Unapologetic Leadership

Nonprofit Mission Drift is Expensive, and Flexible Leaders Don’t Break, with Sharmon Lebby

What happens when organizations chase funding instead of purpose? In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with nonprofit consultant, brand strategist, and ethical business advocate Sharmon Lebby to discuss leadership, mission drift, collaboration, and building organizations that create lasting impact. Sharmon shares why many nonprofits and businesses struggle when they lose sight of their core values, how mission drift can quietly damage an organization's effectiveness, and why leaders must prioritize purpose over profit. She also explores the power of community over competition, the importance of strong boundaries, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and how flexible leaders create stronger teams and healthier cultures. Whether you're a nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, executive, or business owner, this conversation offers practical insights on leading with integrity, staying aligned with your mission, building meaningful partnerships, and creating sustainable growth without compromising your values. About Sharmon Lebby Sharmon Lebby is the Founder & CEO of Blessed Designs Consulting, a nonprofit and small business consulting agency dedicated to helping social and environmental impact organizations thrive. With more than 20 years of experience in nonprofits and launching new initiatives, she helps purpose-driven organizations build strong foundations for long-term success. A former Neuroscience Research Associate and recovering ethical fashion entrepreneur, Sharmon is passionate about equality, equity, and justice, helping turn big ideas into sustainable impact. Connect with Sharmon Website: www.BlessedDesignsCo.com [http://www.blesseddesignsco.com]Facebook: www.facebook.com/blesseddesignsco [http://www.facebook.com/blesseddesignsco]Instagram: www.instagram.com/blesseddesignsco [http://www.instagram.com/blesseddesignsco]Threads: www.threads.com/@justsharmon [http://www.threads.com/@justsharmon]YouTube: www.youtube.com/@sharmonlebby [http://www.youtube.com/@sharmonlebby]

Revenue Without Relationships Is Dead: AI Can't Replace Trust, with Mike Reardon

Is AI helping businesses grow, or is it quietly destroying the relationships that drive revenue? In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Mike Reardon, Founder of Be Effective and Fractional CRO, to explore the intersection of leadership, sales, AI, trust, and human connection. Mike shares why relationships, communication, culture, and genuine human intelligence remain the true drivers of business success, even as organizations race toward automation and artificial intelligence. Drawing from decades of sales, business development, and revenue growth experience, Mike explains why most companies don't have a sales problem. They have a revenue operating system problem. He reveals how inefficient systems, poor communication, lack of alignment, and weak leadership can quietly cost businesses hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenue. The conversation explores leadership, employee engagement, sales performance, organizational growth, AI adoption, customer relationships, business strategy, and why trust remains the most valuable asset in today's marketplace. Mike also shares practical insights on building scalable systems, improving team performance, and creating sustainable growth without sacrificing the human element that drives long-term success. About Mike Reardon Mike is currently transforming into a Fractional CRO focused on helping businesses achieve breakthrough growth and scale. His career foundation is rooted in contrarian sales professionalism, successfully selling without conventional industry experience, formal credentials, or extensive business support. His unique perspective has helped organizations uncover hidden revenue leaks and build more effective revenue operating systems. If you're a leader, entrepreneur, consultant, sales professional, or business owner navigating the AI revolution, this episode will challenge how you think about growth, trust, leadership, and the future of business. Connect with Mike here Website: https://beffective.ca/ [https://beffective.ca/]LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepcreardon/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepcreardon/]Phone: +1 (514) 213-5947

Investing in Real Estate, Learning in Community, Overcoming the Fear of Rejection, with Todd Stender

In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Todd Stender, Managing Director of Leste's Real Estate Net Lease Strategy, for an insightful conversation about leadership, real estate investing, personal growth, community, and overcoming the fear of rejection. Todd shares his journey from a successful career as a public market real estate analyst to the private investment world, revealing the mindset shifts, calculated risks, and personal development required to make major career transitions. About Todd Stender Together, they explore the power of community, mentorship, resilience, and continuous learning, along with the lessons Todd gained from running marathons, raising investment capital, and stepping outside his comfort zone. The conversation highlights how confidence is built through action, why growth often requires embracing uncertainty, and how meaningful relationships can open doors to opportunities that would otherwise remain out of reach. Todd also discusses commercial real estate investing, cash flow, risk tolerance, private equity, leadership development, and the importance of helping others succeed. Through personal stories and practical wisdom, he demonstrates how service, education, and giving back can create lasting impact both professionally and personally. Todd has more than 20 years of experience in the net lease real estate sector. Prior to joining Leste, he led Strategy, Planning & Analysis at Irvine Company, one of the largest privately held commercial real estate owners in the United States. Before that, he served as a Managing Director at Wells Fargo Securities, where he led the net lease equity REIT research team and conducted due diligence on REIT IPOs and secondary offerings totaling more than $10 billion. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Todd has coached his son’s and daughter’s youth sports teams across basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, and football. He is an active fundraiser for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Boston Children’s Hospital and is a seven time marathon finisher. Todd holds a Bachelor of Arts from La Salle University and an MBA in Finance from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio Business School. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, leader, or someone facing a major life transition, this episode offers valuable lessons on overcoming fear, building confidence, taking calculated risks, and creating a life driven by purpose, growth, and community. Connect with Todd here LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-stender/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-stender/]

The Founder Bottleneck Nobody Wants to Admit, with Prashant Agrawal

In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with founder, investor, and business advisor Prashant Agrawal for a powerful conversation about entrepreneurship, investing, leadership, and the hard truths many founders avoid. Drawing from his own journey of building and losing businesses starting at just 17 years old, Prashant shares what separates businesses that create real value from ideas that are simply wrapped in flashy presentations and hype. Together, they unpack the biggest mistakes founders make when seeking investment, why investors care more about execution than billion dollar market projections, and how many entrepreneurs become trapped chasing money instead of solving real problems. Prashant explains why “money is not the problem, you are” and reveals what investors are actually looking for when evaluating startups, founders, and scalable businesses. The conversation also explores AI startups, founder mindset, humility, resilience, self awareness, and the importance of building businesses that create tangible impact instead of temporary excitement. Through real world examples and brutally honest insights, this episode offers valuable wisdom for entrepreneurs, founders, leaders, and anyone looking to build something meaningful in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape. About Prashant Agrawal Prashant Agrawal is a seasoned operator with more than 25 years of experience across global financial services, venture development, entrepreneurship, strategic transformation, capital sourcing, fundraising, and advisory. A former Senior Vice President within top global banks managing multi billion dollar portfolios across 70 countries, he later transitioned into entrepreneurship, private equity, and venture development. He is the Founder and CEO of Be Pacific Collective, Co Founder of SPStarworks™, Partner at 1cent and w6, and has advised businesses ranging from software and hardware companies to public agencies and growth stage ventures. Known as a storyteller, connector, strategic thinker, and creative problem solver, Prashant combines corporate leadership with entrepreneurial experience, including building and failing his first business at age 17. Connect with Prashant here LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/1pka/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/1pka/]Email: p@bepacific.vc

Don’t Waste the Wait: Faith, Grit, and a Medical Device Built From Scratch, with Rebecca Altounian

In this inspiring episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Rebecca Altounian, founder and CEO of SWICK Medical Solutions and inventor of the SWICK device, for a deeply personal conversation about faith, grit, resilience, and building something meaningful from the ground up. What began as Rebecca’s own health struggle eventually became a mission to help millions of patients suffering from dysphagia and swallowing disorders through an innovative medical device designed to improve quality of life and reduce serious healthcare complications. About Rebecca Altounian Rebecca shares the unlikely journey from hairstylist and mother to medical device entrepreneur, revealing how purpose often emerges from pain, uncertainty, and unexpected detours in life. Together, Cory and Rebecca explore the realities of entrepreneurship, self doubt, leadership, faith, personal loss, perseverance, and what it truly means to trust the process even when the outcome feels uncertain. The conversation also dives into authenticity, overcoming fear, trusting God during life’s hardest moments, navigating grief, building confidence without having all the answers, and why greatness often exists inside ordinary people willing to keep moving forward despite challenges. Rebecca’s powerful message to “don’t waste the wait” becomes a central theme throughout the episode, reminding listeners that growth, wisdom, strength, and transformation are often found during the difficult seasons we try hardest to escape. Rebecca Altounian is a patented inventor, founder, and devoted mom of three daughters whose family continues to keep her grounded and fiercely motivated. She brings sincerity, grit, and real world perspective to everything she does and believes passion and authenticity are the true keys to success. Connect with Rebecca here Website: SWIKmedical.com Podcast: https://swallowyourpridepodcast.com/241-managing-secretions-with-swik-the-oral-suction-system-with-rebecca-altounain/ [https://swallowyourpridepodcast.com/241-managing-secretions-with-swik-the-oral-suction-system-with-rebecca-altounain/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/stephen-wierenga_how-to-turn-pain-into-a-product-esp-026-activity-7413004357488635905-N_is/ [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/stephen-wierenga_how-to-turn-pain-into-a-product-esp-026-activity-7413004357488635905-N_is/]