7 Questions on Leadership
Steve Minnick
Name: Steve Minnick
Title: CFO/Business Owner- Retired
Organisation: Retired
I am now 74 years old, currently retired, but am in the market for a remote part-time position - I would like to work until I am 85 years old. I am a US citizen and live in South Carolina. At 10 months of age I contracted Paralytic Polio and now have to use motorized means to get around.
I started my working career in retail home center sales from working on the floor to Assistant Store Manager in 6 years. I then relocated and started working for a Public Accounting firm. As I had an Associate Degree in English Literature, I had never taken any accounting courses, so I took accounting, finance, and business administration courses at night while working full time during the day. I went to University for 7 years taking every course they offered in the accounting, finance, and business administration. I became the Senior Auditor for Governmental accounts before I left to become a CFO and Partner in a small growing residential construction company. While working there, I obtained a Real Estate Broker License and an Associate Degree in Computer Science. That was the beginning of a long career as a CFO, Business owner, and as my work was in all types of construction for various construction companies, I also became the Director of Project Management. With a partner we purchased a small Construction Accounting Sales and Consulting business. I became a Certified Software Consultant for several software suites and in 5 years we grew the company from less than 50 active clients to over 500 active clients.
I was forced to retire from active work in 2010 due to mobility issues. The we next day I formed a company to help small start-ups and small businesses with their business plans, structure, accounting, and even interviewing prospective staff.
Up through 2022 I held several remote jobs, even obtaining a Health Insurance License.
That is my brief bio.
Steve de Mamiel
Name: Steve de Mamiel
Title: Managing Director
Organisation: Sedin Technologies
Steve has 20 years of sales and marketing experience leading teams in the IT industry, focusing on cloud and web hosting. Steve is also the author of "The Mongrel Method; Sales and Marketing for the New Breed of Buyer. In his spare time, he is a competitive sailor.
Steven M Windmill
Name: Steven M Windmill
Title: Chairman
Organisation: Everest Assets GRoup
Steven Windmill: A Visionary Leader and Polymath Extraordinaire
Steven Windmill is an accomplished and visionary leader, renowned for his exceptional leadership skills and diverse range of talents as a polymath. With over 25 years of experience leading change initiatives, directing multi-billion-pound projects, and providing strategic consultation to organizations across various sectors, he has solidified his position as a dynamic force in the business world. Throughout his illustrious career, Windmill has consistently demonstrated his ability to navigate complex challenges and deliver exceptional results. As a Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operations Officer, and Programme Director, he has spearheaded the largest change programmes in the history of the United Kingdom, transforming underperforming organizations into profit-generating powerhouses.
Windmill's leadership prowess extends beyond the corporate realm. Serving as a Colonel and leading NATO and ARRC forces, he commanded and controlled 200,000 Iraqi Military, Intelligence (CIA), and Police personnel, achieving unprecedented levels of professionalism during the war against terrorism and ISIS. This experience honed his strategic thinking, resilience, and ability to thrive under high-pressure situations. What sets Windmill apart is his polymath nature—a rare combination of intellectual prowess, diverse talents, and a thirst for continuous learning. With an MBA from Henley, a BA (Hons) in Philosophy from London University, and a diverse array of accreditations ranging from Leadership & Management to Civil & Military Engineering, he possesses a unique breadth of knowledge that transcends traditional boundaries.
Windmill's polymathic abilities are exemplified in his professional achievements. From financial management to stakeholder engagement, strategic planning to risk reduction, he seamlessly combines multiple areas of expertise to drive organizational success. Whether it's turning around underperforming businesses, negotiating complex agreements, or launching innovative projects, his multidisciplinary approach has consistently delivered outstanding outcomes. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Windmill's polymathic interests extend to various domains. A keen advocate of family time, he finds solace in spending quality moments with his loved ones.
Additionally, he nourishes his intellect through reading and maintains an active lifestyle that includes walking and embracing the beauty of the world around him. Steven Windmill's leadership and polymathic skills have made an indelible mark on the organizations he has served. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, a visionary outlook, and a wealth of knowledge spanning diverse disciplines, he continues to inspire and leave an indelible impact on those fortunate enough to cross paths with him.
Sumir Nagar
Name: Sumir Nagar
Title: Chief Operating Officer
Organisation: Bank-Genie Pte Limited
He has several global remits in his belt over a career spanning several decades. His areas of expertise are, Digital Transformation, Treasury, Risk, Wealth & Fund Management and Insurance. He has served as MD, CFO, Global Head and COO in several prestigious organizations.
He is highly innovative with a work ethic that is unrivaled. He has delivered breakthrough results, under daunting circumstances. Sumir is a great leader and a follower and his thirst for knowledge and enlightening experiences makes him a true Seeker.
Sumir’s career began from a family-owned metal fabrication business, trading and exports while still pursuing his education, which he later gave to enter the transnational corporate world. After the corporate years, he has been deeply immersed in startups, having kicked off and worked for several start-ups in hands-on roles and as mentor.
He works at CXO levels and operational teams and currently is the COO for a leading Singapore based FinTech.
Sumir makes time from his professional and personal life to pursue a variety of interests and passions that all have deeply spiritual underpinnings. His insights and spiritual realizations are valuable because his journey has been replete with discovery through heady highs and abysmal lows and some life altering experience. He sees that a lot of people are misguided and seek answers through various means, not necessarily conducive.
He is an adventurer and adrenaline junkie, and he pursues adventure through his passion for Motorcycles and Bicycles. He has done several long-distance rides (tours) both on Bicycles and Motorcycles over the last few years. He has toured on a motorcycle over 55,000 kms over the last two years. He likes to push himself to the limit and does not let his 60 years stand in the way of his passions.
One of Sumir’s favorites is cooking, where he enjoys the process of making something from scratch, mixing an array of flavors to create a delicacy with his own hands. But cooking is so much more and is so closely related to our daily lives. Just throwing something together from whatever ingredients are available at hand is no different from Life, when we are compelled to make the best with whatever little we have and still come up trumps. And then there is the painstaking and meticulous planning of a meal, where we source the best and the right ingredients in preparation for a grand feast. The sense of achievement when a frugal or hastily put together meal or for that matter a meticulously planned meal is a wonderful thing. The crowning glory is when you cook for someone or for a dear one and see that it has gone down well. Furthermore, food per se is so fundamental to our very existence. Yet so few of us pay any real heed to food. Eating at the right time and the right kinds of food and the process of preparation of food involves some discipline, a process and if well planned and executed usually has favorable outcomes.
His nature attracts people towards him and more often than not, people undergoing some metamorphosis in life. His ability to motivate, guide and course correct such individuals is something that gives him immense satisfaction and a sense of fulfillment and purpose. He’s been invited to colleges, where his unpretentious, disarming style allows him to provide inspiration to the younger generation. He writes and publishes Videos to share his thoughts and life experiences.
Svetlana Gershman
Name: Svetlana Gershman
Title: Vice President
Organisation: Escalent
A seasoned professional, Svetlana is accustomed to taking ambiguous business questions and shaping a roadmap for actionable answers. She is known for innovative approaches to tricky problems and stays engaged in the market research community as a board member of Puget Sound Research Forum, a Seattle-based association of insights professionals.
A graduate of the University of Washington Foster School of Business, Svetlana is a technology enthusiast, fashionista, and online shopaholic. A true Pacific Northwesterner, she's also into skiing, hiking, and just about anything outdoorsy. Born in Russia, Svetlana has a true bi-cultural perspective and loves to travel. She is a self-taught cook and a foodie. Svetlana is a music enthusiast and a theater lover. Most of her leisure time is spent with the loving husband and amazing three kids.
Taiwo Orbs
Name: Taiwo Orbs
Title: Brand Marketing Consultant
Organisation: Orbs Copy
Taiwo Orbs is a multi-talented individual with expertise in brand marketing, copywriting, and the power of media and technology. As a Brand Marketing Consultant and Trainer, he assists individuals, businesses, and brands in creating profitable footprints through carefully crafted words and effective marketing strategies. Additionally, Taiwo Orbs serves as a Corporate Virtual Assistant, providing valuable support to organizations in various aspects of their operations.
Alongside his marketing endeavours, Taiwo Orbs is also a field engineer and post-installation support professional at Mojec International, a leading manufacturer of electricity meters in the West African region. In this role, he acts as a liaison between the company and electricity distribution entities, ensuring the resolution of meter faults and contributing to the smooth functioning of electrical systems.
Beyond his professional engagements, Taiwo Orbs is actively involved in volunteer work and is a member of Rotary International. Currently, he holds the position of Rotaract President at the Rotaract Club of Surulere South in Lagos, Nigeria. Through his dedication to service, Taiwo Orbs exemplifies a commitment to making a positive impact in his community.
Teshale Simie
Name: Teshale Simie
Title: HR Section Head
Organisation: JERR PLC
I am Diploma graduate from Admas University College in Sept, 4 2017 in the field of Information Technology, Graduate from Rift Valley University with level 4 Diploma in the field of Human Resource Management and B.A From Addis Ababa University College of commerce in the field of Management, and I have above 14+ years’ experience in HR/Personnel/ Tasks
Tim Middleton
Name: Tim Middleton
Title: Executive Director
Organisation: Association of Trust Schools, Zimbabwe
Preciously Headmaster of 3 Independent schools (2 in Zimbabwe, 1 in Zambia); over 40 years in Education; served for 6 years with Scripture Union; former Scottish international hockey player. Writer and speaker