Episodes

  • Episode 079 – Suzy Welch, Best-Selling Author, Tech Entrepreneur, & Professor

    Episode 079 – Suzy Welch, Best-Selling Author, Tech Entrepreneur, & Professor
    Aug 13 2025
    Suzy Welch—best-selling author, professor, and tech entrepreneur—joins The Executives' Exchange for a candid conversation with guest host Kristen Prinz. This isn't just about her latest book, Becoming You: The Proven Method for Crafting Your Authentic Life and Career—it's about rewriting the rules of success. Drawing from her hit NYU course, Suzy breaks down a framework for finding your core values, leading with purpose, and building a career that actually fits the life you want. No buzzwords. No one-size-fits-all formulas. Just the clarity and tools you need to shape your next chapter—on your terms. This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience in May 2025. 00:00 – Intro 00:55 – Inspiration Behind the Book 04:26 – Suzy's Becoming You Experience 08:26 – Defining the Four Horsemen 12:50 – The Values Test & Learning Your Values 21:05 – Methodology Applied Across All Age Groups 27:20 – Go Where Your Characteristics Overlap 30:00 – The Worthiness of Values 33:51 – Do Values Change Over Time? 36:16 – Recognizing Attributes & Identifying Aptitudes 46:40 – Economically Viable Interests 50:25 – Outro Episode Link: Suzy Welch | Becoming You Guest Host: Kristen Prinz, Founding & Managing Partner, The Prinz Law Firm    Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated.   For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.   Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram
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    51 mins
  • Episode 078 – Katrina Markoff, Founder, Violet Flames Chocolate

    Episode 078 – Katrina Markoff, Founder, Violet Flames Chocolate
    Jul 8 2025

    On this episode of the Executives' Exchange, Katrina Markoff, Founder of Violet Flame Chocolate, joins Julie Smolansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods and Exec Club Board Member, to discuss her nearly three decades of innovation in the world of gourmet chocolate and what it means to lead with creativity and purpose. 

    00:00 – Intro

    02:30 – Katrina's Childhood and Background

    06:19 – Why Chocolate?

    11:32 – Navigating Challenges

    13:12 – Violet Flame

    17:45 – Creating a Balanced Company Culture

    23:30 – What Makes Chicago Special

    30:35 – Balancing Taking Risks

    37:45 – Using Mothership as a Business Tool

    43:25 – Making Things Purposeful

    46:20 – Leaving a Legacy

    50:15 – The Future of AI in Different Spaces

    56:25 – Outro

    Episode Link: Violet Flames Chocolate

    Guest Host: Julie Smolyansky, President & Chief Executive Officer, Lifeway Foods

    Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago 

     

    Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated. 
    For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones. 

    Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram
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    57 mins
  • Episode 077 – Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, Author and Executive Coach

    Episode 077 – Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, Author and Executive Coach
    Jun 11 2025
    In this episode of the Executives' Exchange, world-renowned executive coach and bestselling author, Marshall Goldsmith, joins Harry Kraemer of Northwestern University to share timeless advice on career and life success. Learn proven strategies that can help participants successfully balance being present, while simultaneously planning for your future in a world that is ever changing. This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience in February 2025. 00:00 – Intro 01:50 – Key to Being a Great Coach 6:35 – Common Challenges when Changing Behaviors 8:31 – Identifying and Overcoming Blind Spots 9:10 – The Most Effective Methodology 12:50 – Role of Feedback, or Feed "Forward" 13:51 – Evolving Landscape of Leadership 18:27 – Coping with Hard Decisions 21:00 – Achievement vs. Happiness 24:00 – The Power of Mentorship 28:10 – AI Platform 31:00 – Daily Practices for Effective Leadership 33:50 – What Future Leaders Need to Know 36:23 – Guiding Principles and Philosophies 40:35 – The Secret to Staying Inspired 44:44 – Do the Work or Let it Go 48:35 – Final Bits of Advice 50:48 – Outro Episode Link: Marshall Goldsmith Guest Host: Harry M. Kraemer, Clinical Professor of Management & Organizations, Northwestern University Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago      Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated.   For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.   Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram
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    51 mins
  • Episode 076 – Dr. Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO, National Geographic Society

    Episode 076 – Dr. Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO, National Geographic Society
    May 13 2025
    On this episode of the Executives' Exchange, we're thrilled to welcome Dr. Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO of the National Geographic Society. Under her leadership, National Geographic is achieving remarkable advancements in exploration and conservation. In this episode, Dr. Tiefenthaler speaks with Dr. Bridget Coughlin, President and CEO of Shedd Aquarium. This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience on October 1, 2024. 00:00 – Intro 01:00 – Growing Up Midwest 03:42 – Time At St Mary's 05:21 – Fast Facts About NatGeo 07:26 – How It Came Together 08:45 – Urgent Needs And Impacts 11:09 – Examples Of Influential Work 12:20 – Relationship With Disney 15:20 – What Makes A Good Story 17:33 – Corporate Relationships 19:50 – MapMaker With NatGeo 23:05 – Most Fun Travel Story 26:25 - What's Next After The Amazon 28:10 – A Message From Our Sponsor, Shure 29:00 - Engagement Strategy & Global Solution 31:26 – New Facility Opening 33:33 – Championing Gender Equality 35:50 – Outro Episode Link(s): National Geographic | Shedd Aquarium Host: Dr. Bridget Coughlin, President and CEO, Shedd Aquarium Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago   Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated.   For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.   Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram
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    37 mins
  • Episode 075 – Richard Edelman, Edelman & Tom Wilson, Allstate

    Episode 075 – Richard Edelman, Edelman & Tom Wilson, Allstate
    Apr 8 2025
    In this episode of the Executives' Exchange, which was recorded in front of a live audience on January 30th, 2025, we feature Richard Edelman, President & CEO of Edelman, along with Tom Wilson, Chair, President, & CEO of Allstate, and our gracious guest moderator, Isis Almeida, Chicago Bureau Chief at Bloomberg. This year's trust barometer touches on the rise of income-based trust inequality, rapidly polarizing trust disparity among younger generations, and what leaders can do to regain public trust across companies and government. 00:00 – Intro 00:58 – 25-year Overview on Rising Distrust 02:20 – 4 Important Developments Contributing to Distrust 03:50 – Trust Research Deep-Dive 09:10 – Businesses Role in a Time of High Grievance 11:25 – 5 Things Employees are Asking of Their Company 13:05 – 3 Actionable Steps for Recovering Trust 14:58 – Shure Ad Break 16:35 – How We Got to a High Level of Public Distrust 19:27 – 2 Responses to Addressing Organizational Distress 20:42 – How Executives Should Prepare for Trump Administration 24:15 – Perspectives on DEI Initiatives 27:20 – The Public Perception of Wealth 31:31 – AI's Impact on Employment 37:34 – Wilson's 2 Steps on Rebuilding Trust 40:16 – How Young Generations Absorb Information 43:03 – Whose Responsibility Is It to Reskill People? 45:10 – Getting Beyond the Anger Stage 47:43 - NGOs Role In Rebuilding Trust 49:35 – Merging Necessary Changes with Shareholder Value 51:09 – Outro Episode Link: 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer | Allstate | Bloomberg Guest Host: Isis Almeida, Chicago Bureau Chief, Bloomberg Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago      Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated.   For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.   Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram
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    52 mins
  • Episode 074 – Sallie Krawcheck, Co-founder and Former CEO, Ellevest

    Episode 074 – Sallie Krawcheck, Co-founder and Former CEO, Ellevest
    Mar 12 2025
    In this episode of the Executives' Exchange, we feature Sallie Krawcheck, Co-founder and Former CEO, Ellevest. As a trailblazer in the investment landscape, Sallie empowers women to make informed financial decisions that matter most to them, their families and communities. Sallie is joined by Sidney Dillard, Partner at Loop Capital Markets. This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience on September 26, 2024. 00:00 – Intro 01:54 – Not Being My Mother 05:15 – Money is Power 07:34 – Career Journey into Capital 11:06 – Research Analyst to Women 16:34 – What Was the Motivator 20:24 – Wealth Management 23:45 – Managing Wealth with a Family 28:28 – Sponsorship Message from Shore 29:35 – Feminization of Wealth 34:32 – Difference to Leader Large Corp vs Small 37:08 – Brand Building 39:50 – Thinking About Money as Women 40:58 – Diversity and Inclusion in the Market 45:04 – Advice to Entrepreneurial Women 49:43 – Outro Episode Link(s): Ellevest Guest Host: Sidney Dillard, Partner, Loop Capital Markets Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago      Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated.   For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.   Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram
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    51 mins
  • Episode 073 – Darrel Hackett, President and CEO, President & CEO, BMO Bank N.A.

    Episode 073 – Darrel Hackett, President and CEO, President & CEO, BMO Bank N.A.
    Feb 11 2025
    In this episode of the Executives' Exchange, we welcome Darrel Hackett, President and CEO of BMO Bank N.A. and Exec Club Board Member, and guest host, Andrea Saenz, President and CEO of The Chicago Community Trust. Under Darrel's leadership, BMO continues to soar nationally and in the Chicago area – where they remain the largest bank in our city. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience on September 19, 2024. 00:00 – Intro 1:45 – First Year as BMO U.S. President and CEO 2:30 – Background 5:08 – Comments on Bank of the West Acquisition 6:55 – Cultural Changes 9:10 – BMO Community Outreach and Giveback 13:13 – Approach and Vision 14:57 – Including Communities 17:00 – Programs for Removing Barriers to Homeownership 18:06 – Macroeconomic Issues 18:30 – Handling Economic Cycles 22:05 – Shifting Focus and Giving Advice Based on Market 23:28 – Outlook on U.S. Economy 25:36 – Helping Grow Chicago Economy 26:05 – Addressing Inequality within Homeownership 28:50 – Passion Behind Working at BMO 30:55 – Final Thoughts Episode Link(s): BMO US Bank Guest Host: Andrea Saenz, President and CEO, The Chicago Community Trust Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago      Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated.   For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.   Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram
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    32 mins
  • Episode 072 – Satya Nadella, Chairman & CEO, Microsoft

    Episode 072 – Satya Nadella, Chairman & CEO, Microsoft
    Jan 14 2025

    In this episode of the Executives' Exchange, which was recorded in front of a live audience on November 19, 2024, we feature our International Executive of the Year – Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft. Nadella discusses the strategies and culture that have propelled Microsoft to become a global leader in technology. He is joined by guest host, Penny Pritzker, the founder and chairman of PSP Partners and Microsoft Board Member.

    00:00 – Intro

    01:25 – Keys to Transformation with AI

    04:54 – 3 Platforms Microsoft is Building

    08:22 - Leadership in Adopting AI

    12:45 – Maximize Platforms While Mitigating Risk

    14:41 – Cascade to Aspiring Goals

    18:50 – Advice for Chicago

    22:45 – Empathy as a Leader

    24:28 – Leadership Qualities for Massive Shifts

    26:45 – Thank You

    26:49 – Outro

    Episode Link: Microsoft

    Guest Host: Penny Pritzker, Founder and Chairman, PSP Partners

    Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago

    Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated.
    For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.

    Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram
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    28 mins