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

Damien Hobgood Surfing Magazine 2013

Damien Hobgood – ex Pro Surfer

Damien Hobgood is a surfing legend and has touched many lives through his example in and out of the water. He surfed professionally right out of high school when pro surfing was in its earliest days. He competed for 20 years before realizing he wasn’t loving it anymore. After deep introspection and lots of prayer, Damien has reconnected with his love of surfing and shares his journey here.

more »
Sumter Pendergrast, Founder Sidecar Doughnuts

Sumter Pendergrast, Founder Sidecar Doughnuts

I’d like to fancy myself as a doughnut connoisseur. But even I was stumped when Sumter Pendergrast approached my husband and me about his desire to open a gourmet doughnut shop in Orange County. The lesson learned here is that passion drives creativity and innovation. Sumter shares his story in his laid back and unassuming way.

more »
Jane Mosbacher Morris - 2022 To the Market

Jane Mosbacher Morris – Founder & CEO To the Market

Jane and I met at the ALT-Summit in 2019 when she launched her book “Buy the Change You Want to See.” She has a servant’s heart for helping people, using her gifts and resources to provide dignified work to around the world through her ethical and sustainable supply chain management platform, To the Market. She’s dynamic, thoughtful, and inspirational! 

more »

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