Expressions of Leadership

Data, Decisions, and Democracy: Leadership Lessons from Sucharita Kodali of The Election Hub

In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, Michele Kawamoto Perry sits down with Sucharita Kodali, retail analyst, civic innovator, and the driving force behind The Election Hub, a SEED20 initiative designed to help voters make informed choices in local elections.
Sucharita shares her journey from shaping consumer insights in the private sector to championing data-driven civic engagement. She opens up about the leadership lessons she’s learned along the way — from navigating ambiguity and building trust through transparency to using technology to empower communities rather than divide them.
Together, Michele and Sucharita explore what it means to lead with clarity and purpose in an age of information overload, and how informed voices can help build stronger, more connected communities.
Connect with Sucharita Kodali at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sucharitamulpuru/
Learn more about and get involved with The Election Hub at https://www.theelectionhub.org/
You can also check out The Election Hub at Seed20 https://www.seed20.org/project/election-hub/
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram. 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.
 

Runaway Girl to Relentless Advocate: Carissa Phelps on Leadership and Change

Disclaimer: This episode contains adult subject matter, including discussion of child sex trafficking, which may be distressing to some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.Carissa Phelps, a survivor of child sex trafficking, shares her remarkable journey from the streets to law school, filmmaking, and founding Runaway Girl. In this episode, she reflects on transforming personal trauma into purpose — leading with courage, empathy, and conviction.
Through survivor-led advocacy, landmark litigation, and systemic change, Carissa has redefined what leadership looks like when it’s informed by lived experience. She speaks candidly about the challenges of building a movement, the power of resilience, and what it takes to hold institutions accountable while creating pathways for survivors to heal and thrive.
Learn more about Carissa Phelps at  https://survivor.lawyer/
Connect with the Survivors First Community at https://www.survivorsfirst.community/
Learn more about The Backpage Remission Program at https://backpageremission.com/en and the Back Page Remission Network at https://www.backpageremissionnetwork.org/
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram. 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.

Leashes, Lessons, and Leadership with Shakinah Brzezinski and Molly Leevan of Wunder dog Training

Host Michele Kawamoto Perry sits down with canine behavior specialists and Wunderdogs co-founders Shakina Brzezinski and Molly Leevan. From their early days training horses to leading groundbreaking dog behavior programs, Shakina and Molly share how they’re challenging outdated dominance models with science, compassion, and connection.
Together, they explore what leadership looks like when it’s rooted in guidance rather than control—whether in the training ring, the workplace, or our communities. They discuss emotional mirroring between humans and dogs, the role of trust in transforming relationships, and how community leadership empowers both “spicy dogs” and their people.
Learn more about Wunderdogs at  https://www.wunderdogtrainers.com/. Find them on Instagram at  https://www.instagram.com/wunderdogtraining/.
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram. 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 Through Rest and Rebellion: Laurie Hang on Redefining Leadership

In this episode, Michele Kawamoto Perry speaks with Lori Hang, founder of Hike to Yoga, about her journey from a refugee camp to community leader, yoga therapist, and creative director. Lori shares how her immigrant upbringing, personal healing, and a passion for nature shaped a leadership style rooted in rest, creativity, and collective care.
Laurie offers candid insights about navigating burnout and growth, teaching mindful movement, and why slowing down can be a radical act of leadership. She also provides practical practices for getting unstuck and paints a vision for expanding community wellness through nature-based gatherings across Los Angeles County and beyond.
Join us for this conversation about leading with intention, honoring rest, and building community in ways that challenge productivity culture and celebrate belonging.Learn more about Laurie Hang and Hike to Yoga:
Fall 2025 Yoga Therapy Enrollment Now Open
Align with autumn’s rhythm, nurture your nervous system, and grow stronger with each breath.
www.lauriehang.com
 
Saturday, October 4th Mini Urban Retreat in Los Angeles
Details, RSVP & Donate
www.hiketoyoga.org
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram. 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.

Ron Jenkins on Leadership, Healing, and the Power of Story

Disclaimer: This episode contains adult subject matter, including discussion of sexual abuse and homicide, which may be distressing to some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, host Michele Kawamoto Perry speaks with Ron Jenkins, who shares his journey from a difficult childhood in foster care and the devastating loss of family, to discovering purpose through football, mentorship, and a career guiding youth as a counselor and coach.
Their conversation explores resilience, second chances, and the power of human connection. Ron reflects on how mentors shaped his leadership—and how, in turn, he has dedicated his life to leading and mentoring others. This is a powerful story of healing, leadership, and purpose—one that shows how investing in others can transform lives.Connect with Ron:Email: Rongolf6807@gmail.comInstagram @lifechanger06LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-jenkins-60b5747a/
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, you can reach the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. If you are in immediate danger or need urgent help, please call 911 or your local emergency number.Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram. 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, Longevity, and Lasting Change with Dr. Milan Chavarkar

In this episode, Dr. Milan Chavarkar shares her 25+ year leadership journey in women’s health — from serving as a nurse midwife and family nurse practitioner to founding Lotus Integrative Health and Nursing. She reflects on how deep listening, longer patient visits, and root-cause care inspired her move into functional and integrative medicine, and how the pandemic accelerated her leap into entrepreneurship.
Dr. Chavarkar also explores her expansion into venture investing, health AI, and her fertility-focused startup PriMi Health, highlighting the leadership challenges and opportunities in improving diagnosis, prevention, and clinician-centered innovation. Throughout the conversation, she reveals how mentorship, purpose, and human connection have shaped her leadership philosophy and continue to drive her vision for women’s health.
Connect with Dr. Milan Chavarkar at https://www.linkedin.com/in/milanchavarkar/
Learn more about  Lotus Integrative Health and Nursing:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lotusihn/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lotusintegrativehealth
Website: https://www.lotusintegrativehealth.com/
Discover PriMi Health at https://www.primihealth.ai/
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram. 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.
 

Catapulting Change: Leadership, Equity and Career Readiness with Dr. Pamela Donnelly

Dr. Pamela Donnelly has spent her career opening doors—first as a teacher and education entrepreneur, and now as the founder of the American Access Institute. In this episode, she shares the story behind Catapult, an AI-powered career readiness platform designed to equip vulnerable youth, including those in foster care, with the skills and pathways to thrive in trades, tech, military, and entrepreneurship.
Host Michele Kawamoto Perry and Pamela explore how policy, public discourse, and technology intersect in the fight for equity, why scalable innovation matters, and what it takes to lead a vision from concept to national impact. Along the way, Pamela reflects on the leadership lessons she’s learned—both from the systems she’s challenged and the students she’s championed.
If you care about access, opportunity, and leading change that lasts, this conversation will inspire you to think bigger about what’s possible.
Learn more about Dr. Pamela Donnelly at www.pameladonnelly.com and the American Access Institute at https://americanaccessinstitute.org/. 
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram. 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.
 

Resilient Leadership: Kenneth Hartman's Journey from Incarceration to Impact

This episode contains adult subject matter, including discussion of violence and homicide, which may be distressing to some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.
Host Michele Kawamoto Perry sits down with Kenneth Hartman, award-winning writer and prison reform advocate, who spent more than 37 years serving a life-without-parole sentence before receiving a commutation. In this conversation, Ken reflects on his path from a troubled youth to founding the groundbreaking Honor Program inside a maximum-security prison, and now to leading Transformative Programming Works, bringing rehabilitative initiatives to California’s prisons.
Together, they explore resilience, human dignity, racial integration, and the power of agency. Ken shares leadership lessons forged behind bars, the influence of mentors and fatherhood, and how lived experience can shape policy and inspire lasting systemic change.Learn more about Kenneth Hartman and Transformative Programming Works at www.thetpw.org.
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram. 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 Through Change: Staying Human in an Age of Transformation with Jennifer Wilde

In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, host Michele Kawamoto Perry talks with Jennifer Wilde about leading in times of volatility and change. From emergency responses in Haiti and the Philippines to building AI tools for families and organizations, Jennifer brings clarity, empathy, and innovation to the conversation.
She shares practices like act–sense–respond, staying grounded under pressure, and reframing change as opportunity. They also explore human-centered innovation—responsible AI design, emotionally intelligent products like Lighten, and education platforms like Learn Leopard.
It’s a conversation about the future of leadership, where adaptability, experimentation, and the right questions matter as much as strategy.
Connect with Jennifer Wilde at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-wilde-innovation/.  You can also learn more about Learn Leopard athttps://learnleopard.com/ and Lighten at https://www.trylighten.com/
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram. 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 from the Heart: A Graceful Revolution with Dr. Melissa Bird

In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, Dr. Melissa Bird—descendant of the Shivwits Band of Paiutes, lay preacher, healer, activist, and educator—shares her inspiring journey from personal loss to leading policy change. She offers profound insights into soulful leadership, emphasizing intuition, compassion, and the power of asking better questions. Together, we explore how acknowledging grief and embracing vulnerability can deepen connections and drive meaningful transformation in our communities.
Learn more about Dr. Melissa Bird:
Website: https://www.drmelissabird.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-melissa-bird-016640199/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrMelissaBird
Substack: https://substack.com/@birdgirl1001
Buy her Book, Love Notes and Prayers: Guidance for Your Soul, at https://store.bookbaby.com/book/love-notes-and-prayers
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram. 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.