Are You Or Your Team Dysfunctional? Our STANDOUT guests are a mother-daughter duo - Anne and Heather Dranitsaris - two acclaimed leadership consultants who uncover the toxic dynamics, destructive behaviors, and organizational consequences of dysfunctional leaders. Whether you're a leader seeking to improve your own practices or an employee navigating a challenging work environment, this interview will give you valuable insights into the complex world of dysfunctional leadership.
In this conversation Anne, Heather and Darine discuss topics, such as:
The advantages and disadvantages of being a mother-daughter duo developing a business
The signs of dysfunctional leadership and how to address it
The cost of tolerating dysfunctional leadership behavior
How to navigate a toxic workplace
Plus much more...
Connect with Anne and Heather Dranitsaris:
https://www.youtube.com/@DranitsarisHilliard |
Heather Dranitsaris-Hilliard https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-hilliard/
Anne Dranitsaris, Ph.D. - https://www.linkedin.com/in/annedranitsaris/
https://dranitsaris-hilliard.com/ | https://whoareyoumeanttobe.com/
Become The Leader You Were Meant To Be:
Get the copy of the book STANDOUT From The Crowd: https://www.thesmartwmn.com/standoutbook
Connect with Darine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinebenamara/
Listen/Subscribe to The STANDOUT From The Crowd Podcast:
Spotify: https://postly.link/f36
Apple Podcasts: https://postly.link/SMR
Castbox: https://postly.link/WW8
YouTube: https://postly.link/CXx
Other episodes you may like:
How To Prioritize Your Own Well
Unlocking Your Next Life Chapter
How The Power Of Mentoring Can Change Your Life

Imagine a moment in your life when someone believed in you more than you believed in yourself. A moment when a single conversation forever changed the course of your life. Perhaps it was a teacher, a family member, or even a stranger who saw your potential, tapped into your hidden strengths, and unleashed possibilities that you never thought possible.
Our STANDOUT guest - Heidi Hauver - is a forward-thinking and strategic people leader. During our conversation, she is going to share the transformative power of mentoring, how it has impacted her life and how it can change yours.
In this conversation Heidi and Darine discuss topics, such as:
The role of a Chief People Officer and why it does matter
Beyond having an impact, how to leverage community work while building your career
The key characteristics that make a mentorship relationship effective and influential
The do's and dont's of mentorship
Plus much more...
Connect with Heidi Hauver:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidihauver/
Become The Leader You Were Meant To Be:
Get the copy of the book STANDOUT From The Crowd: https://www.thesmartwmn.com/standoutbook
Connect with Darine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinebenamara/
Listen/Subscribe to The STANDOUT From The Crowd Podcast:
Spotify: https://postly.link/f36
Apple Podcasts: https://postly.link/SMR
Castbox: https://postly.link/WW8
YouTube: https://postly.link/CXx
Other episodes you may like:
How To Create A Career Legacy
How To Prioritize Your Own Well
Unlocking Your Next Life Chapter

As a leader, leaving a great legacy is arguably the most powerful thing you can do in your career and life because it enables you to have a positive influence – even after you are out of the picture yourself. Our STANDOUT guest, Kayla Isabelle is the Chief Executive Officer at Startup Canada, the gateway to Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, and has dedicated her career to supporting entrepreneurs. During our conversation, she will share her journey to becoming an impactful leader countrywide and beyond.
In this episode, you'll learn:
The importance and the interconnection of passion and commitment
The ONE thing to know when starting/advancing your career
The reality behind receiving awards
How to shape the legacy you want to leave behind
Plus much more...
Connect with Kayla Isabelle:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-isabelle/ | https://twitter.com/kaylamisabelle?lang=en | https://www.startupcan.ca/.
Become The Leader You Were Meant To Be: Get the copy of the book STANDOUT From The Crowd: https://www.thesmartwmn.com/standoutbook
Connect with Darine:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinebenamara/
Listen/Subscribe to The STANDOUT From The Crowd Podcast:
Spotify: https://postly.link/f36
Apple Podcasts: https://postly.link/SMR
Castbox: https://postly.link/WW8
YouTube: https://postly.link/CXx
Other episodes you may like:
How To Prioritize Your Own Well
Unlocking Your Next Life Chapter
Strategies For Securing A Board Seat

As an entrepreneur, you're constantly juggling multiple responsibilities and wearing many hats. But what happens when you neglect your own well-being? Join us as we explore the transformative power of self-care and how it can help you not only survive, but thrive in both your business and personal life. Our STANDOUT guest - Ghislaine Orth - is a personal development coach who helps women to be kind, loving and compassionate to themselves.
In this episode, you'll:
Discover the power and beauty of resilience through Ghislaine's story
Learn how to find peace as an introvert and hyper-sensitive person
Shift your focus from 'doing' to 'being'
Plus much more...
Connect with Ghislaine Orth:
https://www.frenchsenseoffashion.com/ | https://www.youtube.com/@almamatermutatismutandis
Become The Leader You Were Meant To Be: Get the copy of the book STANDOUT From The Crowd: https://www.thesmartwmn.com/standoutbook
Connect with Darine:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinebenamara/
Listen/Subscribe to The STANDOUT From The Crowd Podcast:
Spotify: https://postly.link/f36
Apple Podcasts: https://postly.link/SMR
Castbox: https://postly.link/WW8
YouTube: https://postly.link/CXx
Other episodes you may like:
Unlocking Your Next Life Chapter
Strategies For Securing A Board Seat
Adopting The Challenger Mindset

What's your next life chapter? That’s a question you may have been asking yourself. Join me in this extraordinary episode as we dive deep into the remarkable next chapter of our STANDOUT guest Stephania Varalli. After seven years as the owner and Co-CEO of Women of Influence+, Stephania decided to transition onto her next chapter focusing her time on fiction writing and sharing her passion for using storytelling to drive action and change.
Key Takeaways:
How a growth mindset can help you achieve your dream
Signs it's time for you to pursue your calling
How to find ease with your transition
Plus much more...
Connect with Stephania Varalli:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephania-varalli/ | Instagram: @stephaniavaralli
Become The Leader You Were Meant To Be: Get the copy of the book STANDOUT From The Crowd: https://www.thesmartwmn.com/standoutbook
Connect with Darine:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinebenamara/
Listen/Subscribe to The STANDOUT From The Crowd Podcast:
Spotify: https://postly.link/f36
Apple Podcasts: https://postly.link/SMR
Castbox: https://postly.link/WW8
YouTube: https://postly.link/CXx
Other episodes you may like:
Strategies For Securing A Board Seat
Adopting The Challenger Mindset
What Makes Values-Based Leaders Different

As an ambitious woman, you might wonder, how do I reserve my seat at the table? Our STANDOUT guest, Deborah, is a steadfast champion of corporate governance, ESG, sustainability, and board diversity. During our conversation, she is going to share her own experience getting on boards and how she helps other women to secure a seat at the table.
Key Takeaways:
How to bounce back from setbacks?
Balancing your personal and professional life while maintaining your leadership role
What’s preventing more women from accessing the boardroom
Strategies to proactively navigate the gender-based expectations in the boardroom
Plus much more...
Connect with Deborah Rosati: http://linkedin.com/in/deborahrosati |
http://linkedin.com/in/womengetonboard | https://ebooks.womengetonboard.ca/ Use WGOB100 for complimentary download
Become The Leader You Were Meant To Be: Get the copy of the book STANDOUT From The Crowd: https://www.thesmartwmn.com/standoutbook
Connect with Darine:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinebenamara/
Listen/Subscribe to The STANDOUT From The Crowd Podcast:
Spotify: https://postly.link/f36
Apple Podcasts: https://postly.link/SMR
Castbox: https://postly.link/WW8
YouTube: https://postly.link/CXx
Other episodes you may like:
Adopting The Challenger Mindset
What Makes Values-Based Leaders
How To Build A World-Class Career

The best leaders do not simply move past an obstacle, they spend time on it, find meaning in it, and use it to their advantage.
Our STANDOUT guest, Anna Dewar is the Co-CEO and Co-Founder at Tidal Equality. During our conversation, she is going to share how she breaks the mold of conformity by challenging the world’s most influential organizations to embrace equitable innovation to build a just future for all.
Key Takeaways:
How breaking the mold benefits you personally and professionally
The importance of self-awareness and how to increase it
The challenge when not fitting in and how to challenge the status quo
Plus much more...
Connect with Anna Dewar: tidalequality.com | linkedin.com/in/annadewargully
Become The Leader You Were Meant To Be: Get the copy of the book STANDOUT From The Crowd: https://www.thesmartwmn.com/standoutbook
Connect with Darine:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinebenamara/
Listen/Subscribe to The STANDOUT From The Crowd Podcast:
Spotify: https://postly.link/f36
Apple Podcasts: https://postly.link/SMR
Castbox: https://postly.link/WW8
YouTube: https://postly.link/CXx
Other episodes you may like:
What makes values-based leaders different?
How To Build A Reputation Of Excellence
How to Balance Mental Health With Your Career Goals

The past few years have been plagued with extensive, evasive, and disheartening leadership failures. With the challenges post C-19 and the racial/equity tensions that are impacting our society, there has never been a more important time to foster values-based leadership in organizations and communities. Our STANDOUT guest, Leigh Naturkach is the Executive Director at the Mosaic Institute. During our conversation, she is going to share how she leveraged values-based leadership as the motivation to “lead forward” toward her desired vision.
Key Takeaways:
The principles of value-based leadership
The qualities of a value-based leader
The pillars of value-based leadership
Plus much more...
Connect with Leigh Naturkach:
www.mosaicinstitute.ca | linkedIn.com/leighnaturkach
Become The Leader You Were Meant To Be:
Get the copy of the book STANDOUT From The Crowd: https://www.thesmartwmn.com/standoutbook
Connect with Darine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinebenamara/
Listen/Subscribe to The STANDOUT From The Crowd Podcast:
Spotify: https://postly.link/f36
Apple Podcasts: https://postly.link/SMR
Castbox: https://postly.link/WW8
YouTube: https://postly.link/CXx
Other episodes you may like:
From Unknown To Renowned
Change: The Ultimate Test Of Leadership
How to Achieve your Highest Potential