Natalie McGrady’s journey from a small town in New York to supplier diversity leader at Cargill is a testament to purpose and determination. Overcoming early discrimination fueled her passion for opening doors for underrepresented businesses. As the youngest of six daughters, Natalie’s fearless resolve led her to break barriers in corporate spaces, championing supplier diversity as a tool for economic empowerment. Known for her commanding presence and impactful approach, Natalie shares how she discovered her voice, navigated systemic challenges, and turned obstacles into opportunities for others. In This Episode: · How Natalie transformed discrimination into a drive for change. · Developing a dynamic leadership style and ability to inspire action. · The critical role of supplier diversity in fostering economic equity. · Practical advice for creating impact and leaving a lasting legacy. Join us for a conversation that bridges personal purpose with professional impact, offering insights about leadership, diversity, and creating meaningful change in corporate America. 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 inspiring episode, Jess Kaskov, Certified Life Coach, Speaker, and Author, offers a fresh perspective on measuring success and fulfillment beyond traditional metrics, sharing her transformative journey from tech industry stress to discovering and pursuing her true calling. Together, Laurette and Jess explore how to design a life aligned with our passions, prioritize self-care, and make meaningful contributions to the world around us. Jess shares her unique framework for finding joy and purpose: calculating your “Soul Salary”, understanding your "paychecks" of joy, and making necessary "budget cuts" in life. You’re going to really appreciate this practical approach to identifying what truly matters In this episode: How the threat of job loss became an opportunity for transformation Understanding and calculating your "Soul Salary" The four steps to achieving greater fulfillment and joy Why "should" is the killer of joy and how to overcome it Creating a legacy of impact through authentic living Join us for a conversation that challenges conventional measures of success and offers a roadmap to creating a life rich in meaning and purpose. 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.

Sean Sebold, Founder of Sebold Capital Management, took an unconventional journey from English major and college football player to respected wealth management expert. In this episode, Laurette and Sean discuss challenging conventional wisdom about education, success, and building lasting wealth. Throughout the episode, Sean offers fresh perspectives on how to approach major life decisions, from choosing educational paths to building careers and managing wealth. His practical approach to financial decision-making, combined with deep insights about personal growth and the value of failure, provides a unique framework for thinking about both personal and professional success. In this episode: Why networking beats resumes in building a meaningful career How to approach education as a strategic investment rather than an automatic next step The crucial role of failure in developing grit and resilience Why rational decision-making matters in emotional financial choices Building a legacy through preparing the next generation for success Join us for a conversation that bridges practical financial wisdom with powerful lessons about personal growth and meaningful 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.

This week, Laurette is joined by Paul Graham, President & CEO of Americas at Döhler and recently appointed FEMA President, who shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings as a grape picker in Adelaide, Australia, to becoming a transformative leader in the global food and beverage industry. Throughout his conversation with Laurette, Paul shares invaluable insights about authentic leadership, creative problem-solving, and the power of mentorship. Drawing from his extensive experience at Döhler, and his new role leading FEMA (Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association), Paul offers unique perspectives on innovation, industry transformation, and the importance of saying “yes.”. In this episode: The pivotal role of mentorship in professional growth and development How creative solutions can unlock unexpected opportunities, from selling insurance to truck drivers to revolutionizing food and beverage distribution The importance of authenticity in building trust with customers and teams Why saying "yes" to challenges, even when feeling unprepared, can accelerate your career The lasting impact of making a difference in both businesses and people's lives Join us for an inspiring conversation filled with practical wisdom and insights from a true legacy of climbing to the top. 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.

Ever been told you can’t do something? Darcy Gaechter’s journey to becoming the first woman to kayak the Amazon River from source to sea is filled with moments when she defied limitations imposed by others and followed her passions. In his episode of Owning Your Legacy, Darcy candidly discusses the challenges she faced being told she was "too small," "too short," or "too female" to succeed. From earning a college scholarship in volleyball to entering the male-dominated sport of extreme kayaking, when someone told her, “You can’t,” Darcy said, “Watch me.” Darcy’s experiences navigating the intense team dynamics during her 148-day Amazon expedition offer powerful insights into relentless determination, compassionate leadership, and redefining limits — and she shares these insights with humility and thoughtfulness throughout her conversation with Laurette Rondenet. In this episode: How early experiences of being underestimated fueled Darcy's determination to prove others wrong The unique challenges of being a woman in the male-dominated world of extreme kayaking Lessons about managing team dynamics during the grueling Amazon expedition The emotional rollercoaster of completing a life-defining journey and facing the question, "What's next?" Learning to accept help and support when you need it Darcy’s empowering message for anyone who feels underestimated. Join us for an unforgettable conversation that will inspire you to push your boundaries, embrace challenges, and redefine what's possible. For a more in-depth look at Darcy’s Amazon adventure, read her book: Amazon Woman. To experience kayaking yourself, check out Small World Adventures for guided trips in Ecuador. Want to have Darcy as a speaker? Book her through Leading Authorities. 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 an inspiring story of perseverance and passion, Kevin Boehm, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of BOKA Restaurant Group, shares his journey from living in his car to building one of Chicago’s most celebrated restaurant groups. Throughout his conversation with Laurette, Kevin talks openly about the big risks he’s taken, the moments that didn’t go as planned, hitting "rock bottom", and getting the help he needed to make a strong comeback. Kevin reflects on how the restaurant industry gave Kevin a place to call home in contrast to the one he grew up in. And from this foundation, he developed the courage and maturity to pay attention to his “Inner Narrator” — and learned to understand and respect each of his inner voices. Kevin’s raw honesty about failure, overcoming imposter syndrome, and managing his mental wellness, offers powerful life lessons for anyone navigating their own challenges. In this episode: How a trip to Wendy’s sparked unexpected inspiration — we all need a Joan! Why Kevin doesn’t see his move to Florida at 19 as “brave” The difference between “hospitality” and “service” The Art of Gathering What you can learn from failure, even when things are going well Kevin’s personal wellness journey and how he conquered imposter syndrome The power of the “pre-shift” Our Inner Narrator and the importance all voices have a seat at the table Tune in for this inspiring episode — and follow the Owning Your Legacy podcast! 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.

This episode of Owning Your Legacy has Laurette speaking with Robert Pomazak, or “Coach Pom” as he is known by the players of St. Charles North High School, where he serves as head football coach. Coach Pom talks about how he answers the call to be a leader and everything that entails. He discusses his highs and lows as a coach and as a leader—from making a positive difference in the lives he touches to what he calls the “Leadership Gut Punch.” Join us for a discussion about the importance of sports during formative years, the difficulty and crucial nature of building trust, the overlap between business and sports leadership, and the unique challenges of running an organization where you are the only real constant. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy: Overlap between leadership qualities for sports and business How to cope with the hard moments as a leader Why it’s so important to create key “moments” for the people you lead Building something that people truly need in their lives Coach Pom’s approach to cultivating the next generation of leaders 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.

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.