R.O.G. Return on Generosity

15. Wide Angle Lens

15. Wide Angle Lens: Images of Empathy, Education and Encouragement
“….. create a culture of people who are more engaged, who are deeply committed to help you accomplish the goals of your business, of your organization and in the end that culture of generosity says here we are delivering on the promise to the customers, the promise to the company and the promise to the shareholder.”
Guest Info:
Filemon Lopez is the former Senior Vice President of Strategic Operations for Comcast.
Recognized as the first Hispanic executive in the organization, Mr. Lopez held a leading role in the company’s Hispanic diversity efforts, where he focused on building and strengthening relationships and promoting and growing critical community based projects within those communities. In addition, he served as a key advisor and strategist to David Cohen, Comcast’s Chief Diversity Officer, and worked intimately with the new Corporate Diversity Organization.  Mr. Lopez also worked with NBCU/Telemundo to explore synergies between Telemundo and Comcast as a member of the Hispanic Action Team.  Mr. Lopez was also involved in several employee engagement initiatives.
Prior to his last role, Mr. Lopez was the Regional Senior Vice President for Comcast’s Florida East Coast with over 4,000 employees serving an estimated 1.5 million customers from south of Orlando to Key West. Prior to joining the South Florida region in 2002, Mr. Lopez was President of Comcast University, the center for performance improvement, learning and development, as well as employee communications, for Comcast Cable Communications.  Mr. Lopez was instrumental in the development of Comcast’s signature leadership programs including the Executive Leadership Forum, Fundamentals of Leadership and the Spirit of Comcast to name a few.  He also oversaw the launch of Team Comcast and Comcast Live! the company’s primary employee communication vehicles.   
He became the Director of Advertising Sales for the company’s Southeast Region in 1990 and a year later, was asked to formally launch the advertising sales business company-wide relocating to Philadelphia.  In 1996 he was promoted to Senior Vice President for Comcast’s Advertising Sales operation and served in that capacity until 2000.  Mr. Lopez worked for Comcast and its predecessor companies for over 30 years. Prior to joining Comcast, Mr. Lopez held sales leadership positions with Cox Cable and Storer Cable Communications.  
In 2013 Hispanic Business Magazine recognized Mr. Lopez as one of the top 25 Hispanic business executives in the United States and in 2017 Mr. Lopez was honored with The Distinguished Alumnus Award at Valdosta State University.  
He is a role model leader and community partner having served on several boards including the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) National Board of Directors, Take Stock In Children and The Everglades Foundation.  He is currently on the Board of Governors for the Wayne Huizenga School of Business at NOVA Southeastern University, and The Zoological Society of Florida. He also was member of Comcast’s Diversity Council whose mission is to implement, promote, and sustain diversity throughout the organization.
Mr. Lopez is an accomplished wildlife and travel photographer and enjoys traveling to some of the world’s most beautiful locations to capture his images. 
Favorite Quote:
“What is success? To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!”  — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Resources:
Filemon Lopez - LinkedIn
Filemon Lopez Photography
Shannon Cassidy on YouTube
For more information about R.O.G. Return on Generosity and host Shannon Cassidy, visit bridgebetween.com.
Credits:
Filemon Lopez. Production team: Nani Shin, Sheep Jam Productions, qodpod

14. Semper Fi Leadership

14. Semper Fi Leadership: Faithfulness and Loyalty
“Once you understand the essence of leadership is service, Semper Fi/Always Faithful means you’re always looking to be of value to others.”
Guest Info:
As the founding partner of Lead Star, a leadership development consulting firm, Courtney works closely with all levels of leaders — from CEO’s to frontline team members. She designs and delivers development programs that drive immediate results.
Courtney is also the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of SPARK: HOW TO LEAD YOURSELF AND OTHERS TO GREATER SUCCESS and LEADING FROM THE FRONT and has written numerous articles on behavior-based leadership and organizational excellence. She’s been a dynamic guest on CNBC, FOX News, and CNN. Courtney’s efforts with Lead Star have been noted in publications ranging from Fast Company, and Inc., to The New York Times.
In addition to her work with consulting clients, Courtney served as the Director of the Center for Creative Leadership’s Partner Network, convening and connecting leading consultancies with the Center’s innovative thought leadership, research and development solutions.
Prior to starting Lead Star, Courtney’s professional experiences included service as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps, an attorney at one of the nation’s largest law firms and as a sales manager for Rational Software. She holds a law degree from William & Mary, an undergraduate degree from North Carolina State University and completed intensive studies at Cambridge University. Courtney lives with her husband and three children in Northern California.
Favorite Quote: "Lead as you are, it works!"
Resources:
Lead Star
Contact Courtney Lynch
Courtney Lynch - LinkedIn
"Spark: How to Lead Yourself and Others to Greater Success" Book
Shannon Cassidy on YouTube
For more information about R.O.G. Return on Generosity and host Shannon Cassidy, visit bridgebetween.com.
Credits:
Courtney Lynch, Lead Star. Production team: Nani Shin, Sheep Jam Productions, qodpod

13.Habitual Excellence

13. Habitual Excellence: Wisdom for the Ages
"If you give people opportunity to shine, they more often than not, will in fact shine and probably brighter than you ever thought that they would."
Guest Info:
Cathy Avgiris is a long-time advocate for advancing women and people of color and has over 35 years of experience being "the only woman in the room." She developed and launched Power of 2(00), a leadership development program at Comcast aimed at getting women the right exposure in the company through their business savvy and decision making, not their gender. Now a Senior Advisor for the global professional services firm, Boston Consulting Group, Cathy is active in Women@BCG and in coaching and mentoring consulting staff in diversity and inclusion issues. Cathy also provides consulting to her son's first business venture, a fast casual Greek restaurant. Definitely the hardest job of all!! She loves to cook, bake, travel and spend time with her grandchildren.
Favorite quotes: "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." — Aristotle (of course!)
More recently, during this pandemic, a new set of quotes that have inspired Cathy include: "Be kind. Everyone is still healing from things they don't speak about" and "Somedays there won't be a song in your heart. Sing anyway."
Resources:
Cathy Avgiris - LinkedIn
Boston Consulting Group
13 Inspiring Traits of Exceptional Leaders
Shannon Cassidy on YouTube
For more information about R.O.G. Return on Generosity and host Shannon Cassidy, visit bridgebetween.com.
Credits:
Cathy Avgiris, Boston Consulting Group. Production team: Nani Shin, Sheep Jam Productions, qodpod

12. Top Gun Leadership Part 2

12. Top Gun Leadership Part 2: Short-Term Gain vs. Long-Term Success
“...the key to solving the leadership crisis is connecting to our purpose by understanding who we are.”
Guest Info:
John has been married for 30 years to his best friend and has three boys, daughter in law and a grandson. John started out his career as a Navy fighter pilot. He has had a 30 year career as an entrepreneur and CEO. Nine years ago, John had what should have had a fatal accident that changed everything. Today his focus is living beyond influence so the use of his life outlives his life.
Favorite quote: "Excellence is the standard, Grace is the word."
Resources:
BeyondInfluence.com
On Purpose with Purpose book
Eternal Leadership Podcast
Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything by Stephen M. R. Covey
Shannon Cassidy on YouTube
For more information about R.O.G. Return on Generosity and host Shannon Cassidy, visit bridgebetween.com.
Credits:
John Ramstead, Beyond Influence. Production team: Nani Shin, Sheep Jam Productions, qodpod

11. Top Gun Leadership Part 1

11. Top Gun Leadership Part 1: Connecting to our Purpose
“If my success is built on helping those around me succeed…what I have found is that we just blow it out.”
Guest Info:
John has been married for 30 years to his best friend and has three boys, daughter in law and a grandson. John started out his career as a Navy fighter pilot. He has had a 30 year career as an entrepreneur and CEO. Nine years ago, John had what should have had a fatal accident that changed everything. Today his focus is living beyond influence so the use of his life outlives his life.
Favorite quote: "Excellence is the standard, Grace is the word."
Resources:
BeyondInfluence.com
On Purpose with Purpose book
Eternal Leadership Podcast
Shannon Cassidy on YouTube
For more information about R.O.G. Return on Generosity and host Shannon Cassidy, visit bridgebetween.com.
Credits:
John Ramstead, Beyond Influence. Production team: Nani Shin, Sheep Jam Productions, qodpod

10. Who Do Your Products and Services Reflect?

10. Who Do Your Products and Services Reflect? The Business Imperative of Inclusion
“If we are not building out inclusive teams…we are not going to get to a place of creating diverse products and services for our clients and that’s going to hurt the bottom line of an organization.”
Guest Info:
Maureen Greene James leads the FTI Consulting's efforts to attract, retain and develop diverse talent and maintain an inclusive culture. She plays a pivotal role in creating and leading the diversity, inclusion and belonging strategy in partnership with the firm’s Executive Committee and segment leadership globally. 
She is a sought after speaker, diversity and inclusion advisor and leadership business consultant who possesses an exemplary brand for collaborating and consulting with senior executives, mid-career managers, and teams. Throughout her career as a People & Inclusion executive with AIG, Sears, Washington Mutual, PwC, Cognizant and presently, FTI Consulting, she has served as a principal voice to the business in the areas of Diversity & Inclusion, Change Management, Workplace Engagement, and Leadership Development. 
Maureen is a proud mom, wife, sister, daughter, aunt, friend, animal lover (especially dogs), career coach, DI&B executive & champion, keynote speaker, small business owner. 
Favorite quote: "Don't ever go back to anything you had to pray your way out of."
Resources:
FTI Consulting
Maureen on Twitter (@mgreenejames)
Cognizant’s White Paper on What it means to Belong at Work
Shannon Cassidy on YouTube
For more information about R.O.G. Return on Generosity and host Shannon Cassidy, visit bridgebetween.com.
Credits:
Maureen Greene James, Cognizant, FTI Consulting. Production team: Nani Shin, Sheep Jam Productions, qodpod

09. One Big Thing

09. One Big Thing: Safety is Performance Relevant
“As leaders, people are watching all the time…. if you are not genuinely committed to doing the right thing in terms of how you build a culture where everyone feels respected and included, that has a downstream effect that could be detrimental to the culture and the company.”
Guest Info:
Shane Portfolio is Senior Vice President of Field Ops Engineering for Comcast Cable where he leads One Network, XOC, Headend Operations, and Plant Maintenance. 
Prior to moving to the HQ team in 2019, Shane was Senior Vice President of Tech Ops and Engineering for the Comcast West Division, with responsibility for engineering, technical operations and advanced services serving approximately 11,000 employees and nine-million customers. In this role, he oversaw the Division’s fiber network and IP-based infrastructure; and was instrumental in overseeing testing and deployment of new technologies and resources to assist the Division’s technical operations and engineering teams in delivering a reliable network and customer experience, with innovative new products and services.
Before joining the West Division team, Shane was Vice President, Engineering for the California Region, where he was responsible for the oversight, guidance, direction and vision for all Technical Engineering aspects throughout the Comcast California footprint. 
Shane served as the Vice President of Engineering and XOC in Comcast’s Central Division before moving to California. In that role, Shane was responsible for a team of 350 employees. Prior to that, Shane was the Sr. Director of Network Operations for Comcast’s TPX organization. He has also served as Comcast’s Senior Director of IP Operations.
Shane began his career in cable as a Comcast Account Executive answering technical phone calls. 
Shane holds a bachelor’s degree from Metropolitan State University, master’s degrees from Regis University and Denver University, and completed programs at Dartmouth University, Stanford University, and Notre Dame University. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Organizational Leadership.
Shane serves on the Board of Directors for Metro State University, National Diversity Council, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. He is also a former Platoon Sergeant and Leadership Instructor for the U.S. Army and successfully completed the Army’s Primary Leadership Course, Officer Candidate School, and Senior Leadership Course.
Favorite quote: "Go forth and conquer."
Resources:
Shane Portfolio
Shannon Cassidy on YouTube
For more information about R.O.G. Return on Generosity and host Shannon Cassidy, visit bridgebetween.com.
Credits:
Shane Portfolio, Comcast. Production team: Nani Shin, Sheep Jam Productions, qodpod

08. Accounting for Generosity

08. Accounting for Generosity: Balance Sheet of Giving
“Giving strategy keeps us from overextending ourselves. We can’t give or pour into anyone else’s life if our cup is empty.”
Guest Info:
Temeka Easter Rice leads social media and brand engagement at a national bank. She's a national conference speaker on influencer marketing and employee advocacy programs. Temeka recently launched "The Joy Group" which aims to help small businesses and nonprofits maximize social and digital marketing. Temeka's passionate about financial literacy, female empowerment, and higher education. Temeka is a natural giver and serves on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware, Girls Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay, and Emerging Pearls Foundation, Inc. Temeka, along with her husband, George, two teenagers and three doggies, call Wilmington, DE home. Favorite quote: "I am blessed to be a blessing!"
Resources:
The Joy Group
The Moore you Know (Career Café)
Angela Duckworth’s book, "Grit"
Women in Cable Telecommunications
Wednesday Live with Shannon Cassidy
Shannon Cassidy on YouTube
For more information about R.O.G. Return on Generosity and host Shannon Cassidy, visit bridgebetween.com.
Credits:
Temeka Easter Rice, The Joy Group, Cassandra Moore. Production team: Nani Shin, Sheep Jam Productions, qodpod