As I sat down to record the final episode of Season 1 of Past the Pitch, I knew I wanted to bring on someone who truly embodies the spirit of leadership, community, and impact. That person is my friend and longtime colleague, Leslie Vickrey—CEO of ClearEdge Marketing and co-founder of ARA (Attract, Retain, Advance Women in Tech).
From the very beginning of our conversation, it was clear: this wasn’t just a closing episode. It was a celebration of the kind of leadership that shows up with transparency, courage, and heart—especially during uncertain times.
Preparing for Growth in a Volatile Market
Our conversation started with the theme of growth—a challenge that’s top of mind for many businesses, especially in tech. Leslie made a point that stuck with me: growth doesn’t always mean immediate revenue gains. Sometimes it’s about laying the groundwork, evaluating operations, and getting your house in order for when the market shifts.
She talked about using slower seasons to rethink delivery models, test new service lines, or double down on training. It’s not just about doing more—it’s about doing better, smarter, and more intentionally. As someone who coaches and advises sales teams, I couldn’t agree more.
Volatility can either paralyze or prepare you. The companies that choose the latter are the ones that will thrive in the long run.
Leading with Trust and Transparency
What separates good leaders from great ones? Leslie and I agree—it’s how you lead when things aren’t going well.
We dove deep into the need for transparency during tough times. The truth is that employees can feel when something’s off. And when leaders default to silence or over-protection, they miss an opportunity to build trust. Leslie shared thoughtful insights on balancing honesty with hope—being clear about what you do know, and courageous enough to admit what you don’t.
This kind of leadership creates buy-in. It shows your team that you’re not just shielding them—you’re inviting them into the solution.
The Culture Conversation
Culture isn’t a buzzword at ClearEdge—it’s a lived, breathing thing. Leslie walked through how her team has kept their values front and center, from daily “Awesome Alerts” on Slack to their Five for Friday rituals and internal communications strategies.
What I loved most was the origin story behind ClearEdge’s cultural DNA. Their mantra—Rise Up—came from the unique “why” each person brought to the table. Whether it was a desire for flexibility, family time, or the ability to stay in the workforce in a nontraditional way, those stories shaped how the company operates. And that clarity around why is what makes the culture resilient—even as the company scales.
We also talked about the importance of diversity of thought, something we both deeply believe in. It’s not just about optics or checkboxes—it’s about adding new flavors to the mix, just like a good recipe. A team that brings different perspectives to the table creates more innovation, more creativity, and ultimately—more impact.
Personal Bliss and the Power of Presence
In every Past the Pitch episode, I like to end with the question: “How do you find personal bliss?” Leslie’s answer was both grounded and inspiring.
For her, it’s all about being in nature—snowshoeing with her dogs, hiking, biking, and finding joy in movement and solitude. She reminded us that bliss looks different for everyone—and that’s the point. The key is finding what fills you up and refusing to feel guilty for making it a priority.
And yes, we couldn’t end Season 1 without a little fun…
The Rapid-Fire Round (You’ll Have to Tune in!)
To lighten things up, I surprised Leslie with a few rapid-fire questions—Colbert-style. From what’s on her “desk” (hint: she doesn’t really have one) to her guilty-pleasure song and which actress she thinks would play her in a movie, the answers were thoughtful and hilarious.
But I won’t spoil the fun here.
🎧 You’ll have to listen to the episode to find out! 👉 Watch Here
Gratitude for Season 1
As I reflect on the first season of Past the Pitch, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude—for the guests, the listeners, and the community we’ve built together.
Thank you for your honesty and stories.
Every episode was a reminder that real leadership goes past the pitch—it’s about purpose, people, and progress.
Here’s to Season 2. Let’s keep going.
