Nexus at UCF

The Foundation of Leadership: How to Build a Career That Can Thrive in Any Room

What does it take to become a leader people actually want to follow?  From emotional intelligence to mentorship and resilience, this conversation explores the skills that make leadership transferable and impactful across industries evolving workplace. In this episode of Nexus at UCF, host Luke Kelly sits down with Jamie Merrill, the president and CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida, to explore leadership development, emotional intelligence, and transferable leadership skills and how they’re shaping the future of business. From mentorship and feedback to adaptability and resilience through failure, this conversation dives deep into innovation, leadership, and its evolving role across nonprofit organizations, healthcare, and business environments. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to Nexus + Meet Jamie Merrill 01:44 The importance of listening 02:30 Taking criticism + Being an approachable leader 05:34 Confidence is not innate, it's built up 06:45 Accountability + How to handle feedback 13:31 Why everyone needs mentorship + How to utilize a mentor correctly 15:54 How to get a mentor! 18:06 Learn to fail successfully + Jamie's push pull strategy 21:00 Be present with your employees 22:50 Leadership books, emotional intelligence, and a growth mindset 28:42 Jamie's last pieces of advice + her most ambitious career choice 33:17 Outro – Thank you for listening! 🔗 Connect with Us  🌐 Website: https://nexusatucf.wixsite.com/nexus-at-ucf [https://nexusatucf.wixsite.com/nexus-at-ucf] 💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nexusatucf [https://linkedin.com/company/nexusatucf] 📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/nexusatucf [https://instagram.com/nexusatucf] 🎵 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@nexusatucf [https://tiktok.com/@nexusatucf] ▶️ More episodes: https://youtube.com/@nexusatucf [https://youtube.com/@nexusatucf]  🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms. 🔗 Connect with UCF  🏛️ College of Business Website: https://business.ucf.edu/ [https://business.ucf.edu/] 📊 College of Business on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/ucf-college-of-business/posts/?feedView=all [https://www.linkedin.com/school/ucf-college-of-business/posts/?feedView=all] 🌐 UCF Website: https://www.ucf.edu/ [https://www.ucf.edu/] 💼 UCF on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-central-florida/posts/?feedView=all [https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-central-florida/posts/?feedView=all] 📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay connected to the future of business. #NexusatUCF #BusinessInnovation #Podcast #LeadershipDevelopment #EmotionalIntelligence #Mentorship #CareerGrowth #FutureLeaders

Beyond the 9-to-5: How Strategic Side Hustles Build Skills, Energy, and Opportunity

What if your side hustle could actually give you more energy instead of draining it? In this episode of Nexus at UCF, host Natalie Broadhurst sits down with Dr. Jim Gallo, Faculty Talent Management at UCF / Human Resources Principals Professor, to explore the role of side hustles in career development and personal growth, and how it’s shaping the future of business. From time management and prioritization strategies to career exploration through side hustles, this conversation dives deep into innovation, leadership, and the evolving role of human resources and workforce development. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Teaser 00:34 Welcome to Nexus + Meet Jim Gallo 01:49 What is a side hustle? How do you get into it? 04:12 The benefits of side hustles + How to balance it 10:17 Utilizing your side hustles’ benefits for your career 17:01 Career shifts: How to utilize side hustles to find your passion 19:54 Beginner mistakes made in taking on side hustles 22:04 Have your side hustle recharge you, not stress you! 27:04 Early career mentality: Build a foundation of long-term payoffs & explore opportunities 31:56 Summarizing concepts + Closing thoughts 34:01 (Outro) – Thank you for listening! 🔗 Connect with Us 🌐 Website: https://nexusatucf.wixsite.com/nexus-at-ucf 💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nexusatucf 📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/nexusatucf 🎵 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@nexusatucf ▶️ More episodes: https://youtube.com/@nexusatucf [https://youtube.com/@nexusatucf] 🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms. 🔗 Connect with UCF 🏛️ College of Business Website: https://business.ucf.edu/ [https://business.ucf.edu/] 📊 College of Business on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/ucf-college-of-business/posts/?feedView=all [https://www.linkedin.com/school/ucf-college-of-business/posts/?feedView=all] 🌐 UCF Website: https://www.ucf.edu/ [https://www.ucf.edu/] 💼 UCF on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-central-florida/posts/?feedView=all [https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-central-florida/posts/?feedView=all] 📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay connected to the future of business.

Built to Bounce Back: How Resilient Leaders Shape Stronger Teams and Businesses

What if the key to success in business isn’t avoiding failure—but learning how to rise from it? In this episode, we explore how resilience, curiosity, and strong leadership can transform both individuals and organizations. In this episode of Nexus at UCF, host Natalie Broadhurst sits down with Dawn Sipley, President of “Sipley The Best”, to explore resilience in the workplace and how it’s shaping the future of business. From navigating workplace challenges and building strong team culture to developing emotional intelligence and effective leadership strategies, this conversation dives deep into innovation, leadership, and the evolving role of human resources. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Teaser 00:31 Welcome to Nexus + Meet Dawn Sipley 01:36 What is resilience to Dawn? + How she started in HR leading to her company’s genesis 05:22 Resilience to rebound: How to keep going & what not to do 08:51 Human resources: Friend or foe? 10:26 Danger of gossip in the workplace + Importance of good character in an employee 17:14 Your character is shown in the storm 18:44 With great risk comes great reward 20:09 The importance of having a support circle to get through difficult times 25:37 The importance of strong community bonds 27:59 Professionalism in the workplace: Don’t overshare yet remain genuine + Lead by example 31:43 How to be a good mentor / boss 34:37 Human interaction: a lost gem in the workplace  36:44 How to become a resilient employee & person 42:36 Outro: Thank you for Listening! 🔗 Connect with Us 🌐 Website: https://nexusatucf.wixsite.com/nexus-at-ucf [https://nexusatucf.wixsite.com/nexus-at-ucf]💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nexusatucf [https://linkedin.com/company/nexusatucf]📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/nexusatucf [https://instagram.com/nexusatucf]🎵 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@nexusatucf [https://tiktok.com/@nexusatucf]▶️ More episodes: https://youtube.com/@nexusatucf [https://youtube.com/@nexusatucf]🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms. 🔗 Connect with UCF 🏛️ College of Business Website: https://business.ucf.edu/ [https://business.ucf.edu/]📊 College of Business on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/ucf-college-of-business/posts/?feedView=all [https://www.linkedin.com/school/ucf-college-of-business/posts/?feedView=all] 🌐 UCF Website: https://www.ucf.edu/ [https://www.ucf.edu/]💼 UCF on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-central-florida/posts/?feedView=all [https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-central-florida/posts/?feedView=all] 📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay connected to the future of business. #NexusatUCF #BusinessInnovation #Podcast #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #HRInsights #Resilience #FutureOfWork

The Invisible Risk on Your Balance Sheet: ESG, Reputation, and the Future of Corporate Survival

How Corporate Sustainability & Environmental Compliance Shape the Future of Business In this episode of Nexus at UCF, Natalie Broadhurst sits down with Michael Hewitt, former Director of Sustainability Programs at Publix and former Director of Environmental Affairs at La-Z-Boy, to explore corporate sustainability and environmental compliance and how it’s shaping the future of business. From navigating regulatory frameworks and corporate responsibility to leading large-scale sustainability initiatives at major organizations, this conversation dives deep into innovation, leadership, and the evolving role of environmental strategy in today’s corporate landscape. With decades of experience in environmental affairs and service on boards such as Sustainable Florida and the Food Waste Reduction Alliance, Michael shares insights into how businesses can remain compliant while building long-term value through sustainability. Whether you're a business student, aspiring leader, or corporate professional, this episode offers a practical look at how environmental responsibility intersects with profitability and strategy. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Teaser 00:35 Welcome to Nexus + Meet Michael Hewitt 01:38 Michael's Start in Environmental Compliance 05:18 Corporate Sustainability and Environmental Compliance: Defined & Elaborated 07:27 The Damage Non-Compliance with Environmental Regulations can do 10:51 The Consequences Toward the Bottom Line (Regarding Non-Compliance) 13:25 How the Mindset Pertaining to Environmental Compliance has Shifted through time  16:16 How Chasing Sustainability can Help a Business  21:38 Consumers Want More than a Good Product  23:54 Detrimental Wasted Resources: Food and Water  27:59 Detrimental Wasted Resources: Water (Elaborated) 32:43 Success and Failure in Water Conservation  36:35 Beginning Stages of Implementing Rule about Sustainability  41:22 AI in the World of Environmental Compliance  44:42 Wrapping up: Doing Sustainability Right  46:02 Outro: Thank you for Listening! 🔗 Connect with Us 🌐 Website: https://nexusatucf.wixsite.com/nexus-at-ucf [https://nexusatucf.wixsite.com/nexus-at-ucf]💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nexusatucf [https://linkedin.com/company/nexusatucf]📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/nexusatucf [https://instagram.com/nexusatucf]🎵 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@nexusatucf [https://tiktok.com/@nexusatucf]▶️ More episodes: https://youtube.com/@nexusatucf [https://youtube.com/@nexusatucf]🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms. 🔗 Connect with UCF 🏛️ College of Business Website: https://business.ucf.edu/ [https://business.ucf.edu/]📊 College of Business on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/ucf-college-of-business/posts/?feedView=all [https://www.linkedin.com/school/ucf-college-of-business/posts/?feedView=all] 🌐 UCF Website: https://www.ucf.edu/ [https://www.ucf.edu/]💼 UCF on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-central-florida/posts/?feedView=all [https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-central-florida/posts/?feedView=all] 📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay connected to the future of business. We apologize for the audio quality in this episode and appreciate your understanding. #NexusatUCF #BusinessInnovation #Sustainability #EnvironmentalCompliance #CorporateLeadership #UCFBusiness

Entrepreneurship as a Journey: Growing Skills, Confidence, and Leadership

Turning a college side hustle into a purpose-driven business isn’t easy—but Kayla Doering did exactly that. From teaching swim lessons as a freshman at the University of Central Florida to founding Kayla Swimming Sailors while building a full-time career in tech recruiting, her journey is anything but ordinary.  In this episode of Nexus at UCF, hosted by Natalie Broadhurst, Kayla opens up about what it really takes to start, grow, and sustain a business during your college years. She shares what it looked like to balance classes and clients, compete in pitching competitions, learn to ask for help, and how entrepreneurship shaped her confidence, leadership style, and career path. If you’ve ever thought about launching something of your own but felt unsure where to begin, this conversation is your sign to just start. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Teaser  00:30 Welcome to Nexus + Meet Kayla Doering 01:50 How did Kayla’s Swimming Sailors begin? 04:20 How confident were you in building your own business? 05:20 Facing Setbacks + Overcoming criticism of peers 08:20 Words of wisdom for founders 10:18 How did UCF help when starting your business? 12:34 Utilizing community & mentorship when creating a business 13:45 How do you keep your morale high in stressful times? 15:08 How do you build a business brick by brick despite restraints? 17:01 What sacrifices must you make juggling a full time job and your business? 18:30 What was the shift from student founder to employed founder like? 20:10 How would you have started your business if you knew what you know now? 22:44 How do you combat a “grindset” mindset? 24:21 The mindset & skills of an entrepreneur + Improving your communication 26:58 Teaching kids: It’s harder than it looks! 27:52 Learning to ask for help: A crucial skill for a founder 28:20 What have you learned from founding your business + How do you continue to grow? 30:02 Concluding Thoughts  31:16 Outro: Thank you for Listening! 🔗 Connect with Us 🌐 Website: https://nexusatucf.wixsite.com/nexus-at-ucf [https://nexusatucf.wixsite.com/nexus-at-ucf]💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nexusatucf [https://linkedin.com/company/nexusatucf]📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/nexusatucf [https://instagram.com/nexusatucf]🎵 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@nexusatucf [https://tiktok.com/@nexusatucf]▶️ More episodes: https://youtube.com/@nexusatucf [https://youtube.com/@nexusatucf]🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms. 🔗 Connect with UCF 🏛️ College of Business Website: https://business.ucf.edu/ [https://business.ucf.edu/]📊 College of Business on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/ucf-college-of-business/posts/?feedView=all [https://www.linkedin.com/school/ucf-college-of-business/posts/?feedView=all] 🌐 UCF Website: https://www.ucf.edu/ [https://www.ucf.edu/]💼 UCF on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-central-florida/posts/?feedView=all [https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-central-florida/posts/?feedView=all] 📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay connected to the future of business.