Monthly Archives: November 2023
Jean-Luc Charles Finds Fulfillment In Helping Others Through Hard Times
What is it about Jean-Luc Charles that keeps him looking so young, like he could hit the track and give the 21-year-old version of himself a decent race? I’m sure diet and exercise play a role, but he’s also figured out what makes him happy.
Jean-Luc is the Vice President of Human Resources, People and Culture, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at fashion brand Eileen Fisher. He’s also the pastor of the First Haitian Free Methodist Church in Stamford, CT. On the surface, one might assume that moving between these two jobs would require considerable context switching, but having learned how Jean-Luc operates, I don’t think they’re as different as they might appear. In both roles, Jean-Luc helps others overcome challenges and become better versions of themselves. Turns out, doing that work fills his tank, fulfilling him in ways most would love to have in only of their jobs, much less two and at the same time.
In this episode, you’ll learn about:
How Jean-Luc’s Christian faith informs his work.
His adaptive strategy for helping Eileen Fisher become a more diverse workforce and making all its employees feel like they belong.
The tools and resources he recommends to anyone who wants to learn about and implement anti-racism in their places of employment.
His journey to Amherst College.
The member of the Amherst Class of 1994 that he wants me to interview next. Hector Caraballo wanted to hear from Andy Liu, and Andy wanted to hear from Jean-Luc. I can’t wait to interview the person Jean-Luc tags in this episode.
Jay Dickerson’s Extraordinary Career In Science – And The Coin Flip That Started It
Jay Dickerson, Amherst Class of 1994, could give the Dos Equis Most Interesting Man In The World a run for his money. With a career in the sciences that spans not one but two tenured faculty positions, the Brookhaven National Laboratory, and Consumer Reports as Chief Scientific Officer, Jay is as skilled at helping the rest of us understand science as he is at practicing it.
Jay has a PhD in physics, holds two patents, and has published two books and more than 85 journal articles, including one he co-authored with a Nobel laureate. You’ll also find videos of him on TikTok, and he has given more than 40 TV, radio, and podcast interviews.
In this conversation, you’ll learn:
How a coin flip decided which career path Jay would take after graduating from Amherst.
What’s harder: explaining science to a lay audience, or engaging fellow experts in the field?
The life-saving work he did at Consumer Reports to improve product safety.
The member of the Amherst Class of 1994 he wants me to talk to next.
Big thanks to former Pre-Made guests Justin Neely and Ramya Swaminathan for suggesting that I interview Jay.
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