CEO Jessica and Chief of Staff Ivan Discuss Roles and Leadership at Happen Ventures

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In this episode of Leveraging Leadership, host Emily Sander sits down with Jessica Gonzalez, President of Happen Ventures, and her Chief of Staff, Ivan Rangel.

Jessica and Ivan share the inspiring journey of Happen Ventures, a reuse-first company born out of the challenges presented by COVID-19. They discuss their rapid scaling during the pandemic, their operational strategies, and the innovative programs they're implementing to divert waste from landfills to communities in need.

Additionally, they highlight their approach to team building, internal promotion, and how they maintain a culture of trust and accountability.

Jessica dives into the invaluable benefits of having a Chief of Staff, emphasizing the unique relationship dynamics, the importance of mutual trust, and how this role has allowed her to balance work and personal life better. She also provides insights into what qualities to look for in a Chief of Staff and the significance of treating them as a key partner in the business. Tune in to learn how they are driving impactful change in sustainability and business leadership.

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Who Am I?

If we haven’t yet before - Hi👋 I’m Emily, Chief of Staff turned Executive Leadership Coach. After a thrilling ride up the corporate ladder, I’m focusing on what I love - working with people to realize their professional and personal goals. Through my videos here on this channel, books, podcast guest spots, and newsletter, I share new ideas and practical and tactical tools to help you be more productive and build the career and life you want.

Time Stamps:
00:40 Jessica Gonzalez: Founding Happen Ventures
02:48 Ivan Rangel: Journey to Chief of Staff
04:44 Operational Strategies and Team Dynamics
19:09 Empowerment and Trust in Leadership
19:40 The Unique Role of a Chief of Staff
23:04 Building a Strong Principal-Chief of Staff Relationship
32:10 Promoting from Within and Valuing Hard Work