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Today we’re talking Strengths Based Leadership, STEM Outreach, Leveraging Technology, Training Metrics, Critical Thinking, All Things Zen and The Spark of Watching Future Generations! We are talking with James Hischke, and we are so mutually excited to help the next generations succeed! The landing page for this episode is James Hischke: The Zenquest of Leaders with Jess Ollenburg — zenquest.online.

James brings over 20 years of experience in various leadership roles across business and technology. He builds high-performing lean/agile teams that solve business problems and advance business strategy, while ensuring the strengths of each individual are fully leveraged.

After starting his career as a Software Engineer for Strong Financial, he excelled in various roles during an 18+ year career at Northwestern Mutual that included project/program management, lean/agile IT transformation, IT vendor management, tech talent/workforce development, and lean process improvement.

He was instrumental in the work that led to the creation of the Milwaukee Tech Hub Coalition.

James is currently the Director of Consulting Services for Codeworks, LLC, serving exceptional nationwide clients. He serves on the advisory boards for i.c.stars Milwaukee and Pathways High School, and is a member of the Tech United (United Way) Advisory Council. James and his wife Beth have 4 children (Maddie - 18, Claire - 16, Owen - 13, and Simon - 11) and live in Muskego, WI. He spends his time outside of work traveling with his family, playing basketball, coaching youth sports, golfing, mountain biking, fishing, and just about any other activity someone wants to throw his way.

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Today we’re talking about art in education, art in careers and art in self-nourishment, and we’re talking with Joel Cencius, Executive Director of Arts at Large. Whether we’ve created or purchased the art, whether we deploy art in work, play or expression, the value is so strong in developing leaders, problem solving, communication, invention, wellness, mood optimization and so many strengths. We’re talking zen in art therapy, physical exercise and redirecting the human brain into re-energizing subject matter.

Enjoy the show's landing page at: Joel Cencius - The Zenquest of Leaders Podcast — zenquest.online

Here’s a little background on today’s guest…

• Joel Cencius is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) with over 17 years of nonprofit management experience. He has held various direct-fundraising leadership positions as well as organizational management roles. Joel currently serves as Executive Director for Arts At Large, an arts education nonprofit committed to enhancing accessibility to the arts within the community.
• Prior to his current role, Joel served as the Chief Development Officer for St. Joan Antida High School, where he led the school's development and alumnae relations efforts. During his tenure, the school doubled its annual fundraising revenue, including securing the largest foundation gift in its 69-year history which led to the school’s first capital improvement project in more than 15 years. Joel's strategic initiatives extended to establishing the school's marketing and communications department, significantly elevating visibility and enrollment in a highly competitive high school market.
• Before rejoining St. Joan's, Joel served as the Vice President of Development for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee. In this role, he oversaw all fund development responsibilities for the agency that served over 1,400 children and their families annually.
• Joel has also held leadership roles at Cardinal Stritch University and the Betty Brinn Children's Museum.
• He is a member of Rotary serving as President for the Mequon-Milwaukee Diversity Passport Club. He has also been a long-time volunteer for Make-a-Wish of Wisconsin, the Arthritis Foundation, and the Washington High School Alumni Scholarship Foundation. He earned his undergraduate degree in communication arts and business at Cardinal Stritch University.

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Our featured guest this episode is Mary Starr, diving into topics such as Culture by Design not Default, The Culture of Mattering, Surveys Done Right, Healthy Partnerships, Laughable Moments… and of course… Zen. We’re talking personal zen through exercise, fresh air and living in the present. We’re talking creating zen for those we lead to help humans bring their A-games in productivity, well-being and work-life balance.

As referenced in today’s show, Mary is sharing “Culture by Design…” an insightful PowerPoint of The Starr Group’s own case studies and research to accompany this program. Mary's PowerPoint, show landing page, topic resources and contact info are available at Mary Starr: The Zenquest of Leaders — zenquest.online.

Here’s a little background on today’s guest…

• Mary Starr, Executive Vice President, has directed The Starr Group since 1985. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in sociology & social work and a minor in Spanish. She went on to earn graduate credits toward her master’s degree in social work at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and graduate credits toward her master’s in business administration at Keller Graduate School.
• In 2010 Mary became a Certified Wellness Coach and in 2016 earned her Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist designation.
• Mary has served on numerous boards past and present, including: American Heart Association Board of Directors; Wellness Council of Wisconsin’s Executive Board of Directors; Board of Directors for the Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare | Ascension Foundation; Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare Diabetes Awareness Advisory Board; Well City Milwaukee Advisory Board of Directors; MarshBerry and Associates Advisory Council, Milwaukee’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For Board, The South Suburban Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and more.
• Mary has been at the helm of creating The Starr Group’s current award-winning wellness program, Fit4Life, which has received numerous accolades including National Healthiest 100 Workplaces, inducted into Hall of Fame 2022; Well Workplace Award, Wellness Council of America, since 2011; American Heart Association Workplace Health Solutions Gold Award, and many more.