21 - Advocating for Equity and Inclusion: A Story of Courage, Conviction, and Creating the Future with Eugene Manley

21 - Advocating for Equity and Inclusion: A Story of Courage, Conviction, and Creating the Future with Eugene Manley

In this episode of Create the Future, your host Rick Williams speaks with Dr. Eugene Manley, Jr., Founder and CEO of STEMM & Cancer Health Equity. Dr. Manley shares his journey from inner-city Detroit to becoming a mechanical engineer, molecular biologist, and patient advocate. He recounts a pivotal leadership moment when an uninvited speaker demanded keynote status at his lung cancer health equity summit. Dr. Manley stood firm, sending a direct, professional email refusing the demand. The episode explores themes of self-advocacy, navigating race in professional spaces, ADHD, and leading with conviction over compromise. Check out Dr. Manley's work HERE [https://innovationforimpactllc.com]. Connect with Dr. Manley on LinkedIn HERE [https://linkedin.com/in/eugenemanleyjrphd]. Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE [https://podcast.rickwilliamsleadership.com/podcast-guest].

20 - When Life Demands Change: How One Woman Reclaimed Her Identity and Created a New Future with Rhonda Petit

In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, your host Rick Williams speaks with Rhonda Petit, Founder of 3X5 Coaching LLC. Rhonda shares her journey from a 34-year sales career to becoming a leadership coach. She discusses the pivotal decisions she made at 40, including leaving a demanding job and ending her marriage, driven by her struggle with codependency and approval addiction. Rhonda emphasizes the importance of authentic leadership, self-awareness, and making values-driven decisions from within, rather than seeking external validation, to become a sovereign leader. Check out Rhonda's work HERE [www.rhondapetit.com]. Connect with Rhonda on LinkedIn HERE [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhondapetit8htg/]. Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE [https://podcast.rickwilliamsleadership.com/podcast-guest].

19 - The Growth Formula: Empowering Teams to Scale a Family Business with Adam Povlitz

In this episode of the Create the Future Podcast, your host Rick Williams speaks with Adam Povlitz, CEO & President of Anago Cleaning, about his journey from finance and IBM to leading his father's three-tier commercial cleaning franchise. Adam shares how he started at the bottom, learned every role, and eventually scaled the company from $67M to $100M in just 19 months by delegating strategically and hiring senior leaders. He also discusses repositioning Anago as a technology-driven company, developing the Clean Com app and Anago Clean Suite, and fostering a collaborative leadership culture that values constructive challenge over conformity. Check out Adam's work HERE [https://anagocleaning.com/]. Connect with Adam on LinkedIn HERE [https://www.linkedin.com/in/apovlitz/]. Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE [https://podcast.rickwilliamsleadership.com/podcast-guest].

18 - Where Science Meets Politics: Leadership for Peacebuilding with Dr. Zafra Lerman

In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, host Rick Williams interviews Dr. Zafra Lerman, President of the Malta Conferences Foundation. Dr. Lerman shares her journey as a scientist and leader, highlighting her courageous efforts to unite scientists from conflicting Middle Eastern countries to promote peace through science. She discusses overcoming personal and political challenges, the power of science diplomacy, and the importance of resilience and collaboration in leadership. The episode offers inspiring insights into making tough decisions, building bridges across divides, and the ongoing quest for peace in turbulent regions. Check out Dr. Zafra Lerman's work HERE [https://zafralerman.com/]. Connect with Dr. Zafra Lerman on LinkedIn HERE [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zafralerman/]. Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE [https://podcast.rickwilliamsleadership.com/podcast-guest].

17 - Building Bridges: How to Integrate Real Human Connection into Your Marketing Strategy with Desiree Martinez

In this episode of Create the Future, your host Rick Williams interviews Desiree Martinez, Founder of The Kast Agency. Desiree shares her journey from early social media marketing to making a pivotal decision: shifting her business from chasing rapid growth to focusing on sustainable, values-driven strategies. She discusses adapting to industry changes, especially the rise of AI and the renewed need for human connection. Desiree emphasizes the importance of community, emotional intelligence, and seeking support when making tough decisions, offering practical insights for leaders navigating uncertainty and change. Check out Desiree's work HERE [www.mrsdesireerose.com]. Connect with Desiree on LinkedIn HERE [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrsdesireerose/]. Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE [https://podcast.rickwilliamsleadership.com/podcast-guest].