Contributors

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Host

Dr. Katie Ervin

Dr. Ervin is the founder and CEO of Catalyst Development.  Throughout her career, she has established a reputation as a transformational leader driven by challenge, undeterred by obstacles, and committed to furthering standards of excellence. In her work, she has saved organizations millions of dollars by focusing on building a strong culture and investing in your people.  Her work in developing strong leaders and teams focused on critical career skill building to develop strong cultures and grow organizations.  

           
Dr. Ervin’s area of research is workplace motivation based on self-determination theory and the impact of an employee’s perception of their organization’s support.  Her first book “You Might Be an Asshole but It Might Not Be Your Fault” was released April 21, 2023 and was the #1 New Release Best Seller in Human Resources as well as Educational Leadership on Amazon.    

https://katieervin.com/about/

Guests

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Guest

Erica Kruckenberg

Texas girl thrilled to be living in Kansas. Grew up living in North Texas aspiring to run my own freight forwarding company. International Business degree, Masters degree in Educational Leadership and finishing EdD in Higher Ed.

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Jenna Washnieski

Jenna’s first leadership role was at age 3 when she became a big sister.  Her career includes 20+ years in the nonprofit industry, with more than a decade in executive leadership. Jenna currently works as a leadership coach and facilitator, helping companies build exceptional cultures, and supporting leaders as they develop the confidence to create fulfilling lives both in AND outside the workplace. Jenna holds a Master of Public Health specializing in health promotion and behavior change, is an ICF-certified professional coach (ACC), is certified in Integrative Enneagram (IEQ9) and is an Energy Leadership Index-Master Practitioner. Additionally, Jenna is a yoga instructor and finds joy integrating yoga philosophy with leadership development. She shares these and other practical (and often irreverent) lessons through her writing, transformational workshops and on her podcast, In With…The Podcast.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-washnieski/

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Guest

Jill Hathaway

Growing up in a family masonry manufacturing business and holding sales positions throughout the Midwest with national footwear brands, I have brought my entrepreneurial spirit to Kansas City in the late ‘90s, opening a progression of retail shoe stores. Not implementing the strategies I now understand and teach, I closed my business in 2014. With an introduction to Missouri’s SBDC (Small Business Development Center) at UMKC, I participated in an Entrepreneurial Mindset program and have since worked with the MO SBDC at UMKC IC as a consultant and now the Regional Director. 

https://sbdc.umkc.edu/

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Marc Shaffer

Marc is a financial planning expert dedicated to helping families achieve generational financial continuity through strategic goal setting and monitoring. He is CFO and owner of Searcy Financial.  Living in Overland Park, Kansas, with his wife Bridgette and their two children, Grant and Emily, Marc is deeply involved in his community. He actively mentors through the Kansas City Chapter of the Financial Planning Association and serves on various boards.

Marc has completed multiple half marathons and BikeMS events and enjoys hiking globally. His leadership and service roles include extensive contributions to the Overland Park South Rotary Club, Kansas City Centurions Leadership Program, and Kansas State University, where he has been recognized for his professional and philanthropic efforts.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcshaffer/