Marian Baldini - Kencrest: Leading a 90-Day Miracle

Marian Baldini - Kencrest: Leading a 90-Day Miracle

Author: Dr. Laura Sicola April 16, 2024 Duration: 26:50

In this episode, Dr. Laura Sicola interviews Marian Baldini, the CEO and president of Kencrest, a human services and early learning provider. Marian shares her experiences and insights on leadership communication, including the importance of enrolling people to their giftedness and the power of silence in conversations. She also discusses the challenges she faced in starting a new company and the importance of speaking up as the lone voice of dissent. Overall, Marian emphasizes the need for leaders to understand and connect with their team members' strengths and interests to create a positive and productive work environment.

In this episode you will learn:

  • Enrolling people to their giftedness is an important aspect of leadership communication.
  • Overcoming the fear of public speaking can lead to personal growth and improved communication skills.
  • Authentic inclusion is essential in creating a supportive and inclusive environment.
  • Making wrong calls is a part of leadership, but it's important to learn from them and make necessary adjustments.
  • Taking risks can lead to innovation and growth, but effective communication is crucial in navigating the challenges..

 

About Marian:

Marian Baldini is the CEO and President of KenCrest, a human services and early learning provider throughout Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Delaware; that serves over 12,500 people annually. She is an unwavering advocate for the equality and inclusion of people with disabilities, as well as access to early education for all. Marian has over 40 years of leadership in executive planning, administration, academia, and operational oversight; and began her career as a Direct Support Professional in the 1970s, at the same Agency where she now serves as CEO.

She has been recognized by Philadelphia Business Journal as one the “Most Admired CEOs” (2019) in the region, as well as a “Woman of Distinction” (2015); as one of Main Line Today’s “Power Women” in 2021; as Lutheran Services of America (LSA)’s first ever Paragon Award (2022); as Drexel University College of Medicine’s first non-doctorate recipient of their Biomedical Sciences Graduate Recognition Award (2022); and most recently recognized by Metro Philadelphia as a “Power Women” on their annual Power Player list (2022).

You can connect with Marian Baldini in the following ways:

 

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
  • LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
  • Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
  • Twitter: @LauraSicola
  • Instagram: @drlaurasicola
  • Website: https://laurasicola.com
  • Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

 


Speaking to Influence features conversations about the tangible mechanics of leadership communication, moving beyond theory into practical application. Host Dr. Laura Sicola, an expert in linguistic influence, guides discussions that dissect how language, tone, and presence directly impact credibility and outcomes. Each episode brings a perspective from seasoned executives and industry figures who share their real-world experiences-not just their successes, but the nuanced moments where a single conversation changed a trajectory. The focus here is on the actionable: how to structure a message for a skeptical board, modulate your voice to convey authority without arrogance, and read a room to pivot your approach in real time. This isn't about generic public speaking tips; it's a deep exploration of the strategic choices behind influential speech. Listeners gain access to a toolkit for building confidence, commanding attention, and achieving specific professional results through more intentional communication. The podcast operates at the intersection of business strategy, personal development, and the often-overlooked technical art of persuasion, making it relevant for anyone whose role requires them to lead, sell, or inspire through spoken word. Dr. Sicola's background provides a unique lens, ensuring every conversation yields insights you can use immediately to refine your own impact.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Speaking to Influence
Podcast Episodes
Dr. Mark Wilkinson, Vocal Expert: Your Voice Matters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:39
This week, Dr. Mark Wilkinson will share with us various ways that preparing our voice can help lead to a greater impact in front of any size audience. In this episode you will learn: The importance of warming up your bo…
Lisa DiPaolo of Karyopharm Therapeutics: Qualities of a Senior Leader [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:57
This week, Lisa DiPaolo shares with us the qualities that she looks for when hiring someone for a senior leadership role. In this episode you will learn: How her company is on a mission to defeat cancer. The importance o…
Dave Noll of Keller/Noll - Pitching to Outrageous Success [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:05
In this episode of Speaking to Influence, Dr. Laura Sicola interviews Dave Knoll, creator of over 60 television shows, including the popular series "Chopped" about successful pitching.