From Adversity to Executive Leadership | Carmen Johnson

What does it take to overcome your past, lead with purpose, and adapt in a world that’s changing faster than ever?In this episode of The Dap & A Hug Podcast, I sit down with Carmen Johnson, Chief Financial & Administrative Officer at ORC, for a conversation that goes far beyond the boardroom.Carmen opens up about growing up with a mother battling addiction and a father who was her dealer, how those experiences shaped her drive, and what it took to break generational patterns. We also discuss leadership, emotional intelligence, resilience, AI, breast cancer, and why our choices—not our past—define who we become.Carmen shares her personal experience with breast cancer, how it changed her perspective, and why support matters so much for women going through the disease. She also discusses her contribution to Rising Above: Our Transformational Journey to Wholeness After Breast Cancer, an anthology led by Gillian Lichota that features deeply personal stories of resilience, healing, and life after breast cancer.Whether you’re a business leader, entrepreneur, student, or simply navigating a season of change, this conversation offers practical wisdom and a powerful reminder that growth begins with the choices we make every day.In this episode, we discuss:• Growing up with addiction and breaking generational patterns• Overcoming imposter syndrome and self-doubt• Leadership through empathy and emotional intelligence• AI, the future of work, and why adaptability matters• Building resilient teams and healthy workplace cultures• Fear, failure, and the power of taking the first step• Carmen’s personal experience with breast cancer• The importance of support for women facing breast cancer• Contributing to Rising Above: Our Transformational Journey to Wholeness After Breast Cancer• Why people—not products—are every organization’s greatest assetGuest: Carmen JohnsonChief Financial & Administrative Officer at ORC📸 Connect with CarmenInstagram: @wildatheartleo🌐 Learn more about ORChttps://www.orcolan.com📖 Featured BookRising Above: Our Transformational Journey to Wholeness After Breast CancerBy Gillian Lichota and other contributing authors, including Carmen JohnsonAvailable on Amazon: https://a.co/d/05lUSEh6If you enjoyed this episode, please follow The Dap & A Hug Podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who could benefit from the conversation.Peace and Love at The Dap and A Hug