Ivory GC

Access controls used to be treated as a technical checklist item. Today, they can determine whether a company closes an enterprise deal, secures cyber insurance, passes an audit—or survives a breach. In this episode of Ivory GC, host Brian Becker sits down with Garrett Grajek, CEO of YouAttest and a longtime leader in identity governance and access control. With nearly three decades in information...

In this episode of the Ivory GC Podcast, host Brian Becker sits down with Jeffrey Fidelman, CEO and Founder of Fidelman & Company, to unpack one of the most misunderstood concepts in startup fundraising. Drawing on experience across Morgan Stanley, HSBC, venture capital, and interim executive leadership, Jeffrey explains what founders often misunderstand about fundraising — and how preparation...

This episode of Ivory GC features Leslie Cornell, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Social Finance, a nonprofit investment advisor pioneering outcomes-based financing for social change. Leslie shares her transition from public finance law to leading legal strategy in the mission-driven world of impact finance, offering a rare look into legal operations that blend philanthropy, govern...

This episode of Ivory GC features Richard Sarhaddi, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Aspen Standard Wealth, a platform investing in independent registered investment advisory firms. Richard brings nearly 20 years of experience across regulatory, legal, and compliance leadership roles, including at Vanguard, Charles Schwab, and OptionsXpress. In this conversation, Richard shares how...

In this episode of Ivory GC, we’re joined by Sal Roccaro, Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel at Maximum Quality Foods, a third-generation family-run food distribution company. With a background in engineering, law, and business, Sal’s multidisciplinary expertise has helped him shape strategic growth, manage complex acquisitions, and embed legal foresight across the organization. He shares...

In this episode of Ivory GC, we sit down with Nicole Moss, a seasoned legal leader who currently serves as in-house general counsel for multiple companies across sectors like energy, healthcare, and tech. From Geophysical Technology to Assurance Medication Management and BluBridge, Nicole plays a pivotal role advising executive teams, managing legal risk, and building startup legal functions from...

In this episode of Ivory GC, we sit down with Eric M. Fisher, General Counsel at Homeaglow, a tech-enabled platform that connects households with trusted cleaning professionals. With a legal career spanning Madison Square Garden Entertainment and Gopuff, Eric shares his journey from law firm associate to leading legal strategy for high-growth, consumer-focused businesses. Eric reflects on the pivo...

In this episode of Ivory GC, we sit down with Frank Chou, General Counsel at Rhino and Jetty, an insurtech company transforming the security deposit landscape through innovative insurance products. Frank shares his journey from early roles in government and fintech to leading legal strategy in a heavily regulated industry. He reflects on his experience advising across teams, balancing compliance w...

Please be advised that this episode of Ivory GC was recorded in May 2025. Consequently, some of the information presented may have been subject to changes or updates since that time. In this episode of Ivory GC, Tatyana Kleyman, General Counsel at Brightcore Energy, shares her fascinating pivot from finance law to leading legal strategy in the clean energy sector. With a background in big law and...

In this episode of Ivory GC, Bita Goldman, Global General Counsel at UNiDAYS, shares her journey from advocating for her immigrant family to shaping legal strategy at a global student platform. With early roots in advocating for victims of domestic violence, Bita transitioned to in-house roles, first at a rapidly growing e-tailer and then at UNiDAYS. As Global General Counsel, she oversees legal,...

In this episode of Ivory GC, Mark Chavez, General Counsel at Applied Digital Corporation, shares his diverse journey from energy law to the cutting edge of AI and cryptocurrency infrastructure. Starting with environmental law and motor sports at ExxonMobil, Mark transitioned through World Fuel Services and private equity before landing at Applied Digital, where he's building a legal team to suppor...

In this episode of Ivory GC, Charles Kwalwasser, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel at Camp: The Family Experience Store, shares his path through financial services, consumer tech, and immersive retail. With early roots in patent law and IP at Clifford Chance and Lehman Brothers, Charlie moved from banking to consumer innovation—leading legal teams at Quirky and BarkBox before joinin...

Alexis Freeman, General Counsel at Lindblad Expeditions, recounts her transition from a background in corporate restructuring to leading the legal function within the dynamic adventure travel and ecotourism industry. She provides a detailed account of the unique legal challenges faced by a global tourism operator, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and shares insights into how the ind...

Ryan McElduff, General Counsel at ICC Industries, provides insights into his transition from commercial litigation to leading the legal department of a global chemical company. He shares strategies for managing diverse legal challenges and emphasizes a cooperative, problem-solving approach. Ryan's litigation experience prepares him for the dynamic demands of his in-house role, enabling effective r...

In this episode of Ivory GC, Neela Paykel shares her journey as a legal executive with over 20 years of in-house leadership experience spanning MedTech, autonomous vehicles, and digital health. Currently serving as Tech General Counsel in Residence at Mayer Brown, Neela discusses her unique role in bridging the gap between law firms and in-house counsel, leveraging her expertise to enhance legal s...

In this episode of Ivory GC, Valerie Chianuri, General Counsel and Head of People & Operations at nTopology Inc., shares her journey from financial services to leading legal and operational functions in high-growth tech companies. With over 20 years of experience spanning American Express, Deloitte, Curb Mobility, and Exusia, Valerie has built a career at the intersection of law, business, and...

In this episode of Ivory GC, Ling-Ling Nie shares her remarkable journey as a legal and compliance leader across corporate, government, and academic sectors. From serving as Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel at Aura to holding key legal roles at Georgia Tech, Panasonic North America, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Ling-Ling has built a career focused on compliance, risk management,...

This episode of Ivory GC features Viravyne Chhim Bip, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at MGG Investment Group, a private credit investment firm managing over $6 billion in assets. With a career spanning Latham & Watkins, Credit Suisse, GSO Capital Partners, and Blackstone Credit, Viravyne brings a wealth of experience in structured finance, investment management, and regulatory co...

This episode of Ivory GC features Marla Crawford, General Counsel at Simplify, a leading provider of integrated legal services and technology. With over 35 years of experience at Jones Day and Goldman Sachs, Marla shares her journey from pioneering legal technology to leading strategic initiatives in a fast-growing company. She discusses how AI and automation are reshaping legal operations, improv...

In this special episode of Ivory GC, Brian Becker sits down with Luis Vacanti, Chief Legal Officer at Analytic Partners, to discuss the impactful collaboration between Analytic Partners and Ivory Law Group. Luis shares his experience as the company's first in-house legal hire, the challenges of transitioning from a heavily outside counsel-reliant model, and how Ivory Law Group has seamlessly integ...

In this episode of Ivory GC, Helena Cawley, General Counsel at First Street™, delves into the company’s mission of quantifying climate risk through financial modeling. She discusses First Street’s transition from a nonprofit to a public benefit corporation, a strategic move that enabled venture funding for global expansion. Helena shares insights into the legal complexities of this transition, inc...

In this episode of Ivory GC, Brian sits down with Bronte Prins, General Counsel at SomeraRoad, to discuss her journey from Big Law to in-house counsel and her current role managing both legal and HR functions at the firm. Bronte shares insights into SomeraRoad’s strategic approach to off-market real estate acquisitions, the legal challenges of handling a diverse and fast-moving portfolio, and the...

In this episode, Brian sits down with Marc Mandel, Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Exos, to explore his journey from Wall Street law firms to leading an agile in-house legal team. Marc shares how Exos, a human performance company, leverages innovative legal strategies and technology, including AI tools, to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. He discusses building a close-kni...

In this episode, Hannah shares her journey from litigation to leadership, reflecting on her recent transition from an in-house role to working independently as a fractional consultant. She highlights the flexibility and engagement of working with growing businesses, addressing their need for experienced legal and HR professionals on a part-time basis. Drawing on her diverse career across industrie...

In this episode, Michael Kirkwood, General Counsel at Asset Based Lending, discusses the rapid growth of the organization from 90 to over 150 employees and the challenges of scaling legal processes, building a legal team, and reducing reliance on outside counsel. He emphasizes the importance of regulatory compliance, market expansion, and efficient data management while highlighting the tools and...