Leading By Example: Executives Making An Impact

Going With Your Gut: Vanessa Dew, Co-founder of Health-ade Kombucha

Health-Ade Kombucha went from a stall at the Farmer's Market to a multi-million dollar company over the course of just five years — which pushed co-founder Vanessa Dew to re-examine her leadership style in order to adapt. In this episode, Vanessa is revealing what she learned, and why vulnerability in leadership is key for scaling a business. You'll also hear her tips for overcoming imposter syndrome, trusting your instincts, and setting boundaries at work in order to become a more effective, well-rounded leader in business and life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adaptability Is Your Edge: Joel Kocher, CEO of Humann

After helping scale Dell from $100 million to a multi-billion-dollar powerhouse alongside Michael Dell, Joel Kocher thought he had leadership figured out — until success forced him to relearn humility. Now the founder and CEO of Humann, Kocher reveals why adaptability is make-or-break in leadership, especially when transitioning fields. He also shares why he left an early retirement to build a company rooted in purpose, not hype — and how walking your talk 100% of the time is the only way to truly lead by example. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Gap Year With Purpose: Ania Smith, CEO of Taskrabbit

For Taskrabbit CEO Ania Smith, a professional gap year was exactly what she needed to rediscover purpose-driven leadership. She was feeling stuck in the Silicon Valley grind, losing sight of her "why." So she and her family packed up all their things and moved to Argentina — somewhere they'd never been before — to focus on anything but work. Upon her return, Ania was confident that this was the right path, which empowered her to scale as a leader. Today, she heads up Taskrabbit, an online platform hosting 60,000 "taskers" worldwide to help folks with household projects big and small. In this episode, Ania shares her advice for navigating uncertainty, architecting your reset, and cultivating a purpose-driven leadership style. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Building a $100M Brand with Empathy: Grace Lee Chen, Founder of Birdy Grey

What does it take to turn a simple idea into a $100 million brand? In the Season 2 premiere of Leading By Example, host Jessica Chen sits down with Grace Lee Chen, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Birdy Grey, the direct-to-consumer company reshaping how people shop for weddings. Grace shares how she transformed a personal frustration as a six-time bridesmaid into a thriving business built on empathy, creativity, and deep customer connection. She opens up about scaling her brand, collaborating with her best friend and co-founder, and why stepping down as CEO to focus on creative leadership was the most empowering decision of her career. Through her journey, Grace reveals what it means to lead with trust, authenticity, and heart in today’s fast-changing business landscape.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Season 2 of Leading by Example!

What sets remarkable leaders apart? In Season 2 of Leading By Example, Emmy Award winner and global communication expert Jessica Chen uncovers how today’s executives inspire trust, navigate change, and lead with purpose. From bold decision-making to everyday empathy, these conversations pull back the curtain on the communication skills, mindset shifts, and human stories behind impactful leadership. Whether you’re managing a team or leading your own path, this season will inspire you to lead with confidence, authenticity, and purpose.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.