MTMG's #ConnectToWork

MTMG's ConnectToWork with Kandice Hendricks: Multi-Cloud Mastery and the Power of Resilient Leadership

Episode Synopsis: This episode explores the unconventional career of Kandice Hendricks, who transitioned from the high-pressure world of NHRA drag racing mechanics to becoming a director ofDevSecOps. Kandice details her journey from a marketing role to IT leadership, emphasizing the impact of strong mentorship and the self-discipline she gained as a state powerlifting champion. Listeners will discover how she navigates complex cloud architectures across AWS, Azure, and OCI while maintaining a focus on empathetic leadership and the emerging challenges of AI and post-quantum cryptography. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:💡The process of pivoting from a non-technical role into IT by identifying organizational needs and seeking professional mentorship. ✅Strategies for maintaining multi-cloud fluency and high-level certifications in strictly regulated industries like healthcare and government contracting. 🎯Why modern organizations must prioritize preparation for agent AI and migration strategies for post-quantum cryptography. Key Quotes: 🎤"I have been very fortunate. I've done a lot of, amazing things in my life, and partly because fear isn't something that I really possess, it, I just jump in." 🎤 "You don't know what someone's going through or what someone's past is, so the way that they're reacting to you, youcan't take that personally because it may have absolutely nothing to do with you." 🎤 "Agent AI is like AI in, action and automation with no human intervention . . . you have to understand these beforeyou go implementing them because you're opening up security doors if you don't know what you're doing." Meet The Interviewee: Kandice Hendricks is a seasoned DevSecOps architect and cloud strategist with extensive experience delivering secure, scalable solutions across AWS, Azure, and OCIenvironments. A certified Azure DevOps Engineer Expert and AWS Solutions Architect, she has successfully managed complex technical projects within the healthcare, financial services, and government contracting sectors. Her uniquebackground as a former NHRA crew mechanic and Texas state powerlifting champion informs her disciplined approach to technical problem-solving and her commitment to empathetic, effective leadership. Target Next Role: Seeking a PreSales Solutions Architect role at a commercial consulting company with fewer than 200 employees. Mentioned in this Episode: Radical Candor by Kim Scott, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. How to Connect LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kandicehendricks/ Email: kandicelhendricks@gmail.com MTMG’s Pay-It-Forward Mission With ConnectToWork, we amplify real career stories to inspire and connect professionals. If you or someone you know is navigating a career transition, we’d love to hear your story. ✔️ Want to be featured? Contact us at ConnectToWork@mtmg.eu ✔️ Know someone who could benefit from this episode? Share it with them! Let’s build a stronger professional community together. Subscribe & Share ✔️ Follow & Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. ✔️ Leave a Review to help others find the show. ✔️ Share This Episode with colleagues & friends.

MTMG's ConnectToWork with BJ Knapp: Human-Centered SaaS Implementation and the Resilient Spirit of Mentorship

Episode Synopsis: BJ Knapp joins the podcast to share herperspective on navigating complex SaaS implementations within the healthcare and higher education sectors. She discusses the transition from technical project roles to leadership, emphasizing how a focus on training and mentoring creates self-sufficient, satisfied clients. BJ also explores how her personal passion for sailing and boat restoration has cultivated a "we’ll figure it out" mindset that drives professional problem-solving and resilience. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 💡 Discover how prioritizing human-centered training and mentorship can significantly increase client adoption and long-term retention. ✅ Learn how personal resiliencebuilt through challenging hobbies like boat restoration translates into aproactive "figure it out" professional methodology. 🎯 Understand theimportance of creating self-sufficient clients by encouraging them to askquestions and master the tools they have purchased. Key Quotes: 🎤 "Once I made that realization [that I enjoy training], my world became about making everybody else better at their jobs and making everybody else's life easier". 🎤"When a client presents me with a new challenge, we'll figure it out. And we do. And we will". 🎤 "I want to do is make your clients self-sufficient and make your clients... glad that they bought the tool that they bought". Meet The Interviewee: BJ Knapp is an accomplished SaaS implementation and client success leader with over ten years of experience guiding healthcare and higher education organizations through intricate technology transitions. She is recognized for her ability to translate sophisticated technical systems into intuitive experiences, having managed platforms for organizations with as many as 1.6 million end users. Throughout her career, she has consistently achieved high client satisfaction and perfect retention rates by fostering supportive, trusted advisor relationships and mentoring over 100 new hires. Target Next Role: BJ is seeking an Implementation Manager or Client Success leadership role within a SaaS organization, ideally inhealthcare or education. Mentioned in this Episode: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, The Day the World Came to Town, Come From Away (play), and Turn the Ship Around (book). How to Connect LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bjknapp [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://linkedin.com/in/bjknapp] 📧 Email: bjknappwrites@gmail.com MTMG’s Pay-It-Forward Mission With ConnectToWork, we amplify real career stories toinspire and connect professionals. If you or someone you know is navigating a career transition, we’d love to hear your story. ✔️ Want to be featured? Contact us at ConnectToWork@mtmg.eu ✔️ Know someone who could benefit from this episode? Share it with them! Let’s build a stronger professional community together. Subscribe & Share ✔️ Follow & Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. ✔️ Leave a Review to help others find the show. ✔️ Share This Episode with colleagues & friends.

MTMG's ConnectToWork with Eli Shuster: Building Human-Centered Federal Solutions

In this episode of MTMG’s ConnectToWork, Eli Shuster sharesinsights from more than two decades designing and leading complex federal solutions. He explains why technical excellence alone is never enough—and how understanding the human dimension is critical to winning and delivering atscale. Eli discusses leadership under pressure, trust-driven collaboration, and how emerging technologies like AI must be paired with governance and empathy. This conversation highlights what it truly takes to build solutions that perform, endure, and earn stakeholder confidence. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 💡 Why the “human solution” matters as much as the technical architecture in federal programs 🎯How trust, calm leadership, and collaboration drive winning outcomes at scale ✅How AI and automation can enhance—notreplace—human expertise when applied responsibly Key Quotes: 🎤 “Being technically right isn’t often enough—there’s always a human factor that has to be addressed.” 🎤“It takes a team to win, and sometimes the best solution is a combination of everyone’s ideas.” 🎤“AI isn’t here to replace your job—it’s here to make you more efficient if we use it correctly.” Meet The Interviewee: Eli Shuster is a federal solutions architecture leader withover 22 years of experience translating complex mission requirements into executable, compliant, and cost-realistic technical approaches. He has led multi-billion-dollar federal simulation bids, enterprise modernization strategies, and high-stakes delivery efforts across commercial, federal, andinternational environments. Known for his calm presence, collaborative leadership style, and ability to bridge technical and human needs, Eli consistently builds trust with teams and stakeholders alike. Preferred Next Role: Eli is interested in senior federal solutions architecture or chief architect leadership roles where he can guide complex, mission-critical programs, mentor teams, and shape platform-centric, experience-first solutions. Books, Music, or Podcasts Referenced: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team and leadership lessons inspired by Theodore Roosevelt. How to Connect 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eli-shuster 📧Email: etshuster@gmail.com [etshuster@gmail.com] MTMG’s Pay-It-Forward Mission With ConnectToWork, we amplify real career stories toinspire and connect professionals. If you or someone you know is navigating a career transition, we’d love to hear your story. ✔️Want to be featured? Contact us at ConnectToWork@mtmg.eu ✔️Know someone who could benefit from this episode? Share it with them! Let’s build a stronger professional community together. Subscribe & Share ✔️ Follow & Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. ✔️Leave a Review to help others find the show. ✔️Share This Episode with colleagues & friends.

MTMG’s ConnectToWork w/ Bridget Griffith – Driving Field Marketing Goals Through Vision, Synergy, and Strategy

Senior marketing leader Bridget Griffith shares howadvocating for her team became a defining leadership lesson and why the words “innovative, authentic, positivity” consistently describe her approach. She explains how field marketing is evolving into a strategic growth engine—movingtoward hyper-local personalization, tighter digital integration, and pipeline-level ROI—while never losing the human connection that in-person experiences create. Bridget also discusses how passion projects like travel planning and community fundraisers sharpen the same muscles she uses at work: resourcefulness, detail management, and empathetic leadership. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 💡 How advocating for your team improves morale and outcomes. ✅Where field marketing is headed: hyper-local, digital-integrated, and ROI-tied. 🎯Why passion projects outside work build resilience, creativity, and empathy on the job. Key Quotes: 🎤 “My job as a leader is to shine the spotlight on my team, not myself.” 🎤“Innovative, authentic, positivity.” 🎤“Field marketing is evolving from event execution to a strategic growth engine.” Meet The Interviewee: Bridget Griffith is a senior field marketing and marketingoperations leader with 20+ years across education, healthcare, and hospitality, including executive-level leadership at Bright Horizons overseeing global teamsand initiatives that grew brand awareness and improved lead quality. She’s consulted for education and travel organizations, delivering measurable winssuch as a 20% CPA reduction and 44% pipeline growth. Preferred Next Role A leadership position that blends team-building, cross-functional collaboration, and field marketing strategy—leveraging her experience and terminal degree to drive growth and culture. Referenced Resources Dare to Lead by Brené Brown. How to Connect 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bridget-griffith 📧Email: griffithfam5@msn.com MTMG’s Pay-It-Forward Mission With ConnectToWork, we amplify real career stories toinspire and connect professionals. If you or someone you know is navigating a career transition, we’d love to hear your story. ✔️Want to be featured? Contact us at ConnectToWork@mtmg.eu ✔️Know someone who could benefit from this episode? Share it with them! Let’s build a stronger professional community together. Subscribe & Share ✔️ Follow & Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. ✔️Leave a Review to help others find the show. ✔️Share This Episode with colleagues & friends.

MTMG’s ConnectToWork with David Mack – Scaling Human-Centered Web Experiences with React and Front-End Innovation Guest

In this candid conversation, veteran front‑end developerDavid Mack walks us through the pivotal moments that shaped his 16‑year career at Amwell—from abandoning Flash to spearheading React‑based ecosystems that scaled during telehealth’s biggest surge. He reflects on the power ofadaptability, the importance of accessibility, and how hobbyist microcontroller projects keep his problem‑solving sharp. Listeners will come away with tactical insights on staying relevant, building for users, and thriving through rapid industry change. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 💡 Adapting your tech stack before disruption hits ✅Creating scalable, accessible React ecosystems that empower teams 🎯Turning hobbyist electronics into professional critical‑thinking skills Key Quotes: 🎤 "You gotta pay attention to industry standards." 🎤"I make sure that the project isn't just done—it's done right, it's done well." 🎤"Developers who survive will combine deep technical experience with adaptability." Meet The Interviewee: David Mack is a seasoned front‑end developer and creativetechnologist who spent more than 16 years shaping accessible, user‑centered digital experiences at Amwell. He built React‑powered CMS tools, led WCAG‑alignedaccessibility initiatives, and guided scaling efforts that supported a 300 % surge in provider demandduring COVID‑19 and Amwell’s IPO. Preferred Next Role: David is seeking a senior front‑endposition with a strong React focus where he can collaborate with cross‑functional teams to build performant, accessible interfaces that put users first. Referenced Resources: 10% Happier by Dan Harris How to Connect 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjmack2008 📧 Email: david@mackstudiopro.com MTMG’s Pay-It-Forward Mission With ConnectToWork, we amplify real career stories toinspire and connect professionals. If you or someone you know is navigating a career transition, we’d love to hear your story. ✔️ Want to be featured? Contact us at ConnectToWork@mtmg.eu ✔️ Know someone who could benefit from this episode? Share it with them!   Let’s build a stronger professional community together. Subscribe & Share ✔️ Follow & Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. ✔️ Leave a Review to help others find the show. ✔️ Share This Episode with colleagues & friends.