Emily Chang is a master bridge builder – and it’s made her a wildly successful leader in the US and in Asia. As the former CEO of McCann Worldgroup China, she bridged US and Chinese cultures to establish brands that are thriving, global, and remarkably agile. We’ll talk about the differences between the two markets, and how brands can succeed in the notoriously challenging Chinese market. We’ll also talk about another kind of bridge—between people—and how Emily literally opens her home to those in need and how that led her to the concept of social legacy, the topic of her bestselling book Spare Room. We’ll also talk about capacity and how to take control of your time – perhaps the most valuable commodity of all. There’s a lot to learn from this leader who, prior to McCann, was a top exec at Starbucks China, InterContinental Hotels Group China, Procter & Gamble, and Apple.  

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes: 

• From Burnout to Performance: Creating a Culture of Resiliency 
• Unreasonable Hospitality: Will Guidara’s Recipe for Greatness 
• Thriving Through Adversity: How WTO’s Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is Solving Global Problems 
• From Server to COO: Kat Cole’s Journey to the Top 

Kat Cole went from restaurant server to VP within seven years. Forging her own path is something that’s built into Kat’s DNA. The first person in her family to be admitted to college, she had the vision and courage to drop out in order to follow bigger opportunities. The risk paid off. Kat Cole saved Cinnabon from the ashes of a post-recession economy and went on to a leading role at the parent company overseeing 7000 operations and over $1billion in annual sales. Always choosing opportunities based on her passions and ability to make change, Kat is now President and COO at Athletic Greens.   

In this episode of Redefiners, Kat spells out her formula for success which centers around three key things: ask, answer, and act. From salary negotiations to navigating the unknown waters of operating through a pandemic, listen in as Kat tells her story of working through what seem like incapacitating difficulties with enthusiasm, refreshing honesty and wit.        

Clarke Murphy is joined by guest host Jenna Fisher, a managing director in Russell Reynolds Associates’ Palo Alto office and author of To the Top: How Women in Corporate Leadership are Rewriting the Rules for Success.    

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:  

• Unreasonable Hospitality: Will Guidara’s Recipe for Greatness 
• From Gillette to Jamba Juice: How to Lead Iconic Brands with Empathy, Purpose & Integrity 
• Digital Transformation and the Power of Listening with Microsoft’s Jacky Wright 

Chris Voorhees built his career on solving massive challenges on Earth and in space. He’s Co-founder and Chief Product and Technology Officer of First Mode, a creative engineering company developing carbon reduction and clean energy solutions for heavy industry. Before that, he was an award-winning NASA engineer with integral roles on three Mars rover projects – Spirit, Opportunity, and Curiosity. We talk with Chris about his fearless approach to problems, how he builds teams and culture, and how creativity and curiosity have enabled him to find solutions to the nearly unsolvable, from outer space to sustainability. It’s 30 minutes that will shift your thinking in how you approach problem solving and how you define “impossible.”  

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiner episodes: 

• Daring to Build a More Sustainable World with Kate Brandt and Sophia Mendelsohn 
• Feeding the World and Protecting the Planet with Yara International CEO Svein Tore Holsether 
• Trust Your Gut: AXA’s Thomas Buberl Talks Transformation and Reinvention 

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala thrives on challenge. As the first woman and first African to serve as Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi is responsible for negotiating seemingly impossible deals on global finance, trade, sustainability, and social welfare. We talk with her about her sense of purpose, values, and her firm belief in the power of trade to lift developing countries out of poverty and help them to achieve economic growth and sustainable development. We’ll also discuss another key leadership attribute: courage – in Dr. Ngozi’s case, growing up in war-torn Nigeria, taking on some of the world’s most consequential roles in the public sector, and persevering in her cause even when her mother’s kidnappers demanded Dr. Ngozi resign. This is a conversation about resolve, duty, and embracing risk you won’t want to miss. 

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these other Redefiners episodes:

• Daring to Build a More Sustainable World with Kate Brandt and Sophia Mendelsohn
• Power, Politics and Purpose: Leadership Lessons with Former PM of Australia Julia Gillard
• Risk-taking and Dealmaking with Global MedTech Leader, Kevin Lobo

When you run one of the top 50 restaurants in the world, your business is operating at near perfection. But in order to become the best, Will Guidara knew he’d have to redefine hospitality. Will is the former owner of Make it Nice, the hospitality group with restaurants covering the spectrum from fine dining to fast casual, including the acclaimed Eleven Madison Park, NoMad in New York, London, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, and Davies and Brook at Claridge's hotel in London. Knowing his true passion lies in making people happy, Will opted to be unreasonable in his approach to service and hospitality, leading to Eleven Park Madison being named the best restaurant in the world in 2017 and the writing of his first book, Unreasonable Hospitality (Penguin Random House).  

In this episode of Redefiners, Will discusses not only how to go above and beyond for customers, but how to inspire and support a team to do the same. Will’s unique perspective on hospitality can be applied across industries. From the benefits of starting at the bottom, to setting expectations for feedback, to building a culture of excellence, listen in as one of the restaurant industry’s great leaders shares his ascent to the top.    If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:   

• From Gillette to Jamba Juice: How to Lead Iconic Brands with Empathy, Purpose & Integrity 
• From Harvard to Hollywood: A Conversation with Debra Martin Chase 
• The Power of Art and the Art of Power with Henry Timms 

Like many of us, Svein Tore Holsether is a leader under pressure. Svein is CEO of Yara International, the world’s leading crop nutrition company with operations in more than 60 countries. Yara’s mission is to responsibly feed the world and protect the planet at the same time – no simple task given the current food and energy crises impacting Europe and other parts of the world.  

In this episode, Svein shares how and why he radically reoriented Yara’s mission to make purpose and sustainability paramount in their ambition to grow a nature-positive food future. He talks about why trust is so critical when it comes to sustainability, climate change, and achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. And he also talks about the revenue opportunities that comes with sustainability and how it can be the driver of a business’s success. It’s a conversation about turning pressure into purpose and influence into action.  If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiner episodes: 

• Leadership Reimagined: Transformation Tips from Jim Hagemann Snabe  
• Daring to Build a More Sustainable World with Kate Brandt and Sophia Mendelsohn 
• Trust Your Gut: AXA’s Thomas Buberl Talks Transformation and Reinvention 
• Thriving Through Adversity: How WTO’s Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is Solving Global Problems 

As 2022 comes to a close, we’re taking a look back on our conversations with some of the world’s most accomplished leaders – in business and beyond. Clarke Murphy and Nanaz Mohtashami revisit some of this season’s top insights on issues like sustainability, talent and the Great Resignation, leadership, DE&I, purpose, and technology and transformation. And to help you plan your next career move, you’ll get this season’s best career advice from leaders we all look up to. If the upside of a challenging year is the learnings that come with it, then 2022 was rife with lessons. 
Redefiners will return with more conversations in January 2023, so be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss an episode!  

In the meantime, check out all of our Redefiners episodes at
https://www.russellreynolds.com/redefiners. 

Happy holidays! 

According to our guest, The Carlyle Group co-founder and co-chairman, four-time author, and passionate philanthropist David Rubenstein, there are 13 common traits among the most iconic leaders. In this episode, David delves into these leadership traits, as well as his winding path from blue collar kid to lawyer to political insider to investment icon and bar-setting patriotic philanthropist. He shares his insights about all things investing – risk, reward, crypto, managing through a recession – and how investing your time can be just as valuable as investing your money. He talks about his love of history and what can it teach us on navigating today’s challenges. Whether you’re on a board now or headed that way, you’ll want to hear David’s simple rule of thumb on what it takes to be a successful board member. David Rubenstein has a lot to say – all of it indispensable.

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiner episodes: 
· Break the Bias: Closing the Gender Wealth Gap with Sallie Krawcheck · Risk-taking and Dealmaking with Global MedTech Leader, Kevin Lobo · Power, Politics and Purpose: Leadership Lessons with Former PM of Australia Julia Gillard 

We’re stepping out of the boardroom and into the newsroom with our guest, broadcast journalist legend Lesley Stahl. Now in her 30th year on 60 Minutes, Lesley is renowned for her courage, intelligence, and interviewing prowess. She’ll share her two Redefiner moments—covering Watergate and surviving Covid—that significantly shaped her career, her life, and her priorities. In this episode, we’ll also talk with Lesley on broadcast news topics that have surprising parallels to business topics: how to prepare for and deal with tough conversations, and how Diversity, Equity & Inclusion efforts make both news and business organizations infinitely better. We’ll also talk about how technology is changing the way we get our news—not necessarily for the better—and how trust and truth in news are more essential and harder to come by than ever.  

If you want to hear more conversations about DEI and purpose, you might enjoy these other Redefiners episodes:

· From Harvard to Hollywood: A Conversation with Debra Martin Chase 

· Power,  Politics and Purpose: Leadership Lessons with Former PM of Australia Julia Gillard 

· From Gillette to Jamba Juice: How to Lead Iconic Brands with Empathy, Purpose & Integrity with James D. White 

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala thrives on challenge. As the first woman and first African to serve as Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi is responsible for negotiating seemingly impossible deals on global finance, trade, sustainability, and social welfare. We talk with her about her sense of purpose, values, and her firm belief in the power of trade to lift developing countries out of poverty and help them to achieve economic growth and sustainable development. We’ll also discuss another key leadership attribute: courage – in Dr. Ngozi’s case, growing up in war-torn Nigeria, taking on some of the world’s most consequential roles in the public sector, and persevering in her cause even when her mother’s kidnappers demanded Dr. Ngozi resign. This is a conversation about resolve, duty, and embracing risk you won’t want to miss. 
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these other Redefiner episodes: 
· Bridging Cultures & Building Brands: Marketing CEO Emily Chang Masters Both 
· Power, Politics and Purpose: Leadership Lessons with Former PM of Australia Julia Gillard 
· Leadership for Good: FinTech Transformation in Asia   

Description: You wouldn’t think falling down a flight of stairs would be a moment that would redefine a career trajectory, but it did for our guest Annastiina Hintsa. The event forced her to realize that she was officially in a state of burnout and it opened her eyes to the link between wellbeing and sustainable performance. Now, as CEO of Hintsa Performance, Annastiina helps the likes of Formula 1 drivers and Fortune 500 C-Suiters find that holistic sweet spot in order to operate at peak levels and avoid burnout. In this episode of Redefiners, we talk with her about optimizing performance rather than maximizing it, and how to make behavioral changes that lead to sustained performance. It’s a must-listen for leaders who want to inspire a culture of resiliency and healthy stamina in their own organizations. 
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these other Redefiners episodes: 
· Bridging Cultures & Building Brands: Marketing CEO Emily Chang Masters Both 
· Power, Politics and Purpose: Leadership Lessons with Former PM of Australia Julia Gillard 
· Trends and Takeaways: A Mid-Season Review with Clarke Murphy 

Whether he’s leading from the C Suite, chairing a board, or authoring books on leadership, our guest Jim Hagemann Snabe is revered across industries as a master of transformation. In this insights-filled episode, Jim shares his refreshing and trailblazing leadership model that has enabled him to deftly lead transformation and change at SAP and at 100+ year old companies, Siemens and Maersk.  

We’ll discuss Jim’s views on reinventing from a position of strength, culture change and navigating an unpredictable future. We’ll also hear about his redefining moment in India that most deeply informed his perspective on leadership: to use leadership to help progress some of the world’s problems all while running a smart business. It’s been his mantra ever since. At a time when sustainable leadership is more critical than ever, Jim explains how it’s as good for the balance sheet as it is the environment, employees and the world. This episode will leave you inspired, energized, and emboldened to dream big and unlock potential for both your organization and you. 

This episode also includes a special offer for listeners to submit questions to Russell Reynolds Associates consultants on leadership, career development, joining a board, or other topics.

If you have a question, send it to
redefiners@russellreynolds.com. Don’t miss your opportunity to get your questions answered by an expert. 

 If you liked this episode, check out these other Redefiners episodes: 
· Trust Your Gut: AXA’s Thomas Buberl Talks Transformation and Reinvention 
· From Corruption to Transformation: The Rebirth of a Global Conglomerate with Joe Kaeser
· From Gillette to Jamba Juice: How to Lead Iconic Brands with Empathy, Purpose & Integrity 

Sustainability has quickly risen to the top of corporate agendas, as shareholders, investors, employees, policy makers, and other stakeholders demand action. We talk with two passionate leaders – Kate Brandt, Chief Sustainability Officer at Google and Sophia Mendelsohn, Chief Sustainability Officer and Head of ESG at Cognizant – about how they embed sustainability into their organizations’ core business strategy. They’ll share how they’ve mastered the role of “CEO whisperer” to drive top-down change and connect sustainability initiatives to their company’s business, products and supply chain. We’ll talk about why it’s critical to shift our thinking from how to reduce our business impact on climate change to how to reduce climate change's impact on our business. And for those interested in becoming a CSO, Kate and Sophia share their career advice on how to navigate the often-undefined path to the role.  

If you’d like to learn more about Sustainable Leadership, check out Redefiners host Clarke Murphy’s new book, Sustainable Leadership: Lessons of Vision, Courage, and Grit from the CEOs Who Dared to Build a Better World. The book is a complete blueprint for infusing sustainability across business strategy, all while growing your bottom line. Drawing on the stories of 35+ CEOs at world-leading companies, including Adidas, Heineken, Duke Energy, Natura &Co, Maersk, Mahindra Steel, and Salesforce, veteran leadership expert Clarke shows how sustainability action is within reach of every business executive. Perfect for CEOs and boards across industries, Sustainable Leadership is also a can’t miss book for sustainability experts, entrepreneurs, and next-generation leaders looking to make sense of the latest—and most profitable—sustainability strategies. Order your copy here.  To hear more from other global leaders on sustainability, you might also enjoy these Redefiner episodes: 

• Trust Your Gut: AXA’s Thomas Buberl Talks Transformation and Reinvention 
• Leadership Reimagined: Transformation Tips from Jim Hagemann Snabe 
• Digital Transformation and the Power of Listening and with Microsoft’s Jacky Wright 

Nowadays, every business has either become or is becoming a digital business. And it’s not all about technology. Creating the right culture and environment are critical keys to success. Our guest Jacky Wright is a digital transformation mastermind who led the tech evolution in both the private and public sectors, including leadership roles at BP, GE, Microsoft and the British government’s tax department. One of her superpowers—one we should all adopt in this fast-changing world filled with uncertainty—is adaptability. We talk with Jacky about how she embraces change, innovates with agility, and leads by listening. She talks about sustainability and how technology can play a role. And we discuss issues facing boards, including managing risk, digitalization and cyber security, and corporate responsibilities as it relates to social good. 

To hear more from leaders on digital transformation and adapting to change, you might also enjoy these Redefiners episodes: 

· Trust Your Gut: AXA’s Thomas Buberl Talks Transformation and Reinvention 
· Risk-taking and Dealmaking with Global MedTech Leader, Kevin Lobo 
· Carlyle Group CEO: You may not like change, but you're going to like  obsolescence even less 

Emily Chang is a master bridge builder – and it’s made her a wildly successful leader in the US and in Asia. As the CEO of McCann Worldgroup China, she bridges US and Chinese cultures to establish brands that are thriving, global, and remarkably agile. We’ll talk about the differences between the two markets, and how brands can succeed in the notoriously challenging Chinese market. We’ll also talk about another kind of bridge—between people—and how Emily literally opens her home to those in need and how that led her to the concept of social legacy, the topic of her bestselling book Spare Room. We’ll also talk about capacity and how to take control of your time – perhaps the most valuable commodity of all. There’s a lot to learn from this leader who, prior to McCann, was a top exec at Starbucks China, InterContinental Hotels Group China, Procter & Gamble, and Apple.      

BIO:

Having catalyzed a turnaround for McCann Worldgroup China in just over a year, Emily Chang is a true changemaker whose drive for O+O branded experiences and cross-cultural team leadership have delivered record-high results for the agency. 

Emily has always positioned creativity and innovation at the center of her business strategy, even in her first two decades leading client-side businesses. So, when she joined McCann Worldgroup China as CEO in Sep 2020, Emily was thrilled to help brands deliver delightful, integrated customer experiences that earn a meaningful role in people’s lives. When working as the CMO for Starbucks China, Emily was responsible for marketing, sales, loyalty, customer engagement, and the digital ecosystem (ecommerce, loyalty, payments, partnerships). Her teams tripled digital tender across stores, helped open the Starbucks Shanghai Roastery, and launched the brand’s delivery program. 

Before joining Starbucks, Emily was Chief Commercial Officer for InterContinental Hotels Group, Greater China, where she led all commercial functions across Greater China. Looking after 320+ hotels and a team of 5,200 Sales & Marketing members, Emily spearheaded the market share turnaround of six hotel brands and the contribution mix of three loyalty programs. She also invested in new BI and Digital capabilities and differentiated the group with a focus on Branded Guest Experiences. Prior to IHG, Emily worked for a combined 15 years at Procter & Gamble and Apple.

As a champion of DE&I, she is committed to creating a positive culture of belonging at work and in fact, sees Conscious Inclusion as a core business strategy. Emily injects a ‘positive spirit’ in the workplace, prioritizing wellness, fun and active engagement. Among other significant improvements, McCann has seen “I see opportunity for potential growth” increase +88% and “My well-being is cared for” improve +70% over the last three bi-annual surveys.  

In 2022, Emily was awarded “Women To Watch Greater China” by Campaign Asia, one of the most prestigious recognitions in the marketing & advertising industry. She also contributes time to support the industry’s development by delivering lectures like at Tsinghua University, AmCham, and FBIF, and judging awards like New York Festivals AME Awards. Emily sits on the board of SOS Children’s Villages and recently published a best-selling book called “The Spare Room,” also the topic of her first TEDx Talk. She enjoys spending time with Minki, her husband of 22 years, Laini, her thirteen-year-old daughter, Holly Berry their rescue dog, and Scarlett the pygmy hedgehog. 

As we arrive at the halfway point in Redefiners Season 2, it’s a good time to take a look back at the key takeaways and insights from our conversations so far. We’ve learned a lot from the guests who have joined the podcast this season – dynamic, change-making leaders from a wide array of industries. In this episode, host Clarke Murphy takes us through some memorable highlights on critical topics facing leaders across economies around the world. Culture, sustainability, DE&I, the evolution of boards, tech transformation, and more. The insights in this episode are invaluable, the takeaways are actionable, and the conversations are up-close and candid.  

This episode also includes a special offer for listeners to submit questions to Russell Reynolds Associates consultants on leadership, career development, joining a board,
or other topics. If you have a question, send it to redefiners@russellreynolds.com. Don’t miss your opportunity to get your questions answered by an expert. 

If you want to hear more from one of our Redefiners guests, you can listen to any episode from Season 1 or 2 at https://www.russellreynolds.com/en/insights/podcasts/redefiners-overview.  

Take risks, keep learning, and stay calm. It’s how our guest, Stryker Chair and CEO Kevin Lobo, became arguably one of the most successful CEOs ever. We’ll talk with the Indian-born, Canadian-raised, internationally acclaimed businessperson about how he became known as the “Godfather of MedTech” and as an acquisitions deal maker. We’ll hear how Kevin’s high threshold for risk helped Stryker drastically outpace the competition and how he built his Board’s trust to make more than 55 acquisitions. Kevin also shares his insights on timely topics leaders in all industries are talking about: technology, crisis management, company culture, and how to keep employees happy, purpose-driven, and loyal.   

If you liked this episode, check out these other Redefiner episodes:
·  Trust Your Gut: AXA’s Thomas Buberl Talks Transformation and Reinvention
·  How to Lead Like a Legend with Samuel Tsien
·  Confessions of a Serial Entrepreneur with Mario Schlosser 

BIO: Kevin A. Lobo, Chair and CEO, Stryker
Kevin A. Lobo has been CEO of Stryker since October 1, 2012, and also assumed the role of Chair of the Board on July 22, 2014. He joined Stryker in 2011 and had previously been Group President of Orthopaedics. Mr. Lobo serves on the board of directors for Parker Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH), the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) and the U.S.-India Business Council. He is also a member of the Business Roundtable and Business Council.

Mr. Lobo has a broad business career across multiple industries. After holding finance positions with KPMG, Unilever and Kraft Canada, he spent eight years with Rhone-Poulenc, including roles based in Europe as Corporate Controller of a chemical spin-out and General Manager of Specialty Phosphates EMEA. He then spent eight years at Johnson & Johnson, including President of Ethicon Endo Surgery.

Gender bias is everywhere, impacting how we view authority and power around the world. In fact, it’s so pervasive—and potentially damaging to organizations—that our guest Mary Ann Sieghart wrote a book about it titled Authority Gap, which explores the critical issue of why women are often taken less seriously than men. This unconscious, double standard behavior affects the C Suite, boardrooms, and conference rooms alike—even the US Supreme Court and UK Parliament. We talk with Mary Ann – journalist, author, non-executive director, and television broadcaster – about why organizations and boards need to change gender bias culture and how to make the critical shift from the top down. It’s a thought-provoking conversation well worth the listen for leaders of any gender.  

If you want to hear more conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion, you might enjoy these other Redefiner episodes: 

• Power, Politics and Purpose: Leadership Lessons with Former PM of Australia Julia Gillard 
• From Gillette to Jamba Juice: How to Lead Iconic Brands with Empathy, Purpose & Integrity with James D. White 
• Break the Bias: Closing the Gender Wealth Gap with Sallie Krawcheck 

BIO:
Mary Ann Sieghart  - Journalist, author, non-executive director, broadcaster

Mary Ann Sieghart leads a portfolio life. She makes programmes for BBC Radio 4 and is a Visiting Professor at King’s College London. She spent 2018-19 as a Visiting Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, where she researched her book, The Authority Gap, on why women are taken less seriously than men. She is Chair of the judges for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2022. 

Mary Ann is a Non-Executive Director of the Guardian Media Group and Chair of the Investment Committee of The Scott Trust (owner of The Guardian and The Observer), Senior Independent Director of Pantheon International, Non-Executive Director of The Merchants Trust and Senior Independent Trustee of the Kennedy Memorial Trust. Until recently, she was Chair of the Social Market Foundation, a non-party-political think tank, Senior Independent Director of Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust and sat on the Content Board of Ofcom and the Council of Tate Modern. 

She spent 19 years as Assistant Editor of The Times, including as Acting Editor of the Monday edition, Op-Ed Editor, Arts Editor, Chief Political Leader-Writer and political and social affairs columnist both on the Op-Ed page and in Times2. She has also written a weekly column in The Independent about politics, economics and social affairs, and presented Newshour, the BBC World Service’s flagship news and current affairs programme. 

Mary Ann has extensive TV and radio experience, including presenting Start the Week, Analysis, Profile, One to One, Fallout, The Inquiry, Beyond Westminster, Newshour, Powerhouse, The Brains Trust, The Week in Westminster, Taking Issue, The Big Picture, No Illusions and The World This Week. She has regularly appeared as a guest on Question Time, Any Questions, Today, Newsnight, The World Tonight, Channel 4 News, PM, The Andrew Marr Show, The World at One, Woman’s Hour and The Daily Politics.  Before joining The Times, Mary Ann was political correspondent of The Economist, City Editor of Today newspaper and a Lex columnist and Eurobond correspondent at the Financial Times. 

She has also sat on numerous boards, including the Heritage Lottery Fund, the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the North Fulham New Deal for Communities, New Europe, the No Campaign, the Radcliffe Trust, the Social Studies Faculty of Oxford University, Women in Journalism and the National Council for One-Parent Families.  She won the Laurence Stern Fellowship to work on The Washington Post. She also captained The Times’s University Challenge: The Professionals team, which reached the semi-final.

Henry Timms has discovered a new form of power based on mobilizing participation in our hyperconnected world. He joins us to talk about how leaders can harness this power to effect far greater success, which is the subject of his book New Power, co-authored by Jeremy Heimans. We’ll also talk with Henry about an entirely different kind of power—that of the arts and its critical role in society today—through his role as President and CEO of New York City’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. And we’ll get the backstory on Giving Tuesday, the generosity movement Henry created which became a global phenomenon that’s raised over $7 billion to date. Henry offers a fascinating point of view on power and leadership – one that blends influences from his varied professional career – that will be useful for all leaders.   

If you liked this Redefiners episode, you also might like From Harvard to Hollywood: A Conversation with Debra Martin Chase. 

BIO:Henry Timms is President and CEO of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc.-- an artistic and civic cornerstone of New York City and home to eleven resident companies on 16-acres in Manhattan. President since 2019, Henry’s focus is several-fold: supporting organizations on campus to realize their missions and fostering collaboration; increasing the accessibility and reach of Lincoln Center’s work; championing inclusion; and reimagining and strengthening the performing arts, helping ensure their place at the center of daily life. He is the creator and co-founder of #GivingTuesday, a global philanthropic movement that engages people in close to 100 countries. Designed as a counterpoint to Black Friday, it has generated over 2.5 billion dollars for good causes in the U.S. alone. The recent special edition to support COVID-19 causes catalyzed over $500M of giving online. 

Henry is also the co-author of the international bestselling book New Power, described by David Brooks in the New York Times as “the best window I’ve seen into this new world” and as a “must-read…a gift to our movements” by Alicia Garza, co-founder of Black Lives Matter. It was shortlisted for the FT/McKinsey Business Book of the Year and named as a Book of the Year by Bloomberg, Fortune, Financial Times and CNBC. 

As a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts, he chairs the nomination committee for the RSA’s most prestigious award, the Benjamin Franklin Medal. Previously he was the President and CEO of 92nd Street Y, a leading cultural community anchor in NYC. Under his leadership, the 144-year-old institution was named to Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Companies” list. He is a Hauser Visiting Leader at Harvard Kennedy School and Visiting Fellow at Stanford University.

Thomas Buberl faced what a lot of leaders fear: becoming CEO of a company that’s already successful with a culture that’s already flourishing. So what did he do? He reinvented and transformed the company to make it all even better. In our conversation with Thomas, CEO of global insurance giant AXA, we learn some of the secrets of his successes and how he makes gutsy decisions. One of Thomas’ big pivots? A bold realignment towards sustainability and rallying other big corporations to take action on the climate crisis. Reinvention and constantly learning are consistent themes in this podcast – it’s how Thomas stays fresh, agile, and one of those leaders we can all learn from.  

To hear more from leaders on transformation, you might also enjoy these other Redefiner episodes: 

• From Corruption to Transformation: The Rebirth of a Global Conglomerate with Joe Kaeser 
• From Gillette to Jamba Juice: How to Lead Iconic Brands with Empathy, Purpose & Integrity 
• Leadership Reimagined: Transformation Tips from Jim Hagemann Snabe 

BIO:Thomas Buberl has been Chief Executive Officer and Director of AXA since September 1st, 2016.  He started as a consultant at the Boston Consulting Group for the banking & insurance sector both in Germany and internationally.  From 2005 to 2008, he worked for the  Winterthur  Group  (acquired  by  AXA  in  2006)  as  member  of  the  Management  Board  of  Winterthur  in  Switzerland,  first  as  Chief  Operating  Officer  and  then  as  Chief  Marketing  and  Distribution  Officer. He  then  joined  Zurich  Insurance  Group  as  Chief  Executive  Officer for Switzerland. 

At the beginning of 2012, Thomas Buberl joined AXA as Chief Executive Officer of AXA Germany and member of the AXA Executive Committee. In March 2015, he also joined the  AXA  Management  Committee  and  was  appointed  Chief  Executive  Officer  of  the  Global  Business  Line  for  the  Health  Business,  and,  in  January  2016,  of  the  Global  Business Line for Life & Savings. From March to September 2016, he was deputy CEO (“Directeur général adjoint”) of AXA. 

Thomas  Buberl  holds  a  Master  of  Economics  degree  from  WHU  Koblenz  (Germany),  a  MBA  from  Lancaster  University  (UK)  and  a  PhD  in  Economics  from  the  University  of  St.Gallen  (Switzerland).  He  has  been  distinguished  as  a  Young  Global  Leader  by  the  World Economic Forum.Thomas  Buberl  sits  on  the  Board  of  Directors  of  IBM,  the Supervisory  Board  of  the  Bertelsmann  Verwaltungs Gesellschaft  (BVG),  and  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  World  Economic Forum. A German, Swiss and French citizen, Thomas Buberl was born in 1973.

Adopt Kewsong Lee’s motto – think bigger, move faster, perform better – and you’ll be primed for success in whatever leadership position you’re in. But how this CEO of
 private equity firm Carlyle Group puts that motto into motion is what’s made Kew one of the world’s savviest business leaders. In this episode, we’ll talk with him about embracing change, essential traits of successful leaders, and why having an authentic ESG mindset is not just good for the world but also good for business.

Kew’s 30-plus-year career is rife with successes, but his mistakes and failures taught him the most. We’ll talk about it all, as well as the transformation of the private equity industry—and how to be on the forefront of that change.  
 
If you like this episode, you might also enjoy these other Redefiner conversations:         
From Corruption to Transformation: The Rebirth of a Global Conglomerate with Joe Kaeser

How to Lead Like a Legend with Samuel Tsien

Leadership  Reimagined: Transformation Tips from Jim Hagemann Snabe  

BIO:Kewsong Lee - Chief Executive Officer of Carlyle  Kewsong Lee is the Chief Executive Officer of Carlyle and was elected to the Board of Directors effective January 1, 2018. Mr. Lee joined Carlyle in 2013 as Deputy Chief Investment Officer for Corporate Private Equity and in 2016 he assumed the additional role of leading the Global Credit segment.

  Prior to joining Carlyle, Mr. Lee was a partner and a member of the Executive Management Group at Warburg Pincus, where he spent 21 years. He is currently the President of Lincoln Center Theater, Chairman of the US Chamber of Commerce China Center Advisory Board, and Vice Chair for the Partnership for New York City. He also is a member of the Business Roundtable, serves on the board of the US China Business Council and FCLT Global, and is a Trustee of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

  Mr. Lee earned his AB in applied mathematics in economics at Harvard College and his MBA from Harvard Business School. 

There are a lot of parallels between running a country and running a company. Julia Gillard, 27th Prime Minister of Australia, joins us to discuss topics critical to leaders at any level.
Such as, how to manage crises and war-game potential ones to be prepared to act quickly when it matters. The power of defeat and how it can help us clarify what we really want. And the urgent need to get more women in leadership positions in both politics and business, which is the topic of Julia’s recent book Women and Leadership: Real Lives, Real Lessons, co-authored with Director of the World Trade Organization Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. We’ll also talk about the commonalities and differences of serving on boards of for-profits versus non-profits, and what we can do to fast-track positive change in the arenas of infectious diseases, mental health, and climate change. Throughout it all, Julia shares tips we can all use on a leadership reality: dealing with adversity—and learning how to thrive through it. 
To hear more about closing the gender gap and dealing with adversity, check out these Redefiner episodes: 

• From Harvard to Hollywood: A Conversation with Debra Martin Chase 
• Break the Bias: Closing the Gender Wealth Gap with Sallie Krawcheck 

Love Jamba Juice? You can thank our guest James D. White who, as the brand’s former chair, president and CEO, helped transform a small smoothie shop into a global lifestyle brand in just three years. With an impressive resume working at some of the world’s most well-known brands—Gillette, Safeway, Coca-Cola, Nestle, and 17 boards including The Honest Company—we talk about how to lead iconic, global brands with a values-based, people-first strategy.  

James’ recent book,
Anti-Racist Leadership: How to Transform Culture in a Race-Conscious World, which he co-authored with his daughter Krista, focuses on anti-racist leadership and DE&I from both a C-suite and Board perspective as well as a millennial one. It’s an episode about equity, empathy, lifelong learning, and taking action for social change, with valuable takeaways for leaders at all levels.  

To hear more about purpose-driven leadership and diversity, equity and inclusion, check out these Redefiners episodes: 

• From Harvard to Hollywood: A Conversation with Debra Martin Chase 
• From Corruption to Transformation: The Rebirth of a Global Conglomerate with Joe Kaeser 
• Leadership Lessons from the Field with Troy Vincent  

BIO: James D. White is the former chair, CEO, and president of Jamba Juice; a Board Director, and author of Anti-Racist Leadership: How to Transform Culture in a Race-Conscious World.  

James has more than 30-years-experience revitalizing some of the world’s leading brands. In talks, he shares personal insights on how to build strong bridges between the boardroom and the shop floor and why investing in your workforce is key. A passionate champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, he takes audiences on his journey as a Black executive who “never had one promotion based on potential”— beginning with learning the ins and outs of effective leadership at Coca-Cola before moving into executive roles at Safeway, Gillette, and Nestle-Purina Petcare, and then taking on his most ambitious challenge: refreshing Jamba Juice from smoothie shop into global lifestyle brand in just three years.   

James draws from his time spearheading successful turnarounds and growth at top companies to provide real-life examples of how effective leaders overcome challenges, engage their employees, and instill a sense of purpose and belonging in their people to create winning cultures. 

Entrepreneur and mentor Aldi Haryopratomo opts for the road less travelled—figuratively but, early in his career, also literally on a motorbike. It’s Aldi’s ability to
 see opportunity from unique perspectives that allowed him to, among other successes, effect financial inclusion across Southeast Asia.

Aldi joins us to talk about how tuning into the cultural cues of your audience and adapting accordingly is essential. We’ll also discuss the power of mentorship—both the invaluable learnings and the tough love—and how relationships
 and reputation are just as important as a good resume.   

Aldi is the former CEO of GoPay, former CEO and Co-founder of Mapan, and is currently on the Board of Commissioners for eFishery and the Board of Advisors for Halodoc in Indonesia. Nowadays, he’s on sabbatical and engaged in his biggest role yet: fun dad.  

If you like this episode, you might also enjoy our conversation with Taha Bawa, Co-Founder and CEO of Goodwall – “Ready or Not, Gen Z is Coming.” 

Debra Martin Chase knows how to make big things happen. A Harvard Law School graduate and lawyer turned famed Hollywood producer, she is a dynamic example of how to adeptly craft a career and lead for change. As one of the industry’s first African-American female producers to have a deal with a major studio, Debra shares in this episode anecdotes and insights on how she became the name behind some of TV and film’s most popular titles, and how she then uses her influence as a board member and mentor to help women and people of color thrive in the industry and beyond. It’s an episode full of lessons on how to evolve with confidence, move forward with purpose and never give up.

Show notes:
Listen to our most recent episodes highlighting other Redefiners:
Break the Bias: Closing the Gender Wealth Gap with Sallie Krawcheck
Lesley Stahl: 30 Minutes with a 60 Minutes TV Legend

Sallie Krawcheck has boldly redefined companies, entire categories and, several times, her career. Former CEO or CFO of a long list of investment banking heavyweights, Sallie is now the CEO and co-founder of Ellevest, a digital investment platform uniquely created by women for women.  
In this episode, we’ll talk about Sallie’s determination and work to help close both the gender pay gap and, perhaps more importantly, the gender wealth gap by encouraging women to invest. Because, as Sallie tells us, when women become investors and cultivate their own wealth, they ultimately have greater freedom and flexibility in their careers and lives.
We’ll also talk with Sallie about the positive power of career setbacks and how she used her Redefiner moments of two widely publicized corporate dismissals to springboard into wildly successful rebounds. We’ll discuss how Sallie’s early career as a research analyst helped her hone her contrarian conviction, a trait she’s leaned into ever since with remarkable success.

The business world is rife with sports analogies. After all, there are remarkable similarities between what happens in athletics and in the boardroom. Troy Vincent is the embodiment of this parallel.

As a 15-year veteran of the National Football League, he took the leadership skills he learned as a player—communication, presence, resiliency, game planning—and applies them in his current position, Executive Vice President of Football Operations of the NFL. Different sides of the sidelines, same desired outcome: success.

In this episode, Troy talks about how he became a respected, impactful, integrity-driven leader—critical insights for anyone in a leadership role—and why sustainable leadership and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) efforts are necessary in order to make organizations stronger. It’s a game plan you’ll definitely want to study.

We’re stepping out of the boardroom and into the newsroom with our guest, broadcast journalist legend Lesley Stahl. Now in her 30th year on 60 Minutes, Lesley is renowned for her courage, intelligence, and interviewing prowess. She’ll share her two Redefiner moments—covering Watergate and surviving Covid—that significantly shaped her career, her life, and her priorities.

In this episode, we’ll also talk with Lesley on broadcast news topics that have surprising parallels to business topics: how to prepare for and deal with tough conversations, and how Diversity, Equity & Inclusion efforts make both news and business organizations infinitely better.

We’ll also talk about how technology is changing the way we get our news—not necessarily for the better—and how trust and truth in news are more essential and harder to come by than ever.  

As 2021 comes to an end and we begin to look forward to 2022, we want to take a step back for a moment of gratitude and reflection. Join Nanaz Mohtashami for a quick retrospective on 2021, along with her key takeaways from a few of the incredible guests who joined us on Redefiners.

She’ll also share some of the guests we have lined up for 2022 who are redefining what it means to be a leader. Redefiners will return with more incredible guests and conversations in January. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss a single episode!

What do you do when you’re the CEO of one of the world’s most iconic companies? If you’re Joe Kaeser, you do things differently. In this episode, we’ll talk with the former CEO of Siemens AG and current chairman of the supervisory board of Siemens Energy about how he transformed the company—and how he thinks today’s business leaders must be more purpose-driven in their approach to societal and climate change.  

But let’s back up. Three months into Joe’s role as CEO at Siemens AG, Joe found out the company was embroiled in a massive corruption scandal. The fallout informed how he handled crisis, change, and the future, and it’s part of what led him to make a colossal and, at the time, unpopular decision: to break Siemens AG up into three separate businesses. It was one of the most complicated, most massive business transformations of all time—and it paid off. This is an episode about the courage to change, the power of intuition, and leaders’ responsibility on matters that extend way past business. 

Our guest Taha Bawa admits he grew up with more opportunities than most. He traveled, volunteered, went to renowned schools, had parents who believed in him. But it was a visit to a refugee camp at age 10 that opened his eyes. While Taha was giving out sweets to kids his age, he realized luck was the only thing that separated him from them. The opportunity haves versus have nots.

Today, as co-founder and CEO of Goodwall, Taha’s mission is to help create opportunities for Gen Z youth from around the world. The social network platform helps those aged 14-24 from over 150 countries maximize their educational and professional potential while making a positive societal impact. 

In this episode, we’ll talk with the Forbes 30 Under 30 CEO about how companies can attract and retain Gen Z employees and, in turn, how those employees can earn a seat at the leadership table. We’ll discuss corporate authenticity and how diversity of thought that includes the Gen Z POV is good economics.

And we’ll talk about the importance of re-learning, having an entrepreneurial mindset and being comfortable with failure—regardless of age. It’s a conversation that’s as much for C Suite leaders as Gen Z leaders-to-be.  

Leading is one thing. Leaving a leadership legacy that has a resounding impact on an entire industry is quite another. Sam Tsien, former CEO of OCBC Bank in Singapore, accomplished the latter. In this episode, we’ll talk with Sam about how he did it, from leading the best-managed bank during the COVID-19 pandemic, to executing a seamless CEO succession plan, to adeptly navigating the Chinese banking market – and ultimately how he created a lasting legacy.

Sam spent 44 years in Asia’s banking sector. Prior to OCBC Bank, he was CEO of China Construction Bank Asia and president and CEO of Bank of America, Asia. Sam’s redefining moment? Early on in his career, he was transferred from Hong Kong to San Francisco where banks had already begun to embrace technology, far more than in Asia.

It was in California that he learned to have an open attitude and to adapt to the practices of where he was rather than where he came from. Sam’s a man who knows his market—wherever on the planet that is—and that perspective is part of what enabled him to create a lasting impact on both Asia’s financial services sector and the world’s business leadership community.  

Whether he’s leading from the C Suite, chairing a Board, or authoring books on leadership, our guest Jim Hagemann Snabe is revered across industries as a master of transformation. In this insights-filled episode, Jim shares his refreshing and trailblazing leadership model that has enabled him to deftly lead transformation and change at SAP and at 100+ year old companies, Siemens and Maersk. 

We’ll discuss Jim’s views on reinventing from a position of strength, culture change and navigating an unpredictable future. We’ll also hear about his redefining moment in India that most deeply informed his perspective on leadership: to use leadership to help progress some of the world’s problems all while running a smart business. It’s been his mantra ever since.

At a time when sustainable leadership is more critical than ever, Jim explains how it’s as good for the balance sheet as it is the environment, employees and the world. This episode will leave you inspired, energized, and emboldened to dream big and unlock potential for both your organization and you.

Mario Schlosser, CEO, and co-founder of Oscar Health helped redefine the health insurance category by using data to give members better customer experiences and thus improved patient outcomes. He dared to use emerging technologies in a heretofore technologically timid industry – an approach that was disruptive, transforming, and highly successful.

Like many of our guests, Mario’s path to Oscar Health wasn’t a direct one. A lot of success in a lot of disparate industries. But what didn’t make it on Mario’s resume—yet had a valuable impact on his leadership and entrepreneurial approach—are the startups Mario founded that failed. Because it’s how he’s learned to avoid mistakes – by actually giving himself permission to make them. See what works, see what doesn’t; and learn from it all.

In this episode, Mario elaborates on this and other insights relating to his success as a leader, including the importance of people matters, the reality of luck, and why paying attention to little nudges along the way can take you in new, totally amazing directions.

How does someone who started out in finance end up center stage in the fight against COVID-19? Because our guest Aurélia Nguyen had the guts and self-awareness to step out of traditional trajectories into a career that, at the time, didn’t even have a name yet.

As she progressed through the finance and policy departments at Glaxo Smith Kline, Aurélia realized she had more resonant work to do. So she retrained and redefined herself for her role today: Managing Director of the Office of the COVAX Facility, where she helps secure and distribute COVID-19 vaccines to 92+ lower-resource countries – a job description that’s about as high-stakes and high-speed as it gets.

We talk with Aurélia about how she’s learned to successfully lead in an environment where there are many players, objectives, realities, and pivots (sound familiar?). We talk about collaboration, working toward collective milestones rather than collective visions, gathering talented teams who work with a singular focus, and how extending partnership arcs far outside the health category is helping her team reach their global health mission. It’s a powerful story of redefining and the incredible impact it can have on the world.

Relevant Report:

What if they mean it? | Russell Reynolds Associates

There’s one thing for certain: Tamara McCleary sees things differently – and that’s precisely what makes her perspective so captivating. In this episode of Redefiners, we talk with Tamara about how her circuitous career path—from helicopter trauma nurse to cancer researcher to CEO of Thulium—has informed how she leads. Primarily, by being a close listener and a continuous learner – two essential traits of successful leaders, she says.

Tamara shares her perspectives on the future of technology and offers a pretty urgent insight to our listeners: that we as leaders must make technology accessible and equitable for all, that technology should be used to better serve humanity, and leaders are in the unique position to make that happen.

The business world is rife with sports analogies. After all, there are remarkable similarities between what happens in athletics and in the boardroom. Troy Vincent is the embodiment of this parallel. As a 15-year veteran of the National Football League, he took the leadership skills he learned as a player—communication, presence, resiliency, game planning—and applies them in his current position, Executive Vice President of Football Operations of the NFL. Different sides of the sidelines, same desired outcome: success.

In this episode, Troy talks about how he became a respected, impactful, integrity-driven leader—critical insights for anyone in a leadership role—and why sustainable leadership and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) efforts are necessary in order to make organizations stronger. It’s a game plan you’ll definitely want to study.

Show notes: 

Elevation: How Organizations Can Accelerate the Rise of Black Leaders | Thought Leadership | Russell Reynolds Associates

If you want to inspire a culture of resiliency and healthy stamina in your own organization, this is the episode for you.

You wouldn’t think falling down a flight of stairs would be a Redefiner moment that would
change a career trajectory, but it was for our guest Annastiina Hintsa. Because the event forced her to realize that she was officially in a state of burnout and it opened her eyes to the link between wellbeing and sustainable performance.

Now, as CEO of Hintsa Performance, Annastiina helps the likes of Formula 1 drivers and
Fortune 500 C-Suiters find that holistic sweet spot in order to operate at peak levels and avoid burnout. In this episode of Redefiners, we talk with her about optimizing performance rather than maximizing it, and how to make behavioral changes that lead to sustained performance.

Enjoy this must-listen episode.

Show notes: 

Employee Well-Being: It is Now or Never | Thought Leadership | Russell Reynolds Associates

You want to make big things happen.

Debra Martin Chase knows how to make big things happen.

A Harvard Law School graduate and lawyer turned famed Hollywood producer, she is a
dynamic example of how to adeptly craft a career and lead for change.

As one of the industry’s first African-American female producers to have a deal with a major
studio, Debra shares in this episode anecdotes and insights on how she became the name
behind some of TV and film’s most popular titles, and how she then uses her influence as a
board member and mentor to help women and people of color thrive in the industry and beyond.

We all want to evolve with confidence, move forward with purpose and never give up. This
episode is full of these lessons and more.

Show notes:

Is There a Fast Track to DE&I Maturity? | Thought Leadership | Russell Reynolds Associates

Call them changemakers. Call them rule breakers. We call them Redefiners. And in this provocative podcast, we explore how daring leaders from across industries and around the globe are redefining their organizations—and themselves—to create extraordinary impact in today’s rapidly changing world. In each episode, Russell Reynolds Associates consultant Nanaz Mohtashami and CEO Clarke Murphy host engaging, purposeful conversations with leaders in and out of the business world who share their insights and perspectives on how they lead, boldly. You’ll come away with fresh ideas and tangible takeaways on how you can redefine your own leadership trajectory – no matter where you are on your journey.  

Our Hosts: 

Clarke Murphy 

Clarke Murphy is the Chief Executive Officer of Russell Reynolds Associates and serves on the Board of Directors. Prior to his appointment as CEO, he was the Global Leader of the firm's CEO/Board Services Practice.​ While at Russell Reynolds Associate​s, Clarke has conducted a number of significant projects in the industry, including Fortune 100 board searches and CEO successions. In addition, he has led notable searches in​​ the private equity industry including searches ​for the Carlyle Group and Warburg Pincus.

Nanaz Mohtashami

Nanaz Mohtashami is Managing Director at Russell Reynolds Associates, a core member of the firm’s Healthcare Sector and leads the Medtech Practice in Europe. She devises global strategies for healthcare clients across devices, diagnostics and pharma, as well as for private equity clients around the world. Nanaz focuses on leadership assignments at the executive and non-executive levels, tackling a wide array of senior talent issues such as succession, development, team effectiveness and more. She is based in London but spends a significant amount of her time across Europe and the United States.