Today's podcast episode features Janice Kruger, currently brand ambassador for the Side- Out Foundation. A few years ago, as she was launching the Leave It Better podcast for the Side-Out Foundation, I had the privilege of being her guest in my role as board chair for the foundation. In this episode recorded earlier this month, I have the privilege of her being my guest. Our episode is dropping today in honor of her retirement from the foundation.

Who is Janice Kruger?

Janice coached college volleyball for thirty years. She began coaching at the Community College level for one year, then spent nine years at the University of Nebraska at Omaha NCAA Division II level and finished her collegiate coaching career as the head coach of the University of Maryland Terrapins Division I program for 20 years. She led four teams into the Division II National Championship, won 10 career conference titles, and was recognized 6 times both for Conference and Region Coach of the Year honors. Her peers honored her success in coaching by voting her twice as the NCAA Division II American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) National Coach of the Year.

Leave It Better™ Podcast (Hosted By Janice Kruger)

Who Is Chef Steve McHugh?

With over 30 years of experience in the culinary industry, and author of the cookbook Cured, Chef Steve McHugh currently serves as a Chef Consultant for the Spurs Club, leveraging his expertise in restaurants, menu development, kitchen/bar design and culinary skills. His role focuses on creating innovative dining experiences, enhancing menu offerings, and supporting teams in delivering exceptional culinary services. As both a consultant and a long-standing chef/owner at Cured, He brings a unique perspective to developing creative, high-quality cuisine that aligns with organizational goals while fostering collaboration and excellence in the kitchen. His passion lies in driving culinary innovation and enriching customer experiences. And, along the way, he picked up 6 James Beard Foundation Finalist nods for Best Chef Texas and blessed by his wife, Sylvie, daughter, Sophia, and grandson, all currently residing in San Antonio.

As I get deeper into Season 2 of the Team Powdered Donut™ podcast series, I can't help but reflect about the gift of people. The people I have met along life’s journey, as well as the people I will meet on my journey ahead as I travel the country the next few years via Airstream® with my mobile love letter, capturing stories in my podcast studio just like this one's today with Henry S. Bienen, the interim president of Northwestern University, as well as the President Emeritus, where he served as President from 1995 to 2009.

As I discussed with Henry, I am a proud alum of Northwestern, both as an undergraduate, studying economics and political science, as well as an MBA student studying at the Kellogg School of Management at night during my early career at Apple in Chicago. My parents emmigrated to the United States so that my younger sister and I would have a chance to pursue college. We are both first generation college students, and the opportunity to pursue our degrees opened doors to new opportunity and new lives.

Henry continues to open doors for others and has opened so many across his long career. Soon, I will be opening the door to my Airstream to conversations just like this one. I am so thankful to Henry for this conversation, as well as to all of my guests since last fall. Sharing their stories, sharing their one things, just like the many things Henry shares in this episode have been an incredible honor and pleasure. Hail to purple. Hail to White. Hail to thee Northwestern! Go Cats!!

Who Is Henry S. Bienen?

President Emeritus Henry S. Bienen served as Northwestern’s 15th president and returned on September 16, 2025, to serve as interim president. A nationally recognized leader in higher education, Interim President Bienen led Northwestern to increased academic prominence, research prowess, financial strength and athletic success during his tenure. Among other posts, he served as Dean of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton.

He received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Northwestern University in 2009. In 2008, Northwestern’s Board of Trustees honored Henry Bienen and his wife, Leigh, a senior lecturer emerita at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, by naming the University’s School of Music the Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music.