Franchise Voice host Jack Monson brings interviews with the top leaders in Franchising recorded at the IFA 2026 convention.

The 2026 Ronald E. Harrison Award winners are Omar Simmons and Raynya Simmons. They join the podcast to discuss their vision for making the franchise space bigger and more inclusive with the IFA Ascension Initiative.

Omar and Raynya share how the Ascension Initiative has grown from 17 graduates in 2024 to 45 graduates in 2025! And we’ll discuss how the program will grow over the next few years.

Next, we’ll learn from some of the most influential suppliers in Franchising: Abby Schmidt and Ben Rush of Paychex and Jonathan Hill of Morrow Hill. These subject matter experts share the latest trends in the economics of franchising and small business ownership.

Today’s podcast is sponsored by City Lifestyle.

Special Guests: Abby Schmidt, Ben Rush, Matthew Montoya, Omar Simmons, and Raynya Simmons.

Franchise Voice host Jack Monson brings interviews with the top leaders in Franchising recorded at the IFA 2026 convention.

Emma Dickison is the President & CEO of Home Helpers with a 30 year history in Franchising. She’s this year’s winner of the IFA Women’s Leadership Award and is the new Chair of the IFA Franchisor Forum.

Emma shares her journey to leading Home Helpers, her turning point with the Women’s Franchise Committee, and her mentors along the way. She discusses her intentionality, how the direction of her career has evolved, and her personal leadership style.

Next up, Contact Contact’s Matthew Montoya chats about the recent changes in digital marketing for both Franchisees and Franchise brands. How does a successful system currently balance brand control and local needs? And how are franchisors using AI to help the franchisees improve their local marketing results?

Today’s podcast is sponsored by City Lifestyle.

Special Guests: Emma Dickison and Matthew Montoya.

This episode was recorded live at The International Franchise Association's 2026 Convention in Las Vegas with host Jack Monson.

Catherine Monson, CEO of Propelled Brands and former Chair of the IFA, discusses the increased energy and the evolution at IFA2026. She also shares the latest on the status of The American Franchise Act and the Coalition to Save Local Businesses.

We’ll also chat with Franchise subject matter experts Karen Booze of AnswerConnect and Dan Bedell of Scorpion about how their teams are helping Franchisors and Franchisees with the rapidly changing realities in customer experience and franchise marketing.

Special Guests: Catherine Monson, Dan Bedell, and Karen Booze.