Not everyone has equal access to mentoring and sponsorship opportunities. Ayana Carroll is on a mission to change that for Black mid-level managers. In her work with clients and in our conversation for this interview, Ayana shares valuable tips that can help those managers as well as those who make decisions around promotions.

Ayana is the Founder of ARC Consulting, and she’s dedicated to elevating Black mid-level professionals into transformative leaders. With over 25 years of HR leadership and DEI expertise, Ayana specializes in breaking down barriers to leadership, including limited access to high-visibility projects, mentorship gaps, and challenges in self-advocacy.

As the first Black professional to rise to the level of Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Fluence, Ayana created and led the company’s first DEI department. This pioneering initiative established pathways for diverse hires, increased representation in leadership, and drove inclusion at all levels.

Ayana has extensive experience coaching C-suite leaders as well as mid-level managers, creating tailored learning paths to accelerate their development. She also volunteers with various homeless organizations to support individuals on their journey to stability and success.

You’ll discover:

• Why Ayana focuses her work on mid-level managers
• The current narrative around Black talent…and how Ayana is reshaping it
• What mentors and sponsors can do
• Why STAY interviews are vital to retaining talent
• How Ayana helps managers create a plan for career development

Watch the episode:

Connect with Ayana

Ayana’s Resources

Website

ARC Consulting

Course

Leadership Course

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236: Overcoming Obstacles for Black Women’s Advancement to the C-suite

If you’ve been in leadership development for a long time, you’re in for a treat with this episode. Our guest, Howard Leong, is the youngest person to appear on the podcast! Don’t let his youth fool you. He is wise beyond his years in his understanding of leadership and personal growth. Howard has been mentored by Asheesh Advani, CEO of Junior Achievement or JA Worldwide, and you’ll see that he’s absorbed key lessons from this extraordinary leader.

Howard is featured in a new book that Asheesh co-authored with Marshall Goldsmith, Modern Achievement: A New Approach to Timeless Lessons for Aspiring Leaders. In this conversation, we explore the experiences and lessons learned that Howard shares in the book.

Howard is the Research Strategist at JA Worldwide and is currently building The JA Institute. He’s a college senior specializing in Econometrics and Machine Learning with four years of experience in software product management and international economic development.

Howard was awarded the Global Student Prize in 2021 from JA for building an online marketplace, JA Malaysia Mall, for high school entrepreneurs. In just two months, it fulfilled over 1,000 orders. He also built an investment app that received The Webby Award Honoree 2024. Howard has consulted the City of Calgary on economics, AI, and electricity rates.

You’ll discover:

• The messages Howard got from his family growing up in Malaysia and changes he felt compelled to make after leaving home
• What the phrase, Modern Achievement, means to Asheesh and what it means to Howard
• Ways Howard learned to advocate for himself—and the payoffs he got from doing so
• What employers need to know about working with young adults
• Tips for young employees who want to have a positive impact

Watch the episode:

Connect with Howard

Howard’s Resources

Website

Howard Leong

Book

Featured in Modern Achievement: A New Approach to Timeless Lessons for Aspiring Leaders

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109: How Junior Achievement (JA) Worldwide Is Developing Future Leaders

What does it take for women to thrive in the corporate world? After spending decades trying to figure out the answers, my guest Helen Appleby came to realize that men had advantages that women didn’t. So she formulated her own set of rules that she now shares through her book, podcast, coaching and programs for women. In this interview, Helen shares specific, practical tips based on her experiences. My male listeners will benefit from our entire conversation and in particular the ideas she shares at the end on how men can support women in the workplace.

Helen is an expert in women’s leadership. She’s navigated her own path to success in corporate life, which included running a billion-dollar global business and living and working in six countries. Helen now provides coaching and training to other women leaders. She wrote her book The Unwritten Rules of Women’s Leadership to help women step into their power, write their own rules and succeed in their career. She’s also the host of The Unwritten Rules Podcast, where she interviews women about their journeys and lessons learned in the corporate world.

You’ll discover:

• Why the advice Helen’s father gave her was both encouraging and unhelpful
• The difference between visible and invisible work—and why invisible work is not enough
• Helen’s recommendation for making your work more visible without coming across as self-promotional
• The roles of Mentors and Sponsors in helping you advance your career
• 3 things men can do to support the women they work with

Watch the episode:

Connect with Helen

Helen’s Website

The Unwritten Rules

Helen’s Book

The Unwritten Rules of Women’s Leadership