In this episode of Conscious Insights, Renelle Everett Darr hosts a compelling conversation with two transformative leaders: William Browning, CEO of Clayton Early Learning, and Mark Michalek, FBI Special Agent in Charge, Denver Division. Together, they explore the critical intersection of leadership in early childhood education and law enforcement, examining how both sectors are navigating complexity, embracing change, and shaping the future.
This conversation delves into the whole person approach to leadership—where empathy, trauma-informed practices, and values-based strategies are essential. William and Mark discuss how these approaches are transforming their organizations, whether it’s helping children in need or guiding first responders through increasingly stressful environments.
They also explore the role of artificial intelligence in both sectors, examining how AI can enhance security and operational efficiency while also posing new challenges in cybersecurity and data management. This intersection of human-centered leadership and technology is reshaping the future of both industries, offering new pathways for positive societal change.
Join us for an inspiring discussion on leadership, technology, and the importance of leading with heart and humanity in a rapidly changing world.

About our Guests:

Mark Michalek is FBI Special Agent in Charge, Denver Division.

Mr. Michalek joined the FBI as a special agent in 2005 and was assigned to the Houston Field Office. He worked organized crime and violent crime matters and specialized in investigating serial bank robbery and armored carrier robbery crews. He also served as a part-time pilot.

In 2014, Mr. Michalek was promoted to supervisory special agent and transferred to the Violent Crime Unit of the Criminal Investigative Division at FBI Headquarters, where he oversaw the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitive Program. Mr. Michalek returned to Houston in 2016 to lead the public corruption squad, a multiagency team responsible for investigating allegations of corruption involving elected officials and fraud against the government.
In 2020, Mr. Michalek was appointed as an assistant special agent in charge of the San Diego Field Office, where he oversaw programs including business administration, security, crisis management, and SWAT operations. He was promoted in 2021 to section chief of the Employee Health and Performance Section in the Human Resources Division at Headquarters. The section is responsible for the health, well-being, resilience, and performance of FBI employees.

Prior to joining the FBI, Mr. Michalek served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force. He earned a bachelor's degree in behavioral science from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a master's in public administration from Penn State.

William Browning is the President and CEO for Clayton Early Learning and has connections to the local Denver and national philanthropy communities. Most recently, William served on the Global Business Advisory Services group at Slalom Consulting, leading global business implementations for social and private sector clients. Before that, he was the Chief Transformation and Strategy Officer for United Way Worldwide and also held a similar position for Mile High United Way in Denver. As the founder and CEO of the highly successful Denver-based consulting firm, Rebound Solutions, he designed and led significant systems improvement projects, including the transformation of Colorado’s benefits management system and the state’s first quality management system for early childhood education. 
William has an Executive Master’s degree in Coaching and Consulting for Change from HEC Paris and Oxford University. He was selected and attended the exclusive University of Oxford Strategic Leadership Program and he has completed the Corporate Social Responsibility Executive Program through the University of Colorado at Denver. He has a daughter named Madeleine who is in the 6th grade and a one-year-old dog named Hershey.

In this debut episode of Conscious InSights, host Renelle Everett Darr engages with two trailblazers, Tatiana Arguello and Christine Benero, in an inspiring and thought-provoking discussion on the evolution of female leadership. The trio explores how leadership has transformed for women, addressing the roles of intuition, resilience, and the support systems that enable women to thrive. Through heartfelt stories, Tatiana and Christine reveal how they’ve embraced their cultural heritage, the need for both men and women to collaborate and support each other in creating a more inclusive and equitable environment, and navigated the challenges unique to women in leadership.

About our Guests:

Christine Benero is President and Chief Executive Officer of Mile High United Way, the first United Way in the world. For 137 years, Mile High United Way has worked to advance the common good and believes all children, individuals and families should have the opportunity for success. Last year, Mile High United Way proudly invested over $34.3 million in the Metro Denver area.
Christine is the former Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Mile High Chapter in Denver. Prior to joining the American Red Cross, Christine was the Director of the Office of Public Liaison for the Corporation for National and Community Service in Washington, D.C. She served in two presidential administrations, working for both Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Christine has served as Vice President of the National Civic League, and as a Community Affairs Corporate Program Officer for Target Stores in Minneapolis.

Tatiana Argüello is a media executive with experience in broadcast, digital, news, community, and integrated sales marketing. She was named to her role as President and General Manager of Telemundo Colorado in 2019 and added Telemundo Utah to her portfolio in 2023. She leads all station operations at KDEN and KULX which serve Spanish-speaking audiences across multiple platforms in Colorado and Utah.
Throughout her career, Argüello has stressed the notion that Hispanics are driving cultural change and economic growth in the United States. She believes that greater language fluidity is promoting an increased connection to heritage among US Hispanics and is often heard stating “language is our number one cultural attribute, and culturally relevant content drives behavior and consumption.