Welcome to MENTOR dna

Welcome to MENTOR dna, a leadership podcast hosted by Meesh Pierce. I welcome you to drop in as I talk to my c-suite friends about what makes them tick, lessons they’ve learned through their career successes and failures, and memories we share through the decades spent growing up in our careers. MENTOR dna is your backstage pass to learning how to reach your next career goal - whether as a manager or serving on a board.

Recent podcast guests

Deanna Lyn Descartes Labs

Deanna Lyn – Head of Commercial Sales, Descartes Labs

I met Deanna playing beach volleyball at the Malibu pier when we were 19. Despite our very different backgrounds, we became fast friends and spent much time after work playing volleyball. Through the years, Deanna continues to impress me with her creative approach to technical enterprise sales, her ability to close deals no one considers possible, all while maintaining strong relationships and building camaraderie on her teams. She works hard and plays hard and I’ve learned so much from her.

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Jim Abbott former MLB pitcher July 1, 2008

Jim Abbott – Former MLB Pitcher

Jim Abbott is a former MLB Pitcher who played for the California Angels, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, and Milwaukee Brewers.

I first met him through my husband, who always speaks so highly of Jim. Gentleman, humble, funny, great athlete.

Words most men wouldn’t say about their golf opponent after losing a golf round to them.

Through the years, I’ve had the chance to get to know Jim and I’m thrilled to have had this opportunity to learn more about his career and lessons he’s learned post-retirement.

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Liz Leung, Executive Coach

Liz Leung

I worked with Liz when I was desperately trying to get pregnant with my first child. I’d left the corporate world to start my own consulting practice and ended up meeting the most wonderful mentor one could want. Liz is a Chinese-American executive who has the most beautiful way of managing people, turning teams and businesses around, and building people up.

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MENTOR dna's host

Meesh Pierce is a former executive who’s worked with fantastic leaders throughout her career in tech, entertainment, and corporate and non-profit boards. MENTOR dna brings these leaders into the spotlight to share their stories. Consider MENTOR dna your VIP coaching session with  hard-to-reach executives across a variety of industries.  

Leadership books

Following is an extensive list of recommended leadership books from my podcast guests. 

  • Getting to Yes

    Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In.

  • The Goal

    The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement

  • Stocks for the Long Run

    Stocks for the Long Run: The Definitive Guide to Financial Market Returns & Long-Term Investment Strategies

  • Team of Rivals

    Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

  • The One Minute Manager

    The New One Minute Manager offers a way for you to succeed sooner with less stress in changing times—both at work and at home.

  • Good to Great

    Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't