Expressions of Leadership

Dali Rivera on the Leadership Lessons Behind Bullying Prevention

Michele Kawamoto Perry sits down with Dali Rivera—U.S. Army veteran, immigrant, author, speaker, and founder of DaliTalks—to explore how a deeply personal experience transformed into a mission to create safer, more compassionate communities. After witnessing her young daughter endure bullying, Dali began advocating for stronger prevention efforts and ultimately built a career helping parents, educators, and organizational leaders understand, address, and prevent harmful behaviors. In this candid conversation, Dali shares lessons from her own experiences with bullying, discrimination, and advocacy, and discusses the leadership responsibilities we all have in shaping culture. Together, they examine toxic masculinity, subtle forms of bullying that often go unnoticed, the connection between childhood bullying and workplace harassment, and practical strategies for supporting both children who are targeted and those who engage in harmful behavior. The episode offers a powerful reminder that bullying prevention is ultimately about leadership, accountability, and creating environments where people feel safe, seen, and valued. Learn more about Dali Rivera and DaliTalks: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalitalks/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalitalks/] Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/dalitalks/ [https://www.instagram.com/dalitalks/] Listen to the DaliTalks Podcast: YouTube: https://youtube.com/@DaliTalksPodcast [https://youtube.com/@DaliTalksPodcast]  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4T1R5GFmU4gXWyC9eqKEGS?si=3b59804a244f4c62 [https://open.spotify.com/show/4T1R5GFmU4gXWyC9eqKEGS?si=3b59804a244f4c62] Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dalitalks-podcast/id1613524529 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dalitalks-podcast/id1613524529] Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.

Turning Wastewater Into Drinking Water: Ashish Shah on Leadership, Innovation & Reimagining Infrastructure

Host Michele Kawamoto Perry speaks with Ashish Shah, Founder and CEO of Revida Water, about reimagining one of the world’s most overlooked infrastructure challenges: industrial wastewater. Drawing on a career that spans Wall Street, private equity, operations, and consulting, Ashish shares how firsthand experience with fragmented wastewater systems inspired him to build Revida Water, a vertically integrated company transforming wastewater into reusable and even potable water through a simplified, outcome-based model. The conversation explores leadership through long-term thinking, first-principles problem solving, and building trust in industries resistant to change. Ashish also discusses Revida’s breakthrough demonstrations, including its UC Davis installation that successfully converted winery wastewater into drinking water, helping shift industry perception from skepticism to possibility. Listeners will hear how Revida’s pay-by-the-gallon, one-stop-shop approach is reducing operational friction, aligning incentives, and creating scalable solutions for a more sustainable future. Connect with Ashish Shah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashish-shah-66aa341/ Learn about Revida Water: https://revidawater.com/ Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.

Andy Ruben on the Future of Retail, AI, and Leadership

In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, Michele Kawamoto Perry speaks with entrepreneur, innovator, and former Walmart executive Andy Ruben for a conversation about leadership, reinvention, and building what doesn’t yet exist. From his early days at Procter & Gamble to leading strategy, sustainability, and omnichannel innovation at Walmart, Andy shares the experiences that shaped his approach to leadership and transformation. He reflects on launching Walmart’s sustainability initiatives, leading large-scale change, and navigating moments of uncertainty throughout his career. Michele and Andy also explore the creation of Patagonia’s pioneering Worn Wear program, the rise of branded resale, and Andy’s current work with Clarity Systems, an AI company using advanced imaging and machine learning to tackle retail return fraud. Together, they discuss innovation, resilience, leadership at every level, and the importance of continuing to evolve, both personally and professionally. Learn more about Andy Ruben at www.AndyRuben.com [http://www.AndyRuben.com]. Connect with Andy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyruben/ Discover the work of Clarity Systems AI: https://claritysystems.ai/ Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.

From Wall Street Trader to AI Advisor: Lauren Cantor on Leadership, Risk, and Reinvention

Lauren Cantor’s career journey defies convention, from studying astrophysics at Columbia and working in an observatory in Chile to managing billion-dollar portfolios on Wall Street, earning an MFA in her 40s, and becoming an AI advisor and educator. In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, Lauren shares how curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to take risks shaped her path across finance, design, technology, and teaching. Lauren and Michele explore leadership under pressure, navigating male-dominated environments, and what it really takes to reinvent yourself mid-career. They also dive into the realities of AI in today’s workplace, why so many leaders feel overwhelmed, where fear around AI comes from, and how organizations can begin using AI in practical, responsible, and productive ways. This conversation is a thoughtful look at growth, lifelong learning, and leading through change in an increasingly complex world.   Learn more about Lauren Cantor and Field and Edge: https://fieldandedge.com/ [https://fieldandedge.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenecantor/ Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.

Turning Pain Into Purpose: Brad Wolfe on Leadership, Grief, and Healing

In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, Michele Kawamoto Perry speaks with musician and social entrepreneur Brad Wolfe about how a deeply personal loss shaped his life’s work, from creating music to founding Reimagine, a global community centered on healing, connection, and meaning. Together, they explore how people can move through grief and transform it into purpose through storytelling, creative expression, and acts of service. Brad also shares how his experiences have shaped his approach to leadership, one rooted in presence, compassion, and the ability to support others through life’s most challenging moments. Learn more about Brad Wolfe and Reimagine: www.bradwolfe.com [http://www.bradwolfe.com/] www.letsreimagine.org [http://www.letsreimagine.org/] IG: www.instagram.com/bradwolfemoon [http://www.instagram.com/bradwolfemoon] Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.