Professional Launch - Simone Wai

Professional Launch Episode 16 - Kellie Carlson, VP of HR

In this episode, Ricot Aladin welcomes Kellie Carlson to discuss how young professionals can proactively partner with HR departments to unlock career opportunities within their organizations. Kellie shares her own nontraditional career journey into HR, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, self-advocacy, and ongoing personal growth. Key Takeaways:  Career Journeys Aren’t Linear: Kellie’s path from customer service to VP of HR involved mentorship, returning to school, and continuous learning. She encourages professionals to embrace nontraditional paths and stay focused on forward movement. * The Power of Mentorship: Kellie highlights how finding a good mentor (hers was an HR director) helped shape her career. She urges professionals to seek guidance and not be afraid to ask others for help or advice. *  HR Is a Resource, Not Just Policy Enforcers: Many employees view HR as the “rule enforcers,” but Kellie stresses that HR is there to support employees’ growth and career ambitions. Employees should reach out for career conversations and development planning. *  Visibility Without Self-Promotion: Getting involved in volunteer opportunities, mentorship programs, or internal committees is a great way to stand out and connect with HR in a positive, productive way. *  Approaching Tough Conversations: When facing challenges (e.g., with a supervisor), HR can help coach employees on how to navigate conversations effectively, rather than simply stepping in to "fix" things. *  Career Pathing & Development: Kellie explains how her company offers structured career paths, employee resource groups, and opportunities like shadowing and training to help employees grow and feel a sense of belonging. *  Advice for Young Professionals: * Always research a company thoroughly before applying or interviewing. * Take time after onboarding to revisit benefits and development opportunities. * Don’t be afraid to network with leaders—even executives. * Keep performing well in your current role while expressing interest in new opportunities.

Professional Launch Episode 15- Trent Lee, Founder of Compass Leadership Advisors

Ricot Aladin welcomes back Trent Lee, founder of Compass Leadership Advisors and Vistage Chair, for a deep, energizing conversation on what it takes to lead with purpose. Trent opens up about the isolation CEOs often face, the power of strategic peer groups, and why mentorship is never one-sided.  From startup struggles to boardroom breakthroughs, Trent shares personal stories, top challenges CEOs face (spoiler: it’s people and isolation), and how aligning personal values with business goals can make or break leadership.  With his signature blend of insight and humor, Trent offers unforgettable advice: “Every business needs three things: an executive coach, an operating system, and a peer group.” This is more than a business chat — it’s a roadmap to intentional leadership and building something that lasts.

Professional Launch - Bryan Wilburn

In this episode of Professional Launch, Ricot Aladin sits down with Bryan Wilburn — a powerhouse fundraiser and president of St. Monica Montessori — to unpack the secrets behind his monumental achievement: raising over $40 million for a non-profit mission.Bryan shares how his journey began as a missionary, what he learned from leading one of the largest Newman Center capital campaigns in the country, and why real fundraising is less about events and bake sales, and more about deep relationships and radical honesty.Together, Ricot and Bryan dive into:The mindset needed to lead long-term fundraising effortsWhy rejection is essential to professional growthHow to build donor trust without being weird 🙃Creating a mentorship culture and leading by exampleThe underrated power of wearing a tie 👔And what it means to leave a lasting leadership legacyOh — and yes, Bryan reveals why lemonade stands and bake sales won't cut it when you’re chasing million-dollar goals. 🍋💸

Professional Launch - Simone Wai

In this episode, Ricot Aladin sits down with Simone Wai, a community builder and the visionary force behind Folkways, a Fargo-based nonprofit, who shares how her background in marketing evolved into a mission to foster connection, belonging, and economic vitality.They dive into Campus FM, an innovative mentorship and media program connecting college students with the community through paid content creation, helping them build skills, find jobs, and stay rooted locally. Simone also reflects on the power of mentorship, the courage to start imperfectly, and the importance of letting go of projects when their time has passed.This episode is a masterclass in social impact, creative risk-taking, and the beauty of bringing people together.Themes: Community building, mentorship, arts + gathering, career launching, social entrepreneurship, student engagement, nonprofit leadership🎙️ “Running events is like opening and closing a business in one day.” – Simone Wai

Professional Launch - Tony Anderson

In this episode of Professional Launch, Ricot sits down with Tony Anderson, the tech-savvy solutions manager from Photon Phi, to introduce an emerging wireless communication technology: LiFi (Light Fidelity). Unlike traditional WiFi, LiFi uses infrared light for data transfer—offering ultra-secure, high-speed connectivity that can’t be hacked, jammed, or even detected. Tony explains how this breakthrough addresses the looming “spectrum crunch” in the U.S. and complements existing WiFi infrastructure, especially in healthcare, education, and enterprise spaces.Beyond the tech talk, Tony shares powerful reflections on mentorship, community service, and leadership growth, drawing from his experience with Clay County Pheasants Forever and his 20+ year tech journey. This episode is packed with insights for young professionals eager to innovate, lead, and make a local impact.