DBA Chronicles

What happens after artificial intelligence leaves the controlled environment and enters the complexity of real people, real policies, real workflows and real consequences?In this episode of DBA Chronicles, Dr. Kelly Burich and Dr. Valrie Grant welcome their Cohort 6 classmate, Dr. Yvonne Mosley. Yvonne is a researcher, educator, entrepreneur and Army veteran whose work brings together artificial intelligence, patient safety, healthcare quality and health equity.Dr. Mosley shares how the loss of her sister following a preventable hospital event shaped her commitment to patient safety research. She also takes us inside her doctoral work, which used data from the National Institutes of Health All of Us Research Program to examine artificial intelligence, wearable technology, social determinants of health andadverse clinical outcomes.The findings challenged some of her own assumptions. Documented AI adoption was far more limited than she expected, and the relationships among technology, health outcomes, race, ethnicity and insurance status were anything but simple. Her research raised a question that should remain at the centre of every AI implementation: Who is this technology actually helping?The conversation moves beyond how AI is designed and deployed to what happens after it goes live. Yvonne explainswhy organizations cannot simply “set it and forget it,” why context changes everything and why responsible evaluation must consider performance drift, patient harm, outcomes across demographic groups, clinician decisions, workflowchanges and unintended consequences.She also reflects on the community that helped her complete the DBA, the importance of translating research beyondthe academic paywall and the vision behind WorkerBees.us, including helping minorities, women and veterans access opportunities created by the coming “Silver Tsunami” in government contracting.Yvonne’s central message is both simple and urgent: AI is not magic. Technology can support better decisions, but it does not replace human judgment, accountability or the responsibility to keep evaluating whom it serves.Connect with Yvonne and learn more:Linkedinhttps://workerbees.usConnect with UsLinkedIn: DBA ChroniclesWebsite: ⁠www.dbachronicles.org⁠ Subscribe & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to DBAChronicles, leave a review, and share it with fellow researchers, practitioners, educators, and business leaders who believe the best ideas emerge when scholarship meets practice.

Dr. Robert “Navy Bob” Roncska joins DBA Chronicles totranslate high-stakes military leadership lessons into every day, evidence-based practices for people-first leaders. From commanding nuclear-powered submarines (and carrying the nuclear football) to leading high-reliability teams in healthcare, Navy Bob explains why lead with loveis not soft — it’s strategic. We bridge lived experience and scholarship (Leader–Member Exchange / LMX), discuss measurable indicators of relationship-based leadership, and walk through concrete rituals, and accountability practices that leaders can apply starting tomorrow.Bonus: Dr. Katie Gottsch from the Leading with Love teamjoins us in studio and shares insights throughout the episode.Highlights & practical valueReal stories from submarine command that reveal how care + accountability turn around performance. Concrete, research-backed ways to measure leader–member exchange (LMX) and use those signals for promotion, coaching, and remediation. Ready-to-use micro-rituals (daily/weekly) to build psychological safety and mutual accountability. Key takeawaysLead with love = intentional care + clear accountability- That combo produces trust, ownership, and safer teamsRelationships are measurable-Use LMX indicators to make people decisions less subjective and more fairSmall rituals compound -Short, consistent behaviors beat intermittent grand programs when changing cultureNotable quotes“Lead with love — it’s not soft, it’s the engine of reliability.” “When people are afraid of disappointing their shipmates, not the captain, culture changes.” “Trustworthiness is earned in the small choices you make every day.” Who should listenLeaders and aspiring leaders, HR and people-ops professionals, team coaches, and anyone who wants practical, research-grounded tools to improve trust,retention, and team performance.Connect & shareLinkedIn: DBA ChroniclesWebsite: www.dbachronicles.orgSubscribe & reviewIf this episode landed for you, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify or your favorite podcast app — and share it with one leader who could use a people-first playbook.

In this powerful episode Dr. Vince Hafeli takes us from thejobsite to the boardroom — and into the hard, honest work of healing. Vince shares a 40-year career in construction (starting 1985), his long journey to formal education (a bachelor’s completed after 16 years), rapid leadershipgrowth at Ajax (General Manager within a year of joining in 2002; VP in 2007; President in 2019), and why he pursued a DBA at the University of South Florida — the joke is partly so his kids would call him “Doctor,” but really to reinvigorate his thinking and use research to make a difference.The heart of the conversation is Vince’s courageous researchand advocacy on mental health and suicide in the construction industry. He opens up about his own suicide attempt, how qualitative research gave him a path to listen and document the stories of others, and how telling those stories has translated into real change- his talks to 100+ groups, raising awareness, and shifting industry culture one conversation at a time. Key takeawaysLeadership is more than title — it’s using lived experience to influence culture and policy.Mental health is health: seeking help (therapy) is a strength, not a weakness.Data and stories together move industries; qualitative research gives voice to people who’ve been told to “tough it out.”Small visible actions (awareness campaigns, open conversations, accessible supports) create momentum for change.Notable quote“We talk about protecting workers from physical harm — we need to give the same seriousness to protecting minds.”This episode is essential listening for construction leaders, site crews, safety and HR professionals, qualitative researchers, and anyone committed to ending the stigma around mental health—because Vince’s lived experience and DBA research turn raw stories and hard data into practical steps that can change workplace culture and save lives. Tune in to hear candid lessons from the jobsite to the boardroom and to learn simple, powerful actions you can take: share this episode with your teams, raise mental-health supports at your next safety meeting, and push your organization to make resources visible and accessible. Connect with Us: LinkedIn: DBA ChroniclesWebsite: www.dbachronicles.orgSubscribe & Review:If this episode resonated with you, leave a review on Spotify or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and bring more insightful conversations to the DBA community!Until next time—keep learning, keep leading!

Welcome to another engaging episode of DBA Chronicles!This week, Amy, Kelly, and Valrie sat down with the dynamic and multitalented Dr. Joseph Arrington—a healthcare professional, entrepreneur, athlete, researcher, and proud father.Dr. Arrington joins us from Utah, bringing his signatureenergy to share his unique academic path as a DBA holder. A proud Drexel graduate, Joseph takes us through his inspiring journey of merging business rigor with medical innovation. From impactful mentorship with dissertation chairs to powerful “aha” moments in the DBA program, his story is a testament to how lived experience and academic inquiry can drive transformative leadership in healthcare.In this episode we dive into:What inspired Joseph to pursue a DBA—and then a PhD in Health Systems ResearchHow his diverse roles shaped his approach to doctoral studiesThe emotional investment scholars bring to research—and how collaboration refines itWhy scholarly work and entrepreneurship don’t have to exist in silosA peek into Joseph’s family life, his passion for innovation, and his Drexel prideIf you're looking to understand the value of a DBA beyondthe classroom—or wondering what happens when research, service, and leadership collide—this episode is for you.Tune in, be inspired, and share with a fellow scholar or change-maker.Connect with Us:LinkedIn: DBA ChroniclesWebsite: www.dbachronicles.orgSubscribe & Review:If this episode inspired you, leave a review on Spotify or your favorite platform. Your feedback helps amplify voices like Joseph’s and supports the growth of the DBA community.Until next time—keep learning, keep leading!

In this episode of DBA Chronicles, hosts Dr. Kelly Burch,Dr. Valrie Grant and Dr. Amy Horner sat down with two distinguished DBA graduates and musicians, Dr. Frank Dukes (VP, Finance Manager, Global Transaction Services at Bank of America) and Dr. Chris Richardson (Senior Manager, Supply Chain at Thermo Fisher Scientific). Both from Cohort 6 at UNCCharlotte, they dive deep into the evolving role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and share unique insights from their recent research.Key Topics Discussed:What inspired Dr. Dukes and Dr. Richardson to pursue a DBAChallenges faced and resilience-building moments in their doctoral journeyDr. Richardson’s research on dynamic capabilities shaping CSR adaptation during disruptionsDr. Dukes’ study on how political polarization influences ESG behaviors within firmsThe real-world implications of CSR in strategic decision-making and leadershipAdvice for navigating CSR in politically and socially charged environmentsKey Takeaways:CSR must be embedded in a company’s long-term strategy, not just a reactive measureDynamic capabilities like sensing, seizing, and reconfiguring are critical for resilient CSR strategiesPolitical orientation doesn’t always shape corporate CSR engagement—investor pressure and strategic alignment matter moreAvoid “flavor of the month” CSR approaches; sustainability is about enduring value and consistencyBonus Insight:Both guests bring a musical twist—Dr. Dukes on guitar and Dr. Richardson on drums—highlighting the harmony of creativity and business insight in their journey!Connect with Us:LinkedIn: DBA ChroniclesWebsite: www.dbachronicles.orgSubscribe & Review:If this episode inspired you, leave a review on Spotify or your favorite platform. Your feedback helps amplify voices like Dr. Burich’s and supports the growth of the DBA community.Until next time—keep learning, keep leading!