Beyond the Resume: Leadership, Life Lessons, and Starting Over
July 1, 2025
In this episode of Beyond Orders, host Michelle Penczak speaks with Rachel Hornbeck, the Director of Talent and Development at Squared Away, about her journey from being a stay-at-home mom to a leadership role within the company. They discuss the supportive culture at Squared Away, the challenges of imposter syndrome, the importance of community, and the personal stories of adoption that have shaped their lives. Rachel shares her insights on leadership, accountability, and the hiring process, culminating in a reflection on the theme of reinvention and personal growth.
- Real leadership starts when we stop waiting for permission to grow.
- The culture at Squared Away empowers individuals to thrive.
- Imposter syndrome is a common challenge for many leaders.
- Supportive communities can foster personal and professional growth.
- Heart and caring mentality are essential in leadership roles.
- Being open to feedback is crucial for success.
- Accountability is key to building trust within teams.
- The hiring process at Squared Away is thorough and thoughtful.
- Personal stories of adoption can create deep connections.
- Reinvention involves being brave enough to outgrow comfort zones.
When the government shuts down, the headlines talk about politics. What they don’t talk about are the families sitting at kitchen tables across military housing neighborhoods, doing math that doesn’t add up.
In this episode of Beyond Orders, I sit down with Lauren Cecora - a 16-year Air Force spouse, devoted mom of two daughters, homeschool parent, and author of Past-Partum.
AI can make us faster. It can give us shortcuts. But it will never replace the value of human nuance; the conversations, the relationship-building, and the deal-making that keep businesses moving forward.
In this episode of Beyond Orders, we sit down with Kerissa Frigo. Veteran, military spouse, mom of two energetic boys, and now an Executive Assistant with Squared Away.
In this episode of Beyond Orders, we sit down with Danielle Hillebrand, a professional body piercer with 17 years of experience and a proud military spouse of 8 years. Danielle’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of identity in the face of constant transition.
August 10, 2015, is etched into my memory. Not as a gentle turning point, but as a gut punch that knocked the wind out of me.
In this episode of Beyond Orders, Taylor shares how she built a fulfilling career from home, the challenges and rewards of managing a remote team, and the lessons she’s learned about leadership, delegation, and staying grounded while life moves at military speed.
In this episode, Libby shares the behind-the-scenes truth about policymaking, the personal toll and triumph of advocacy, and why military spouses are more than just resilient. We are revolutionary!
A single mom who battled, and beat, breast cancer, Meagan didn’t just climb the ladder, she built her own. Now, she’s stepping into a full-time role with a client buyout, proving what happens when grit meets opportunity.
In this episode of Beyond Orders, Michelle Penczak, CEO of Squared Away, interviews Jessica Ryan, the company’s Chief People Officer. Jessica started in 2020 as a virtual assistant and steadily rose through the ranks, from Team Lead to the executive team, by leading with empathy, consistency, and quiet strength.