Office Hours

We’re often told to play it safe—but what if safety is the thing holding us back?   In a world where big tech feels like the default path, Vanessa Larco challenges the idea that stability is the ultimate goal. From building her foundation at Microsoft to launching startups and now investing in the next generation of founders as a Former Partner at NEA, Vanessa’s career proves that embracing uncert...

Ever wondered what people mean when they say they have fun at their job? Turns out, Nick Studer, CEO of Oliver Wyman, believes this isn’t just a bonus—it’s the key to long-term career success. In this episode, he shares why enjoying your work isn’t just about passion, but about finding an environment that challenges you, pushes you to grow, and surrounds you with people who make the journey exciti...

There are so many different components in growing throughout your career. Whether it’s growing your relationships and network, your own individual skills, or your position in a company, personal growth is at the core of any type of career development. So how do you take advantage of these opportunities to grow? Colleen Kozak, the Chief Transformation Officer at Dynatrace, is here to tell you that...

What should you really focus on in college to best prepare yourself for success? Why is empathy a need-to-have skill in the modern workforce? And what things do we need to do to be successful as mentees? Doron Bar-Caspi, the Group VP of Cloud Engineering Services at Oracle, shares advice on the importance of building soft skills, best questions to ask in your next interview, and why understanding...

Being open-minded, inquisitive, and focused on your individual career path are three things that helped Bessemer Venture Partners' Aleeza Hashmi become one of the top VC investors. In this interview, Aleeza shares her advice about switching majors in college, working at differently-sized companies, the value of a pre-MBA internship, and getting your foot in the door with VC's by building...

Beginning her career journey in a time when technology was on the cusp of reshaping retail, Angie explored the early stages of digital innovation and quickly recognized the opportunity in this changing landscape. Her trajectory from the start of the first e-commerce solutions to Senior Vice President of Technology at Home Depot reflects a dedication to seizing tech's potential. In this episod...

Opening your mind to a variety of career paths is no easy task in college. The reality, though, is that most professionals work outside of their degree. Having a lifelong interest in learning can open up doors you never thought you’d even consider. Rick Segal, the founder and former CEO of Rethink Capital, has used this knowledge to find immense success in a field that was foreign to him and he sh...

Concepts of energy, fulfillment, intentionality, or consciousness are rarely discussed in terms of career and work. However, Matt McCall, founder of Forge Capital, goes into some incredible depth on just how related the ideas are. Becoming the most energized you can be through combinations of passion, intention, and purpose can change your career from a job to a lifestyle. #promazo #promazoexecint...

Being dedicated, curious, and thoughtful are three things that helped Microsoft's Hina Patel become one of the top leaders in the industry. And she's absolutely packed with knowledge about both the art and science of selling which she shares with us in this episode. In this interview, Hina also shares her advice about building a value-focused, quality network, the importance of mentorshi...

It can be easy to feel as if you are trapped to solely do work related to your major as you graduate college and enter the workforce. If that were the case though, then our guest Tatiana Shalalvand likely wouldn't be where she is now working as the Investment Director at Kinnevick. Though her background in communications is unique for the venture capital space, it has afforded her with the ab...

Landing your first job — and figuring out where it can lead — can feel overwhelming. That’s exactly why Office Hours exists. In this episode, we’re joined by David Zinsner, Chief Financial Officer at Intel, who shares the unexpected decisions, risks, and mindset shifts that shaped his career — including becoming a CFO at just 36 years old. From betting on an underdog spin-off when everyone told hi...

Stepping outside your comfort zone and being willing to take risks can shape the trajectory of your career. In this episode of Office Hours, Marie Robinson, Sysco's former Chief Supply Chain Officer, shares how her journey from small-town Alabama to leading the world’s largest food distributor was built on adaptability and bold decisions. Marie reflects on the value of uprooting for new roles...

How can we learn to jump at opportunities we are given while also maintaining a strong work-life balance? This is a question that perplexes many recent graduates who are just starting their careers. In this interview, Paul addresses the idea of gap years and the fear that students face in taking a gap year. He also highlights the importance of work-life balance and how he has been integrating this...

Dive into the world of technology and leadership with Ulf Ewaldsson, the Former President of Technology at T-Mobile! In this insightful podcast episode, Ulf shares his journey from Ericson to T-Mobile, exploring the challenges and triumphs he faced throughout his career. In this conversation, Ulf discusses his perspective on leadership, adapting to diverse cultures, and how he is propelling T-Mobi...

Entering the corporate world is scary enough by itself, but learning how to present yourself in the ‘right’ way is even more terrifying. It’s easy to feel lost and uncertain, not knowing how you come off to others, or worried that you’re making the wrong impression. So, how do you take advantage of opportunities and establish yourself well? Bentina Terry, the President and Chief Executive Officer...

Learn more about the fascinating world of innovation and leadership with  Kimberly-Clark's former Chief R&D Officer, Robert Long. This interview explores various topics such as the dynamic culture at Kimberly Clark, the importance of networking, and how to navigate the balance between technical expertise and business acumen. As you listen to this discussion, you'll gain crucial insig...

How do you balance curiosity, creativity, and impact in a career built to help others? In this episode, Stanford University's Dr. Peter Tass shares his unconventional journey from medicine to math, physics, and neuroscience—and how taking intellectual risks led him to pioneer more humane, less invasive approaches to brain stimulation. He reflects on the importance of interdisciplinary thinkin...

What really makes you stand out? In this episode, Vik Sasi, CSO and Managing Director of Manhattan West, offers a candid perspective on what it means to be truly “extraordinary” in your career. He shares why it’s not enough to list generic interests, and how clearly articulating what you do better than others—backed by distinctive, real experiences—can set you apart early on. The conversation dive...

What's it like to work on a project to reduce algorithmic bias? Dave Burgess, Vice President of AI Infrastructure at LinkedIn, shares how his teams prioritized inclusion and reduced bias on the Pinterest platform. Dave is a bold leader who took risks early on in his career to get where he is today. Hear Dave's advice for students as they make their first major career steps!

How do you navigate an unpredictable career path and turn unexpected moments into life-changing opportunities? Hanlin Fang, the Head of Product at Airbnb, shares her journey from daydreamer to tech leader, emphasizing the power of self-learning, adaptability, and curiosity. We explore her career pivots, building resilience in a fast-evolving industry, and balancing intuition with data-driven decis...

Building a career in tech doesn’t happen by chance – it’s crafted through intention, adaptability, and self-awareness. Mallik Govula, the Vice President of Enterprise Technology at UPS, shares how he navigated a dynamic and highly technical career path by staying proactive, embracing change, and keeping his eye on the future. From humble beginnings in consulting to leading enterprise-scale program...

It can be difficult to know exactly the right career fit for you before graduating, especially when your skill set might feel too narrow. Join us with Amrit Ramesh, a Data Scientist and Venture Capital Investment Analyst at F-Prime Capital, as he dives into his experience discovering the right career for him as well as his philosophy in being flexible and free to pivot to different passions as he...

When it comes to being an entrepreneur, Dr. Igor Ryabenkiy truly started from ground zero. At the time he graduated from university in the former Soviet Union, it was actually ILLEGAL to be an entrepreneur. It wasn’t until 4 years after he graduated that it was finally allowed, and he seized the opportunity immediately without looking back. Decades later, Dr. Ryabenkiy is the managing partner at A...

As a college student, there are so many paths to pursue after graduation. How do you decide what to do? The answer is by learning from others, and Madan Thangavelu, Senior Director of Engineering at Uber, joins us today to share his career path from founding his own company to earning a Master's in AI and ML. As an engineer who shifted into management, Madan has great insights on what a caree...

Have you ever wondered how you could become a Venture Capitalist? Alexandra Lundin, the Vice President of Healthcare at insight Partners, shares her exciting life journey and offers some down-to-earth advice about starting your own career. She uncovers some myths about the VC world, how she leads through her passion of science, and even reflects on how she got through the door to her first job int...