Executiveland

Everyone says they want IT to be strategic. But what happens when the business doesn’t know what it actually needs and the CIO can’t get in the room? Kevin Dushney has led IT across nine biotech companies. He knows what it takes to drive value as CIO when your seat at the table isn’t guaranteed, the business moves fast, and the tech budget comes with scrutiny.  In this episode, Kevin Dushney joins...

Influence is the #1 topic that comes up in the coaching room, and not just for aspiring leaders. Even experienced senior executives often say the same thing: influencing at the highest levels feels harder than it should. In this  episode, Elizabeth Freedman breaks down why that is, and what leaders can do to shift the effort they’re putting in, without overexplaining, overpreparing, or overthinkin...

Join host Elizabeth Freedman in her conversation with two executive coaching veterans: Margery Myers and Sarah Woods. With decades of experience advising CEOs and senior teams across industries, they dive into what really makes leaders coachable. They share how curiosity, confidence, and the willingness to get uncomfortable are the real differentiators, and why packaging, polish, and “listening to...

In this episode of Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman shares a framework for leaders who want to make 2026 an impactful year for their business. She introduces “The Matters Model,” a simple tool drawn from years of coaching senior leaders, and explains how the most effective executives align their work to what matters most at the enterprise level. Elizabeth breaks down why even high-performing lead...

Former Chief Sustainability Officer of Dow, Mary Draves joins Elizabeth Freedman to reflect on her journey to the top of a Fortune 100 company and the learning curve that came with it. Mary shares what no one tells you about stepping into a top job, why she felt temporarily lost despite being a high performer, and how coaching helped her course-correct. She opens up about running for Congress afte...

Enjoy this encore release of Executiveland's first episode! In this episode of Executiveland, host Elizabeth Freedman introduces the first chapter of the unwritten C-suite playbook titled, ‘I Thought This Was My Decision’. Drawing on two decades of advising senior leaders, she explores the surprising reality many executives face when they realize their authority is more limited than expected....

In this episode of Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman returns with Part 2 of the “Give and Get” Equation. While overgetting can be strategic in moments of transition or investment, it becomes a problem when leaders stop seeing value as a constant exchange. Elizabeth explains how it quietly erodes trust and brand, and why leaders need to check their assumptions about what they’re contributing. She a...

“You need to deliver the message I need to hear - not just what you want to say.”  David Roberts, CEO of Verra Mobility, joins Elizabeth Freedman on Executiveland to discuss leadership in the C-suite and the unwritten playbook for executives. He’s been the CEO of public, private, and PE-backed companies and offers insights on how executives best navigate each of these environments. You’ll also hea...

In this solo episode, Elizabeth Freedman breaks down a surprising pattern she sees in even the most capable senior leaders - a mismatch in terms of the value they may be giving and getting back. Using the “give and get” equation, Elizabeth shares how healthy, high-performing leaders and organizations strike a healthy balance between what they give and what they get . The problem is when the Give a...

Howard Ungerleider, former CFO and President of Dow, joins Elizabeth Freedman on this week’s episode to explore the unwritten playbook of the C-suite. With decades of experience inside one of the world’s largest companies, Howard shares the mindset shifts, leadership habits, and executive presence required to succeed in the C-suite. They unpack the challenges new executives face, why enterprise th...

In this episode of Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman returns with a new chapter of the unwritten C-suite playbook: “Do I Really Have to Spell It Out?” Drawing from years of coaching senior leaders, she unpacks why clarity in communication is one of the most overlooked drivers of performance, and why even seasoned executives fall into common traps. Elizabeth explores how decoding, vague messaging,...

In this episode of Executiveland, host Elizabeth Freedman introduces the first chapter of the unwritten C-suite playbook titled, ‘I Thought This Was My Decision’. Drawing on two decades of advising senior leaders, she explores the surprising reality many executives face when they realize their authority is more limited than expected. Elizabeth breaks down why empowerment at the executive level loo...

Join host Elizabeth Freedman for a candid conversation with Ravi Kumar, CEO of Cognizant, as he shares a behind-the-scenes view of what it truly takes to lead a global enterprise of over 350,000 employees. Ravi talks about the duality of leading in the present while staying relevant for the future, the concept of "strategic patience," and how influence is what truly drives transformation...

In this welcome episode of Executiveland, host Elizabeth Freedman introduces the podcast and what listeners can expect. With over two decades of experience coaching and advising C-suite executives, she shares how this show will uncover the unwritten playbook of the C-suite, blending real-world insights, practical strategies, and candid conversations with top leaders. Listeners will gain the tools,...