Bourbon and Pie - Stories from Effective People in Business and Life

Sometimes being open to opportunities can lead you to areas that push your growth and career. Krista has some humble beginnings as a graphic designer and although she followed unexpected options, the early passing of her mother and aunt and along with her written "guide" to help push her to try for more.

Giving a 5-year-old no choice to translate for the family with little to no exposure to English, in many ways, gave way to La Mariposa (the "Butterfly") to grow and become the person she is now.  Listen to this Technologist Marketer tell her little ditty as a young immigrant who is now a speaker and author, supporting the underserved community.

From biotech to a "linear" career, both in straightening out people's backs as a chiropractor to a top manager at the Stanford Linear Accelerator, helping people makes him happy. Dr. Tom and I go way back to high school, which means only one thing: he's brave enough to keep me as company.

Outside of work, Fiona is lively character and always keeps you on your toes with her dry-humor lashing out quips as much as leaders in the free world Tweet or say the word "tremendous!". And, as mentioned in the podcast, there is only one Fiona - you'll get the same person at work as you do outside of work (with exception of not typically wearing floppy hats at work). In my experience with her, she has tremendous insight into consumer behaviour and is a holistic and strategic thinker. She knows brand and go-to-market like Snoop Dogg knows the chronic. You'll want her on your side and if you're the captain of a dodge ball team, you would hope to have first pick, to be sure you get her. She's a loyal and generous friend and with colleagues, is generous with her knowledge and time, when anyone is in need. She also will never shove in your face her credentials of her Masters in Economics at University of Cambridge or her 30 years of learnings, which are applicable to most any industry.

Crystal loves to dance. You might say it’s in many forms: from a simple, midwest life to extensive and exotic travel; from the low pitfalls of her ego to continuous self-discovery; and in the literal form of weekly, local Latin dancing to the streets of the Dominican Republic.  She grew into management at a young age and at this recording was a program director for a non-profit for people in need of resources. She is a firm believer of empowering people to manage their work so they can have time outside of work.

From a journalist to technologist to helping companies innovate, Ben Edwards believes in people and emphasizes the environments in which they work. We talk about this and how empathy perspective plays a big role in order to make change at companies of any scale.