The Executive Shift with Kim Borchers

After nearly 30 years with Pitsco Education, including 15 years as president, Lisa Paterni brought her corporate leadership experience to higher education at Pittsburg State University. In this conversation with host Kim Borchers, Lisa explores how business experience can strengthen the classroom, the unique challenges of transitioning into university leadership, and the importance of mentoring students and teaching them to learn from small failures.

Kim sits down with Alana McWilliams, a candidate for the Kansas State Board of Education, to discuss the challenges facing public education and what meaningful education reform could look like. A parent, entrepreneur, literacy advocate, and co-founder of Designed to Learn, Alana brings both personal and professional experience to the conversation, including her work advocating for students with dyslexia and evidence-based reading instruction. They discuss literacy, accountability, teacher support, and the importance of giving every Kansas student access to an education that works.

Scott Darnell has spent his career where politics, policy, communications, and government all meet. He served as a senior advisor and deputy chief of staff to New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, so he knows firsthand what it takes to turn an administration's priorities into real action. That experience is what led him to co-found the Reformers Academy, where he's now Executive Vice President, training the next generation of leaders to navigate the challenges of governing and public policy.

From the classroom to the front lines of public policy, Kristi Putnam spent her career turning hard questions about health, education, and human services into real reform, leading transformation efforts in Kentucky, Florida, and as Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Human Services.

This week on The Executive Shift, Kim sits down with Shawn Sullivan, President and CEO of Midland Care, to discuss leadership, service, and the future of senior care. Drawing from his experience as Kansas Secretary of Aging, Kansas Chief Operating Officer, and a longtime leader in long-term care, Shawn shares insights on leading large organizations through change, advocating for older adults and individuals with disabilities, and building healthcare systems that prioritize dignity, independence, and innovation. This conversation offers valuable lessons for leaders across every industry who are committed to making a meaningful impact.

This week on The Executive Shift, Kim sits down with Arvin Singh, West Virginia Secretary of Health, who serves in the Patrick Morrissey Administration. Dr. Singh shares his journey from healthcare leadership and hospital strategy into public service, along with his perspective on improving healthcare access, driving innovation, and increasing operational efficiency at the state level.

Kristen Cox, a nationally recognized leader in government transformation and a pioneer in applying the Theory of Constraints to the public sector, shares her remarkable journey as a leader who has navigated blindness while driving transformation at the highest levels of government. From delivering measurable improvements across Utah's $20B executive branch to navigating complex systems with clarity and purpose, Kristen offers both an inspiring story and a practical framework for real impact. This conversation challenges how we think about limitations, not as barriers, but as the starting point for meaningful, lasting change.

Today on the program, we're joined by Dr. Steve Corsi to talk about leadership when the pressure is on. How do you lead an organization under intense scrutiny, navigate crisis effectively, and ensure taxpayer resources are managed responsibly? We'll also discuss what it takes to bring leadership experience from other sectors into state government and lead in a way that truly serves the public.

In this episode, Kim sits down with Michael Lanahan, a government leadership expert, consultant, and executive coach, to explore what effective leadership looks like at the intersection of strategy, structure, and public service. They discuss: Leading organizations through transformation and growth Navigating leadership challenges across the public and private sectors Building structures that support long-term impact and mission-driven work About the Guest: Michael Lanahan is a government leadership expert, consultant, and executive coach who guides leaders at the intersection of strategy, structure, and public service. A former government executive and recovering attorney, he regularly partners with executives, boards, and teams across the public and private sectors to drive transformation, growth, and lasting impact. — Hosted by Kim Borchers