Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged

From Battlefield Innovation to Strategic Insight: A Conversation with Greg Dietrich

This week on Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, ⁠Laura Bennett⁠ sits down with ⁠Greg Dietrich⁠, Former Senior Defense Program Manager & DEVCOM ARL Leader with an expertise in Test & Evaluation, Soldier Lethality, and Technology Integration, whose career has shaped some of the most important advances in soldier readiness, survivability, and future-force innovation.
They talk about what it really takes to modernize a force, why “innovate or die” isn’t just a slogan, and how science, technology, and human judgment come together in high-stakes decision-making. Greg brings decades of experience—plus the grounded humility of a longtime paramedic—to a conversation about leadership, transformation, and what the next era of national security requires from all of us.
Short, powerful, and packed with insight.
To connect with Greg, visit his LinkedIn page ⁠here⁠.

From Federal Leadership to Industry Innovation with Mark Junda

In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett talks with Mark Junda, a seasoned federal technology leader who’s bridged the gap between government and industry. From driving procurement reform at the VA to now leading Digital Experience at TISTA, Mark shares how challenging the status quo, taking risks, and reinventing yourself can redefine leadership. It’s a candid conversation about courage, innovation, and what it really takes to lead transformation on both sides of the table.
To connect with Mark, visit his LinkedIn page here.Learn more about TISTA by visiting their webpage here.

Coach’s Corner: Leadership Lessons from Ukraine with Blake Harvey

What does leadership look like when you step completely outside your comfort zone?
In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett sits down with Blake Harvey, VP of Growth at Red Team Consulting, who has traveled to Ukraine four times in the past year—most recently for five weeks.
From working U.S. hours in a Ukrainian village to navigating language barriers and limited resources, Blake shares powerful lessons about resilience, adaptability, and leading with values during times of turbulence.
This conversation is not about politics—it’s about humanity, growth, and the courage it takes to lead when everything around you shifts.
🎧 Listen in and discover how his experiences abroad can inspire you to rethink resilience, leadership, and navigating uncertainty.
To connect with Blake, visit his LinkedIn page here.Learn more about Red Team Consulting by visiting their webpage here.

Breaking Barriers in Border Leadership: A Conversation with Kathleen Scudder & Patricia McGurk

What does it take to lead at the highest levels of federal law enforcement—and to do so as trailblazing women in a field long dominated by men? In this month's Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett sits down with Kathleen Scudder, former Senior Executive of U.S. Border Patrol, and Patricia McGurk, the first woman to serve as Chief Patrol Agent in both the San Diego and Yuma Sectors.
Together, Kathleen and Patricia open up about the grit, resilience, and integrity it takes to manage some of the most complex security challenges facing our nation—from transnational criminal organizations to humanitarian crises at the border. They share stories from their 20+ year journeys through U.S. Border Patrol, the personal sacrifices of leadership, and how they navigated the weight of responsibility while raising families, building partnerships, and breaking glass ceilings.
This conversation isn’t just about border security—it’s about leadership under pressure, innovation in the face of crisis, and redefining what it means to "have it all" as women leaders. Whether you’re in government, business, or simply navigating your own leadership path, you’ll walk away inspired by their courage, wisdom, and humanity.
If you’ve ever wondered what true resilience and service-driven leadership look like, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
To connect with Kathleen, visit her LinkedIn page here.To connect with Patricia, visit her LinkedIn page here.

From Résumé to Reinvention: Translating Public Sector Experience

In this month's Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett is joined by Christine Callahan, RN, MBA—Managing Partner at SeaHill Consulting Group.
They dive into how federal leaders can reframe their résumés, redefine their value, and reposition themselves for success in the private sector. Christine shares strategies for translating government-speak, avoiding common résumé traps, and crafting a narrative that resonates with industry recruiters.
If you're making the leap from public to private—or helping others do the same—this episode is packed with real talk, smart tips, and a dose of encouragement.
To connect with Christine, visit her LinkedIn page here.To learn more about SeaHill Consulting Group, visit their website here.

From Stuck to Strategic: Redefining Career Change with Mark Wigginton

In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett sits down with Mark Wigginton, Certified Professional Coach, Licensed Professional Counselor, and founder of Focusing On Results. With a background that bridges sales psychology and real-world resilience, Mark helps job seekers and career changers move from indecision to intentional action—especially those navigating the leap from federal to private sector life.
Together, they explore the subtle mindset shifts that turn setbacks into stepping stones, the power of reframing your value, and why “playing it safe” is sometimes the riskiest move of all. If you’ve ever felt stuck, sidelined, or unsure how to tell your story in a way that lands—this conversation is for you.
✨ They talk about:
How to get out of your own way when change hits hard
Blending sales strategy with psychological insight to move forward
Translating federal experience into private sector confidence
The question that gets fence-sitters to finally leap
And the well-meaning career advice Mark wishes we’d all stop repeating
Listen in for a dose of tough love, strategic clarity, and real talk on what it means to bet on yourself.
To connect with Mark, visit his LinkedIn page here.To learn more about Focusing on Results, visit their website here.Mark's free ebook
Navigate the Transition From Federal Employment to the Private Sector can be downloaded here.
If you liked listening to this episode, click here to view more in this series. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.

Leading with Clarity: Storytelling, Strategy, and the Human Side of Branding

In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett sits down with Jens-Kristian Kiel—a speaker, branding professional, and content strategist who brings together German precision and American heart. With over 30 years of experience across advertising, marketing, IT, and higher education, Jens has led across continents and industries, leaving his mark through thoughtful storytelling, cross-cultural communication, and human-centered innovation.
They talk about what it really means to lead with authenticity, how to express your value without just reciting a résumé, and why the best branding is grounded in service—not self-promotion. From overcoming imposter syndrome to designing solutions that meet people where they are, Jens shares both the mindset and methods that have made him a trusted advisor and award-winning leader in the West Virginia community and beyond.
This episode is especially powerful for leaders in transition, professionals looking to refine their voice, and anyone wondering how to communicate their expertise without losing their humility.
🎧 Listen in as we unpack how to:✔ Communicate across industries and cultures✔ Balance humility with confident storytelling✔ Remove pain points through clarity and curiosity✔ Build a reputation rooted in trust, not titles✔ Tell your story in a way that opens doors
To connect with Jens, visit his LinkedIn page here.
If you liked listening to this episode, click here to view more in this series. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.

Leadership, Transition, and Resilience with Jeff Grant

In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett chats with Jeff Grant, President and Founder of Schedule F Healthcare Strategies and former Operations Director at the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight, CMS. With over 30 years of experience leading major federal health programs, Jeff shares defining moments from his career, lessons learned across public and private sectors, and his journey toward founding Schedule F Healthcare Strategies to support laid-off federal employees.
They discuss the challenges civil servants face during career transitions, how leadership principles evolve across industries, and what professionals should prepare for in today’s federal healthcare and contracting landscape. Jeff’s insights offer encouragement and practical advice for leaders navigating change and building new opportunities.
To connect with Jeff, visit his LinkedIn page here.To learn more about Schedule F Healthcare Strategies, click here.
If you liked listening to this episode, click here to view more in this series. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.

Leadership, Resilience & Redefining Success with Kathleen Scudder

In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett sits down with Kathleen Scudder, Delivery and Strategy Lead at Accenture Federal Services, former Executive Director at U.S. Border Patrol, and author of What Did I Sign Up For? to discuss leadership, resilience, and what it truly means to “have it all.”
With over two decades in federal law enforcement, Kathleen shares the defining moments of her career, the leadership lessons she learned in high-stakes environments, and her journey transitioning from public service to the private sector. We explore how women can navigate career pivots, structure their lives for success on their own terms, and balance ambition with fulfillment.
To connect with Kathleen, visit her LinkedIn page here.To learn more about Accenture Federal Services, click here.

Mastering LinkedIn for Career Growth with Mark Amtower

In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett talks with Mark Amtower - consultant, speaker, best-selling author, and host of Amtower Off Center - on the power of LinkedIn for career transitions, personal branding, and career growth in the federal market.
With decades of experience advising professionals on government marketing and thought leadership, Mark shares expert insights on optimizing LinkedIn profiles, building meaningful professional relationships, using LinkedIn for job searches, and leveraging content to establish credibility. He also explores how business owners can use LinkedIn to generate leads and win government contracts.