Basia Najarro Skudrzyk| Business Development & Workforce Executive

Leading Through Disruption:

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 19:00:31 -0700

The past few years have reshaped how we think about leadership. Economic uncertainty, workforce disruption, funding instability, and global crises have made one thing clear: resilience is no longer optional. Resilience is the new corporate currency.

Leaders today are measured by growth metrics and past achievements, but their ability to adapt, recalibrate, and move forward in the face of disruption is key. Reinvention is not a one-time event; it’s a continuous leadership competency.

What Resilient Leadership Looks Like

Resilient leaders don’t pretend that disruption isn’t happening. Resilient leaders respond to it with clarity, humility, and action. They prioritize people, stay grounded in purpose, and make decisions even when the path forward is uncertain.

Resilience isn’t just a mindset; it’s a set of practices.

Best Practices for Navigating Difficult Times

1. Focus on What Transfers, Not What’s Lost
Titles, roles, and past structures may change, but your core skills remain. Strategic thinking, relationship-building, and problem-solving are portable assets. Lean into them.

2. Stay Anchored in Purpose
When everything feels uncertain, your “why” becomes your compass. Leaders who stay connected to the mission, whether it’s serving communities, advancing innovation, or building opportunity, are better equipped to navigate turbulence.

3. Build and Lean on Your Network
Resilience is not built in isolation. Strong relationships open doors, provide perspective, and create opportunity. Don’t hesitate to reach out, collaborate, and ask for support.

4. Normalize the Reset
Starting over can feel uncomfortable, especially later in a career. Reinvention is not failure, it’s evolution. The most impactful leaders are those willing to begin again with humility and grit.

5....Read More

How Geopolitical Warfare Is Reshaping Global Food Security and the Economy

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 15:18:58 -0700

In an increasingly interconnected world, the ripple effects of geopolitical warfare extend far beyond national borders. From supply chain bottlenecks to food price inflation, the consequences are felt in markets, homes, and dinner tables worldwide. Food security is defined as the ability of people to access sufficient, safe, and nutritious food, which is a critical concern in light of ongoing conflicts and global instability. The stakes are high, and the cost of inaction is greater than ever.
The Interplay Between Conflict and Food Security
Geopolitical warfare whether in the form of military conflict, trade disputes, or sanctions directly disrupts the agricultural supply chain. It compromises production, limits trade routes, and shifts global alliances. Regions that depend heavily on imports or exports of food commodities are particularly vulnerable.
One stark example is the war in Ukraine. Often referred to as the "breadbasket of Europe," Ukraine was among the world’s top exporters of wheat, corn, and sunflower oil. The war has devastated its agricultural output and infrastructure, while sanctions on Russia, another major grain and fertilizer exporter, have further restricted global supply. These disruptions have created a domino effect, leading to skyrocketing food prices, strained global grain reserves, and rising hunger in vulnerable regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of the Middle East.
Global Economic Ramifications
Food insecurity is not just a humanitarian crisis, it’s an economic one. Rising food prices contribute to inflation, strain government budgets, and destabilize global markets. According to the World Bank, food price inflation has remained persistently high in many countries since 2022, driven largely by war-related supply shocks and climate-induced crop failures.
In high-income nations, this manifests as increased...Read More

The Tragic Triumph of Ignaz Semmelweis

Sun, 06 Jul 2025 18:34:15 -0700

Imagine a hospital ward where nearly half of the women who walk in to give birth never leave alive. This was the horrifying reality in mid-19th century Europe, where maternal mortality rates in doctor-staffed maternity wards reached up to 40%. That is, until one man, Ignaz Semmelweis, made a quiet but world-changing discovery: handwashing could save lives.
Semmelweis, through rigorous observation, realized that doctors moving from autopsies directly to childbirth without washing their hands were unknowingly transmitting deadly infections. His proposed solution was simple yet revolutionary: washing hands with a chlorine solution. The results were immediate and dramatic as mortality rates plummeted.
And yet, instead of accolades, he faced resistance, ridicule, and rejection.
Why?
Because, as the now-famous saying goes, "Culture eats strategy for breakfast."
The reluctance to accept Semmelweis' findings has since been immortalized in the term "Semmelweis Reflex" which is the automatic dismissal of new ideas simply because they challenge deeply held beliefs or threaten the existing order.
Semmelweis had a strategy. He had evidence. He had data that showed handwashing saved lives. But what he was up against wasn’t a lack of logic - it was a culture unwilling to change.
Ego stood in the way as doctors didn’t want to admit they were inadvertently killing patients.
Fear paralyzed them because the implications of being wrong were too great.
Inertia reigned and change requires energy, and the familiar often feels safer than the...Read More

Navigating Change: Strategies for Effective Change Management and Adaptability

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 19:02:00 -0800

Change is an inevitable part of any industry, and in today's fast-paced environment, the ability to pivot and adapt is more critical than ever. Whether it’s supply chain disruptions, workforce shifts, or industry-wide transformations, organizations and leaders must implement effective change management strategies to remain competitive and sustainable.
Drawing from my expertise in supply chain resilience, workforce development, and leadership, I have seen firsthand how strategic adaptability can mitigate challenges and create opportunities. Here are key strategies for successfully navigating change:
1. Embrace a Proactive Mindset
Organizations often find themselves reacting to disruptions rather than preparing for them. By developing proactive strategies, such as scenario planning, predictive analytics, and risk assessments, leaders can anticipate changes and minimize their impact. In my research on agri-food supply chain resilience, I’ve observed how companies that integrate real-time data analytics into their decision-making processes are better positioned to respond more efficiently to market fluctuations and geopolitical disruptions.
2. Prioritize Transparent Communication
Uncertainty can lead to resistance and confusion among employees and stakeholders. Clear, transparent communication is essential for guiding teams through transitions and any potential risk that may occur when organizations do not work in a transparent manner. When organizations openly share their vision, goals, and potential challenges, employees feel more engaged and aligned with the change process. In workforce development initiatives, I have found that building trust through consistent communication fosters a culture of collaboration, making transitions smoother and more effective.
3. Empower Employees with Training and Development
Change often requires new skills...Read More

Understanding Cortisol and Its Impact on Health

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 11:48:27 -0700

Cortisol, commonly known as the "stress hormone," plays a crucial role in the body’s response to stress. Produced by the adrenal glands, cortisol helps regulate various bodily functions, including metabolism, immune response, and the sleep-wake cycle. While it’s an essential hormone for survival, chronic elevated cortisol levels can have negative consequences on both physical and mental health.
In this blog, we’ll explore the effects of cortisol on the body, the health risks associated with prolonged high levels, and best practices to naturally lower cortisol levels.
Cortisol, commonly known as the "stress hormone," plays a crucial role in the body’s response to stress. Produced by the adrenal glands, cortisol helps regulate various bodily functions, including metabolism, immune response, and the sleep-wake cycle. While it’s an essential hormone for survival, chronic elevated cortisol levels can have negative consequences on both physical and mental health.
In this blog, we’ll explore the effects of cortisol on the body, the health risks associated with prolonged high levels, and best practices to naturally lower cortisol levels.

The Role of Cortisol in the Body
Cortisol is released in response to stress as part of the body’s "fight or flight" mechanism. This hormone:
Increases glucose availability by breaking down protein and fats for quick energy.
Suppresses non-essential functions during acute stress, such as digestion and reproduction.
Regulates blood pressure and maintains cardiovascular function.
Reduces inflammation as part of its immune-modulating role.
Under normal circumstances, cortisol follows a natural diurnal rhythm, peaking in the morning and gradually decreasing throughout the day. However, chronic stress or certain...Read More

Boys in the Boat

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 20:16:24 -0700

The "Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown, shares the true story of the University of Washington's rowing team and their quest for gold at the 1936 Olympics. It is a compelling and inspiring tale of resilience, determination, and the power of teamwork that I recently learned about after reading the book and watching the movie over Spring Break.
The story of these dedicated and resilient men, who had so much going against them, is a friendly reminder that if you truly put your mind to it and find opportunities outside societal norms, the unimaginable can happen. We may not win every race we enter, and it's not up to a single athlete to secure a win. It's a collective effort of people who may be rowing the boat, making the boat, supporting from the sidelines, coaching, mentoring, or just being present and cheering on.

This true story gave me pause to reflect and be thankful for all the people in my life who have allowed me to get to where I am today. Rules were changed in the middle of a competition; hardships were presented for many of the athletes and coaches on the team, yet they found a way and did not give up. Everything that is stacked against you can take a back seat.

Reflecting upon these inspirational stories that occurred during WW2 in Berlin, some key valuable takeaways can certainly be applied to our...Read More

Using Science and Farmer Trust to Improve the Human Condition

Sat, 10 Feb 2024 09:48:26 -0800

Science can be crucial in improving the human condition, particularly concerning food security and the supply chain in agriculture. For decades, the world’s food system has overemphasized the efficient production and transport of commodity crops, often at the expense of building resilient and equitable supply chains that reflect the true costs of production. Usually, these costs are borne by the weakest link, and in agriculture, that’s the farmer. Constant downward pressure on price and inequitable distribution of value results in high social and environmental costs for farmers that consumers and investors rarely see.
Farmers play a pivotal role in the agricultural supply chain as primary food and agricultural goods producers. Their responsibilities encompass cultivating crops, raising livestock, and nurturing various agricultural products, crucial for ensuring food security and supplying raw materials to diverse industries. Situated at the initial production stage of the agricultural supply chain, farmers engage in activities such as planting, tending crops, managing livestock, and harvesting agricultural products. They serve as key decision-makers concerning land use, crop selection, irrigation techniques, and the utilization of agricultural inputs like fertilizers and pesticides. The productivity, efficiency, and sustainability of farmers' operations significantly influence the success of the entire agricultural supply chain. Their capacity to deliver high-quality crops and livestock directly impacts downstream activities, including processing, distribution, and retailing.
Despite facing challenges such as weather fluctuations, pest outbreaks, market volatility, and policy...Read More

Are employees more resilient when narcissistic leadership is present in the workplace?

Sun, 04 Jun 2023 20:17:38 -0700

Employee resilience captures the extent to which employees successfully deal with change and abusive practices at work and to which they adapt accordingly to thrive in a work environment (Näswall, Kuntz, & Malinen, 2015). In the past, employee resilience was relatedto higher levels of job performance and organizational commitment (Malik & Garg, 2017) and employee creativity (Huang & Luthans, 2015). Resilience now may be understood as a developable capability and research has recognized the importance of leadership associated with employee resilience. Some research has recognized the importance of leadership for employee resilience. The link between resilience and narcissistic leadership in the workplace has not been clearly established.
“Know your people.” A statement like this may suggest to leaders that they should understand their teams’ personality to be able to best support resilience in difficult and dynamic work environments. The average follower invests in employee resilience under leader-member exchanges that primarily builds on trust, respect, and fellowship. Organizations are consistently noted for unethical behaviors and who are implicating their leaders by encouraging subordinate employees to
advance organizational objectives through unethical behavior (Mesdaghinia et al., 2022).
Leader immorality encouragement (LIE) is an employee’s perception that their leader encourages unethical behavior to aid the organization in unethical pro-organizational behavior. This type of behavior is encouraged when employees disengage their moral compass due to expectations of the rewards provided to them. A relationship between LIE and unethical behavior is most present when the leader has higher quality exchange relationship with the employee...Read More

Success

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 08:45:58 -0700

The word "failure" derives from the Latin for "to trip" or "to stumble" - a nice reminder that even when it feels like you've lost all your forward momentum, you can always reset and keep on walking.
Failure seems to be on everyone's mind these days. The global pandemic is a no brainer along with supply chain challenges. There are xpectations for performance higher than ever, setbacks for organizations looming large and let's add mental health to the mix. Uncertainty and rapid change are extreme ingredients for failure. How do we define failure and the effect of it on our system and us? How do we recover from it and most importantly, what are the pearls of wisdom that we acquire when going through such experiences?
Success can welcome failure by hindering learning at both the individual and organization level. We've all heard that we can learn from failure, but surprisingly learning from success can present even greater challenges. Fundamental attribution errors may allow one to think that no more changes need to be made to adjust with the system and approach. Overconfidence bias results in too much self-assurance. Our blinders come on and the need to question system and procedures does not happen during such events. The failure to ask why syndrome should come into effect at this time. Not investigating the causes of good performance systemically does not allow teams to ask the tough questions that would help everyone expand their knowledge and understanding how the world works.
Wins have a huge impact on brand equity and sales. When we enter new markets it's important to acquire knowledge. As a newcomer, you acquire knowledge that will help you develop better systems and practices for the future. When a team focuses more on winning versus learning, this is when the pace of walking forward may fail. The data is not analyzed until something goes wrong. You don't necessarily look at the data when performance is...Read More

It All Starts With the Dream

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 18:50:38 -0700

Dreaming involves holding tight to a vision of a better life, one of success and one of fulfillment.
While getting there may be difficult, having to deal with challenges along the way, the end result will demonstrate that the effort was well worth it. Anyone who’s achieved a big goal knows just how true that statement is.
We all dream differently. It’s easy to sometimes forget about dreams as we continue to juggle the constraints of life and obligations. Did we ever think there would be an I-phone or an Android around twenty years ago? It all started with a dream, with a vision.
Being a starry-eyed dreamer isn’t about giving up. Dreaming often and dreaming big actually provides us with a platform for growth and success and the motivation to get us there.
It all starts with the dream.
Children dream big. It’s part of their genetic fiber. They never think small because they aren’t hindered by the standard limitations that hold adults back. If you ask a child what she wants for Christmas, she might say, “I want two swimming pools! One in the backyard, and one in the front.”
While it’s easy to dismiss a child’s dreams as being silly or unrealistic, are they really? Just because something goes against the grain, or runs in the opposite direction of societal norms, it doesn’t mean that it’s impossible.
Read More