Stories
On Championing Political Reform
And advocating for true bipartisanship Nick Troiano stands as a prominent figure in the realm of political reform and bipartisanship, advocating for a more functional and representative democracy in the United States. As the Executive Director of Unite America and the author of The Primary Solution, Troiano's work is pivotal...
On Social Justice and Systemic Change
And the terrifying nature of blooming… Katie Bethell is a powerhouse in the world of advocacy, known for her relentless dedication to social justice and policy reform. With a career spanning roles at influential organizations like Change.org and WorkMoney, she has consistently pushed for systemic change to support vulnerable populations....
On the Power of Authenticity in Leadership
Valuable lessons on driving change and achieving long-term success Bas Verhoef, a distinguished leader in the genomics and healthcare sectors, has significantly impacted these fields through his innovative approach and strategic leadership. At Illumina since January 2023, Verhoef has been instrumental in developing the company’s strategy for advancing genomic technologies...
On Revolutionizing Government for the Digital Age
Fostering Innovation and Trust in 21st Century Governance Jennifer Pahlka is a trailblazer in the realm of government transformation. Named one of Forbes Top 50 Women in Tech in 2018, she has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between the public and private sectors, between citizens and their government,...
On Collaborative, Investigative Journalism
In the realm of investigative journalism, Emily Holden stands as a beacon of tenacity and integrity. As the founder of Floodlight News, she has pioneered a new approach to reporting on critical environmental issues, shining a light on the often-overlooked intersections of climate change, justice, and policy. Holden's journey into...
On Unlocking Leadership Potential
In the expansive landscape of leadership literature, Jamie Ramsden stands as a guiding light, offering profound insights and a fresh perspective on steering the course of tomorrow's leaders. His seminal work, Let's Go! How Great Leaders Shape the Future, not only showcases Ramsden's deep understanding of leadership dynamics but also...
On Uniting America Through Storytelling
At the intersection of entertainment, democracy, and jazz On this episode of On Leading, Steven Olikara, president of Bridge Entertainment Labs, delves into the dynamic intersection of entertainment and technology, illuminating its transformative role in shaping societal discourse and fostering a more robust democracy. With a keen eye on cultural...
On Finding True North
In the dynamic landscape of technology and innovation, leaders often emerge as guiding lights, steering their organizations toward success with a blend of foresight, creativity, and determination. Among these standouts is Sara Holoubek, a visionary entrepreneur and strategist whose leadership at Luminary Labs has reshaped the landscape. With a profound...
On Empowering Civic Engagement
“Campaigning is about disrupting an existing system and transforming it into something new that reflects the interests of those who had the most to lose.” In the realm of environmental activism and civic engagement, few names shine as brightly as Michael Silberman. A seasoned advocate for social change, Michael has...
On Leading with Passion for Food Sustainability
“It starts with a leader, a company that has a clear vision. What do I want to achieve? If they can envision it and feel connected to it, they can move mountains." — Mark Boot A Visionary Leader As the Head of Arla in the Netherlands, Mark Boot has dedicated himself to reshaping...
On the Courage to Blow the Whistle
“The thing I was indexing for at every single stage was, where can I do the most good to protect the country against something very bad?” This is the question Miles Taylor asked himself at every turn. As the Chief of Staff to the United States Secretary of Homeland Security,...
On Bridging the Political Divide for the Sake of Democracy
“We divided the country into three broad segments: democracy defenders who are committed and active; democracy inhibitors who are strongly hostile and pose an active threat; and democracy shifters, who are either open to hearing new information or who are susceptible targets of disinformation and need a counter narrative.” —Mindy...
On Being Undocumented
“Journalism is religion to me. In terms of being an identity, it’s probably the identity that I wear the most, more than being undocumented or more than being gay or more than being Filipino. It’s the way I think. It’s the way I’m built. So when I came out, the...
On Being Prepared for the Future
“This is a disruptive period in our world's history, and people don't like change. Change is not bad. It can allow opportunities for everyone. It doesn’t have to displace your current opportunities, your current future. So how do you get people to understand that change is good? How do you...
On Being a Global Citizen
I first met Andre van Strijp in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates and center of the country’s oil and gas operations. This Dutch expat was the incoming General Manager for the Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (ADCO), the largest oil and gas operating company...
On Advancing Transatlantic Cooperation
You could say Susan Danger has dedicated her career to advancing transatlantic cooperation. And you wouldn’t be wrong. For the last 21 years, she has been leading the 60-year-old American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU), first as its Managing Director and now as its CEO. During...
On Being a Pioneering Leader
I think of a pioneer as a bold adventurer, someone who confidently goes where no one has gone before and who passionately shares the opportunities they discover as they explore the world. In my world, that makes Charles Bolden Jr. the quintessential 21st-century pioneer. This highly accomplished man has been...
On the Alchemy of Global Leadership
Sometimes I think of Cem (pronounced as “Gem”) as a twenty-first century alchemist. He is a pharmacist, after all, with a profound understanding of what makes things work in global businesses and an insatiable curiosity about human nature and psychology. The number of his direct reports that have been promoted...
On Being a Leader of Leaders
How many leaders do you know who can confidently take a three-month sabbatical, leave their executive team in charge, and come back to a stronger team and great business results? Bob Ahearn, VP and Managing Director of the Americas at Booking.com, is one of those rare few. I worked with...
On Technology Policy
“I want technology to be something that makes lives easier, that fundamentally democratizes systems. We have to find a way to keep the humanity in technology. It is shaping humans—and we need to be shaping it.” In an ideal world, every engineer and every company working on new tech would...
On Being a Superpower of Political Persuasion
“All I’ve ever wanted to do is continue to make America better. I still think that America is the best country in the world and our best hope for the future. My mindset was always ‘America is the greatest—and can be greater.’” Sarah Longwell, prominent political strategist and a leading...
On Democracy in America
“There are urgent threats to our democracy that clearly need to be addressed: voting rights, access, security. These are all short-term. What hasn’t been addressed for decades are the fundamental structures of how our democracy works. That’s where RepresentUs fits.” —Joshua Graham Lynn That is how clearly Joshua Graham Lynn...
On Doing Big Things
Not everyone is destined to make a big difference in the world. And not everyone has a big vision compelling them to do so. Which is perfectly okay. There is no mandate that as a human, you must “do big things”. That said, there are certainly big things that need...
On The Human Side of Technology
DJ didn’t try to follow in his father’s footsteps, but he did. “The system didn’t quite work for us, but we ended up in good places.” That’s how Dr. DJ Patil describes himself and his father, Dr. Suhas Patil, when I interviewed DJ on my podcast, Lori on Leadership. Dr....
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