Season 4 Ep 14: Rising to the Occasion with Kimberly Tilsen-Brave Heart

Season 4 Ep 14: Rising to the Occasion with Kimberly Tilsen-Brave Heart

Author: Lisa Kuzman March 11, 2021 Duration: 41:52

I've been looking forward to this episode for a while. My guest this week is Kimberly Tilsen-Brave Heart, a sixth-generation entrepreneur and enrolled citizen of the Oglala Lakota Nation of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. As the Executive Chef and Co-owner of Etiquette Catering Company, Kimberly and her husband Brandon leverage food sovereignty to highlight the cuisine of our region.

I am beyond excited to share this conversation with all of you! We cover a lot of ground, including:

  • cooking as a creative outlet, a prayer, and an expression of love
  • her massive 2020 pivot (and how it paid off)
  • the leadership struggles she has confronted
  • recognizing (and shedding) those big, looming fears
  • the pressure to succeed, especially as a member of a marginalized group

...and a WHOLE lot more.

"There is a certain way I have to carry myself because I represent 17 thousand members of the Oglala Lakota Nation. I don't take that lightly. I recognize there there are lots of rooms and lots of meetings and lots of tables that I am probably one of the only Native people to have ever been in. When I'm in a room, I make sure it's not just my story that people are hearing. Multiple stories, multiple needs are being met."

Kimberly, thank you again for coming onto the show! If you want to learn more about Etiquette Catering Company, I encourage you to visit www.etiquettecateringco.com
...But fair warning: the photos WILL leave you craving a gorgeous charcuterie display.

As always, you can find me over at lisakuzman.com and book a call if you're feeling talkative. And if you're in search of community, you're officially invited to join my trauma-sensitive Facebook group for coaches and leaders: https://www.facebook.com/groups/764082764458292/


There's a quiet shift happening in how we think about authority and influence, and New Wave Leadership Podcast is right at the heart of it. Host Lisa Kuzman believes traditional, top-down leadership models have run their course, proving ineffective for today's complex world. Instead, this movement champions a much broader, more inclusive vision. Each episode digs into the real, often unspoken challenges that come with stepping into a role of influence, whether you're in a corner office, a community group, or simply leading your own life. The conversations here actively work to expand our definition of who gets to be a leader, arguing passionately for the necessity of diverse identities, perspectives, and lived experiences at the helm. You'll hear frank discussions about authenticity, the personal hurdles leaders navigate behind closed doors, and practical ideas for cultivating your own unique leadership identity without conforming to outdated standards. Tuning into this podcast feels like joining a necessary dialogue-one that moves beyond theory to explore what it genuinely means to show up and make an impact on your own terms.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

New Wave Leadership Podcast
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