Leaders are Human Podcast

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What does it truly take to lead in today’s complex, divided, and rapidly changing world? The Leaders Are Human Podcast peels back the surface of leadership to reveal the deeply human journey behind it. Hosted by Angel B. Pérez, a national leader in higher education and CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, this series features candid conversations with some of today’s most impactful leaders across education, nonprofit, and civic sectors. Guests share not just what they’ve accomplished, but who they’ve had to become along the way.

Through honest and often vulnerable storytelling, they reflect on the inner work that has shaped their leadership and the ongoing process of self-discovery. We also explore a powerful truth: the way we lead and the decisions we make about our careers are deeply connected to our upbringing, our personal stories, and the challenges and triumphs that define us.

Whether you’re an established leader or just beginning your journey, this podcast will challenge you to reflect more deeply, lead more intentionally, and serve others with greater clarity and courage.

Episode 3: The Joyful Pursuit of Constant, Aggressive, Problem Solving: Leadership in the Ivy League

Guest: Whitney E. Soule, Vice Provost and Dean of Admissions at the University of Pennsylvania

NACAC CEO Angel B. Pérez sits down with Whitney E. Soule, vice provost and dean of admissions at the University of Pennsylvania, for a deeply personal conversation about leadership, resilience, and what it takes to lead through extraordinary challenges.

Whitney shares her unlikely path to the Ivy League and reflects with remarkable vulnerability on navigating a medical scare and profound personal tragedy—all while leading through one of the most challenging periods in higher education.

Together, they explore a simple truth about leadership: leaders solve problems all day long. To sustain the work, you must find joy, curiosity, and even energy in the constant pursuit of solutions.

But leadership isn’t only about being strong for others. Whitney reflects on the importance of building a community that can care for you when you need it most, doing the inner work required to understand yourself, and developing a clear sense of your values before stepping into positions of leadership.

It’s a conversation about vulnerability, community, courage—and finding joy in the constant, sometimes aggressive, pursuit of solving what comes next.

Episode 2: From Stocking Bodega Shelves to CEO: How Courage, Mentorship, and Leaps of Faith Shape Leaders

Guest: Shirley M. Collado, Ph.D., President & CEO of CollegeTrack

What does it take to build a meaningful life and career? In this episode of Leaders Are Human, I sit down with Shirley M. Collado, Ph.D., a remarkable leader whose journey began stocking shelves at a neighborhood bodega and ultimately became the President and CEO of CollegeTrack. How does this happen?

Together, we talk about being the first in your family to carve a new path, and the courage required to take risks, trust your instincts, and embrace opportunities before you feel fully ready. We discuss the mentors who helped guide the way — not just by opening doors, but by providing honest feedback, encouragement, and the truth we sometimes need to hear most.

We also dive into a deeply personal chapter: a life-threatening medical procedure that became a profound awakening. Facing her own mortality forced her to reconsider the pace at which she was living and led to important lessons about self-care, discipline, and creating a life that is successful, sustainable, and joyful.

Whether you’re leading an organization, navigating a career transition, or simply trying to find balance in a demanding world, this conversation offers powerful reminders about the importance of caring for ourselves, surrounding ourselves with people who lift us up, and making space for what truly matters.

Most importantly, we talk about the often-overlooked power of joy and why a fulfilling life is not just about achievement, but about learning to embrace the people, moments, and joyful experiences that make us feel alive.

In this episode:

  • From stocking shelves to the CEO’s office
  • The courage to take leaps of faith
  • Why mentors matter more than we realize
  • Lessons from a life-changing health scare
  • Self-care, discipline, and sustainable success
  • The importance of community and support
  • Why joy deserves a place in every leader’s life

Episode 1: Purpose, Mindset, Contemplation, and Integrity: The Tools of Human Leadership

Guest: Dan Porterfield, President and CEO of the Aspen Institute

How do you navigate life’s hardest moments without losing your sense of purpose—or yourself? In the first episode of Leaders Are Human, I sit down with Dan Porterfield, president of the Aspen Institute and a leader I’ve long admired. Dan reflects on his childhood, his journey through public education to a life-changing Jesuit experience, and the values that shaped his path. What emerges is a powerful story of transformation: from simply getting through life to living with intention and service to others.

We explore how Dan learned to move through intensity with integrity—reframing challenges, cultivating the right mindset, and staying grounded in purpose. He also shares practical lessons from his work, including the five mindsets that have guided his leadership and can help all of us face extraordinary challenges with clarity and courage. This conversation sets the foundation for the series: an honest look at leadership not as perfection, but as a deeply human endeavor.