Heartbeat For Hire with Lyndsay Dowd

Keren Eldad (“Coach Keren”) is a top executive coach helping high achievers—from Olympic athletes to Fortune 500 leaders—reach extraordinary success. As the bestselling author of GILDED: Break Free From the Cage of Ambition, Perfectionism, and the Relentless Pursuit of More, she challenges ambitious individuals to redefine success on their own terms.

As the founder of THE CLUB, Keren empowers high performers to unlock their full potential. Recognized as a Top Ten Executive Coach by the ICF, Real Leaders Magazine, and Goop, she holds advanced degrees from The London School of Economics and the University of Jerusalem. A former C-suite executive with experience in 17 countries, she coaches in English, Spanish, Hebrew, and French.

With over 500,000 TEDx views and a global speaking presence, Keren’s insights inspire leaders worldwide. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, Ryan, and their beloved pets.

To know more about Keren visit her website and socials:

Website – https://kereneldad.com/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/coachkeren

Tiktok – https://www.tiktok.com/coachkeren

Podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coached-with-coach-keren/id1467079024

Riley Tejcek, a native of Carmel, Indiana, grew up with a passion for sports from the moment she could walk. She went on to play Division I softball at George Washington University, earning a degree in Political Science before commissioning into the United States Marine Corps. Today, Riley is a pilot with Team USA Bobsled and an Olympic hopeful for 2026. In her very first international competition, she captured two bronze medals in the North American Cup and has since competed in back-to-back World Championships. Her journey continues as she trains with determination to represent the United States on the world’s biggest stage.

To know more about Riley visit her socials:

Instagram: @riley.tejcek

LinkedIn: @Riley Tejcek

Pamela Levine, most recently serving as the CEO of Manduka (leading yoga brand), has a long tenure in the health and wellness space with over 25+ years in brand leadership in consumer goods.

After early years in technology consulting, she pivoted her career and went back for her Masters in Sport Management landing her in sales management for global sport product companies such as Saucony and Quiksilver.

Over the years, she has been lucky enough to lead best in class brands in sport and the health & wellness lifestyle ranging from $50M to $250M. She most enjoys growing beloved community driven brands for both short-term performance and long-term growth.

She has also been consistently a member of senior management teams for both public and private companies including serving on Board of Directors during her tenure.

She is a proud University of Massachusetts Amherst alum with both a Masters degree in Sports Management Masters (2001) and an Undergraduate degree in Mathematics alongside a Japanese minor.

She is also a UMass Student Athlete alum where she played Tennis from 1990-1994, including successfully leading a Title IX correctional action to reinstate four Women’s teams at the University, including her tennis team, including needed financial resources.

Golf was introduced (and taught) to her during her Graduate program and has served as a key networking tool in her career to this day.

Originally from New Jersey (no accent, but a huge fan of NY sports), she spent many years in New England / Boston and is now based in Los Angeles, CA where she avidly plays tennis and golf with her family and friends.

To know more about Pamela visit her LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelawlevine/

Denise Brown, MD, has over three decades of experience as a physician, CEO, and Chief
Strategy Officer. She is a transformation leader who helps women in business learn how to
prioritize and avoid stress and burnout. A thought leader in self-care for working women,
Brown is a graduate of The University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine, with training
at Stanford and Vanderbilt. She resides in Austin, TX with her husband and children.

Linkedin: @denisesbrownmd
Instagram: thefairygoddoctor

To know more about Denise visit her website:

www.denisesbrownmd.com

Dr. Dre bio: Dr. Andrea Mata, PhD, is on a mission to throat-punch the mental health crisis and equip people with the tools they need to take control of their lives. Statistically, she shouldn’t be where she is today—growing up as the daughter of a Mexican immigrant in a gang-infested neighborhood on the Southside of Chicago. But Dr. Mata transformed her challenging upbringing into a source of strength, inspiring resilience in families, businesses, and communities nationwide.

With advanced degrees from Valparaiso University and Kent State University, Dr. Mata founded BrightSpot Families and partnered with the Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Toledo. Her direct, relatable approach offers actionable strategies for navigating mental health challenges and creating lasting change.

To know more about Andrea visit her website & socials:

https://www.drdremata.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdremata/
https://www.youtube.com/@drdremata

Podcast Sponsor: Summit Leadership Group

Summit Leadership Group transforms organizations by developing bold, agile leaders who inspire performance and lead with purpose. Through tailored coaching and immersive training, we ignite lasting growth where it matters most—at the intersection of people, culture, and results.

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Our guest today has been called a “soothing gut punch.” Rachel Druckenmiller brings the perfect mix of warmth and wake-up call that sticks with you long after the mic drops.

She’s a TEDx speaker, singer-songwriter, and award-winning entrepreneur who spent 13 years as a corporate HR leader before founding UNMUTED in 2019. Rachel’s worked with leaders at Deloitte, Citizens Bank, and Sherwin-Williams, helping thousands of people step up, say YES, and show up fully at work and in the world.

Named one of Forbes’ Next1000 honorees, a 40 Under 40 Game Changer by Workforce Magazine, and a Best of the Stage Speaker by Smart Meetings, Rachel is known for reigniting the human spirit at work and helping people become their bravest, boldest, most UNMUTED selves.

She married her college sweetheart, never turns down a dance party, and will absolutely steal the mic at karaoke. Connect with her on LinkedIn, Spotify, and on her website www.RachelDruckenmiller.com.

Social Media Links:

– Website: www.RachelDruckenmiller.com
– LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelbdruckenmiller/
– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unmutedlife/

– YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/racheldruckenmiller
– Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0u42nNEz1pAsJsoEcDkTvA?si=43gptFwPRtGbHh5pxFH6xQ

Paul Ollinger quit his job at Facebook to chase his comedy dream. (Don’t ever do that.) This highly unprofitable decision has allowed him to headline major clubs like Carolines on Broadway, Cobbs (SF), and Zanies (Nashville and Chicago). He has performed at the Hollywood Improv and Comedy Cellar, and headlined his own show in the 2024 New York Comedy Festival.

Paul is the host of the Reasonably Happy podcast, on which he explores the connection between money, happiness, work, and meaning in conversations with some of the world’s most interesting people. Previous guests include LL COOL J, Deepak Chopra, Judd Apatow, Paul Shaffer, and winners of the Nobel Prize, Heisman Trophy, and Olympic gold medals. He has just published a collection of essays, also titled Reasonably Happy, in which he shares humorous, thoughtful, and sometimes touching insights from over 200 of these interviews.

Podcast Sponsor: Summit Leadership Group

Summit Leadership Group transforms organizations by developing bold, agile leaders who inspire performance and lead with purpose. Through tailored coaching and immersive training, we ignite lasting growth where it matters most—at the intersection of people, culture, and results.

To know more about Paul visit his website:

www.paulollinger.com

Joe served as MD and Senior Partner at BCG. In The Generous Leader, Joe shares a performance review: He was told he was not the best at problem-solving solo; but with others, he could solve any challenge. His manager identified his key strength – a person who could connect.

Joe spent 37 years with BCG, co-founded the Washington DC office, led office systems, started BCG’s NA Public Sector business, led BCG North America, founded and chaired BCG’s Center for Inclusion and Equity.

Joe earned his BA from Whitman College, MBA from HBS. Joe is currently serving his second term as Whitman’s Board Chair. Joe has been married to Sarah for over 40 years, has four children, eight grandchildren.

To know more about Joe visit his website:

www.joedavis.com

Jenner Marcucci is the founder of Summit Leadership Group. He has extensive expertise in the areas of leadership development, sales training, communication skills, and executive team development.

Most recently, Jenner served as Vice President, Learning & Development for Catalina Marketing – $600M company specializing in personalized digital media.

Prior to that, Jenner worked for16 years at Pfizer Inc. in sales, key accounts, sales training, sales management, operations and leadership development. Jenner was instrumental in creating, launching, and implementing Pfizer’s worldwide leadership development strategy.

Pfizer was recognized as the number one training company in the world for three consecutive years with a field force of 15,000 in the US.

Jenner holds a BS in International Business and Spanish from Brigham Young University. He served a 2 year volunteer mission in Madrid Spain.

He is fluent in Spanish and has conducted multi-lingual training in Spanish,
Italian, Japanese, German, and French. His international clients are diverse and include those from Japan, Mexico, UK, Italy, Germany, France, Denmark, Switzerland, Russia and Australia.

His favorite career is being a husband and fathe to five children and three grandchildren. Currently his wife Meridith has placed him on a performance improvement plan.

Podcast Sponsor: Summit Leadership Group

Summit Leadership Group transforms organizations by developing bold, agile leaders who inspire performance and lead with purpose. Through tailored coaching and immersive training, we ignite lasting growth where it matters most—at the intersection of people, culture, and results.

To know more about Jenner visit his website:

www.summitleadershipgroup.com

In this two-part series, we sit down with the man behind the rise of Destiny’s Child, and the father of global icon Beyoncé, to unpack the business decisions, leadership principles, and unapologetic boldness that took a dream from Houston, Texas to the world stage.

Dr. Mathew Knowles is a powerhouse in both the boardroom and the classroom.

Before the music, he was shattering records at Xerox, consistently ranked in the top 5% of sales professionals nationwide. That high-performance mindset laid the foundation for what would become Music World Entertainment, a global music and media conglomerate under his leadership.

As founder, CEO, and executive producer, Dr. Knowles shaped the careers of Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé, Solange Knowles, and other Grammy Award-winning artists. He’s credited with over 450 million records sold, multiple Billboard and MTV accolades, and pioneering some of the most strategic brand partnerships in entertainment.

Today, Dr. Knowles is a sought-after keynote speaker, author, college professor, and global thought leader in leadership, branding, entrepreneurship, and the future of the music industry. He holds degrees in Economics and Business Administration from Fisk University and has taught at institutions including Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M.

He’s the author of 6 books, including:

• The DNA of Achievers: 10 Traits of Highly Successful Professionals
• Racism From the Eyes of a Child
• The Emancipation of Slaves Through Music
• Public Relations and Branding 101 for Musicians
• Destiny’s Child: The Untold Story
• The DNA of Achievers: Volume 2 – Business and Life Lessons from Mathew Knowles

In Part 1, we explore his leap from corporate to culture-shaper — what it took to build a business around Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child, and the mindset that fueled every strategic decision.

In Part 2, we continue the journey into his evolution as an educator, speaker, and advocate — and what modern leaders can learn from his decades of navigating high-stakes industries with precision and vision.

Whether you’re a sales leader, entrepreneur, artist, or executive — this conversation will challenge your thinking and spark your ambition.

To know more about Mathew visit his website:

www.mathewknowles.com