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Long Life Learning

Long Life Learning

Written by: Yale SOM Executive Education
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 Yale SOM Executive Education talks with top scholars and experts about how to adapt and thrive throughout your career and life.2024 Economics Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Woon Shiu Lee and Mondo Mazwai on Leading with Intentionality and Building Teams for a Resilient Future

    Woon Shiu Lee and Mondo Mazwai on Leading with Intentionality and Building Teams for a Resilient Future
    Jun 23 2025
    For the final episode of Season 2, Kavitha is joined via Zoom by two extraordinary guests from the 7th YGELP cohort. Woon Shiu Lee, Managing Director and Group Head of the Wealth Planning Family Office and Insurance Solutions at DBS Private Bank, calls in from Singapore, along with Mondo Mazwai, Chairperson of the Competition Tribunal of South Africa. Together, Mondo and Woon Shiu walk Kavitha through their decision to engage in YGELP as a catalyst to further their commitment to social purpose as leaders in their respective fields. Mondo explains how growing up in apartheid-era South Africa drew her to law as an instrument for societal change. Her 25 years in legal leadership continue to shape her notions of democracy, justice, and how to build a resilient team prepared for an ever-changing future. Woon Shiu, meanwhile, was inspired by early professional experiences across Singapore, the UK, and the US to merge cross-cultural strategies which have allowed him to flourish in the world of banking and wealth management. Both guests emphasize the centrality of impact and social good in their work, with Woon Shiu citing his company's mission to be "the best bank for a better world," as a core pillar of what drives his mindset today. What Mondo and Woon Shiu share in common is a fervent commitment to lifelong learning, even while thriving at the highest levels of leadership. They share with Kavitha stories not only of rich engagement with YGELP readings and instructional sessions, but also of a carefully cultivated network of peers and professors which continues to grow. The interview ends with each guest sharing their views on the role of spirituality in purposeful leadership, in a fitting close to a meaningful journey showcasing the unique and varied voices of the Yale Global Executive Leadership Program. Transcript S2E8—Woon Shiu Lee & Mondo Mazwai Transcript Links and Resources Information on YGELP and Yale SOM Executive Education: Yale SOM Executive Education Homepage What is the Yale Global Executive Leadership Program? (YGELP) Applying to YGELP Resources and Individuals Mentioned in Today's Episode: The Carrot and the Stick by William Putsis The Book of Joy, The 14th Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Douglas Abrams "Research: Why Breathing is So Effective at Reducing Stress," by Emma Seppälä, Christina Bradley and Michael R. Goldstein Dr. Matthew Croasmun, Yale Divinity School Nicholas Pinchuk, CEO of Snap-On Incorporated Stephanie Dunson, Yale SOM Where to Find Mondo: Competition Tribunal of South Africa Africa Leadership Initiative Aspen Institute Where to Find Woon Shiu: LinkedIn DBS Bank Nanyang Business School About Today's Guests Mondo Mazwai is the Chairperson of the Competition Tribunal ("Tribunal") of South Africa – an antitrust adjudicative body – where she adjudicates competition (antitrust) matters, involving mergers and acquisitions and prohibited practice (complaints concerning cartel conduct or abuse of dominance). The cases are referred to the Tribunal by the Competition Commission of South Africa (the investigative body), or by private third parties, for public hearing and decision by the Tribunal. Mondo has over 25 years as an admitted attorney and has worked in the private sector (including as the National Head of the Competition Practice at a prominent law firm), and in the public sector at the Competition Commission of South Africa in various capacities (including Chief Legal Counsel and Acting Deputy Commissioner). Her experience spans all aspects of competition law. She has led a team of economists and lawyers, including in the precedent setting price gouging case at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. After 16 years as a legal practitioner, Mondo took a one-year sabbatical (in 2011/2012) to travel. She returned to public service in 2013 as a part-time member of the Tribunal. She was appointed Chairperson of the Tribunal in 2019, a position she still holds. In addition to the adjudicative role, Mondo is responsible for the governance of the Tribunal, ensuring that it operates efficiently, is financially sound and effectively delivers on its legislative mandate. Mondo is a Fellow of the Africa Leadership Initiative, part of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. She is a Fellow of the Yale Global Leadership programme (the 7th Cohort). She holds a B Juris degree from the University of the Western Cape and an LLB degree from the University of Kwazulu-Natal (Howard College). She was admitted as an attorney in 1997. --- Lee Woon Shiu is Managing Director and Group Head of Wealth Planning Family Office and Insurance Solutions in DBS Bank. He started his banking career with Merrill Lynch in 2000 after working as an attorney in Freshfields Drew & Napier and Coudert Brothers. Woon ...
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    52 mins
  • Josh Geballe on Learning from the Relationships You Build for the Future

    Josh Geballe on Learning from the Relationships You Build for the Future
    Jun 16 2025
    This week, Kavitha brings in Yale Ventures Managing Director Josh Geballe shortly after another successful annual gathering of Yale Innovation Summit leaders and entrepreneurs. Josh describes a career which has successfully navigated leadership in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. As former COO to Governor Ned Lamont of Connecticut, CEO to Core Informatics while overseeing a successful acquisition by Thermo Fisher Scientific, and sitting board member on nonprofits grounded in tech and climate solutions, Josh brings a wealth of change management skills and experience in championing innovative solutions to some of today's biggest challenges. Join us to hear Josh and Kavitha discuss how he leveraged his early career in management consulting into his first finance leadership role managing multinational partnerships for IBM, and how his initiative and drive while working in the Governor's office helped dramatically improve Connecticut residents' experience at the DMV! As a longtime YGELP panelist and instructor, Josh emphasizes the imperative for aspiring leaders to act on networking opportunities, citing the fact that invitations to pursue some of his most transformative roles—including the position in the governor's office and his current role at Yale—followed the nurturing and flourishing of relationships. Finally, Josh shares some of the developments on his radar that are shaping the future of tech and biotech, which span exciting innovations in quantum computing, medical therapy treatments, and AI-facilitated drug discovery. Transcript S2E7—Josh Geballe Transcript Links and Resources Information on YGELP and Yale SOM Executive Education: Yale SOM Executive Education Homepage What is the Yale Global Executive Leadership Program? (YGELP) Applying to YGELP Resources Mentioned in Today's Episode: Yale Today newsletter Yale Ventures newsletter The Write to Roam, Ethan Malik's newsletter on AI Invest Like the Best podcast with Patrick O'Shaughnessy Acquired podcast with Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal The Free Press podcast with Bari Weiss Where to Find Josh: Josh's Yale Ventures Profile Josh Geballe on LinkedIn Highlights and Winners from the 2025 Yale Innovation Summit About Today's Guest Josh Geballe is Senior Associate Provost for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Yale University and Managing Director of Yale Ventures. He is responsible for a wide range of services and programs for students, faculty, and the broader New Haven community to launch new startups based on Yale research, provide training in entrepreneurship and innovation, expand external research partnerships, and foster the growth of the local innovation and entrepreneurship community. Prior to launching Yale Ventures in 2022 Josh served as Chief Operating Officer for the State of Connecticut under Governor Ned Lamont. With responsibility for all executive branch agencies covering 30,000 employees, he led successful initiatives to modernize government operations and led the state's nationally recognized response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to his three years in public service Josh spent his career in the technology industry, most recently as CEO of Core Informatics, a venture-backed scientific software company that was acquired by Thermo Fisher Scientific where he went on to serve as Vice President and General Manager of Digital Science. Previously he spent 11 years at IBM in a variety of international executive roles. Josh serves on the boards of directors of several non-profit organizations, including ClimateHaven where he is the founding board chair, Connecticut Innovations, AdvanceCT, BioCT and the Mory's Association. Josh holds an MBA from the Yale School of Management and a BA from Yale University.
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    31 mins
  • Saad Omer on How Medical Leaders Can Communicate with Frequency, Clarity, and Humility

    Saad Omer on How Medical Leaders Can Communicate with Frequency, Clarity, and Humility
    Jun 9 2025
    This week, Kavitha is joined by Dr. Saad Omer, a globally recognized leading voice in cutting-edge research on immunization and vaccination. Today he is the Founding Dean of the School of Public Health at UT–Southwestern, and formerly served as inaugural director of the Yale Institute for Global Health. In this prior role, he oversaw not only the university's response to the Covid-19 pandemic, but also managed some of the innovative research which enabled experts to better predict impending outbreaks. His life's work has involved collaboration in studies everywhere from the US, Guatemala, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and South Africa, to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Australia. Kavitha and Saad explore the ways in which business and medical experience can prepare leaders to flourish at top levels of higher education. Saad discusses the strategies he employs to communicate with transparency and compassion to his team and the public at large, as well as the ways in which he continues to anticipate and prepare his response to future adversity. Together, he and Kavitha unpack how management consulting prepares leaders for change management in times of crisis, how humility plays a central role in Saad's approach to his work, and why he enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to learn from leaders outside of the medical field in his time as a YGELP participant. Saad points to encouraging signs for the future of vaccine research, and shares a fascinating ambition for a second act career move which reveals a hidden passion for art. Transcript S2E6—Saad Omer Transcript Links and Resources Information on YGELP and Yale SOM Executive Education: Yale SOM Executive Education Homepage What is the Yale Global Executive Leadership Program? (YGELP) Applying to YGELP Resources Mentioned in Today's Episode: Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman Nudge by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein Collected Works by Ernest Hemingway Where to Find Saad: Saad Omer on LinkedIn Omer Research Group Gavi Board Member Profile O'Donnell School of Public Health Welcome About Today's Guest Saad B. Omer, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.B.B.S. Founding Dean and Professor, Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health Dr. Saad B. Omer is a globally recognized epidemiologist, public health leader, and vaccine policy expert. As the founding Dean of the Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dr. Omer has dedicated his career to advancing high-impact science that informs vaccine policy and clinical recommendations worldwide. Dr. Omer's research has shaped public health strategies on vaccine hesitancy, maternal immunization, and infectious disease epidemiology. His work has influenced national and international vaccination policies, including those of the World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). His studies on vaccine acceptance, immunization coverage, and infectious disease prevention have been cited in major global policy recommendations. His research portfolio includes clinical trials on maternal and infant immunization for diseases such as pertussis, polio, measles, and pneumococcal infections, as well as studies on respiratory viruses like influenza, RSV, and COVID-19. His landmark studies on maternal influenza immunization demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing severe illness in pregnant women and newborns, directly influencing vaccine recommendations in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and beyond. Dr. Omer has authored numerous publications in leading journals, including The New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, The Lancet, Science, and Nature. His expertise has been featured in major media outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, and BBC. He has advised global health organizations and served on advisory boards, including the WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Vaccines and the National Vaccine Advisory Committee. A dedicated mentor and educator, Dr. Omer has trained and advised the next generation of public health leaders. He earned his Ph.D. in Global Disease Epidemiology and Control and his M.P.H. from Johns Hopkins University, following his medical degree from The Aga Khan University.
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    37 mins
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