Executive Leaders Radio

What does it take to build a successful career, lead high-performing teams, and create opportunities for others? On this episode of Real World Leaders, students sit down with Andy Balsan, President of Johnstone Supply; Crystal MacNeill, President & CEO of Acentus Practice Management; Amol Waishampayan, Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer of Fullthrottle.ai; John Gulnac, CEO of SolomonEdwards Group; and Alex Garashchenko, Managing Member of Doodle, LLC. These accomplished leaders share the experiences, challenges, and personal lessons that shaped their careers, from their earliest jobs to leading organizations and driving innovation. Students learn how resilience, curiosity, relationship-building, and a willingness to embrace new opportunities can open unexpected doors.

On this episode of Executive Leaders Radio, Herb Cohen sits down with four dynamic executives to explore how childhood experiences and early influences shaped their leadership styles. Ben Connors, CEO of General Building Contractors Association, shares how his upbringing in Philadelphia and New Jersey, combined with early exposure to trade associations and politics, prepared him to steward a 135-year-old member organization. Dave DelBaccaro, CEO and President of Music Choice, reflects on his engineering background, competitive household, and how adaptability has fueled the company’s evolution amid changing music consumption trends. Cesidio Colasante, owner of Soccer Shots of Southeastern Pennsylvania, discusses her journey from professional soccer to leading a mobile youth program serving multiple counties, grounded in the values instilled by her Italian immigrant parents. Todd Sager, CEO of AWE Tuning, explains how his passion for cars, engineering, and artistry influences his approach to building enthusiast-driven performance products. Together, these leaders reveal how work ethic, family dynamics, and early passions continue to drive their impact on employees, members, and communities.

In this episode of Executive Leaders Radio, Herb Cohen and his co-hosts interview four dynamic executives about the experiences that shaped their leadership. Tim Laffey, Philadelphia Office Leader at Mercer, shares how early lessons in hard work and teamwork influence his leadership style. Benita Cooper, Owner and Principal Architect of Benita Cooper Design, reflects on how her international upbringing shaped her approach to design and client relationships. Brandon Rost, CEO of Be Marketing, and Leza Raffel, President and Founder of Communication Solutions Group, discuss entrepreneurship, innovation, and strategic communications in today’s evolving marketplace.

In this episode, Executive Leaders Radio brings together four mission-driven CEOs whose personal journeys shaped their leadership. Tim Andrews, CEO of ASI Central, reflects on growing up in poverty and how community support and resilience guided his career and his commitment to giving back through nonprofit service. Jeff Cordell, President and CEO of Health Advocate, shares how early work, military service, and mentors built the discipline and perspective he brings to leading a national healthcare advocacy organization. Tim Henkel, CEO of Penrose, connects his upbringing to his company’s work providing affordable housing to nearly 50,000 people across 14,000–15,000 units, emphasizing relationships and recognizing human potential. Herb also interviews Rob Cooper, CEO of LOL Entertainment, about his leap from corporate life to entrepreneurship, the risks he took, and his focus on trust, autonomy, and customer experience. Across all conversations, the leaders highlight the power of mentorship, community, and calculated risk in shaping both careers and impact. Together, the episode paints a compelling picture of how lived experience can drive purpose-driven leadership and meaningful social change.

Herb Cohen and his co-hosts welcomed Zach Nissenbaum, President of Cover Sports, Bill Evans, CEO of Liberty Fox Software, Chellie Cameron, President and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, and Kathryn Bittner, Chief Operating Officer of the Commercial Division at WSFS Bank, for a wide-ranging discussion on leadership and legacy. Zach Nissenbaum shared insights from his family’s 151-year-old textile business, Cover Sports, and how growing up in a multigenerational company shaped his competitive drive, team-first mindset, and commitment to caring for employees like family. Bill Evans discussed his journey from building computers as a child to leading a software development company. Chellie Cameron discussed her journey from growing up in a small town to serving in the U.S. Air Force, experiences that built her leadership foundation and passion for accountability, service, and community impact. Kathryn Bittner spoke about her path to leadership at WSFS Bank, emphasizing strategic thinking, listening to client needs, and building systems that allow teams to deliver consistently. Together, the conversation explored how personal experiences, values, and service-oriented leadership styles translate into long-term success across industries.

Our show this week featuring accomplished leaders from education, global professional services, and family-owned manufacturing companies. Dr. Susan Looney, President of Reading Area Community College, shared her remarkable journey from high school dropout to college president, emphasizing student support, resilience, and belief as cornerstones of her leadership. Wayne Berson, CEO of BDO, reflected on his path from Cape Town, South Africa, to leading a global organization of 124,000 employees, highlighting integrity, trust-based leadership, philanthropy, and BDO’s role as one of the largest ESOP companies in the U.S. Charles Cohen, Managing Director of Benco Dental Company, discussed leading a 100-year-old family business, navigating generational expectations, and building a people-first culture in healthcare solutions. David Taylor, CEO of Tavo Packaging, explored his upbringing in a manufacturing family, leadership alongside his brother and company president, and his commitment to community involvement.

This collection of executive interviews highlights the diverse backgrounds and leadership philosophies of four prominent business leaders. John DiGiuseppe, CEO of The Fence Authority, discusses how authenticity, accountability, and team-building drive his success. Mike Cromer, Executive Vice President of IMC Construction, reflects on the work ethic and resilience shaped by his upbringing and athletics, now central to his leadership in a major Mid-Atlantic construction firm. Josh Gross, CEO of Mill Creek Capital Advisors, shares how discipline, mentorship, and early exposure to finance guided him to build a $12B wealth management firm. Jake Leone, President & CEO of Corporate Interiors, describes his transition from airline pilot to workplace-solutions leader, emphasizing innovation, customer experience, and building strong teams.