In this deeply personal and moving episode of The Leadership Dance, Principal Dancer Cassandra Trenary of American Ballet Theatre opens up about the journey behind the curtain—from early dreams in Georgia to becoming one of ABT’s most versatile and emotionally resonant artists. Cassandra shares the whirlwind story of her rise through ABT, the emotional toll of injury, and how creative outlets like photography and filmmaking helped her rediscover herself—and her artistry. We dive into her acclaimed gallery exhibition Embodied, a striking tribute to the vulnerability and resilience of dancers in their most human moments. And as she prepares to embark on a bold new chapter with Vienna State Ballet under the leadership of Alessandra Ferri, Cassandra reflects on the courage it takes to leave home—and the joy of stepping into the unknown.

Whether you're navigating a creative pivot, facing transition, or looking for inspiration to pursue your passions more fully, this episode is a must-listen.

💡 Key Takeaways:

Major setbacks can become catalysts for unexpected growth and new passions.

Nothing is forever, but the career has a timeline. So why not go for everything?

Balancing discipline with freedom and play can unlock deeper creativity and fulfillment.

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Connect with Cassandra:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassandratrenary/ and https://www.instagram.com/pearltakespics/

📷 Photo Credits:

• Rosalie O’Connor

• Evgeny Popov

• Luis Alberto Rodriguez

• Marty Sohl

• Cassandra Trenary

• Quinn Wharton

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In this energizing conversation, powerhouse leader Sarah Robb O’Hagan—former executive at Nike, Gatorade, and Equinox, and author of Extreme You—shares insights from her bold career journey. Sarah opens up about the tough lessons she learned from early career failures, the power of resilience, and how embracing her authentic, “extreme” self led her to unlock new levels of leadership. Together, Alissa and Sarah explore what it means to lead with courage, create inclusive high-performance cultures, and why doing “hard things” is essential for growth. Whether you’re just starting out or leading at the top, this episode will leave you inspired to bring your boldest self to every room you enter. Tune in for the full episode to learn Sarah’s practical tips on how to perform under constant pressure.

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💡Key Takeaways:

As a leader, you have to invest in recovery just as much as preparation and performance.

The risk associated with bold moves is actually no more than the risk associated with playing it safe.

Be your “Extreme You” and embrace what makes you different and turn it into your superpower.

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Connect with Sarah:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-robb-o-hagan-249130/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/extremesro/

Website: https://www.sarahrobbohagan.com/

Course: https://maven.com/sarah-robb-o-hagan/the-breakout-leader

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Tune in for this dynamic discussion about leading boldly, trusting in yourself, and living with intention featuring Sheila Lirio Marcelo, the trailblazing founder of Care.com and now the visionary leader behind Ohai.ai, a virtual assistant for families. Sheila shares her remarkable journey from her entrepreneurial upbringing in the Philippines to building one of the most trusted caregiving platforms in the world. Throughout the conversation, Sheila opens up about the challenges of balancing young motherhood while attending college, underestimating herself, and operating in traditionally male-dominated spaces.

Sheila also discusses her latest venture, Ohai.ai, an AI-powered operating system for families created to ease the daily mental load families face. Drawing from decades of experience, she offers powerful lessons on embracing both the nurturing and assertive sides of leadership, prioritizing mental well-being, and learning to listen to the wisdom of your body and heart. This interview is a must-listen for anyone looking to redefine success on their own terms and lead with both boldness and compassion. Listen until the end to find out what her new nickname is as a grandmother.

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💡Key Takeaways:

Trusting your body and heart is essential to navigating leadership and life.

When you feel underestimated, you start to underestimate yourself.

Success is not just about ambition; it’s about surrendering, flowing with life, and leading with love.

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Connect with Sheila:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilamarcelo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheilaliriomarcelo/?hl=en#

Website: https://www.ohai.ai/

X: https://twitter.com/smarcelo

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Episode 17 features trailblazer Anna Mok — the first Chinese American woman promoted to Partner at Deloitte and the visionary co-founder of Ascend, North America's largest network for Pan-Asian business professionals.

From growing up in San Francisco and working in her family’s Chinese restaurant as a little girl to becoming a prominent global business leader, Anna shares how her immigrant roots, cultural identity, and deep belief in community shaped her path. We talk about breaking the bamboo ceiling, navigating leadership as an Asian American woman, and why redefining success on your own terms matters more than ever. Anna opens up about bringing vulnerability into the workplace, how she manages motherhood and her career, and the power of building inclusive spaces for future generations of Asian leaders. Lastly, we explore how her cultural background shaped her leadership, the challenges Asian Americans face in corporate spaces, and why empathy, community, and giving back are central to her mission.

Tune in for the end to hear Anna share five powerful leadership lessons that will inspire you to lead with authenticity, empathy, and purpose—wisdom you don’t want to miss.

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💡Key Takeaways:

Embrace where you come from — your identity is your strongest leadership strength.

Let vulnerability in; real connection begins when you take off the mask.

Success doesn’t have one path; allow yourself to wander and follow the opportunities that align with who you are.

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Connect with Anna:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-mok-2a91b72/

Website: https://www.ascendleadership.org/

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Episode 16 features Ryan Nece—Super Bowl champion with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and now an entrepreneur, venture capital leader, and philanthropist—in a heartfelt conversation about purpose, resilience, and reimagining success. Ryan opens up about his unique journey from growing up as the son of Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott to carving out his own path on and off the field. He shares lessons learned from his time as a professional athlete and talks about how these translate into business, including the value of leadership, teamwork, and bouncing back from failure. Ryan also reflects on his transition from the NFL to entrepreneurship, recounting the founding of StraightCast Media and his current work at Next Legacy Partners. He sheds light on his passion for service, emphasizing the mission of the Ryan Nece Foundation, which empowers young people to embrace the power of giving. Through stories of adversity, growth, and faith, Ryan offers compelling insights on navigating life’s challenges. Stay tuned for the end where he reveals whether he or his wife, Willa Ford, is the better dancer!

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💡Key Takeaways:

Success is measured by how well you bounce back, not by how much you earn

Leadership means uniting different people toward a shared goal—even when you don’t see eye to eye

True impact starts with serving others and teaching the next generation to do the same

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Connect with Ryan:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-nece-abb07b8/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryannece and https://www.instagram.com/nextlegacypartners

Website: https://nextlegacy.com

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Delve into this fascinating conversation with Alessandra Ferri, Prima Ballerina Assoluta and Artistic Director Designate of the Vienna State Ballet. Alessandra shares her extraordinary journey in the world of ballet, from her early passion for dance in Italy to becoming the youngest principal dancer at The Royal Ballet at age 19. After subsequently being recruited by Mikhail Baryshnikov to join American Ballet Theatre, she has sustained an incredibly long and successful performing career over 4 decades with the world’s top companies, dancers, and choreographers.

In this revealing episode, Alessandra discusses the pressures of fame, what she learned from dancing with greats such as Rudolph Nureyev, Misha, and Julio Bocca, and what motivated her astonishing return to the stage at age 50. She also reflects on the passage of time and shares her secrets to longevity in dance. About to embark on her next chapter as Artistic Director of the Vienna State Ballet, she shares her vision for the company and her hopes for the future. Throughout the conversation, Alessandra emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's passion and embracing the journey of life and art.

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💡Key Takeaways:

Go with your passion and love for dance, and things will happen

You have to be at the service of talent. It's not the talent serving you or your ego

We cannot fight the passing of time, but if you embrace it, you have a lot to give later in life

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Connect with Alessandra:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alessandraferriofficial

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alessandraferri555

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#ballet #dance #longevity #careeradvice #wienerstaatsoperballett #leadership

In this inspiring episode of The Leadership Dance, Christina Hennington, EVP & Chief Strategy and Growth Officer for Target, discusses her journey from her Scandinavian roots to her rise in the retail industry. Christina reflects on the influence of her upbringing on her global perspective, the lessons she learned as a newly promoted executive during the pandemic, and her journey of embracing what makes her unique. She discusses the power of having a "rookie mindset," finding comfort with ambiguity, and how innovative technologies like AI enhance both customer experience and operational efficiency. Christina offers powerful insights on taking risks, overcoming imposter syndrome, and finding balance as a leader, mother, and board director in today’s rapidly changing business landscape.

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💡Key Takeaways:

A leader's role is to create clear direction, ensure the team has the resources they need, and then get out of the way.

The ability to embrace change and ambiguity is one of the most critical leadership skills in today’s uncertain world.

Imposter syndrome affects everyone; however, it's important to lean into the opportunities you have.

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Learn more about Christina here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-hennington-84715a/

Website: https://www.Target.com

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#ImposterSyndrome #WomenInLeadership #RetailTrends

Season 2 of The Leadership Dance kicks off with an illuminating conversation with Lindsay Trout, Partner at Egon Zehnder, a global executive search and leadership advisory firm. Throughout the episode, Lindsay shares her expertise and insights on leadership, career development, and the challenges facing CEOs and boards today. She discusses how courage and curiosity have become essential leadership traits, and offers practical advice for positioning yourself in the marketplace by focusing on competencies and potential rather than just experience. Lindsay also discusses growing up in Charleston, South Carolina as a debutante, the pivotal moments in her career, and how serendipity played a role in her journey. Lastly, Alissa and Lindsay talk openly about the current state of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in leadership roles and the importance of finding joy in work and life.

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💡Key Takeaways:

Leaders today no longer need to be omniscient; courage and curiosity are now essential

Don’t get good at things that don’t bring you joy

Leave space for serendipity in your career

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Learn more about Lindsay here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troutlindsay/

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#leadership #authenticity #careeradvice #executivesearch #worklifeintegration