Ghazale Johnston's guest appearances

Ghazale Johnston

Charlotte Angel Connection

Showing Up as a Leader

Mike Murphy

Paul Clark

Jonathan Kite

Dan Ariely

Alan Fitzpatrick

Haley Bohon

Meggie Williams

Joe Maxwell

Sarah Smith

Chris Wright

Jim Roberts

Sara Smith

Ben Harrison

John Espey

Lee Farabaugh

OwlTail

WINGS for Growth presents "Showing Up as A Leader" with Ghazale Johnston, former Managing Director of Accenture, and now the Founder and Principal of Joon Solutions.There was a pivotal moment in Ghazale’s career when she realized there was a second chapter to her story and she wanted to do something different; thereafter, she became the COO for a startup called DayMaker. She says, being from an immigrant family, meant that you do not have social capital the way that people do; you know that no one will ever owe you anything, so you have to keep trying your best every time and get it right on your own. Being a first-generation immigrant, I fully agree with this.During our fun-packed conversation, we also asked Ghazale how to restore trust once it is shattered. I heard this expression before: “Trust arrives on foot but leaves on horseback.” In other words, building trust can take a very long time, but breaking trust can happen in an instant. Ghazale’s advice is to own your mistakes and be honest.  Quotes:Empathy is about putting yourself in other people’s shoes and recognizing what you will never understand about someone. Listen and learn, don’t assume. Always choose to do what is right over what is easy. If you are a mother don’t plan past 6 months, there are many unknowns, and it can overwhelm you.   I want to be remembered by how I treated people, not how I delivered the business process. Profit and Purpose can and should exist in the same concept.Guest Bio:As Founder and Principal of Joon Solutions, Ghazale Johnston advises rapidly growing companies on business development, client integration and workplace engagement. She is also an active angel investor and serves as advisor to early stage CEOs/ Founders. Ghazale specializes in purpose-driven businesses as well as companies focused on solving societal issues that disproportionately affect the lives of women and minorities. She is regularly involved in programs that address the emotional and educational needs of children impacted by trauma and poverty, which includes serving on the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas. Her focus on education extends to her leadership roles at North Carolina State University. Ghazale is currently serving as the Vice Chair of the NC State University Foundation Board, is on the Leadership Council for the Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy and is a member of the Wolfpack Investor Network. Prior to launching Joon Solutions, Ghazale served as the Chief Operating Officer for Daymaker- a compassion platform that helps companies engage their employees through intentional acts of giving and service. Ghazale continues to advise Daymaker on strategic priorities and growth initiatives. Ghazale formerly spent 20 years at Accenture where she was a Partner/Managing Director in the Financial Services practice. In 2013, she was a winner of the Charlotte Business Journal 40 under 40 award.Ghazale loves telling stories and helping others tell their stories. She creates content, provides coaching and speaks publicly on various topics including helping women re-enter the workforce; advancing social causes; and the gifts and lessons she has gained as an immigrant. Ghazale lives in Charlotte with her husband, Andy. They have two children, Alex (15) and Millie (13) and a sweet Schnoodle named Duffy. Her "perfect day" includes a 5 mile run, traveling with her family and/or enjoying delicious food with friends. About WINGS:Hope you like what you heard. Give us your feedback and let us know what are other topics you like to hear about. Follow us on:LinkedInFacebook

WINGS for Growth presents "Showing Up as A Leader" with Ghazale Johnston, former Managing Director of Accenture, and now the Founder and Principal of Joon Solutions.There was a pivotal moment in Ghazale’s career when she realized there was a second chapter to her story and she wanted to do something different; thereafter, she became the COO for a startup called DayMaker. She says, being from an immigrant family, meant that you do not have social capital the way that people do; you know that no one will ever owe you anything, so you have to keep trying your best every time and get it right on your own. Being a first-generation immigrant, I fully agree with this.During our fun-packed conversation, we also asked Ghazale how to restore trust once it is shattered. I heard this expression before: “Trust arrives on foot but leaves on horseback.” In other words, building trust can take a very long time, but breaking trust can happen in an instant. Ghazale’s advice is to own your mistakes and be honest.  Quotes:<ol><li>Empathy is about putting yourself in other people’s shoes and recognizing what you will never understand about someone. Listen and learn, don’t assume. </li><li>Always choose to do what is right over what is easy. </li><li>If you are a mother don’t plan past 6 months, there are many unknowns, and it can overwhelm you.   </li><li>I want to be remembered by how I treated people, not how I delivered the business process. </li><li>Profit and Purpose can and should exist in the same concept.</li></ol>Guest Bio:As Founder and Principal of Joon Solutions, Ghazale Johnston advises rapidly growing companies on business development, client integration and workplace engagement. She is also an active angel investor and serves as advisor to early stage CEOs/ Founders. Ghazale specializes in purpose-driven businesses as well as companies focused on solving societal issues that disproportionately affect the lives of women and minorities. She is regularly involved in programs that address the emotional and educational needs of children impacted by trauma and poverty, which includes serving on the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas. Her focus on education extends to her leadership roles at North Carolina State University. Ghazale is currently serving as the Vice Chair of the NC State University Foundation Board, is on the Leadership Council for the Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy and is a member of the Wolfpack Investor Network. Prior to launching Joon Solutions, Ghazale served as the Chief Operating Officer for Daymaker- a compassion platform that helps companies engage their employees through intentional acts of giving and service. Ghazale continues to advise Daymaker on strategic priorities and growth initiatives. Ghazale formerly spent 20 years at Accenture where she was a Partner/Managing Director in the Financial Services practice. In 2013, she was a winner of the Charlotte Business Journal 40 under 40 award.Ghazale loves telling stories and helping others tell their stories. She creates content, provides coaching and speaks publicly on various topics including helping women re-enter the workforce; advancing social causes; and the gifts and lessons she has gained as an immigrant. Ghazale lives in Charlotte with her husband, Andy. They have two children, Alex (15) and Millie (13) and a sweet Schnoodle named Duffy. Her "perfect day" includes a 5 mile run, traveling with her family and/or enjoying delicious food with friends. About WINGS:Hope you like what you heard. Give us your feedback and let us know what are other topics you like to hear about. Follow us on:<ul><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/wings-for-growth" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></li><li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/wingsforgrowth/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li></ul>

Ep.9 Ghazale Johnston, Founder and Principal of Joon Solutions

Charlotte Angel

Brett Danforth

Today we have Brett Danforth, Managing Director of the Wolfpack Investor Network (WIN), and Ghazale Johnston, WIN member/investor, joining us to discuss angel investing.“The Wolfpack Investor Network (WIN) brings together the NC State entrepreneurial community, NC State alumni network, and innovative private companies to empower the businesses that drive our future.”It is operated as a subscription service with direct ties to the University.  The annual membership is $1,500 with no requirement to invest (think of it as a fee to see deal flow with the potential to invest in each company).  As of our interview in September 2019, they have 150 members and 115 members have made at least one investment through the network.  WIN currently has nineteen companies in the portfolio - 15 of those include NCSU graduates in Management and four involved in licensing in technology.Brett Danforth is the Managing Director at Wolfpack Investor Network.  Brett is a graduate of NC State.  Prior to WIN, he worked in financial services/investment banking.Ghazale Johnston also attended NC State and was a Managing Director with Accenture for 20 years. She now serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Daymaker.During the podcast Brett discusses the business model of WIN.  He explains their process of communication to potential investors, and the diligence process.  He also shares how they work with other networks in the triangle area (Duke, Carolina Angel Networks) and explains how people with ties to NC State can become involved with WIN as an investor.Ghazale discusses how she became involved with WIN.  She also shares her experience as a member how she reviews the companies presented by WIN to decide whether or not to invest.  Additionally, we talk through the benefits she finds to being an active member of WIN.Listen to the podcast, the benefits of being a member, and learn how to become a member and the benefits of being a member.  Enjoy!William Bissett is the owner of and an Investment Advisor Representative of Portus Wealth Advisors, a Registered Investment Adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Opinions expressed on this program do not necessarily reflect those of Portus Wealth Advisors. The topics discussed and opinions given are not intended to address the specific needs of any listener. Portus Wealth Advisors does not offer legal or tax advice, listeners are encouraged to discuss their financial needs with the appropriate professional regarding your individual circumstance. Investments described herein may be speculative and may involve a substantial risk of loss. Interests may be offered only to persons who qualify as accredited investors under applicable state and federal regulation or an eligible employee of the management company. There generally is no public market for the Interests. Prospective investors should particularly note that many factors affect performance, including changes in market conditions and interest rates, and other economic, political or financial developments. Past performance is not, and should not be construed as, indicative of future results.

Today we have Brett Danforth, Managing Director of the Wolfpack Investor Network (WIN), and Ghazale Johnston, WIN member/investor, joining us to discuss angel investing. “The Wolfpack Investor Network (WIN) brings together the NC State entrepreneurial community, NC State alumni network, and innovative private companies to empower the businesses that drive our future.” It is operated as a subscription service with direct ties to the University.  The annual membership is $1,500 with no requirement to invest (think of it as a fee to see deal flow with the potential to invest in each company).  As of our interview in September 2019, they have 150 members and 115 members have made at least one investment through the network.  WIN currently has nineteen companies in the portfolio - 15 of those include NCSU graduates in Management and four involved in licensing in technology. Brett Danforth is the Managing Director at Wolfpack Investor Network.  Brett is a graduate of NC State.  Prior to WIN, he worked in financial services/investment banking. Ghazale Johnston also attended NC State and was a Managing Director with Accenture for 20 years. She now serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Daymaker. During the podcast Brett discusses the business model of WIN.  He explains their process of communication to potential investors, and the diligence process.  He also shares how they work with other networks in the triangle area (Duke, Carolina Angel Networks) and explains how people with ties to NC State can become involved with WIN as an investor. Ghazale discusses how she became involved with WIN.  She also shares her experience as a member how she reviews the companies presented by WIN to decide whether or not to invest.  Additionally, we talk through the benefits she finds to being an active member of WIN. Listen to the podcast, the benefits of being a member, and learn how to become a member and the benefits of being a member.  Enjoy! William Bissett is the owner of and an Investment Advisor Representative of Portus Wealth Advisors, a Registered Investment Adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Opinions expressed on this program do not necessarily reflect those of Portus Wealth Advisors. The topics discussed and opinions given are not intended to address the specific needs of any listener.  Portus Wealth Advisors does not offer legal or tax advice, listeners are encouraged to discuss their financial needs with the appropriate professional regarding your individual circumstance.  Investments described herein may be speculative and may involve a substantial risk of loss. Interests may be offered only to persons who qualify as accredited investors under applicable state and federal regulation or an eligible employee of the management company. There generally is no public market for the Interests. Prospective investors should particularly note that many factors affect performance, including changes in market conditions and interest rates, and other economic, political or financial developments. Past performance is not, and should not be construed as, indicative of future results.

Charlotte Angel Connection Episode 094: Wolfpack Investor Network (WIN) Managing Director, Brett Danforth and Ghazale Johnston WIN Member