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No Boxes: Just Verses
No Boxes: Just Verses is where inspiring leaders reveal the songs and stories that shaped their journey. Join host Shannon Nash, a global C-suite leader, attorney, and CPA, as she goes beyond titles and trophies to explore the moments that truly defined today's top executives, entrepreneurs, and artists.
Each episode is a deep dive into a guest's personal "Leadership Playlist," uncovering the pivotal lessons and life-changing moments tied to the music that moved them. From career breakthroughs to personal reinvention, we explore the authentic, unboxed stories behind extraordinary success.
This isn't your typical leadership podcast. It's a rich blend of leadership development, personal storytelling, and musical discovery. Whether you're an aspiring leader, a seasoned executive, or simply a music lover, you'll find powerful insights and a vibrant community here.
Come for the stories, stay for the playlist. Subscribe now and join us as we redefine leadership, one verse at a time.
No Boxes: Just Verses
Elicia Pegues Spearman on Shattering Ceilings From FBI Lawyer and CHRO to Girl Scouts CEO and Alpha Kappa Alpha Regional Leader
In this inspiring Verses in Service episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we celebrate the journey of Elicia Pegues Spearman, CEO of Girl Scouts of Connecticut and a true trailblazer. Are you a leader trying to make a bold career pivot from law to operations, or looking to build a career defined by service and joy? Elicia's story is a powerful testament to the value of kindness, strategic networking, and why the "soft skills" you learn on the job are the real currency of the C-Suite. Tune in to hear the playbook for achieving firsts and leading with authentic joy.
Elicia Pegues Spearman is a force in executive leadership, known for her record of achieving historical "firsts." She is the Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Connecticut and was the first person of color hired into the C-Suite at General Dynamics Electric Boat. A former in-house lawyer who worked for the FBI, she successfully pivoted her career into Human Resources and operations. She is the first woman from Connecticut to serve as the North Atlantic Regional Director of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Key Takeaways
- Kindness as a Foundational Skill: Learn how Elicia's childhood practice of always picking the last kid for the team instilled a lifelong core value of kindness and making space for others.
- The Strategic Move from Law to HR: Discover why Elicia voluntarily pivoted from being a lawyer to taking on roles in Human Resources—it taught her organizational design, compliance, and training—the crucial operational skills needed to run a business.
- The Power of the Lateral Move: Hear how she intentionally took a perceived lateral step (HR Business Partner) to gain intimate business knowledge right next to the finance clients, a skill that propelled her into executive leadership.
- Your Board of Advisors Should Be Well-Rounded: Find out why your most valuable mentors are often not CEOs but trusted friends and family who know you personally and will tell you the truth, knowing when "money's not everything."
- The Necessity of Asking for Grace: Understand why she had no regrets about asking for grace from her job and community leadership roles to be present with her father during his terminal illness—a vital lesson in prioritizing family over the clock.
Elicia Pegues Spearman’s journey is a powerful reminder that if you are grounded in kindness and constantly seeking knowledge, your career will be defined by an abundance of joy and purpose. Who do you need to add to your well-rounded Board of Advisors this week? Follow Elicia's journey of service and let her inspire your next move!
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Theme Song: Pedal to the Medal by Martin Luther (Spotify | Apple Music)