Israel Santiesteban-Barrientos joins us in this episode of Owning Your Legacy to share his story of how he went from delivering milk at Dannon to becoming a leader in food and beverage with roles at prestigious companies like Kraft-Heinz and Schreiber Foods. Israel’s journey is one of perseverance, from losing his mother at a young age and playing semi-professional soccer to keep food on the table to learning food science on the job and reading textbooks for classes he wasn’t officially enrolled in. Israel put himself headfirst into every challenge and made lasting connections with his community, quickly learning about every aspect of his greatest passion—food production and nutrition. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy: Israel’s incredible story, from farmer to executive through a language barrier What makes milk and dairy products more or less nutritious Kraft’s role as a power player in improving nutrition and wellness Improving supplier diversity and empowering smaller, disadvantaged groups Using your power and influence to be a force for good and move others If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Laurette speaks with Mar Soraparu, a former finance executive who went on to co-found BIÂN, a premier private social and health club for total well-being. She also serves as the club’s chief wellness officer. The transition from finance to wellness may not be a typical one, but the series of events makes perfect sense in her story—she simply met the challenges before her and followed what her intuition and heart told her. Laurette and Mar discuss the intersection of wellness and business, both in terms of how corporations can be doing a better job of promoting wellness, and some ways in which holistic wellness has already influenced corporate life. Join us on Mar’s journey through the corporate finance world, the value of following her intuition, how she discovered her passion, and why she made the bold decision to pursue it. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy: Mar’s career journey of finance to holistic and physical wellness How holistic wellness shapes the western corporate world The power of having a career mentor Owning and being empowered by your mindset What business can do better to promote total wellness If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Laurette is joined by Julia Stamberger, the president, founder, and director of The Planting Hope Company, Inc. The two begin by discussing Julia’s start at United Airlines where she pioneered the airline snackbox concept and set her career on a trajectory of food innovation. This led her to found Planting Hope, a company that reimagines the future of food to something more sustainable, healthy, and scalable for the future. The road to making Planting Hope a success has not been without its challenges. Julia has grappled with the demands and expectations of venture capital funding, learning more about food science on the job, and identifying which healthy products can actually be commercially viable—wait until you hear what she says about almond and sesame milk! In this episode of Owning Your Legacy: Improving airline food during an era of cost-cutting Reimagining sustainable food with Planting Hope Company The realities of working with VCs The challenges of scaling healthy products Empowering women and raising equity-focused men If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Laurette is joined by Brent Novoselsky, former NFL player and current VP of Wealth Services at Alera Group. The two discuss Brent’s experience playing for the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings, his career-ending injury, and life after professional football. Fortunately for Brent, he had a business degree from Penn State to fall back on. When it comes to professional football and business, according to Brent, it’s all about who you know. It was his connections that got him a call from the Bears. They also helped him build a successful career as a financial advisor, where he helps clients make savvy decisions based on their values. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy: Brent’s early football years The neck injury that changed Brent’s life Transitioning from the NFL to everyday life How values influence your financial decisions LinkedIn as an untapped resource If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Laurette is joined by Jennifer Convery, the former group president of Griffith Foods North America. Jennifer currently sits on three boards and is an advisor to CEOs. Together, Laurette and Jennifer discuss how women’s role in the workplace has evolved over the last 30 years and the importance of advocating for yourself to get what you want. Jennifer created a successful career path by tuning into her needs, learning to balance motherhood with work responsibilities, and never being afraid to raise her hand when new opportunities emerged. Pulling from decades of leadership experience, Jennifer shares valuable insights and personal anecdotes that anyone can apply to get ahead at work. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy: Jennifer’s way into the food and beverage industry Balancing personal and professional priorities Building a career without mom guilt How to communicate your value The importance of connections outside of your organization If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Laurette sits down with Tali Kogan, renowned Chicago stylist, founder of Tel Aviv Couture, and co-founder of Sweet Dome Chicago Foundation. Tali shares her inspiring story as a Ukrainian-born Israeli immigrant who came to America with little to her name and began her career as an accountant. Finding herself unhappy, she escaped an abusive relationship, eventually left her job, and turned her passion for Israeli-made fashion into a career as a personal stylist and empowerment coach. Tali is a bright light who works with women leaders around the world, using clothing as a way to transform not only their style but their self-confidence. Her styling process “Calling Forth the Queen” is a one-of-a-kind experience that brings out a woman’s true essence and creates an energetic shift that allows them to show up in a whole new and powerful way. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy: Tali’s story from “frumpy” accountant to shining stylist The four style personas—which one are you? Top styling strategies anyone can use The importance of a spiritual practice The inspiration for Sweet Dome Chicago If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Laurette sits down with Alex Johnston, the founder and president of Building Impact Partners, a philanthropy advising firm that works together with changemakers to help people, communities, and society move forward for good. Alex is also the author of Money With Meaning: How to Create Joy and Impact Through Philanthropy. With over two decades of advising clients on how to give their money, Alex is a wealth of information when it comes to meaningful giving through philanthropy. In fact, Building Impact Partners has helped its clients give away over $1 billion since 2012. And still, with so much money sitting on the sidelines, there is ample opportunity for more. Alex breaks it all down for us, from the psychology of giving to why we tend to shy away from talking about money, and how to know your money is actually being used for good. He also shares the distinction between meaningful giving, selfish giving, spiritless giving, and senseless giving—a topic his book discusses in greater detail. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy: The importance of philanthropy in politics Secrets of the ultra-wealthy How to talk about money with your kids Meaningful giving, selfish giving, spiritless giving, senseless giving Giving as an opportunity for transformation If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Laurette sits down with Lori Hilson Cioromski, founder & CEO of HC Strategic Advisors, president of Essential Water Technologies, and award-winning author of You Hold the Power: Igniting Your Fire for Success. As the episode title suggests, Laurette and Lori discuss how to scale a company in the face of adversity, as well as the necessity for women leaders to step into their power to unlock growth and potential. Lori shares stories of her earliest entrepreneurial endeavors as a young girl motivated by a need for money, to working with her dad and receiving backlash from her male counterparts, to the most catalytic moment in her life: a near-death experience during the birth of her youngest daughter, and what would later become the impetus for her award-winning book. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy: Anointed vs. appointed: proving your worth in a family-owned business Scaling a business against tough financial times The power of “catalytic moments” Supporting our next gen of female entrepreneurs with Female Strong Why it is absolutely necessary to step into your power If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Laurette sits down with Brandon Casteel, vice president of partnerships at SPINS, to discuss the leadership tenets that have allowed him to build a successful, multi-decade sales career. They also discuss how SPINS is leveraging point-of-sale data to unlock powerful consumer insights. Brandon is a master of building authentic relationships through trust, vulnerability, and curiosity, artfully moving past the surface to get to the heart of any conversation, whether it be with a team member, sales partner, or one of his five kids. This gift along with his concept of an “emotional bank account”—the idea that he is giving as much as he is receiving—makes him a standout partner, leader, and father. Drawing from nearly 30 years of experience, Brandon now leads multiple teams at SPINS, a leading wellness-focused data technology company that provides retail consumer insights, analytics, and consulting for the natural, organic, and specialty products industry. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy: The importance of physical presence How to leverage curiosity as a leader Balancing your emotional bank account The value of performance improvement plans Using sales data to unlock powerful consumer insights If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Laurette sits down with Jennifer Bell, CMO of Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant Group, to talk about the importance of professional development, risk-centered leadership, and the invaluable benefits of betting on yourself. Laurette and Jennifer walk through the various obstacles of a journey to the C-suite, leading by example to multiply your team’s enthusiasm and effort, and what she did to skyrocket the business’s revenue to $300 million after the pandemic demanded a pivot. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy: Making a major career pivot based on passion & purpose Key factors in building & leading a diverse, talented team Being your own biggest cheerleader Where leaders should challenge themselves more for growth The best tools to leverage strengths & foster better feedback If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Laurette welcomes colleague George Southworth, executive director of the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA). George’s extensive experiences as a government programs executive with IBM, a director and regional manager with the National Association of Manufacturers, and now executive director at FEMA have fueled his passion as a leader that drives change, fosters collaboration, and elevates the success of his peers. Laurette and George explore how their career trajectories unfolded and how to harness the numerous benefits that come with joining trade associations: networking, leadership opportunities, a truly supportive community, and more. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy: The personal and professional benefits of trade associations How to choose the best trade association to join Leveraging the value of industry experts Strengthening your own leadership abilities Paying it forward to help future leaders grow If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Laurette talks all about transparency, reflection, and potential with entrepreneur, life coach, and food industry executive Christie Myers. A strategic visionary, Christie’s generational tie to the food ingredients industry has helped her embrace her history while defining her own unique career path. Today, she carries on her family’s penchant for innovation and creativity in two major ways: as the Business Development Manager at Cache Creek Foods, and also as the founder and consultant through her coaching practice that helps leaders transform their aspirations into reality. Laurette and Christie dive into the shared human experience of insecurity and struggle, how to develop better self-awareness, and the simple mindset shift to adapt for a more impactful company culture. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy: *Accepting discomfort and sacrifice in leadership *Why struggle is a good thing *Handling criticism, constructive or otherwise *Reframing failure as a foundational win *Christie’s simple practice for reflection & redirection If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Laurette welcomes Chicago-based food & lifestyle entrepreneur D.C. Crenshaw to talk through his purpose-filled journey to creating culinary businesses that fuel the next generation of tastemakers. D.C. founded Little Diner’s Crew to partner with local restaurants to curate inspiring dining events for young children that help develop their palates and approaches to health, nutrition, and happiness while fostering community and education. His major passion for flavor led him to start Fête Select TV, a production company where he earned two Emmy nominations as the host of his original food competition show, Game Time Dine. He also owns and operates Fête Lifestyle Magazine, a digital publication that educates and inspires others to live a life of quality, covering a variety topics and perspectives from female contributors. Laurette and D.C. chat more about his optimistic outlook on the food industry, the positive domino effect of new experiences, and how he embodies his values to inspire others naturally. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy: *D.C.’s journey from athlete to multifaceted businessman *The powerful connection between sports, food, and memories *Creating opportunities for enthusiasm and education *D.C.’s experience with fatherhood and his parenting advice *How to live by example and lead with empathy If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

In the season 6 premiere of Owning Your Legacy, Laurette welcomes philanthropist and entrepreneur duo Amy and Pete Kadens for an incredibly powerful and transparent conversation about the need for more accountability in life and leadership. Because without it, we are only solving for symptoms instead of the core issues. Amy is the founder of MOD Collective and Share Our Spare, which respectively work to support women and families affected by poverty who are in need of basic necessities, including diapers, clothing, and more. Pete is the founder and co-chair of HOPE Chicago, an organization focused on improving economic mobility through college and workforce access. Together, Amy and Pete both serve as chairpeople for The Kadens Family Foundation, a nonprofit they started to provide more equitable opportunities at all stages of life, starting with education. With Laurette, Amy and Pete discuss the intersections and realities of their philanthropic endeavors, the collective success that comes from moving through discomfort, and how they support their shared passion for change (and each other!) through their very different approaches. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy: Amy and Pete’s powerful philosophies on truly giving back Why there’s no such thing as “self-made” How to take accountability in all aspects of your life Transforming tragedy into thoughtful, aligned action Nuances to consider in your efforts to find purpose & help any community If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

In the Season 5 finale of Owning Your Legacy, Laurette welcomes executive food & beverage professional Mary Wagner. From General Mills to Taco Bell and more, Mary’s impressive career is a testament to her standard of excellence and passion for progress. She has provided invaluable food science operations & strategy guidance for top brands in the industry, most notably and recently as the former Senior Vice President of Global Product Innovation, Food Safety, and Quality at Starbucks. Since retiring, Mary has launched and led her global food science consulting firm MK Wagner & Associates, where she and her team leverage 40+ years of expertise to deliver extraordinary results to global food brands. Laurette and Mary discuss the power of science for executing innovative ideas, the underrated yet incredible aspects of a professional role that involves flavor and nutrition, and how to weigh your options between certain business and career situations. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy: *The fascinating nuances of food science, flavor, and nutrition *Prioritizing research, transparency, and sustainability in the industry *Mary’s observations on private vs. public business pros and cons *Navigating individual career decisions and sacrifices *How to maintain perspective on your impact as a leader If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Laurette sits down to talk with certified life coach Suzanne Nance. Since starting her company Create 4 You, Suzanne has worked with some of the top leaders across the world, including those at the helm of Fortune 500 companies and mission-driven nonprofit organizations, to help reframe their perspective on the inevitable promise of challenge ahead and strengthen their approach so they can reach their personal Mt. Everest. Laurette and Suzanne discuss the phenomenon of the loneliness that comes from reaching new heights, the benefits of pushing past your usual thresholds of capabilities, and the expansive power of continuing to pursue new achievements despite all odds. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy: *Suzanne’s biggest lessons from her ambitious expeditions *Common insecurities that Suzanne sees in her executive clients *Learning to listen to & understanding your limiting beliefs *Finding harmony between your responsibilities & your dreams *How to become your own biggest supporter & coach If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Laurette is joined by Beth Smith, founder and CEO of Simplicity Cold-Pressed Juice & Cocktails. Made with fresh fruits and vegetables, Beth expanded the brand’s offerings from only juice and added spirit-infused drinks based on her belief that fun and freshness aren’t mutually exclusive. As a result, she launched the country’s first ready-to-drink, cold-pressed cocktails—because you should be able to raise a glass without sacrificing your well-being. Laurette and Beth talk transparently about her journey to healing through continued physical and emotional hardships, some of her most frustrating experiences working in food & beverage, and why she’s so passionate about transforming the way we view and implement nutrition. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy: *How Beth’s fertility struggles inspired her business *Beth’s mission to detach shame & guilt from nutrition *Navigating modern food & beverage industry obstacles *Why prioritizing your wellbeing & joy isn’t selfish *How to let go and trust the timing of your life If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Laurette welcomes Oliver Kelly, the President & CEO of Kerry North America, to discuss his lessons learned in leadership and the mindset needed to create an unmatched workforce. A leader in sustainable nutrition, Kerry has expanded from its humble origins in Ireland to a global visionary within—and beyond—the dairy industry. With a 30+ year career in sales and business growth, Oliver has helped guide the company in reaching new heights after taking on his role in 2021 and continues to be a trusted partner for Edlong and many food & beverage companies. Between the “new normal” of post-pandemic life and unemployment rates at a record low, companies are looking to improve their approach to hiring in order to optimize their processes and exceed satisfaction on all levels. Laurette and Oliver discuss their experiences in adapting to uncharted leadership challenges, how Gen Z has transformed the interview process, and the top considerations for employee professional development across departments. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy: *Prioritizing purpose in your goals and your people *The responsibility of building and maintaining relationships *How to approach professional growth programs *When and why to hire specialized talent *Oliver’s tips for determined job-seekers If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Laurette welcomes Courtney Johnson, founder and president of Culinary Care, to talk about the decision to persevere through difficulties and transform struggles into inspiration in life and business. After losing her own father to cancer, Courtney wanted to bridge the gap that she experienced and create a better experience for others navigating this life-altering journey. Today, Culinary Care has provided more than 30,000 nutritious meals to cancer patients and their families, and the organization continues to bring comfort and hope to hospitals and homes across America. Laurette and Courtney discuss Courtney’s personal commitment to the cause, how Courtney dealt with condescending criticism when launching her initiative, and the importance of centering compassion and connection in every interaction. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy: *Courtney’s purpose to create hope and address malnutrition *Overcoming self-doubt and overwhelm in business decisions *How to build a strong, engaged, and supportive board *The most impactful way to help the organizations you care about *Courtney’s key learnings for leadership success If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Laurette is joined by serial entrepreneur, business expert, and author Robert Jordan. Robert is renowned for his tech start-up expertise and launching the first Internet-coverage magazine in the world, Online Access, which landed him on the Inc 500 list of fastest-growing companies. Now as the CEO of InterimExecs, he’s using his 30+ years of business acumen to bring record growth to owners and investors across industries. Laurette and Robert discuss the modern landscape of executive knowledge and innovation, his experience guiding businesses through common pain points in order to achieve major breakthroughs, and the four key FABS Leadership Assessment styles he developed that inspired his book Right Leader Right Time: Discover Your Leadership Style for a Winning Career and Company. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy: *Robert’s four tried-and-true FABS Leadership Assessment styles *What today’s top organizations are looking for when hiring leaders *Robert’s RED (Rapid Executive Deployment) Team formula for success *Why decision-makers shouldn’t be precious with their brilliance *How Robert inspired founders to embrace their powerful legacy If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.