The Impact Exchange

The demand for post-acute care is rising rapidly, but the workforce needed to support it is not. In our latest episode, John Frehse and Ankura Healthcare Transformation expert Christine Ishack discuss one of healthcare's most pressing challenges: how organisations can prepare for growing demand without losing the human element that sits at the heart of care. Because this isn't just a hea...

What if the only permission you need is your own? In this episode, serial entrepreneur Bridget Wilson joins John Frehse to explore why the most rewarding opportunities rarely arrive with an invitation. From launching a children's fashion brand to designing some of America's most celebrated gardens, Bridget shares how curiosity, discipline and a willingness to embrace the unknown helped h...

Consumers are still spending. The problem is they're increasingly spending tomorrow's money today.  Household debt is rising, savings are shrinking, and more consumers are relying on credit to fund everyday spending. Yet retail sales remain resilient. What happens when that balance breaks?  In the latest episode of The Impact Exchange, Ankura's Retail and Performance Improvement exp...

What if strategy isn’t the problem, execution is? In this episode, Kevin Ertell, former Nike and Tower Records executive, and author of ‘The Strategy Trap’ exposes a critical leadership blind spot: great ideas don’t fail on paper. They fail in delivery. In conversation with John Frehse, Kevin outlines how leaders turn intent into impact. And his message is simple; strategies don’t collapse, they s...

What if the real threat to growth right now isn’t the market — but the response to it? Matt Sgrignari, Ankura Performance Improvement expert, unpacks how organizations can drive sustainable revenue in today’s turbulent financial climate. From private equity backed roll‑ups to underperforming assets, Matt explains why ‘growth at all costs’ no longer works, how leaders can effectively align marketin...

In a market where private equity is searching for its next growth engine, where does real value actually come from? The answer may surprise you. In this episode, Jesse Lehman, a retail expert with deep experience across retail, supply chain and operational transformation unpacks where value is really being created today and why it's often hiding in plain sight. From pet grooming and dental pr...

If your leadership team can’t reach consensus, innovation stalls. Disagreement isn’t the enemy—but unresolved conflict is. In this episode, Holly McClung, Senior Managing Director, The Leader Behind the Leaders, challenges a common leadership failure: mistaking strong opinions for progress. Consensus, she argues, isn’t about harmony or compromise. It’s the enabler that allows teams to move beyond...

What if culture and performance weren’t shaped by whether leaders say 'thank you,' but how they do it?   In this episode, Tom Schurman, founder of Clarity Amplified, joins John Frehse to explore the power of thank you and why authentic employee recognition is a critical leadership discipline.   Drawing on real‑world experience in high‑turnover environments, Tom challenges why generic pra...

The Supreme Court just proved Kate Kalutkiewicz right. Tariffs are a defining trade story of this administration — and then, after we stopped recording, the Supreme Court struck them down. That timing makes this episode of The Impact Exchange even more essential listening. In this conversation, Kate Kalutkiewicz, Trade Practice leader at McLarty Associates, explains why tariffs were never a short‑...

If you’re responsible for outcomes and culture, this conversation will sharpen how you think about both. Why do so many roll-ups fail — even when the strategy is solid? In this episode, Sara Huddleston, People & Transformation Leader and Founder of Align Coaching Solutions, joins John Frehse for a candid conversation on what really makes or breaks organizational change. They explore why roll‑u...

Why does diplomacy matter—especially now? In this episode, John Frehse speaks with Ambassador Lee Feinstein, President of McLarty Associates and a seasoned diplomat whose career spans the Pentagon, the State Department, and the U.S. Embassy, in a conversation “On Diplomacy.” Together, they explore the philosophy and real‑world value of diplomacy across government, business, and personal life—highl...

Think control drives success? Think again. Most leaders believe control equals results—but what if that belief is holding you back? In this episode, John Frehse sits down with Dr. Jessica Kriegel, Chief Strategy Officer at Culture Partners, to explore why the most successful leaders today aren’t the ones who “do more” or “know it all.” You’ll learn: Why surrendering the illusion of control unlocks...

Your brand isn’t what you sell – it’s the experience you deliver and how it makes people feel. In this episode, John Frehse sits down with global brand and experience leader Ben Collier to explore the importance of delivering on brand promises. Ben draws on a career spanning advertising in Beijing and New York, financial services, luxury hospitality, premium spirits, telecoms, and multiple large-s...

In this episode, John Frehse sits down with Dana Stefanczyk from Ankura Office of the CFO to unravel strategic insights into bill paying for enterprises. Discover how timing and prioritization can lead to impactful financial management. Whether you're a business leader or a financial expert, this episode offers fresh perspectives on leveraging vendor terms to enhance cash flow.  Tune in today...

As some businesses prioritize AI investment over graduate programs and hiring, a crucial question emerges: where will the next generation of leaders come from? In this timely episode, host John Frehse sits down with recent graduate and Ankura colleague Cady Finley to unpack the essential role of human connections and advanced skills in career growth. They discuss college lessons, the power of real...

The financial pressure of inflation, rising debt, and tariffs is changing how consumers shop – so what does this mean for retailers and how can they win in this challenging market? In this episode, Ankura Performance Improvement expert Chris Ventry joins John Frehse for a deep dive on emerging trends and challenges as retail businesses prepare for the 2025 holiday season. They explore consumer deb...

Ready to challenge some stereotypes about Mexico's workforce? On this episode, John Frehse sits down with Ankura's Horacio Gomez, a market strategy expert and transformational leader, to discuss the highly skilled and innovative labor force driving industry in Mexico. They explore the opportunities in healthcare, education, and digital transformation, and why American businesses should l...

As business leaders navigate intricate global transformations how can they foster a culture that embraces change?  In this episode, John Frehse speaks with Gloria Madrid, a global operations excellence leader with over 20 years of experience across Latin America, the US, and Europe. Gloria discusses strategies for aligning stakeholders, balancing governance with people-centric leadership, and craf...

Tracey Abbott, a seasoned Private Equity Operating Partner and Keynote Speaker, joins John Frehse to explore the vital role of intuition, risk-taking, and AI in today's business landscape. Drawing from her extensive background in private equity, board advisory, and coaching CEOs, Tracey delves into the power of curiosity and the significance of learning from both triumphs and setbacks to enha...

Ever wondered why the U.S. healthcare billing process is so complex? Ryan Christine joins John Frehse to unravel the intricacies and challenges hospitals face with revenue cycle management. Key insights include: What revenue cycle management really means The importance of cash flow in healthcare operations Tips on negotiating your medical bills as a patient Learn how these challenges affect health...

In an era of geopolitical challenges and energy transitions, how do businesses adapt? The latest episode of The Impact Exchange with John Frehse features Ambassador Geoff Pyatt, a seasoned diplomat with over 35 years of experience. From the frontlines of international diplomacy to the complexities of energy transitions, Geoff shares insights on Ukraine's resilience, the geopolitical landscape...

Why are there so many unfinished construction projects? Is it true in construction that you can only pick two: better, faster, or cheaper?  In this episode, John Frehse sits down with Ankura’s Chris Nutter to explore the world of value engineering, a process developed during World War II that is used today to balance cost, function, and quality in construction projects.  Chris shares insights on: ...

Are you being watched?! 2025 has witnessed a surge in sophisticated cyberattacks, with ransomware attacks rising by 126% globally. In this episode, John Frehse speaks with Han Lai about the critical importance of cybersecurity and the hidden risks we all face in our connected world. Discover why information security matters and learn the first steps to take if your data is compromised. Han explain...

Blockchain and cryptocurrency have become buzzwords, but what do they truly mean for industries and society? Join John Frehse as he chats with expert Andrew Sotak on this episode of The Impact Exchange.  Andrew shares his insights on:  • What blockchain is at its core • The impact of crypto on global regulations  • Real-life forensic cases in the crypto world • Future trends in digital assets

Dive into the world of global trade with John Frehse as he’s joined by trade expert Kate Kalutkiewicz! Kate unpacks the complexities of trade policies and tariffs that are reshaping industries worldwide. From her experiences in the Trump White House Administration to leading trade policy at Amazon, Kate brings unparalleled insights into how these changes affect businesses globally.  Discover why t...