Made of More 03-25-26 Mastering Negotiation & Defying Limits with Alicia Quaco Olsen

In this inspiring episode of the "Made of More" podcast, host Chris Erdman sits down with Alicia Quaco Olsen to explore her dynamic journey from a United States Air Force Academy graduate to a top healthcare executive and community leader. Alicia shares unique personal stories that highlight her immense drive, such as balancing her military duties negotiating aircraft contracts while simultaneously performing as a Seattle Seahawks cheerleader during their 2013 Super Bowl-winning season. Transitioning her formidable negotiation skills into the healthcare sector, she details her experience leading a hospital command center through grueling 20-hour days during the COVID-19 pandemic and her rapid ascent to becoming a company president by the age of 32. Through an entrepreneurial lens, Alicia imparts valuable lessons on the importance of building collaborative relationships in negotiations, expanding community networks through her leadership with the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce, and the absolute necessity of verbally advocating for your own career goals. About the show: Made of More is a radio show / podcast that shares the powerful, personal stories behind the entrepreneurs of the greater Seattle area and beyond, individuals who have built meaningful businesses and experiences not just to better their own lives, but to positively impact their communities, families, and the world around them. This show isn’t just about what they’ve built – it’s also about who they are as people. We explore their journeys of inspiration, adversity, risk, and resilience. We dig into the pivotal moments, the challenges that shaped them, and the drive that pushed them to step outside the box and do something different. These are people who are made of more. And so are our listeners. Each episode is an invitation to connect more deeply; not only with the story, but with the mission behind each business. Whether it inspires you to chase a dream, break your own mold, or simply experience and support these ventures in a way that speaks to you, Made of More reminds us that greatness often begins with a story worth telling.