Growth & Failure

This is the story of Emily Damjanovic, Head of Investor Relations at Lead Edge Capital. In this episode, we discuss: - The impact of the Yugoslav Wars during her childhood - Emila's journey from Slovenia to New York City - The curious mindset - How her kind and thoughtful approach led to successful partnerships - What success means to her For more information about Emila and Lead Edge, please visi...

This is the story of Carla Gray, Head of Safety and Security at Epic Games In this episode, we discuss: - Her 2nd grade announcement to work in the Secret Service. - Actually working in the Secret Service at the age of 22! - Leading safety and security at Epic Games - Carla's experience in building security and managing safety at Facebook and Uber - Private versus Public sector security - Why good...

This is the story of Lan Pham, Founder and CEO of the food and beverage brand SANG. In this episode, we discuss: - Lan's incredible journey from Vietnam to Wichita, Kansas - How her single mother with 7 other siblings got separated in various refugee camps and how they reunited! - Genesis behind the Sang brand, starting with a delicious coffee product - The triple meaning behind Sang - H...

This is the story of Noha Sidhom, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Viribus Capital, a firm focused on trading power products in the organized electricity markets. In this episode, we discuss: - Noha's journey from Cairo, Egypt to Omaha, Nebraska - Going from lawyer to electricity trading portfolio manager - The US Power Grid and how it works - Filtering the noise and negativity - The genesi...

This is the story of Sarah Solemani, Creator, Actor, Writer, and Activist. In this episode, we discuss: - Sarah's creative journey to acting, writing, producing, and directing - Being in service of the audience - Unsung heroes that she champions - The Joy of the Drop - What success means to her now Please enjoy this interview with the multi-talented Sarah Solemani.

This is the story of Clara Brenner, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of the Urban Innovation Fund. In this episode, we discuss: - Clara's journey from real estate development to venture capitalist - Her mission-led focus on solving interesting community challenges - How she co-founded the Urban Innovation fund to invest in startups that are shaping the future of cities, providing capital and suppor...

This is the story of Ali Carrigan, Senior Analyst at US Government Accountability Office with a Nuclear War Studies PhD. In this episode, we discuss: - Ali's journey from journalism camp to nuclear energy research - Why she obtained a PhD in War Studies - focusing specifically on nuclear non-proliferation - Her research on how states recruit and train nuclear human capital for building a nucl...

This is the story of Cheryl Francis, Co-Chairman and Co-Founder, Corporate Leadership Center In this episode, we discuss: - Cheryl's journey from HS Valedictorian to corporate CFO - The difficult decision to leave the corporate world and prioritize family - How she got to be an adjunct professor at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business - Lessons learned from being a CFO and sitting...

In this episode, we discuss: - Kate's journey from Ski Instructor to Entrepreneur - Her experience at ClifBar for nearly 20 years, working closely with the founders Gary and Kit Crawford - How the idea of Milk Stork developed - Humanity vs Operations - Business is in service of humanity, not the other way around To learn more about Kate and Milk Stork, you can visit: https://www.instagram.com/milk...

This is the story of Penny Goldberg, Elihu Professor of Economics at Yale University, Former Chief Economist of the World Bank. In this episode, we discuss: - Penny's journey from Athens to academia and her path from Greece to Yale University - Her work in trade, globalization, labor markets and discrimination against women in developing countries - Being the Chief Economist of the World Bank Grou...

This is the story of Dr. Lint Barrage, Chair of Energy and Climate Economics and Associate Professor, ETH Zurich In this episode, we discuss: - Lint's journey in academia at the intersection of economics and climate impact - Research and mentors at the University of Chicago and Yale University - How environmental processes and policies affect macroeconomic outcomes and human welfare - Th...

This is the story of Tandice Urban, Co-Founder of The Lanby. In this episode, we discuss: - Tandice's journey from law to film to hospitality and ultimately healthcare - Her battle with an autoimmune issue - Combining superb hospitality and healthcare to create The Lanby - How she is creating an elevated experience in primary care To learn more about Tandice, you can visit: The Lanby:  https:...

This is the story of Marty Willis, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at TIAA and Cancer Thriver. In this episode, we discuss: Marty’s journey from marketing brochures in milk crates to Chief Marketing Officer Shaping the education, awareness and planning for future retirees How approximately 40% of retirees run out of money Why it’s important to take risks Her diagnosis with Stage 3 breas...

This is the story of Nina Cranstoun, the Black Widow of Boxing. In this episode, we discuss: - Ice cream sales at Wimbledon - Being diagnosed with epilepsy and how she lives with this 'roommate' - How domestic violence hurt and helped her - Becoming the Black Widow of boxing - Who can turn your life around - The power behind the name: Nina Cranstoun To learn more about Nina and her boxing events,...

This is the story of Serena Roberts Houlihan, CEO and Co-Founder of Le Wren. In this episode, we discuss: - Serena's journey from retail executive to entrepreneur - Her Mom's battle with cancer - How her second exposure to Glioblastoma launched the idea for Le Wren - Compassionate capitalism - Finding beauty in the moment To learn more about Serena and Le Wren, you can visit: Le Wren: https://lewr...

In this episode, we discuss: - Perth's first exposure to censorship - Moving from China to the US - Delaying law school to move to Hong Kong - How she became interested in finance and investments - Creating the Freedom ETF - Her "Grand Design" To learn more about Perth, the Freedom ETF or Life and Liberty Indexes, you can visit: https://twitter.com/Perth_Tolle https://freedometfs.com/ https://www....

This is the story of Felicia Alexander, an energetic force with a mission to bring the benefits of fitness boxing to consumers anytime, anywhere.  In this episode, we discuss: - Why she transitioned from the tech world to entrepreneurship - How the loss of her father shaped her drive and passion - When the passion for boxing entered her life - The importance of mental health - Connection not...

This is the story of Mahya Salehi. In this episode, we discuss: - Growing up in Northeast Iran - Her passion in design and decor - Launching her own architectural firm - Expanding her business during a pandemic - Developing an elevated experience with and for clients - Learning from her "Stupid Brave" phase and creating the opportunity To learn more and connect with Mahya, you can visit Websitte:...

In this episode, we discuss: - Growing up in Malaysia - Discovering, developing and cultivating one's voice - Why taking Facebook public changed her investment banking career - How she started an organization that helps the underprivileged to discover their talents - Writing a book during the pandemic - Why she wrote The Altruistic Capitalist and the three core themes:  collaboration, mi...

This is the story of Akilah Releford. In this episode, we discuss: - Starting a company in her dorm room at Howard University - Her love of DIY skincare recipes and routines - Creating a clean beauty company - Early setbacks in growing the business, completing orders and marketing the brand - The power of manifesting Please enjoy this interview with the dynamic Akilah Releford. To learn more about...

In this episode, we discuss:  - Aoife’s journey to becoming a physician scientist and drug developer - Synthetic biology applications - Her role as CEO of Synlogic (Nasdaq: SYBX) - Intersection of biology and engineering - Remaining sustainably uncomfortable Please enjoy this interview with the extraordinary Dr. Aoife Brennan.

In this episode, we discuss: - Allison’s journey in pediatric physical therapy - Catalyst to creating MyKidBlooms - Importance of providing support for the entire family ecosystem - Growth and healing from trauma Please enjoy this interview with Dr. Allison Hall. For more information on Allison and MyKidBlooms, please go to: : https://www.mykidblooms.com/ ://signalfire.com/ See how My Kid Blooms w...

This is the story of Elaine Zelby, the spectacular investor, advisor, entrepreneur, podcaster and writer who infuses so much energy into every project she works on.  In this episode, we discuss:  - Elaine's Shiny Object Syndrome - Why she left Slack and what it's like to be a VC Partner at SignalFire - The (Un)Sexy Podcast - Her 7-week solo journey in China - Growth in giving away your t...

This is the story of Michelle Meow, host of the eponymous radio and tv show and also a leading voice for the LGBTQ community. In this episode, we discuss: - Michelle's rise in broadcasting and her own show, the incredible Michelle Meow show . How a $250 check from a bail bondsmen changed the course of her professional career . Self-acceptance and reflections on love  - Various Identities I ho...

This is the story of Eva Shang, a Harvard dropout, Peter Thiel fellow, an entrepreneur who co-founded a software and data analytics program and is now CEO of Legalist, an asset management firm focused on litigation finance. In this episode, we discuss: - Eva's Beginner's Mindset - Why she dropped out of Harvard in her junior year - Opportunities in litigation finance - Getting off 'the path'...