American Diabetes Association. Sam’s Club. AMEX. ExxonMobil. Procter & Gamble. These are all stops within the career of this week’s podcast guest, Tracey Brown! Episode #32 of the Wild Business Growth Podcast is LIVE and features the super inspiring leader, who’s the CEO of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and previously served as Chief Experience Officer and Chief Member Officer of Sam’s Club. Listen to the episode on iTunes / Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, and your other favorite audio platforms – subscribe and leave a 5-star review if Tracey has you pumped up!

What is the Wild Business Growth Podcast?

Hear how entrepreneurs & innovators unleash creativity to grow bigger and better businesses. Hear from an exciting new guest every single Wednesday morning who’s turning wild ideas into wild growth. Guests include startup founders, product inventors, social media influencers, and much more. Hosted by our digital marketing dude Max Branstetter – that’s me!

Episode #32: Tracey Brown – CEO of the American Diabetes Association, Leadership and Success

Tracey Brown, the Nonprofit Leader, Inspiring Marketer, and Successful Executive joins the show to share her road to becoming the first CEO of the American Diabetes Association to actually have the disease. Tracey and I first crossed paths back in 2013 when I interned for the RAPP agency in Dallas. She was the Managing Director and from the first time we met I knew she was on another INCREDIBLE level! Tracey is one of the most inspiring, passionate, ambitious, and successful people you’ll ever meet and above all truly cares about everyone she comes across. I’m still pumped up thinking back to her starting every RAPP agency-wide meeting with “Are you excited to work at the best agency in the world today?!?!” It was so special meeting in person on Tracey’s visit to NYC, and I can’t thank her teammate Sabrena enough for making it all happen! This episode covers everything from what makes Tracey successful to how to manage relationships with several different parties. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

  • Leadership lessons from Tracey’s roles at Procter & Gamble, ExxonMobil, AMEX, Sam’s Club, and more
  • Why she switched to the nonprofit industry
  • How to find your purpose and focus on your passion
  • The differences in working for a nonprofit vs. for-profit company
  • Whether leaders are born or made
  • Why diabetes is one of the biggest health epidemics of our time but doesn’t get the attention it deserves
  • How improv theater can improve your creativity and business performance
  • Why music allows you to tap into a different kind of creative energy

Connect with Tracey on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @Type2CEO and the American Diabetes Association at Diabetes.org.

Enjoy the show and find your passion! Check out the show notes and pictures below for much more detail.

Show Notes

Tracey Brown American Diabetes Association Max Branstetter Wild Business Growth Podcast Tracey Brown American Diabetes Association Max Branstetter Wild Business Growth Podcast Action

  • Success & Leadership Lessons
    • [14:29] Tracey and I’s experience at RAPP
    • [14:35] Chili’s
    • [15:43] What makes Tracey successful
    • [16:26] How to find your purpose and focus on your passion
    • [16:43] When Tracey knew she had leadership potential
    • [17:16] Whether leaders are born or made
    • [17:50] What surprised Tracey when she was finally CEO
    • [18:42] Tracey’s time at Sam’s Club (loyalty programs)
    • [19:29] Rosalind Brewer
    • [20:59] “In da Club” by 50 Cent
    • [21:30] Connect with Hippo Direct at HippoDirect.com for all your mailing list, email list, digital marketing, and podcasting needs
  • American Diabetes Association & Goals as CEO
    • [22:22] Tracey’s role and mission at the ADA
    • [22:56] Why diabetes is one of the biggest health epidemics of our time but doesn’t get the attention it deserves
    • [23:49] What a typical week looks like for Tracey
    • [24:39] Discrimination against people with diabetes
    • [26:33] Pathway to Stop Diabetes
    • [26:43] How to manage relationships with several different parties
    • [27:15] The importance of teamwork
  • Inspiration & Creativity: People, Hobbies, and Resources
    • [28:05] What Tracey does to stay creative
    • [28:14] How improv theater can improve your creativity and business performance
    • [28:44] How Tracey’s daughter keeps her in the loop with pop culture
    • [29:19] Why music allows you to tap into a different kind of creative energy
    • [29:42] Why Tracey’s bringing improv into the ADA
  • Wild Business Shoutout of the Week
    • [30:20] Nike
    • [30:22] What Tracey likes so much about Nike
    • [30:35] The importance of being human-centric as a brand
    • [30:40] The Nike waffle iron story
    • [31:12] Just Do It
    • [31:30] The amazing ability to emotionally connect with people
    • [31:40] What Tracey likes about brands that take a stance
    • [31:54] Nike sales spike from the Kaepernick ad, Adidas
  • Rapid-Fire Q&A
    • [32:31] Tracey’s favorite sports position
    • [32:37] Her biggest pet peeve
    • [32:53] Phil Collins
    • [33:01] The Hangover scene, Mike Tyson
    • [33:25] Atlantis
    • [34:11] The shark tank slide “Leap of Faith“
    • [34:41] Tracey’s favorite season of the year
    • [35:07] Connect with Tracey on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @Type2CEO
    • [35:22] Do your part to awaken the world and drive awareness of diabetes!
    • [35:34] Take the Risk Test at Diabetes.org/RiskTest
    • [35:54] Get tested and know your numbers
    • [36:00] Walmart Wellness Day
    • [36:14] Get involved in the community!
    • [36:35] Tracey’s final thoughts
    • [37:31] Subscribe to the Wild Business Growth Podcast and leave a 5-star review on iTunes / Apple Podcasts and more!
    • [37:37] Check out the Hippo Direct Blog at HippoDirect.com/Blog for show notes, Favorite Books, and the Hippo Digest
    • [37:48] Get your creative juices flowing with the Hippo Digest – your Weekly Recap of Creative Marketing
    • [37:56] Connect with Hippo Direct on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube including #HippoTips
    • [38:03] Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn at @MaxBranstetter
    • Theme music: Freestyle Percussion Magik – Jungle Tribe – provided by Jamendo

How do I start a podcast?

How’d you like a podcast of your own? Email me at max@hippodirect.com with questions on any part of the podcasting process:

  • Podcast Planning
  • Podcast Production
  • Podcast Promotion
  • More!

We’re happy to start out with a free 30-minute consultation and provide some helpful resources that have been instrumental in getting the Wild Business Growth Podcast up and rolling and connecting with high-quality guests. We love making your podcast the best it can be. Let your podcast Run Wild!

Aaaaand that’s a wrap! Get wonderfully excited for a wild new guest every single Wednesday morning! Let us know any guests you’d like to see on the show and follow along for your favorite marketing tips, business tips, and podcasts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube. You’ll especially enjoy this list of the favorite books of Wild Business Growth Podcast guests. Sign up for the Hippo Digest email newsletter for your Weekly Recap of Creative Marketing. Let your business Run Wild…and Bring on the Bongos!!