Conversations with ATX Leaders

“I feel a little bit like the third little pig” shares Executive Director of Job Seekers Network, Craig Foster.  His organization emerged during a previous season of high unemployment rates, during the financial crisis of 2008. A job search framing and networking organization, Job Seekers hosts weekly gatherings, not shifting to weekly Zoom meetings across…

“This is an opportunity to go beyond myself and to continue to be an extension of who God wants me to be.”  As churches look to re-open there are conversations about restrictions, religious rites, and a respect for both the community and government.  Reverend Daryl Horton of Mt. Zion Church of Austin joins us for…

For many, framing a post pandemic culture with a “new normal” feels a bit premature, but all leaders are looking to what moving forward means for their groups and organizations.  Pastor Tom Diviney of Bethany United Methodist Church is remaining attentive to how his church will be shaped through this pandemic. Even while a handful…

You know it’s going to be a fun conversation when someone’s ZOOM background is a scenic photo, providing us with a brief virtual escape. President and Founder of Alter Endeavors, Nick Alter, joins ABBA Executive Director Rich Carney for an inspiring conversation. When you are naturally a people person, this isolation requires you find new…

“You are not alone.  You are not crazy.”   Patricia Hayes, a frequent guide and coach for Austin leaders, is a lawyer by trade. Years ago she made a decision to move from a “C-suite” role to step out on her own.  “I don’t need to see the entire staircase to take the next step.”…

“Let’s talk about the reality of where we are today with the economy.” Join us for a sobering conversation with CEO & Founder of Mobile Loaves & Fishes, Alan Graham. “I think it’s time for people to be realistic about what’s happened.”   Some experts say an invention of a vaccine today would still require…

“When do you move on planning to make the plan?”   President of Concordia University, Donald Christian, joins ABBA Executive Director, Rich Carney, for a great conversation from the world of academia. Through this season, Concordia’s main goal is to ensure students persist through this time.  Wether it’s completing this semester,  wrapping up their degree,…

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12 The greatest distance in life is the gap between our expectations and reality. As we attempt to gauge timing and distance through Corona-virus we have all these expectations but they continue to be extended and postponed. Leaders are…

Emergent Leader Initiative participant, Mike Keffales, shares his perspective as a young leader in Austin during this time. In the middle of a leadership development and personal growth program, Mike was seeing things move in his career and beginning to pull together plans for additional ventures, and then, a pandemic. For many this season can…

“How do I handle layoffs with grace?” a question John Gillis, published author of the Powerhouse: 13 Teamwork Tactics that Build Excellence and Unrivaled Success and partner at LeadershipX, is hearing often as he supports executives navigating this difficult season. Join ABBA for a fascinating conversation about leadership decisions through COVID-19. As his own organization is…