The Leadership Dance (Alissa Hsu Lynch)

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.

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💡Key Takeaways:

Don't be afraid to take an unconventional path; it might lead you exactly where you're meant to be.

Dance instills discipline, patience, and storytelling skills that are valuable in personal and professional life. 

Embrace your uniqueness. What makes you different is your greatest advantage.

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Learn more about Shweta here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shwetasingh01/ 

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#EmbraceYourUniqueness #WomenInTech #GoogleCloud #TheLeadershipDance 

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

👉 Loved this episode? Share your favorite takeaway, leave a review, and help more people discover The Leadership Dance!

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#creativity #resilience #leadership #authenticity #breakingbarriers

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 with greats such as Rudolph Nureyev, Misha, and Julio Bocca, and what motivated her astonishing return to the stage at age 50. She also reflects on the passage of time and shares her secrets to longevity in dance. About to embark on her next chapter as Artistic Director of the Vienna State Ballet, she shares her vision for the company and her hopes for the future. Throughout the conversation, Alessandra emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's passion and embracing the journey of life and art.

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💡Key Takeaways:

Go with your passion and love for dance, and things will happen

You have to be at the service of talent. It's not the talent serving you or your ego

We cannot fight the passing of time, but if you embrace it, you have a lot to give later in life

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Connect with Alessandra:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alessandraferriofficial

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alessandraferri555 

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#ballet #dance #longevity #careeradvice #wienerstaatsoperballett #leadership

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 learned from her time as a lawyer, and the motivations behind founding White Snake Projects. Lastly, Cerise reflects on the importance of community engagement in the arts and offers advice to her younger self about overcoming fear and staying true to herself.

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💡Key Takeaways:

Don’t be afraid of making major life and career decisions–fear can be overcome and managed. 

Leaving behind a successful career may open doors to new opportunities and personal growth, allowing you to embrace change and take on new challenges.

You don’t have to wait for permission—if the industry won’t open the door, build your own space and bring others with you.

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Learn more about White Snake Projects here:

Website: http://www.whitesnakeprojects.org 

Twitter: https://x.com/whitesnakeproj 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitesnakeprojects/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whitesnakeprojects 

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#Leadership #Opera #Activism #Diversity #Authenticity #Courage #Fearlessness #TheLeadershipDance

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 of leaders. She discusses the mission of The Honest Company, the value of building a diverse board of directors, and how she relies on a network of mentors, family, and friends to keep her moving forward.

You won’t want to miss this fun episode, chock-full of wisdom from a true trailblazer!

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💡Key Takeaways:

Resilience comes from navigating spaces where you’re not the norm—it’s a skill and a superpower.

Being a dancer involves a lot of rejection and failure. Learning to embrace failure, rather than fearing it, is crucial for growth, whether in dance or leadership.

Success isn’t linear—careers are often choreographed through improvisation, experimentation, and adaptation.

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To learn more about Carla and The Honest Company:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlainspired/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlainspired/ 

Website: www.honest.com 

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#TheHonestCompany #WomenInLeadership #WomenCEOs #BoardDiversity #CareerAdvice #OnceADancerAlwaysADancer #BreakingBarriers

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 imposter syndrome, and finding balance as a leader, mother, and board director in today’s rapidly changing business landscape.

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💡Key Takeaways:

A leader's role is to create clear direction, ensure the team has the resources they need, and then get out of the way.

The ability to embrace change and ambiguity is one of the most critical leadership skills in today’s uncertain world.

Imposter syndrome affects everyone; however, it's important to lean into the opportunities you have.

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Learn more about Christina here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-hennington-84715a/

Website: https://www.Target.com 

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#ImposterSyndrome #WomenInLeadership #RetailTrends

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 also talks about why she’s excited about what’s next for ABT and how experience has taught her how to manage challenges with love, joy, and grace.

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💡Key Takeaways:

Susan’s vision as Artistic Director at ABT includes celebrating its history while also pushing for innovation and inclusivity.

Dancers learn to develop the grit and courage to overcome fear.

Leadership means making decisions with love, transparency, and the long game in mind.

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Learn more about Susan and ABT here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanjaffeofficial/ 

Support American Ballet Theatre: www.abt.org

Alonzo King LINES Ballet Blog: https://blog.linesballet.org/ 

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#TheLeadershipDance #ABT #Ballet #Dance #DiversityInTheArts #WomeninLeadership #Podcast

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 storytelling in driving change within organizations and in creating a fulfilling career. She highlights the impact of diversity on consumer choices, particularly among younger generations, and shares her personal passion for serving on nonprofit boards, including American Ballet Theatre and Yellowstone National Parks Foundation. Arielle also emphasizes the significance of building authentic relationships vs. networking and talks about the confidence required as a young leader to reach the C-suite. As a new mom, she shares her tips for prioritizing family and career and discusses the importance of self-care and learning how to say no. Finally, she reflects on the need to trust yourself as your career develops and facing whatever challenges life brings you.

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💡Key Takeaways:

Success doesn’t come from a rigid plan but from curiosity, flexibility, and taking joy in the process.

Dance teaches valuable leadership lessons such as poise and presence.

When it comes to networking, stay curious and strip people down to their humanity—you’ll find surprising connections. 

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Connect with Arielle and learn more:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akpatrick1  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellepatrick/ 

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#TheLeadershipDance #AriellePatrick #Leadership #Communications #Diversity #WorkingMoms #Ballet #Art #Curiosity #AuthenticLeadership

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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💡Key Takeaways:

Embrace what makes you different: turn your unique strengths into superpowers.

Life is like a dance and requires you to keep moving with agility and adaptability.

Success is not one-size-fits-all: reimagine your own success.

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Learn more about Alissa here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahlynch/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahladventures/ 

Website: https://www.alissahsulynch.com/ 

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#TheLeadershipDance #OnceaDancerAlwaysaDancer #ChoreographYourCareer

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 level—or in any life situation—can use to succeed.  Tune in to hear her thoughts on adopting micro habits, making time to do nothing, as well as what authenticity means to her.

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💡Key Takeaways:

Power gaps and pressure pitfalls—how to spot and avoid them before they derail your relationships and career

The power of blank space—how doing “nothing” can reset your mind while amping up your creativity

Why self-care isn’t a maybe, but a must

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Learn more about Sabina here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabinanawaz/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sabinacoaching/

Website: https://sabinanawaz.com/ 

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#leadership #executivecoaching #authenticity #managementdevelopment #microhabits #plurality #blankspace   

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 superpowers. She also shares insights on how she balances being an entrepreneur and mom while staying focused on her dreams. 

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💡Key Takeaways:

Better leadership starts at the top, but it requires diverse voices to truly innovate and drive change.

Mentorship and support are essential for career growth, and building relationships is key to accessing board opportunities. 

Stay intentional—focus on what feels authentic and fun, even when the path ahead seems uncertain.

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Learn more about Jocelyn here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocelynmangan/

Website: www.illumynimpact.org 

Other:https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-boardroom-view-7074778308969721856/ 

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#BoardDiversity #Leadership #Networking #TheLeadershipDance

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 the invaluable lessons she learned about leadership while contributing to the development of human genome sequencing. She shares how to balance innovation with rigorous discipline and reflects on what it means to break barriers in the C-suite and corporate boardrooms. She also talks about what authenticity means to her, how she developed her leadership style, and shares her “Ways of Working” with the 5 key principles she always follows to build high-performing teams. Lastly, Sue offers career and life advice for future generations, emphasizing the importance of walking through doors when they open and focusing on the impact you can make for society.

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💡 Key Takeaways:

AI is shifting the healthcare industry towards curative therapies vs. just treatment of chronic diseases.

Building an innovation culture starts with building high-performing teams.

Navigating ambiguity while trusting yourself is essential for effective leadership.

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Learn more about Sue here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-siegel/ 

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#Leadership #LifeSciences #Genomics #Innovation #Diversity #Mentorship #HighPerformingTeams #AuthenticLeadership #TheLeadershipDance

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 the future. 

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💡Key Takeaways:

Advocating for yourself, overcoming self-doubt, and being brave are as crucial for success in competitive fields like ballet as they are in business

Leadership is about influence, impact, and mentoring others who follow in your footsteps

The creative process thrives on collaboration, shared vision, and taking risks (as well as knowing how to balance a budget!)

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Learn more about Calvin here:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/calvinroyaliii 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvin-royal-iii-3385809a

Website: https://www.calvinroyaliii.com 

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Photo Credits:

Maria Baranova 

George Etheredge

Karolina Kuras

João Menegussi

Rosalie O’Connor, courtesy of American Ballet Theatre

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#CalvinRoyalIII #AmericanBalletTheatre #Ballet #PrincipalDancer #BreakingBarriers 

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. Norman draws parallels between business and the sport he loves, basketball, and he talks about how knowing yourself and what you're good at can lead to a fulfilling life and career. 

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💡Key Takeaways:

Find environments that appreciate your background and contributions; don’t be afraid to change the room if it doesn’t fit you.

Safety, belonging, and prosperity aren’t just ideals—they’re the foundation of thriving communities.

In both basketball and life, you learn a lot about someone through how they show up, collaborate, and handle challenges.

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Learn more about Norman and TAAF here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/normanlschen/ 

Twitter: https://x.com/taaforg?lang=en 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taaforg/ 

Website: http://taaf.org

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#TheLeadershipDance #AAPILeadership #AdvocacyInAction #CulturalIdentity #TAAF

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 played a role in her journey. Lastly, Alissa and Lindsay talk openly about the current state of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in leadership roles and the importance of finding joy in work and life.

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💡Key Takeaways:

Leaders today no longer need to be omniscient; courage and curiosity are now essential 

Don’t get good at things that don’t bring you joy 

Leave space for serendipity in your career 

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Learn more about Lindsay here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troutlindsay/ 

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 #leadership #authenticity #careeradvice #executivesearch #worklifeintegration