logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2024
26m 50s

Marian Baldini - Kencrest: Leading a 90-...

Dr. Laura Sicola
About this episode

In this episode, Dr. Laura Sicola interviews Marian Baldini, the CEO and president of Kencrest, a human services and early learning provider. Marian shares her experiences and insights on leadership communication, including the importance of enrolling people to their giftedness and the power of silence in conversations. She also discusses the challenges she faced in starting a new company and the importance of speaking up as the lone voice of dissent. Overall, Marian emphasizes the need for leaders to understand and connect with their team members' strengths and interests to create a positive and productive work environment.

In this episode you will learn:

  • Enrolling people to their giftedness is an important aspect of leadership communication.
  • Overcoming the fear of public speaking can lead to personal growth and improved communication skills.
  • Authentic inclusion is essential in creating a supportive and inclusive environment.
  • Making wrong calls is a part of leadership, but it's important to learn from them and make necessary adjustments.
  • Taking risks can lead to innovation and growth, but effective communication is crucial in navigating the challenges..

 

About Marian:

Marian Baldini is the CEO and President of KenCrest, a human services and early learning provider throughout Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Delaware; that serves over 12,500 people annually. She is an unwavering advocate for the equality and inclusion of people with disabilities, as well as access to early education for all. Marian has over 40 years of leadership in executive planning, administration, academia, and operational oversight; and began her career as a Direct Support Professional in the 1970s, at the same Agency where she now serves as CEO.

She has been recognized by Philadelphia Business Journal as one the “Most Admired CEOs” (2019) in the region, as well as a “Woman of Distinction” (2015); as one of Main Line Today’s “Power Women” in 2021; as Lutheran Services of America (LSA)’s first ever Paragon Award (2022); as Drexel University College of Medicine’s first non-doctorate recipient of their Biomedical Sciences Graduate Recognition Award (2022); and most recently recognized by Metro Philadelphia as a “Power Women” on their annual Power Player list (2022).

You can connect with Marian Baldini in the following ways:

 

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
  • LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
  • Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
  • Twitter: @LauraSicola
  • Instagram: @drlaurasicola
  • Website: https://laurasicola.com
  • Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Jun 2024
Patrick Lencioni, The Table Group: Unleashing the Six Types of Working Genius
In this episode, Dr. Laura Sicola interviews Patrick Lencioni, author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team and The Six Types of Working Genius. They discuss the importance of trust, vulnerability, and conflict in teams, as well as the six types of working genius. Patrick shares pers ... Show More
44m 10s
Jun 2024
Jeffrey Orlando, Bristol Myers Squibb: Simplifying Messages - The Rule of Three
In this episode, Dr. Laura Sicola interviews Jeff Orlando, the Chief Learning Officer for Bristol Myers Squibb, about leadership communication. They discuss the importance of simplifying complex concepts and using the rule of three to convey messages effectively. Jeff shares a st ... Show More
35m 58s
May 2024
Martha Sharkey: Letting Go as a Sign of Strength
Martha Sharkey, founder and CEO of Today Is a Good Day, shares her experience in nonprofit leadership and the mission of her organization to provide support for families who have experienced the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). She discusses the inspiration behind the organiz ... Show More
33m 32s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2020
Donna Marie De Carolis - Dean, Close School of Entrepreneurship, Drexel University: Entrepreneurship, Mindset and Credibility
On this episode of Speaking to Influence, Donna Marie De Carolis shares why focuses on mindset vs. skills when communicating with her audience and how you can lower the risk of speaking with your own audiences. During this conversation Laura and Donna discuss how to communicate y ... Show More
27m 38s
Jun 2025
What School Leaders Really Need to Know About AI With Ann Palmer
Send us a textArtificial intelligence is reshaping education, but are school leaders ready to guide this transformation? Veteran educator Ann Palmer, with over 35 years of leadership experience, shares her journey from headteacher to AI advocate, revealing a striking contrast bet ... Show More
34m 46s
Jul 2024
224 Cate Faddis - The Leadership Journey
Cate Faddis is in the midst of an interesting career and journey. She has spent over 25 years in investment management and financial services, working as a managing partner at Mason Capital Partners, and President and Chief Investment Officer at Grace Capital. Early in her career ... Show More
16m 50s
Nov 2024
231 Carly Fiorina - The Characteristics of Leaders
Twenty-five years ago she made history when she became the first woman to be named CEO of a top company. Carly Fiorina became CEO of Hewlett Packard in 1999. During her tenure as Chair and CEO, HP became the largest technology company in the world, as cash flow, revenue, and prof ... Show More
17m 53s
Sep 2024
159. Earn Your Audience: You Can’t Lead If No One’s Listening
What it takes to develop as a leader.Great leaders and great communicators aren't born, they're made. That's why John Hennessy and Tina Seelig, directors of Stanford University’s Knight-Hennessy Scholars, are working to create the great storytellers of tomorrow, today."We decided ... Show More
20m 59s
Nov 2024
Fostering Positive Education and Well-Being: Insights with Katrina Mankani
Send us a textIn this episode, Katrina Mankani, Director of Jumeirah International Nurseries, Board Member of Fortes Education, and Director of Innovation and Positive Education at Fortes Education, shares her remarkable journey from teaching assistant to educational leader.  She ... Show More
27m 26s
Sep 2024
227 Dan Draper - Leading a Complex Organization
The role of the CEO: In this particular case, it means leading a complex global organization. One with employees all over the world, interacting with a robust board, and countless other stakeholders. For Dan Draper, the CEO of S&P Dow Jones Indices, the job means that, and more. ... Show More
22m 9s
Aug 2024
Balancing Entrepreneurship and Motherhood While Building a Billion Dollar Company | Eynat Guez | E40
Eynat Guez leaped from a comfortable corporate job to co-founding Papaya Global. Despite numerous investor rejections, she stayed true to her vision, proving the market need for her innovative solutions. Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, she turned her startup into a glo ... Show More
49m 39s
Jun 2024
684: How to Be a Better Mentor, with Ruth Gotian
Ruth Gotian: The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring Ruth Gotian is the Chief Learning Officer and Associate Professor of Education in Anaesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine. She has been hailed by Nature and The Wall Street Journal as an expert in mentorship and leader­ship de ... Show More
38m 3s
Feb 2025
When Hiring, Emphasize Skills Over Degrees
The best leaders know that a person’s skillset and their willingness to learn are more important than the degree they have. Ginni Rometty, former Chairman and CEO of IBM, understands this deeply. She spearheaded a company-wide shift to skills-based hiring and development during h ... Show More
31m 36s