Leading with Curiosity: AI, Authenticity, and the Power of Connection
In this inspiring episode of Exponentially Elevate Your Leadership Impact, Dr. Stephanie Duguid sits down with Krista Hanna — business professor, bookstore manager, and Ph.D. student in Adult Learning and Leadership — for a candid conversation that bridges innovation, education, and personal growth.
Krista opens up about her unique path from high school dropout to doctoral candidate, sharing the milestones and mindset shifts that shaped her career. As the newly appointed Chair of the 2025–2026 NISOD Volunteer Committee, Krista discusses what it means to lead with purpose even before holding a formal title.
The conversation dives into:
- How Krista incorporates AI in her classroom to fuel responsible creativity and innovation
- The transformative power of authentic human connection in leadership and teaching
- Tips for managing multiple roles, setting boundaries, and using physical activity to avoid burnout
- The importance of student-centered teaching, especially for nontraditional learners and student-athletes
- Why being curious, present, and intentional can change how we show up as leaders
- How handwritten notes, humor, and small personal touches strengthen trust and engagement
Dr. Stephanie and Krista also explore the evolving role of women in leadership, the courage it takes to advocate for yourself, and the reminder that leadership is not about the title—it’s about action, passion, and showing up with integrity.
Whether you’re navigating change, embracing AI, mentoring others, or balancing multiple commitments, this episode is packed with practical wisdom, encouragement, and insight for the modern leader.
🎧 Tune in to hear how Krista is rewriting the narrative on what leadership looks like in higher education—and how you can too.
Guest Info:
Krista Hanna:
Krista Hanna is a business professor, campus bookstore manager, and lifelong learner who wears many hats at Coffeyville Community College, where she serves in dual roles as both faculty and staff. A passionate advocate for innovation in education, Krista is currently pursuing her PhD in Adult Learning and Leadership at Kansas State University.
Whether she’s redesigning a course with generative AI, supporting students in discovering their full potential, considering how to increase human connection in the classroom, or tracking down the perfect course materials, Krista brings creativity, strategy, and heart to everything she does. She believes that learning should be bold, human, and—ideally—a little bit fun.
Outside of her professional life, Krista is a proud mother of four, with three children still at home and one away at college. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, gardening, reading, and taking long walks (and occasionally short runs)—often while deep in thought, pondering on how to make education more meaningful and accessible for all.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/krista-hanna-085003151
Host: Dr. Stephanie Duguid, Owner, Do Good Leadership
Website: www.drstephanieduguid.com
Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.rectorduguid
Facebook (Group): https://www.facebook.com/DoGoodLeadership