Pathfinders Podcast: Navigating Your Career Map with a Personal Board of Advisors

Thought Liters Featuring Pete Schramm

Pete Schramm is the founder of Lattitude, a company that provides employee connection software and services. They focus on career mapping, engagement surveys, and building a personal board of advisors through mentorship. The company is based on the idea that individuals, just like companies, can benefit from having a diverse group of people guiding and supporting their growth and development. Pete suggests starting small with approximately eight people on your board and gradually growing from there. He also emphasizes the importance of setting expectations and goals for each.

Baseball to Boardroom: The Journey to Building a Digital Marketing Agency with Colton Hower

On this episode of Pathfinders, we’re sitting down with Colton Hower, founder and CEO of POWER Marketing. Colton’s journey from college athlete to successful entrepreneur is all about adaptability, mentorship, and turning passion into purpose.
A former Division One baseball player, Colton originally thought he’d end up in law. But during college, he discovered a love for journalism and media. After graduating, he jumped into his first role at a marketing agency, where he got hands-on experience in social media, PR, and advertising.
Colton credits his time on the field for teaching him time management, prioritization, and how to thrive under pressure. His mantra? “Pressure is a privilege.” That mindset has fueled him throughout his career. During his time at the agency, he was guided by two key mentors: his boss, Matt, and a client, David. Their guidance shaped his approach to leadership and set the foundation for his entrepreneurial mindset.
After five years, Colton took a leap of faith and launched POWER Marketing. As CEO, he’s focused on scaling the business, building strong client relationships, and staying ahead of the curve in digital marketing and AI. His big goal? To hit 100 clients by year’s end.
Colton’s secret to success? Having a personal board of advisors. He believes prioritizing relationships and having confidence in the journey are game-changers for personal and professional growth.

Run Through the Fire: Navigating Change and Growth as a Leader with Brian Fishel

On this episode of Pathfinders, host Pete Schramm interviews Brian Fishel, a seasoned executive with extensive experience in human resources and strategic business partnerships. Fishel shares his career journey, which began with aspirations to be either an athlete or a doctor. This desire led him to study biology in college, but his career ultimately took a different path.
Fishel started his professional journey in HR at Taco Bell, where he gained valuable experience creating impactful learning opportunities. He then moved on to leadership roles at Pepsi, Pizza Hut, and Coca-Cola, excelling in navigating corporate environments while continuing to develop his expertise in talent management and strategic leadership. Along the way, he worked as a consultant before transitioning to corporate positions, which gave him a well-rounded perspective on business operations.
Throughout his career, Fishel has been guided by mentors, including a guidance counselor, bosses, and colleagues, who provided him with advice and support during pivotal transitions. He emphasizes the importance of building trust and rapport in mentoring relationships, as well as the value of creating a personal board of advisors and a career map to set goals and achieve success.
Fishel also reflects on his decision to leave a company in search of growth opportunities, acknowledging the trade-offs involved and the importance of thoughtful decision-making. He stresses the significance of being present, learning from others, and paying it forward. For him, speed is essential, but he cautions against rushing into decisions without considering their consequences. Fishel’s insights into leadership, mentorship, and career development offer practical advice for listeners navigating their own career paths.

Choosing Purpose Over Pay: Workplace Inclusion through DEI with Dr. Victoria Mattingly

On this episode of Pathfinders, we’re thrilled to sit down with Dr. Victoria Mattingly, better known as Dr. V. She’s the CEO of Mattingly Solutions, an expert in DEI, and an all-around rockstar in creating more inclusive workplaces.
Dr. V’s journey started with a big decision early in her career: should she take a high-paying, six-figure job or accept a smaller internship that aligned with her long-term goals? With guidance from her personal board of advisors, she chose the internship. That one decision set her on a path of purpose-driven work that would lead her to where she is today.
After earning her Ph.D. in organizational psychology, Dr. V gained hands-on experience at Amazon on their talent assessment team before diving into consulting. It was there she learned the ins and outs of organizational systems, which she now leverages as the CEO of Mattingly Solutions. Her company takes a data-driven approach to DEI, with equity at the core of everything they do, helping businesses create fair, thriving workplaces.
Dr. V is passionate about DEI being integrated into talent management, leadership, and workplace culture. She believes that a representative workforce is not just a nice-to-have, it’s essential for success. During our conversation, she shares her journey from dreaming big to becoming an industrial/organizational psychologist and highlights the pivotal role mentorship has played in her career.
We also explore topics like remote teams, burnout, and her book, Inclusalytics, which emphasizes the power of data-driven decision-making in creating inclusive environments. Dr. V’s insights will inspire you to approach DEI with intentionality, focus on equity, and always keep measurable impact in mind.

Don’t Let Best Get in the Way of Better: A Journey in Talent Acquisition with Aaron Brown

This week on Pathfinders, we’re diving into the incredible career journey of Aaron Brown, a global talent acquisition thought leader with over 20 years of experience. From his roots as the son of a basketball coach and dreams of engineering greatness, to taking a leap into recruiting, Aaron shares how his path evolved in unexpected and rewarding ways.
Aaron takes us back to his time at Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin), where he played a key role in winning and staffing massive contracts—think hundreds of hires in 90 days—and even helped design a game-changing regional recruiting center. Talk about efficiency and innovation!
We also explore Aaron’s personal philosophy on success. He emphasizes the power of mentorship and surrounding yourself with a personal board of advisors (PBA) to guide your career. Whether it’s mentoring job seekers or advising his daughter on navigating her own path, Aaron’s mantra is clear: map your career, stay hungry, and don’t let “best” get in the way of “better.”
We don’t stop there. Aaron unpacks the role of AI in HR and recruiting, the need for balance between technology and human connection, and why leaders must stay intentional about investing in their people. Plus, you’ll hear some top-tier advice for job seekers—like why that personal touch on LinkedIn can make all the difference.

Mentorship, Growth, and Embracing Failure: A Career Journey with Josh LeFebvre

In this episode of Pathfinders, we sit down with Josh LeFebvre, whose career journey is nothing short of inspiring. What started as a dream of becoming a lawyer evolved into a thriving career in leadership development—a transition marked by key moments of mentorship, discovery, and growth.
Josh began his professional path in political event planning, where he first tapped into the power of connection and organization. As his interests shifted, he leaned into his passion for learning and development, eventually carving out a niche in leadership development.
His educational foundation at the Kelley School of Business was pivotal. It was there, during his MBA journey, that he encountered mentorship in its most impactful form—professors and peers who believed in him, challenged him, and guided his path forward.
After graduating, Josh gained hands-on experience at H&E, a project management training firm. It was a space that not only allowed him to refine his skills but also prepared him for his current role as Director of Learning and Development at Kay Allison, a leading tech company.

Navigating GovCon and Beyond: A Path to Leadership and the Power of Mentorship

On this episode, our host, Pete Schramm, sits down with Alexa Tsui, COO of G2Xchange, who shared her journey as a business development (BD) and capture professional, now turned COO. She discussed her work in government contracting, how she first got into this field, and her unique perspectives on business development.
A key focus of this conversation was the importance of mentorship and networking. Alexa emphasized the value of preparation and effective communication in mentor-mentee relationships, sharing her own experiences with a great mentor who used open-ended questions to offer guidance. She also highlighted the benefits of reverse mentorship, which fosters learning across generations and brings fresh perspectives to organizations. Alexa emphasized the value of having multiple mentors and gave our listeners a peak behind the curtain into several of her own personal experiences that our audience could really learn from.
Additionally, Alexa offered practical advice on building a strong network. She stressed the importance of making genuine connections, helping introverts feel comfortable in social settings, and ensuring that extroverts always try to include others. With a sense of humor as a helpful workplace skill, she encouraged kindness, generosity, and having fun while pursuing career goals. She concluded by sharing tips for succeeding in the GovCon industry and the importance of creating a plan and setting goals for mentorship relationships.

Mapping Your Career: Insights on Leadership, Change, and Self-Awareness with Dave Pygon

During the latest episode, host Pete Schramm interviewed guest Dave Pygon, president and founder of Pygon ONE Consulting, a Chicago-based firm. Pygon ONE focuses on mastering and tackling the complex challenges of soft skills, particularly leadership development, problem-solving, driving results, efficiency and effectiveness, and improved communication.
Dave describes his diverse career journey, starting with his childhood dream of playing in the NBA. This dream eventually led to a career in sales and marketing. After working at companies like ADP and Alcon Labs, Dave found his true passion in consulting and leadership development. As the founder of Pygon ONE Consulting, he now helps leaders develop the skills necessary for success in business and life.
Dave discusses the role of self-awareness and soft skills in professional growth. He also emphasizes the value of having a career map and building a personal board of advisors to guide you through challenging times. Dave reflects on his over twenty years of working with companies like ADP, Alcon, and Novartis, where he led teams and navigated complex challenges, including mergers and acquisitions. He provides tips for handling these transitions and the importance of remaining open-minded during change.
In addition, Dave encourages listeners to invest in tools for professional growth, such as Lattitude and stresses the importance of staying positive and focusing on solutions rather than dwelling on pessimistic thoughts. He concludes by reiterating the value of continuous learning, adapting to change, and building meaningful relationships each and every day.

The Power of Feedback, Mentorship, and Networking: Insights from Two HR Leaders

In this episode of the Pathfinders podcast, we feature an insightful conversation with Sam Thomeier and Chelsea Hamilton, two HR experts with extensive experience in the industry! They share their unique career journeys, discussing how they first entered the field and the lessons they've learned along the way. One of the key themes in this conversation is the importance of building a personal board of advisors (PBA) and the value of relationships in the workplace.
Chelsea and Sam dive deep into their personal stories and unique backstories that have brought them to this point in their careers. Chelsea initially thought she would pursue being a doctor, but after earning a college degree and a master's she ultimately pivoted to HR. Sam, on the other hand, dreamed of becoming a rapper or an athlete before eventually finding his calling in human resources.
The guests emphasize the importance of being self-aware and intentional when developing a career. They offer practical advice on how to receive feedback, remain true to yourself, and being eager to constantly learn and grow. Both Chelsea and Sam highlight the value of mentorship—whether through formal programs or informal guidance from trusted colleagues, friends, and family—and the role of a personal board of advisors in their professional success.
Throughout the episode, they emphasize the significance of networking and building genuine relationships for career growth. Sam and Chelsea address common excuses people make for avoiding networking, such as feeling intimidated or viewing it as transactional. Both guests stressed the importance of giving and receiving feedback, seeing it as an opportunity for growth rather than criticism. They encourage listeners to embrace authenticity, be themselves, and view others as equals when building connections.
Tune in to hear their valuable insights on career development, mentorship, networking, and how to build meaningful relationships in the workplace.

Creating Fulfillment at Work: Leading with Purpose with Lyndsay Dowd

In this episode of the Pathfinders Podcast, we sit down with Lyndsay Dowd, a leader with over 25 years of experience in the corporate world, to discuss her career journey and insights into modern leadership practices. Lyndsay's path to success began early in life, as she aspired to be a motivator. In college, she studied sociology and women's studies, and during college, she got licensed to work in real estate. After a stint in interior design, her journey took a significant pivot to Boston, where she joined IBM and spent 23 years climbing the corporate ladder. During the show, Lyndsay dove deep into her background story and how her work at IBM shaped her thoughts on business and the importance of relationships. She shares how the skills she developed and the relationships she built at IBM helped her progress in many ways throughout her career. A key takeaway from her experience is the value of building a personal board of advisors and the support of mentors and advocates throughout one’s journey.
During her time at IBM, Lyndsay learned invaluable lessons about leadership, the power of trust, and the importance of creating a culture of advocacy for employees. She also discusses a pivotal moment in her career when she was fired from a new role and realized that career security, rather than job security, was crucial for long-term success. This experience led her to start her own business (Heartbeat for Hire LLC - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heartbeat-for-hire/), focusing on helping people build modern leadership skills and irresistible culture. Lyndsay's newest venture as Chief Revenue Officer at Intry Careers she continues to lift others up. She provides a beautiful intersection of technology, AI, and the human touch to job seekers. She works with corporations with their Outplacement Alternative, job placement agencies with their patented resume technology, and career coaches and resume writers with Career Compass. She also emphasizes the importance of building a personal brand and being able to offer your unique value proposition.
In addition to her work at Intry Careers, Lyndsay is an advocate for diversity and has expanded her network by joining communities of like-minded professionals. Her efforts have led to speaking engagements at prestigious events, including Harvard, and even a billboard in Times Square. Today, Lyndsay spends her time podcasting, keynote speaking, and helping others develop the skills to lead in today’s fast-paced business world. Listen in as Lyndsay conveys how to create a fulfilling work experience that retains employees and fosters growth.
Connect with her on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyndsaydowdh4h/