Kathy Panaro, founder and CEO of Panaro Group, who’s marking an incredible milestone: 30 years in business. From launching her company with nothing but a newborn in her arms and a vision in her heart, Kathy has built more than just a business—she’s built a legacy rooted in purpose.

Her personal mantra, “People Before Profits,” isn’t just a slogan—it’s the foundation of every decision she makes. Kathy leads with empathy, always pulling back to reflect on culture, values, and the people who make it all possible. When one of her employees lost a spouse, the entire company paused—not to chase more business, but to support each other through grief. That moment wasn’t just about compassion—it was a living example of how love and leadership can coexist in a high-performance culture.

What started as a bold leap into entrepreneurship has grown into a thriving, 100% woman-owned firm in the tech space for manufacturing and construction. Kathy’s journey is one of resilience, learning, and leadership. She’s not just a recruiter—she’s a culture builder, a mentor, and a champion of meaningful impact.

In this episode, we’ll explore what it means to build something from scratch, the power of asking the right questions, and how Kathy’s leadership philosophy has shaped lives—both inside and outside her company. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, Kathy’s insights will inspire you to lead with heart, live with intention, and never forget why you started.

Welcome to today’s episode of Finding Your Anchor In The Sea of Chaos.

Just like an anchor holds a boat steady in turbulent waters—keeping it from drifting, grounding it in place, and providing security—Christ is our anchor in life’s storms. When everything around us feels chaotic, uncertain, or overwhelming, He offers stability, peace, and unwavering hope. An anchor doesn’t remove the waves, but it keeps the vessel from being lost to them. In the same way, Christ doesn’t always calm the storm immediately—but He keeps us from being overcome by it.

Six weeks ago, I hit a wall. Not a physical one, but a spiritual one. I looked at the man in the mirror and saw someone I swore I’d never become. I was short-tempered, frustrated, and joyless. My family felt it. My wife felt it. My kids felt it. And deep down, I knew it too.

I had let stress and frustration steal my joy. I justified my anger. I blamed others. I wanted to be heard—but not with love. I wanted control. I wanted to send a message: I’m in charge. But the message that came through was pain. My kids felt spoken down to. My wife and I couldn’t communicate. And the truth? I wasn’t leading—I was hurting.
But God didn’t leave me there.
I got on my knees. I cried out. I said, “Lord, take this from me. Fill my heart with your joy. I know my circumstances won’t be easy, but I know you love me. You have a plan for my life—and I surrender to it.”
Then something beautiful happened.

This week’s interview is with Tim Hanley, a Milwaukee native & Titan 100 HOF whose career reads like a Hollywood script—until it didn’t. From rising to partner at Arthur Andersen to navigating the collapse of the firm during the Enron scandal, Tim faced a leadership crucible that tested everything he believed about trust, transparency, and tenacity.

But that wasn’t the end. Years later, after retiring from Deloitte, Tim stepped into another storm—this time as interim dean at Marquette University just as COVID shut down the world. What he thought would be a one-year commitment turned into a 4½-year mission to guide a business school through unprecedented uncertainty.

💡 This episode is a masterclass in resilience. Tim shares:

How servant leadership and overcommunication built trust in crisis
Why perspective—shaped by personal loss—reframes professional adversity
What routines helped him stay mentally tough while leading others
How to balance empathy with performance when the stakes are high
Why investing in people is the legacy that outlasts any title

This week’s episode is titled Vision Boards & Pivot Points, where dreams collide with discipline, and transformation starts with a choice. In this episode, we […]

Burnout isn’t just tiredness—it’s emotional and mental exhaustion. It’s disengaging from what you love, snapping at those you care about, and wondering, “Is this really me?” It’s a silent epidemic affecting leaders, parents, spouses, and teams. And it’s showing up in stress, anxiety, depression, strained marriages, family tension, grief, and loneliness.

Today’s Guest: Joining me is Steve, a leader who’s walked through burnout and come out stronger. He’s built teams, hired over 1,000 people, and learned how to lead with influence—not just authority. His keynote, The Intersection of Leadership & Mental Health, is reshaping how we think about performance and soul care.

What does it take to walk away from the corporate fast track and build something that truly matters?

Today’s guest, Steve Baue, did just that—trading in boardrooms and burnouts for impact, innovation, and meaning.

You’re about to hear how one leader found his purpose—and is helping thousands more find theirs.

In this episode, we talk about fear, faith, and the lie of perfection. Ashley opens up about how depression and anxiety show up in leadership and motherhood, and how saying your fears out loud can shrink their power. We discuss the myth of balance, the magic of community, and how joy really is a daily choice.