Spotlight on Success Archives
Real leaders. Real insights.
Real strategies you can use today.
About Spotlight on Success
Spotlight on Success Inside the Minds of Today’s Business Leaders
Spotlight on Success highlights leaders and innovators who are making things happen in the business world. Each interview shares down-to-earth insights and practical ideas that people can try right away.
These conversations give readers a real window into how experienced leaders think, adapt, and grow. They talk about what’s worked for them, what they’ve learned, and the moments that pushed their businesses forward. Their stories and advice give other business owners something solid to work with — the kind of guidance that helps you move ahead with more clarity and confidence.
Spotlight on Success is an interview series created by David Levine of I Am Your Virtual Professional. Its purpose is to amplify the voices of today’s business leaders. Each interview provides actionable insights that readers can implement immediately. No fluff, just practical wisdom that enables individuals to move forward with clarity and confidence.
| Company | Dougherty, Inc. Facilitation and Training |
|---|---|
| Role | Trainer and Facilitator |
| LinkedIn Profile | https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriedougherty/ |
| Company Website | https://dougherty-inc.com/ |
Nothing is more rewarding than to help organizations and people achieve greatness. I truly believe that with the right tools, knowledge and reflective practice, groups can achieve more through inclusive participation and profound respect for all.
Building on my 28 years of experience as Executive Director, I have gained the knowledge, skills and certifications that enable me to train and assist others on group facilitation methods. In addition to leading, training and coaching, I have a passion for developing effective training methods using current methods such as Zoom, Canvas, Storyline 360 and Miro, and Mural (plus many others).
I believe that facilitating, training and consultation should be engaging, fun and actionable. Fun is important to me, so when I am not facilitating, coaching, delivering or creating learning opportunities, I can be found on the range with my bow and arrows.
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
| Company | Executive Leadership Center |
|---|---|
| Role | Founder & Executive Coach |
| LinkedIn Profile | https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieleimkuehler/ |
| Company Website | www.executiveleadershipcenter.com |
Katie Leimkuehler is a certified executive coach and founder of the Executive Leadership Center, helping senior leaders increase influence, strengthen executive presence, and advance strategic priorities. With 18 years of experience and over 4,500 leaders coached, she delivers practical, results-driven coaching designed to amplify impact. Katie has worked with organizations such as HP, Charles Schwab, Zoom, Juniper, and RingCentral.
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
| Company | Alera Group |
|---|---|
| Role | Vice President, Financial Services |
| LinkedIn Profile | https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentnovoselsky/ |
| Company Website | https://aleragroup.com/ |
After a seven-year NFL career as a tight end with the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings, Brent Novoselsky transitioned from professional sports to financial services, bringing the same discipline, preparation, and resilience that defined his time on the field. For more than 30 years, he has advised business owners and professionals who want to simplify retirement and investing decisions. His work focuses on modern 401(k) strategies, custom indexing, and long-term care planning designed to build lasting financial confidence. As a behavioral finance advisor, he begins with clients’ values and goals before addressing numbers and strategies. He is known for helping clients navigate complex financial transitions with clarity and steady guidance. His approach reflects decades of experience and a commitment to serving as a trusted partner in life’s most important financial moments.
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
| Company | Larry Kulchawik |
|---|---|
| Author | Retired |
| LinkedIn Profile | https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-kulchawik-bab693ab/ |
| Company Website | www.larrykulchawik.com |
Larry Kulchawik has spent 52 years doing trade show marketing and exhibit design. In addtion, he has served as president of two industry associations- EDPA- Exhibit Designers & Producers Assoc & IFES-Int’l Federation Exposition Service Assoc. Upon retirement, Larry has written two books about the trade show and conventions industry. This invisible industry worldwide contributes $1.6trillion to the global economy, yet few have gone to school to learn this trade. How did this all come to be?
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
| Company | Simpleday |
|---|---|
| Role | CEO |
| LinkedIn Profile | https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-horn/ |
| Company Website | www.simpledaysolutions.com |
| YouTube Channel | @mastering-monday |
Tara Horn has specialized in helping businesses get more value from monday.com since 2015, and in 2022 she founded Simpleday to deliver focused implementation and workflow support. She has worked with more than 300 companies, from growing startups to established teams, to streamline operations and reduce day-to-day friction. She designs and optimizes monday.com systems that bring clarity to tasks, projects, and team collaboration. Known for practical, tailored solutions, she builds workflows that align with each organization’s goals and processes. Her work enables busy leaders to focus on growth while their systems run smoothly in the background.
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
| Company | Exhibitor Training Webinar |
|---|---|
| Role | Educator |
| LinkedIn Profile | https://www.linkedin.com/in/richarderschik/ |
| Company Website | www.ExhibitorTrainingWebinar.com |
Richard (Rich) Erschik—a Vietnam War veteran, successful entrepreneur, trade show industry ROI pioneer, lifelong learner, and popular online instructor based in South Florida.
Over the years he has built businesses, flown 2 million miles, written books, and taught thousands of people how to succeed in sales, marketing, public speaking, and technology.
As a webinar presenter in the trade show industry, he works with organizers to help assure their exhibitors’ success. He also helps beginners, seniors, and everyday learners unlock the power of technology with AI tools like ChatGPT. When he is not writing or teaching, you’ll find him volunteering, enjoying the beach, archery, biking, or sharing good food and laughter with the love of his life, Laurie.
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
| Company | Professor Yishai Ofran. |
|---|---|
| Role | Department Head of Hematology at Shaare Zedek Medical Center |
| LinkedIn Profile | https://www.linkedin.com/in/yishai-ofran-17475715/ |
| Company Website | https://www.szmc.org.il/en/doctorsen/ofran-yishai/ |
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
| Company | Rebecca Kowalsky Photography |
|---|---|
| Role | Accomplished Photographer | Educator | Judaica Fine Art Creator |
| LinkedIn Profile | https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-kowalsky-8b22703/ |
| Company Website | https://imagesthroughtime.com/ |
| YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@RebeccaKowalskyPhoto |
| https://www.instagram.com/rebeccakophoto/?hl=en |
Rebecca Kowalsky is an Israel-based photographer and educator known for capturing meaningful life moments with calm precision and care. She works with families, communities, and organizations to document events such as weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, business gatherings, and family portraits in a way that feels natural and unforced. Based in Efrat, she brings decades of experience and a people-centered approach that helps clients feel comfortable in front of the camera. In addition to photography, she creates Judaica fine art products designed for both personal use and special occasions. Rebecca is also a photography educator, leading private and group workshops that support skill development in a warm, encouraging environment.
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
| Company | AMERIKIDS PRODUCTIONS |
|---|---|
| Role | CEO |
| LinkedIn Profile | https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynn-rogoff-a023934/ |
| Company Website | https://www.amerikids.com |
| Series Trailer | Bird Woman Sacajawea |
Lynn Rogoff is an Emmy-winning filmmaker, WGA-nominated writer, and CEO of Amerikids Productions. As a professor at NYIT and creator of the award-winning AI-enhanced series Bird Woman: Sacajawea, she works at the intersection of Indigenous storytelling, emerging technology, and education. Her work has won 12 international film festivals and streams globally on platforms including Amazon Prime, Herflix, and Red Nation TV. Her Interactive Character Chatbots, developed with Israel-based D-ID, demonstrate how AI can preserve culture rather than replace it.
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
| Company | Erin Herman, LLC. |
|---|---|
| Role | Leadership Strategist & Keynote Speaker |
| LinkedIn Profile | https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-herman-97832217/ |
| Company Website | https://www.theerinherman.com/ |
Erin Herman is a keynote speaker and leadership strategist who helps organizations and women leaders navigate change with courage, clarity, and humanity. Drawing on two decades of global leadership experience, including senior roles at the United Nations and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, ALSAC, she delivers bold, relatable messages that turn real life into real leadership impact.
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
| Company | Excel on Fire |
|---|---|
| Role | Excel Developer & Consultant |
| LinkedIn Profile | https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozdata/ |
| Company Website | https://ozdusoleil.com/ |
| YouTube Channel | https://www.youtube.com/@OzduSoleilDATA/videos |
Oz du Soleil an Excel expert and educator, is best known for advancing better data practices through practical, hands-on teaching. A Microsoft Excel MVP since 2015, he specializes in data clean and workflow design that improves accuracy and confidence in reporting. His work emphasizes Power Query, formulas, formatting, data tracking, and introductory VBA, always grounded in real world use cases. He has taught Excel internationally, including in countries such as Bulgaria, Brazil, Australia, Amsterdam, London, and at the Excel World Championships. His LinkedIn Learning courses extend this approach, helping professionals build durable Excel skills they can apply immediately.
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
| Company | Marketing with Sara |
|---|---|
| Role | LinkedIn Coach |
| LinkedIn Profile | https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-royf/ |
| Company Website | www.sararoyf.com |
I first used LinkedIn more than 10 years ago to scale a nonprofit from just 1 to 120 universities, and to raise more than $1M. I did this all organically, without spending a dime on paid marketing. Today, I leverage this skillset to teach consultants how to use LinkedIn marketing to grow their businesses. My business motto is: You’re not on LinkedIn to go viral. You’re on LinkedIn to find clients! I have helped more than 100 consultants use LinkedIn to find clients. I live in Tel Aviv, Israel with my husband, 1-year old baby, Liam, and dog, Quentin.
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
| Company | Trexin Consulting |
|---|---|
| Role | Chief Security Officer |
| LinkedIn Profile | https://www.linkedin.com/in/kapetansky/ |
| Company Website | https://www.trexin.com |
Glenn Kapetansky is a technology and security leader who helps organizations build durable systems, teams, and governance models across complex environments. With more than 20 years of experience, he has advised senior executives and led teams across the full delivery lifecycle, from strategy and architecture through operations, financials, and compliance. His work spans healthcare, finance, energy, consumer products, and telecommunications. Glenn’s current focus includes agile management, data protection, and audit and regulatory compliance. He is a repeat recipient of Bell Labs’ Arno Penzias Award and holds certifications including CISSP, CISA, and CDPSE.
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
| Company | RockStar Consulting |
|---|---|
| Role | Author and Coach |
| LinkedIn Profile | https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamdfish/ |
| Company Website | https://www.davidjpfisher.com/ |
David J.P. Fisher helps modern sales teams succeed by combining social selling with authentic, relationship-driven engagement. The author of 12 books, including best-sellers Hyper-Connected Selling and Networking in the 21st Century, he teaches professionals how to build trust, create opportunity, and generate results by being both social and strategic in how they sell.
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
| Company | DS Bellinger Consulting LLC |
|---|---|
| Role | Fractional Sales Manager |
| LinkedIn Profile | https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnasmithbellinger/ |
| Company Website | https://www.askdsb.com/ |
Dr. Donna Smith Bellinger helps business owners turn conversations into consistent cash flow. As a Fractional Sales Manager with decades of corporate leadership and entrepreneurial experience, she builds the structure, strategy, and confidence teams need to sell with clarity instead of pressure. A sought-after speaker and author, she teaches leaders how to grow leaders and create revenue on purpose — not by accident.
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
| Company | GLM Accounting & The Networking Navigator |
|---|---|
| Role | Business Strategist |
| LinkedIn Profile | https://www.linkedin.com/in/gosche/ |
| Company Website | https://thenetworkingnavigator.mvsite.app/ |
Tom Gosche is a Business Strategist at GLM Accounting and the founder of The Networking Navigator, a weekly system that guides professionals to more strategic, relationship-driven networking. He helps business owners gain clarity, increase referrals, and build stronger, more profitable connections.
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
| Company | No Shame On U |
|---|---|
| Role | Founder |
| LinkedIn Profile |
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| Company Website | https://www.noshameonu.org/ |
Founded by Miriam Ament Forman — a Barnard College alumna with a graduate degree in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University — No Shame On U is dedicated to breaking the stigma around mental health and ensuring no one struggles alone. Through workshops, school programs, and community education, the organization equips people with the tools and support they need to understand, cope, and connect.
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
| Company | Creative Smart Contractors |
|---|---|
| Role | co-Founder |
| LinkedIn Profile | https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmarcnathan/ |
| Company Website | https://creativesmartcontractors.com/ |
Helping real estate investors maximize ROI with efficient, high-quality rehabs and rental turnovers. At Creative Smart Contractors, we handle the entire process—so you save time, reduce headaches, and boost profits. Let’s build your next success story together.
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
