Expressions of Leadership

Love as Leadership: Dr. Kerry Neal on Reinvention, Community, and Doing the Uncomfortable Work

What does love have to do with leadership? For Dr. Kerry Neal, everything.
In this episode, Michele Kawamoto Perry traces the arc of a remarkable journey, from hospital orderly to Doctor of Education, from a devastating personal moment to the founding of Black Love Reimagined, a movement that has been quietly transforming how communities talk about love, accountability, and connection for 15 years.
This is a conversation about reinvention, the courage to do uncomfortable work, and what happens when you stop trying to fit a mold and start leading from who you actually are.
Learn more about Dr. Kerry Neal and his work:www.DrKerryNeal.comwww. UrbanBirdsAndBees.comInstagram @drkerryneal and @UrbanBirdsAndBeesYouTube @UrbanBirdsAndBees
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT.
Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.

Leadership and Design Literacy: Erica Rife on Equity, Community, and the Future of Architecture

In this episode, Michele Kawamoto Perry speaks with Erica Rife, Executive Director of the Architecture Foundation of Oregon, about her journey from the startup world to nonprofit leadership, and how design literacy can expand who has a voice in shaping the built environment.
They explore Erica’s path into design-focused work, her decision to return to school to deepen her understanding of equity and philanthropy, and why early exposure to design education is critical for creating more inclusive communities. The conversation also examines the slow but necessary reckoning within the architecture field and what leadership looks like in times of change.
Erica speaks candidly about burnout, mental health, and stepping into visible leadership while becoming a mother, and shares her vision for an organization grounded in listening, adaptability, and community-centered impact.Connect with Erica Rife: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericarife/
Learn more about the Architecture Foundation of Oregon: https://www.af-oregon.org/
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT.
Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.

Leading with Curiosity: Michelle Bacharach on Building FindMine and the Future of AI in Retail

Host Michele Kawamoto Perry speaks with Michelle Bacharach, CEO and Board Chairman of FindMine, about her journey from UC Berkeley to acting, product leadership, and ultimately founding an AI platform that helps brands translate their creative expertise into inspiring, shoppable experiences for consumers.
Michelle shares how burnout led her to step back and rethink what she wanted to build, the leadership lessons she learned along her journey, and how curiosity, empathy, and optimism shape the culture of her company. They also discuss building trust with major brands, founder resilience, practical insights for public speaking, and what the future of AI-driven retail may hold.
Learn more about FindMine: www.findmine.com.Connect with Michelle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleharrisonbacharach/
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT.
Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.

Cathy Derksen on Leadership, Reinvention After 50, and Empowering Midlife Women

Host Michele Kawamoto Perry interviews Cathy Derksen, founder of Inspired Tenacity, to explore her remarkable journey from medical genetics and financial planning to becoming a publisher, international speaker, and 23-time #1 bestselling author. Cathy shares how a midlife reinvention led her to discover the power of authorship and community as catalysts for leadership, visibility, and purpose.
In this conversation, they discuss leading without a title, trusting intuition when a culture no longer fits, and how storytelling can open doors to credibility, impact, and legacy. Cathy also shares how her collaborative book projects and community have helped more than 200 women step into authorship, amplify their voices, and lead boldly in the next chapter of their lives.
Connect with Cathy Derksen and learn more about her work:
Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/cathy.derksen.3/
Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/inspired_tenacity
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathyderkseninspiredtenacity
YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@inspiredtenacitypublishing    
Free Gifts (PDFs and session)  https://inspiredtenacitygifts.now.site/home
Main website  https://inspiredtenacity.com
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT.
Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.
 

Dr. Sarah Zappe on Academic Leadership, Innovation, and the Arts in Engineering

Host Michele Kawamoto Perry speaks with Dr. Sarah Zappe, Assistant Dean for Teaching and Learning and Director of the Leonhard Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Education at Penn State, about what it means to lead with authenticity at the intersection of engineering, innovation, and the arts. As the first non-engineer to serve in her role within the College of Engineering, Dr. Sarah Zappe shares how she integrates creativity into technical education, supports faculty in developing communication and professional skills, and helped launch interdisciplinary initiatives like an arts-and-engineering teaching gallery at the Palmer Museum to spark deeper conversations about ethics, identity, and what it means to be an engineer.
They also explore navigating resistance to change, why creativity is not a “soft skill” but a core leadership capability in STEM, and how empowering faculty and students can transform academic culture. Beyond academia, Dr. Sarah Zappe discusses founding Kaleidoscope PA, her arts-based wellness company that brings mindful watercolor workshops into community spaces, and offers practical insight on trusting yourself, empowering others, and building a more human-centered learning environment.
 
Connect with Dr. Sarah Zappe and learn more about Kaleidescope PA:
Website:  www.kaleidoscopepa.com
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-zappe-b8670a4/
Instagram:  @kaleidoscope_pa
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094117775883
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT.
Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.
 
 

Changing the System: Leadership and Healthcare Reform with David Silverstein

Host Michele Kawamoto Perry interviews David Silverstein, founder and CEO of Amaze Health, former nuclear submarine officer, strategist, entrepreneur, and healthcare reform advocate, about his 25+ year journey leading organizations, challenging broken systems, and driving meaningful change in healthcare.
From military discipline to helping advance federal healthcare price transparency rules, David shares what it takes to influence large systems and build mission-driven companies grounded in clear values. The conversation explores intellectual curiosity, patient-first leadership, accountability, and what it means to “do the right thing” when faced with tough choices. Together, they examine how private-sector innovation and disciplined thinking can reshape the future of patient-centered care, and what legacy looks like for leaders working to create lasting change.
Connect with David on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dsilverstein/
Learn more about Amaze Health at: https://amazehealth.com/
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT.
Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.

Leadership Through Storytelling: Filmmaker Meredith Yinger on Media, Resilience and Change

On this episode of Expressions of Leadership, host Michele Kawamoto Perry sits down with award-winning filmmaker and SheTV Media founder Meredith Yinger to explore how storytelling becomes a powerful act of leadership. Through documentaries like Scars Unseen, now used in hundreds of educational institutions nationwide, Meredith spotlights domestic violence survivorship, resilience, and the power of shifting narratives to spark real-world change.
Meredith shares the creative, emotional, and logistical challenges of bringing taboo topics to the screen, what it takes to build a female-led production company that amplifies marginalized voices, and how her upcoming documentary Vulva La Revolution aims to ignite a movement in women’s sexual health equity. Together, they explore mentorship, resilience, accessibility in entertainment, and how to move audiences from awareness to action. Meredith’s leadership offers a blueprint for leading with conviction, compassion, and lasting impact.
Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithyinger/Learn more about her documentaries:
Scars Unseen on Kinema - for community screenings and individual downloads - 
 
Vulva La Revolution Website 
Vulva La Revolution Donation Link (all donations are tax deductible!!)
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT.
Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.

Chad Patterson on Leadership Rooted in Trust and Experience

Host Michele Kawamoto Perry welcomes serial entrepreneur and technologist Chad Patterson to Expressions of Leadership for a conversation on leadership rooted in humility, service, and trust. Chad shares how his upbringing influenced his commitment to creating access and dignity for overlooked talent, and how he builds systems that support small businesses around the world.
Together, they explore trust as leadership currency, the power of listening and collaboration over directive control, and the role of community and strategic partnerships in entrepreneurship. Chad also offers practical insights on helping founders access capital, align around a shared vision, and scale their work sustainably.
Learn more about Chad Patterson and his work:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-patterson/
Websites:
SW-Ventures: https://www.swvents.com
crcle: https://crclebonds.com
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT.
Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.

Leading in Wine and Life: Amy Christine, Master of Wine

Host Michele Kawamoto Perry sits down with Amy Christine, Master of Wine and winemaker, to explore her unexpected journey from performer to winery co-owner, and how leadership can emerge through curiosity, creativity, and courage.
In this episode, Amy reflects on how acting, wine sales, and the rigorous Master of Wine program shaped her leadership style, from listening deeply and reading the room to knowing when to pivot. She also shares the realities of running a small winery, the discipline behind creative branding, and her vision for storytelling across wine, television, and writing. This conversation is a thoughtful look at leading authentically—without chasing trends—and trusting that your tribe will find you.
Learn more about Amy Christine and the wineries:
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-christine-mw-9ab58914/
Instagram
@holusboluswine
@acloveswine
@amys_tasting_room_diaries
@heywineslut
 
Websites
www.holusboluswine.com
www.wineslut.com
 
YouTubeWineslut https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHsXB2WN7m53EM1MWx2QuxQ
Holus Bolus and The Joy Fantastic https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkBwNaQdsPkfNmgW6NIjaGg
Pairing with Princehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUQTkWYhOTas7PBvMXAoCXA
 
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT.
Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.

Innovation with Heart: Holly Uber on Creating Technology That Elevates People

In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, host Michele Kawamoto Perry speaks with Holly Uber, a human-centered technologist, product leader, and innovation catalyst whose career spans education, AR/VR, and healthcare technology. From her early days as a teacher to launching products in highly regulated environments, Holly reflects on how curiosity, systems thinking, and inclusive design have shaped her leadership journey.
Together, they explore what it takes to build conditions where innovation can flourish—balancing risk with responsibility, fostering psychological safety, and designing technology that honors the whole person. The conversation offers grounded leadership perspectives on experimentation, cross-functional collaboration, and leading through complexity in fast-evolving fields like AI, education, and healthcare.
Connect with Holly Uber at https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-uber/
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT.
Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.