Suzanne and I had the privilege of sitting down with Andy Nelson, a leader whose career is rooted in both vision and service. Andy currently serves as CEO of Ride Connection, Inc., where he is building a transportation system that delivers more than one million rides a year—connecting Portland’s most vulnerable neighbors to jobs, health care, shopping, and one another.

What stood out most in our conversation is Andy’s approach to leadership. He has guided organizations like Impact NW, Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest, and Hands On Greater Portland through transformation and growth, always centering people, values, and community. Despite his impressive track record, Andy leads with humility and curiosity, showing us that leadership is less about authority and more about responsibility and stewardship.

We left this conversation inspired—and we think you will too. Tune in to hear Andy’s wisdom on purpose-driven leadership and building stronger communities.

Some conversations linger long after they end—and our recent Hiring For Good podcast episode with Mac Pritchard was one of them. As founder and publisher of Mac’s List, Mac has built Oregon’s leading job board and career resource, connecting thousands of professionals with meaningful opportunities since 2001. But his story goes far beyond entrepreneurship.

With a career spanning journalism, public service, and communications strategy, Mac has always been driven by a belief that work should be purposeful and community-focused. In our conversation, he shared the pivotal moments that shaped his career, the lessons learned in building a trusted brand, and the importance of relationships in hiring.

What shines through most is Mac’s generosity—his willingness to share knowledge, foster connection, and remain deeply engaged with those he serves. This episode is an inspiring look at how vision, integrity, and care can turn a small idea into a lasting institution.

In our latest Hiring For Good podcast episode, we sat down with visionary leader Luis Carbo to talk about leadership, culture, and building purpose-driven teams. With a career spanning executive roles at global firms and fast-growing startups, Luis brings a rare blend of strategic insight and heartfelt leadership. He shared how great leaders create alignment through clear vision and deep connection—reminding us that hiring isn’t just about filling roles, it’s about building shared purpose. Luis offered powerful reflections on resilience, adaptability, and the value of leading with integrity. Whether he’s guiding companies through growth or mentoring emerging leaders, Luis leads with intention and humanity. This episode is full of wisdom for anyone looking to build stronger teams and better workplaces.

On a recent episode of the Hiring For Good podcast, Suzanne and I sat down with Leigh Schiffmacher, Director of Operations at CAI, to talk about leadership, team building, and hiring for long-term success. Leigh shared a powerful story about a quiet hire who, despite lacking traditional qualifications, became one of the most critical experts in the company—highlighting the importance of seeing potential beyond the resume. Our conversation explored how CAI balances operational excellence with a deeply human approach to talent development and technology adoption. Leigh’s insights reaffirmed what we believe at Acumen: hiring for mindset and cultural alignment creates more impact than checking boxes. This episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to building resilient teams and nurturing growth from within. Tune in to hear what thoughtful, grounded leadership looks like in action—and why taking a chance on the right person can change everything.

Before Hiring For Good ever launched, I admired Beach Pace—and this episode reveals exactly why. As CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest and Mayor of Hillsboro, Oregon, Beach leads with empathy, grit, and a deep commitment to service. Her journey began at West Point and continued through military service, corporate challenges, and ultimately a purposeful shift into nonprofit leadership.

Since 2016, Beach has transformed BBBS Columbia Northwest into a nationally recognized affiliate supporting hundreds of youth-mentor matches across the Portland metro. Her leadership style blends strategic clarity with genuine care, ensuring families have access to essentials like food, housing, and technology.

Beach’s impact extends into local government, where her grassroots involvement evolved into elected office. Our conversation spans military life, public service, and values-based leadership. Whether you're in the boardroom or city hall, Beach’s perspective offers a powerful reminder: leadership begins with listening and always comes back to service.

In this episode of Hiring For Good, Chris Pippin, Director of Marketing Operations at Cambia Health Solutions, shares his approach to leadership, strategy, and team development. With over 20 years of experience in aligning marketing with sales, Chris has built a career around helping teams win. He leads a 14-person team that supports B2B sales across four states, impacting over 500,000 consumers annually. Chris emphasizes the importance of hiring talented people, trusting them to deliver, and focusing his leadership on removing roadblocks and supporting their growth. He also highlights the value of listening—to both internal stakeholders and clients—to ensure the work is relevant, effective, and strategically aligned. From navigating rapid pivots during the pandemic to redesigning web experiences and crafting impactful sales collateral, Chris’s episode is a powerful look at how thoughtful leadership and collaborative culture can drive real results in a fast-paced, customer-focused industry.