Office Hours

Your degree isn’t what determines whether or not you design a meaningful career. What matters more is if you can use curiosity, courage, and community to navigate the obstacles you’ll encounter. Justin Bankston, the former Chief Technology Officer at SXSW, says that understanding you don’t always have to follow the traditional route to reach success. Instead, you can build a career you find fulfil...

Motivated to make a broader impact, Monique Nolk transitioned to TransUnion as the Senior Vice President of Strategy, Planning, and Transformation for Global Technology to enrich her expertise in driving organization-wide initiatives and best in class products with high performing teams. Join us as we uncover an expert’s opinion on driving long term satisfaction, building critical thinking skills,...

What does it really take to stay with one company for four decades—and actually thrive? For former Kodak CTO Terry Taber, the answer lies in resilience, long-term vision, and knowing when to pivot. In this episode, he shares how he went from a synthetic organic chemist to leading Kodak’s reinvention during its most turbulent years. From building a future-focused R&D team to reviving apprentice...

Technology is at the heart of business transformation, and Michael Friedlander’s career is a testament to how IT strategy can shape the future of multinational organizations. As the former Senior Director of IT Strategy and Transformation at PepsiCo and current CIO of the Magnum Ice Cream Company, Michael has worked on major mergers and acquisitions, enhanced ERP capabilities, and led digital init...

Did you know you can negotiate for your first job? Nuwan Samaraweera, the Chief Operating Officer at P33, shares some intriguing tips on advocating for ourselves through our professional careers. He discusses everything from his realization of the value of building social capital to his journey of securing a work visa to stay in the United States. He also dives deeper into his key message of the i...

David Hornick, Founding Partner at Lobby Capital, has built a career defined by genuine relationships, long-term curiosity, and staying useful in every stage of work. In this episode, Dave talks through how to approach work when you’re early in your career and still figuring it all out. He shares how small points of connection, consistent curiosity, and helping others can open unexpected doors—and...

Have you ever thought about how important it is to have fun in college? Marc Sternberg, co-founder and managing director of A Street Capital, reminds us about the human need to have fun! He reorients us to focus on our “humanity”, shares his mindset on what impact investors should look for, and imparts his wisdom from being a “policy entrepreneur” in the Big Apple. Check out what else Marc can tea...

Have you ever wondered how your career decisions can influence your future success? Sahir Azam, the former Chief Product Officer at MongoDB and a Partner at Index Ventures, shares his unique career journey, starting from pre-sales engineering to leading product development at a globally recognized tech company. In this episode, Sahir highlights the importance of cross-functional roles in understan...

One of the most valuable steps in any career journey is connecting with mentors, but for many young professionals, it can be difficult to identify who is the right mentor, in any given period of time, for you. (Matt Kozlov) The Managing Director of Techstars LA, Techstars' LA-based accelerator program, has extensive experience being both a mentor and a mentee throughout his career. He is a be...

Have you ever felt unsure about your career path or wondered how to make the most of new opportunities? Luckily, Meghan Frank, CFO of Lululemon, has a fresh perspective. She shares her journey of curiosity and adaptability, offering advice on navigating imposter syndrome and building a versatile skill set. We dive into the evolving retail industry, discuss leadership styles, and uncover what makes...

Leadership isn’t just about chasing titles or climbing the corporate ladder. Instead, it’s defined by how you show up for others and lead with empathy. Theresa Shea, the EVP - General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Utz Brands, learned to blend multiple skillsets to become an effective leader. Impactful leaders are those who listen, adapt, and lift others as they rise. Whether it's through...

Building a career in retail leadership takes more than just showing up. Kristin Witt, an executive leader at General Mills, shares how important it is to develop communication skills, stay curious about how the business works, and focus on building strong relationships. Drawing from her early experiences and broad career journey, Kristin explains what helped her grow and how students and young pro...

Have you ever felt like you’ve outgrown the path you’re on? Luis Morejon, Head of Global Workplace Operations at Uber, shares what it really takes to reinvent yourself, again and again. From aerospace to construction to tech, Luis has rebuilt his career by letting go of past identities, learning from scratch, and committing fully to change. In this conversation, he reflects on the emotional weight...

What if the biggest risk is playing it too safe? Howard Friedman, CEO of Utz Brands, shares how saying "yes" to hard jobs and uncertain paths accelerated his growth. He explains why your early career is the best time to take chances and how doing difficult things builds the confidence and skills that set you apart. From learning through adversity to making yourself indispensable, Howard...

Have you ever wondered how stepping outside your comfort zone can open doors you never imagined? Laura Harshberger, the Global Information Technology Director at PPG, shares how going beyond her job description helped her develop transferable skills and build a strong professional network. From joining a nonprofit board to continuing to tune in to news and upskill, Laura demonstrates the power of...

There’s no single roadmap to building a great career—just ask Miranda Nash. She’s the former SVP of Product Management at Oracle, but her path wasn’t exactly a straight line. Miranda started in engineering, explored the startup scene, left Oracle for a while, then came back and kept growing. Her story is a great reminder that it’s okay (and even smart) to pivot, try new things, and follow what exc...

Have you ever wondered if a winding, unconventional path could still lead to success? Art Klein, the Executive Director of Digital Content and AI products at Kaiser Permanente, proves that it can. From mechanical engineering to finance, from IT operations to AI strategy, Art’s journey is a masterclass in following curiosity, embracing discomfort, and evolving through every phase of your career. In...

Knowing how to think on your feet and staying open to change beats having a perfect plan every time on the road to success. Andy Biladeau, the Chief Transformation Officer at SHRM, emphasizes that your destiny isn’t determined by your qualifications on paper. Instead, your ability to navigate unexpected situations through communication and coachability are what help you get there. In a world that’...

Do you wonder if you can pursue your own interests in the corporate world? Have you ever worried that your successes are only going to count if they involve titles and money? Kevin Ban, who was the Executive Vice President and Global Chief Medical Officer at Walgreens, is here to tell you that knowledge and relationships are more valuable in the long-run, and help you make a difference in the worl...

Should you be taking that job while you're studying in college? More importantly, how can you balance studying and working at the same time? While it can be difficult to balance school and work, doing so can allow you to gain early career experience and learn important skills utilized throughout your career journey, it can also teach life skills in prioritizing and managing time, two necessar...

It can be scary to realize careers aren’t predictable. But, discovering them is part of the journey. Dane Bamburry, the Senior Director of Enterprise Architecture at Cox Enterprises, says that being curious and saying yes to new experiences helps you unlock different paths. By trading expectations for exploration, learning how communication shapes baths, and understanding the value of mentorship a...

Success in HR, or any career, comes down to knowing your value, building relationships, and always staying open to feedback. Natalie Rothman, the former Chief Human Resources Officer of Inspire Brands, reflects on how she’s navigated three decades in the people business with a mix of self-awareness, curiosity, and generosity. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, her advice is a mas...

Have you ever thought a military leader and business executive would be DJ’ing in their spare time? In this episode, West Point graduate and Cummings’ Chief Information Officer, Earl Newsome, shares his journey from a tech-oriented teen to an executive leader and how his love for music has helped him along the way. We dive into how military leaders and DJs strive to gain followers and move the cro...

Sometimes, you grow into passion by simply saying yes to the opportunities right in front of you. Pascual Alvarez, the Managing Director of Customer Care at American Airlines, says that exploration, persistence, and curiosity are the tools that help you unlock the path you are meant to be on. We often feel pressure to feel a ‘click’ or know that something’s right, but can you ever be certain until...

What is one thing students should do more of in the first six months of their first internship or job? According to Kristen Collins, the Director of Global Purchasing Operations and Technology at Autodesk, the answer is to be curious and ask questions about the why. Kristen shares that the value of having a new addition to the team is that they bring a fresh perspective, so you should never be afr...