NEXT WAVE LEADERSHIP - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- President of Setili & Associates
Job Titles:
- Chief Marketing Officer at CBRE, on
Benji Baer is the Chief Marketing Officer at CBRE, a global leader in commercial real estate services. She is a senior executive with extensive experience in brand strategy, strategic marketing, and business planning. Benji's previous positions have spanned J.P. Morgan, Legg Mason, and AllianceBernstein. Over her long career, she has become a globally-recognized marketing innovator focused on driving transformation in complex business environments.
Benji Baer, the Chief Marketing Officer at CBRE, On: The Importance of Grit, Taking People Along With You, and Using Intuition to Build the Right Team
Benji Baer's upbringing and the core values she was taught led her to where she is today. With over three decades of experience in senior-level and executive positions, she's established herself as a transformative, innovative leader in the business world. Her focus as the Chief Marketing Officer has allowed Benji to use her unique leadership abilities to stimulate a growth strategy for CBRE in three central areas: company profile, profit, and pride. Using her experiences in large, complex business environments, she brings teams together and breaks down traditional silos to cultivate new business growth opportunities. As a marketing pioneer, there are many takeaways and lessons we can learn through Benji's career trajectory.
In this episode of Next Wave Leadership, Dov Pollack talks with Benji Baer, the Chief Marketing Officer at CBRE, to discuss leadership and how she views life. They break down her upbringing and some of the essential lessons she learned. They also talk about empathy, building the right team, how to foster a culture of trust, and what the future holds for Benji's career.
Job Titles:
- CEO and Co - Founder of Sounding Board, on
- Co - Founder and CEO of Sounding Board
Christine Tao is the Co-founder and CEO of Sounding Board, a Silicon Valley startup that uses tech-enabled leadership coaching to transform how organizations develop their leaders. Christine has worked in leadership roles for multiple esteemed companies, including Senior Vice President of Global Developer Relations at Tapjoy and as a member of the Governing Board of Directors for HR West and Next Concept HR Association (NCHRA).
Currently, Christine is an angel investor and advises startups. She's also a Tory Burch Foundation Fellow, a foundation dedicated to investing in the success of female entrepreneurs.
Christine Tao, the CEO and Co-Founder of Sounding Board, On: Overcoming Career Disappointments, Devoting Yourself Fully to Your Goals, and Watering Your Own Garden
Christine Tao has faced both disappointment and success throughout her career, including starting her own business. These questions were present realities, and she was able to find an answer that suited her. Here is what she has to say to others pondering what prosperity means in their own lives.
In this episode of Next Wave Leadership, Dov Pollack once again speaks with Christine Tao, the Co-founder and CEO of Sounding Board, about her life and how she defined her own success. They walk through her background, her experiences with disappointment, and how she ultimately founded her business. They also touch on her thoughts on entrepreneurship and working in the corporate world.
Founded by Dov Pollack, Next Wave Leadership is an executive coaching firm focused on helping CEOs, executives, and emerging leaders to deepen their executive presence, differentiate their voice, and embrace the plot and promise of their story.
Dov is an executive coach with a diverse background in management consulting, business, and film production. Dov Pollack started executive coaching in San Francisco in 2005, where he began his career leading team building sessions for many of the Bay Area's biggest tech firms.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder of Gardner & Co
- Distinguished Fellow at Harvard Law School and Co - Founder of Gardner & Co., on
Dr. Heidi K. Gardner is a Distinguished Fellow at Harvard Law School and the Faculty Chair of the school's Accelerated Leadership Program. She is also the Co-founder of Gardner & Co., a respected research and advisory firm. Additionally, she is a recognized thought leader and a highly acclaimed keynote speaker.
Previously, Dr. Gardner was a professor at Harvard Business School and continues to teach executive education at other Harvard graduate schools. She is the author of more than 80 books, chapters, case studies, and articles.
Dov Pollack speaks with Dr. Heidi K. Gardner, Distinguished Fellow at Harvard Law School and Co-founder of Gardner & Co., on how to improve collaboration throughout your organization. They touch on the common weaknesses of most businesses, how diversity plays a valuable role in collaboration, and how to foster a productive company ecosystem. Hear all this and more on this informative episode of Next Wave Leadership.
Job Titles:
- CEO and Co - Founder of Zero Hash
- Co - Founder and CEO of Zero Hash, on
As a successful serial entrepreneur, Edward Woodford has become an expert in leadership and fintech. He is the CEO and Co-founder of Zero Hash, a company that integrates crypto products and services into ecommerce platforms. He previously co-founded Seed CX and How App and worked with several other businesses as a research analyst. Edward's education includes a master's degree in finance from MIT and a bachelor's in politics, philosophy, and economics from the University of Warwick.
Edward Woodford, Co-Founder and CEO of Zero Hash, On: Opening Your Mind to What You Don't Know, Acting as a Leader While Being Skeptical of Power, and Writing the Obituary for Your Own Company
Graham Barkus - Founder, Managing Director
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Managing Director
- Founder and Managing Director of the Human Factor
- Medical Worker
Graham Barkus is the Founder and the Managing Director of The Human Factor, a management consulting firm designed to help people and businesses through major changes. The Human Factor helps clients address transformation, improve relationships, and enhance performance.
In addition to his business, Graham is a Non-Executive Director of Peak Pacific Group and a Partner at Transformation Worldwide. Before founding The Human Factor in 2002, he worked with Cathay Pacific Airways as its Head of Organization Development and Change for almost nine years.
Job Titles:
- Chief Human Resources Officer at TheKey, on
Julie Fletcher is the Chief Human Resources Officer at TheKey, a home care company for seniors with dedicated support for clients and their families. Julie's specialties include executive leadership, talent acquisition, organizational effectiveness, and healthcare HR. She has a rich human resources and talent management career, including over 10 years as the Chief Talent Officer for AMN Healthcare. Her first position was at the Disneyland Resort, leading its HR and working on client business strategy.
Julie Fletcher, Chief Human Resources Officer at TheKey, On: Making Hard Decisions for Culture, the Value of Transparency in Candidates, and Thinking Before Leading
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Surround Insurance, on
- Co - Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Surround Insurance
Kate Terry is the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Surround Insurance, which reinvents age-old insurance products to serve new customers. With 18 years in the insurance industry, she is a respected figure in the insurance space and works as a member of the board of directors for Skyward Specialty Insurance. Kate has also held leadership positions at Liberty Mutual and Progressive. She has an MBA in general management from Harvard Business School.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Executive
- Executive Advisor for SandboxAQ
Marco Aurelio is the Executive Advisor for SandboxAQ, an enterprise SaaS company that seeks to solve some of society's most challenging problems. With more than 30 years of information management experience, Marco is a recognized figure among businesses and a trusted consultant. He worked in executive roles at Amazon Web Services, Delphix, Oracle, and SAP, to name a few. He specializes in system development, managing global programs, and team building.
Marco Aurelio is a proven executive and consultant who has worked with Amazon, Oracle, SAP, and many other leading businesses. Despite the size of these brands, he cultivated quality cultures within them. His approach has been refined over a long and storied career, and now you can learn directly from him.
In this episode of Next Wave Leadership, Dov Pollack has an insightful conversation with Marco Aurelio, Executive Advisor at SandboxAQ, to talk about the finer details of leadership and building great cultures. They discuss the difficulties and opportunities of working within larger businesses, nurturing relationships with employees, and bringing your authentic self to work. The two also touch on the power of inquiry over command and how to lead against the grain.
Job Titles:
- Business Strategist and Differentiation Expert, on
Mark Levy is a keynote speaker, advisor, author, and the Owner of Levy Innovation, a positioning and branding firm that helps organizations and thought leaders differentiate themselves from the crowd. Over the last 20-plus years, his notable clients include Simon Sinek, a head of a division of two White House administrations, a head of the strategy unit for Harvard Business School, and a speaker to the United Nations.
Mark is the author of five books, including Accidental Genius: Using Writing to Generate Your Best Ideas, Insight, and Content. In addition to his primary career, he is also a magician, with popular shows performed in Manhattan and Carnegie Hall.
Mark Levy has centered his brand and his consultancy around differentiation. He has worked with world-renowned businesses and public figures to create narratives that separate them from the crowds. His format has been proven effective, and now he offers that same valuable framework to you.
In this episode of Next Wave Leadership, Dov Pollack has an informative interview with Mark Levy on the topic of differentiation. They discuss his approach to coaching, how to stand out from the competition, and how to capture what Mark calls Your Big Sexy Idea. They also go through the importance of honesty and how Mark's background in magic influences his work with his clients.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Founder and President of Culture Crossing Inc
- Founder of Culture Crossing, on
Michael Landers is the Founder and President of Culture Crossing Inc., a company that offers strategic consulting for the global marketplace. His workshops and speaking events have drawn over 100,000 people worldwide. As a specialist in multicultural environments, he has consulted for organizations such as The Oxford Group and ALC Education Inc. Michael authored the bestselling book Culture Crossing, where he details how to work and thrive in today's multicultural workplace.
Michael holds a bachelor's in international business and a master's in cross-cultural studies. Additionally, he is fluent in Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese and proficient in Italian and Japanese. He brings extensive experience from living and learning in various global cultural environments to his consultancy to help establish connections with his clients.
Michael Landers is a consultant who helps manage and improve cross-cultural interactions. Along with this experience, he has developed organizational leadership styles and uncovered the underlying factors many overlook. Michael's story of recapturing his inner purpose has led him to where he is today. So what actionable steps can you take to embark on the same journey?
In this episode of Next Wave Leadership, Dov Pollack invites Michael Landers, the Founder and President of Culture Crossing Inc., to talk about purpose and advice for today's leaders. They talk about Michael's retreat, the lessons he learned from it, and how he helps others find their inward and outward purposes. They also touch on the human condition in the workplace, different books for different times, and why the United States doesn't create gurus.
Job Titles:
- CEO / Co - Founder at Virtual Sapiens, on
- CEO and Co - Founder of Virtual Sapiens
Rachel Cossar is the CEO and Co-founder of Virtual Sapiens, a machine learning SaaS platform that helps client-facing professionals develop and amplify their communication skills and presence in a virtual world.
As a former professional ballet dancer and gymnast with unparalleled expertise in nonverbal communication and live performance, Rachel has a knack for translating unique skills into relatable business skills and competencies. In response to a need for holistic communication and presence training in the workplace, Rachel founded Choreography For Business, LLC. Her thought leadership has been featured on the TEDx Northeastern stage, Harvard Business Review, and The Boston Globe, to name a few, and she has worked with leaders, including GE, Pfizer, and Accenture.
Job Titles:
- Founder and CEO of OwnTrail
- Founder and CEO of Owntrail, on
Rebekah Bastian is an entrepreneur, author, tech executive, and mentor. She is the Founder and CEO of OwnTrail, a tech platform that uses experience graphs of people's lives with the tools and community they need to reach their goals.
Rebekah spent 15 years at Zillow, with roles including VP of Product and VP of Community & Culture. She wrote Blaze Your Own Trail and frequently speaks on the same topics of finding your own path, both personally and professionally.
Rebekah Bastian, Founder and CEO of Owntrail, On: Opportunities by Walking Through the Wrong Door, Intentionally Building Culture, and Why There Is No One Right Path
Job Titles:
- Chief
- Founder
- Founder and Chief Navigator at MileZero, on
Robyn Bolton is the Founder and Chief Navigator of MileZero, a consultancy that helps companies fuel innovation in their culture and products. As an expert in product strategy and innovation, she has worked with Nike, Nestlé, The Cable Center, Medtronic, Ariadne Labs, and Alexion, among many other leading names. Robyn's prior experience includes nearly a decade at Innosight, as Brand Manager at Proctor & Gamble, and as a consultant at Boston Consulting Group. Additionally, she has written for Forbes and Harvard Business Review and has been featured in The New York Times and NPR Marketplace.
Robyn Bolton, Founder and Chief Navigator at MileZero, On: The Myth of the Lone Genius, Why Innovation Is a Leadership Problem, and How To Embrace Uncertainty
Job Titles:
- Vice Chairman at Ogilvy, on
- Vice Chairman of Ogilvy
Rory Sutherland is the Vice Chairman of Ogilvy and co-founded a behavioral science practice within the agency. Ogilvy is a British advertising and consulting agency that has worked with industry titans, including Dove, Samsung, BP, and IBM.
Before founding Ogilvy Change, Rory was a copywriter and creative director at Ogilvy for over 20 years, having joined as a graduate trainee in 1988. He is the author of two books: The Wiki Man and the best-selling Alchemy, The Surprising Power of Ideas That Don't Make Sense.
Rory Sutherland, the Vice Chairman at Ogilvy, On: Creative Solutions Over Logical Fixes, Avoiding Artificial Optimization, and the Calculus of Risk Management
Rory Sutherland has built his storied career around the powerful and creative solutions that are overlooked. He works in behavioral sciences and helps clients with their unseen opportunities. This is an incredible opportunity, but one that's difficult to grasp at first. Rory shares insights into his process.
In this episode of Next Wave Leadership, Dov Pollack sits down with Rory Sutherland, the Vice Chairman at Ogilvy, to discuss creative solutions and finding the actual issues. They talk about how companies miss the bigger picture, creative reversals, and coming up with better fixes. The two also touch on AI and how times have changed.
Job Titles:
- Founder and Managing Partner at Culture Playbook Partners, on
- Founder and Managing Partner of Culture Playbook Partners
Wei-Li Chong is the Founder and Managing Partner of Culture Playbook Partners (CCP), a company that helps organizations make their culture a tangible lever that drives business performance. He spent almost 30 years successfully leading human capital and culture transformations, driving business performance in billion-dollar-plus organizations.
Before CPP, Wei-Li was the SVP of Human Resources at ANN Inc. and served in multiple leadership positions at KinderCare Education. As the previous US President of MindGym, he helped the company weather the pandemic and rebuilt its operational infrastructure for scalable growth.
Wei-Li Chong was brought into KinderCare during a season of steady decline. During his time there, he helped the company regain its footing and enter a new period of success. Much of this was based on his approach to people, transforming culture to transform the business.
Dov Pollack has a powerful interview with Wei-Li Chong, the Founder and Managing Partner at Culture Playbook Partners, to discuss how to lead a company and its culture authentically. They talk about what can be learned from poor leaders, listening to employees, and connecting with others to encourage change. They also walk through the personal approach Wei-Li used to help bring KinderCare out of its descent. Hear the rest on this episode of Next Wave Leadership!