“It’s Who You Know” is a series of Q&A profiles designed to help community leaders get to know each other, and learn from each other.
Read on for excerpts of interviews with four recent Focus Louisville graduates, and be sure to check out the full roster. You’ll likely be hearing more from this group of leaders.
See the full February Focus Louisville photo roster
Meet Rick Zamora, HJI Supply Chain Solutions, Inc.
Q. What’s the best part of being the VP of New Business Development at HJI?
A. I appreciate the flexibility and empowerment given to me to truly develop and expand HJI’s service offerings outside of the automotive industry. I get to meet great people, learn about their business, and develop relationships.
Q. What character trait do you most appreciate in other leaders – why is that an important trait?
I appreciate positivity, self-confidence and the ability to know how and when to delegate – which in turn, allows the people around you to grow and develop.
Q. Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you? Why and how did this person impact your life?
One of my closest and oldest friend/mentors is Adrian Maldonado. A Cleveland, Ohio native, he was the head of Purchasing and Procurement for Cuyahoga County, served as City Councilman. He has mentored me as I learned how to serve the Hispanic community and helped me to have the confidence and ability to sit on several executive boards throughout Northeast Ohio.
Q. What’s your best advice for someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
- Stay true to yourself, you have earned the position.
- Constantly be learning, reading and growing. (Stay Hungry)
- Ask a lot of questions. Don’t be afraid to admit you don’t know what you don’t know.
- See point 2!
Meet Darian Eswine, Hand in Hand Ministries
Q. What’s the best part of your role as Communications and Marketing Manager at Hand in Hand Ministries?
A. I love the variety. With working at a small nonprofit, I have the chance to work on several different things throughout the day whether it’s creating a newsletter, working on a event or working on a worksite. No day has been the same as another since I’ve worked here.
Q. What character trait do you most appreciate in other leaders – why is that an important trait?
A. I appreciate leaders who take the time to invest in you and learn what your talents are, but also help you grow in areas in which you’re challenged.
Q. Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you? Why and how did this person impact your life?
A. My last boss, Ellen, had a big impact. She was always encouraging and pushed me to be creative and think outside the box. She also really let me work on my own ideas and help me develop them for the organization. She was very collaborative, which was great to have that back and forth.
Meet Ron Burse, University of Louisville
Q. What’s the best part of your role as Internship Coordinator?
A. When a student receives an amazing final evaluation after an internship experience, I feel like I’ve helped to make a difference in that student’s life. It’s likely that student will have a job after graduation.
Q. What character trait do you most appreciate in other leaders – why is that an important trait?
A. I appreciate authenticity—an authentic leader takes time to make sure everyone they are leading feels important and that they have a voice.
Q. Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader?
A. The first person that ever considered me to be a leader was my high school choir teacher Mr. Pittman. He recommended me for a class officer role.
Q. Favorite dinner spot in Louisville?
A. The Eagle
Meet Jenna Haugen, University of Louisville
Q. What led you to your career as an assistant professor?
I’ve always had a knack for public speaking and a passion to help others. As an assistant professor, I get to marry these passions into a career teaching Business Communication to others.
Q. Did you ever live in another city, where? And what did you appreciate most about that city?
I earned my Ph.D. from the University of Kansas in Lawrence. I loved the “Keep Lawrence Weird” vibe and have found that the cities I love most embrace this notion. Louisville is like Lawrence on a larger scale in that it seems to embrace all types of people and celebrate their differences.
Q. What character trait do you most appreciate in other leaders – why is that an important trait?
I most appreciate the ability to recognize others’ talents and capitalize on them in relation to their own strengths. I’m a firm believer that collaboration leads to more success and the best leaders understand the importance of a team.
Q. Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader?
My dissertation advisor, Dr. Tracy Russo, has had a tremendous impact on my life. Her style of leadership is to guide me instead of telling me and she always lets me know she believes in me. Her favorite saying, “Onward!” is a constant reminder to keep moving forward.
Q. Favorite dinner spot in Louisville?
Hands down, Havana Rumba (on Bardstown Road).