Chicago Business Leaders

In this episode of the Chicago Business Leaders Podcast, Scott Moran is joined by Howard Ankin, co-founder of Ankin Law, for a conversation tracing the evolution of a leading Chicago law firm over the past 29 years. Howard reflects on starting his journey with just himself and a computer, and walks through the firm's growth into an organization with nearly 90 professionals, including 28 lawyers. O...

In this episode of the Chicago Business Leaders Podcast, Scott Moran sits down with Sean Gallagher, Executive Vice President and Regional President at Busey Bank, to explore what leadership really looks like after 30 years in the banking industry. Sean shares a powerful perspective on leadership, built around trust, accountability, and curiosity. He breaks down the idea of having a "strong back, s...

In this episode, host Scott Moran welcomes Rob Hallberg and Matt Stefani, Managing Directors and Market Leaders at BMO, marking the first-ever duo to appear on the Chicago Business Leaders Podcast. Together, Rob and Matt share over 50 years of combined experience in commercial banking and open up about how BMO's guiding principle — "Boldly Grow the Good in Business and in Life" — shapes their appr...

In this episode, host Scott Moran sits down with Chris Gallagher, co-founder of Green Office Partner, a 50-person technology firm recently named the #1 Best Place to Work by both Crain's Chicago Business and the Chicago Sun-Times. Chris shares how he and his brother built Green Office Partner from the ground up — transforming it into a nationwide leader in managed print services, document digitiza...

In this episode, host Scott Moran sits down with Lee Singer, a 40-year veteran in public accounting and a partner and executive at FGMK , a 250-person Midwest-based professional services firm. Lee shares how FGMK evolved from a small bookkeeping shop into a national powerhouse, serving clients across all 50 states by growing alongside them and building robust in-house expertise rather than merging...

In this episode of the Chicago Business Leaders Podcast , presented by Sutker Moran and hosted by Scott Moran, we sit down with Andy Hartlieb, CEO of American Community Bank & Trust, to discuss leadership, strategy, and the evolving banking landscape. Celebrating the bank's 25th anniversary, Andy reflects on its journey from a 10-founder startup to a trusted, independent commercial bank serving en...

In this episode of the Chicago Business Leaders Podcast , host Scott Moran sits down with Patrick Croke , founding partner at Croke Fairchild Duarte and Beres, to explore how one of Chicago's fastest-growing law firms is rewriting the rules of legal leadership. Patrick shares the firm's incredible growth story — from 7 lawyers at launch to over 100 across 13 states — and dives into the principles...

In this wide-ranging conversation, veteran banking leader Bob Shanahan shares hard-earned wisdom from over 20 years of running a successful asset-based lending group at Wintrust. With a people-first mindset and a leadership style rooted in collaboration, Bob explains how hiring talented individuals has laid the foundation for a high-performing, loyal team. Nearly all team leaders under his guidanc...

Welcome to the Chicago Business Leaders Podcast. Each month we bring you insights from Leaders throughout the Chicago Middle-Market Business Community. Listen in as we discuss leadership styles, industry trends and topics, and other key items affecting the Business community.