#PassTheMic

Everyone has a story worth sharing.

Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to learn from remarkable people. Some became mentors, some colleagues, and some simply crossed my path at the right moment.

Behind every title are moments of doubt, unexpected opportunities, difficult decisions, and lessons learned along the way. By creating space for these conversations, I hope to amplify diverse voices, celebrate different career paths, and encourage others to embrace their own journeys with curiosity and confidence.

This series is not about success stories — it's about people, growth, and the experiences that shape us.

A hand writing notes with a stylus on a digital notepad

Conversations

Each edition of #PassTheMic is a conversation with someone whose path shaped how they lead. New ones get added here as they're published on LinkedIn.

James E. Mister and Dr. Cornelia Scheitz, side by side portraits, for the PassTheMic conversation

A conversation with James E. Mister

Curious Approach to High Performance

On staying curious as a way of reaching and sustaining high performance.

Kate Adam and Dr. Cornelia Scheitz, side by side portraits, for the PassTheMic conversation

A conversation with Kate Adam

The Secret Sauce Behind Human Glitter

On the people who carry the most light — and why that's usually earned, not given.

Indre Bates and Dr. Cornelia Scheitz, side by side portraits, for the PassTheMic conversation

A conversation with Indre Bates

How to Follow a Dream Only to Find a Different One

On chasing one dream and discovering a different one along the way.

Emily Scherbenski and Dr. Cornelia Scheitz, side by side portraits, for the PassTheMic conversation

A conversation with Emily Scherbenski

Anything But Vanilla

On choosing the less obvious path and making it your own.

William O'Neal and Dr. Cornelia Scheitz, side by side portraits, for the PassTheMic conversation

A conversation with William O'Neal

What Satellites and Salmon Have in Common

An unlikely pairing of satellites and salmon, and what it reveals about a career.

Karla Ortloff and Dr. Cornelia Scheitz, side by side portraits, for the PassTheMic conversation

A conversation with Karla Ortloff

Embracing the Unknown, Again

On stepping into the unknown more than once, and what it takes to do it again.

Tulika Garg and Dr. Cornelia Scheitz, side by side portraits, for the PassTheMic conversation

A conversation with Tulika Garg

From Delhi to Silicon Valley: Choosing Growth Over Certainty

On leaving the familiar behind and choosing growth over certainty.

Michelangelo Capraro and Dr. Cornelia Scheitz, side by side portraits, for the PassTheMic conversation

A conversation with Michelangelo Capraro

"Nobody Asked For This"

On thriving when the ground keeps moving.

Dana Alfano and Dr. Cornelia Scheitz, side by side portraits, for the PassTheMic conversation

A conversation with Dana Alfano

Allowing Your Strengths to Give You Better Answers Than Your Fears

On letting your strengths, not your fears, guide the answers.

Albena Bogoeva and Dr. Cornelia Scheitz, side by side portraits, for the PassTheMic conversation

A conversation with Albena Bogoeva

When You Don't Have to Choose One Life

On building a path that doesn't force a single choice.

Ameesh Randeri and Dr. Cornelia Scheitz, side by side portraits, for the PassTheMic conversation

A conversation with Ameesh Randeri

How to Be Vulnerable Even with 2,000 People Watching

On showing up honestly, even in front of a big audience.

Tom Ruginis and Dr. Cornelia Scheitz, side by side portraits, for the PassTheMic conversation

A conversation with Tom Ruginis

The Storm That Started It All

How a storm led to the first meeting with Tom Ruginis.

Ariane Wilson and Dr. Cornelia Scheitz, side by side portraits, for the PassTheMic conversation

A conversation with Ariane Wilson

The Career Chameleon

From classrooms in Vietnam to boardrooms at Autodesk — on reading the room and treating no experience as wasted.

Daisy Heinsen and Dr. Cornelia Scheitz, side by side portraits, for the PassTheMic conversation

A conversation with Daisy Heinsen

Navigating Unemployment, or Letting It Navigate You

Quitting a secure job with no plan, and building a company out of the uncertainty that followed.

Danny Ryan and Dr. Cornelia Scheitz, side by side portraits, for the PassTheMic conversation

A conversation with Danny Ryan

A Bottle of Whiskey, Some Comedy, and Saying Yes Before You're Ready

How a bottle of Irish whiskey on St. Patrick's Day turned an engineer into a coach, by way of comedy and magic.

Mei-Yen Shipek and Dr. Cornelia Scheitz, side by side portraits, for the PassTheMic conversation

A conversation with Mei-Yen Shipek

From Maker to Messenger

How a career shaping wood and metal evolved into shaping ideas, strategies, and stories that move people.

More conversations

See the full #PassTheMic series on LinkedIn.

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