The Leadership Dance

Former Emmy award-winning SNL producer Lindsay Shookus shares the trust-building strategies, people skills, and leadership lessons that carried her from two decades at Saturday Night Live into a powerful next act as a speaker and executive coach. In this candid conversation, she opens up about resilience, reinvention, and the transformational relationships that shaped her career, and how you can apply the same tools in your own leadership journey. Drawing on stories from booking A-list guests and surviving high-pressure live TV, Lindsay discusses how thoughtfulness, a relentless work ethic, and treating celebrities like humans (not idols) helped her build deep...

What does it really take to build an organization where people thrive - especially in a world transformed by technology, generational change, and new expectations? In this energizing episode, host Alissa Hsu Lynch sits down with James D. White, renowned board leader and former Jamba CEO, and his daughter Krista White, rising workplace culture strategist and writer. Together, they share how their experience as a father-daughter team powered their new best-selling book, Culture Design, and reveal why transformation starts with rethinking culture from the inside out. Tune in for actionable stories on creating workplaces that are resilient, purpose-driven, and...

After 25 years with American Ballet Theatre, iconic ballerina Misty Copeland took her final bow in a historic gala performance – but her work is far from over. In this episode of The Leadership Dance, host Alissa Hsu Lynch sits down with Misty to explore what comes next: leading from the boardroom, expanding access to the arts through the Misty Copeland Foundation, and reimagining ballet's future for the next generation. Misty opens up about why she initially said 'no' to a farewell performance, the challenges of returning to the stage after five years and becoming a mother, and how she's finding pu...

Renowned ballerina Stella Abrera joins host Alissa Hsu Lynch on The Leadership Dance to reflect on her extraordinary career with American Ballet Theatre and her journey from the stage to shaping the next generation of dancers. Stella opens up about growing up in a home filled with music and discipline, the perseverance behind rising to principal dancer, and the back injury that nearly ended her career—but ultimately strengthened her resilience and leadership. Now as Artistic Director of the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, she shares how she's guiding young dancers with grace, grit, and vision for ballet's future.

Harvard leadership instructor and author Margaret Andrews joins Alissa Hsu Lynch to trace her unconventional journey from accounting to academia, sharing how a series of "lucky accidents" and bold choices propelled her to the forefront of executive education. This episode is chock-full of practical advice for leaders at any stage of their careers.

Margaret, who leads Harvard's most popular professional development program, reflects on how kissing a few career "frogs" and embracing improvisation shaped her path. She also opens up about the self-discovery and resilience that became the backbone of her new book, Manage Yourself to Lead...

New York City Ballet star Mira Nadon joins Alissa Hsu Lynch to reflect on her journey from California rehearsal studios to becoming the first Asian American principal dancer at the company. Hailed by the New York Times as "a once-in-a-generation dancer," she opens up about growing up in an academic household, the "aha moment" of her promotion, and why she didn't always see herself as a role model - until the world began to watch. Mira recounts joyful milestones and daunting setbacks, from pandemic disruptions to ankle surgery, and reveals how persistence, self-advocacy, and finding comfort onstage shaped her...

Visionary artist Janet Echelman joins Alissa Hsu Lynch to pull back the curtain on her creative journey - one that's anything but conventional. Oprah ranked her work #1 on her list of 50 Things That Make You Say Wow, and it's easy to see why: Janet's monumental, wind-borne sculptures transform skylines across continents, inviting viewers into immersive, contemplative experiences. In this episode, Janet shares the story behind her new book, Radical Softness, and the decades of experimentation, setbacks, and discovery that shaped her practice.

From learning traditional craft in Bali and India, to designing custom software and collaborating with...

Get a peek inside the commercial dance world from Angela Elgani, a renowned dancer, choreographer, and mentor whose two-decade career has taken her from world tours with Britney Spears, NSYNC, and the Backstreet Boys to blockbuster films like You Got Served and Step Up Revolution. Angela shares her remarkable journey from a determined young girl in St. Louis to performing on some of the biggest stages in the world and later pivoting toward teaching, coaching, and empowering the next generation of dancers.

Angela opens up about her personal challenges, including the devastating loss of her husband just...

In this recap of Season Two, host Alissa Hsu Lynch reflects on the top 10 leadership insights she's gathered from conversations with 10 trailblazing leaders. From world-class dancers and CEOs to athletes and change makers, these guests have shared powerful stories of joy, resilience, vulnerability, and reinvention. Alissa reveals the lessons learned and how they can inspire and empower you on your own leadership journey.

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💡 Top Leadership Tips:

Don't get good at things you don't enjoy (Lindsay Trout)

Most people regret the chances they didn't take (Christina Hennington)

Success isn't about how...

In this powerful episode, Alissa Hsu Lynch speaks with Chantale Zuzi, a remarkable young leader whose journey from a small village in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the halls of Wellesley College is nothing short of extraordinary. After surviving the personal tragedy of losing her parents in a village massacre, Chantale became a refugee at age 13—fleeing to Uganda with her siblings and stepping into the role of caregiver and advocate.

Born with albinism, Chantale also faced constant discrimination and danger, navigating life with limited vision and extraordinary courage. Now the founder and executive director of...

Step into a conversation that explores the power of reinvention, the courage to disrupt your own path, and the art of weaving creativity into leadership. In this episode, Kim Alexis Newton—board director, entrepreneur, fine artist, and former Hallmark executive—joins Alissa Hsu Lynch to share her extraordinary journey from leading a $1 billion business to building a thriving art and quilting enterprise. Kim reflects on her childhood dreams, the pivotal moment she realized she'd outgrown corporate life, and the intentional steps she took to expand her network and embrace her creative calling.

Kim opens up about the evol...

In this deeply personal and moving episode of The Leadership Dance, Principal Dancer Cassandra Trenary of American Ballet Theatre opens up about the journey behind the curtain—from early dreams in Georgia to becoming one of ABT's most versatile and emotionally resonant artists. Cassandra shares the whirlwind story of her rise through ABT, the emotional toll of injury, and how creative outlets like photography and filmmaking helped her rediscover herself—and her artistry. We dive into her acclaimed gallery exhibition Embodied, a striking tribute to the vulnerability and resilience of dancers in their most human moments. And as she prep...

In this energizing conversation, powerhouse leader Sarah Robb O'Hagan—former executive at Nike, Gatorade, and Equinox, and author of Extreme You—shares insights from her bold career journey. Sarah opens up about the tough lessons she learned from early career failures, the power of resilience, and how embracing her authentic, "extreme" self led her to unlock new levels of leadership. Together, Alissa and Sarah explore what it means to lead with courage, create inclusive high-performance cultures, and why doing "hard things" is essential for growth. Whether you're just starting out or leading at the top, this episode will leave you...

Tune in for this dynamic discussion about leading boldly, trusting in yourself, and living with intention featuring Sheila Lirio Marcelo, the trailblazing founder of Care.com and now the visionary leader behind Ohai.ai, a virtual assistant for families. Sheila shares her remarkable journey from her entrepreneurial upbringing in the Philippines to building one of the most trusted caregiving platforms in the world. Throughout the conversation, Sheila opens up about the challenges of balancing young motherhood while attending college, underestimating herself, and operating in traditionally male-dominated spaces.

Sheila also discusses her latest venture, Ohai.ai, an AI-powered...

Episode 17 features trailblazer Anna Mok — the first Chinese American woman promoted to Partner at Deloitte and the visionary co-founder of Ascend, North America's largest network for Pan-Asian business professionals.

From growing up in San Francisco and working in her family's Chinese restaurant as a little girl to becoming a prominent global business leader, Anna shares how her immigrant roots, cultural identity, and deep belief in community shaped her path. We talk about breaking the bamboo ceiling, navigating leadership as an Asian American woman, and why redefining success on your own terms matters more than ever. Anna opens up...

Episode 16 features Ryan Nece—Super Bowl champion with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and now an entrepreneur, venture capital leader, and philanthropist—in a heartfelt conversation about purpose, resilience, and reimagining success. Ryan opens up about his unique journey from growing up as the son of Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott to carving out his own path on and off the field. He shares lessons learned from his time as a professional athlete and talks about how these translate into business, including the value of leadership, teamwork, and bouncing back from failure. Ryan also reflects on his transition from the NFL...

Delve into this fascinating conversation with Alessandra Ferri, Prima Ballerina Assoluta and Artistic Director Designate of the Vienna State Ballet. Alessandra shares her extraordinary journey in the world of ballet, from her early passion for dance in Italy to becoming the youngest principal dancer at The Royal Ballet at age 19. After subsequently being recruited by Mikhail Baryshnikov to join American Ballet Theatre, she has sustained an incredibly long and successful performing career over 4 decades with the world's top companies, dancers, and choreographers. 

In this revealing episode, Alessandra discusses the pressures of fame, what she learned from dancing w...

In this inspiring episode of The Leadership Dance, Christina Hennington, EVP & Chief Strategy and Growth Officer for Target, discusses her journey from her Scandinavian roots to her rise in the retail industry. Christina reflects on the influence of her upbringing on her global perspective, the lessons she learned as a newly promoted executive during the pandemic, and her journey of embracing what makes her unique. She discusses the power of having a "rookie mindset," finding comfort with ambiguity, and how innovative technologies like AI enhance both customer experience and operational efficiency. Christina offers powerful insights on taking risks, overcoming...

Season 2 of The Leadership Dance kicks off with an illuminating conversation with Lindsay Trout, Partner at Egon Zehnder, a global executive search and leadership advisory firm. Throughout the episode, Lindsay shares her expertise and insights on leadership, career development, and the challenges facing CEOs and boards today. She discusses how courage and curiosity have become essential leadership traits, and offers practical advice for positioning yourself in the marketplace by focusing on competencies and potential rather than just experience. Lindsay also discusses growing up in Charleston, South Carolina as a debutante, the pivotal moments in her career, and how serendipity...

In this special solo episode, host Alissa Hsu Lynch takes 5 minutes to reflect on the 5 biggest insights she's gathered from her inspiring conversations with 10 trailblazing leaders in Season One. These incredible guests have shared their journeys of resilience, overcoming self-doubt, and forging their own paths. Alissa reveals the top lessons learned and how they can help you navigate your own leadership journey.

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💡Top 5 Takeaways:

Choreographing Your Career Takes Creativity

Resilience is a SuperpowerLeadership Means Opening Doors for Others

Your Uniqueness is Your Strength

Breaking Barriers Takes Bravery

In this episode of The Leadership Dance, Sabina Nawaz, Executive Coach and Author, and former advisor to Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer at Microsoft, shares her journey from growing up in Calcutta to achieving success in the United States in the tech and business worlds. She discusses the complexities of career transitions, the challenges of leadership, and how pressure and power can derail even well-meaning managers. In introducing her new book, "You're the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need)," Sabina reveals the leadership secrets and strategies of highly successful managers that anyone at any...

Episode 10 of The Leadership Dance features Calvin Royal III, Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre and a prominent figure in the dance world. In this inspiring conversation, he shares his breakthrough journey from discovering dance at the late age of 14 to becoming only the third African American principal dancer in ABT's 85-year history. He discusses the importance of leadership, mentorship, and representation in ballet, as well as the challenges he had to overcome along the way. Calvin also highlights his recent project, UNITE, which celebrates the beautiful array of artistry and diversity in ballet, and shares his aspirations for...

In Episode 9 of The Leadership Dance, Cerise Lim Jacobs shares her remarkable journey from a traditional upbringing in Singapore to becoming the founder of the activist opera company, White Snake Projects. She discusses the cultural influences of her childhood, the challenges of leaving Singapore during a turbulent political time, and running away from home at the age of 18. During this episode, Cerise reflects on her struggle for independence and the ongoing process of finding her voice in a world that often imposes limitations based on cultural or societal expectations. She discusses the challenges of reimagining her identity, the lessons...

Sue Siegel is one of those people who makes a lasting impact. From her pioneering work at Affymetrix during the early days of the Human Genome Project, to her visionary influence in driving innovation at GE and other companies, Sue has left an indelible mark. In this episode of The Leadership Dance, Sue Siegel, Board Director and former CEO & VC, shares her journey from feeling like a misfit growing up in the Philippines and Puerto Rico to becoming one of the most influential leaders in the Life Sciences industry. She discusses her transition from molecular biology to business and...

In Episode 7 of The Leadership Dance podcast, host Alissa Hsu Lynch speaks with Chief Marketer and Communicator Arielle Patrick, of Ariel Investments. They discuss Arielle's upbringing in a culturally rich environment, her path from Princeton to public relations, and the importance of staying curious and finding joy in the career journey. Arielle shares insights on how her background in musical theater and dance has influenced her leadership style, the significance of diversity in corporate America, and her advocacy for diverse artists through her personal art collection. 

Throughout the conversation, they discuss the need for effective communication and s...

In this episode of The Leadership Dance podcast, host Alissa Hsu Lynch sits down with Carla Vernón, CEO of The Honest Company and one of the only Afro-Latine CEOs of a public company. During their conversation, Carla shares her journey from a rambunctious dancer raised in Buffalo, New York, to corporate CEO, touching on the importance of representation, dealing with failure, and what she's learned from her dance background. Carla also reveals her alter ego as "Your Sister in the Corner Office" (SITCO), reflecting on her role as a first-time CEO and sharing advice for the next generation o...

In Episode 5 of The Leadership Dance, Norman Chen, CEO of The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), shares his journey from growing up as an Asian American in a predominantly white community to becoming a leader in advocating for the safety, belonging, and prosperity of the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. We dive into the value of cultural identity and what he learned about business, leadership, and family during his 20 years of living in Hong Kong. He reveals why he decided to become an activist after moving back to the United States, discussing the rise of anti-Asian hate in America...

In Episode 4, Alissa is joined by celebrated ballerina Susan Jaffe, Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre (ABT), America's National Ballet Company. "Discovered" by Mikhail Barishnikov at the age of 18, Susan shares stories from her 22-year career as an international ballet star and discusses the moves she made following her retirement from her stage career that propelled her to become a pioneering leader in the ballet world. She delves into the struggles she faced in overcoming imposter syndrome, the importance of diversity and inclusivity in dance, and the lessons she learned about courage, risk-taking, and patience throughout her career. Susan...

In this episode of The Leadership Dance, Alissa chats with Shweta Maniar, Global Director of Healthcare & Life Sciences at Google Cloud. In addition to being a health tech executive at Google, Shweta is a board director, a dancer, a mom, AND an almond farmer. We explore her cultural upbringing as a second-generation South Asian American, her journey from healthcare to technology, and the challenges of navigating corporate environments as a woman of color. Shweta also shares how embracing her uniqueness got her to where she is today and tips on how she's able to get a good night's sleep.<...

In Episode 2 of The Leadership Dance, Alissa is joined by Jocelyn Mangan, CEO and Founder of illumyn Impact and illumyn. Jocelyn is a visionary leader dedicated to solving board diversity who started two social impact ventures focused on accelerating diversity in corporate boardrooms. The conversation explores how her curiosity led her to the tech industry with companies including OpenTable and Ticketmaster, the challenges she faced as a woman in leadership, and the importance of networking and mentorship. Jocelyn discusses her passion for bridging the gap between underrepresented executives and board opportunities and how each of us can identify our...

In this first episode of The Leadership Dance, Alissa shares her unconventional journey from a professional modern dancer to a successful business executive and board director. She discusses the challenges she faced in transitioning careers, the importance of embracing one's unique background, and how to leverage personal experiences for professional growth. Alissa reveals what she learned from dance, including performing under pressure, agility, resilience, and the ability to create your own path to success. Listen to the end, where she shares three key strategies for success that anyone can follow to choreograph your own leadership dance.

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