The Leadership Dance Podcast
Welcome to The Leadership Dance podcast, where Alissa Hsu Lynch—former world-class dancer turned global business executive—shares insights and inspiration from visionary leaders who are breaking barriers in the arts and business worlds. Tune in to discover how to step into your star power and confidently choreograph your own leadership dance.
Recent Episodes
46
Sept. 21, 2026
Ep. 46: Revealing the data behind the dance, with Elizabeth "Liza" Yntema & Nancy Dobbs Owen
“There appears to be some sliver of time somewhere between 32 and 55 where it's okay for women to be successful." Elizabeth ‘Liza’ Yntema, founder and president of Dance Data Project®, joins host Alissa Hsu Lynch alongside Nancy Dobbs Owen, DDP's communications lead, to talk about a career built on law, philanthropy, and a belief that dance is an economic sector hiding in plain sight. Liza founded DDP after a night at the ballet made her realize the audience, donors, and dance schools were mo
45
Aug. 3, 2026
Ep. 45: Stop waiting for permission, with Lisa Shalett
"I realized I was allowing other people to be my source of confidence." Lisa Shalett, co-founder of Extraordinary Women on Boards, joins host Alissa Hsu Lynch to talk about a career that spans equities, compliance, crisis communications, and the boardroom. A former Goldman Sachs partner, she spent twenty years at the firm reinventing herself across roles most people wouldn't have the courage to take, including managing Goldman's brand through one of the worst crises in Wall Street history. Wh
44
June 22, 2026
Ep. 44: Dancing into her destiny, with Alexandra Hutchinson
"The things that make me different are why I am who I am." Professional ballerina Alexandra Hutchinson joins Alissa Hsu Lynch to talk about a journey that began as a “miracle baby” and led to performing with the Dance Theatre of Harlem on stages around the world. She trained at the Academy of the Dance, Washington School of Ballet, and Indiana University, where she earned a B.S. in Ballet with an outside field in arts management. Now in her eighth season with DTH, she recently performed the t
43
June 8, 2026
Ep. 43: Dancing with whales, with Karim Iliya
"The first time you swim with a whale, you realize your place in the world — that not everything revolves around us humans." Karim Iliya, photographer, filmmaker, and whale swimming guide, joins Alissa Hsu Lynch to talk about a life built on curiosity and constant motion. He grew up moving every two to four years across the Middle East and Asia, taught himself photography at 13, and eventually found his way beneath the surface. He free dives with humpback whales, filmed orcas for Netflix, and