The Achievement Index: Prioritize, Leverage, Execute

On this week's episode, Apollo Emeka is joined by Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, the president and CEO of The Center by Lendistry, a nonprofit organization who aims to impact small businesses in underserved communities by providing necessary business resources for success. Tunua has dedicated over two decades of her life to public service, leading impactful initiatives to build better communities.Throughout the interview, Tunua emphasizes the vital role of leadership and provides insightful advice for those aspiring to enhance their careers. She discusses how leaders must stay grounded in the intent of their work, striving always to bring in fresh perspectives and ideas. For Tunua, the key to harmony among the different roles in life– from the professional realm to the personal– is identifying the overlap between them. By integrating different aspects of her life, she nurtures her values and fulfills her goals in each area. Lastly, Tunua confronts the common fear and doubt that can arise in one's journey. She empowers listeners to stand strong amid uncertainty, highlighting gratitude as an effective tool. By focusing on the assets and support they already have, individuals can confidently step forward in service to others. Thus, she invites listeners to lean into this mindset, taking one small step at a time towards their goals.—Guest BioWith a public service career spanning more than two decades, Tunua Thrash-Ntuk has led racial equity initiatives and billion-dollar governmental programs to build better communities for those in greatest need.As a community development professional, she has championed equitable economic inclusion and programs centered on uplifting businesses owned by women, immigrants, and people of color to ensure the survival of diverse communities in Los Angeles. As California builds an unprecedented level of affordable housing to solve its housing crisis, Tunua led the effort around groundbreaking legislation, AB 2873 (Jones-Sawyer). Signed into law by Governor Newsom on September 13, 2022, AB 2873 will increase contracting to diverse-owned construction and professional services firms who are severely underrepresented in the industry. As President and CEO of The Center by Lendistry, Tunua centers diverse and ready to be served small businesses to ensure access to the resources, technical assistance, and economic opportunities needed for success. The Center’s work begins with small businesses but also encompasses the communities in which they do business by elevating affordable housing and other community development revitalization efforts. Before joining The Center, Tunua served as Executive Director of the Los Angeles Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC LA), where she oversaw efforts to forge resilient communities through neighborhood revitalization, affordable housing, and small business empowerment. In 2020, Tunua led the partnership with the City and County of Los Angeles for the LA COVID-19 Regional Recovery Fund, equitably distributing$100 million in grants to microenterprises, small businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19. Prior to joining LISC, Tunua served as Executive Director of West Angeles Community Development Corporation – where she led the growth of a $150 million real estate portfolio. Tunua serves on the Long Beach Advisory Commission for Women and Girls (LBCWG) and on the board of Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing (SCANPH). She is a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where she earned her Master’s in City Planning as well as an alumna of UC Berkeley where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.—Guest PLE ScorePrioritize - 52%Leverage - 28%Execute - 20%—Guest Quote“When you ask, ‘how do you overcome fear?’ I've decided is that, as I lean into gratitude, it is about making sure that I am giving to others while I am in that fear mode. So if I'm in fear mode, that means that there is some sort of service project, some sort of activity that I could be doing based on what I have that is grounding me at base camp: that team of people, that family, others who are supporting me. I have that, and I know others don't all have that. And if I have that, then there's no need for me to fear. I can continue to go out and take that next step, even if it's a small one, which can lead to a bigger one going forward.” – Tunua Thrash-Ntuk—Time Stamps *(03:09) Tunua's Achievement Index*(06:02) How to layer all your identities together succesfully*(08:08) Leveraging technology in both your personal and professional lives*(09:03) Overcoming the challenge of competing priorities*(15:33) Why it's important to constantly keep your mind open*(18:09) Living in what lights you up*(22:45) Leaning on your convinctions*(26:47) Where Tunua executes most in her life*(29:36) Respect your team's time*(31:53) Not letting fear take control of your life*(37:45) Apollo’s Takeaways—LinksFind out YOUR Achievement IndexConnect with Tunua Thrash-Ntuk on LinkedIn Learn more about The Center by LendistryConnect with Dr. Apollo Emeka on LinkedInLearn more about Apollo Strategy Group

In this week’s episode, Apollo is joined by Colleen Wong, the VP of Development at Venture for America, a nonprofit organization that is devoted to building a future of entrepreneurship. With extensive experience in neuroscience, comparative religion, and social science research, Colleen has dedicated her career to supporting entrepreneurship and enterprises that align with socially conscious values. In the conversation, she sheds light on her career and the role leadership played in shaping it.Acknowledging her strengths in leveraging resources, Colleen agreed with her Achievement Assessment results which highlighted that she seldom executes tasks directly but rather mobilizes others to get tasks done. She stated that her strong leverage mindset enables her to tap into various knowledge bases and create robust solutions.Colleen emphasizes the importance of practicing a collaborative approach to leadership. Using concrete examples from her professional life, she outlines her strategies for bringing stakeholders from various sectors together to achieve common goals. This approach not only ensures all stakeholder voices are heard but also addresses competing priorities efficiently and effectively. Colleen firmly believes in sharing stories and experiences as a crucial component in fostering meaningful connections and collaborations.In spite of facing grim realities in her quest for social impact, Colleen shares her thoughts on maintaining focus and motivation. She acknowledges that achieving change isn’t easy and requires determination, resilience, and a robust support system. Though goals may not always be met and challenges abound, she advises leaders to be realistic and grounded in their approach, yet unafraid to dream big.—Guest BioBorn and raised in San Francisco, Colleen was initially allergic to, but not immune to the tech and startup fever that infiltrated the city. It wasn’t until she participated in a traveling hackathon as an adult that she realized the power of business as a vehicle for scaling change and social transformation.Prior to joining VFA, Colleen led programs and partnerships at various organizations focused on supporting entrepreneurship including the Global Entrepreneurship Network, Endeavor Global, StartupBus, and the American Sustainable Business Network. She has also worn multiple hats with social enterprises, think tanks, and corporate social responsibility programs including research, communications, business development, and strategy for IBM Blockchain, JP Morgan Chase Advancing Black Pathways, ConsenSys, SAP Next-Gen, Mercy Corps, Amnesty International, New America, Ascena Retail Group, Johnson & Johnson, and ViiV Healthcare.With a unique interdisciplinary background in neuroscience, comparative religion, and social science research, she is insatiably curious about what drives behavior, always seeking to uncover data-informed, actionable insights. She believes in harnessing the power of holistic storytelling, inclusive strategy, and stakeholder engagement to steer private and public sector organizations towards socially conscious values and practices.During her free time, she enjoys writing, hiking, gardening, urban exploration, and bringing people from all backgrounds together through food and shared experiences. A first-generation Burmese American, she hopes to raise capital for an early-stage fund and venture studio in Southeast Asia.—Guest PLE ScoreLeverage - 64%Prioritize - 32%Execute - 4%—Guest Quote“Staying focused in this work requires a lot of grit and perseverance. I tell my colleagues and peers in this space to not burn out, and to continue doing the best that we can. At the end of the day, we feel good that we're doing because we have tried our best, and that's what keeps me going in this space.” – Colleen Wong—Time Stamps *(03:25) Colleen's Achievement Index*(05:06) Conducting the perfect amount of research*(07:46) How to unite stakeholders reaching for opposing goals*(13:53) Executing through others*(15:56) Why you should focus on your North Star*(19:24) Maintaining motivation in tough times*(21:39) How to solve Big, Wicked Problems*(29:25) Why don't people share their stories?*(31:44) Apollo’s Takeaways—LinksFind out YOUR Achievement IndexConnect with Colleen Wong on LinkedIn Learn more about Venture for AmericaConnect with Dr. Apollo Emeka on LinkedInLearn more about Apollo Strategy Group

In today’s episode, Apollo engages in a conversation with Olivia Brooks Allan, Executive Vice President at Landmark Ventures. The discussion revolves around important topics such as leadership, team building, and the significance of embracing one's authentic self in the professional realm. Olivia emphasizes the value of recognizing and harnessing the unique superpowers of each of her team members, fostering a safe environment for open communication, and delivering feedback with empathy to promote growth and development.Olivia also shares insights on the role of caregiving in shaping her leadership style and the importance of balancing head and heart in decision-making and prioritization. Emphasizing the importance of reflecting on accomplishments and celebrating them, Olivia stresses the value of data-driven decision-making in strategic planning and goal setting.Overall, the interview showcases Olivia Brooks Allan's perspective on effective leadership, team dynamics, and the blending of personal and professional aspects of life. Her insights offer valuable lessons for aspiring leaders seeking to build strong teams, support individual growth, and navigate the complexities of modern professional environments.—Guest BioOlivia Brooks Allan is the Executive Vice President at Landmark Ventures, a leading strategic and financial advisory firm offering a unique combination of venture development and global investment banking services. She is responsible for the success of all aspects of Landmark’s events business including leading an experienced group of event directors and production staff, thereby shaping the vision for all elements of year-round events including partnerships, production, marketing, communications, programming, operations, logistics, growth, and ongoing innovations. Previously, Olivia has been a successful leader within corporations with recognizable brands including American Express, Gartner, Four Seasons, The Peninsula, and Taj Hotels, and more recently with Mastercard. Throughout the past 19 years, she has focused on business development, management, marketing, and public relations. As an independent consultant to the events industry, Olivia developed and executed high-end event projects for corporations and individuals. Olivia is recognized as a leader who creates long-term and mutually beneficial relationships between clients and service providers. Her signature management style is delivering impactful results by energetically guiding her team in an environment where they flourish professionally. Olivia was the recipient of The President’s Club Award of Achievement twice during her tenure at American Express.—Guest PLE ScorePrioritize - 60%Leverage - 32%Execute - 8%—Guest Quote“I think we have a responsibility as leaders to understand: ‘What are the superpowers I need? Do I have too many of one? Do I have too little of another?’ And then really watching your team to see if they're moving into a different space of their career and helping them to figure out where they can use their superpowers best.” - Olivia Brooks Allan—Time Stamps *(3:05) Olivia's Achievement Index*(4:28) What's on Olivia's mind*(9:07) Looking just over the horizon when identifying business goals*(11:43) When the world pivoted in 2020*(15:06) How Olivia's team maintained all their clients during the pandemic*(18:44) Everyone has their own superpower*(21:50) Lessons from being a caregiver*(26:41) Why you need to set aside your ego *(32:46) Delivering effective feedback with empathy*(37:09) Matters of the head vs matters of the heart—LinksFind out YOUR Achievement IndexConnect with Olivia Brooks Allan on LinkedInLearn more about Landmark VenturesConnect with Dr. Apollo Emeka on LinkedInLearn more about Apollo Strategy Group

On today’s episode, Apollo sits down with Navid Alipour, Co-Founder & CEO of AI Med Global, and the Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Analytics Ventures. AI Med Global is a roll-up of two companies Navid co-founded, CureMetrix and CureMatch. And Analytics Ventures is a fund dedicated to the inception of new ventures harnessing innovations in Artificial Intelligence.Navid is Apollo’s first guest to score 0 points in Execute on the PLE test, and scores slightly higher in Leverage than prioritize, which aligns with his role as a business leader who leverages the expertise of others to drive innovations in AI and healthcare. The conversation focuses on Navid's work in the healthcare industry and the impact he is making through AI and precision medicine. Throughout the interview, there is an underlying theme of perseverance and tenacity in the face of challenges and setbacks. Navid's accomplishments, including FDA clearance and CPT code recognition, highlight the impact his companies, CureMetrics and CureMatch, are making in prolonging lives and improving healthcare outcomes. He credits the success of his companies to the combination of his operational and business expertise and the domain expertise of his team, including renowned oncologist Dr. Rizal Kurzrock. The conversation also touches on the balance between confidence and humility in leadership, as well as the need for continuous learning and adaptation.—Guest BioNavid Alipour is the Co-Founder & CEO of AI Med Global, and the Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Analytics Ventures. AI Med Global is a roll-up of two companies Navid co-founded: CureMetrix and CureMatch. Analytics Ventures is a fund dedicated to the inception of new ventures harnessing innovations in Artificial Intelligence.Navid serves on the Board of Tech San Diego, helping build a thriving ecosystem in San Diego. He is on the Board of CureMetrix, CureMatch, DynamAI, and AlphaTrAI. You can also see him as a panelist, judge, speaker, and moderator at various forums such as UCSD, USD, SDSU, CyberHive, MIT Forum, RSNA, U.S. News STEM Conference, and CONNECT.—Guest PLE ScorePrioritize - 32%Leverage - 60%Execute - 8%—Guest Quote“My family came from Iran. I was six years old when we came here. And when you come from a place where your life is on the line, you almost have a different perspective. It's almost in your DNA that your life was at risk, and so everything else is easy to a degree. So you have to have that level of, you know, ‘I'm gonna do this even though there's a thousand and one reasons that I should fail.’” - Navil Alipour—Time Stamps *(4:06) Navid’s Achievement Index*(8:37) AI and Leverage*(14:57) Being an entrepreneur is delusional*(16:33) Finding confidence in your team*(19:00) Why Navid is invested in healthcare*(28:13) Making the whole greater than the sum of it’s parts*(32:42) Why you should look for unsuspecting founders*(42:29) Get a second opinion*(45:27) Apollo’s Takeaways—LinksFind out YOUR Achievement IndexConnect with Navid Alipour on LinkedInLearn more about AI Med GlobalLearn more about Analytics VenturesConnect with Dr. Apollo Emeka on LinkedInLearn more about Apollo Strategy Group

On the show today, Apollo speaks with Devin Nash, Vice President of Brand & Experience at Underscore VC. Underscore is an early-stage, Boston-based VC Firm backing bold entrepreneurs with an aligned community designed to fit each startup's unique needs.Devin is the driving force behind the Underscore brand, from strategy and creative to communications and founder products. The epitome of a community builder, Devin is also a passionate champion of Underscore’s ESG efforts, continually pushing the Underscore Core Community to strive for more, with a particular emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion.Devin was shocked by her own results on the PLE test, scoring highest in Prioritize, and lowest in Execute. She chats with Apollo about her “get stuff done” attitude, how she first discovered her passion for VC, the methods she and her team employ in order to build a committed community, and what she hopes for in the future of impact investing.  —Guest BioDevin Nash is the Marketing Director at Underscore VC, an early-stage, Boston-based VC Firm backing bold entrepreneurs with an aligned community designed to fit each startup's unique needs.Fueled by purpose and her belief that entrepreneurship can change the world for good, she is a Board Member and Ecosystem Advisory Committee Co-Chair for Visible Hands and previously served as a Board Member of the VC Platform Global Community and held the role of North America Managing Ambassador for One Young World. When Devin isn’t actively improving the world, she can be found improving her home through jaw-dropping DIY projects, decorating cakes (funfetti only, non-negotiable), and listening to “How I Built This.”—Guest PLE ScorePrioritize - 54%Leverage - 44%Execute - 4%—Guest Quote“I am the person that is generally onboarding our founders, and I'm very intentional about asking: ‘What are the reasons that you selected us?’ What I hear time and time again is that number one, it's our people. And number two, it's this opportunity to engage with the core community, both from the advisor perspective, but also from the pool of talent that they get access to as a result.” - Devin Nash—Time Stamps *(3:24) Devin’s Achievement Index*(5:58) A bit about Underscore VC*(14:53) How Devin grows her local ecosystem*(16:54) Underscore’s Core Partner Makeup*(23:21) Navigating the transition from Execution to Leverage*(24:26) Rewriting your mission statements*(29:08) Building diversity from the ground up*(31:33) How to take the next leap in your career*(36:36) Building culture at your firm*(37:44) Apollo’s Takeaways—LinksFind out YOUR Achievement IndexConnect with Devin Nash on LinkedInLearn more about Underscore VCConnect with Dr. Apollo Emeka on LinkedInLearn more about Apollo Strategy Group

On the show today, Apollo is joined by Julieta Moradei, Managing Partner of the recently launched Overlay Capital Build. Build is a consultancy working to accelerate the adoption of critical digital transformation technologies in the arena of construction and housing.While most executives often score high in Prioritize on the PLE assessment, Julieta is Apollo’s first guest to score overwhelmingly high in Leverage. She guides us through her professional journey, highlighting her ability to automate organized work systems early in her career as an engineer.As Julieta molds Overlay Capital Build, she tackles the question: “How can we shelter the 3 billion people who don't have adequate housing, by 2030?” Through optimizing the end-to-end value chain, reducing environmental impact, and implementing new technologies during the entire construction cycle, Julieta describes how she’s leaned into her Leverage orientation to re-imagine our built environment on earth.—Guest BioJulieta Moradei is a structural engineer and architect turned social entrepreneur and venture capitalist, investing in early-stage startups and mitigating the biggest barriers in the built environment.Julieta is the managing partner of the recently launched Overlay Capital Build, part of the asset manager Overlay Capital. Build is a consultancy working to accelerate the adoption of critical digital transformation technologies in the built environment by connecting innovative technologies with adopters.Before joining Overlay Capital, Julieta was also a founding member and partner of Home Team Ventures, where she launched, fundraised, and managed operations of the venture fund investing in early-stage startups. She brought breakthrough technology to the world's largest, but least innovative industries: construction and housing.—Guest PLE ScorePrioritize - 32%Leverage - 60%Execute - 8%—Guest Quote“How do you leverage technology to make things easier? I'm not the kind of person that likes to hike up that mountain by myself. I never think that I'll be the smartest person in the room to do that. I wanna bring in the other mountaineers, that could do with me. When you're a VC, you're not an expert in one thing necessarily. Usually, you have a high-level understanding of a lot of different things and trends, and then you invest in those “geniuses”. You're investing in those people that will be actually creating this path, championing them, being optimistic, and helping them when you know there's barriers.”  - Julieta Moradei—Time Stamps *(3:22) Julieta's Achievement Index*(6:29) Julieta’s early career problem-solving as an engineer*(12:04) Flipping your execute role into a prioritize and leverage experience*(18:57) Innovating the “built environment” to address “the missing middle”*(24:09) Introducing Overlay Capital Build*(29:35) Can we repurpose the built environment to solve the housing crisis?*(42:08) Apollo’s Takeaways—LinksFind out YOUR Achievement IndexConnect with Julieta Moradei on LinkedInLearn more about Overlay BuildConnect with Dr. Apollo Emeka on LinkedInLearn more about Apollo Strategy Group 

On today’s episode of The Achievement Index, Apollo is joined by Drew Glover, Founding Parter of Fiat Growth and General Partner at Fiat Ventures. Fiat Growth is a full-service growth marketing consultancy, which specializes in revenue-led, data-backed customer acquisition and user engagement and retention. Fiat Ventures is an emerging VC focused on supporting and growing the next generation of market leading early-stage companies in the Fintech space.Drew has years of experience scaling marketplace development and growth in the world of startups, and he has an incredible knack for curiosity and competition. With a relatively rounded PLE score of 48% Prioritize, 32% Leverage, and 20% execute, Drew shares that while he does think of himself as a good delegator, once he finds that he has a strong vision, he ensures that his voice is there supporting that vision throughout it’s evolution. Apollo explores why Drew thinks of himself as three feet deep and a mile wide, and the ways he’s used that wide range of knowledge to his advantage throughout his career. Drew also talks about how his upbringing impacted his life, particularly when it comes to finding comfort in the uncomfortable. There a plethora of great lessons and advice offered in this episode, so be sure to keep an ear out for it all as you look towards your next mountain. —Guest BioDrew Glover is Founding Partner of Fiat Growth and General Partner at Fiat Ventures. After taking a backdoor into the VC ecosystem, Drew is no stranger to the world of growth, technology, and marketing. From his time at Steady where he led marketplace development and growth to Namely, Fjord, and Portal A, he navigated the ins and outs of Go-to-Market strategies and user acquisition. Today Drew works closely with companies like Bestow Life Insurance, Copper Bank and Lemonade on how to provide award winning products, services and acquisition strategies.Raised in East Oakland, Drew has an unconventional background for a venture capital investor as you will hear. His father worked at a housing non-profit and his mother was a teacher. In 2019, he co-founded Fiat Growth, a consulting firm for growth-stage brands in industries from fintech to e-commerce. With Fiat Growth’s success, Drew followed the path he laid and started Fiat Ventures, a venture capital firm he co-founded in 2021 with partner Alex Harris and Marcos Fernandez. They raised $15 million for their first fund and now have $25 million in total assets under their management.—Guest PLE ScorePrioritize - 48%Leverage - 32%Execute - 20%—Guest Quote“I am a 37 year old individual. There are some things you're just never gonna change about me. And I know I have to continue practicing the things that I don't love to ensure that they're an ingredient into the main course.” - Drew Glover—Time Stamps *(3:20) Drew's Achievement Index*(8:02) Why you need to know your vision better than anyone else*(12:28) How to optimize your curiosity*(18:12) Adding forcing functions to your daily life*(22:37) Drew's background*(25:05) Finding comfort in the uncomfortable*(30:11) Striking balance between structure and flexibility*(42:40) Apollo’s Takeaways—LinksFind out YOUR Achievement IndexConnect with Drew Glover on LinkedInLearn more about Fiat VenturesConnect with Dr. Apollo Emeka on LinkedInLearn more about Apollo Strategy Group

On today’s episode, Apollo sits down with Alfred Fraijo, founder and partner of the Somos Group, an entirely BIPOC-led multidisciplinary group, committed to broadening equity goals and advancing the value and expertise of people and communities that have been historically underserved and undervalued.Alfred’s Prioritize score sits at 60%, with Leverage and Execute sharing the other 40%. Alfred recounts his early days as a lawyer and how he’s grown his Leverage skills over the years. He praises the mentors who have guided him along the way (including Apollo!) and offers sage advice for those looking to be a change-maker in the professional world. From curing imposter syndrome, to being authentic, to translating desires for humankind into action, Apollo and Alfred get to the roots of why they works hard to foster the communities around them.—Guest BioAlfred Fraijo Jr. is a distinguished figure in the realm of land-use transactions, boasting a wealth of expertise garnered from his work with public, private, and nonprofit developers, as well as multi-national corporations, both domestically and internationally. Alfred has notably contributed his adept counsel to a diverse array of complex housing and mixed-use development initiatives spanning across California. His advisory prowess extends to pioneering urban renewal projects within inner-city environments and nascent markets, exemplifying his commitment to social equity. Alfred's mastery encompasses the intricate domains of project permitting, financing strategies for affordable housing ventures, and the orchestration of mixed-income housing developments.His depth of knowledge extends to a myriad of legislative frameworks, including the Subdivision Map Act, California Community Redevelopment Law, the California Environmental Quality Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, CERCLA, RCRA, California Superfund Law, and the Polanco Redevelopment Act. Alfred's collaborative approach shines through in his work, as he collaborates closely with clients and consultants alike to conduct meticulous due diligence reviews of land-use matters. Armed with a bachelor’s degree from the prestigious Harvard University and a J.D. from Loyola Law School, Alfred Fraijo Jr. stands as an exemplar in the dynamic intersection of real estate, land-use, and environmental law.—Guest PLE ScorePrioritize - 60%Leverage - 24%Execute - 16%—Guest Quote“My work is about building better communities, building more resilient communities.  My work is about unlocking the potential of under-resourced, under-invested communities, the kind of communities that I grew up in.I grew up poor in Boyle Heights. I grew up outside of the margins of opportunity and wealth and power. And so as a professional, my mission in life has been to undo that. It is both a system change process, and it's also a process for creating new strategies and new tools, right? You can't break down the master's house with the master's tools. You've gotta come up with new ones. And so for me, it was really important to be able to build a team, build an organization that was oriented towards systemic change.” - Alfred Fraijo—Time Stamps *(3:00) Intro*(4:45) Alfred’s Achievement Index*(8:08) How to grow a prioritize mindset*(18:18) Working the system from the inside*(24:05) All of Alfred’s “Firsts”*(25:56) What everyone can do to help the fuuture*(34:49) Parting advice for others wanting to launch their ideas*(48:08) Apollo’s Takeaways—LinksFind out YOUR Achievement IndexConnect with Alfred Fraijo on LinkedInLearn more about The Somos GroupConnect with Dr. Apollo Emeka on LinkedInLearn more about Apollo Strategy Group

On today’s episode, Apollo chats with Adrian Mendoza, Founder & General Partner of Mendoza Ventures, the first Latinx VC Fund on the East Coast. Focused on fintech, AI, and cybersecurity, Adrian is dedicated to diversity when making investment decisions. 80% of their portfolio consists of startups led by immigrants, people of color, and women.Scoring with a majority in Prioritize and Leverage, Apollo and Adrian discuss how his working style has changed through his success. Adrian, once purely an executor while starting Mendoza Ventures, describes his transition into a leader by “firing” himself from unscalable tasks he would have previously done himself. While advising his early stage portfolio companies, Adrian aims to create a memorable experience: bringing around a plush dog with the firm's logo on it to every investor meeting. He stresses to Apollo the importance of telling your story and describing your vision, so that others from similar communities can follow in those footsteps.Side note - If you were interested in taking a look at the art of Adrian's brother, Angel Mendoza, here is the link to his website. —Guest BioAdrian Mendoza is an entrepreneur, venture capitalist, Founder & General Partner of Mendoza Ventures, the first Latinx VC Fund on the East Coast. Founded in 2016 by Adrian and his wife Senofer, Mendoza Ventures has raised two funds, and is in the process of its third as we speak.Focused on fintech, AI, and cybersecurity, Adrian is dedicated to diversity when making investment decisions. 80% of their portfolio consists of startups led by immigrants, people of color, and women. Through their first two funds, they’ve invested in 13 companies including Listo and Wabbi.A forward-thinker with a proven track record, Adrian combines his deep-rooted industry knowledge with a keen sense of market trends, enabling him to make impactful investments that shape the future of technology. Adrian and Senofer made Axios’ list of the five most influential people in Boston 2022, and were named to the Boston Business Journals Power 50 Movement Makers. Beyond his role as a successful entrepreneur, Adrian is a sought-after speaker, mentor, and advocate for fostering a culture of innovation, appearing on CNBC multiple times last year. —Guest PLE ScorePrioritize - 52%Leverage - 32%Execute - 14%—Guest Quote“I don't care what people think of me. I just go and I do it. Because if I can do it, whether I fail or succeed, I'm laying the groundwork for the next person to walk behind me. If I'm making the path in the snow up Everest, I'm literally clearing the way for the next 10 people that are like, ‘Hey, I'm gonna follow him and we are gonna succeed together.’” - Adrian Mendoza—Time Stamps *(2:47)  Intro*(5:15) Adrian’s Achievement Index*(8:24) Getting people to believe in your story*(16:10) The Mascot of Mendoza Ventures*(29:44) Why Bank of America is anchoring Mendoza Ventures' Third Fund *(34:06) Representation in VC funding *(42:49) Apollo’s Takeaways—LinksFind out YOUR Achievement IndexConnect with Adrian Mendoza on LinkedInLearn more about Mendoza VenturesCheck out Angel Mendoza's ArtConnect with Dr. Apollo Emeka on LinkedInLearn more about Apollo Strategy Group

Coming to this week’s show is Carrie Colbert, Founding and General Partner of Curate Capital, a venture capital fund accelerating the success of female-founded consumer brands. The idea of Curate was born following Carrie’s early “retirement” from the oil and gas industry, where Carrie amassed over 80k online followers and began investing in women-owned businesses she discovered online. With their first fund closing in the summer of 2022, Carrie and her team exceeded their goal by over 50% with a $15 million dollar raise. Behind her success is a Prioritization score of 44% and an even split between Leverage and Execute, each at 28%. Apollo explores why Carrie made the decision to leave the oil and gas industry, and how to cope with different seasons of life impacting your personal and professional lives. You’ll hear some pretty amazing statistics about the founders Carrie is investing in, and why you should always lead with your authentic self when moving to break barriers. —Guest BioGrowing up in a small town in the Texas panhandle, “venture capitalist” is probably not what Carrie Colbert would have answered if someone had asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Nonetheless the twists and turns of her career and life have led her to her current role as Founder and General Partner of Curate Capital, a fund that invests in businesses by women for women. Graduating with her MBA and petroleum engineering degrees from the University of Texas, Carrie quickly rose in the ranks at Hilcorp, the largest privately owned oil and natural gas producer in the U.S. So quickly, in fact, that she was able to “retire” at age 38, right at the dawn of the influencer age, where she amassed an Instagram following of over 80,000 and experienced a flood of female founders in her inbox with brilliant business concepts just needing a savvy investor’s support. When she saw 10x returns and more opportunity than she had personal capital, she launched Curate in 2021 and raised $15 million from primarily women, overshooting her goal by 50%. She’s been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, TechCrunch, PaperCity Magazine, and is a sought after speaker and podcast guest.—Guest PLE ScorePrioritize - 44%Leverage - 28%Execute - 28%—Guest Quote“I think it's important to remember that different seasons of life can look different. But it's important to remember that nothing is forever, right? We have the ability to morph and change and grow and adjust, as needed and as warranted by different seasons of life.” - Carrie Colbert—Time Stamps *(3:20) Parenting and Investing*(8:02) Carrie's Achievement Index*(12:28) How Carrie got to where she is today*(18:12) Going from engineering to strategic planning*(22:37) How Carrie first entered VC*(25:05) Choosing your mission based on the tools you already possess*(30:11) Carrie's advice for staying authentic*(35:40) Finding your ecosystem*(42:40) Apollo’s Takeaways—LinksFind out YOUR Achievement IndexConnect with Carrie Colbert on LinkedInLearn more about Curate CapitalConnect with Dr. Apollo Emeka on LinkedInLearn more about Apollo Strategy Group

On today’s episode, Apollo sits down with Danielle Shoots, Managing Partner and Director of the New Community Transformation Fund - Denver. With the mission of providing equity for BIPOC founders, Danielle is a pioneer in the world of philanthropy at the age of 26.  Scoring highest in Prioritize and Leverage, Danielle dives into how she’s hacked her career at an early age. She shares perspective on how she was able to team-build and influence others even in performance based roles, and how she’s on a mission to crack open the venture capital industry, and how marginalized communities in the US should be treated as a domestic emerging market.Valuing impact-oriented goals over routine tasks, Apollo and Danielle discuss a shift in thought leadership through the generations. citing the internet and play-dates as cultural markers that note a change in what is demanded of professional leaders. —Guest BioDanielle Shoots is the Managing Partner and Managing Director of the New Community Transformation fund – Denver, an equity venture capital fund for BIPOC founders and the President and CEO of Wealth Equity Enterprises, a holdings company that owns several businesses that support the mission of building BIPOC wealth and leadership. Born and raised in Colorado, Danielle is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Denver, where she earned a degree in Business Administration. At the age of 26, Danielle embarked on her executive leadership path ascending to the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. After the state, Danielle served as the Vice President of Finance and Business Operations for the West Division of Comcast, managing a billion-dollar capital portfolio, strategic FP&A, Mergers and Acquisitions and a team of sixty employees located in seven states. Most recently Danielle, was the Chief Financial Officer for the Colorado Trust where she grew the foundation’s endowment from $430 million to nearly $600 million, reduced cash on hand to a recurring 1% while still operating the foundation. She also launched a direct investment portfolio across the State making investments in local media companies, real estate and housing and small businesses and leveraging the endowments’ balance sheet for creative bridge financing across multiple sectors and industries. Danielle’s passion for people and leadership, distinguished business acumen and tenacious work ethic have garnered her numerous accolades, including inclusion on the prestigious 2019 list of the Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business from the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce, The 2020 Emerging Leader in Philanthropy from ABFE,  The 2018 Woman of the Year Award for her work with youth in the community, and a recipient of the 2017 Denver Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 award. Danielle is a passionate community member and serves as a trustee for the Women’s Foundation, a mayoral appointed board member for the Prosper Denver Fund and the chief economic equity advisor to State Senator, James Coleman and State Representative, Leslie Harod.  —Guest PLE ScorePrioritize - 56%Leverage - 40%Execute - 4%—Guest Quote ”The one thing I did was I cut a big check, and hired a second Managing Director immediately. It forced me to be really creative, and it forced me to put my money where my mouth was around us being a fund, that was going to really get to know our portfolio companies and our investments, and really be a partner with them. And then, I hired my Chief of Staff right away too, because she's my executor. So it was just a matter of saying, "I know what I'm good at, what I'm not good at. I'd rather have the pressure of making sure their payroll hits every month than the pressure of trying to execute all the details of building this fund by myself." -Danielle Shoots—Time Stamps *(2:47)  Intro*(4:15) Danielle’s Achievement Index*(6:04) Rising quickly through the “execute” phase of her career*(10:28) Valuing impact as a millennial  *(14:10) How Apollo and Danielle met, and her mission to fund in Denver*(17:49) Treating underfunded communites as emerging markets *(29:46) Becoming a reformed “people-pleaser”*(31:15) Danielle’s hiring process*(36:33) Mentoring the business’s you fund*(39:25) Making capitalism work for marginalized communities*(47:19) Apollo’s Takeaway’s—LinksFind out YOUR Achievement IndexConnect with Danielle Shoots on LinkedInLearn more about New Community Transformation FundConnect with Dr. Apollo Emeka on LinkedInLearn more about Apollo Strategy Group

This week, Apollo sits down with Nicole Etchart, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of NESsT, a philanthropic group dedicated to creating social enterprise and jobs internationally. Founded in 1997, NESsT has invested in 233 social enterprises with a total of $27M dollars and trained more than 30,000 entrepreneurs around the world. Nicole, whose PLE score is strong in Prioritize and Leverage and only 4% in Execute, reflects on her 25+ years in the philanthropic space at NESsT. As the world turns more modern, she shares stories on the ever-changing landscape of philanthropy, and how her eagle-eye attunement to capital and entrepreneurship has impacted the work she does with indigenous communities, people with disabilities, and other marginalized communitiesNESsT once operated much like a traditional non-profit: they relied solely on donor capital, operated on thin budgets, and worked with local organizations that addressed single issues. But Nicole, a prioritizer at heart, shares prescient insight around how she’s innovated the way NESsT operates over the years, and how she faces her challenges on a daily basis.—Guest BioNicole Etchart, a trailblazer in the realm of social entrepreneurship, is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of NESsT. With a deep-rooted passion for uplifting individuals out of poverty, Nicole has dedicated over three decades to international development and economic empowerment. In 1997, she co-founded NESsT, an organization that invests in and supports social enterprises in emerging market countries, providing dignified employment opportunities that have transformed the lives of countless marginalized people.At NESsT, Nicole's visionary leadership has propelled the organization's growth and impact worldwide. Under her guidance, NESsT has expanded its reach to eleven countries, strategically investing in a diverse portfolio of high-impact enterprises. By improving the quality of life for over half a million individuals, Nicole's unwavering commitment to social change has solidified NESsT as a pioneer in the field. With an impressive background in international development, Nicole's expertise is deeply rooted in economic development and entrepreneurship. Prior to her work with NESsT, she spearheaded the launch of several social impact organizations and held esteemed positions such as the first Executive Director of the Association for Women in Development and Director of Global Education for CRS. Nicole's accomplishments have been recognized globally, and she currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs, further solidifying her influence and expertise in the field.Nicole holds an MA from Johns Hopkins University, Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and a BA from Tulane University. Her triple nationalities from Chile, France, and the U.S. reflect her multicultural background and diverse perspective. Born in Santiago, Chile, Nicole currently resides in Oakland, California, where she continues to drive social change, empower communities, and inspire future generations of leaders through her exceptional work at NESsT.—Guest PLE ScorePrioritize - 56%Leverage - 40%Execute - 4%—Guest Quote“In the first 10 years, a lot of our conversations were: identifying what we were trying to do and why it was different, and why it was important to have this different mindset as to how you “do good”. So that you can still do good, you can still have impact, but you don't always have to do it with a charity model…And we had a whole methodology showing them that you don't have to do that. You don't have to move away from the impact that you have, and the mission that you have, because you're starting a business. These two things can align!”- Nicole Etchart—Time Stamps *(2:45) Nicole’s Achievement Index*(11:33) Entrepreneurship within the non-profit sector*(17:41) NESsT goes international*(20:05) Working with stakeholders on a vision*(23:05) Co-CEOs, and using your team to leverage*(29:46) Due diligence when “doing good”*(41:05) Apollo’s Takeaways—LinksFind out YOUR Achievement IndexConnect with Nicole Etchart on LinkedInLearn more about NESsTConnect with Dr. Apollo Emeka on LinkedInLearn more about Apollo Strategy Group

Today, Apollo is joined by Brian Hollins, Founder & Managing Partner of Collide Capital, a VC fund that believes great companies are built at the intersection of communities led by diverse, fearless change agents. Investing in primarily early-stage organizations at the pre-seed to Series A level, Collide raised their oversubscribed debut fund in October of 2022 at $66M. Brian is one of our most “even” guests to date, with a score of 9-9-7. Throughout the conversation, you’ll be able to tell why he earned that score as he outlines the multitude of projects he has his hands on, and the strategies he’s implemented to successfully see each one through. Apollo also dives deep into how Brian and the team at Collide differentiated themselves from the rest of the “sea of sameness” when looking to raise their magnitude debut fund. One of their key strategies? Hitting the gas before the flag was waved by raising a proof of concept fund and building their own track record. —Guest BioBrian Hollins is Founder and Managing Partner of Collide Capital. Prior to Collide Capital, Brian spent six years working at Goldman Sachs across investment management, investment banking, and merchant banking. While at Goldman, he helped launch the Emerging Entrepreneurs Coverage group to extend resources and capital to early-stage founders and assisted in deploying over $100M of capital as a software investor for GS Growth Equity. Brian is a Founding Board Member of BLCK VC, the largest Black investor community in the US providing the access, education, and community Black investors need to accelerate their careers.Born and raised in DC, Brian was exposed to the art of deal negotiation as a caddy at local country clubs, which played a pivotal role in his ability to navigate the intricacies of cultures, languages, and people. He founded the Takeoff Institute, which equips Black undergraduate students with the resources and mentorship needed to launch successful young professional careers. Brian received his undergrad from Stanford University and his MBA from Harvard Business School. He is a member of Class 26 of the Kauffman Fellowship and is a CFA Charterholder.—Guest PLE ScorePrioritize - 9Leverage - 9Execute - 7—Guest Quote“We look for a lot more things that have to do with grit and knack than we do what your LinkedIn looks like. I think LinkedIn funding has gotten a lot of people in trouble over the last five to ten years. You need people that know how to take a business to profitability at some point.” - Brian Hollins—Time Stamps *(03:01) Brian’s Achievement Index*(05:24) Learning to Let Go*(07:59) Where to Keep Control*(14:14) Shifting Orientations and Responsibilities*(18:51) Collide's Fund 0*(23:41) Collide's Fund 1*(27:44) Brian's Priorities*(30:00) What's Next for Collide*(34:09) How Brian Looks at Track Record*(41:13) Apollo’s Takeaways—LinksFind out YOUR Achievement IndexConnect with Brian Hollins on LinkedInLearn more about Collide CapitalConnect with Dr. Apollo Emeka on LinkedInLearn more about Apollo Strategy Group

On this episode of The Achievement Index, Apollo sits down with Muhammad Yasin, VP of Marketing at High Alpha, the world's leading Venture Studio exclusively focused on Enterprise SaaS. Muhammad, a personality assessment enthusiast like Apollo, breaks down what makes great ideas come to life when spearheading the creative execution of new technology companies. From branding to number-crunching, Muhammad shares precinct insight into how he leans into his strengths, and invites a diverse team of thinkers into the room. Scoring highest in Prioritize, with Leverage close behind, he shares lessons about when to emphasize the creative vs. the analytical, how to let other people work on your best ideas, and how teaching himself small-talk at age 15 changed his entire career.—Guest BioMuhammad Yasin is the VP of Marketing at High Alpha, the world's leading Venture Studio exclusively focused on Enterprise SaaS. With an impressive track record, High Alpha has launched over 30 companies and invested in more than 60 world-class founders, driving nearly a billion dollars worth of economic value since 2015.Muhammad's exceptional talent and dedication to his craft have been acknowledged through multiple national marketing awards, as well as his inclusion in the prestigious Indianapolis Business Journal's Forty Under 40 list. His innovative marketing strategies and campaigns have gained widespread recognition, with coverage in esteemed publications such as INC, MSNBC, Huffington Post, VentureBeat, ReadWriteWeb, and Vice. He also is the Co-Host of Agile Marketing Podcast, and is a Board Member of TechPoint Foundation for Youth.With his strategic vision and deep industry knowledge, he has been instrumental in driving the success of the organization and its portfolio companies. Muhammad's ability to blend creativity with analytical thinking has allowed him to create impactful marketing initiatives that resonate with audiences and deliver tangible results. —Guest PLE ScorePrioritize - 13Leverage - 9Execute - 3—Guest Quote“I am in what is essentially “thought work”. I am hiring people and building teams to have the best brains in the room, whether that be creative or analytical. It’s to solve a problem. Their unique perspective and how they work together and how they build is what creates that innovation. When you're trying to be innovative, trying to be disruptive, you're trying to build these breakout technology companies, you are not looking for someone who's doing things the same way. You need the diversity of ideas in that room, everyone owning a lane, and doing their best to create inside of that.” —Time Stamps *(2:30) Muhammad’s Achievement Index*(13:10) Balancing The Creative and The Analytical*(17:41) Making things beautiful, that convert*(23:58) Diversity in ideas*(28:47) Leveraging AI in creative work and teamwork*(37:22) Lessons from homeschooling*(40:00) Apollo’s Takeaways—LinksFind out YOUR Achievement IndexConnect with Muhammad Yasin on LinkedInLearn more about High AlphaConnect with Dr. Apollo Emeka on LinkedInLearn more about Apollo Strategy Group

On this episode of The Achievement Index, Apollo sits down with Jen McElyea, Managing Partner at Ethos Real Estate, an investment firm dedicated to addressing the critical housing shortage. Apollo and Jen explore a wide range of topics, from cultivating a sustainable culture within the company, to navigating complex industry landscapes. Jen discusses Ethos’ unique position in the real estate marketplace, and affordable housing’s potential in the private sector.Scoring uncommonly high in P and E, with L last, Jen offers advice on how to find competitive advantage by uniting around unanimous, equitable goals. As her company grows into a prominent disrupter in the market, she shares how she’s learned to leverage her work-force, connect the dots for others, stick to well-laid plans, and re-examine her process for maximum success.—Guest BioJen McElyea is a highly accomplished, institutional real estate investment professional with a diverse career spanning investment banking, private equity, distressed debt, and public-private partnerships. Her expertise extends to California land-use law, the entitlement process, and building consensus among political, community, and financial stakeholders.She currently serves as a Managing Partner with Ethos Real Estate. Before co-founding Ethos, Jennifer held the position of Senior Managing Partner at Watt Investment Partners, playing an instrumental role in the company's success. Prior to that, she served as a Vice President at OneWest Bank, where she managed a portfolio of distressed commercial real estate debt in partnership with the FDIC. Additionally, Jennifer held the position of Vice President at Apollo Real Estate Advisors, overseeing West Coast acquisitions.Jen holds a Master of Real Estate Development from the Sol Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California. Recognized as a thought leader in her field, Jennifer is frequently sought out for her insights on leveraging private capital for the creation of affordable housing. She serves as Vice Chair of the ULI Public Private Partnership Council, Co-Chair of the LA Business Council Housing and Transportation Committee, and is a member of the board of Coro Southern California. Additionally, her expertise in the affordable housing space led to her re-appointment by the California State Insurance Commissioner as Vice Chair of the California Organized Investment Network (COIN) Advisory Board.—Guest PLE ScorePrioritize - 12Leverage - 4Execute - 9—Guest Quote“We all want to feel entrepreneurial, like we're attacking from some new angle. I think we are best served to not only to follow the plan, but also note that the plan has checks and balances, feedback loops, and all sorts of things intended to prevent having mistakes in the Pro Forma” - Jen McElyea—Time Stamps *(2:57) Jen’s Achievement Index*(6:51) Finding your competitive advantage*(7:42) Using your team to your benefit*(9:04) From technician to tactician*(11:28) Getting people energized around a mission *(14:42) Deconstructing success and failure*(18:35) Sticking to your plans*(26:12) Revitalizing what’s no longer working*(30:54) Educating others to solve complex problems*(34:26) Apollo’s Takeaways—LinksFind out YOUR Achievement IndexConnect with Jen McElyea on LinkedInLearn more about Ethos Real EstateConnect with Dr. Apollo Emeka on LinkedInLearn more about Apollo Strategy Group

Joining Apollo today in the first official interview of The Achievement Index is Chinedu Enekwe, Co-Founder & President of Nandi Labs, the new creative economy for black digital art and culture. It feels like Chinedu has lived 10 different lives in the span of one, but there’s still only more opportunity and success in his future.  With a score of P, L, and E last, Apollo explore the ways in which Chinedu identifies common threads across experiences to get to the bigger picture, leverages technology and relationships to create positive feedback loops with those around him, and values execution, despite it being his lowest score. Additionally, Chinedu takes advantage of the opportunities placed in front of him, crediting much of his success to his insane networking abilities. He talks about how he would take one step forward, someone would recognize that step, and then give him something that challenged him even further, allowing him to rise even higher. Remember to find out your own Achievement Index to see how you compare to our guests!—Guest PLE ScorePrioritize - 13Leverage - 11Execute - 1—Guest BioChinedu Enekwe is Co-founder & President of Nandi Labs. He’s a creative producer, organizing the NXT.ART Pavilion at AfricaNXT, co-producer of the musical FELA! on Clubhouse and podcasts distributed on Black Enterprise and Business Insider Africa. He's The CEO of En Garde Media, an award winning global media platform focused on uplifting Black voices reaching over 20 million monthly viewers. He began his creative journey as a performance poet and recording artist before joining the venture capital firm, Exponential Creativity Ventures as a principal investing in creative tools.He left that role to launch his own fund as the general partner at Passbook Ventures & Studio, an early-stage venture capital firm & startup studio focused on solutions for the global African community. Passbook invests in US immigrants building tools for the future of commerce for the next generation of internet users and builds culture driven startups that tap into the creator community of African descent.He’s a Moonshot Fellow of the Kravis Lab for Social Impact, founding member of the Forbes Impact Community and serves on the advisory board of Impact Entrepreneur Magazine. In Chinedu’s previous professional experience, in development finance at the at the World Bank and OPIC, investment banking at Merrill Lynch and fund formation and corporate securities law at Weil Gotshal and Manges.—Guest Quote“If you are the resource, you're not an entrepreneur, right? If you are the one investing your own time, your own talent, your own treasure, you are not the entrepreneur. You are the resource.” - Chinedu Enekwe—Time Stamps *(2:20) Chinedu’s Achievement Index*(6:51) Don’t lose your balance*(11:11) Learning from an early age*(14:44) Leveraging technology *(19:31) Why networking is critical*(24:19) Recognizing patterns that work*(31:37) The elephant in the room around execution*(36:22) Stick around to see the sausage get made*(40:05) Apollo’s takeaways —LinksFind out YOUR Achievement IndexConnect with Chinedu Enekwe on LinkedInLearn more about Nandi LabsConnect with Dr. Apollo Emeka on LinkedInLearn more about Apollo Strategy Group

On today's episode of The Achievement Index, you will be led by Dr. Apollo Emeka as he takes you through the ups and downs he's experienced on his journey to success. And if you have no idea who Apollo is, what PLE is, or what this show is about...that's okay! This first episode is made to walk you through all of these topics, answer any of your questions, and give you the context you need to take into our full-length guest interviews. You will also be hearing snippets cut from each of our first set of interviews. Be on the lookout for these guest appearances: Chinedu Enekwe, Co-Founder of Nandi LabsJen McElyea, Managing Partner at Ethos Real EstateMuhammad Yasin, VP of Marketing for High AlphaBrian Hollins, Founder & Managing Partner of Collide Capital If you can't wait for more, make sure you subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and take the Achievement Index Assessment to find out whether you fall into the prioritize, leverage, or execute orientation.Brought to you by Apollo Strategy Group

Do you ever look at the most successful people around you and wonder...just how do they do it?On this podcast, The Achievement Index: Prioritize, Leverage, Execute, join Dr. Apollo Emeka as he sits down with high performers and  leaders to uncover the secrets to success. Along the way, you'll hear tips and insights to takeaway as you navigate the challenges and accomplishments you experience in your own life. Be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and take the Achievement Index Assessment to find out whether you fall into the prioritize, leverage, or execute orientation.Brought to you by Apollo Strategy Group