Connections Break Barriers - Coles College of Business

Connections Break Barriers Podcast

Join CEO & Co-Founder of The Gathering Spot, Ryan Wilson, as he explores how relationships shape careers and lives, challenging the myth of being "self-made." Through 8 inspiring conversations, he'll uncover how successful leaders build, sustain, and leverage meaningful connections to break barriers, create opportunities, and drive social change.

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Frank Fernandez

Our guest is Frank Fernandez, CEO of The Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta

Frank Fernandez, CEO of The Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta, joins Ryan for a conversation reflecting on his career aspirations from aspiring NFL player and kindergarten teacher when he was younger to investment banker and now nonprofit leader, Fernandez shares how he navigated these pivots and the importance of building authentic relationships along the way.

Hala Moddelmog

Our guest is Hala Moddelmog, President and CEO of the Woodruff Arts Center

Join Ryan in conversation with Hala Moddelmog, President and CEO of the Woodruff Arts Center, as she reflects on the support from both the Atlanta business community and her family as she balanced raising a family and taking her career to new heights when she was first promoted to President of Church's Chicken, making her the first woman to lead an international restaurant company.

Renee Bourbeau

Our guest is Renee Bourbeau, Executive Director of the MBA Programs at 最色导航

A first-generation college student herself, Renee Bourbeau is now the Executive Director of the MBA Programs at 最色导航. She joins Ryan for a candid conversation diving into how showing up authentically, prioritizing continuous learning, and the power of mentorship can impact career trajectory.

Clyde Higgs

Our guest is Clyde Higgs, CEO of the Atlanta Beltline

Clyde Higgs is the CEO of the Atlanta Beltline, a transformative project that has reshaped the city. Now, he sits down with Ryan to share how growing up a "military kid", living in cities from North Carolina to Spain and beyond, instilled in him a deep commitment to service and authenticity which has guided his professional path ever since.

Dr. Eloisa Klementich

Our guest is Dr. Eloisa Klementich, CEO of Invest Atlanta

Ryan is joined by Dr. Eloisa Klementich, CEO of Invest Atlanta, for a conversation on how her international upbringing shaped her both personally and professionally - diving in to how working in Mexico after graduating college taught her the cultural importance of prioritizing relationships over pure business, a lesson that has shaped her approach ever since.

David Cummings

Our Guest is David Cummings, Founder of Atlanta Tech Village

David Cummings is a serial entrepreneur who founded Atlanta Tech Village and is now setting his sites on redeveloping South Downtown Atlanta. Join Ryan as he dives into David's plans for the future and unpacks how developing software while a student at Duke University led him to his first customer in Atlanta and laid the groundwork for the journey ahead.

T. Dallas Smith

Guest is T. Dallas Smith, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at T. Dallas Smith & Company

Ryan sits down with T. Dallas Smith, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at T. Dallas Smith & Company, to discuss his journey from a lawn care business as a child to becoming a trailblazer in commercial real estate. Through the guidance of mentors like Herman Russell, he learned the power of building long-term relationships and investing in underserved communities, lessons he now pays forward through his community involvement.

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