Lara Barlow | Vision to Velocity: Aligning Strategy, Structure & Culture to Deliver on What Matters Most

I'm excited to share my professional executive biography highlighting my 30+ years of experience in HR leadership, business advisory, and organizational strategy. Whether you're seeking insight into scaling a business, improving workplace culture, or navigating transitions, I’d love to connect and support your journey.

Michel E. Spruance, M.Ed, ACC, is a seasoned executive leader and organizational strategist with a passion for designing human-centered systems that drive clarity, connection, and performance. With over three decades of experience spanning business operations, leadership development, and nonprofit innovation, Michel blends deep operational expertise with a calm, mission-driven presence. As founder and CEO of Badass Happy Human, she partners with high-impact organizations to elevate culture, strategy, and leadership through neuroscience-backed coaching and training. Michel is known for her ability to align purpose with practice—creating environments where people and organizations thrive.

Rebecca Towell is a strategic insurance leader specializing in food and beverage manufacturing, dedicated to helping businesses navigate complex risk management challenges. As Vice President at USI Insurance Services, she leverages her extensive expertise in property and casualty insurance to provide tailored solutions that enhance workplace culture, profitability, and long-term resilience. With a strong foundation in claims management and loss control, she ensures that her clients are well-equipped to make informed decisions in an evolving legal and regulatory landscape. Her leadership experience, including her role as Executive Director at Business Network International, has honed her ability to foster strong professional relationships and deliver exceptional client service.

Paul Sieben is a dynamic executive leader with over five decades of experience driving business growth, operational excellence, and strategic transformation across healthcare, construction, and automation industries. A visionary strategist, he has successfully scaled companies, optimized financial performance, and guided organizations through complex transitions. With a deep expertise in stakeholder relations, P&L management, and risk mitigation, Paul has played a pivotal role in high-growth enterprises and board leadership. His ability to foster innovation, build strong teams, and navigate change makes him an invaluable asset to organizations seeking sustainable success. Currently serving on multiple boards, Paul is actively pursuing additional opportunities to leverage his expertise in governance, strategy, and business development.

"Servant leadership goes beyond just a management style—it's a mindset rooted in empowering others to grow and thrive. In his insightful article, Doug Babcock explores the profound impact of asking a simple yet powerful question: 'How can I be helpful?' This question not only fosters collaboration, emotional intelligence, and team cohesion but also shifts focus from self-interest to collective success. Babcock emphasizes that leadership is not defined by titles but by actions that inspire support and connection, making a lasting impact at all levels of an organization. Discover how practicing this principle can transform your leadership approach and create stronger, more effective teams."

With over 13 years of experience, Bayley Simmons is a dynamic HR professional dedicated to helping businesses and nonprofits optimize their workplace culture and operations. As the Founder and Executive Consultant of Professionally Polished, LLC, she specializes in strategic HR planning, compliance, talent management, and employee engagement. Bayley’s tailored approach empowers leaders to streamline their HR processes, reduce turnover, and focus on achieving their core objectives. Her passion for fostering growth extends beyond her professional work, as seen in her volunteer leadership and mentoring efforts. Whether transforming HR systems or enhancing organizational culture, Bayley Simmons delivers actionable solutions for sustainable success.

A leader's fulfillment journey is inseparable from their role—it forms the foundation for empathy, connection, and trust. By developing self-awareness across the five life pillars—Health, Fitness, Career, Relationships, and Legacy—leaders can unlock their capacity to inspire and empower others. This framework isn’t about perfection; it’s about balance and integration, fostering a culture where employees bring their best selves to work. Fulfilled leaders create ripple effects, cultivating engaged teams and thriving organizations. Embracing self-aware leadership is not only a pathway to personal growth but also a blueprint for leaving a lasting legacy of fulfillment.

Empathy is a vital leadership skill that goes beyond compassion and plays a strategic role in driving organizational success. Effective leaders use empathy to build trust, foster collaboration, and motivate teams, creating an environment where employees feel valued and supported. By understanding individual perspectives and emotions, leaders can resolve conflicts constructively, enhance decision-making, and inspire innovation. Empathy also contributes to the development of resilient teams and shapes a positive organizational culture that prioritizes inclusivity and respect. In today’s fast-paced business world, empathy is not just a soft skill but a key tool for sustainable growth and long-term success.

I’m excited to share my professional biography, highlighting my journey in human resources and my passion for cultivating workplace excellence. From driving strategic HR initiatives to fostering inclusive cultures, I’m committed to aligning people with organizational success.

I’m thrilled to share my executive biography, highlighting my journey as an HR transformation leader with over 20 years of experience. From designing Agile HR frameworks to addressing complex employee relations, my passion lies in aligning HR strategies with organizational success.

Navigating change in customer service requires more than strategic plans and process improvements—it demands a deep understanding of human nature. Despite being fundamental to the human experience, change is often met with resistance because individuals rely on deeply ingrained mental models that shape their perceptions and actions. These internal narratives, influenced by past experiences and the brain's default network, can create barriers to embracing new paradigms. For CX leaders, fostering sustainable transformation means addressing these narratives with empathy and compassion, aligning organizational goals with employees’ lived realities. By prioritizing the human aspect of change, organizations can create a culture that empowers employees to embrace new ways of thinking, ultimately driving meaningful, customer-centric improvements.

Military leadership principles offer a powerful blueprint for success in the business world, blending mission-driven focus, adaptability, and decentralized decision-making to create cohesive and high-performing teams. A clear mission aligns efforts and keeps teams motivated, while the ability to adapt to changing circumstances fosters resilience and agility. Empowering individuals to make decisions not only enhances responsiveness but also builds trust and accountability. By cultivating a supportive, values-driven culture rooted in continuous development and integrity, businesses can thrive even in the face of challenges. These principles, honed through military experience, lay a strong foundation for lasting success in a dynamic corporate landscape.

Organizational change management is a functional art that combines creativity with practicality, designing strategies that consider public regulations, individual impacts, and enterprise needs. By integrating value-based recruitment, storytelling, and improvisation, organizations can foster a culture of alignment and shared values. Celebrating small achievements and utilizing peer pressure empower employees as change agents, while embracing diversity and fostering a sense of belonging drive successful transformations. By nurturing innovation and creating a collaborative environment, organizations can thrive on mutual understanding and respect, leading to meaningful progress and growth.

In today’s fast-paced tech industry, building high-performance technical teams is crucial to staying ahead of the competition. Drawing from my experiences at Wiz and Palo Alto Networks, I’ve learned that success hinges on three key elements: strategic recruitment, dynamic team management, and a culture of continuous innovation. Here’s a deep dive into these essential components and how they can be harnessed to create unstoppable technical teams. Strategic recruitment focuses on finding candidates who not only have the technical skills but also align with the company’s values and culture. Dynamic team management involves clear communication, empowerment, and continuous learning to foster collaboration and growth. Cultivating a culture of innovation and excellence encourages experimentation, recognizes achievements, and promotes a collaborative environment. By focusing on these key areas, leaders can assemble teams that exceed expectations and drive their organizations to new heights. At Wiz and Palo Alto Networks, I’ve seen firsthand the power of these principles in action, leading to teams equipped to tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Amy Hull is excited to share her journey and passion for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in her professional biography. From leading DE&I initiatives at Paycor, Inc. to founding Equity LDI, she has dedicated her career to fostering inclusive environments and driving meaningful change. Explore her story and join the conversation on creating equitable workplaces! #DEI #Leadership #Inclusion #EquityLDI #Diversity #CorporateLeadership

Francine Binns combines her expertise in psychology and holistic health to drive business success and personal fulfillment. From leading a top-performing franchise with innovative employee strategies to coaching at Irie Yoga, she empowers individuals and organizations to achieve transformative results. Discover how her balanced approach can help you thrive.