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.
August 25, 2025
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 — The Day Everything Fell Apart | SquaredAway
By Michelle Penczak August 16, 2025
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.
Taylor Lingerfelt: Leading with Heart as a Military Spouse and Team Lead
August 9, 2025
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.
Beyond the Bar: Libby Jamison’s Fight for Military Families and Policy Reform
August 4, 2025
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!
Meagan Eskew’s Inspiring Story – Single Mom, Breast Cancer Survivor, Leader
July 27, 2025
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.
Military Spouses Make Great Leaders & Jessica Ryan Proves It
July 21, 2025
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.
From Virtual Assistant to COO: Sara Brooks-Glover on Leadership, Growth & Reinvention
July 14, 2025
In this episode of Beyond Orders, host Michelle Penczak, CEO of Squared Away and military spouse, sits down with Sara Brooks-Glover, Chief Operations Officer at Squared Away, to talk about career growth, remote leadership, and scaling systems in a mission-driven company.
From Grief to Grace: Tiffany McCawley’s Story
July 6, 2025
In this deeply moving episode of Beyond Orders, host Michelle Penczak sits down with Tiffany McCawley, a military spouse and mother of five whose faith and resilience leave a lasting impression.
Rooted at Last: How Squared Away Became Jordan’s Steady Ground
June 21, 2025
This episode dives into the unique strengths military spouses bring to the workforce, the transformative power of meaningful assistant-client partnerships, and why building community and trust is at the heart of it all.