Ashley Ljesevic has led marketing, sales, and development initiatives for a variety of organizations over the past decade, working in sports, travel and nonprofits, among other fields. She also has a podcast, the Endurance Diaries, which interviews athletes, artists, entrepreneurs and others to share stories of resilience. On this episode Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Ashley talked about striving for — and pivoting when necessary — for big goals and how she does that in her personal life. They also talked about the lessons she’s learned from Endurance Diaries guests.

3 Takeaways:

1. (08:30) “Can you enter a process where there are no outcome goals attached?”
2. (12:45) What we see on the surface is not the full story
3. (17:30) When things are tough, focus on the next step

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Ashley Ljesevic, Host of Endurance Diaries podcast

(04:50) Ashley’s 10x10 journey

(07:45) What is Endurance Diaries Media?

(11:45) Who have you learned from on Endurance Diaries?

(14:45) What is endurance to you?

(16:00) Overcoming adversity

(18:20) What leadership characteristic does every leader need?

(20:55) Imposter syndrome

(24:30) Endurance Diaries Media in 2026

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Dan is the CEO of Moorings Park, a nonprofit senior living organization with three campuses in Naples. He has been with the organization for nearly 20 years, first as CFO. Before that he ran his own packaged delivery service small business in Ohio. On this episode Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Dan talked about how the concept of VUCA — leading through Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity — has helped make him a better leader and the organization stronger. They also talked about how Dan hopes his team sees him as a leader.

3 Takeaways:

1. (05:30) Leadership is humility and professional will
2. (08:10) Mission driven organizations focus on the end result
3. (09:20) Separate success from leadership

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Dan Lavender, CEO, Moorings Park

(03:15) What is Moorings Park?

(04:00) How did you get into senior living?

(05:10) What defines good leadership?

(07:20) Leadership influences

(08:45) Learning from residents at Moorings Park

(10:30) Decisions that shaped you

(11:35) Balancing short and long term wins

(13:40) Handling conflict

(14:40) Resiliency as a leader

(17:10) Your leadership style

(18:15) Moorings Park in 2026

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.

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Eleni founded Gates Hospitality Group, which handles brand building, corporate communications, public relations and more for restaurants and other businesses, earlier this year. She was previously head of investor relations and corporate communications for East Manatee County-based First Watch Restaurant Group. On this episode Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Eleni talked about what she’s learned from some important hospitality mentors on company culture, motivating teams and more. They also talked about her big step in working for corporate brands to going out on her own and going back to school for her MBA.

3 Takeaways:

1. (05:50) Be intentional about how you communicate with specific audiences
2. (16:00) A leader is never above any work in the organization
3. (17:00) Be a human, not the boss

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Eleni Gates, Founder and Principal, Gates Hospitality Group

(04:00) What is Gates Hospitality Group?

(06:15) Starting at First Watch

(08:20) Working for Chris Tomasso

(09:30) IPO-ing with First Watch

(13:00) Dealing with imposter syndrome

(14:30) Learning from Ken Pendery

(17:25) What is good leadership?

(19:00) Leadership advice

(20:30) Learning from her parents

(23:00) Storytelling in leadership

(24:20) Gates Hospitality Group in 2025

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.

Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.