Helen Hayes

Founder/CEO at ActivateWork

Helen is the founder and CEO of ActivateWork. ActivateWork’s mission is to connect diverse, qualified talent to leading employers through rigorous skills training, community resources, and professional and life skills coaching. ActivateWork is the culmination of Helen’s past for-profit and nonprofit experience, harnessing the power of the marketplace to achieve profound social impact. By moving individuals to sustained economic mobility and professional success, ActivateWork creates triple wins for job seekers, employers, and the community.

The daughter of Chinese immigrants, Helen is a believer in and the embodiment of the American Dream. But the American Dream – a life of flourishing – is elusive, as generational poverty becomes the default for too many men and women from underrepresented populations. ActivateWork bridges the gap between individual potential and realized success by matching and placing individuals into self-sustaining careers and through intensive coaching of personal, professional, and financial skills. ActivateWork seeks not only to advance economic and professional success but to transform lives through the learning and mastery of new habits, mindsets, and disciplines.

Helen is a 20-year veteran of the financial industry. She was the portfolio manager of the flagship Janus Worldwide Fund, Janus Overseas Fund, and related assets totaling approximately $50 billion at Janus Capital, a mutual fund company headquartered in Denver, Colorado. She also served as managing director of investments, heading up the 100-person research and investment arm of Janus Capital, encompassing equities, fixed income, money market, and trading.

Helen, her husband Matt, and her family have called Denver home for 30 years. Helen is an avid albeit average athlete and enjoys biking, swimming, running, skiing, and surfing.

 

PODCASTS FOR THE FAITH DRIVEN ENTREPRENEUR

Featured
Episode 291 - How a Venture Capitalist, Serial Entrepreneur, and Basketball Team Owner Finds His Identity in Christ with Phil Chen
Episode 291 - How a Venture Capitalist, Serial Entrepreneur, and Basketball Team Owner Finds His Identity in Christ with Phil Chen

Basketball team owner, trained physicist, seminary grad, and venture capitalist, Phil Chen joins the show to talk about his storied career and share how entrepreneurs can root themselves in scripture to find their true identities.

Episode 290 - Stories of the Movement: Can Sacrifice be a Road to Victory?
Episode 290 - Stories of the Movement: Can Sacrifice be a Road to Victory?

Hear how the biblical story of Abraham and Lot inspired Sam Rhee to step aside from the role of his dreams for the sake of a colleague and how God used that sacrifice to pave a path for victory.

Episode 289 - Kids' Sports and Other Hidden Idols with Patrick Lencioni, Henry Kaestner, and Justin Forman
Episode 289 - Kids' Sports and Other Hidden Idols with Patrick Lencioni, Henry Kaestner, and Justin Forman

Renowned author Patrick Lencioni joins Henry Kaestner for a conversation about some of the hidden idols of entrepreneurship before Henry, Justin, and Joey riff on how we all might learn to fight against the temptation to worship “safe” idols.

Episode 288 - Entrepreneurs and Pastors: More Alike or Different? with Mark Batterson, Chip Ingram, and John Mark Comer
Episode 288 - Entrepreneurs and Pastors: More Alike or Different? with Mark Batterson, Chip Ingram, and John Mark Comer

Today’s podcast highlights the voices of three pastors–Mark Batterson, Chip Ingram, and John Mark Comer–who have seen the power of working alongside entrepreneurs for the good of their communities.

Episode 287 - What’s Stopping Entrepreneurs From Partnering with the Church? with Barna Group's David Kinnaman
Episode 287 - What’s Stopping Entrepreneurs From Partnering with the Church? with Barna Group's David Kinnaman

David Kinnaman and Justin Forman discuss the relationship between the church and entrepreneurs, highlighting the unfortunate tension that often exists between the two groups and providing insight into how we might grow together to unlock this powerful partnership.

Episode 286 - Going Public. Staying Humble: Overcoming The Hidden Challenges of Great Success with AR/VR Innovator Renji Bijoy
Episode 286 - Going Public. Staying Humble: Overcoming The Hidden Challenges of Great Success with AR/VR Innovator Renji Bijoy

Renji joins the show to talk about what it’s like to lead and innovate in a new, emerging industry. He and Henry will also share how their faith has kept them stay grounded in the highs and lows that come with worldly success.

Episode 285 - Love and (Dis)respect at Home and at Work with Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
Episode 285 - Love and (Dis)respect at Home and at Work with Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

Dr. Emerson Eggerichs and special guest host Mike Sharrow join the show to take a candid look at how entrepreneurs can overcome the challenges they face in their personal and professional relationships.

Episode 284 - Entrepreneur: Are You Caring for Your Team? with Stephen Phelan of Movement Mortgage
Episode 284 - Entrepreneur: Are You Caring for Your Team? with Stephen Phelan of Movement Mortgage

Stephen Phelan, the Chief Pastoral Officer of Movement Mortgage, joins the show to talk about the radical programs they have implemented to care for their employees and to share practical tips for other entrepreneurs looking to make a difference in the lives of those who work with them.

Episode 283 - Stories of the Movement: The 2008 Turnaround
Episode 283 - Stories of the Movement: The 2008 Turnaround

In this new segment called “Stories of the Movement,” we take a narratively compelling, high-production look at what God is doing through the Faith Driven Entrepreneurs behind Movement Mortgage, a company started in the midst of a housing crisis.

Episode 282 - Have You Made Money Your Valentine? with Andy Crouch, Randy Alcorn, and Tom Hsieh
Episode 282 - Have You Made Money Your Valentine? with Andy Crouch, Randy Alcorn, and Tom Hsieh

Author Andy Crouch, theologian Randy Alcorn, and entrepreneur Tom Hsieh talk about how we can develop a biblically informed relationship with money that leads to generosity and joy.

Episode 281 - How to Develop a Prayer Life (That Doesn't Stink) with Peter Greer
Episode 281 - How to Develop a Prayer Life (That Doesn't Stink) with Peter Greer

Hope International CEO Peter Greer shares insights from leaders around the world that will help entrepreneurs develop a strong prayer routine.

Episode 280 - Thinking Beyond the Great Commission with Jordan Raynor
Episode 280 - Thinking Beyond the Great Commission with Jordan Raynor

In this conversation, Jordan Raynor challenges the belief that the only way our work matters for eternity is if we use it to share the gospel, arguing that our work has intrinsic value to God.

Episode 279 - Is the Church Winning? with Henry Kaestner and Justin Forman
Episode 279 - Is the Church Winning? with Henry Kaestner and Justin Forman

Henry Kaestner and Justin Forman join Joey Honescko to remind Faith Driven Entrepreneurs that they’re playing for the winning team in a new segment called “the riff.”

Episode 278 - Managing Anxiety, Depression, and Mental Health for Entrepreneur with Maxwell Anderson, Steve Cuss, and Curt Thompson
Episode 278 - Managing Anxiety, Depression, and Mental Health for Entrepreneur with Maxwell Anderson, Steve Cuss, and Curt Thompson

Maxwell Anderson, Steve Cuss, and Dr. Curt Thompson talk about how entrepreneurs can manage their anxiety, depression, and overall mental health.

Episode 277 - Setting the Right Goals for the Right Reasons with Jon Acuff, Patrick Lencioni, and Terry Looper
Episode 277 - Setting the Right Goals for the Right Reasons with Jon Acuff, Patrick Lencioni, and Terry Looper

Expert leaders Jon Acuff, Patrick Lencioni, and Terry Looper talk about what it looks like to set and accomplish the right kinds of goals.

Episode 276 - Working from Inside Out with Jeff Haanen
Episode 276 - Working from Inside Out with Jeff Haanen

This week on the show, Rusty talks with Jeff Haanen, the founder and former executive director of the Denver Institute of Faith and Work and the author of the recently released book: “Working From the Inside Out: A Brief Guide to Inner Work That Transforms Our Outer World.”

Episode 275 - Finding Redemption in Tattoo Shops? with Sara and Rodney Carrera
Episode 275 - Finding Redemption in Tattoo Shops? with Sara and Rodney Carrera

Tattoo shop owners, Sara and Rodney Carrera, join Henry and William to talk about  their entrepreneurial journey, their hope for the tattoo industry, and the controversy around tattoos in Christian circles.

Episode 274 - How Entrepreneurs Can Recover a Christian Vision for Family with Jeremy Pryor
Episode 274 - How Entrepreneurs Can Recover a Christian Vision for Family with Jeremy Pryor

Jeremy Pryor joins the show to talk about how God's word can help entrepreneurs build flourishing, powerful, and life-giving family teams.

Episode 273 - From Phone Cases to Bullet Proof Vests with Josh Richardson
Episode 273 - From Phone Cases to Bullet Proof Vests with Josh Richardson

Josh Richardson joins us today to talk about the ins and outs of running a company that manufactures body and vehicle armor.

Episode 272 - The In-N-Out Burger Legacy with Lynsi Snyder
Episode 272 - The In-N-Out Burger Legacy with Lynsi Snyder

In-N-Out Burger’s President, Lynsi Snyder, shares about the iconic brand’s legacy and how faith has guided her leadership style through tragedy, challenges, and triumphs.

Episode 271 - Cracking the Code with Rusty Rueff and Pastor Terry Brisbane
Episode 271 - Cracking the Code with Rusty Rueff and Pastor Terry Brisbane

Rusty Rueff and Pastor Terry Brisbane join us to talk about  the new book they co-authored “The Faith Code: A Future-Proof Framework for a Life of Meaning and Impact” and to help us see how pastors and entrepreneurs could work more closely together.

Episode 270 - Understanding the Times with Barna Group’s David Kinnaman
Episode 270 - Understanding the Times with Barna Group’s David Kinnaman

The Barna Group’s David Kinnaman joins us to talk about what it means for entrepreneurs to understand the times.

Episode 269 - Navigating Complexity in Israel and Beyond with Bader Mansour and Mordechai Wiseman
Episode 269 - Navigating Complexity in Israel and Beyond with Bader Mansour and Mordechai Wiseman

Bader Mansour, a Palestinian Israeli, and Mordechai Wiseman, a Jewish-Israeli, graciously join us for a conversation about how their faith in Jesus has informed their perspectives on leadership, identity, and the current conflict in Israel.

Episode 268 - What 50+ Years as a Family Business Can Teach Us with Ryan Walker
Episode 268 - What 50+ Years as a Family Business Can Teach Us with Ryan Walker

Ryan Walker joins us to talk about how being part of a family business has shaped his view of entrepreneurship, fatherhood, and faithfulness.

Episode 267 - Exit or Bet the Farm? With Neil Ahlsten
Episode 267 - Exit or Bet the Farm? With Neil Ahlsten

Neil Ahlsten joins Rusty and William for a discussion about how Christians might think differently about exits.

Episode 266 - What Happens When the Church and Entrepreneurs Come Together? with Matt Parfitt
Episode 266 - What Happens When the Church and Entrepreneurs Come Together? with Matt Parfitt

Matt Parfitt joins the show to talk about the value of this partnership and to share how other entrepreneurs could work alongside their churches for God’s glory and for the good of their communities.

Episode 265 - Not Yours with David Platt
Episode 265 - Not Yours with David Platt

David Platt gives an encouraging message on how entrepreneurs can find their identity and value in God, not their businesses.

Episode 264 - Being a Steward, Not an Owner with David Platt, Alan Barnhart, Dan and Angel Rutledge, and Pete Ochs
Episode 264 - Being a Steward, Not an Owner with David Platt, Alan Barnhart, Dan and Angel Rutledge, and Pete Ochs

Daivd Platt, Pete Ochs, Alan Barnhart, and Angel and Dan Rutledge dive into what it means to be stewards, not owners of their businesses.

Episode 263 - Practical Steps for Faith Driven Leadership with Tom Ferguson
Episode 263 - Practical Steps for Faith Driven Leadership with Tom Ferguson

Tom Ferguson provides a systematic outline for any entrepreneur to start bringing their faith to their work.

Episode 262 - Living Out Our Call to Create with Lecrae, Michael Hyatt, Paula Faris, and More
Episode 262 - Living Out Our Call to Create with Lecrae, Michael Hyatt, Paula Faris, and More

In this episode, we're diving deep into our catalog to unpack what it means to live out one’s “call to create” with leaders like Lecrae, Michael Hyatt, Curt Thompson, Makoto Fujimura, Paula Faris, and Jordan Raynor.

Faith Driven TeamBlog Contributor, Podcast Contributor