Disruptive CEO Nation Podcast Por Allison Summers arte de portada

Disruptive CEO Nation

Disruptive CEO Nation

De: Allison Summers
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EXECUTIVE COACH + GLOBAL BUSINESS LEADER ADVISOR. SPEAKER. AUTHOR. GUIDING SMART PEOPLE TO GROW INFLUENCE & CREATE OPPORTUNITIES Over 30 years, I have had the opportunity to work with fantastic organizations, impressive individuals and key industry leaders across six continents. Sitting in the corner office in both corporate and non-profit environments, I’ve attained, delivered and coached success in both the C-Suite and international board rooms. My diverse experience has provided cross-cultural insights into the talents, skills and measures required by individuals not only to get to the top, but to THRIVE at the pinnacle of business… And now I am happy to share that knowledge and support you in your quest for influence, empowerment, and ultimately success.Copyright © 2018 Allison K. Summers | All rights reserved Economía
Episodios
  • Ep 330 Optimize Your Business Through Human Solutions with Christopher McShanag, founder and CEO of Virtual Teammate; Glendale, AZ, USA

    Ep 330 Optimize Your Business Through Human Solutions with Christopher McShanag, founder and CEO of Virtual Teammate; Glendale, AZ, USA
    Apr 1 2026
    What if the biggest bottleneck in your business isn’t your strategy—but the tasks you refuse to let go? In today's episode, I sit down with Christopher McShanag, founder and CEO of Virtual Teammate, for a thoughtful conversation about what it really takes to grow a business without burning out your team or yourself. Chris shares how business owners can buy back their time by delegating administrative, operational, and customer-facing tasks to skilled virtual teammates, allowing leaders to focus on the work that truly moves the business forward. We also talk about the common fears that hold people back from outsourcing, from communication concerns to questions about accountability, and Chris explains how the right hiring standards, reporting systems, and support structure can make virtual staffing feel far more seamless and strategic than many leaders expect. Beyond that, we explore the role of AI in today’s workplace and why the smartest path forward is not choosing between technology and people, but using both together to create better outcomes, stronger productivity, and more sustainable growth. Here are the highlights: ● Stop Doing $10 Tasks as a $100 Leader: Many business owners stay stuck because they are spending too much time on low-value activities instead of focusing on the work that actually drives growth. ● Virtual Teams Can Create Real Efficiency Gains: Chris explains that, with the right systems and support, virtual teammates can help companies improve productivity while significantly lowering overhead costs. ● Most Outsourcing Fears Can Be Solved with the Right Structure: Concerns about communication, accountability, and performance become much easier to manage when there are strong hiring standards, clear reporting, and visibility into the work being done. ● AI Works Best as a Tool, Not a Replacement: One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that AI should be used to enhance human performance, not eliminate the people who bring judgment, care, and oversight to the work. ● Leaders Need to Protect Their Highest-Value Time: Chris makes a compelling case that sustainable growth happens when CEOs and business owners identify what only they can do and intentionally delegate the rest. About the guest: Christopher McShanag is the Founder and CEO of Virtual Teammate, a company dedicated to helping businesses scale more efficiently by leveraging high-performing global talent. With a background in building and leading multiple companies, Chris brings a CEO-level perspective to outsourcing, focusing on productivity, cost optimization, and sustainable growth. Under his leadership, Virtual Teammate has supported hundreds of clients and deployed thousands of virtual assistants across industries including healthcare, sales, marketing, and operations. Chris is passionate about helping business owners reclaim their time, maximize the value of their teams, and create opportunities that benefit both clients and remote professionals around the world. Connect with Christopher: Learn more: Virtual Teammate Create Value with Your Best Asset Alliance of CEOs, https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:va6c2:76947ab1-589f-4bcc-b542-9e1054fe463d Website: www.virtualteammate.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-mcshanag/ Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ #CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    26 m
  • Ep 329 The Legacy of Your Leadership & the Leaders You Grow with Shanita Akintonde, Author, Tedx Speaker, and President of ShanitaSpeaks; Chicago, IL, USA

    Ep 329 The Legacy of Your Leadership & the Leaders You Grow with Shanita Akintonde, Author, Tedx Speaker, and President of ShanitaSpeaks; Chicago, IL, USA
    Mar 25 2026
    What if the strongest leadership lessons for building the future were waiting for us on the front porch of our past? In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Shanita Akintonde to talk about her book The Front Porch Leader and the deeper leadership lessons it offers for business builders, marketers, and mentors. We explored the importance of knowing where we come from, practicing discernment about who we invite into our lives and businesses, and raising up the next generation of leaders with both courage and grace. Shanita also shared powerful insights on intentional marketing, understanding the true business you are in, and why some of the best leaders are often the quietest people in the room. This conversation is a heartfelt reminder that leadership is rooted in love, legacy, and the choices we make about who and what we let through the door. Here are the highlights: ● Leadership begins with roots. Shanita shared why understanding our history and honoring the foundation laid by those before us is essential to building a meaningful future. ● Discernment matters. We talked about the “front porch” mindset, recognizing that not everyone belongs inside your inner circle, your home, or your business. ● Great leaders are not always the loudest. Shanita explained why she often sees the most leadership potential in the quieter people who may be overlooked by others. ● Marketing should solve a real problem. Shanita emphasized that true content and brand strategy start with understanding your audience and knowing the real business you are in. ● The next generation needs grace and guidance. We discussed why emerging leaders need mentors who can support their boldness without dimming their courage. About the guest: Shanita Baraka Akintonde is an author, TEDx speaker, storyteller, and President of ShanitaSpeaks LLC. A marketing professor for more than two decades, Professor Akintonde has inspired thousands of students and professionals through her dynamic approach to communication, leadership, and personal brand strategy. She is an entrepreneur and contributor to Forbes, The Chicago Tribune, and The Chicago Defender. A triple-degree holder, she is also a Harvard-educated executive and the longtime host of the Marketing Insights podcast with McGraw Hill. Professor Akintonde is an active leader in several professional organizations, including the American Marketing Association, the National Association of Black Journalists, the Public Relations Society of America, and Top Ladies of Distinction. She also serves as Chair of the Board of Governors for The Metropolitan. Her work centers on the idea that the most powerful leadership lessons often begin in the most humble spaces—including the front porch. Connect with Shanita: Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marketing-insights/id1378417469 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanitaakintonde/ Instagram: @Shanita_BarakaMama Twitter: @_ShanitaSpeaks TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O6xmobZTUw Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ #CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    31 m
  • Ep 328 Bold Women in Business: Take the Leap & Make the Ask with Maria Doughty, CEO of The Chicago Network; Chicago, IL, USA

    Ep 328 Bold Women in Business: Take the Leap & Make the Ask with Maria Doughty, CEO of The Chicago Network; Chicago, IL, USA
    Mar 18 2026
    What separates successful women leaders from the rest often comes down to curiosity, courage, and the willingness to use their voice. In this special episode honoring International Women’s Month, I had the pleasure of speaking with Maria Doughty, CEO of The Chicago Network, an organization made up of some of the most influential women leaders across Chicago’s business, nonprofit, healthcare, and government sectors. Maria shares the key traits she sees in extraordinary women leaders, including intellectual curiosity, humility, and a deep commitment to civic engagement. We explore the importance of advocacy, making the ask, and building authentic professional relationships that create opportunities over time. Maria also discusses why women should pursue board service earlier in their careers, how advisory boards can be powerful leadership training grounds, and why executive presence and personal brand play a critical role in professional success. Above all, Maria reminds us that women supporting women remains one of the most powerful forces for creating opportunity and lasting change. Here are the highlights: ● Traits of Exceptional Leaders: The most successful women leaders share intellectual curiosity, humility, and a strong commitment to civic engagement.● The Power of the Ask: Women must confidently articulate what they need and clearly make the ask in professional conversations. ● Why Civic Engagement Matters: Involvement in community and civic organizations often leads to powerful relationships and new opportunities. ● The Value of Board Experience: Serving on advisory or corporate boards helps women build leadership, governance, and strategic decision-making skills. ● Executive Presence & Personal Brand: How leaders show up, communicate, and present themselves shapes their influence and career trajectory. About the guest: Maria Doughty is the CEO of The Chicago Network, the premier organization of Chicagoland’s most influential women leaders. Since joining in 2020, she has guided the organization through the global pandemic while strengthening its strategic vision, modernizing operations, and deepening member engagement. Maria brings extensive experience in insurance, financial services, public policy, regulatory compliance, and enterprise risk management, with a career that includes senior leadership roles at Allstate Insurance Company. She currently serves on several boards and advisory bodies, including The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Roosevelt University, and the American Bar Association’s Commission on Women in the Profession. The daughter of Italian immigrants, Maria is passionate about servant leadership, civic engagement, and advancing opportunities for the next generation of women leaders. She lives in Chicago with her husband and has two grown sons. Connect with Maria: Website: thechicagonetwork.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-doughty/ Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ #CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 m
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