Workplace Community Connections With Charla Stevens

The Truth About Leadership and Change with Meghan DeFord

Meghan DeFord spent nearly 20 years in the nonprofit philanthropy, leading multi-million-dollar campaigns and building high-performing teams. Along the way, she met incredibly accomplished women who were succeeding by every external measure while privately questioning their authority, second-guessing themselves, and wondering, "Is this it?"
Now, through coaching, workshops, retreats, and speaking, she helps women get clear on what they want, trust themselves enough to pursue it, and take meaningful action without waiting until they feel "ready."
She is the founder of DeFord Coaching & Consulting, host of the podcast Wait, What Do You Do Again?, and author of the forthcoming On Purpose Journal. She is a mom of two wonderful kids and two wonderful cats, and enjoys running, reading, and binge-watching a good HBO series in her free time.
 
 
 

Erin Clifford on Lawyer Burnout, Boundaries & Reimagining Wellness

Erin Clifford is the Managing Director at Clifford Law Offices, Chicago's premier personal injury law firm. She provides overall management of strategic business development, including planning, coordinating, and implementing marketing and business plans, providing her with an understanding of the stressors that a high-demanding job entails. Erin is also a corporate wellness consultant and coach who helps professionals create healthy lifestyles for a more fulfilling, happier existence. Corporations and law firms hire Erin to speak, train, and coach their employees to incorporate appropriate lifestyle changes that yield real, lasting results, boosting productivity and positivity in the workplace. Born and raised in Chicago, Erin began her career teaching for Chicago Public Schools. She holds a Juris Doctor (JD) from DePaul College of Law and a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Illinois, a National Certified Counselor, and a certified holistic wellness coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She also holds the highest credential in wellness coaching as a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC). Her book, Wellness Reimagined: A Holistic Approach to Health, Happiness, and Harmony, was published by Forefront Books in May 2025
 
Charlotte interviews Erin, whom she met through the ABA Attorney Mental Health and Wellness Committee, about mental health and well-being in the legal profession. Clifford shares her path from teaching English in Chicago public schools to law school, then becoming a certified wellness coach and later completing Northwestern’s online master’s in mental health counseling during COVID, including clinical internship work at the Positive Sobriety Institute. They discuss rising burnout driven by feeling “always on” since the pandemic, along with anxiety, depression, substance use, secondary trauma, and chronic health conditions. Clifford outlines burnout signs (exhaustion, sleep disruption, increased caffeine/alcohol, frequent illness, loss of interest and empathy) and recommends using lawyers assistance programs, setting and communicating boundaries, improving meeting practices, modeling wellbeing from leadership, and taking short micro-breaks to boost productivity. They also address loneliness and diminished in-person connection, and Clifford describes her book, “Wellness Reimagined,” a choose-your-own wellness guide focused on values, priorities, boundaries, routines, and realistic goal-setting.
 
Topics
01:40 Erin’s Career Journey
02:57 Coaching and Counseling Path
04:55 Wellbeing Beyond Yoga
05:40 Burnout in Legal Work
07:33 Burnout Warning Signs
10:17 Secondary Trauma Support
11:31 Generations and Openness
13:04 Boundaries at Work
17:14 Leaders Modeling Wellness
20:07 Personal Resilience Practices
25:45 Loneliness and Connection
28:21 Her Book and Wrap Up
 

Attorney Terri Pastori on Shifts in Employment Law

Charla interviews Terri L. Pastori, a founding member of Pastori | Krans, PLLC in Concord, NH, about shifts in employment law following January 2025 executive orders. 
Terri is a seasoned attorney and litigator focusing on employment law and business litigation.  Known for her strategic thinking and trusted counsel, Terri helps clients proactively mitigate legal risk, resolve complex employment issues as they arise, and, if necessary, resolve disputes in state and federal courts, at the Human Rights Commission, or before other administrative agencies.  Because she represents both individuals and management in employment matters, Terri brings a balanced perspective to workplace disputes and compliance issues.  Whether drafting employment and separation agreements, navigating non-compete and restrictive covenants, crafting handbooks and policies, or in litigation, her creative approach is invaluable.  She has counseled and steadily assisted clients with the full spectrum of employment issues for over 25 years, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage and hour matters.  She is regularly called upon to conduct or advise on internal and governmental investigations. 
 
In addition to her legal practice, Terri is deeply committed to service in the legal profession and in her community.  She serves on the Board of Waypoint, is a founding Board Member of the Derry Homegrown Farm and Artisan Market, and past chairperson of the Derry Economic Development Advisory Committee.  Terri is an active member of the New Hampshire Bar Association’s Committee on Cooperation with the Courts, and past, long-serving member of the New Hampshire Board of Bar Examiners.  She has taught Employment Law as an adjunct faculty member at the University of New Hampshire School of Law.  She is a member of the New Hampshire Bar Association’s Labor & Employment Law and Business Litigation Law Sections, the Association of Workplace Investigators, Society for Human Resource Management, and the Human Resources Association of Greater Concord.  She is a graduate of the MCAD Certified Train-the-Trainer Programs for Preventing Harassment and Discrimination in the Workplace and Conducting Internal Discrimination Complaint Investigations and is on the MCAD approved list of trainers for remediation.  Terri is a frequent speaker on employment law topics and is often called upon by the media to comment on developments in the field.  
 
Terri is the recipient of numerous professional distinctions, including Best Lawyers and Forbes Best-in-State.  She is one of the few attorneys who has been recognized as a “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in the area of Employment Law for both individuals and management in New Hampshire. 
Before opening her own firm, Terri practiced at leading firms in New Hampshire and Boston, handling complex, high-stakes litigation.  Terri earned her J.D. from Suffolk University Law School, serving on the law review and graduating first in her class.  Terri is admitted to practice law in New Hampshire and Massachusetts state and federal courts.
 
In this episode Terri describes increased employer and employee uncertainty, especially for organizations reliant on federal funding, and notes a harder job market and more separation agreements. They discuss new federal contractor DEI affirmations, EEOC pronouncements and social-media solicitation of claims by white males, and a perceived pivot toward targeting “DEI-related discrimination.” Terri reviews an EEOC lawsuit against Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast over a women-only leadership retreat and explains concerns for employers with affinity groups, ERGs, and targeted leadership programs, referencing July 2025 DOJ guidance on training. They also cover the EEOC’s rescission of Biden-era harassment and gender-identity guidance, emphasizing guidance is not law and state agencies remain important. Terri advises employers to act cautiously, be inclusive, and document employment decisions.
 
More on Terri at https://www.pastorikrans.com/
Contact Charla at https://www.charlastevensconsulting.com/
 
Topics
01:06 Terri’s Career and Practice
02:15 Why Employment Law Feels Different
03:37 Executive Orders and Workplace Uncertainty
05:37 Federal Funding and DEI Scramble
07:32 EEOC Targets DEI Programs
09:40 Social Media and Reverse Discrimination Claims
13:44 Backlash and Legal Limits of DEI
16:36 Coca-Cola Women’s Retreat Lawsuit
20:27 Affinity Groups and Training Risks
26:34 Rescinded Guidance on Gender Identity
30:27 State Agencies and Filing Strategy
32:31 Practical Advice for Employers
35:17 Closing Thoughts and Thanks

Jennifer Mortimer on Millennium Running, Club Community & Giving Back

Jennifer Mortimer joined Millennium Running in June 2013 and works on the financial and human resources side of the business while overseeing the Millennium Retail Store business globally, as well as serving as the head coach of the Millennium Running Club. Jennifer is a lifelong competitive runner with a deep passion for the sport. While at Boston College, she was a two-time NCAA All-American and set the school’s outdoor 5000m record with a time of 15:47. She qualified for and competed in the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials. She continues to train and compete for anything from the mile to the marathon. Passing her competitive experience to the next level, Jennifer also serves as a coach at Bedford High School (NH) for cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track.
 
More at www.millenniumrunning.com
603-488-1186 (office)
 
Charla talks with Jennifer about her running background, community-building, and her roles in the business. She began running at 12 in Albany, NY, competed at the high school level starting in seventh grade, and ran cross country and track at Boston College, earning All-American honors, qualifying for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 5,000, and later returning to local road racing. She earned a teaching degree from Simmons, taught elementary school, and after moves including Lexington, KY, joined Millennium Running in 2013 once the business was more sustainable. She describes Millennium’s origins with the 1999 Millennium Mile, the 2010 formation of the company, growth from five initial races to 27 events plus contracted services, and a COVID-era boom that prompted virtual and structured programming. Mortimer oversees retail, supports the running club (now ~450 members annually), coaches Bedford High School track, and notes Millennium has donated $2.6M to charities, with club fundraising of at least $25K annually and hands-on volunteer work; she is currently rebuilding fitness after winter illness and letting life dictate racing goals.
 
Topics
01:44 Early Running Roots
04:06 Boston College and Olympic Trials
06:26 Teaching Life and Family Moves
07:29 Joining Millennium Running
08:39 How Millennium Running Started
12:17 COVID Boom and Community
13:40 Jen’s Roles at Millennium
16:08 Building the Running Club
18:38 Club Benefits and Friendships
21:18 High School Coaching Journey
24:23 Balancing Work and Coaching
27:16 Charity Impact and Giving Back
30:30 What’s Next for Jen
32:52 Wrap Up and Thanks

Understanding Immigration in the Workplace with Shiva Karimi

Charla interviews Shiva Karimi, an immigration attorney and law firm partner at McLean Middleton.
Shiva develops creative strategies for navigating the complex U.S. immigration system.  She advises businesses on hiring key personnel, structuring global entities to facilitate talent mobility, and addressing immigration compliance issues.  She creates immigration solutions for immigrant investors and entrepreneurs, as well as other specialized foreign nationals such as athletes and entertainers, religious workers, and expats.  She represents clients across a range of industries including staffing, technology, healthcare, independent schools, and start-ups. She has developed immigration solutions for immigrant investors and entrepreneurs, doctors and healthcare workers,  athletes and entertainers,  religious workers, and other specialized foreign nationals.  She advises businesses on hiring key personnel and structuring global entities to facilitate talent mobility. Shiva currently serves as Secretary of the Boston Bar Association.
The discussion with Charla covers current hot-button immigration issues including enforcement, border security, and ICE raids. Shiva provides an in-depth overview of the U.S. immigration system, breaking it down into categories of non-immigrants, immigrants, and citizens, as well as other statuses like temporary protected status and asylum seekers. The conversation also touches on the challenges businesses face with ICE audits, I-9 compliance, and difficulties in hiring both skilled and unskilled foreign workers. Throughout, Shiva emphasizes the importance of understanding one's immigration status and the legal procedures employers must follow to ensure compliance and support their employees.
 
More on Shiva at https://www.mclane.com/people/shiva-karimi/
 
Topics
00:44 Meet Today's Guest: Shiva Karimi
02:28 Understanding Immigration: An Overview
03:49 Non-Immigrant Visas Explained
05:32 Immigrant Visas and Green Cards
06:54 Citizenship and Other Statuses
08:33 Challenges and Legal Assistance in Immigration
09:28 Employer Concerns and ICE Encounters
17:06 Concerns About Employee Travel
17:46 Travel Documentation and Social Media Hygiene
18:55 Phone Privacy and Border Inspections
20:17 Non-Immigrant Intent and Entry Risks
21:35 Student Visa Revocations and Enhanced Vetting
25:13 I-9 Audits: What Employers Need to Know
27:32 Handling I-9 Audits and Compliance
32:11 Final Thoughts on Employer Responsibilities

Granite United Way CEO Nichole Reimer

During the past 30 years, Nichole Martin Reimer has been working to build community collaborations and solutions to improve lives. She began her nonprofit career as a Jesuit Volunteer in Texas bringing together the YMCA, Salvation Army, and local Rotary Clubs to develop mentoring and educational programs impacting youth from migrant communities and those experiencing homelessness.  
Upon moving back to her native Haverhill, Massachusetts in 1998, she began a career with United Way that has spanned several United Ways and included managing a volunteer center, growing the annual campaign evolving partnerships and initiating new efforts to increase inclusion and diversity. One of Reimer’s significant contributions has been leading the efforts to bring the 211 information and referral system to NH, which connects more than 165,000 residents with resources annually. 
At Granite United Way, Reimer has served as the architect of and implementing the Strategic Plan. As Chief Alignment Officer, she led fundraising efforts and worked cross functionally with the impact team to deliver more than $13 million in community support. Recently, she developed the responsive grant funding process providing nonprofits with multiple opportunities to seek funding for their most immediate needs.
Charla talks with Nichole about her role and the mission of the United Way, which includes engaging businesses, individual donors, and agencies in philanthropic activities to address community needs. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including the challenges that nonprofits are currently facing, such as funding uncertainties and legal concerns. Nichole also highlights some of the innovative programs United Way is involved in, like Key Connect for housing and the 2-1-1 referral system, which connects people to essential services. The episode provides insights into the collaborative efforts among nonprofits to navigate financial and operational challenges, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and volunteerism.
 
Topics
00:40 Meet Nichole Reimer, CEO of Granite United Way
01:38 Nichole's Journey with United Way
03:43 United Way's Role and Impact
05:18 Programs and Initiatives by United Way
14:35 Challenges Faced by Nonprofits
27:25 Future Outlook and Opportunities
33:14 Closing Remarks and Future Conversations

Navigating the Job Market with Maura Mann

Charla chats with Maura Mann, president at BANKW Staffing where she oversees three of the firm’s companies, The Nagler Group, KNF&T Staffing Resources and Sales Search Partners where she is responsible for the client service strategy and execution that has resulted in award-winning growth and achievement for the companies.  She also manages the Strategic Accounts team for the BANKW.  Prior to joining BANKW Staffing in 2011, Maura held leadership roles with multiple local and international staffing and recruiting organizations where she led teams focused on accounting & finance, legal and administrative staffing. Maura is the president of the Massachusetts Staffing Association and is an advocate for the industry both locally and nationally. She was recently named to Staffing Industry Analysts Global Power 150 Women in Staffing List. Maura is a member of ProVisors and is actively involved in the Northeast Human Resources Association (NEHRA), the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and multiple Chambers of Commerce. Maura is an alumna of Boston College. 
 
They discuss Maura's journey from law school to recruitment, the focus and success of their locally-based staffing firms in New England, and current trends in the job market. Key topics include the challenges of hiring in a competitive market, the impact of economic uncertainty, the importance of flexibility in retaining talent, and the role of AI in recruitment. They also explore the skills gap, the cost of living, and the evolving nature of work especially in areas like consulting and part-time roles. Maura provides invaluable advice for job seekers and insights on how organizations can optimize their hiring processes.
 
Topics
00:43 Meet Maura Mann: Superstar Recruiter
01:15 The Journey into Recruiting
02:48 Focus on New England: Localized Staffing
04:47 Current Trends in Staffing
10:13 Advice for Job Seekers
12:18 Impact of Economic Uncertainty on Hiring
17:34 The Skills Gap and Workforce Challenges
25:59 The Role of AI in Recruitment
32:22 Conclusion and Future Conversations

Kathleen Reardon of the New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits

Charla talks with Kathleen Reardon, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits. They discuss how the organization supports over 900 members, encompassing a diverse range of nonprofits from grassroots groups to large institutions. Reardon highlights their work in offering educational programs, policy advocacy, and events like New Hampshire Gives. The conversation details how nonprofits navigate financial challenges, state and federal policy impacts, and risks like funding cuts and executive orders. Reardon also emphasizes the importance of public support through volunteering and donations.
 
Topics
01:10 Overview of NH Center for Nonprofits
02:05 Advocacy and Policy Work
03:25 Diverse Membership of NH Nonprofits
04:43 Impact of Nonprofits in New Hampshire
07:13 Kathleen's Journey to Nonprofit Leadership
09:22 Current Challenges for Nonprofits
17:32 New Hampshire Gives: A Day of Giving
19:35 Charitable Gaming and Nonprofit Funding
23:09 Potential Risks and State Budget Concerns
26:14 Executive Orders and Federal Challenges
29:49 Resources and Support for NH Nonprofits
31:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Sam Eaton of MindAbility Consulting

Sam Eaton is the founder of MindAbility, a business coaching firm - helping HR and Fractional HR pros build businesses that let them live life on their own terms. It all started nearly 25 years ago when she dove into HR consultancy, helping a firm grow from $650K to a jaw-dropping $4.3 million.
Fast forward to now, Sam’s built a squad of 6 coaches who support founders every step of the way—from the zero clients phase to scaling up big-time. In the last 5 years alone, Sam and her team have guided over 175 founders to grow their businesses into 6, 7, and 8-figure powerhouses.
She’s also a keynote speaker, best-selling author of The Trouble With Pink Wheelbarrows, and the host of MindAbility Matters, a weekly show celebrating the best and brightest in the HR community.
Sam’s mission? To show HR consultants how to grow, thrive, and make business work on their terms—without the overwhelm.
 
Topics
00:43 Meet Sam Eaton: Business Coach for HR Consultants
01:52 The Rise of HR Consultants
04:14 Mind Ability Consulting: Services and Philosophy
06:42 Global Reach and Client Success Stories
10:23 Challenges and Opportunities in HR Consulting
25:41 Future of Work: AI and Technological Advances
29:22 Conclusion and Contact Information

Mastering Time Management with Sarah Reiff-Hekking, Ph.D.

Charla discusses the challenges of time management and productivity in professional settings with Sarah Reiff-Hekking, a clinical psychologist and the founder of True Focus Coaching Inc., a speaker, coach, and psychologist with 20 years of experience helping people reach their goals. She empowers entrepreneurs and professionals to get a grip on time so that they can get to the next level in their lives and businesses. Sarah shares strategies for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals to better manage their time, reduce stress, and achieve a balance between work and personal life. The episode covers common barriers to efficiency, the importance of flexible scheduling, delegation, and the value of setting boundaries. Listeners are also offered resources like an eBook on overcoming procrastination and a no-cost strategy session with Sarah.
Topics
00:40 Meet Today's Guest: Sarah Reiff-Hekking
01:23 Sarah's Approach to Time Management
05:12 Common Barriers to Efficiency
07:38 Effective Time Management Strategies
09:49 Balancing Work and Personal Life
24:58 The Importance of Delegation
27:57 Learning to Say No
31:14 Resources and Closing Remarks