Expressions of Leadership

On this episode of Expressions of Leadership, host Michele Kawamoto Perry speaks with Steve Perkins, a strategic business and operations leader whose career has spanned finance, professional services and international leadership. From studying French to leading across New York, Hungary, Russia and beyond, Steve shares how his experiences shaped his approach to leadership and taught him that there is no single formula for leading effectively. He reflects on moving from functional expertise to organizational leadership, the value of asking better questions, and how self-awareness and coaching helped him turn vague feedback into meaningful growth. Steve also shares how intentionality informs the way he builds relationships, prioritizes his time and approaches strategy. He explores what it means to "see around corners," anticipate challenges and navigate the gray when there are no easy answers. From managing difficult performance dynamics and competing priorities to aligning corporate strategy with local leadership and guiding people through change, Steve offers practical insights into leading with perspective and purpose. Connect with Steve Perkins on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsteveperkins/ Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the Follow and Subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also catch the show on CKMS 102.7 FM Radio Waterloo, Canada. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project's expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Expressions of Leadership with Steve Perkins 00:15 Leadership Through the Gray 03:59 Learning to Lead Across Cultures 05:43 From Functional Expert to Organizational Leader 10:30 Turning Vague Feedback into Strategic Growth 13:26 How Personal Experience Shapes Leadership 17:39 The Practice of Intentionality 21:15 Strategy, Energy, and Priorities 26:55 Seeing Business Problems from New Angles 30:20 Seeing Around Corners 36:03 Navigating the Gray 40:41 Aligning Strategy with Local Leadership 43:39 Leading People Through Change 49:19 The Next Chapter and a Lasting Legacy 52:07 Leadership Advice and Cozy Mysteries

In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, host Michele Kawamoto Perry speaks with Geoff Shotz about his unconventional journey from semi-professional hockey to becoming a Steadicam operator and television director. Geoff reflects on taking risks, learning on the job, and the mentors and unexpected opportunities that shaped his career, including his transition to directing The Vampire Diaries. Geoff also shares lessons on leading under pressure, building trust, giving credit, and balancing accountability with empathy. From creating supportive environments on set to overcoming his fear of dancing and discovering salsa, his stories reveal the value of staying curious, embracing challenges, and being willing to learn. Learn more about Geoff's work on IMDB at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0795223/ Follow Geoff on Instagram @geoffshotz. Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the Follow and Subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also catch the show on CKMS 102.7 FM Radio Waterloo, Canada. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project's expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Expressions of Leadership and Geoff Shotz  01:26 Finding His Way Into Film School 05:23 Learning Film Production on the Job 08:45 Taking the Risk to Become a Steadicam Operator 14:15 Committing to His Career 16:25 How a Short Film Opened a Door 19:42 The Power of Mentorship and Relationships 22:09 Ambition Without Undermining Others 23:53 Empathy and Leadership on Set 28:17 From Steadicam Operator to TV Director 31:48 Leading Beyond Your Job Title 36:24 Building Trust Through Accountability 39:09 Balancing Support and Accountability 40:43 Leading Under Pressure 43:16 Why Every Team Member Matters 46:26 Navigating Change in the Television Industry 48:32 The Legacy of Helping Others 50:06 Advice for the Next Generation 52:02 Wisdom & Whimsy: Overcoming a Fear of Dancing

In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, host Michele Kawamoto Perry speaks with Danny Grossman about his extraordinary journey from Cold War diplomat to entrepreneur and nonprofit leader. Danny shares how he advocated for Soviet Jews and dissidents, navigated risk and uncertainty, and later founded Wild Planet Entertainment with social responsibility at its core. Together, they explore what it means to lead with courage and conviction, build a values-driven organization, and empower others to make a difference. Danny reflects on developing leaders, encouraging innovation, knowing when to let go, and his ongoing work supporting refugees through HIAS. He also discusses his memoir, Seeing Red, the legacy he hopes to leave, and the lessons he's learned about leading with integrity, staying true to your values, and creating opportunities for others to make their own mark on the world. Connect with Danny Grossman on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-grossman-2a9124/ Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the Follow and Subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also catch the show on CKMS 102.7 FM Radio Waterloo, Canada. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project's expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Expressions of Leadership with Danny Grossman 02:09 Discovering Russia and Defining Leadership 05:39 Diplomacy and Influence in Leningrad 09:52 Advocating for Soviet Jews and Dissidents 15:22 Risk, Courage, and Diplomatic Boundaries 20:23 Using Senior Support and Diplomatic Latitude 25:03 Expulsion from the USSR, Vladimir Putin, and Leadership Lessons 30:43 From Diplomacy to Values-Driven Business 35:30 Putting Social Responsibility into Practice at Wild Planet 41:46 Empowering Teams and Knowing When to Let Go 48:36 Leadership Legacy, Refugee Advocacy, and Seeing Red 53:42 Wisdom & Whimsy: Navigating Uncertainty and the Toy He Wishes He'd Invented    

Dr. David Bardeen, Assistant Curator of European Painting and Sculpture at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), joins Michele Kawamoto Perry on Expressions of Leadership to explore an unexpected career journey from corporate law to art history. After building a successful career in finance and law, David began to question whether the path he had chosen was the one he wanted to continue pursuing. An experience at the Metropolitan Museum of Art sparked a deeper interest in art, eventually leading him to make a bold change at 39 and pursue a new career. In this conversation, David reflects on what it takes to rethink success, step into the unfamiliar, and embrace the challenge of becoming a beginner again. He shares how curiosity, relationship-building, collaboration, and the ability to connect different fields of knowledge have shaped his work and approach to leadership. From navigating a major career change to finding unexpected connections between art, science, and history, David's story offers insights into the courage to change direction, the value of lifelong learning, and the possibilities that emerge when we remain open to new paths. Follow David Bardeen on Instagram @dbardeen. You can also learn more about what is happening at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art at www.lacma.org. Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the Follow and Subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also catch the show on CKMS 102.7 FM Radio Waterloo, Canada. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project's expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Expressions of Leadership and David Bardeen 02:02 Growing Up Between Art and Science 04:50 From Harvard to Finance and Corporate Law 10:09 Leadership Lessons from Corporate Law 13:28 Discovering a Passion for Art History 15:47 Leaving Law to Pursue a New Career 18:24 The Caravaggio Painting That Changed His Perspective 22:17 Starting Over: The Courage to Be a Beginner 30:52 From Art Historian to Museum Curator at LACMA 42:37 Why Relationships and Collaboration Matter 49:36 Career Reinvention and the Evolution of Leadership 54:00 Wisdom and Whimsy: Advice and a Creative Question

In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, host Michele Kawamoto Perry speaks with Katie Stone, Executive Director and Executive Producer of The Children's Hour, a nationally syndicated public radio program created with and for kids. Katie shares her unconventional path from teenage radio producer to a career in technology and eventually back to radio, where she transformed a local volunteer project into a nationally syndicated program. She talks about giving young people meaningful agency and responsibility, from researching and producing stories to directing, voicing, and editing, and how creating space for kids to contribute has shaped her own approach to leadership. Katie also shares how her personal experiences shaped her commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and challenging systems that leave people out. She discusses the values behind The Children's Hour, including her decision not to market products directly to children, her approach to mentoring young producers, and her vision for expanding the program's educational resources. It's a conversation about giving young people a voice, leading with purpose, challenging assumptions, and building something designed to make a lasting impact. Learn more about The Children's Radio Hour at https://www.childrenshour.org. You can also follow on Facebook and Instagram @TCHRadio and subscribe to their YouTube channel @thechildrenshourpodcast. Find The Children's Radio Hour on your favorite podcast app.  Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the Follow and Subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also catch the show on CKMS 102.7 FM Radio Waterloo, Canada. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project's expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Expressions of Leadership and Katie Stone 00:15 Katie Stone's Beginnings in Radio 02:42 Finding Her Way Back to Radio 05:26 Taking Risks and Finding Confidence 10:06 Building The Children's Hour Beyond Radio 15:39 What Kids Can Teach Us About Leadership 19:14 Giving Children Voice, Agency, and Responsibility 27:19 Mentoring Kids and Building Leadership Skills 32:10 Katie Stone on Disability Advocacy and Inclusion 41:43 Leading With Values and Protecting the Mission 51:28 The Future and Legacy of The Children's Hour 54:42 Wisdom & Whimsy: Advice and a Trip Through History