Welcome to this new episode of the MACE PODCAST!

My new guest is Jim Martin, from the United States

Jim Martin is a nationally recognized t turnaround and growth strategist, best known as the "International Turnaround Guru." As the founder and CEO of ACM Capital Partners, Jim specializes in helping companies navigate operational and financial distress, unlock hidden value, and return to profitability.
With decades of experience, Jim has successfully led complex restructurings, growth transformations, and exits across a range of industries. His creative, hands-on approach and decisive leadership have made him a trusted advisor to private equity firms, lenders, and business owners seeking to stabilize and scale their companies.
Jim brings clarity to chaos, bridging the gap between vision and execution with a sharp strategic lens and deep financial acumen.His expertise is focused on Crisis Management, Corporate Turnarounds, Value Creation, Private equity and Lender Engagement.

We will focus on Leadership, Leadership styles and approaches, and on Strategic Partnerships and why these are important in these challenging times.

Enjoy our conversation and stay tuned!

MM

Welcome to this new episode of the MACE PODCAST!

My new guest comes from the United States: Steven Puri!

Steven is the Founder and CEO of The Sukha Company with the mission to help millions of people find their focus, achieve more and have a healthy work life.

Steven's career started as a newscaster/interviewer for the #1 youth news show in theDC/Baltimore market (on WTTG-TV) and then as a junior software engineer & Thomas J.

He began working in film production and produced computer-generated visual effects for 14 movies including Independence Day which won the Academy Award for Visual Effects.

Steven then produced some indie films and eventually went studio-side to develop and producelive-action features as a VP of Development & Production at 20th Century Fox (running the DieHard and Wolverine franchises) and an EVP at DreamWorks Pictures for Kurtzman-OrciProductions where he worked on Star Trek, Transformers and more.

After Fox, Steven returned to building tech companies and founded The Sukha Company -‘sukha’ means ‘happiness from self-fulfillment’ in Sanskrit. T

he Sukha is a focus app thatbundles all the tools necessary to have a focused experience and a healthy, productive workday.

Being a Leader with 20+ years of experience in teams and people management, I discuss with Steven the Leadership styles, techniques and nuances that matter in this new hybrid workplace and that can help Leaders manage their teams effectively in a dynamic and changing business world

Stay tuned!

MM

** The Sukha Company website: https://www.thesukha.co/

Hello everyone and welcome to this new episode of the MACE PODCAST!

We are focusing today on Talent Acquisition and HR with my new guest coming from the United States: Mitch McDermott. Mitch McDermott is a purpose-driven executive and Founding Partner of Talent Ascension Group, an executive search firm redefining how talent meets opportunity. Mitch brings a dynamic blend of entrepreneurial spirit, global perspective, and a deep commitment to meaningful impact across the talent acquisition landscape. With over a decade of experience, Mitch has built a career centered around unlocking potential—both in individuals and in the organizations they serve. At the core of Mitch’s leadership philosophy is a belief in progress: progress for people, teams, and the future of work. His background reflects the same forward-thinking mindset that defines his work today—an ability to see potential where others may see limits, and a commitment to bringing that vision to life.
Empowering teams. Elevating careers. Shaping the future of work. Mitch McDermott stands at the intersection of purpose and performance, offering more than just executive search—he delivers transformation.

- Where is the intersection with AI and technology when thinking about the transformation we're seeing in the Talent acquisition landscape?

- Which are the trends and the updates in 2025 and beyond? for leaders and executives working in a new workplace?

- How can the potential be unlocked in individuals and how can this approach make the difference in the hiring process?

- With the workplace broken, how can talent acquisition contribute to restore it?

Enjoy our conversation and stay tuned!

Welcome to the new episode of the MACE PODCAST!

My new guest comes from the United States, Tara May.

Tara May is a leader in the movement for neurodiversity inthe workplace. She is CEO of Aspiritech, a revolutionary tech company that employs more than 100 autistic adults representing more than 90% of its team.Tara advocates for neurodiversity and she is a speaker championing embracing neurodiversity, mental health, and most of all, kindness, in the workplace.Tara spent more than 20 years in the corporate media space as a visionary, charismatic leader who transforms legacy organizations into thriving, future-focused digital properties.

In her career in media and tech, Tara has masterfully revolutionized companies by leading cultural shifts, innovating new products and introducing new technology to result in dramatic revenue growth.Tara is equally known for being an empowering leader, fostering high-performing teams through a positive, data-driven work environment that encouragesindividual career growth, collaboration and constant innovation.

Tara lives in Chicago with her husband and teens and tweens. Tara is the proud mother of an autistic preteen and is dedicated to championing and embracing neurodiversityin both life and work.

We will speak about Neurodiversity and the impact of technology in the business workplace:

1) Why is Neurodiversity a science today so important?

2) Where is the intersection between Neuroscience DE&I?

3) AI and Humans: Neuroscience definitely touchesthis actual debate where AI and Humans work together for a better future. How is the connection between the human sphere and the AI a growing momentum in 2025 and beyond?

Enjoy our conversation and stay tuned!

MM

Hello Everyone and welcome to this new episode of the MACE PODCAST!

I am excited to share this epsiode that we recorded live from Milan at the Italian - German Chamber of Commerce (AHK) having Diana Brandl as a special guest, with the collaboration of Irene Linguari (Assistenti dalla A alla Z) and Carla Stefanut who collaborated with me to organize this amazing initiative.

Diana is an author, a coach and an international speakerthat helps EA and Admin professionals to grow in their careers and master critical skills in the Admin role.

Diana has a strong background in Communications and is a dynamic networker. She continuously supports the role of the management assistant by speaking at internationalevents and publishing various articles in Germany and abroad focussing on Digital Transformation, Personal Branding, Strategic Networking, Mentoring,Diversity and Social Media. Diana writes her own blog The Socialista Projects and is influencing the industry with her creative initiatives such as launching the hashtag #WeAreInThisTogether.

In this episode we are going to focus on Goal Settings, Performance and Career management, with Diana sharing tip and tricks that can help us set up strategic goals and connect them with our career.

- How can we connect strategic goals with career progression? Where is the intersection to let our goals help us move on in our career?

- What are some practical KPIs that we can measure to make sure our goals are aligned and set up well?

- How can EAs and Admin Professionals be successful in setting up strategic goals with Leaders that are not valuing the role as we expect?

Enjoy our conversation and stay tuned!

MM

Welcome to the new episode of the MACE PODCAST!

Today's episode is special as I have a special guest joining me from the United States: Victoria Hill

Victoria has 15+ years of experience in the human resources marketplace. She is skilled in all aspects of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I), Leadership Development and HumanResources Management. Her focus is the human experience and building inclusive relationships. Victoria is currently working as the Sr. Director of Global Diversityand Social Impact for Advanced Group.

Victoria also facilitates Neurodiversity, Conscious Inclusion, Interview Bias, Bystander Intervention, Building Inclusive Relationships, and many other DE&I trainings for her organization as well as external partners. Victoria and her team develop diversity programs to promote unbiased decision-making while creating a safe space for employees to thrive.

We are going to speak about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion broadly, from strategy to leadership.

- Where is the Intersection with Mental Health and DE&I?

- Why thousands of professional are speaking about Mental Health and why do we have an entire month dedicated to it?

- Which is the new leadership reacting to the challenges DE&I has in the new workplace?

- Why speaking about Mental Health is more than a simple conversation?

Enjoy our conversation and stay tuned!

Welcome to this new episode of the MACE PODCAST!

Our stop is Italy and my new guest is Cinzia Zanin.

In 2015 Cinzia landed her job at Fondazione Fiera Milano, and today she is Coordinator of Accademia Fiera Milano, educational centre for the exhibition and event industry.

Cinzia has worked with more than 300 millennial and gen z students that enrolled in Accademia Fiera Milano courses to become one day Exhibition and Event managers. She supports their path since the very beginning and follows their first steps into their new careers. Her job gives her the unique opportunity to observe all the changes next gen talents are going through from a privileged position.

I met Cinzia when I coordinated with her and my friend Carla Stefanut the event in Accademia Fiera Milano with Bonnie Low Kramen, in October 2024. You can find the recording of this event/episode in the MACE PODCAST library, but I was invited again by Cinzia to speak to the master PROGEA, organized and hosted by Accademia Fiera Milano, where I shared my experience, my background and my insights to almost 20 students attending the master.

It has been a great experience and the room was LIVE!

I invited Cinzia then to share more about the master PROGEA, which are the pillars and goals of the Master programme and what is this all about in the exhibitions and events' world?

Which are the things that students can now take on in order to develop their curiosity and shape their careers as professionals?

Which are the takeways from Bonnie Low Kramen's event and how this can have an impact on the future of these students?

Enjoy our conversation and stay tuned!

Welcome to the new episode of the MACE PODCAST!

Our stop are the United States with my new guest: Rob Lion!

Rob Lion is a dynamic professor of human resource development at Idaho State University and the co-founder of Black River Performance Management, where his motto is "Work should fuel the spirit, not drain it." With over 20 years of experience in leadership, organizational development, and performance improvement, Rob is renowned for his innovative, people-first approach.

Holding a PhD in Training and Performance Improvement, he specializes in creating human-centric systems that drive growth and success within organizations. Rob leverages his deep understanding of human behavior and workplace psychology to simplify leadership complexities, equipping clients with science-backed strategies to enhance organizational culture and strengthen teams.

As a captivating speaker, Rob brings complex ideas to life with relatable stories, humor, and infectious energy. He has been featured on numerous podcasts, authored several academic papers, and is celebrated for bridging research with real-world practice.

We are going to touch base on amazing topics such as:

- Leadership: which are the most critical skills to be a better leader in this workplace?

- Working environments: Hybrid vs in Person vs proximity. Which model can help leaders to adapt to the changes our workplace is bringing to us?

- AI and the the power of connection vs the human touch as differentiator

- Business speed after, during and before the pandemic: the busyness and its consequences

Link to Black River PM: https://blackriverpm.com/

Stay tuned!