As a leader, how do you know where to focus? When there are a hundred possibilities, how do you direct your time, your team, your budget, your emotional energy? And - how do you step back and consider the longer term? How do you set conditions for the business to create value not just now, but for years and decades? How do you dance the tension between creating economic value now, while also serving a noble purpose? If you wonder about these things, then this podcast is for you.
What if Olympic-level care wasn't just for athletes—but for every woman navigating midlife health? In this energizing episode, Lindsay speaks with Olympic gold medalist turned tech entrepreneur Jennifer Heil, founder and CEO of Rya Health. From standing at the top of a ski slope under global pressure to building a health platform set to revolutionize women's care, Jenn shares the mindset shifts and lived experiences that fuel her mission. They talk resilience, redefining success, and how AI can unlock a more empowered healthcare future for women everywhere. You'll hear them discuss: • Courageous decision-making as Jenn took a full year off from elite skiing at 19, despite national criticism • Burnout and heartbreak as powerful signals for transformation—not failure • Systemic gaps in women's healthcare and how Raya Health is designing a new paradigm • Self-advocacy as a skill honed in Olympic sport—and critical for women managing their health • AI and accessibility in scaling elite care to every woman, not just the privileged few • Redefining success by shifting from outcomes like medals to being fully prepared and regret-free • Leadership balance between bold vision and daily execution, and the power of complementary co-founders • Midlife health challenges from fatigue to hormonal shifts—and the medical system's current blind spots • Working in your superpowers and the goal of spending 70% of your time where you're at your natural best Resources: Jenn Heil on the Rya Health | LinkedIn Amazon: The Red-Haired Woman by Orhan Pamuk Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn
What if sticking to your guns—not chasing the buzz—was the boldest, and most successful, strategy of all? In this episode of North Star Leaders, Lindsay talks with Doug Winter, CEO and co-founder of Seismic, the category-defining sales enablement platform. Doug shares what it takes to build something enduring in a world obsessed with fast wins—revealing why commitment, clarity, and consistency are more than just leadership traits; they're competitive advantages. Whether you're creating a category, scaling a team, or building a brand that customers swear by, this conversation will recalibrate your view on what sustainable success really looks like. You'll hear them discuss: The uphill battle of category creation — how Doug and the Seismic team turned “enablement” from a fuzzy buzzword into a widely respected discipline Why staying consistent builds trust — and how resisting the urge to rebrand or chase trends can actually create lasting market leadership How leaders serve as emotional counterweights — showing calm through chaos and perspective through celebration to keep teams grounded and resilient Why Seismic chose San Diego over Silicon Valley — and how that decision helped attract the right talent, shape company culture, and signal long-term thinking How customer obsession built Seismic's brand — from million-dollar multi-year deals to customers who bring Seismic with them to every new job What makes culture stick when you scale — and how Seismic evolved from “unwritten values” to rituals that reinforce what matters most The growth edge Doug's navigating now — shifting from a startup mindset to running a mature, efficient business without losing the spark Resources: Doug Winter on the Seismic | LinkedIn Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn
Could a unicorn pillow or a spinning toy change the face of the tech industry? In this episode, Lindsay Pedersen talks with Debbie Sterling, founder and CEO of GoldieBlox, about how a simple idea to get more girls into engineering turned into a multimedia movement. Debbie shares the story behind building a brand that challenges gender stereotypes in toys, the decision to grow as a for-profit business, and what it takes to stay playful and purposeful as a leader. This is a conversation full of insight, honesty, and practical inspiration for anyone building something with heart. You'll hear them discuss: Representation - the moment Debbie realized how few women were in her engineering classes and how that sparked a mission to change the narrative. Stereotypes - why toys still fall into “pink” and “blue” aisles, and how GoldieBlox is working to redefine what's seen as “for girls.” Evolution - how GoldieBlox has grown from building toys to creating videos, apps, and games that make STEM fun and accessible. Business model - what influenced the choice to go for-profit and how that decision has shaped the company's impact and reach. Partnerships - how working with organizations like Black Girls Code is helping to expand access to high-quality, free STEM content. Culture - how the company has matured over time and what it looks like to stay focused without losing its creative spirit. Wellbeing - the simple but powerful habits Debbie relies on to stay energized, present, and effective as a leader. Resources: Debbie Sterling on the GoldieBlox | GoldieBlox Instagram | GoldieBlox YouTube | LinkedIn Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn
How can the way you treat your customers radically change your company's success? And, more importantly… What happens when customers become your partners, not just transactions? In this episode of North Star Leaders, Lindsay sits down with Colin Zima, CEO of Omni, to dive into what it takes to build a company where transparency, trust, and real partnerships drive everything. Colin shares his thoughts on leadership, the power of treating customers like true collaborators, and why a culture of openness and authenticity can set you apart in a crowded market. You'll hear them discuss: High trust culture: Why giving your employees the freedom to work independently without micromanagement can lead to a stronger, more empowered team. Customer relationships: How treating your customers as partners — not just clients — led to a major breakthrough during a critical moment for Omni. Leadership style: Colin's “lead by doing” approach and why authenticity is at the heart of being an effective leader. Scaling culture: The hurdles and opportunities that come with scaling a high-trust, transparent culture as your company grows. Work-life balance: How Omni fosters an environment where people can work hard and still enjoy their personal lives, finding a healthy balance between getting stuff done and relaxing. Giving and receiving feedback: Why being more intentional with shout-outs and feedback is helping to reinforce Omni's culture and make it even stronger. Building strong foundations: How Colin's previous experiences shaped his leadership at Omni, and the lessons he's carried forward into building a successful company culture. Resources: Colin Zima on the Omni Web | LinkedIn Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn
What if your company's culture is actually holding you back? Would you have the courage to change it — even if you were the one who built it? In this episode of North Star Leadership Podcast, Lindsay talks with Craig McLuckie - co-founder and CEO of Stacklok. They explore what it really means to lead — especially when it means rethinking your own assumptions. Craig brings a rare blend of technical depth, operational wisdom, and honest self-awareness as he unpacks how to build resilient, reality-based organizations in a fast-changing world. This is a candid, unvarnished take on leadership, culture, and how to survive the hype cycles — with your integrity intact. You'll hear them discuss: Culture replication vs. diversity – Why the only thing you should aim to replicate across your company is culture, and how to let everything else be diverse. Craig explains how culture acts as a “standard interface,” enabling variation while preserving coherence. Hypocrisy as a culture killer – The moment your implicit behavior contradicts your stated values, you lose trust. Craig shares how leaders must be honest about when culture needs to evolve — or risk becoming the bottleneck. Implicit vs. explicit culture – Every company has both, and they don't always align. Craig discusses how a company naturally becomes a caricature of its founders, and what happens when that unspoken culture isn't addressed. The camel vs. unicorn mindset – Why Craig believes it's better to be durable than dazzling. He explains how being hype-resistant and focused on creating real value is a more sustainable path through volatile markets. Leadership at different scales – From zero to thousands of people, Craig shares the traps leaders fall into when they fail to adjust their style. He talks candidly about learning to “reset his operating model” depending on the moment. The evolution of developer work – With GenAI reshaping the landscape, Craig reflects on how it's changing everything from workflows to security. He shares how he's actively rebuilding his internal models to keep up. Personal capacity and rituals – How Craig structures his days for clarity, why he aims to work himself out of a job, and what assembling office chairs has to do with humility in leadership. Resources: Craig McLuckie on the Stacklok | LinkedIn Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn
Is complexity in your messaging keeping your business from scaling? Does it feel like your messages are getting lost? In this episode of North Star Leaders Podcast, Lindsay sits down with Heidi Bullock, CMO of Tealium, to explore the human psychology behind great marketing—and why simplification might just be the most underrated power move in business. From her beginnings in molecular biology to leading marketing at a top customer data platform, Heidi shares what it takes to translate complexity into clarity, both externally with customers and internally with cross-functional teams. You'll hear us discuss: Why great marketing starts with human behavior – Heidi explains why the best marketers, regardless of industry, understand psychology and behavioral patterns. It's not about B2B or B2C—it's P2P: person to person. How to simplify complexity without dumbing it down – Especially in tech and data-driven industries, complexity is unavoidable. But Heidi shares how the most successful teams learn to distill and translate that complexity into clear, compelling language that connects. Why B2B marketing often falls flat – Heidi points out that B2B often forgets the human on the other side of the message. She shares how to bring emotion, storytelling, and relevance into spaces that are traditionally more rational and feature-heavy. The importance of internal marketing as a CMO – Heidi talks about the often-overlooked responsibility of “marketing marketing” within the organization—building trust with sales, product, and the executive team so marketing is seen as a driver of business, not just a support function. Using GenAI to move faster and smarter – From sparking fresh campaign ideas to pressure-testing positioning, Heidi shares how her team uses generative AI tools to stay sharp, experiment more, and create value faster. Turning customer voice into an internal north star – Heidi describes how regularly sharing real customer stories helps align cross-functional teams, build empathy, and keep everyone focused on what really matters. The golden question for every marketer and leader – Heidi leaves us with a powerful lens for evaluating any initiative: “Would you engage with this? If not, don't ship it.” Resources: Heidi Bullock on the Tealium Website | LinkedIn Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn
How much do you really listen to those around you, and how much could you be missing? In this episode of North Star Leadership Podcast, Joe Levy joins Lindsay Pedersen and shares deep insights on leadership, the challenges of leading in a tech-driven world, and the underestimated power of simply listening. With years of experience navigating complex organizations and projects, Joe offers practical advice on how we can improve our leadership approach by embracing empathy and curiosity. You'll hear them discuss: The value of listening more than speaking: Joe highlights the importance of using the ratio of "two ears, one mouth" in leadership, explaining that great leaders often learn more from listening than from speaking. The complexities of the software development world: Joe talks about how software projects often go unnoticed, despite the amount of emotional and intellectual investment behind them. The misunderstood discipline of software development: Many projects in tech never see the light of day, leading to frustration and a lack of appreciation for the work that goes into it. Leadership is about empathy: Joe shares how genuinely caring about the people you work with can help you uncover their real needs and challenges. The power of curiosity in leadership: Effective leaders aren't just there to give answers but to ask the right questions that allow their team members to express themselves and feel heard. The importance of rest: Joe discusses the science behind rest and why it is essential for better performance, referring to a book called "Rest" that challenges the culture of overwork. The challenge of breaking habits: As a former caffeine addict, Joe shares his journey of quitting caffeine and how making that shift led to more balance and well-being. Resources: Joe Levy on the Uplevel | LinkedIn Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn
Are you wasting the power of your own laptop? For years, we've been conditioned to think that serious computing happens in the cloud while our local machines sit idle. But what if that's outdated thinking? In this episode of the North Star Leadership Podcast, Jordan Tigani, CEO and co-founder of MotherDuck, joins Lindsay Pedersen and challenges conventional wisdom on cloud computing, marketing, and leadership. He shares hard-won lessons from his time at Google, the reality check he got in the startup world, and why scaling a company is as much about people as it is about technology. You'll hear them discuss: The Cloud vs. Your Laptop: Why modern hardware is more powerful than we give it credit for—and how MotherDuck is changing the game. The assumption that computation must happen in the cloud is outdated, and Jordan explains how leveraging local machines can lead to more efficient and cost-effective workflows. Marketing as War: The hard truth Jordan learned after leaving Google—great tech alone doesn't win, visibility does. At Google, marketing seemed almost irrelevant, but in the startup world, he realized that fighting for attention is just as important as building great products. From Executive to Founder: The biggest mindset shifts when moving from a massive company to running your own. Jordan shares how the safety nets of big corporations make you blind to the realities of fundraising, brand-building, and assembling a team from scratch. The Art of Scaling: How leadership evolves as a company grows from a small, tight-knit team to a structured organization. As MotherDuck has expanded to 55 people, Jordan talks about the need for clear communication, hiring the right leaders, and maintaining company values while growing. Raising the Stakes: The thrilling (and terrifying) reality of building a company where people truly care about the outcome. Unlike in a large corporation where the stakes feel more abstract, leading a startup means every decision directly impacts the team, the vision, and the future of the business. Resources: Jordan Tigani on the MotherDuck Web | LinkedIn Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn
How do you maintain focus, resilience, and energy as a leader through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship? Tushar Garg, co-founder of Fly Homes, shares his leadership journey and insights on navigating challenges, trusting your instincts, and building daily habits for success. From handling "wartime" and "peacetime" mindsets to surrounding yourself with a strong team, Tushar provides actionable advice for building mental fortitude and staying grounded in your mission. His experiences will leave you with practical tools to become a more resilient and purposeful leader. Key Takeaways: Navigating the "wartime" and "peacetime" mindset - Tushar explains the shift in leadership approach during times of crisis vs. stability, and how leaders need to adapt to these different phases for success. Resilience through belief in your mission - Resilience stems from having a deep belief in your mission and knowing the value of what you're creating, even during uncertain times. The importance of a strong team - No leader succeeds alone—surrounding yourself with a supportive, aligned team is crucial for navigating tough situations and staying focused. Building daily habits for better leadership - Tushar emphasizes the importance of habits like sleep, exercise, and meditation to stay physically and mentally sharp. Listening to advice while trusting your intuition - While it's essential to be open to feedback, ultimately, trust your gut when making decisions, especially in leadership. Making big decisions in uncertain moments - Tushar shares his experience of making life-changing decisions in uncertain moments, highlighting the need to trust your instincts. The value of continual learning and personal growth - Tushar believes in the power of ongoing personal development, which helps leaders adapt and grow in their journey. Resources: Tushar Garg on LinkedIn | Flyhomes Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn
What if the biggest obstacle to innovation isn't competition—but slow decision-making? Is slow decision making holding you back? In this episode of North Star Leadership, Lindsay Pedersen sits down with Jennifer Nuckles, Chairperson & CEO of R-Zero, to explore what it takes to lead across industries—from CPG to gaming, fintech, and health tech. Jennifer shares hard-won lessons on risk-taking, moving fast, and why leading with influence beats leading with authority. Whether you're a brand strategist, executive, or aspiring CEO, this conversation is packed with insights on navigating leadership at every level. Key Takeaways: Leadership Beyond Titles: The best leaders don't rely on authority—they influence, inspire, and align people toward a common goal. Making the Leap to CEO: The shift from CMO to CEO means owning every decision, from office space to product launches. The stakes are higher, but so is the impact. Lessons from CPG to Tech: Traditional industries can be slow-moving, while tech embraces speed and risk. Jennifer explains why she left CPG to scale businesses at hyper-growth speeds. Risk & Reward: Why moving fast—even if it means breaking things—is essential for companies aiming for exponential, rather than incremental, growth. The Power of Cross-Industry Experience: Jennifer's career spans CPG, fintech, gaming, and health tech. She shares why great leadership transcends industries. The Hidden Challenge of Decision-Making: The biggest bottleneck in large organizations? Layers of approval. Jennifer contrasts CPG's cautious approach with tech's real-time agility. Why Every CEO Needs Experts: Great leaders know their strengths—and surround themselves with the best minds to fill the gaps. Resources: Jennifer Nuckles on LinkedIn I R-Zero Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn
What if the key to long-term business success isn't just about strategy or product—what if it's about the people you choose to surround yourself with? In this episode of the North Star Leaders Podcast, Lindsay Pedersen speaks with Lynn Baranowski, CEO of Avalyn Pharma, about leading a purpose-driven company in the biotech and pharma industry. Lynn shares her journey of navigating a complex industry while prioritizing mission-driven work that impacts patients' lives. She reflects on how making intentional choices about team dynamics and leadership has a profound impact on both the company's trajectory and her own personal leadership journey. They dive into leadership principles, team-building, and balancing economic success with the greater good. You'll hear them discuss: Lynn's career journey in the biotech space and how choosing the right people has been a cornerstone of her success and personal growth. How investing in a team that aligns with your mission isn't just about short-term results, but long-term sustainability for both the business and individual well-being. The challenges of maintaining alignment between team culture, business goals, and values, and why it's worth the effort. Lynn's approach to decision-making, especially when it comes to keeping the right people on board for the long haul. How she navigates the pressures of leadership while maintaining a focus on her own wellness and creating space for others to thrive. Practical advice for leaders on how to build a supportive and high-performing team that will sustain business growth and personal well-being over time. Resources Lyn Baranowski LinkedIn | Avalyn Pharma Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn
What happens when marketing stops being just about transactions and becomes a true driver of brand loyalty and business growth? In this episode, Lindsay Pedersen dives into the world of marketing with Jessica Shapiro, CMO at LiveRamp, to uncover how businesses can create meaningful connections with customers while delivering measurable value. You'll hear them discuss: The human side of marketing where understanding people—both customers and team members—and drives Jessica's success as a marketing leader. The similarities and differences between marketing to businesses and consumers, from sales cycles to customer relationships. Learn how LiveRamp enables companies to securely share data to drive better ad targeting, improve ROI, and create relevant customer experiences without compromising privacy. Finding the right leadership fit and why a CEO's belief in the power of brand is essential for successful marketing leadership. Balancing the fine line between delighting customers with relevant ads and avoiding a "creepy" overreach in personalization. Collaboration is the ****critical role of marketing in supporting sales teams and building a unified approach to customer engagement. Resources: Jessica Shapiro on LiveRamp | LinkedIn Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn
How do you craft a story that resonates with both investors and customers? In this episode of North Star Leadership podcast, Erika Shaffer - a Director for Strategic Communication for Madrona Venture Group, shares her insights on the art of storytelling in business. She highlights the importance of tailoring the narrative for different audiences—investors versus customers—and the key role of authenticity and empathy in making a lasting impact. Storytelling for investors often focuses on trends, technology, and potential returns, with AI being a recurring theme. When communicating to customers, the focus shifts to the value they will receive, with less emphasis on technology like AI unless it directly benefits them. Authenticity in communication builds trust, while using buzzwords like AI without clear explanation can lead to distrust. Founders must be clear about what the market needs and how their product serves that need, aligning their communication with the audience's values. Erika shares her experience with writing content for Madrona, emphasizing the importance of balancing expert insights with actionable advice for founders. Resources Erika Shaffer on Madrona Website I LinkedIn I Email: erika@madrona.com Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! I Connect with me on LinkedIn
What's the one thing you do better than anyone else? And how can understanding this unique strength transform the way you work and lead? In this episode of North Star Leadership Podcast, Lindsay Pedersen sits down with Court Lorenzini, past CEO of Docusign, to explore the concept of “superpowers” and their critical role in personal and professional success. Court shares his journey of creating a framework for identifying these innate strengths, offering practical advice for leaders and teams striving to unlock their full potential. Defining your superpower: Discover the unique skill or talent that sets you apart and learn how to leverage it effectively. Team dynamics: Why building teams with complementary strengths is essential for success—and how mismatched roles can lead to failure. Strengths over weaknesses: Focus on amplifying what people are naturally great at rather than fixing weaknesses. The "dark side" of superpowers: How every strength can have a downside—and how awareness can mitigate its impact. Practical application: Aligning individual superpowers with organizational goals for better performance and fulfillment. Whether you're a leader, entrepreneur, or team member, this episode will inspire you to uncover your superpower and harness the power of others to achieve remarkable results. Resources: Court Lorenzini on LinkedIn Founder Nexus on the Web | LinkedIn Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest!
How do you create a brand that stands the test of time? In this episode of North Star Leaders, Lindsay Pedersen sits down with Cammie Dunaway, CMO of Duolingo and Yahoo, among other Hall of Fame companies, to discuss what it really takes to build a lasting brand. They dive into the key moments of Cammie's career and the lessons she's learned, from navigating career phases to understanding the critical role CEOs play in shaping their company's brand. Plus, they talk about why long-term brand value is crucial for businesses looking to thrive beyond short-term performance metrics. Career Phases: Cammie breaks down the three stages of a career—learning, earning, and returning—and how each phase impacts professional decisions. The CEO's Role in Branding: Cammie discusses why CEOs need to own the brand, ensuring that every decision reflects the company's core values. Building Long-Term Brand Value: The conversation highlights why brands need consistency, not just performance marketing, to build lasting customer loyalty. Changing Investor Priorities: Investors are shifting focus, recognizing that building a strong brand is key to long-term business success, beyond just short-term growth. Balancing Work and Joy: Cammie reflects on how her husband's perspective on her happiness at work influenced her career choices and the importance of finding joy in what you do. Resources: Cammie Dunaway on LinkedIn Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest!
What's the secret to pitching a compelling business idea? In this episode of North Star Leaders, Lindsay Pedersen talks with Greg Gottesman, co-founder of Pioneer Square Labs (PSL), about the art of storytelling in startups, using AI to scale businesses, and the journey of transforming ideas into thriving companies. They also explore Greg's transition from venture capital to the startup world, sharing insights on building companies and the transformative role of AI in business. Storytelling as Strategy: Greg emphasizes the importance of a clear, engaging narrative to captivate investors, customers, and team members from the start. Crafting a Winning Pitch: He provides tips on how a well-told story can make complex business ideas relatable, laying the foundation for funding and growth. Connecting with Investors: A strong narrative evokes emotion, helping investors envision the future impact of a business. AI's Role in Startups: PSL utilizes AI tools to accelerate development, producing code and reducing costs for early-stage companies. Building Faster with AI: Greg describes AI's potential to handle operational tasks, enabling founders to launch quicker and more efficiently. Future of Human-AI Teams: He sees AI complementing human skills in startup teams, boosting productivity. Resources: Greg Gottesman LinkedIn | X (Twitter) | Pioneer Square Labs | Email Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest!
What challenges do leaders face in fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability in today's diverse workplace? In this episode, Lindsay Pedersen sits down with Maria Colacurcio, CEO of Syndio, to delve into the evolving dynamics of leadership and workplace culture. They explore Maria's insights on creating equitable workplaces and the vital role of transparency in leadership. They discuss the power of vulnerability in leadership, particularly in the context of admitting failures. Maria encourages us to view mistakes not as failures but as essential opportunities for growth and development. Equity in the Workplace: Maria shares her passion for promoting equity and inclusion within organizations. She emphasizes that true equity goes beyond mere policy changes; it requires a cultural shift where everyone feels valued and heard. The Role of Data in Leadership: They discuss the significance of using data to inform decisions and drive accountability. Maria highlights how metrics can illuminate gaps in equity and help leaders create more inclusive environments. Building Trust Through Transparency: Maria underscores the importance of transparency in leadership, stating that leaders must be open about their challenges and decision-making processes. This openness fosters trust and encourages employees to engage authentically. Embracing Vulnerability: Maria speaks about the power of vulnerability in leadership. By admitting to failures and conducting postmortems, leaders can demonstrate that setbacks are part of the journey. Leadership as a Journey: Lindsay and Maria reflect on how leadership is not a destination but an ongoing journey of growth and adaptation. They discuss the need for leaders to be lifelong learners who embrace change and seek feedback. Resources: Maria Colacurcio on LinkedIn I Syndio Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! Chuck Klosterman - ‘'But What If We're Wrong?: Thinking about the Present as If It Were the Past'' - Buy Here
What does it take to lead a startup through rapid growth while maintaining innovation and cultural integrity? In this episode of North Star Leaders, Lindsay Pedersen interviews Aviel Ginzburg, Partner at Founders' Co-op and co-founder of Simply Measured, to uncover the unique challenges founders face as they scale their companies. They explore the balance between innovation, leadership, and securing investment, with Aviel sharing his journey from entrepreneur to venture capitalist and offering insights on building impactful companies in a fast-paced tech landscape. Listen as they discuss: Founder's Journey: Aviel reflects on his path from co-founding Simply Measured to transitioning into venture capital, sharing lessons learned from building a business from the ground up. Scaling with Purpose: The conversation delves into the challenges of scaling a company, especially when balancing growth with maintaining a strong, cohesive culture. Fundraising Insights: Aviel offers practical advice on securing funding, emphasizing the importance of aligning with investors who share a company's mission and long-term vision. Cultural Integrity: They explore the role of culture in a startup's success, discussing how intentional leadership and clear values can shape a positive, high-performance environment. Leadership vs. Innovation: The conversation highlights the balance between innovative thinking and effective leadership, with Aviel stressing the need for leaders to empower teams and embrace change. Staying Agile in Tech: Aviel discusses the importance of staying adaptable in a fast-paced tech industry, where rapid shifts require leaders to remain flexible and responsive. Long-Term Vision: They reflect on how maintaining a clear, long-term vision can help navigate short-term challenges and guide decision-making in turbulent times. Resources: Aviel Ginzburg on LinkedIn Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest!
What happens when creation meets purposeful leadership in a startup environment? In this engaging episode, Lindsay Pedersen interviews Todd Owens, CEO of Kevala, a healthcare scheduling software. They delve into the duality of leadership and management, discussing how purpose-driven leadership can generate economic value while fostering a positive workplace culture. Todd emphasizes the significance of clear direction and team empowerment, highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities within the healthcare industry. Hear Todd and Lindsay discuss: Creating vs. Leading: Todd shares his passion for building teams in startup environments, finding fulfillment in defining company culture and guiding people toward a shared vision. Deliberate Leadership: The importance of clarity in leadership is discussed, likening it to a "true north" that aligns team objectives and guides decision-making. Management vs. Leadership: The conversation contrasts management, which involves hands-on tasks, with leadership, focusing on inspiring and empowering teams to reach their full potential. The Power of Teams: They explore the concept of the "hive mind," emphasizing how diverse perspectives and collaboration can lead to innovative solutions, while stressing the need for psychological safety in brainstorming sessions. Purpose-Driven Business: Todd reflects on his career path and the importance of leading mission-driven companies, particularly in healthcare, where meaningful impact can enhance employee experiences and organizational success. Cultivating a Positive Culture: Creating an environment where employees feel valued and supported leads to better performance and job satisfaction. Work-Life Balance: Todd emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance to sustain energy and enthusiasm in leadership roles. Resources: Todd Owens on LinkedIn Kevala Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest!
What drives entrepreneurs to persist through the toughest challenges? Mike Fridgen, CEO of Madrona Venture Labs, joins Lindsay Pedersen on North Star Leaders Podcast to explore the dynamics of purpose-driven businesses and the importance of deeply connecting to the problem you're solving. They discuss how purpose fuels economic value, how mission-driven founders can navigate market shifts, and the balance between personal passion and the high-growth demands of venture-backed companies. You will hear Lindsay and Mike talk about: Mission-Driven Leadership: Mike emphasizes that successful founders are deeply connected to the problem they aim to solve. This mission-driven focus helps them persevere through challenges. Founder-Problem Fit: Investors at Madrona look for founders who are passionate about solving a specific problem rather than being attached to a particular product. This alignment fuels innovation and long-term success. Economic Value and Impact: Purpose and economic value are intertwined. Great economic outcomes often result from solving problems that have a significant impact on customers. Profit is a byproduct of meaningful problem-solving. Venture-Backed Businesses: Not every company should pursue venture funding. Many successful businesses are purpose-driven but don't need the scale or rapid growth that venture capital demands. Being clear on your business model early on is key. Self-Care and Rituals: Mike shares the importance of maintaining balance through travel, adventure, and outdoor activities. His family tradition of 10 international trips in 10 years helped balance intense careers with personal connection. Struggle Creates Meaning: Mike draws parallels between physical challenges, like hiking the Grand Canyon with his daughter, and the entrepreneurial journey. Struggle and discomfort often lead to more meaningful and rewarding experiences. Resources: Mike Fridgen: Madrona Venture Labs Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest!
What happens when the mission to empower with facts is paired with the challenge of reaching those who need it most? In this insightful podcast episode, Lindsay Pedersen interviews Poppy MacDonald, CEO of USA Facts, about the power of non-partisan data, navigating uncertainty, and maintaining work-life balance. Poppy highlights the importance of delivering clear, unbiased information to the public, emphasizing that USA Facts is funded to serve people, not generate revenue. The conversation explores how data can shape public understanding, the unpredictability of the future, and the importance of intentional routines to recharge and stay focused. You'll hear Lindsay and Poppy discuss: Empowering with facts: USAFacts focuses on providing nonpartisan, data-driven insights to help Americans make informed decisions, without a revenue-driven agenda. Mission-driven clarity: Staying true to their mission of delivering unbiased information helps avoid distractions and ensures strategic alignment. Reaching the audience: Proactively finding people who need accurate information, rather than waiting for them to come to USAFacts, is key to fulfilling their mission. Navigating uncertainty: In an ever-changing world, using today's language to describe the future can feel daunting, but staying adaptable and humble is essential. Work-life balance: Establishing routines like weekend planning, walks, and family activities helps recharge and stay focused on the challenging work ahead. Intentional weekends: Being deliberate about weekend activities, such as hikes or date nights, ensures rejuvenation and quality time with loved ones. Preparation is crucial: Ending the weekend by planning the upcoming week allows for a smoother, more productive start to Monday. Consistency in routines: Simple habits like clearing emails on Saturday morning provide a sense of accomplishment and help maintain work-life balance. Openness to change: Embracing evolving life stages allows for adjusting rituals and routines as needed, helping maintain focus and energy over time. Valuing connections: Prioritizing time with family, especially teenagers, helps maintain strong relationships amidst a busy professional life. Resources Poppy MacDonald on LinkedIn USA Facts Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest!
What happens when leaders are too afraid to take bold, polarizing actions? In this episode, Lindsay Pedersen interviews Dan Shapiro, CEO and author of Hot Seat, about the complexities of leadership, decision-making, and strategy in today's business landscape. Dan delves into how leaders can balance decisiveness with inclusivity, why polarizing strategies often lead to better results, and how to empower teams without losing accountability. Drawing on both his business experience and personal life, Dan shares key insights into leadership that parallel the challenges of parenting, highlighting the importance of values-driven inspiration and fast, effective decision-making. The Tension Between Risk and Safety: Many leaders opt for the safer, middle-ground approach, but polarizing strategies can often deliver stronger results. Strategic Decision-Making: Pre-making decisions aligned with long-term goals ensures consistency, but leaders must build team buy-in to avoid resentment or disengagement. Empowering Teams with Clear Strategies: Clear strategies empower teams, but poor communication or lack of alignment can leave them feeling disempowered. Making Good Decisions Fast: Leaders must use strategic frameworks to make quick, informed decisions without getting mired in small details. Accountability and Risk: Balancing team freedom with accountability helps ensure full commitment to risky initiatives and avoid half-hearted efforts. Develop Clear Decision-Making Frameworks: Create strategic principles in advance to streamline decisions and stay focused on long-term goals. Empower Without Relinquishing Accountability: Encourage teams to take risks but ensure they are fully committed to the success of their initiatives. Balance Short and Long-Term Decisions: Prioritize immediate decisions versus those needing strategic thought and allocate time accordingly. Align Teams with Company Strategy: Foster alignment by clearly communicating the strategy and securing buy-in from all team members to avoid internal conflict. Resources: Dan Shapiro on LinkedIn I X (Twitter) Glowforge Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest!
Jenny Xia Spradling is the co-CEO of Freewill, an online software company revolutionizing estate planning and charitable giving. With a background in math competitions, Jenny brings a unique perspective to the intersection of social impact and economic success. Under her leadership, Freewill has helped nearly one million Americans complete their estate planning and committed almost $10 billion to charity. Jenny's commitment to values like courage, joy, kindness, and focus has shaped Freewill's inclusive culture and mission-driven approach. You'll hear Lindsay and Jessica discuss: Early establishment of values is crucial: Defining values early on helps align founders, guide decision-making, and set the tone for company culture, ensuring long-term cohesion. Public Benefit Corporation designation: Choosing a legal structure that aligns profit with mission can provide clarity, transparency, and protection for purpose-driven companies in decision-making and operations. Values drive decision-making: Mission, vision, and values act as a litmus test for prioritizing opportunities, ensuring alignment with the company's core beliefs and goals. Human connection and trust: Building a culture centered on people fosters loyalty, engagement, and a positive customer experience, leading to long-term relationships and brand advocacy. Inclusivity through hiring practices: Prioritizing diversity, humility, and low ego individuals fosters an inclusive environment, promotes collaboration, and prevents biases in decision-making. Balancing values: Recognizing the dual nature of values, understanding their edges, and embracing the trade-offs helps navigate complex decisions and maintain integrity in actions. Math and decision-making: While numbers provide structure and analysis, embracing ambiguity and intuition alongside quantitative data allows for more holistic and nuanced decision-making. Culture is sticky: Establishing a strong culture early on, emphasizing inclusivity, humility, and feedback, creates a foundation for long-term success and employee retention. Joy and gratitude: Incorporating moments of celebration, gratitude, and joy in the workplace fosters morale, engagement, and a positive work environment, enhancing overall productivity and satisfaction. Transparency and clarity: Explicitly defining values, mission, and vision helps guide actions, align stakeholders, and provide a clear framework for decision-making, ensuring consistency and focus. Resources Jenny Xia Spradling | LinkedIn | FreeWill
What happens when the intense focus on solving a specific problem is paired with a clear understanding of what not to do? In this thought-provoking podcast episode, Lindsay Pederson interviews Bill Richter, CEO of Qumulo, about the power of long-term thinking, customer partnerships, and the importance of focus in business. Bill emphasizes the value of creating enduring customer relationships by staying true to the company's mission and not diluting efforts by trying to do everything. The conversation delves into the challenges of maintaining focus, the significance of trust in building a brand, and the necessity of clarity in driving organizational success. Focus is key: Focusing on solving one specific problem better than anyone else is crucial for startups to stand out and succeed in a competitive market. Long-term thinking: Prioritizing long-term customer satisfaction over short-term gains builds trust, credibility, and enduring value for the business. Trust is essential: Building trust with customers through long-term relationships and reliable service leads to positive recommendations and sustainable growth. Explicitly define what not to do: Clearly outlining what the company will not focus on is as important as defining its main objectives to maintain strategic alignment and avoid distractions. Customer obsession: Being customer-driven and prioritizing customer needs helps in defining the company's roadmap and ensuring product-market fit. Clarity is jet fuel: Providing clarity within the organization fuels productivity, engagement, and a sense of purpose among employees, driving overall success. Balancing customer requests: Balancing customer demands with the company's core mission ensures alignment with the business's long-term goals and values. Maximizing tool utilization: Focusing on maximizing the use of existing tools rather than acquiring new ones enhances efficiency and productivity within the organization. Openness as a trait: Valuing openness in others fosters effective communication, collaboration, and a culture of transparency within the team. Consistency in habits: Maintaining consistent habits, like enjoying a cup of black coffee, can provide stability and routine in a busy workday, enhancing focus and productivity. Resources Bill Richter | LinkedIn | Qumulo
What does it take for a venture capitalist to build a successful brand strategy that resonates with founders and investors alike? In this episode, host Lindsay Pedersen sits down with Kirby Winfield, the founding general partner at Ascend, to explore the importance of defining and embodying a brand identity in the world of venture capital. Kirby shares insights on the value of authenticity, problem-driven processes, and the power of being intentional in shaping a brand that stands out in a competitive market. Define Your Brand Early: It's crucial to define your brand early on to establish consistency and clarity, allowing for a compound effect over time. Focus on Problem-Solving: Prioritize solving the problem over showcasing the product or technology to ensure customer-centricity and value delivery. Humanize Your Approach: Whether in B2B or B2C, marketing to humans requires understanding human drives and emotions to build a strong brand strategy. Be Authentic and Consistent: Being authentic and consistent in your brand messaging builds trust with customers and stakeholders over time. Set Brand Guidelines: Establishing brand guidelines helps in maintaining focus, saving time, and ensuring alignment with your brand values and mission. Choose Your Brand Values: Identifying and standing for specific brand values early on helps in shaping your brand identity and resonating with your target audience. Timing Matters: Timing is crucial in defining your brand, with post-Series A being an ideal stage when you have product-market fit and a better understanding of your audience. Avoid Overthinking: Overthinking brand decisions can lead to wasted resources and potential disillusionment, so it's essential to find the right balance. Stay True to Yourself: Staying true to yourself and your brand values, even in the face of challenges, helps in maintaining authenticity and building long-term relationships. Embrace Personal Boundaries: Setting personal boundaries, both professionally and personally, helps in maintaining focus, energy, and consistency in brand messaging. Resources Kirby Winfield | LinkedIn | Ascend
Carole Offredo is the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Dataiku, a leading end-to-end platform for everyday AI. With over eight years of experience in the tech industry, Carole is passionate about democratizing AI and empowering individuals to harness its potential. She has a strong belief in the power of collaboration and transparency, driving her to create impactful marketing strategies that align with Dataiku's vision of making AI accessible to everyone. In this episode, Carole shares why there is power in understanding AI. Belief in the Vision: Believing in the product and vision you're working for is crucial as it provides meaning and energy to drive you forward. Team Collaboration: Creating conditions for your team to work together and create memorable moments for customers and prospects is energizing and fosters success. Democratizing AI: Making AI accessible to everyone empowers individuals to automate tasks, innovate, and create more interesting work, leading to a more efficient and sustainable future. Truthful Marketing: Telling real customer stories without overselling builds trust and credibility, ensuring marketing efforts are authentic and impactful. Power of Collective Creation: Harnessing the diversity of thought, background, and experience in a team leads to more vibrant ideas, innovations, and successful outcomes. Delegation and Empowerment: Delegating tasks in an empowering way allows team members to grow, learn, and contribute to the collective vision, making the organization more scalable and sustainable. Long-Term Sustainability: Focusing on making people grow as individuals, as a team, and as an organization ensures the business is scalable, sustainable, and creates long-term value. Kindness as a Trait: Valuing kindness in a person fosters positive relationships, empathy, and a supportive work environment, leading to better collaboration and team dynamics. Resources Carole Offredo on LinkedIn | Dataiku
Adriana Gil Miner, the CMO at Iterable, brings a wealth of experience and passion to the world of marketing. With a background that spans industries like financial services and tech, Adriana's unique perspective on brand building and customer experience shines through in her work. Known for her dedication to creating joyful experiences and building emotional connections between brands and people, Adriana's insights on marketing strategy and the evolving landscape of the tech industry are both enlightening and inspiring. Brand is more than just a logo or advertising: It is about who you are as a company. Building a brand through every touchpoint helps create emotional connections with customers, leading to loyalty and advocacy. Invest in Brand Marketing: Investing in brand marketing can increase the efficiency of performance marketing dollars over time. Brand marketing helps build awareness, positioning, and organic interest, making performance marketing more effective in the long run. Marketing and Business Strategy: Marketing is a strategic function that should be tied to the overall business strategy. Marketing is a variable and unpredictable expense that serves as the engine for growth in a company. How Brand Evolves: The essence of a brand can evolve and abstract over time, transcending the product itself. A strong brand identity can help a company navigate through different product iterations and market challenges. Personal Experiences Matter: Personal experiences can deeply impact how we perceive and connect with brands. Emotional connections with brands can be formed through personal experiences, leading to long-lasting loyalty. Budget for Marketing: Marketing budgets should be allocated strategically, considering a healthy blend of brand and performance marketing. Balancing brand-building activities with performance-driven tactics can lead to more efficient and effective marketing strategies. How to Approach Branding: The concept of brand transcends industries, with some industries having a more conscious understanding of its value. Different industries may approach brand marketing differently, but the essence of brand building remains universal. Brands Must Adapt: The evolution of a brand can reflect societal changes and technological advancements. Brands that adapt and evolve with the times can maintain relevance and connection with their audience. Resources Adriana Gil Miner on LinkedIn | Iterable
Elena Donio is a seasoned leader with a wealth of experience in the tech industry. As the former CEO of Axiom and President at Concur, she played pivotal roles in driving growth and innovation. Elena's expertise extends to advising and serving on the boards of companies like Twilio, Benchling, Databricks, Contentful, and PayScale. With a passion for mentoring the next generation of talent, Elena's career has been marked by a commitment to authenticity, leadership, and creating meaningful impact on the next generation. You'll hear Lindsay and Elena discuss: Embrace Paradox in Leadership: Managing through paradox is essential for making strategic decisions that balance conflicting priorities, leading to long-term success and growth. Focus on the How, Not Just the What: A company's way of operating, values, and norms can differentiate it, create a positive work environment, and drive success beyond just the product or service. Maintain Personal Energy and Well-being: Taking care of yourself physically and mentally, including getting enough sleep and exercise, is vital for sustained high performance and creativity in leadership roles. Engage Employees Beyond Financial Rewards: During challenging times, leaders must find ways to keep employees connected to the mission, engaged, and excited about their work beyond monetary incentives. Create Career Opportunities Without Vacancies: Leaders should invent and provide growth opportunities for employees even when traditional career advancements are limited, fostering intellectual and professional development. Value Creative Thinking and Problem-Solving: Encouraging creativity and challenging individuals with significant problems and opportunities can keep employees motivated and intellectually stimulated, even in stagnant growth periods. Prioritize Personal Relationships and Relaxation: Spending quality time with loved ones, enjoying leisure activities, and relaxing can recharge leaders, enhance well-being, and improve decision-making. Resources Elena Donio on LinkedIn | X(Twitter)
Barry Padgett, CEO of Amperity, is a seasoned executive with a proven track record in leading innovative companies like Stripe and SAP Concur. His genius lies in driving transformative business strategies and creating new categories in the customer data unification space. Barry's focus on better data, better results exemplifies his commitment to delivering audacious economic value while staying true to a distinctive purpose. You'll hear Lindsay and Barry discuss: Importance of having a North Star: Having a clear guiding principle, like "better data, better results," helps in making trade-offs, prioritizing tasks, and aligning the team towards a common goal. Building for durability: Companies aiming for long-term success focus on creating enduring customer relationships, employee experiences, and shareholder value, guided by a strong North Star. Emotional quotient in business: Incorporating emotional elements in products or services, like creating delightful experiences for customers, can enhance brand loyalty and drive long-term success. Leader-dependent approach: The leader's vision and values play a crucial role in shaping the company's direction, culture, and customer-centric focus, regardless of the industry or vertical. Balancing short-term and long-term goals: Leaders need to balance short-term demands with a long-term vision to ensure sustainable growth, customer satisfaction, and employee engagement. Personal preferences and professional choices: Leaders can have personal preferences, like reading nonfiction books, while professionally focusing on customer-centric strategies, durability, and emotional connections. Utilizing data for customer experiences: Leveraging customer data to create personalized, seamless experiences, like empowering customer service reps with comprehensive customer insights, can drive customer satisfaction and loyalty. Resources Barry Padgett on LinkedIn | Amperity
Elissa Fink, former CMO of Tableau, led the company from its startup phase through its IPO and beyond. With a focus on helping people see and understand data, she emphasized the importance of human connection in marketing. Elissa's expertise extends to advising tech companies and serving on boards for companies like Intellimize, Pantheon Platforms, and Cumulo. Her passion for creativity, collaboration, and brand strategy has made her a respected leader in the industry. You'll hear Lindsay and Elissa discuss: Using data and intuition in marketing: Marketers should utilize both data and intuition in decision-making to get a more complete picture and make better decisions. Focus on people in enterprises: It's crucial to remember that marketing should target people within enterprises, not just the organizations themselves, to appeal to emotions and build relationships. Brand as a relationship: Branding is about building a relationship between humans and a company, emphasizing trust, credibility, and emotional connections. Balancing brand and demand: Every demand touch should also be a brand touch, ensuring consistency in messaging and reinforcing the brand promise for more effective marketing. Inbound leads: Prioritizing inbound leads over outbound campaigns allows for a customer-centric approach, meeting customers on their terms and fostering long-term relationships. Mission-driven leadership: A clear and simple mission statement, like "helping people see and understand data," serves as a guiding principle for decision-making and aligning actions with the brand promise. Utilizing persuasion principles: Understanding human behavior and decision-making, as outlined in books like "Influence" by Robert Cialdini, can inform marketing strategies and improve customer engagement. TV show recommendations: Enjoying TV shows like "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Tokyo Vice" can provide entertainment and insights into human behavior and different cultures, offering a break from work. Personal connections: Building relationships and being open to communication with others, whether in work or personal life, can lead to valuable connections and opportunities for growth. Continuous learning: Remaining open to new experiences, cultures, and perspectives, like through TV shows or books, can broaden one's understanding and enhance personal and professional development. Resources Elissa Fink on LinkedIn | Website
Frank Mycroft is the CEO of Booster, a company providing energy delivery and logistics solutions for decarbonizing last-mile delivery. With over eight years of experience, Frank has led Booster in its mission to eliminate the need for traditional gas stations and bring mobile energy solutions to the world. When leading his team, he focuses on increasing velocity, raising the bar, and narrowing the focus to drive excellence and innovation. Frank's dedication to sustainability and efficiency has positioned Booster as a leader in the energy delivery industry. Great leaders excel at saying no to most things, as it is harder but better than always saying yes, allowing for focus and efficiency in decision-making. Establishing a clear North Star is crucial for leaders to guide their team and organization towards a common purpose, ensuring alignment and direction. Regularly reminding oneself and the team of the company's mission and values helps maintain focus and motivation, reinforcing the importance of the North Star. Balancing practical benefits like convenience with aspirational goals like sustainability is essential for creating value and engaging customers on a deeper level. Building a business off immediate pain points while working towards a visionary goal allows for practical progress and long-term impact, ensuring sustainability. Finding the balance between functional benefits and emotional aspirations is key to engaging customers and driving business success, catering to both practical and aspirational needs. Empowering employees to make decisions based on the North Star through clear values, goals, and guiding principles fosters accountability, autonomy, and efficiency in the organization. Creating artifacts like company values, goals, and guiding principles enables scalable decision-making, asynchronous collaboration, and efficient use of time and resources. Encouraging a culture of focus, accountability, and excellence by setting high standards, increasing velocity, and narrowing the focus drives productivity, innovation, and success in the organization. Being open to questions, fostering curiosity, and encouraging open communication with team members and children alike promotes learning, engagement, and meaningful connections in personal and professional relationships. Resources Frank Mycroft on LinkedIn | Booster
Jessica Rolph is the CEO of Lovevery, an early learning platform that offers stage-based information for parents and products for children. With a background in brand strategy and a passion for helping children reach their fullest potential, Jessica leads Lovevery in providing tools for intentional play and connection between parents and children. Her dedication to creating meaningful learning experiences for children during their crucial developmental stages has made her a respected leader in the early childhood education space. Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-rolph-4b86ba/ You'll hear Lindsay and Jessica discuss: Balance science and heart. Balancing the science of early childhood development with a big-hearted approach is crucial for creating a brand that resonates with parents and children. Understand the tensions of parenting. Acknowledging and navigating the tensions of modern parenting, such as screen time and achievement pressures, is essential for both parents and brands like Lovevery. Growth mindset is for everyone. Embracing a growth mindset as a parent and a leader allows for continuous learning, adaptation, and improvement in both personal and professional roles. Purpose alignment is key. Aligning personal purpose with the purpose of the company can lead to a fulfilling and all-consuming dedication to the brand's mission and vision. Pay attention to detail. Paying attention to important nuances, without skimming over them, is vital for maintaining the quality and integrity of a brand's messaging and offerings. Find the right brand tone. The tone and personality of a brand, like Lovevery, play a crucial role in conveying the right message to parents and creating a positive and engaging experience for families. Provide the right tools for your audience. Lovevry provides parents with the right tools and information to engage with their children's development can strengthen the parent-child connection and support holistic family growth. Work-life balance still matters. Balancing the demands of work and family life, like being a CEO and a parent, requires gut instincts and prioritization to ensure both personal and professional success. Commit to continuous learning. Embracing continuous learning and growth, both as a parent and a brand leader, allows for adaptation to changing circumstances and the ability to evolve with the needs of families. Resources Jessica Rolph on LinkedIn | Lovevery
Xiao Wang is the co-founder and CEO of Boundless Immigration, a technology company that assists immigrants in navigating their immigration journey. With a background at Amazon, Xiao has honed his leadership skills to create a purpose-driven organization. Under his leadership, Boundless has served tens of thousands of immigrants annually, receiving countless positive feedback and testimonials. Xiao's focus on values, culture, and decision-making has led to the development of a successful and impactful company. Connect with Xiao on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/xiaowang1/ You'll hear Lindsay and Xiao discuss: Values should have edge and require trade-offs. Setting values that differentiate a company and necessitate trade-offs helps drive decisions and align the organization towards a common goal. Values evolve with maturity. As a company grows and faces new challenges, revisiting and evolving values is crucial to ensure they continue to guide decision-making effectively. Build a "black licorice culture." Focusing on attracting individuals who align with the company's unique culture ensures a cohesive team that can thrive in the organization's environment. Saying no is essential. Prioritizing and saying no to good but not great ideas is necessary to focus resources on what will have the most significant impact on the company's goals. Deliberate experimentation is key. Conducting experiments with specific learning objectives and actionable outcomes ensures that resources are used effectively and learnings drive meaningful change. Prioritization before experimentation. Choosing to focus on one key initiative rather than spreading resources thin across multiple experiments leads to more impactful results and clearer learnings. Specific learning objectives are crucial. Clearly defining what the company aims to learn from each experiment and how that learning will inform future actions is essential for driving progress. Values should be decision-making filters. Using values and cultural norms as filters for decision-making helps prioritize initiatives that align with the company's core beliefs and goals. Balance speed and thoroughness. Striking a balance between speed and thoroughness in decision-making is crucial to ensure efficient progress without sacrificing quality or effectiveness. Clear communication is key. Transparent communication about company values, goals, and expectations helps attract individuals who align with the organization's culture and mission, fostering a cohesive and effective team. Resources Xiao Wang on LinkedIn | Boundless Immigration
Raj De Datta is the CEO and co-founder of Bloomreach, a leading software platform for digital commerce experiences. He is a multiple-time entrepreneur and bestselling author of The Digital Seeker. Raj is known for challenging the status quo and operationalizing company values to drive continuous improvement. With a focus on seeker-centric experiences, he emphasizes the importance of mission-driven leadership in the digital world. A growth mindset characterizes Raj's leadership style, prioritizing energy optimization and a commitment to being a Day Zero leader. You'll hear Lindsay and Raj discuss: Embrace a growth mindset as a leader to stay open-minded and adaptable in the face of new challenges and opportunities, ensuring continuous growth and innovation. Operationalize company values with specific behaviors to ensure they are not just words on a wall but are actively practiced, creating a strong organizational culture. Commit to a commitment culture where the level of commitment of teams to various outcomes determines the success of the organization, emphasizing the importance of dedication and alignment. Differentiate between customer-centricity and seeker-centricity in digital commerce to focus on understanding the deeper needs and motivations of customers, fostering stronger relationships and loyalty. Harness the power of mission in digital environments to connect with customers on a deeper level beyond transactions, building lasting relationships and brand loyalty. Prioritize energy optimization by focusing on meaningful tasks and saying no to unnecessary commitments, ensuring personal fulfillment and effectiveness as a leader. Cultivate a beginner's mindset to approach each day with curiosity and openness, allowing for continuous learning and growth in leadership roles. Make strategic splurges on items that bring joy and fulfillment, balancing personal rewards with responsible decision-making in financial matters. Recommend books that offer valuable insights into business strategies and entrepreneurial journeys, expanding knowledge and perspective for personal and professional growth. Enjoy guilty pleasure TV shows as a form of relaxation and entertainment, balancing work and leisure to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Resources Raj De Datta on LinkedIn | Bloomreach
Tarang Amin is the Chairman and CEO of e.l.f. Beauty, a cosmetics company he took public in 2016. He previously served as CEO of Schiff Nutrition and has over 30 years of experience in the consumer products industry. Under his leadership, e.l.f. has grown into a digital-first cosmetics powerhouse while staying true to its roots of providing prestige quality at accessible price points. You'll hear Lindsay and Tarang discuss: Brand builds economic value by increasing pricing power, enabling premium salaries, driving higher sales per employee, and generating significant goodwill value. Clearly defining your North Star guides decision-making at all levels. It attracts talent aligned with your purpose and makes it easier to reject opportunities that don't fit your mission. Seek "healthy conflict" between reflection and action. Thoughtful rituals create space to recharge, but avoid overthinking that leads to paralysis. Build a diverse team that reflects your consumer base. This fuels innovation, having your finger on the pulse of their needs and desires. Brands must stay fresh by constantly testing new ideas, platforms, and partnerships. Listen to your community and meet them where they are. Create a culture of empowerment. Hire those smarter than you for each function then give them ownership to drive results. As a leader, surround yourself with an executive team that complements your skills and energizes you. Delegate areas of expertise to avoid burnout. Celebrate failures as learning opportunities while doubling down on what resonates with customers. Stay humble and hungry. Intentionally carve out time for reflection, travel, passions, and interactions that spark energy. It enables you to show up at your best. Launch experiments rapidly without overanalyzing. Use consumer signals and engagement to dictate next steps rather than endless planning cycles. Resources Tarang Amin on LinkedIn | X (Twitter) e.l.f. Beauty
Kristen Hamilton is a seasoned tech founder and CEO. As the co-founder and CEO of Koru, she played a pivotal role until its acquisition in 2019. Currently serving as General Manager with Enjoy the Work, Kristen is dedicated to helping founders evolve into great CEOs. She has over 25 years of experience in building and running companies, and brings a unique blend of expertise and empathy to her advisory role. She has a deep commitment to impact-driven entrepreneurship. You'll hear Lindsay and Kristen discuss: The impact-driven nature of Kristen's work and the deep connections she forms with entrepreneurs drive her sense of purpose. The transition from being a CEO to an advisor brought a shift from a constant learning mindset as a founder to realizing the depth of expertise accumulated over years, allowing her to genuinely help others. Kristen underscores the value of sharing stories, especially the challenges faced during the entrepreneurial journey. Vulnerability and openness create a connection, making the real work possible in the often lonely journey of entrepreneurship. Your North Star will emerge from a deep understanding of a pressing problem, resonating with both your team and customers. Ground your mission in practical problem-solving while maintaining an audacious, game-changing vision. Entrepreneurs must adapt and iterate by understanding how their customers experience pain continually. Founders face vulnerability, courageously putting their creations out for evaluation. The act of receiving feedback, even if it implies potential flaws, is an essential aspect of leadership. Embracing vulnerability fuels growth and improvement. A common pitfall is where founders fall in love with their product rather than deeply caring about the problem they are solving. Start with the problem, ensuring a genuine connection to a critical and meaningful issue. Connecting your personal "why" and company mission becomes a source of courage, endurance, and guidance during the challenging entrepreneurial journey. Knowing yourself is critical for decision-making, defining priorities, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Kristen introduces the concept of "working theories" as decision-making filters. These are stable viewpoints based on strategy, the North Star, and market analysis. Revisit these theories only when new information challenges existing beliefs. Resources Kristen Hamilton on LinkedIn Enjoy The Work
Charlie Cole is the CEO of Tribute Technology, a leading provider of software solutions for the funeral industry. His leadership experience includes roles such as CEO of FTD, Chief eCommerce Officer at Samsonite, and Chief Digital Officer at Tumi. He embraces a leadership style rooted in transparency and a commitment to driving positive change. This approach involves blending the best of the past with innovative strategies, ensuring that his teams evolve and thrive in the evolving business landscape. You'll hear Lindsay and Charlie discuss: The key to successful leadership, according to Charlie, is finding the right balance between maintaining elements of the old and introducing new strategies. Drawing from his experience at FTD, Charlie discusses the complex task of leading a company that recently emerged from bankruptcy, navigating the process of retaining valuable institutional knowledge while implementing necessary changes. Inherited culture plays a significant role when taking on leadership roles, especially in the context of companies recovering from challenges like bankruptcy. Charlie's leadership style is rooted in ruthless transparency. He communicates regularly with the team, shares monthly and weekly results, and ensures that everyone is well-informed about the company's direction. It's difficult to be transparent when the truth may hurt. However, leaders must be willing to deliver uncomfortable truths that drive positive change. The challenge of leading change involves identifying individuals willing to adapt quickly and making swift decisions when facing resistance. In his role at Tribute Technology, Charlie serves three principal constituents: funeral directors, grieving families, and friends and family of the deceased. The company prioritizes customer-centric solutions that benefit all three groups. Customer centricity in SaaS businesses like Tribute Technology is facilitated by the high lifetime value of customers, allowing for a more long-term and holistic approach. Certain business models afford more leeway for customer-centric decisions. Examples from companies like Amazon, Starbucks, and Meta showcase the possibilities of creating new economic value by being customer-centric and taking bold swings. The best teams have a mix of people with diverse viewpoints and ideas. Resources Charlie Cole on LinkedIn Tribute Technology
Leigh McMillan is the CEO of Whitepages. She has a diverse professional background that includes roles in politics and Major League Baseball. As the CEO of Whitepages, she has helped to steer the company into the new era of data and technology. Leigh is not only a seasoned executive but also a winemaker and co-owner at Welcome Road Winery in Seattle. She joins Lindsay Pedersen to explore insights into leadership, building a strong company culture, and the challenges of leading a brand with high awareness and trust. You'll hear Lindsay and Leigh discuss: Leigh emphasizes the importance of the diverse and passionate team at Whitepages, highlighting how the company has played the long game in nurturing talent and helping individuals grow their careers. With over 20 years of history, Whitepages has transitioned from the traditional phone book to a data-centric company. Leigh discusses the challenges of maintaining trust in a brand with high awareness and the need to evolve the business under a changing technological landscape. Leigh advocates for a non-linear career path, encouraging individuals to explore different roles and take chances to find their strengths and passions. The core of Whitepages' brand promise lies in balancing changing privacy norms with the necessity of contacting people outside the phone book. Leigh underscores the importance of transparency and trust in handling public information for the greater good. Whitepages' commitment to trust and transparency influences day-to-day decisions more than large strategic pursuits. The dual criteria for decision-making at Whitepages are ensuring it aligns with the brand promise of "data for good" and facilitates the growth and expansion of the team. Leigh feels a sense of stewardship towards Whitepages' legacy and a responsibility to the team that has trusted and joined her on this journey. Creating a collaborative environment and taking care of the team fosters a positive work culture. Leigh's advice to her younger self would be to have a more relaxed perspective and not perceive everything as a significant stressor. Resources Leigh McMillan on LinkedIn Whitepages
Clayton Lewis has over three decades of experience launching and scaling early-stage companies. His impressive track record includes leading two companies, Onvia and HouseValues, to public offerings and serving as a general partner at Maveron. He co-founded Arivale in 2014, and served as its CEO. He currently advises CEOs and is a member of the Board of Trustees for Harborview Medical Center. Clayton is recognized for his expertise guiding purpose-driven leaders toward creating audacious economic value while staying true to their purpose. You'll hear Lindsay and Clayton discuss: Clayton's focus shifted from passion-driven pursuits in his 20s, to prioritizing financial success imid career. Launching Arivale allowed him to reconnect with his passion for health and wellness, marking a transformative stage in his career. Use joy as a filter to evaluate your daily activities and interactions. This shift allowed Clayton to find balance and fulfillment in both his personal and professional life. Passion can be both an asset and a liability. While passion fueled Arivale's vision, it also led to challenges, such as losing perspective and overlooking critical business considerations. Leaders need to balance passion with objectivity to maintain a holistic perspective, especially in assessing product-market fit and strategic direction. Clayton outlines the practicality of a North Star in guiding day-to-day decisions. He emphasizes the importance of aligning the team with a shared vision, defining success at various intervals, fostering a learning culture, and integrating the North Star into the company's values. Clayton shares how Arivale brought its North Star to life culturally. This includes storytelling sessions about impactful client experiences, recognizing team members living company values, and creating a culture of continuous learning and improvement. As an advisor to CEOs, Clayton encourages setting audacious goals, fostering relationships, and maintaining a positive attitude. He emphasizes the role of a North Star in guiding business decisions and aligning teams toward a common purpose. Clayton uses his North Star as a filter when selecting companies to work with or invest in. He listens for passion, clarity of purpose, and the willingness of entrepreneurs to articulate and refine their goals. Various terms can be used to describe the guiding purpose, such as mission, vision, values, and brand strategy. Clayton remains flexible with the language, focusing on the essence of a clear and motivating direction. Sustaining leadership energy involves setting audacious goals, building strong relationships, and maintaining a positive outlook. Resources Clayton Lewis on LinkedIn
Robbie Cape is the co-founder and CEO of Mt. Joy, a mission-driven restaurant aiming to demonstrate that profitability and positive impact can coexist. Having previously served as CEO and co-founder of both 98point6 and Cozy, Robbie has dedicated his career to building mission-driven businesses that transcend traditional boundaries. He envisions a world where restaurants not only serve exceptional food but also prioritize the well-being of the planet, animals, and every participant in the supply chain. You'll hear Lindsay and Robbie discuss: Mt. Joy is a mission-first restaurant committed to proving that a profitable business can simultaneously contribute positively to the planet. Robbie's journey into regenerative agriculture was sparked by the documentary Kiss the Ground and Michael Pollan's book, The Omnivore's Dilemma. Regenerative principles can be applied beyond agriculture. From employee well-being to customer experiences, Mt. Joy aims to create a regenerative impact at every stage of the supply chain. Robbie discusses the inherent challenges in venturing into industries like healthcare and restaurants, where the potential for impact is vast but the obstacles are significant.. The concept of regenerative isn't limited to the environment; it extends to employees, by creating jobs that energize and positively impact workers. The positive treatment of animals at Mt. Joy has been lauded even by vegetarian and vegan customers, showcasing the broader appeal of regenerative practices. Regenerative meat tends to be more expensive than industrially produced meat. This necessitates setting higher prices for the products. Social and environmental change needs to be commercially viable to have exponential impact; this is illustrated by the impact of Tesla in the electric vehicle market. Mt. Joy adopts transparency as a guiding principle. This extends to employees, which fosters trust and provides them access to information, promoting a culture of openness and honesty. Transparency guides decision-making within the company, allowing for more informed and ethical choices. The journey toward regenerative practices is gradual: you need to crawl before you walk and walk before you run, to achieve sustainable growth. Resources Robbie Cape on LinkedIn | X(Twitter) Mt. Joy | Instagram
As CEO of Assurance IQ, Allison Arzeno is at the forefront of harnessing technology to make a tangible difference in people's lives. Under her leadership, Assurance IQ has focused on its mission to improve and protect personal financial well-being of underserved consumers. She believes that data can be an equalizer in society. Episode Highlights: Data science lays the foundation for innovative solutions, by gathering opinions and trends over time. Assurance IQ employs data to pinpoint consumer needs. This approach has enabled them to tailor personalized insurance recommendations, especially for underserved consumers. Assurance's North Star is centered on promoting personal financial well-being for all. Assurance's brand strategy is interwoven with their North Star. Both elements work together to help the company achieve its overarching mission. Data is essential to Assurance's brand strategy, influencing major decisions. By aligning these elements, they serve consumers effectively while upholding their core values. Allison believes that data-driven discussions enhance decision-making processes by introducing objectivity. This allows employees to engage in constructive debates that are grounded in analysis rather than personal biases. This approach is especially empowering for young professionals in tech-intensive roles, as it emphasizes the value of voices backed by evidence, regardless of the seniority of the contributor. While Assurance advocates for digital solutions, they never overlook the importance of human connection. They understand that certain situations call for a personal touch. Assurance IQ's business model seamlessly integrates technology and human interaction, ensuring that consumers are provided with solutions tailored to their unique needs. This balance is achieved through the use of cutting-edge technology, which allows the company to collect and analyze vast amounts of data, and a team of experienced and knowledgeable advisors, who are able to use this data to provide personalized recommendations to consumers. Operating where profit meets purpose presents its set of hurdles. Assurance grapples with this overlap, especially when data science intersects with consumer requirements. Such challenges require innovative thinking and adaptability. A data scientist at heart, Allison believes that data helps to demystify discussions and enrich decision-making. She emphasizes the importance of listening and collaborating, especially when additional data can add value to the conversation. Challenges are inevitable, but a clear and compelling North Star can provide guidance through tumultuous times. Economic goals should not overshadow societal impact. Resources Allison Arzeno on LinkedIn Assurance IQ
Zack Rosen is the co-founder and CEO of Pantheon Platforms, the leading WebOps platform. With a background in computer science and a passion for innovation, Zack's North Star is to innovate and protect the open web, ensuring a balance of power and freedom in the digital space. As a purpose-driven leader, Zack emphasizes the importance of autonomy and fulfillment in his career, paralleling the values ingrained in Pantheon's mission. You'll hear Lindsay and Zack discuss: Zack shares the joy and fulfillment from working with a close-knit team on important problems. In the entrepreneurial world, having the autonomy to choose challenges to tackle is crucial for a satisfying career. Pantheon's North Star is safeguarding and advancing the open web. Zack explains the significance of the open web—a set of standards that allows for freedom and flexibility in delivering excellent digital experiences without being controlled by a few dominant platforms. Pantheon empowers digital teams by providing an out-of-the-box workflow that fosters autonomy and velocity. Pantheon seeks to eliminate friction in the website development process, offering a workflow that is trusted, guaranteed, and conducive to high velocity. Pantheon unlocks growth for digital teams by providing a well-oiled system that fosters collaboration and confidence. Zack underscores the importance of value systems in building organizational culture. Values serve as a critical tool for aligning teams and attracting individuals who resonate with the company's mission and principles. Two of Pantheon's core values are passion and giving, and they actively embrace individuals who care deeply about their work and engage with a sense of purpose. These values contribute to a vibrant culture, but managing strong opinions within a passionate team can be challenging. Leaders play a crucial role in embodying and promoting the value system. The goal is to create a culture where values are not just words but are lived and integrated into day-to-day work, interactions, and leadership. Values, when well-defined and lived, serve as a compass for decision-making and contribute to a vibrant and effective culture. Lindsay draws parallels between Pantheon's mission to eliminate friction in website development and Zach's work with California YIMBY in removing roadblocks in housing policies. Both endeavors share a common theme of removing unnecessary friction to drive positive outcomes. Resources Zack Rosen on LinkedIn | X(Twitter) Pantheon
Yoko Miyashita is a prominent figure in the cannabis industry, serving as the CEO of Leafly, a leading online platform dedicated to cannabis information, education, and connecting consumers with licensed retailers and brands. With a passion for both business and purpose-driven leadership, Yoko brings a wealth of experience and insights to the industry. In her role as CEO, she has addressed challenges related to legal status, limited access to banking services, and the dynamic nature of the cannabis industry. You'll hear Lindsay and Yoko discuss: Establishing a cannabis news arm is crucial to cover the changing landscape of state legislatures and global events affecting the industry. Other media outlets are increasingly focusing on cannabis, signifying the growing importance of the industry in mainstream conversations. A brand's North Star should be revisited periodically for alignment but not changed too frequently, as it provides stability in decision-making. Leading a company that combines commerce-driven and purpose-driven aspects is challenging, but money and mission can coexist in the cannabis industry, which presents opportunities for positive social change. Limited access to capital is a significant hurdle for companies in the cannabis industry, impacting their growth potential and ability to achieve their purpose. Personal rituals, such as self-care through sleep, exercise, healthy eating, and regular breaks during work, are essential for leaders to perform at their best. Protecting their energy and maintaining a sense of connection through basic rituals is vital for leaders in high-pressure industries. Reducing cognitive load in decision-making is crucial for effective leadership, as it streamlines the alignment between desired actions and actual actions. Personal North Stars can be powerful tools for improving speed and scale, both personally and within an organization. Empowering others within the organization should be balanced with applying the right filters in decision-making processes to maintain alignment with the organization's mission. Resources Yoko Miyashita on LinkedIn Leafly
Rajeev Singh is the CEO of Accolade, a healthcare technology company that provides personalized, technology-enabled solutions to improve the healthcare experience for individuals. Accolade's platform aims to simplify and streamline healthcare navigation, making it easier for individuals to access the right care and resources.In this episode, you'll hear Lindsay and Rajeev discuss: Rajeev's favorite aspect of his work is building teams and fostering a positive culture within Accolade. Fostering a collaborative environment is a key driver of organizational success, according to Rajeev. He believes that success is closely linked to having the right culture and attracting individuals who align with the company's core values. Accolade's culture deck, inspired by Netflix and HubSpot, serves as a humanizing guide to their values and is crucial for problem-solving in the healthcare domain. Culture is an internal manifestation of a brand, and defining it early allows for adaptive growth over time. Rajeev stresses the importance of new leaders embracing the existing culture during transitions. A seamless continuity in organizational values is essential for the success of any organization. When a new leader comes in, they need to take the time to understand the culture of the organization and how it has been successful in the past. Psychological safety within a company is significant, as is striking a balance between maintaining core values and evolving. Rajeev believes that culture evolves both inevitably and necessarily, and that leaders must adapt to changing circumstances while holding steadfast to core values. Leadership doesn't start and end at the workplace; personal aspects, such as family time, self-care, and continuous learning through reading influence how effective your leadership can be. Two key principles, telling the truth and fearlessness, inform Accolade's decision-making process, contributing to their success. Resources Rajeev Singh on LinkedIn | X(Twitter) Accolade
Matt Oppenheimer is a prominent figure in the world of finance and technology. He is best known as the co-founder and CEO of Remitly, a digital financial services provider that has made significant strides in the fintech industry. With a passion for leveraging technology to solve real-world problems, Matt has played a pivotal role in the company's journey from startup to becoming a publicly traded entity. You'll hear Lindsay and Matt discuss: Maintaining focus is essential for success. This means concentrating time, resources, and energy on the most important tasks and goals, and avoiding distractions. This can be difficult, especially when there are many competing demands on a company's time and resources. A company that can maintain focus is more likely to achieve its goals and to be successful in the long run. Trust is paramount in the remittance industry, especially given its reputation. Building trust involves having fair and transparent prices, reliable service, and ensuring customer information and money are secure. Successful leaders strike a balance between unwavering conviction and a humble curiosity that allows them to adapt and make informed decisions. Matt shares his favorite thing about what he does - seeing the impact that Remitly has on its customers. As Remitly evolved from a startup to a publicly traded company, Matt's role shifted from direct customer interaction to making strategic decisions that have ripple effects on larger groups. He emphasizes the need for entrepreneurs to stay focused on solving a specific problem rather than getting distracted by other ideas. Speed empowers customers by getting them what they want when they want it, saving time and money, and making their lives easier. Fast and efficient service leads to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty. Regulatory requirements are communicated to customers to build trust and to ensure compliance. By communicating these requirements, companies can demonstrate that they are operating in a responsible manner and that they are committed to following the rules. This can help to reassure customers that they are doing business with a reputable company. Some of Remitly's competitors expanded too rapidly, which led to infrastructure challenges. This resulted in delays, customer service issues, and website crashes. Businesses should carefully plan expansion and ensure that their infrastructure can support growth. Matt believes in staying grounded and having direct interactions with customers. He believes that this is the best way to understand their needs and how to improve his products and services. Resources Matt Oppenheimer on LinkedIn | Twitter Remitly
As a leader, how do you know where to focus? When there are a hundred possibilities, how do you direct your time, your team, your budget, your emotional energy? And - how do you step back and consider the longer term? How do you set conditions for the business to create value not just now, but for years and decades? How do you dance the tension between creating economic value now, while also serving a noble purpose? If you wonder about these things, then this podcast is for you. You'll hear from growth mindset leaders how to create enormous economic value while also creating deep, durable impact. Discover their tips, tricks, habits and mindsets for holding the paradox of leadership - navigating the tug between short term demands and long term aspirations. Finding and aligning to your business's North Star creates a compounding loop of goodness for customers, employees, and investors. It makes growth easier, more gratifying, more soul-filling. And, focusing on what you uniquely bring multiplies your business's value and impact. It's your distinctive, steadfast advantage. The world needs what only your business can bring. Don't rely on brute force to bring it to us. Let your North Star enable you to create audacious economic value while also realizing your fueling purpose.
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