Learn how to create real social impact as a business leader by opening hiring pipelines to underserved talent and looking beyond short term charity.

Meaningful corporate impact occurs when companies offer direct employment opportunities to marginalized individuals rather than relying solely on donations. Partnering with comprehensive community programs helps break generational poverty cycles by providing people with transferable skills, career stability, and ongoing mentorship. Committing to hire capable individuals from underserved backgrounds strengthens company culture while creating permanent economic mobility.

Denise Whiter, Executive Director of New Beginnings Support Program, joins Sonia Couto on Tenacity with Sonia C. to examine practical community investment. Denise explains how their year long programs, including the Step Into Success initiative and certification with Humber Polytechnic, prepare women for corporate roles at organizations like Ernst & Young and TD. She also highlights the EmpowerMe personal development curriculum and outlines goals for their annual Angels in Action Gala at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto.

What you'll learn

• How to create real social impact as a business leader through direct hiring

• Why short term training fails to resolve poverty compared to year long support

• How transferable skills in digital literacy and business writing open corporate career paths

• What common misconceptions prevent companies from hiring women rebuilding after crisis

• How businesses can participate in the Angels in Action Gala or contribute through Canada Helps and Zeffy

This conversation is for founders, executives, and hiring managers who want to move past performative corporate responsibility and build practical employment pathways for overlooked talent.

Learn more about Denise Whiter and support the New Beginnings Support Program through their website: https://newbeginningsprogram.ca/

Beth Flippo, CEO of Drone Express, shares the real story behind building a drone delivery company and earning FAA drone certification with limited funding. She explains how a five year regulatory process, intense competition, and major setbacks became the very things that built a more resilient company.

In this episode:

• The personal problem that inspired the creation of Drone Express.

• How Beth landed Kroger as her first customer by targeting a massive market.

• Why she viewed strict FAA regulations as a collaborator, not an obstacle.

• The leadership strategy she used to keep her team focused during long periods without obvious progress.

• How the company navigated a critical parachute testing phase while running out of money.

• The challenges of raising capital as a female founder in a male dominated industry.

• Why she believes having it harder ultimately builds a stronger, more successful company.

Connect with Beth Flippo and learn more about Drone Express: [Insert Links]

#founderstory #dronetechnology #entrepreneurship #faacertification #startuplife #womenintech #leadership #fundraising #businessstrategy #resilience #tenacitypodcast

Becoming a leader people naturally trust starts with becoming a stable, consistent presence who is confident in who they are. In this conversation, founder and medical provider Shawn Gibbs explains why the most trusted leaders are like cruise ships, not dinghies: steady and unwavering because they have done the internal work. Shawn shares lessons from his journey building companies, including GiveGowns, which redesigns hospital gowns to restore patient dignity.

Drawing on his experience in both healthcare and entrepreneurship, Shawn explains why outcomes are determined long before a meeting or sale ever begins. He provides a clear framework for building trust intentionally, not just with customers, but within your team and in your leadership. Listeners will learn practical methods for improving communication, clarifying expectations, and creating a culture where people feel valued and understood.

In this episode, you will learn:

- The power of defining your desired outcome before any meeting or negotiation.

- The story behind GiveGowns and how it restores confidence for patients.

- A simple communication technique to ensure clear expectations and build trust.

- Why intentionality is the key to designing trust into your company's culture.

- How to help your team members grow, even if their goals are outside your company.

- The one thing to start doing to become a leader people are naturally drawn to.

This episode offers a clear guide to building trust with customers, patients, and your team. Follow Tenacity with Sonia C. for more honest conversations and practical lessons for founders.