Leadership is often tested most when the path forward is least certain. Organizational change, business turnarounds, rapid growth, and industry disruption require leaders to make difficult decisions while keeping their teams aligned, engaged, and moving forward.
In this special expanded mashup episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn brings together standout insights from some of the best leadership conversations featured on the podcast. Drawing from more than 30 executive interviews, this episode highlights practical lessons from leaders who have successfully navigated transformation at some of the industry’s most recognized organizations.
This episode features perspectives from:
- James D. White, former CEO of Jamba Juice
- Gabe Disbrow, President & CEO of Leever’s Supermarkets
- Larree Renda, former Executive Vice President at Safeway
- Kathy Sweigert, Mid-Atlantic Divisional Vice President at The Giant Company
- Sheila Muniz, Head of Large Store Division at The Coca-Cola Company
From leading Jamba Juice through the Great Recession to building an ownership mindset within a growing organization, these conversations demonstrate that successful transformation extends beyond strategy. It requires strong culture, courageous decision-making, accountability, and the ability to give people a clear sense of purpose.
What You’ll Learn:
- What James D. White learned about leadership while navigating one of the most challenging periods in Jamba Juice’s history.
- How Gabe Disbrow adapted his leadership approach while transitioning from military service into the civilian workforce.
- The leadership quality Larree Renda identifies as a key differentiator between those who advance and those who remain at the management level.
- How Kathy Sweigert approaches one of the most difficult balancing acts leaders face when managing high-performing teams.
- How Sheila Muniz believes leadership must evolve as your responsibilities, influence, and organizational reach expand
Whether you are leading through a major organizational transition, managing a growing team, or preparing for greater leadership responsibility, this episode offers a concentrated collection of experience-backed insights from executives who have led through significant change themselves.
Rather than revisiting each conversation individually, this special mashup brings some of the strongest leadership lessons from Candid with Candidates together in one episode, providing a practical resource for leaders navigating change, growth, and disruption.
Ready for more candid conversations with industry leaders?
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Guest Links:
Connect with James D. White: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-d-white-086ab2153/
Explore The Honest Company: https://www.honest.com/
Connect with Gabe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabe-disbrow-6aa7035a/
Explore Leever’s Supermarkets: https://www.leevers.com/
Connect with Larree Renda: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larree-renda-33998799/
Explore Safeway, Inc.:https://www.safeway.com/
Connect with Kathy Sweigert: https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2497434/episodes/17186424/edit#
Explore careers at The Giant Company: thegiantcompany.com/careers
Connect with Sheila Muniz Ebanks : https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-muniz-ebanks-mba-ma-41523a63/
Explore Coca-Cola Company: https://www.coca-colacompany.com/
Listen to their full episodes:
James D. White: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0L11ca8hti50e8jiyyONtC?si=iByjInfISBu_At6knP3aVQ
Gabe Disbrow: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5JKUONv6Uk0b8o4Pvz3Y9B?si=ac8xbh1vSne9P-_UMqLIFA
Larree Renda: https://open.spotify.com/episode/28rUOkNZhynV850WM1PDac?si=zUwMjyrsQW6lcs5h_7gUQw
Kathy Sweigert: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Oq0KxcuO79dpv5Qt74UXM?si=Q4RNeK3SSx-UXPqcgIi8ag
Sheila Muniz: https://open.spotify.com/episode/28rUOkNZhynV850WM1PDac?si=zUwMjyrsQW6lcs5h_7gUQw
Next Steps:
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