In this powerful episode of Building Bridges, Amish sits down with Melissa O’Dell, Executive Director of Defy Ventures Illinois, a nonprofit redefining second chances for incarcerated individuals. Melissa shares her two-decade journey in criminal justice reform, the transformational impact of Defy’s entrepreneurship-based reentry programs, and what it means to truly build bridges between prisons and the broader economy.

From developing “CEO of Your New Life,” a robust curriculum taught inside prisons, to the real-world success stories of formerly incarcerated graduates, Melissa breaks down the barriers society places on people with criminal records — and how business leaders can be part of the solution.

For more information, visit: https://www.defyventures.org/

In this episode of Building Bridges, Amish chats with Kate Steury, owner of Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn in Goshen, Indiana. Kate shares her journey from discovering a passion for popcorn to launching her business at 25 and growing it into a beloved local brand.

Kate opens up about the challenges of being a young female entrepreneur, lessons in leadership, and how she’s built a business centered on community, mentorship, and meaningful connections. From pandemic pivots to literacy campaigns, her story is full of heart, hustle, and perspective.

Whether you're starting out or looking to lead with more purpose, this episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and inspiration.

Browse Shirley's website: https://www.shirleyspopcorn.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopEf7_dOD5e6MFuBGAlVyKoFilnAQDaXbhSRXGZ6-WPo8ysh8yl

In this powerful episode of Building Bridges, Amish sits down with Kari Lawry, Chief Human Resources Officer at North, to explore the evolving role of HR and how real leadership requires vulnerability, empathy, and intentionality. Kari shares personal stories about building a people-first culture—touching on mental health, the challenges of remote work, and how HR can act more like hospitality. From redefining PTO policies to managing outcomes instead of activity, this conversation is packed with practical insights for anyone leading teams today.