live their best life, they just need to be reminded how amazing they are and given tools to realize their highest potential – that is exactly the mission of

courage to take real actions in real life that would be aligned with the new vision of the life a person truly wants to be living.

Talk to us about your journey as a life coach thus far. What has been the biggest learning for you over the course of this journey? Each human being is brilliant and unique. People just need to be regularly reminded how phenomenal they are. Human nature is fundamentally good and kind, and people want to do the right thing.

my podcast.

I also have a talk show out of Singapore, called YanaTV, and I would like it to become one of the most popular and impactful platforms that ampli ies the voices of impactful and conscious people of Asia.

At YanaTV we are focusing on showing the extraordinary stories of ordinary people, and ordinary (relatable) stories of extraordinary people. You will see CEOs, thought leaders, celebrities, in luencers, politicians, activists, artists, and simply ordinary people, coming as guests to the show and sharing their hearts open about life and business. The stories of resilience, forgiveness, acceptance, change, humility, transformation, renewal, courage.

The mission of YanaTV is to acknowledge the local Asian talents and to educate the world about movers and shakers of Asia.

Sometimes circumstances come in a way and corrupt the soul for some time, yet all people want to forgive themselves for the mistakes they have made and to make peace with the past. I am very optimistic about humanity. I think that eventually we will create a society that is based on kindness, inclusion, sharing, empowerment, and contribution. I also keep learning over and over again the lessons of gratitude, humbleness, and patience. There are people out there with incredibly dif icult, dramatic, and destructive life stories, and seeing their commitment to rebuilding themselves and to walk the journey

of self-forgiveness and selfacceptance reminds me each time how privileged I am with the life I have created for myself today.

Other times I would meet extraordinary people who are top of the top of society, and I would be touched deeply by their humbleness, people skills and down to earth way of living. I am just so grateful and honored to do the job I am doing, where I get to meet incredible individuals all over the world, hear their stories, and help them to create a life of purpose, passion, and possibilities.

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Dr. Nabhit Kapur Committed to Mental Health Advocacy n today's rapidly evolving world, organizations face the challenge of fostering a culture that encourages dynamic leadership at all levels.

Enter Nabhit Kapur, a highly respected igure in mental health advocacy and dynamic leadership. According to Kapur, achieving this goal begins with providing comprehensive support to employees, especially those in managerial and executive positions. He strongly believes in the power of understanding their needs, desires, and long-term goals to create an environment that nurtures dynamic leadership.

Kapur emphasizes the value of transparent, step-by-step procedures, immediate bene its, and eﬀective communication to foster a conducive atmosphere. RECOGNITIONS

Kapur's impressive accomplishments serve as a testament to his unwavering dedication to mental health advocacy. In April 2023, he was recognized as one of The Most In luential Leader in Africa, highlighting his collaborative eﬀorts with African leaders to enhance mental health support 66

across the continent.

This well-deserved recognition follows his earlier appointment as the African Peace Ambassador in February 2023, further solidifying his commitment to peace and mental well-being. PEACEFULMIND FOUNDATION

The Peacefulmind Foundation, established by Kapur and his team, exempli ies the foundation's commitment to mental health advocacy. Its recent eighthanniversary celebration marked both the challenges faced and the accomplishments achieved throughout its existence. Kapur openly acknowledges the inherent demands associated with creating an organization that operates without relying on donations or charity funds.

However, the foundation's strength lies in its unwavering vision of making mental health services accessible to all. Through strategic communication and unwavering dedication, the foundation continues to overcome obstacles, reinforcing the critical role mental health plays in the lives of individuals.

FUTURE ROLES As we look towards the future, Nabhit Kapur is preparing to take on new responsibilities. He eagerly anticipates assuming a leadership role at the World Fund for Development and Planning. Professionally, Kapur envisions expanding the Peacefulmind Foundation through strategic collaborations with policymakers.

On a personal level, he inds contentment in the love and support of his family, friends, and romantic life. Kapur emphasizes the value of gradual progress, recognizing that meaningful change requires time, dedication, and collaboration with like-minded individuals who share a common vision for a brighter future.

His unwavering commitment to dynamic leadership and mental health advocacy underlines the transformative power of steadfast dedication. As Kapur moves forward, he reminds us that meaningful change is a collaborative endeavour, one that holds the promise of a better tomorrow. LEADERSHIP IDEOLOGY

Kapur's approach to change and leadership is rooted in the belief EXELEON MAGAZINE

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Peacfulmind Foundation

that progress is a gradual and collective journey. He recognizes that meaningful change requires time, dedication, and collaboration with likeminded individuals who share a common vision for a brighter future. Kapur emphasizes the value of incremental progress, understanding that transformative change is achieved through collective eﬀort and shared goals. By fostering an environment that values collaboration, innovation, and adaptability, organizations can empower individuals to become dynamic leaders who drive positive change. Through his work with the

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Peacefulmind Foundation and his collaborations with policymakers, Kapur actively contributes to making a tangible impact on mental health support and accessibility. His approach serves as a reminder that meaningful change is a collaborative endeavour, one that holds the promise of a better tomorrow. By embracing change, nurturing dynamic leadership, and prioritizing mental well-being, individuals and organizations can collectively create a future that is inclusive, empathetic, and supportive. In conclusion, Nabhit Kapur's journey is a testament to his

remarkable achievements in both dynamic leadership and mental health advocacy. His dedication to fostering a culture of dynamic leadership at all levels is grounded in the belief that comprehensive support, transparent procedures, and eﬀective communication are vital.

Through his collaborative eﬀorts and unwavering commitment, Kapur has made an indelible impact on mental health support and accessibility and has proven that by embracing change and cultivating dynamic leadership, we can shape a society that values the well-being and growth of its members. 67

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Rob Kalwarowsky Towards an Elite Leadership Mindset ontrary to stereotypical notions, leadership is not limited to having authority or power. Leadership involves discipline, authenticity, and, most importantly, it involves responsibilities.

Leadership is a mindset; a mindset that cultivates growth, acknowledges failure, and goes above mediocrity.

Having experienced mediocre leadership for over 10 years, Rob Kalwarowsky realized the need for change: one within and beyond.

After years of self-work and healing, Rob, a high-performance leadership coach, is on a mission to change leadership globally. THE FOUNDATION

Growing up, Rob recognized his leadership abilities while playing water polo.

He recalls, during a U-16 Canadian National Championship Game, one of his teammates happened to be punched in the face. He mentions, “In the chaos of the moment and while the referees/coaches were sorting 70

everything out, I called all my teammates together in the middle of the pool, got everyone to calm down and re-focus on the game.”

At that moment, the entire game could have devolved into a massive brawl, or the team could have lost focus. However, Rob's patience and understanding of the situation turned out to be absolutely critical and the team went on to get that huge win. Machinery to Mindsets

After graduating from MIT with a mechanical engineering degree, Rob joined a mining company. Working as an engineer, he was able to save the company millions of dollars. He was on his way to success. But it all came crashing down because of a toxic boss.

Rob remembers, “He was passiveaggressive, constantly asking for more results but never wanting to budge from the way it always had been. Day-by-day, my manager ground me down.”

He adds, “At irst, I questioned my choices at work, then my purpose, then whether my life itself had any meaning. I was depressed and I didn't know how to change. “

The impact of toxicity in the workplace can be long, and in some cases everlasting. For another 6 years, Rob continued to experience mediocre leadership, dealt with depression, and changed from one job to another. Determined to come out of this toxic cycle, Rob decided to take a decision and sought out a coach. “I learned what leadership could be, how mindset, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and empathy are high-performance leadership strategies.”

And after a few years of deep selfwork and healing, Rob pivoted from engineering into leadership coaching, and he hasn't looked back ever since. ELITE HIGH-PERFORMANCE COACHING

As a High-Performance Leadership Coach at Elite High Performance, Rob Kalwarowsky is helping people become high-impact individuals. A irm believer in workplace culture, inclusion, and engagement, Rob guides organizations to make better leaders and, in turn, better bosses.

At Elite High Performance, the team oﬀers a unique experience to

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Elite High Performance

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leaders by blending neuroscience and research-backed high performance leadership strategies. With the help of personalized tools, actions, implementations, and integrations, the team at Elite enables individuals to become highimpact leaders.

Rob claims, “At Elite, leadership starts with Self and so we start work by delving into the leader's goals, self-awareness, values, and mindset.”

Once individuals have a strong foundation of themselves, the team addresses potential gaps in their leadership. This includes strategies like building trust & psychological WWW.EXELEONMAGAZINE.COM

safety, giving & receiving feedback, empowering, inspiring, and motivating their people.

“Throughout our engagements, we challenge our clients to think expansively about their impact and legacy, while working with them to integrate those aspirations into who they are today.” ARCHITECTING MINDSETS

For Rob, most dynamic leaders are the ones who are constantly growing and are connected to their authentic self. According to him, these leaders spend ample time uncovering their subconscious

beliefs and update those beliefs to support their goals for impact and legacy.

He explains, “The big diﬀerence lies in the sustainability of highperformance. Many high achievers learn to disconnect from their emotions and push themselves to do the work. This mindset strategy only works for so long until they burn out, feel disconnected from their work and/or reach the limits of their mindset.”

By strategically architecting their mindset, dynamic leaders feel inspired, motivated, and ful illed by their potential impact.

This deep mindset work has been a huge part of Rob's life, one that has led him to become a coaching executive, speak at TEDx, and move to Costa Rica.

“I have a daily practice of working on my mindset as well as investing in regular therapy, coaching and leadership mindset retreats. These practices allow me to continue to grow and evolve as a leader and 72

maximize my ability to impact leadership practices globally,” he proudly points out. COLLECTIVE MISSION

Moving forward, Rob is most excited about bringing Internal Family Systems psychology into Elite High Performance's leadership mindset coaching program.

He elaborates, “It's an incredibly impactful modality and creates lifechanging growth in short periods of time. It was an extremely eﬀective system for my transformation, and it is game-changing for leaders who want to take their leadership to the next level.” At Elite High Performance, Rob's vision is to build a community of Elite leaders who can create,

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100 DYNAMIC LEADERS

The Daily Routine I'm an early riser (my dog has trained me to be one) so we are both up around 5am each morning. I am deliberate not to check my phone or email when I wake up. The irst 30 minutes is bonding time with my dog and for morning coﬀee. Before my irst meeting at 7am, I will choose to either run or walk. I choose walking primarily as a meditative and creative tool. It allows me the space to think about addressing any challenges that I'm facing, memorize keynotes or to spend time innovating / creating new ideas for anything that I'm working on.

innovate, and support each other on leaving their legacies. Along with Rob, the entire team is building some high-impact programs, retreats, keynotes, and communities to advance this collective mission of changing leadership.

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I strategically take breaks throughout the day to ensure that I bring my best to each meeting. In general, I will carve out 20 minutes breaks for visualization work in between morning meetings, 30 minutes at lunch and 20 minutes to nap or meditate at 2pm. I wrap up between 3-4pm to inish my day with an activity to give my mind a break from work. some of the activities I enjoy are lifting weights, playing virtual reality games, learning guitar, or playing with my dog.

After dinner, I'll spend an hour planning time to write emails, prepare for podcasts/keynotes, schedule meetings and/ or record visualizations exercises for my clients. The rest of the evening is family time with my wife and dog. I am generally in bed by 9:30pm.

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Altimese Nichole Creating Impact through Digital Storytelling hat according to you makes one a dynamic leader? How do you integrate the same thought into your journey?

A dynamic leader understands that leadership is about serving others and inding the supporters of the vision. To be an impactful leader requires sacri ice. I heard a great analogy once. It says that a great leader is like a screen door. Because of the ine holes, it allows for the fresh breeze to come in, but it protects the people inside if an egg is thrown.

Within my team, I advocate for them when it's needed and stand in the gap of accountability when it's necessary. I cannot push the vision forward without their support, so it's a joy to ensure they know that I will take a stand for them.

Talk to us about your business – The Ezer Agency. How are you helping leaders share their unique stories?

The Ezer Agency is a Minority Business Enterprise through the nationally recognized organization, National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), and we're among the 15,000+ certi ied 74

MBEs nationwide. We specialize in Digital Marketing and advertising, social media, and Public Relations.

In a digital world of vanity metrics and super icial applause, we help our clients and partners create an impact through digital storytelling that cultivates advocacy and longterm conversion that drive results toward their goals and bottom line.

What does a day in the life of Altimese Nichole look like? How do you ensure work-life balance? For years, I strived to have a worklife balance. However, as a creative, it's extremely dif icult to completely shut oﬀ my creative ideas while stepping away to focus on the other signi icant, beautiful areas of my life. I now desire work-life harmony and integration. Instead of pushing away work, I harmonize it with life.

For example, I recently took my daughter to DC, and whenever my brain thought of work, I allowed my thoughts to low and release naturally. Because of that, I didn't pull out my laptop but honored my thoughts and ideas. Additionally, I operate with my body's natural rhythm. I sleep when I'm tired, and I work when I have bursts of energy. Instead of working by

societal norms, I ind myself more balanced internally by honoring my internal patterns and embracing the reality that life is full, and beauty is all around me.

I spend time in nature, and I embrace complete silence. It helps me to calm my mind and to focus on being very present in the moment with those around me.

What would be your advice for emerging women entrepreneurs when it comes to building their business?

If you're planning to dive into entrepreneurship, begin your process with your “why” in mind. It doesn't have to be “to change the world,” but keeping your initial motive and intent in mind will keep you grounded when the adventures of business become challenging (because it will). Entrepreneurship is a wild ride that will push internal growth upon you in order for your business to thrive (your growth as a leader aligns with the growth of your business). Stay focused on your mission and remember that the vision is yours to create and build. Also, remember that pricing is relative to the mindset of the owner

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and the audience you're selling to. For example, there is business A and business B, and they're both in the same industry specializing in the same services. Business A has a lower price point, and Business B has a higher price point: both will attract the clients that will pay both price points. (Think about that.) So, as Entrepreneurs, remember that YOU know the value of your work, brand, and team. Charge clients, accordingly, unapologetically. WWW.EXELEONMAGAZINE.COM

Finally, what is your vision going forward? What are you most excited about? As we make an impact among our beloved partners, my vision includes beginning a nonpro it that helps young girls around the world discover their passions and cultivate self-love as they grow into adulthood. I want to have mentorship programs, educational resources, retreats, and more.

I am most excited about the company's movement into the government contracting space, with a goal to help state and local entities, including universities, with impactful messaging and storytelling. The road won't be easy, but it will de initely be worth it!

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Katie Zamarra Setting the VENUE for Effective Communications n this era, where we as consumers are looded with choices, it's imperative for businesses to focus on providing impeccable service.

For dynamic entrepreneurs, oﬀering high-quality service isn't just a strategy; it's an ethos. It isn't transactional; it's transformative. It's about building relationships, positive experiences, and ensuring sustainable success.

Starting her professional career in the hospitality industry, Katie Zamarra experienced irst-hand the value of providing high-quality service. Since forming her boutique communications irm – VENUE in 2003, Katie has established a reputation by catering to individual needs and ensuring optimal client satisfaction. THE JOURNEY

Growing up in New Orleans, it was an inevitable road for Katie to study and enter the hospitality business. Following her graduation, she was oﬀered the position of Corporate Management Trainee at Hyatt Hotels. During this time, Katie made sure to spend time with each 78

department and almost naturally connected with the marketing section.

After completing the training program, she was oﬀered her irst position as a marketing manager. Katie went on to work for Hyatt Hotels in Houston, Greenville, and Atlanta. Her portfolio continued to expand as she joined The Cornell Club – New York as the Director of Marketing.

Soon after, her passion for restaurants and the dining industry led her to attempt working in restaurant operations. Unfortunately, her attempt turned out to be a complete disaster and she quickly decided to switch back to marketing.

However, through this brief stint, Katie got introduced to many incredible personalities from the industry, including chefs, sommeliers, restaurant owners, and managers. By meeting these industry people, she realized a visible gap. In order to sustain a business in New York, especially businesses in the restaurant space, there's a pressing need to have a good PR partner.

With the guidance from one of her closest friends in New York, Katie learned how to approach media and formulate agreements. Soon, Katie launched VENUE Communications and Marketing. THE EXPERIENCE

According to Katie, “Growing up in New Orleans experiencing the hospitality business and its culture created my passion to study and start a career in the industry.”

Her years of learning, watching, and working in the hospitality industry helped her to become skilled in customer service. Later, these acquired skills became the foundation to her client communication needs, including lifestyle and placemaking.

Similar to any other industry, focusing on providing high-quality services and catering to unique preferences is essential in communications.

With the hospitality industry coming to a screeching halt during the pandemic, Katie and her team at VENUE persevered, evolved, and embraced new market opportunities. “There was an entirely diﬀerent demand as new EXELEON MAGAZINE

Marketing & Communications

Venue

clients began to approach us for communications work. Having this hospitality experience allowed creation for positive, welcoming, and inclusive environments where people feel connected to unique attributes.” BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

Talking about her day-to-day responsibilities at VENUE, Katie mentions that her involvement is WWW.EXELEONMAGAZINE.COM

very hands-on.

At VENUE, Katie, along with her team, work with a range of professionals and tailor their communication strategies according to individual requirements. She says, “I feel very fortunate to be surrounded with people from vast levels of experiences in many diﬀerent industries. Whether it's a Mayor, a Pastry Chef or a Global CEO, there is

always something to learn and adapt to.”

With every client, the team identi ies their key priorities, challenges, and objectives. Following which, a communication plan is drafted that helps the client achieve their goals. Moreover, being present, reliable, and collaborative allows the team to foster relationships with their clients at any level. 79

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Katie’s Principles on Dynamic Leadership Authenticity: This to me is crucial in leadership! Authentic leaders and associates in my career have always served as role models. I believe being true to oneself, maintaining transparency, and building trust comes from consistent, ethical, and empathetic behavior. Authentic leaders who create positive work environments and foster strong relationships with team members in turn achieve long-term success.

Adaptability and Resilience: Always be open to change and willing to adjust with determination and a positive attitude, even during dif icult times. Lead by example and demonstrate how to overcome obstacles gracefully. Vision: Having a clear vision professionally is the best way to obtain goals, long term or short term and will inspires others to attain their own vision.

At Venue, there are many longstanding clients, along with new and revolving accounts. “There are always new and unique strategies to be developed, continual client and media relations to be maintained while keeping our culture and values intact. I love learning from my team and clients, and being a part of the day-to-day allows me to stay present with happenings, obstacles, and successes,” Katie explains.

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Eﬀective Communication: Not only is this the core foundation of my company, but good communication is essential for dynamic leadership. Being able to articulate ideas, listen to others openly and provide feedback constructively are key ingredients.

Continuous Learning: Dynamic leaders that I admire are always committed to personal and professional growth. Invest in your own education and development and encourage your team members to do the same. Stay curious, open to new ideas and perspectives. Never stop learning!

Decision-Making: Use every resource available by gathering data, seeking input from others, and considering potential outcomes for any decision. Be decisive and then take responsibility.

STAYING AHEAD OF THE CURVE With the emergence of disruptive technologies like AI, Katie believes communication over the next decade will be characterized by an even greater reliance on technology. She further notes that an increasing emphasis will also be placed on client experience and the need for adaptability. Katie predicts, “Clients that invest in innovative communication

strategies and adapt to emerging trends are more likely to thrive in the ever-changing business environment.”

Going forward, Katie will focus on multiple areas to further improve VENUE's market presence and stay ahead of the competition. This includes expanding its global reach, eﬀective social media engagement practices, and video-based communication. 81

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Dr. Barry Sears Redeﬁning Health with the Zone Diet nyielding curiosity, a drive to impact lives, and a deep commitment to science. These attributes not only de ine Dr. Barry Sears but also lay the foundation of his life's work — an endeavor to understand and harness the power of food and human metabolism.

With decades of meticulous research under his belt, Dr. Sears presents a refreshing perspective on how our dietary choices impact our health span and overall wellbeing.

orchestrating gene expression, repairing damaged tissue, and determining your rate of aging.

Many chronic conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's, and others, are strongly associated with increased insulin resistance. Therefore, developing insulin resistance is the irst step toward developing chronic disease at an earlier age.

Can you give us a brief understanding of the Zone Diet?

The Zone diet treats food like a drug to be taken at the correct dose and at the right time to reduce, if not eliminate, insulin resistance. Rather than one drug for one disease, you can have one dietary system applicable to addressing the underlying cause of many diseases. I describe this ield as Metabolic Engineering as it can personalized to the individual regardless of their diet philosophy using simple blood testing.

The Zone diet was developed and patented as a drug to treat insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is not a disease per se, but it indicates that your metabolism is disrupted. Your metabolism controls your existence by converting food into energy, maintaining your immune system,

The most important bene it is an improved health span. Health span is your maximum lifespan minus years of disability caused by chronic disease. Even though we are living longer, our health span is decreasing despite massive

A proponent of the Zone diet, Dr. Sears views food as a powerful drug capable of addressing a myriad of health concerns. His assertions stem from an intensive study into insulin resistance — a key factor he identi ies as the underlying cause of many chronic diseases.

What are the bene its of being in the Zone?

expenditures on health care. The ef iciency of your metabolism is the primary factor that controls your health span. Thus, the reduction, if not elimination, of insulin resistance is a necessary irst step to maintain wellness.

A simple blood test can measure your level of insulin resistance. If insulin resistance is absent, then your health future is bright. However, once you develop insulin resistance, your health future becomes much bleaker. Thus, the absence of insulin resistance is the medical de inition of being in the Zone.

How are you helping people slow down their age and reach the Zone in an easier manner? Medical research is only bene icial if it leads to an increase in your health span. No drug can reprogram your metabolism to get you to the Zone, but your diet can. Thus, being in the Zone makes every drug used to treat symptoms of a chronic disease associated with insulin resistance work better at lower doses. Unfortunately, reducing calorie intake will have the most signi icant impact on reducing insulin resistance. EXELEON MAGAZINE

Founder

DrSears.com

Changing dietary habits is incredibly dif icult. That is why I had to return to my earlier research in developing cancer drug delivery systems to create new food technologies to control hunger. These new technologies not only allow the production of food products to control appetite but also make it possible to practice calorie restriction for a lifetime without hunger or fatigue by eating WWW.EXELEONMAGAZINE.COM

the foods you enjoy (i.e., pizza, pasta, and pastries).

The biochemical pathways these new foods use to stop hunger are the same as those used by the latest generation of injectable weight loss drugs but without their side eﬀects or costs. Frankly, developing this food technology was a far more signi icant challenge than

enhancing the delivery of cancer drugs.

Having worked with hundreds of people, released multiple bestselling books, authored over 50 scienti ic articles, and recognized globally as one of the leading medical researchers, how do you look back at your journey thus far?

It has been a fascinating journey, starting with understanding the dynamics of lipids at the molecular level, moving on to studying the role of lipids in heart disease, then applying that knowledge to the development of patented cancer drug delivery systems, and inally improving the dietary control of human metabolism through Metabolic Engineering.

This journey would not have been possible without that insatiable desire for discovery and a willingness to take signi icant risks. Yet if the goal is noble enough (like increasing health span), then it is much easier to handle such risks and keep moving forward.

What would be your biggest advice for individuals struggling to maintain a healthy diet?

If you struggle with excess weight, have low physical and mental energy, have an existing chronic disease, or are concerned about aging, your problem is most likely associated with increased insulin resistance. I have spent the last 40 years seeking to understand how the diet can be used to reduce insulin resistance and maintain wellness for a longer time. The basic concepts of the Zone diet, enhanced with my newest food EXELEON MAGAZINE

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clinical trials with type 2 diabetics will either con irm the potential for its use in every chronic disease associated with insulin resistance or send me back to the drawing board to keep re ining my concepts.

What according to you makes one a dynamic leader? I believe a dynamic leader must have an insatiable desire for discovery. This means constantly asking how things work and then inding opportunities to apply that acquired knowledge. This also means not being afraid to take the necessary risks and experience potential failures to achieve a desired goal. You must also have thick skin to handle the criticism to achieve that desired goal and demonstrate humility should you succeed. Finally, the long-term measure of success should be based on how well you improve the welfare of others instead of focusing on personal goals such as fame, wealth, or power.

How do you integrate the same thought into your leadership?

technology to restrict calories without hunger or fatigue, can make that goal a reality.

Our initial published clinical results using these foods in overweight and obese individuals demonstrated excellent dietary compliance, resulting in a signi icant loss of excess body fat, increased muscle mass, and a dramatic reduction in insulin resistance under placebocontrolled conditions. Upcoming WWW.EXELEONMAGAZINE.COM

You always lead by example in all phases of the business. My company is science-based. In my case, I need to understand the complexity of human metabolism at the molecular level. Much of my time is spent pouring over the newest research, looking for dietary connections that can help maintain your metabolism to work at maximum ef iciency. This is the discovery phase. The more dif icult challenge is applying that knowledge to develop new dietary products to reprogram a disrupted

metabolism. This is the application phase of discovery.

Now, the risk is higher as the chances of failure are signi icant. Furthermore, since these are dietary products, you had better be a product of the product yourself before even considering selling it to others. Once you have the products, then you must market the products based on science, not hype. This is when you need a very thick skin because if you are successful, you will upset a lot of existing food and pharmaceutical interests. Most importantly, you treat everyone in your organization as an extended family, not employees.

Finally, what is your vision going forward? What developments are you most excited about? I see the future of medicine focused on maintaining wellness instead of simply treating the symptoms of chronic disease. That vision starts with dietary control of insulin resistance, which translates into better metabolic control and a longer health span.

The two most exciting areas of future medical research will be the control of gene expression through epigenetics and the removal of senescent cells that drive aging. Both processes are under robust metabolic control. Hippocrates was correct when he said 2,500 years ago, “Let food be your medicine and let medicine be your food.” It's taken a long time to understand his wisdom because he spoke about the dietary control of metabolism.

100 DYNAMIC LEADERS

Alex McIntosh Pioneering the Future of Regenerative Skincare s the Founder and CEO of Thrive Natural Care, Alex McIntosh is spearheading a movement towards a regenerative future.

Since its inception in 2012, Thrive hasn't just been about creating eﬀective skincare products; it's about a larger ethos that intertwines skincare, sustainability, and social impact.

The power of Thrive's oﬀerings lies not only in their tangible bene its to the skin but also in their broader impact on the planet and its inhabitants. The regenerative farming methodology, a cornerstone of Thrive's operations, does more than ensure the purity and potency of ingredients. It symbolizes a commitment—a commitment to rejuvenating the earth, bolstering rural farming communities, and rede ining the benchmarks for business. In your experience, what are some of the essential qualities a successful CEO should possess? The skillset needed by a CEO at a large/established company obviously diﬀers from the skillset needed by a CEO at a startup/early-stage company. But the 88

qualities of a transformational CEO are, in my experience, consistent across sectors and companies. The essential qualities are: a big vision, an ability to communicate that vision compellingly to various stakeholders, a good sense of strategy, drive, and, above all, the ability to ind/recruit/retain great talent. Talk to us about Thrive Natural Care and its regenerative business model.

I believe the future of skincare—and business—is regenerative. Since Thrive's founding in 2012, we have intentionally designed our products and operations for regenerative impact. And the regenerative farming methodology makes our super plant ingredients more potent and purer than conventionally produced ingredients. Which means better skin results. Today, Thrive Natural Care regenerates your skin, our planet, and rural farmer communities.

Our cross-cultural team of ecologists, ethnobotanists, rural farmers, and entrepreneurs selects native plants for cosmetic and ecosystem attributes. We re-

introduce the “super-plants” to degraded lands owned by rural farmers. Soil health, biodiversity, and farmer livelihoods are improved year on year via agroecological cultivation and raw material transformation. We design our skincare products and power them with these unique-to-Thrive super-plants.

Customers prefer Thrive products because our regeneratively-sourced ingredients are more eﬀective than conventional equivalents (“look better”), our formulas meet higher standards for safe & clean (“live healthier”), and customers' purchases make a positive impact (“leave it better). What are some of the key challenges you have faced while building and growing Thrive Natural Care? How have you addressed those challenges?

On the product side, it was certainly a challenge to commercialize three new to market superplant ingredients in a foreign country (Costa Rica), design a full line of sun-care and skincare products that would outperform conventional products. On the commercial side, we are in

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Founder & CEO

Thrive Natural Care

an incredibly competitive vertical, so competition alone is a daily challenge. Skincare is a $146 billion dollar industry. Additionally, we are facing the same challenges in the broader CPG category with acquisition costs increasing rapidly and winning on traditional channels being more dif icult. Fortunately, we've established a very strong business on Amazon, where Thrive is in the top 1% of WWW.EXELEONMAGAZINE.COM

global sellers. But to combat these acquisition challenges I noted before, we invested in creative new team members that had aligned values with our brand. We have explored and tested unique channels, some with great success. This year is truly all about learning and growth for our business on top of our Amazon foundation, and it is exciting.

More and more brands are introducing sustainable and natural products in the market. What would you attribute this recent shift to? (1) Consumer demand;

(2) Smarter brand management (3) Ecological imperative.

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First, consumers are less willing to settle today. They want “healthier for me AND works better for me.” Natural products, the best ones, can now outcompete conventional products. Take Thrive for example: our regeneratively-grown superplants—unique to our skincare products—actually are more potent and more pure than conventionally produced skincare ingredients. This means healthier, better-looking skin. Relatedly, consumers are more aware of the impact THEY have on the environment, so there is a demand for sustainable products in the market. Consumers want the upside without the guilt.

Second, smarter brand management. I believe brands, particularly new brands, are more frequently led by founders that recognize the need more sustainable production of goods. Not as a do good. But just like inancial management or good marketing, more sustainable is just another metric for a well-run, well led business. Today's best leaders are aware of the impact we have on the planet and actively try to produce a positive impact rather than a harmful one. Because its good business and because it engenders greater brand loyalty.

Third, ecological imperative. We felt it was important to aim business higher. Beyond do no harm mentality of sustainability, and instead a leave it better mentality. There's already a tremendous amount of ecological capital we've spent down as a human species: isheries, soil, biodiversity, clean 90

air/soil, water. So just “leaving things better” isn't the solution for our kids or grandkids. Doesn't matter if you're a tree hugger or conservatively religious. We have an obligation to steward for the generations that come after us.

This is one of Thrive's core values and something that is baked into everything we do. From our products being grown with plants that actually leave the soil and earth better to our partnerships with farmers that are now able to grow and sell their crops and improve their overall economic well-being, to our customers having access to healthier, more eﬀective skincare products--we want to generate a “leave it better” impact across the whole chain. What would be your advice for someone entering the skincare products market?

Have a clear point of diﬀerentiation in the market. Have a smart plan to let people know you exist. Create real value for your customers. Become incredibly nimble and be prepared to pivot eﬀectively. I have always believed that if you have the best products and a unique story, you can win in nearly every market. Those components are what will drive your growth. If you have clever marketing, you might be able to squeeze out some early success, but you will most likely izzle out quickly.

I think every business founder has a story, and most are interesting, but truly unique brand stories are hard to come by. We all know the

Facebook story from the movie, and most of the world knows about Bill Gates or Jeﬀ Bezos working out of their garages. Sadly, once those stories have been widely known, they aren't unique anymore. That's why the BRAND must have a cool, interesting story. Because every founder of every company has a story of “something happened, and it made me think about how to EXELEON MAGAZINE

make it better.” Essentially, when you are able to pair your great products with a unique brand story, it works in concert to help your business grow.

Looking ahead, what is your vision for Thrive Natural Care? What are you most excited about?

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I'm most excited about scaling up our regenerative skincare model. Millions of customers around the world, looking better and living healthier. Tens of thousands of acres of degraded lands being restored to health. Thousands of rural farmers boosting their livelihoods. And hopefully Thrive is one of several brands that is seen as an inspiring, commercially viable

model for regenerative business that others will adopt across sectors.

As importantly, I'm excited to grow our business with my great team of entrepreneurs, skincare experts, ethnobotanists, ecologists, and rural farmers.

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Robin Hills An Emotional Intelligence Pioneer he era where traditional skills helped you secure your dream promotion is long gone. If you aspire to be a leader, there's a dominant element you must consider: harnessing the power of emotions. It's what helps you steer changes authentically, communicate valuably, coach people intently and build the bridge between collaboration and success.

Meet Robin Hills, the trailblazer who is leading this shift in several workplaces worldwide. Robin is the founder of Ei4Change (Emotional Intelligence for Change); with over four decades of experience in training, and coaching 300,000 people, he plays a pivotal role in helping executives and leaders enhance self-awareness and interpersonal relationships.

However, Robin didn't start his career focused on emotional intelligence from the get-go. He initially set out in the medical ield, and after several trials and tribulations, ultimately discovered the prescription for a more emotionally-healthy life. Let's dive right in to know more closely about the person behind the persona. EARLY EXPLORATION

After graduating with a degree in

Biology from Durham University, Robin began his career as a medical representative in London.

As the years rolled by, he noticed that not only were the doctors' attitudes diﬀerent towards him, but also towards their own jobs. “Some people were in constant stress, while others behaved more calmly and had better relationships,” he observed. This made him wonder why these diﬀerences occurred, especially when the job role was similar in many instances. It wasn't until he read Daniel Goleman's book that he realized that emotional intelligence was the answer. “I, also, realized that my own success in this area and, indeed my resilience, was due to my own emotional intelligence. But this realization came a few years after I left medical sales,' he says.

He subsequently relocated to Northwest England for a leadership role within the pharmaceutical industry. Following several years and job changes, Robin decided to set up a business focused on strengthening emotional intelligence in the workplace.

SHATTERING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE MISCONCEPTIONS

Many people have misconceptions about emotional intelligence; the most persistent one being that emotional intelligence is about being kind and nice, or suppressing your unpleasant emotions to avoid negative reactions or behaviors.

According to Robin, this is not the inherent meaning of emotional intelligence. Rather, it is about one's ability to understand, manage, and express emotions appropriately. “Emotions contain data so emotional intelligence means working with emotions as they surface and using this data to make better decisions and build authentic relationships,” he further elaborates.

Another misconception is that emotional intelligence is just common sense, Robin quickly points out that common sense is not always so common.

Furthermore, he challenges the notion that emotional intelligence is often labeled as a “soft skill”, when there is nothing soft about emotional intelligence. “It is one of the hardest skill sets to train people in; rather than considering emotional intelligence as a soft skill, it should be considered a power skill,” he suggests.

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Emotional Intelligence Facilitator & Coach

Ei4Change

EI4CHANGE: NURTURING EMOTIONS THE RIGHT WAY Robin's business, Ei4Change, hosts the most comprehensive range of emotional intelligence courses around topics such as leadership, team work, con lict management, resilience, and communication skills. Despite his prominent experience in this space, he stays updated about the recent developments. In fact, he considers Arti icial Intelligence (AI) to be one of the most interesting developments.

However, he believes that AI lacks the nuances of a human brain when

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it comes to working with emotions. “Our brains are incredibly complex and dynamic systems, made up of hundreds of billions of neurons continually communicating and interacting with one another. AI, on the other hand, is a program based around statistics and cannot gain knowledge like we can through experience,” he highlights.

Robin also acknowledges the signi icance of ChatGPT as a tool to help clear his thinking and structure a project. While he inds it helpful, he points out the answers lack perspective, context and nuances that are intrinsically linked to our emotions.

For those eager to dive deep into these topics, Robin recommends the book “The Emotional Life of your Brain” by Richard J. Davidson with Sharon Begley. This book oﬀers an understanding of emotions from a neuroscienti ic perspective written in a very clear, understandable manner. THE HIGHS & LOWS OF HIS JOURNEY

Robin has carved a reputation as a pioneer in this space and his experience stems from the belief that becoming emotionally intelligent is a long and winding path.

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“You can't become emotionally intelligent by watching a few videos, taking a couple of quizzes and downloading some PDFs,” he emphasizes. While you can certainly learn about emotional intelligence, to become more emotionally intelligent, you need real-world experiences, explore new approaches and learn from diﬀerent outcomes. From the beginning, he learned and developed the necessary set of new skills. These include in-depth understanding of adult learning, instructional design, and content as well as video production skills that follow industry standards.

He also had to become skilled in editing and presentation skills, ensuring all videos, quizzes and practical activities are fully accessible and grammatically correct. Additionally, his grasp of online technical knowledge includes understanding of diﬀerent platforms, tools for delivery, browsers, operating systems, and software.

Guided by his favorite quote, “Imperfect action is better than perfect inaction,” Robin sets high standards for himself. He is aware that he can't meet everyone's expectations in a timely manner and that he makes mistakes along the way. However, as long as what he produces is it for purpose, he is open to revisiting and improving it. “My irst course that I completed in the summer of 2014 has been completely revised and recorded. It no longer exists in its original format and has become a bestseller,” he says.

Another mantra that has guided him

is “You have to speculate to accumulate.” This was extremely helpful to him during those months he spent developing the initial online course when he wasn't generating income. Also, there were no guarantees that the course would be successful.

“It was an interesting use of my time when I wasn't delivering training or coaching. However, I was determined to give it a go and see what happened. Almost a decade later, I have over 30 courses with 400,000 learners enrolled in 195+ countries,” he says.

Recently his company, Ei4Change, has extended its global reach by launching a webzine – ei-matters (www.ei-matters.com)—a digital magazine focused on emotional intelligence sharing news, views, articles, podcasts, and more.

It also features a range of free podcasts, all of which rank in the top 2% of global business, covering topics associated with emotional intelligence in greater detail, making them ideal for people looking for in-depth information.

As ei-matters grows, he and his team aspire for it to become the goto resource for anyone seeking to know more about the world of emotional intelligence. INTEGRATING WORK AND LIFE

For Robin, a typical day starts with checking and responding to emails. This routine always involves checking any responses and engagements from online learners. He values both positive, supportive reviews and critical reviews, considering the latter as more

insightful to maintain the quality of his courses.

The rest of the day includes training or coaching sessions, the inevitable meetings conducted either virtually or face-to-face and his late afternoons often including a podcast interview. Any available free time is devoted towards course creation— producing videos, practical activities, quizzes, developing landing pages.

Every fortnight, Robin devotes an afternoon to mentoring a disadvantaged teenage boy for a local charity. “We spend time chatting, playing games, bowling, trampolining, or simply enjoying a cup of coﬀee. It gives me the chance to do something valuable beyond work and is very rewarding. Surprisingly, these young mentees have helped and in luenced me in many aspects of my work,” he shares.

Robin holds a unique perspective on work-life balance. He believes it is a counterproductive idea, “The issue with the phrase work-life balance is that it compartmentalises everything into work activities — meetings, clients, trips, conferences — and life activities — family commitments, holidays, hobbies, keeping healthy,” he elaborates.

For him, work is an integrated part of life. So, rather than seeking to get a balance right, he tries to integrate his work activities into his life and be as emotionally intelligent about this in the most appropriate way possible.

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Alexander Galitsky A Tech Pioneer's Biography n the tapestry of modern technological advancement and venture capital investment, few individuals have woven as intricate a pattern as Alexander Galitsky. Born in the Zhytomyr region in 1955, his odyssey encompasses scienti ic innovation, digital technology, and entrepreneurial wizardry. This biography aﬀords an incisive glimpse into the monumental achievements and multifaceted career of Mr. Galitsky.

GENESIS AND SCHOLARLY ENDEAVORS:

Rooted in a quaint village, young Galitsky's dreams soared through the cosmos. His passion for space ultimately steered him to study physics at the revered Moscow Institute of Electronic Technology (MIET). While engaged in academic pursuits, an epiphany led him to explore the burgeoning ield of computer technology. His academic ardor resulted in a seminal thesis on “Technical Cybernetics.”

ASCENDING THE PROFESSIONAL LADDER:

Galitsky embarked on his career in a micro-devices research institute. As fate would have it, the institution underwent various 98

metamorphoses, ultimately birthing the ELVIS Scienti ic and Technical Center, with Galitsky at its vanguard. The center primarily delved into software development for satellite systems.

The contours of his career shifted dramatically when Sun Microsystems' luminary, Bill Joy, reached out during a sojourn in Moscow. This fortuitous encounter laid the groundwork for a symbiotic collaboration, as Galitsky and around 200 associates secured Green cards, opening the loodgates to international funding prospects. Subsequently, Galitsky erected the edi ice of "ELVIS+," a bastion of digital discoveries and deft business maneuvers. A watershed moment ensued in 1993 when he astutely sold a 10% stake in "ELVIS+" for a staggering $1 million. Details on the deal between Sun Microsystems and Elvis+ are sourced from here.

EMBARKING ON A VENTURE CAPITAL ODYSSEY:

Galitsky's foray into venture capital crystallized in 2008 when he cofounded Almaz Capital. With an initial authorized capital of $72 million, the fund emerged as a

catalyst for start-ups in the CIS and Eastern Europe. Almaz Capital's investment portfolio boasts early support for Yandex, and a prescient investment in Qik, whose stakes were later lucratively sold to Skype.

Almaz Capital's journey is punctuated by successive chapters Almaz Capital II and III, with the latter amassing of $174 and $190 million in investments. The fund's investment compass now primarily points towards Eastern and Western Europe, having invested an excess of $300 million in more than 50 diverse companies over nearly a decade and a half.

Galitsky's investment philosophy hinges on establishing rapport and trust with the architects of the projects. His scrupulous strategies and sagacity have facilitated the identi ication of ventures with the potential for global market penetration. SCIENTIFIC FOOTPRINT AND ACCOLADES:

Galitsky's scholarly contributions are formidable, as manifested through a compendium of approximately one hundred scienti ic treatises in international periodicals. His innovative prowess is further re lected through a EXELEON MAGAZINE

Co-founder & Managing Partner

Almaz Capital

repertoire of over 30 patents in the realm of digital technologies. In homage to his stellar achievements and enthralling life journey, the biographical ilm "Startup" was conceived in 2014.

PORTFOLIO COMPANIES CHANGING THE GAME Ÿ Acronis - Almaz Capital saw the potential in Acronis, a global leader in cybersecurity and data protection. Acronis' True Image technology is a game-changer for businesses. Ÿ GoodData - A cloud-based business intelligence platform, GoodData is all about helping companies streamline their data operations. Ÿ Gridgain - As an in-memory computing platform, Gridgain is breaking barriers in real-time WWW.EXELEONMAGAZINE.COM

data access and processing. Ÿ Hover - In the realm of 3D technology, Hover is a juggernaut. From home improvement to 3D modelling, Hover is changing the way we interact with technology. Ÿ Minut - Minut is about home security. Their smart home sensors are ensuring safety in the modern world. Ÿ Neptune - As an ML (Machine Learning) platform, Neptune is driving innovation in AI data analysis. Ÿ OneSoil - Changing the agricultural game with data science and AI, OneSoil is the future of sustainable farming. Ÿ Parallels - Almaz's investment in Parallels brought forth a leader in cross-platform solutions, making remote access

technology seamless. Ÿ Referbed - With refurbished electronics, Referbed is addressing the e-waste problem. Ÿ Virtuozzo - In the realm of virtualization, Virtuozzo is the king. It's all about optimizing resources for cloud computing.

CONCLUSION

Alexander Galitsky's Almaz Capital is not just a venture capital irm; it's an innovation powerhouse. From cybersecurity to cloud computing, their investments in cutting-edge technologies have revolutionized the industry. Through strategic collaborations and an unwavering commitment to innovation, Almaz Capital continues to shape the future of technology..

100 DYNAMIC LEADERS

Liz Toombs Industry Leader for Sorority House Interiors or a business to lourish in any industry, it's imperative for the team to work in accordance to the needs and demands of the clients. Liz Toombs and her team at PDR Interiors embody the epitome of collaboration and tailored service in the ield of interior design.

The team embarks on each project with an unwavering commitment to understanding every facet of the client's vision, needs, and preferences. Liz ensures that the team manages the unique needs of its sorority clients, wherein each design is a blend of aesthetic appeal, functionality, and adaptability to accommodate a high volume of use.

In this interview, Liz Toombs shares her ideas related to interior designing, PDR interiors, and her vision going forward. What prompted you to enter the interior designing space and start PDR Interiors? My grandad was a realtor when I was a kid and he exposed me to houses. That sparked my initial 100

interest and shows like Trading Spaces fueled the ire. I studied textiles in college, which had more of a fashion focus, but I always knew I wanted to use that knowledge in the realm of home interiors.

My path post-college involved sales for a countertop manufacturer then going to work for a residential design irm. After the recession, that irm closed up and I took the leap to go out on my own. The niche of sorority interiors materialized in 2010 and I slowly built that customer base over the years. What makes PDR Interiors an award-winning interior decorating irm?

Our collaboration with a local builder in Lexington led to a handful of awards from our Tour of Homes including best kitchen, best master suite, best interior features, and best overall for a house in the $800,000+ category.

Talk to us about your approach when it comes to working with diverse client expectations. How do you ensure optimal client satisfaction?

My whole team is very collaborative. We want to learn all about the client's needs and preferences for their space. Once we can get a handle on those details, we are oﬀ and running to create a space that will work for them. Our sorority clients have unique needs compared to our residential clients, such as the number of people using the space during recruitment season. We have learned how to successfully manage these distinctive requirements. Part of the ful illment I get from my work is to become close with the client through the course of the project. It's always a little sad when our time working together has come to an end. What would be your biggest advice for entrepreneurs entering the interior designing space?

Network, network, network. Make friends with others in the industry - those who complement your work such as tile installers, cabinet makers, appliance reps, etc., as well as your direct competition. You'll ind over time that those you consider competition can actually refer business to each EXELEON MAGAZINE

Owner & President

PDR Interiors

other as you carve out your niches. The more people you know, the easier it will be for you to serve your clients when a need arises. I irmly believe that who you know will get you farther than what you know. Attending college educates us in our craft but not how to get clients. Networking will help you get new clients, too. WWW.EXELEONMAGAZINE.COM

Finally, what is your vision going forward for PDR Interiors? What are you most excited about? I keep our team small and closeknit because it allows us to consider new opportunities together. I may be the owner, but I prefer to have buy-in from the team before I make a big shift in

our direction. We are exploring a few ideas at this time, and I look forward to seeing what path we take. I am excited to continue mentoring through our internships and part time positions at PDR. I love seeing the growth of college students that work here and staying connected with them as they move on. 101

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Rachel Puri Leading a Distinctive Healthcare Revolution nnovation is at the heart of creating breakthrough businesses. This means business leaders must constantly ind new solutions for old problems; enabling them to ponder, to aspire, to explore and to uncover — often revealing valuable insights and spurring creativity.

One such ingenious leader that is moving the needle, especially in the world of healthcare, is Rachel Puri. Rachel is the Co-founder and CEO of Lina — a prominent medical coworking company built to empower independent health practitioners.

Sporting a beaming smile and calm con idence, she shares her perspective on what de ines a leader: “I'd say besides authenticity, honesty and adaptability, openness and desire for constant learning are important qualities that make one a dynamic leader. I think a great leader must have these skills and the desire to build systems that set the stage for the team's success.” When it comes to her team at Lina, Rachel always places herself under a microscope. She questions how well she embodies the qualities of a leader for her team. “As a leader I strive to inspire, motivate, and support everyone on the team as 104

much as possible.”

LEARNING THE ROPES OF HEALTHCARE Brought up in a family of medical professionals, Rachel began to gravitate towards healthcare from the early years of her childhood. Her grandmother was a family physician in Chisinau, Moldova while her mother spent over three decades working in the blood bank department of New York Presbyterian Hospital.

Inspired by her family's pulse in this industry, she started her career in mental health, where she guided and counseled people with developmental disabilities. Subsequently, she pursued her master's degree in International Aﬀairs, specializing in public health. Yet, her curiosity for more hands-on clinical work persisted, one which led her to go back to school and earn a nursing degree. “Working as a registered nurse in busy hospital units was one of the most rewarding professional experiences I have ever had and has taught me invaluable lessons that I carry with me to this day,” she mentions. Revisiting her past, she remembers

being fascinated by her family's work which in luenced many of her career choices and led her to where she is today. In fact, her company, Lina, is named in honor of her late grandmother, Polina, who passed away just six months before the launch of the company and continues to remain a constant source of inspiration in Rachel's life. LINA'S LIBERATING MISSION

Operating a successful private practice is like navigating a complex maze, where every turn presents a new challenge. Rachel recognizes that independent healthcare practitioners face testing choices and sizable initial and recurring expenses — like hefty security deposits, expensive of ice equipment, long term of ice leases, of ice setup, maintenance of systems, equipment, staf ing, compliance, marketing and much more. This led her to lay the foundation for Lina along with her Co-Founder and Former CEO – Vicrum Puri. She recognizes that healthcare practitioners like doctors and therapists, in private practice, are overburdened as they struggle with unnecessary operational hiccups that lead them astray from what's most important – patient care.

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Co-founder & CEO

Lina

Remarkably, this is where Lina stands out as a pioneering and irstof-its-kind company to adopt a lexible of ice space model. Focused exclusively on the needs of healthcare providers, Lina is one of the rare coworking spaces that provides a cost-eﬀective and sustainable way for practitioners to tend to their patients while retaining their independence.

Since the beginning, Lina has proved to be a soothing solution, easing burdens associated with launching, growing, and operating a private practice. Rachel elaborates, “Our innovative model eliminates steep overhead costs and minimizes time and energy spent managing an of ice and challenges unrelated to patient care. We pride ourselves in having created a space that oﬀers freedom for practitioners to WWW.EXELEONMAGAZINE.COM

practice on their terms.”

Additionally, Rachel and her team are more than just a platform for professional growth; they are a haven where practitioners can bond with each other and form meaningful friendships and connections.

Furthermore, they have recently launched a Digital Lina Provider Directory, which spotlights each practitioner's practice within the Lina community. This marketing support feature not only showcases the professionals' practices but also helps attract new patients. Rachel realizes the importance of this enhancement, “This meets a vital marketing need of many independent practitioners and we are thrilled to oﬀer this additional layer of support to all healthcare

practitioners at Lina,” she states.

CRAFTING COMFORT FOR HEALTHCARE PRACTITIONERS Back in 2017, when Rachel and her partner Vic Puri, launched Lina, the concept of medical coworking did not exist.

“We created Lina because we identi ied a clear gap in the market. A whole segment of healthcare professionals was left out of the loop when it came to accessing lexible of ice space options,” she explains. She further notes that her partner's extensive experience in Real Estate was instrumental in illing this market gap and building the company. Traditional coworking spaces, although suitable for various professionals, fall short in meeting

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the unique of ice needs of healthcare professionals. Factors like soundproo ing, privacy, patient con identiality, specialized medical equipment and sinks, adherence to HIPAA and OSHA compliance, and more, were basic essentials that healthcare providers sought in their of ice spaces.

Lina's spaces are carefully designed to meet the specialized of ice needs of medical professionals listed above, at a bare minimum. Rachel reveals, “While we also oﬀer similar convenience and lexibility typically associated with a coworking space, our model expands far beyond these basics. From day one, our vision has been to create a space that alleviates the burdens of private practitioners and helps them focus on providing excellent care for their patients.”

This includes tasks like lease negotiations, setting up secure HIPAA-compliant Wi-Fi networks, managing of ice staﬀ, and so many other important details that divert time, attention and energy away from patient care. “At Lina we focus on supporting our practitioner's independence and autonomy to practice on their terms,” she adds. LEADING BEYOND THE LABEL

As the Co-founder and CEO of Lina, Rachel acknowledges that while she carries the weight of this title, her role is more pronounced. She actively remains close to the daily operations, overseeing the company's fundamental activities. While her daily routine is unpredictable, surprisingly this is what she loves the most about her role. 106

Another facet that Rachel is extremely proud of is her all-star team at Lina who are smart, committed and bring their best eﬀorts to the mission of supporting healthcare practitioners and their patients. She emphasizes that at Lina, titles hold little signi icance and everyone, including her, wears several hats as they work collaboratively.

“Some days, I am in meetings all day, other days busy with admin work and my inbox. However, the days I love the most are those spent connecting one-on-one with some of our practitioners or meeting with my team where we brainstorm on new projects and initiatives to better support the practice needs of our practitioners” she explains.

HER VISION FOR THE FUTURE Rachel envisions a ful illing journey ahead, for herself and her team at Lina, recognizing the impact the pandemic had on everyone, especially healthcare practitioners.

Even before the pandemic, studies show that doctors were experiencing alarming rates of burnout, and these numbers are only going up. “We also know that quality of care is better, and cost of care is lower when received by independent healthcare providers, free to practice on their terms.”

Rachel believes that her team is spearheading a pivotal transformation, both in the healthcare and real estate sectors.

“Adapting a lexible of ice model to the needs of healthcare EXELEON MAGAZINE

practitioners in private practice simply makes sense. At the very least, it is a more aﬀordable and sustainable way for practitioners to provide care for their patients and may alleviate some of the other burdens and burnout healthcare providers are currently experiencing.”

In fact, Rachel's team has developed this model that provides the space, community, and support for healthcare practitioners in private practice. They believe it can be extended and used across the United States, both in large metropolitan cities and smaller suburban neighborhoods alike.

“I have faith that this model has the potential to drive positive change in the healthcare industry. I am most excited about the future where we will see many more companies such as Lina oﬀering healthcare practitioners a better way to operate their practices and care for their patients,” she concludes. WWW.EXELEONMAGAZINE.COM

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Khamzat Asabaev Revolutionizing Orthodontics from its Roots

I waves.

n the world of orthodontics and technology, Khamzat Asabaev is making positive

As the Founder and CEO of SoftSmile, Khamzat is on a mission to democratize orthodontic care and break down the barriers that prevent many from achieving the perfect smile.

SoftSmile provides AI-driven orthodontic aligner treatment planning software that allows doctors to oversee all stages of the process in one beautifully designed and easy-to-use platform. What according to you makes one a dynamic leader? How do you integrate the same thought into your journey?

Learning how to step away, remove yourself from the nitty gritty details of the day-to-day and let the expert team you've assembled do their jobs.

As an entrepreneur, founder, and CEO it is nearly impossible to remove yourself completely from something you've poured your heart and soul into. As a leader you are responsible for the product, pro itability, fostering strategic 108

partnerships, and most of all your employees depend on you – making it hard to imagine being completely detached from day-to-day business.

But that's why learning how to step away and remember to trust in the team you've developed is one of the hardest, yet most important skills to master. No single individual can carry the full weight of a company on their own – leaders need to remember that you've built a team of people who are smarter than you in their area of expertise and it is okay to step away sometimes to let them step up.

Trust that the team you've assembled is as equally dedicated and committed to the company's growth as you are, which can help you alleviate some of the pressures that come with leadership.

Talk to us about the gap in the orthodontics space that inspired you to start your entrepreneurial journey. Far too many people can't access orthodontic care because of the extremely high price point, with clear aligners costing anywhere from $1,800-10,000 in the United States. The high price is attributed to one company having a monopoly

on the market. As a result, this giant has been able to charge whatever they want per case.

In reality, with today's technology and advancements in manufacturing, clear aligners only cost a mere 100s of dollars to produce, yet they continue to charge thousands of dollars. I've made it my mission to change this.

I believe that access to orthodontic care should be a commodity and I became an entrepreneur with the goal of signi icantly reducing the cost of a perfect smile. My educational background is in law, but my passion for science and math fueled my interest in founding and leading a technology business that positively impacts the entire world. SoftSmile is built on the vision to democratize and reshape the orthodontic industry and we promise to deliver economical and attainable care by driving innovation and prioritizing ef iciency across its oﬀerings. At the heart of the company I've built, we prioritize patients over pro it. Brief us about SoftSmile and its innovative treatment planning software – VISION.

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Founder & CEO

SoftSmile

SoftSmile is a New York-based technology and software company that equips orthodontists to deliver custom, high-quality, and aﬀordable clear aligner treatment to patients. Established in 2020, SoftSmile provides AI-driven orthodontic aligner treatment planning software that allows doctors to oversee all stages of the process in one beautifully designed and easy-to-use platform.

The company's mission is to transform the clear aligner creation work low, diversify the orthodontic and dental industry, and provide doctors around the world with state-of-the-art treatment planning tools. SoftSmile's irst product, VISION, is the most advanced digital treatment planner available WWW.EXELEONMAGAZINE.COM

on the market. It allows orthodontists and aligner manufacturers to increase patient acceptance rates and improve patient outcomes at a lower price than traditional digital treatment planners.

VISION is disrupting how people achieve perfect smiles. VISION is an innovative solution backed by proprietary algorithms to achieve unparalleled speed and precision, making it the most advanced digital treatment planner available. It gives orthodontists the ability to design treatment plans in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional aligner companies. Its proprietary algorithms signi icantly reduce the time and cost associated with

aligners, giving people of all socioeconomic levels access to beautiful smiles.

Combining advanced mathematics and geometry principles to build a new approach to teeth restoration, gingiva movement and automated segmentation, VISION has one of the largest IP portfolios on the market, with over 70 US patents granted and is one of the very few AI-based digital treatment planning solutions that has secured 510(k) clearance from the FDA. The result is software that oﬀers doctors unprecedented control of treatment planning with the highest accuracy possible. It is designed with aesthetics and ease of use in mind – providing the most

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realistic graphics and step-by-step instructions all in one place, eliminating the need for multiple solutions. What do you think is one of the biggest myths or preconceived notions when it comes to the orthodontics space?

That robust orthodontic technology means it is overly complicated or hard to learn. With the latest technological advancement and with a growing focus on UI/UX design, the fact is that many features in new orthodontic tech help with the complexities of treatment planning to make harder cases easier. It is also a myth that embracing new technology is too time-

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consuming or will cost you too much money. Historically, this may have been true with older technologies, but now, with AIdriven technology like VISION that has lifelike graphics and is easy to learn, it practically pays for itself.

While yes, it is true that deploying a robust technology comes with a few growing pains, overall embracing a new technology is one of the best ways orthodontists can make their lives easier and improve the quality of patient care. The biggest takeaway is to not be afraid of technology. Finally, what is your vision going forward for SoftSmile? What are you most excited about? Our goal for SoftSmile is to

establish it as a widely recognized name. When people hear SoftSmile, they should immediately associate it with top-tier quality, optimal treatment, and unparalleled ef iciency. We aim to ensure excellence and credibility in every aspect of treatment planning and execution.

Although we initially got our start as a treatment planning company, we want to evolve to encompass design and manufacturing – our vision is to cover all three major pillars of orthodontic treatment. Apart from lowering costs and breaking access barriers, we are excited to continue to build SoftSmile as a brand that stands as a synonym for credibility and reliability.

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Alex Brueckmann Facilitating Strategies that Impact Businesses rief us about your journey. What prompted you to shift from music to management studies and business strategy?

Following 9/11, I had lost my job as the editor-in-chief of a news agency, when the business suﬀered losses in revenue. I realized that I didn't suf iciently understand the macro and micro economic environment I was working in. That prompted me to study general management.

At business school, I wasn't particularly interested in strategy as a subject. My passion for strategy was born when I joined the division CEO of one of the largest media organizations. They planned to restructure the division and the CEO made me the strategy manager. That's when I discovered the power of strategy for businesses and the people within. A few years later, I irst transitioned into management consulting and then started to build businesses at the intersection of strategy design, executive team development, and leadership development.

How are you helping CEOs and executives design and implement impactful business strategies?

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We use our hands-on model called the 9 Elements of Organizational Identity to build cohesive executive teams, design impactful business strategies, and inspire action across the entire business. At the core, we help our clients ind answers to questions about what they do, and for whom, and what the impact is that they create for their customers. Then we create clarity and direction by envisioning their business at some point in the future and derive the handful of strategic priorities that will move the business toward that vision.

We then make measurable progress, derive and train the necessary capabilities – especially the required strategic leadership skills - and create a compelling narrative to engage all stakeholders in implementing strategy. By design, everyone in the business understands how they contribute to making an impact, which unleashes motivation and accountability. How do you manage to lead a balanced life while juggling multiple roles as a strategist, author, speaker, and executive thought partner?

I'm a lucky guy in the sense that I

love what I do. It does not feel like an exhausting amount of work, even if it can look overwhelming by other people's standards. My work gives me energy, as opposed to depleting my batteries.

Also, I constantly remind myself that what matters most in life is not our work, but the relationships we build and maintain with family and friends. For example, I only have one shot at raising my son in a meaningful way. This perspective helps me put all aspects of life into context and prioritize accordingly. What advice do you have for businesses that are struggling to align their operations with their intended impact?

Impact is the result of a clearly de ined business strategy that translates your purpose into measurable outcomes. If a business is not seeing progress in creating the desired impact, it often comes down to a lack of understanding and buy-in into the strategy.

One of the most common challenges for leaders is building their desired impact into every aspect of operations. When leaders in the middle of an organization struggle to understand the strategy - maybe EXELEON MAGAZINE

Founder & President

Brueckmann Executive Consulting

because it is jargon-heavy instead of straightforward - and the culture is holding them back from addressing questions, they will struggle to lead strategy-focused conversations with their own teams. They fear to look uninformed when their teams ask questions about the strategy that they cannot answer.

As a result, they avoid the topic altogether, which leads to a lack of alignment across the organization

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on what the priorities are and how each team contributes to success.

Finally, what is your vision going forward? What are you most excited about? Over recent years, we've been using the 9 Elements model very successfully with our clients. The short-and mid-term results they are celebrating is all the motivation I need to continue what I do today and going forward.

Seeing the buzz around my books is adding to the excitement and it's humbling to see the positive reactions and messages from readers. My vision for the coming years is to add more books and courses that produce tangible learning and inspire practical application for leaders, managers, and facilitators.

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Danni Benson Empowering the World with Self-Love n a world that often prioritizes hustle and relentless pursuit of success, we often neglect the importance of self-love.

At its core, self-love is about fully and unconditionally accepting ourselves for who we are and what we have become. It's about removing the suﬀocating masks we often wear for the world and embracing the deep understanding that we are enough.

In the journey of personal growth and resilience, self-love stands as the cornerstone. It encourages us to recognize our inherent worth, to accept our imperfections, and to wholeheartedly embrace the unique journey each of us is on. And for those who choose the entrepreneurial path, self-love becomes not just important but absolutely critical. While self-love is a concept that extends far beyond the boundaries of entrepreneurship, its signi icance in the business world cannot be overstated. According to entrepreneur and mental health advocate, Danni Benson “The entrepreneurial path is laden with challenges, uncertainties, and frequent moments of self-doubt. It's self-love that provides the strength 116

to persevere during tough times, the grace to learn from failures, and the capacity to celebrate small victories.” For Danni, self-love isn't just a personal philosophy, it's an essential business strategy.

As the Founder of I'm Proud of You Sis and Self Love Day, Danni empowers entrepreneurs with belief and positivity. She encourages people to move past their fears and tap into their potential to achieve greatness. THE JOURNEY

Growing up, Danni had a clear vision of being her own boss. Her immigrant Haitian parents instilled within her the entrepreneurial spirit, and she persevered her way to the top to translate her vision into a reality.

Danni graduated from New York University with a degree in Journalism / Communication. She gained experiences working at CBS News and Fox News in an internship role. Soon, these experiences landed her irst career job at Channel 7 WABC – Eyewitness News in New York. Following this, she went onto

become a Publicist for Ralph Lauren. Her role enabled her to meet and interact with celebrities, magazine editors, and the media, thereby building a strong network in the entertainment industry.

Always prepared to take on new challenges, she followed her stint as a Publicist by joining P izer Pharmaceuticals, wherein she went on to win the prestigious 7 Top Performing Sales Awards. Her experiences, recognitions, and network then positioned her to inally follow her childhood vision – to be her own boss and create a lasting legacy in the entrepreneurial space. SELF-LOVE DAY

Being an advocate of mental health, Danni has spearheaded a movement that has led to the legal recognition of Self-Love Day – Feb 13th. This movement is focused on promoting self-care, selfacceptance, and positive mental health practices.

Danni explains, “Self-Love Day came about because I had to realize in order to believe in yourself you have to learn how to love yourself. Embrace your laws and be comfortable knowing that you are EXELEON MAGAZINE

Founder

Self-Love Day

not perfect and will make mistakes, but what matters after you make a mistake is to take accountability and make your wrongs into right.”

For Danni, self-love acts as a compass, guiding her to make decisions that are aligned with her values and purpose, rather than external pressures or leeting trends.

As the Founder of Self-Love Day, Danni will continue to address topics related to mental health that are all too often left unheard and unseen. She mentions, “By focusing on self-love and mental health, I am WWW.EXELEONMAGAZINE.COM

empowering individuals to understand and care for their emotional well-being.”

Going forward, she wants to go across diﬀerent schools in New York and beyond to talk about mental health. Danni recognizes the mental health challenges among youth and believes her persistent eﬀorts will ensure a healthier future for generations to come.

What makes Danni stand out among the crowd is her innate ability to attain her vision. She mentions her habit of always carrying a notebook with her and

writing ideas down – “I need to write it down so I can visually see it and then manifest that idea into fruition.”

Moreover, she has inculcated a habit of learning new things and perspectives from diﬀerent people. She believes in diversity and inclusivity, and wants to feel equally included, heard, and seen. YOU ARE ENOUGH!

Danni mentions one of her biggest challenges has been to continue believing in her own vision and understanding that others might 117

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not believe in that same vision. “Not everyone is going to believe in you and that's ok. Not everyone is going to say YES and that's ok.”

She emphasizes the need for entrepreneurs to ind the time out of their busy schedule to network, meet new people, and maintain business relationships. “The more people you meet, the more of a chance you will hear the word YES.”

She passionately adds, “No one does this entrepreneurship journey alone…NO ONE! But understand that the most important person in your entrepreneurial journey is you. Believing in You is a must to succeed. It's all up to YOU! I cannot stress that enough. YOU ARE ENOUGH!

Being an entrepreneur can lead to stress, anxiety, and other mental challenges, hence it's imperative for one to take care of their mental health. She reminds everyone, “Never forget to take care of you and that is what Self Love Day is all about – it's taking care of you.”

As the Founder of I'm Proud of You Sis, her joy narrows down to empowering people. She asserts, “I love to spread positive words like yes you can, don't let anything stop you from being great, and on the other side of your fears is your greatness so push through. I trust and empower team members, encouraging initiative and growth.” THE DYNAMIC LEADER

believes in her ability to go in and out of circles and adapt immediately. She is capable of quickly adjusting to diﬀerent circumstances as well as making informed decisions in the face of adversity.

According to her, a dynamic leader has a combination of personal traits, behaviors, and actions that inspire, motivate, and brings about positive change.

Among the many traits, Danni is an empath who feels the pain of others and can place herself in someone else's shoes to get a better understanding of other's perspectives. “I understand and respect the feelings and perspectives of others, fostering a supportive team environment in work life and personal life.”

As a skilled communicator, Danni points out the importance of being an eﬀective communicator. She mentions, “In order to get my vision to become reality I have to convey ideas clearly and listen actively, ensuring everyone feels heard and understood.”

Talking about the future, Danni mentions that she is excited for both her brands - I'm Proud of You Sis and Self Love Day. “The lives I am going to impact on makes my heart smile. The legacy I am going to leave behind will be remembered for generations to come so yes, I am excited about my future and the world should be excited too,” she concludes saying.

I’M PROUD OF YOU SIS Danni started her podcast “I'm Proud of You Sis” in January 2021. The aim of the platform was to uplift, empower, and support women, particularly in areas of self-worth, mental health, and personal achievements.

According to Danni, given the prevalent challenges women face in today's society, her platform oﬀers a space for validation, recognition, and encouragement. She further points out, “My podcast aims to share personal stories of resilience, success, and growth, providing listeners with relatable content that inspires them to overcome their own challenges and celebrate their accomplishments.” Hosting the podcast enables her to engage with a broader audience and share experiences, stories, and knowledge. Today, with over 100 episodes of the podcast released, Danni has helped her audience build resilience and self-worth, all the while creating a community that openly talks about mental health.

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