The Zenquest of Leaders with Host Jess Ollenburg

Matthew Bare: The Zenquest of Leaders with Jess Ollenburg

Today we’re talking about human partnership with AI, the blank canvas paradox, growing up in family business, pioneering child care in the corporate world, the power of music and so much more. We’re talking with Matthew Bare.  Landing Page... Matt Bare: The Zenquest of Leaders with Jess Ollenburg — zenquest.online [https://www.zenquest.online/mattpodcast] Here’s a little background on today’s guest… * Currently at Rockwell International, Matt is a 15-year data science leader, working with global teams that deliver Actionable and Predictive Insights to Drive and Optimize Business Outcomes.  * He earned his Master’s in Business Analytics from the University of Iowa and his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Marquette University.  * Matt delivers Analytics and Consulting work in holistic business functions and can speak to what’s new in AI. As an analyst, he brings extraordinary ability and dedication to transform data into both big picture forecast and smaller tactical decision tools.  * He’s answered the call to lead and contribute since early age, and he never stops dedicating. Since childhood he’s pitched in with our family’s charitable give backs. He’s served on committees and boards for the American Cancer Society, the Arthritis Foundation, HRS, HRS Gives Back and Ollenburg Gives Back. While at Marquette, he served as President and Chairman of the Board for the 283 Education Foundation.  * At HRS, Matt dedicated himself to learning so many facets of business. He learned big picture thinking companioned with targeted response. As one example, he directed the analytics of our workforce motivation surveys and quickly proved he could look at raw data in the thousands and identify trends and hypotheses for further story-telling. It led us to great discoveries. And in response to our many workforce technology inventions, he served as a lead technical trainer to field and client employees. He earned a following from those who trusted he’d create a lightbulb moment for others! * At University of Iowa, working with his professor, he developed an analytics tool with real-time data for Iowa grape growers and regional wine makers.  * At ACT he served as Performance Data Analyst and in Customer Care, where he comprehensively managed call center metrics, using predictive analysis, creating upleveled reporting dashboards and identifying critical opportunities for the many nationwide who rely upon ACT testing for university admission.  * At Rockwell, Matt serves as Systems and Analytics Architect, leading data quality efforts and pinpointing decision tools. He’s a forward-facing facilitator who works with stakeholders to understand organizational opportunities and he crafts coding and analytics solutions to achieve best outcomes.  To that end, we asked Matt to address AI and analytics from a high-level, rather than a detailed perspective. We did our best to keep the technology talk fairly light with lasting relevance.

Behind the Scenes with Jess & John Ollenburg: The Zenquest of Leaders Podcast

Cohosts Jess & John Ollenburg answer questions from listeners and discuss the origin of Zenquest.Online and podcast, as well as, their own career journeys and how they each Zen. Thank you for joining us! Episode landing page is at: BTS with Jess & John Ollenburg: The Zenquest of Leaders Podcast — zenquest.online [https://www.zenquest.online/btsjj]

Kimberly Joy: The Zenquest of Leaders with Jess Ollenburg

Today we’re talking about igniting passion, living outside of one’s comfort zone, creating confidence through accomplishment, parenting today, new definitions of family success, allowing faith in the workplace, the importance of brain rest and so much more. We’re talking with Kimberly Joy. The episode landing page is: Kimberly Joy: The Zenquest of Leaders with Jess Ollenburg — zenquest.online [https://www.zenquest.online/joypod] Here’s a little background on today’s guest… * Kimberly Joy is celebrated as a 7-time bestselling author and the award-winning Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Fellowship of Extraordinary Women (FEW) International.  * She is on a mission to equip and empower professional Christian woman to fulfill their Kingdom assignments and divine destinies, and to leave lasting legacies in their faith, family, and finances.  * Whether it is through her transformational world-class certification courses and events, her international publishing division, or the robust, monthly community she’s established for women around the globe, Ms. Joy has set her mark as a leader among leaders.  * She has helped thousands of women find their unique voice and share their stories as speakers, authors, coaches, trainers, and leaders.  * She is also a devoted mom of 11, and a cherished Noni to 8 precious grandchildren, and is eagerly anticipating the arrival of a ninth!

Mike Crowley: The Zenquest of Leaders with Jess Ollenburg

Leading off Season 2B of our award-winning podcast is Mike Crowley!  Today we’re talking about saving lives, giving hope, community impact, the passion for future endeavors, elected leadership, spectacular pets, 5-leaf clovers and so much more. We’re talking with Mike Crowley. Please find the show's landing page at: Michael Crowley: The Zenquest of Leaders with Jess Ollenburg — zenquest.online [https://www.zenquest.online/crowleypod] or https://www.zenquest.online/crowleypod. Here’s a little background on today’s guest… * Mike was named the CEO of the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin in January 2021 and during the same time, named the 2020 Waukesha Freeman “Citizen of the Year.” * He has lived in the City of Waukesha for the past 33 years with his wife, Sherie, a dog, and a cat. They also have a horse, Ellie. Mike & Sherie have two grown children, Andy, and Marissa, and a grandson, Ford. * Mike began his career in manufacturing after graduating from Ohio Valley Business College in East Liverpool, Ohio with a degree in business and accounting. He met his future wife, Sherie, in La Crescent, Minnesota and after several years there, they moved to Waukesha, Wisconsin. * Prior to NKFW, Mike served for 2 years as the CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County, having built 4 new homes, and rehabilitated 3 homes for seven families in need of affordable housing in the City of Waukesha. * Prior to that, Mike worked in manufacturing in executive roles, primarily in the plastics industry for over 30 years. * Mike also gives a lot of his time serving his community. He is a Waukesha County Board Supervisor in his 7th term, serving on several committees including Judiciary & Law Enforcement and Human Resources, and continues as Chairman of the Waukesha County Airport/Crites Field for the past 20 years. * Mike has continued to serve on the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission as a Commissioner for the past 12 years, holding several leadership roles. * Another nonprofit organization that is near and dear to him and his family, is the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). Their son, Andy, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 2, now 27. Mike became very involved with JDRF, holding numerous leadership roles over the past 24 years, including Board President and State Leader for Government Relations. Mike also founded a bicycling “Ride to Cure Diabetes” for JDRF in La Crosse, WI 14 years ago. This ride brings hundreds from across the country and raises $2M a year for diabetes research. * Nonprofit leadership, volunteering in the community, elected service to the community, and a passion for helping people and families through the years inspired Mike to take the leadership role at the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin. He is proud of the work that NKFW does to improve the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by kidney disease and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation.

Peggy Williams-Smith: The Zenquest of Leaders with Jess Ollenburg

Thank you for joining us today as we talk with Peggy Williams-Smith, fellow Milwaukee native, highly accomplished veteran of the hospitality industry, leadership mentor, president and CEO of Visit Milwaukee… and so much more. Please find the landing page at: Peggy Williams-Smith: The Zenquest of Leaders with Jess Ollenburg — zenquest.online [https://www.zenquest.online/pwspodcast]. Our show enjoys worldwide listeners and the services of Ollenburg LLC are delivered worldwide as well. That said, many of our episode guests enjoy some connection to our hometown metro-Milwaukee. Milwaukee and Wisconsin are together garnering so much positive attention, growth, success, tourism and honored among the best places to visit and best places to succeed.  It’s really exciting, and we recognize Peggy, Visit Milwaukee and some of our favorite hometown cohorts for shining a light on the exciting things happening.  Peggy joined Visit Milwaukee as the company’s first female president and CEO in 2019.  She credits her accomplishments to surrounding herself with a great team, and we’ve watched great humans jumping to collaborate with Peggy, because they trust her dedication to get it done.  Visit Milwaukee has launched exciting, dynamic marketing campaigns to increase economic impact to the community and elevate the city’s reputation.  Peggy’s focus on strategic partnerships has deepened the company’s local connections and allowed to develop a nimble team that is more responsive than ever to changes within the travel and hospitality industries.  This was none more apparent than during the pandemic when Visit Milwaukee became the go-to source for information for the hospitality industry and the industry’s No. 1 advocate on state and local levels.  Milwaukee boasts nearly 200 individually unique neighborhoods and nearly 200 independently owned and operated restaurants.   Our own company enjoys the good fortune of representing so many employers in the restaurant and hospitality industry, and we see the positive impact of Peggy’s work. It’s exciting!  From promoting the city to the nation during the Milwaukee Bucks’ championship run to leading the city’s bid to secure the 2024 Republican National Convention, Williams-Smith’s strategic leadership will ultimately result in economic gains for Milwaukee for years to come.  Prior to her work at Visit Milwaukee, she worked for Marcus Hotels & Resorts for over 22 years and held leadership positions at varying levels throughout the division.  Williams-Smith is a proud mentor of other women in business and uses her free time to support so many charitable causes.  Peggy resides in Milwaukee with her husband, Tim Smith, their fabulous niece, Jocelyn and their Boston Terrier, Tito Fenway.