Waves of Impact
Waves of Impact is a dynamic podcast that brings together hosts from the University of West Florida's Hospitality and Tourism Management program and Visit Pensacola to explore leadership, innovation, and the transformative power of travel. Taking a global view, the show uncovers how tourism fuels economies, fosters cultural exchange, and shapes the development of future industry leaders. While rooted in a region known for its sugary white sand beaches along the Gulf, Waves of Impact extends its conversations beyond local boundaries.
Episodes
45 episodes
Warren Sonnen | O'Riley's Irish Pub
In this episode of Waves of Impact, Nicole sits down with Warren Sonnen of the family-owned hospitality group behind O'Riley's Irish Pub, Sir Richard's Public House, and Mugs & Jugs. The conversation explores how these long-standing Pensaco...
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Season 5
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Episode 8
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13:32
Hospitality Roundtable | 5 Years Later - From Crisis to Prosperity | Part 2
Hospitality Roundtable: 5 Years Later - From Crisis to ProsperityThis is part 2 in the Hospitality Roundtable.Five years ago, we gathered at Timeless Tanglewood for what began as a discussion about our local hospitality ind...
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Season 5
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Episode 7
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25:12
Hospitality Roundtable | 5 Years Later - From Crisis to Prosperity | Part 1
Hospitality Roundtable: 5 Years Later - From Crisis to ProsperityShort on time? This is part 1 of the Hospitality Roundtable.Five years ago, we gathered at Timeless Tanglewood for what began as a discussion about our local ...
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Season 5
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Episode 6
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25:44
Hospitality Roundtable | 5 Years Later - From Crisis to Prosperity | Entire Session
Hospitality Roundtable: 5 Years Later - From Crisis to ProsperityFive years ago, we gathered at Timeless Tanglewood for what began as a discussion about our local hospitality industry. Then, the whole world shut down. The Hospital...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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50:52
Women in Leadership | UWF | Conversations of Impact 2025 Paula Shell
Nicole and Ali talk to Paula Shell, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida.Paula Shell is the President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida, serving the areas of Escambia, Santa...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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6:07
Women in Leadership | UWF | Conversations of Impact 2025 Kayla Stanley
Nicole and Ali talk with Dayla Stanely, Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement and Development at UWF. Listen to how Kayla adapts and engages with people in the community.
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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8:12
Women in Leadership | UWF | Conversations of Impact 2025 Madrina Ciano
Nicole and Ali talk with Madrina Ciano, an amazing woman who has a passion to serve others in the community. Listen to what makes her tick, and you will hear her life with purpose.Bio:Madrina Ciano is from Honolulu, Hawaii a...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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6:18
Women in Leadership | UWF | Conversations of Impact 2025 Robin Zimmern
Nicole and Ali talk to Robin Zimmern, Executive Director for Alumni Relations and Development. Robin gives advice to her 16 year old self, and reflects on belonging.Robin has worked at the University of West Florida since 2007...
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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8:42
Women in Leadership | UWF | Conversations of Impact 2025 Lindsey Steck and Melissa Baily
Women in Leadership Conference, University of West Florida, 2025.Live! Discussion with Lindsey Steck | Visit Pensacola | Marketing & Communications Manager and Melissa Bailey | Visit Pensacola | Partner Relations Manager.
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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8:51
Commander Armatas | Blue Angel's Commanding Officer | Leadership, when it's done right, it's done from the heart |
"Leadership, when it's done right, it's done from the heart." Commander ArmatasIn this compelling episode, host Tim Kinsella sits down with Commander Alexander P. Armatas, the esteemed Flight Leader and Commanding Officer of th...
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Season 4
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Episode 5
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38:25
Women in Leadership Conference 2024
During the annual Women in Leadership Conference, we captured snips from the event. Leah Kinsella, Founder, Coach, Leader of Meditation -
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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32:08
UWF President Martha Saunders | People Crave Leadership in a Crisis
Martha Dunagin Saunders is the sixth president of the University of West Florida.In her 30-plus years in higher education, Dr. Saunders has served in academic and leadership roles at universities in Florida, Georgia, Wisconsin ...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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24:23
Ted Ent | Focus on the people first, and product will follow
Dive into the wisdom of Ted Ent, a hospitality virtuoso with over three decades in the industry, who climbed the ladder from a pot washer at a state park to the CEO and President of Innisfree Hotels. Ted's philosophy "focus on the people...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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29:36
Brian Wyer | Are you running from something or running to something?
Brian Wyer is the President/CEO of the Gulf Coast Minority Chamber of Commerce. He serves on several Boards; including United Way, Equality Project Alliance, Achieve Escambia, Baptist Health Care Inc., Mental He...
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Season 3
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Episode 24
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47:53
Lisa Nellessen Savage | Believe In The People You Work With
Lisa Nellessen Savage is executive editor of the Pensacola News Journal, Northwest Florida Daily News and Panama City News Herald. She has been with Gannett and USA TODAY Network newspapers for 24 years including serving as the top editor at ne...
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Season 3
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Episode 23
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36:43
Todd Thomson | Improving Our Community Motivates Me Every Day
Todd Thomson has over 25 years of experience in Florida government, politics, and business advocacy. Thomson is currently President/CEO of the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, where he has worked since February 2015. He also produce...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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30:14
Dr. Richard Fountain | We Communicated Our Way Through
Dr. Richard Fountain is the Dean of the College of Business of University of West Florida and a Clinical Professor in the Department of Accounting and Finance.In 2009, he joined the Department of Accounting and Finance as an adjunct inst...
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Season 3
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Episode 21
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21:34
A Conversation with Leaders in Collegiate Sports
The UWF College of Business is continuing our discussion about effective leadership.Join us as we hold a virtual roundtable with leaders in collegiate sports, including: Bill Carr, President of CarrSports Consulting, LL...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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50:44
President Saunders | Flourishing in a Fluid Environment
Martha Dunagin Saunders is the sixth president of the University of West Florida.In her 30-plus years in higher education, Dr. Saunders has served in academic and leadership roles at universities in Florida, Georgia, Wisconsin and Missis...
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Season 3
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Episode 20
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29:29
A Conversation with Leaders in Healthcare
In July 2020, Dr. Alison Green, chair of UWF's Global Hospitality and Tourism Management Department, facilitated a roundtable leadership lesson where the discussion about effective leadership was continued.During this roundtable, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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47:03
Lessons Business Leaders Can Learn From Successful Football Coaches
Dr. Green spoke with three award-winning football coaches who each won the national Coach of the Year award for their respective divisions while guiding their teams to national titles in the 2019 season:- Ed Orgeron, LSU head football c...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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22:06
Dr. Paul Hsu | Spot the Opportunity
Dr. Paul S. Hsu serves as Founder and Chairman of HSU Educational Foundation.An engineer, entrepreneur, business leader, author, public servant and University of West Florida trustee, Dr. Hsu is a first-generation immigrant who came to Amer...
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Season 3
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Episode 19
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31:48
Quint Studer | We are Always Teaching
Get Ready - Quint Studer Talks Leadership (and much more!) You have a front-row seat to enjoy a conversation between Quint Studer and Rick Fountain. This is a must-listen for all learners, from high school to leaders of org...
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Season 3
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Episode 18
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43:03
Allison Hill | Mentoring Works
Listen to Allison Hill and Rick Fountain talk about leadership, advice for new graduates, and how to take advantage of opportunities around you. Allison Hill is the chief executive officer for Lakeview Center, Inc. (LCI) and a sen...
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Season 3
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Episode 17
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29:29
Cyndi Warren | Together We Make an Impact
Cyndi Warren joined the Warren Averett firm in 1990 and is the Managing Memberof the Pensacola office. Cyndi has extensive experience in individualand corporate tax planning and tax code compliance and alsospecializes in tax and acc...
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Season 3
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Episode 16
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24:31