Shows
Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex RozenfeldRay-Bans, Rock Bands & AI: Jim Groo on Embracing ChangeIn this episode, we speak with Jim Groo — a Thunderbird alumnus whose international journey is anything but conventional. From frying chicken in Connecticut to launching Ray-Bans in post-communist Europe and leading AI-driven MarTech out of Switzerland, Jim shares how embracing uncertainty opened doors across 50+ markets and six countries.With stories ranging from eating a questionable fish in Egypt to close a deal, to starting a band during the dot-com crash, Jim reflects on the personal and professional lessons that shaped his worldview. He discusses the power of good vibes in leadership, how a First Tuesday in Prague ch...
2025-12-0143 min
Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex RozenfeldFrom Small-Town in India to Forbes 40 Under 40: Sanghita Dey's Startup PlaybookIn this episode, I spoke with fintech entrepreneur Sanghita Dey, co-founder and CEO of Solus Finance, a company making crypto derivatives more accessible through gamified, social trading. A Forbes 40 Under 40 honoree and former founder of YourMocha (acquired), Sanghita shares her journey from a small town in India to becoming a global fintech leader. She opens up about growing up with limited access to education, building resilience, navigating entrepreneurship solo, and how she secured her first investor via a bold Twitter DM and a one-day trip to Dubai. This episode dives deep into grit, innovation, and...
2025-11-0452 min
Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex RozenfeldScaling Mountains and Hotels: Michael Johnston's Journey from Private Equity to Hospitality and BeyondIn this conversation, Michael Johnston shares his fascinating journey from strategy consulting and private equity to becoming a hospitality entrepreneur. He discusses his early travels, the impact of his Peace Corps experience in Ukraine, and the challenges of navigating the Ukrainian economy while working in private equity. Michael also delves into the founding of Aspen Company, his vision for luxury boutique hotels, and the innovative strategies he employs to enhance guest experiences and operational efficiency.https://theaspencompany.co/https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelajohnston/About Michael in...
2025-10-301h 01
Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex RozenfeldThe Speech, The Scale, The Shift: Eduardo Donnelly on Leading Uber LATAM—and the Transition to Executive CoachingEduardo Donnelly spent nearly a decade helping build Uber in Latin America—from launching Uber Eats and scaling it 7×, to leading operations across 18 markets and overseeing half of the company’s global trips. But at the height of his career, he made a surprising decision: he stepped away. In this episode, Eduardo shares the story behind that choice, the lessons he learned from a failed startup, and how a powerful commencement speech—given by his late father at Eduardo’s own Thunderbird graduation—shaped his view on leadership, growth, and purpose. Now, as an executive coach, he’s helping others naviga...
2025-10-1856 min
Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex RozenfeldFrom Scuba Diver to CEO: How Joe O’Dowd Turned Global Adventures into Purpose-Driven LeadershipIn this conversation, Joe O'Dowd discusses his transformative gift to establish the O'Dowd Postdoctoral Fellowship in Ocean Diplomacy and Leadership at Thunderbird. He explains the significance of ocean diplomacy, the blue economy, and the importance of addressing environmental issues. Joe shares insights from his career in international business, his experiences living in Medellin, Colombia, and the lessons he learned throughout his journey. He emphasizes the value of situational awareness and the importance of giving young professionals the tools they need to succeed. Joe also reflects on his time at Thunderbird and encourages alumni to embrace the changes brought by...
2025-10-1148 min
Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex RozenfeldFrom Executive TV Producer to Startup Advisor: The Many Lives of Maria BottaIn this conversation, Maria Botta shares her unique journey from a multicultural childhood as the daughter of Cuban refugees to a successful career in film, television, and startup advising. She discusses the challenges of adapting to different cultures and languages, the lessons learned from her experiences in TV and film production, and her transition to helping entrepreneurs find clarity and success. Maria emphasizes the importance of communication, service, and creating a personal manifesto to guide one's career and life choices.https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariabotta/https://www.mariabotta.com/About...
2025-10-0633 min
Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex RozenfeldHow to Sell Your Company to Walmart: Insights from Bill GoodwinIn this conversation, Bill Goodwin shares his extensive experience in leadership and business transformation, discussing his journey from a young worker in various jobs to becoming a CEO and eventually a leadership coach. He emphasizes the importance of operational speed, understanding customer dynamics, and building a strong company culture. Bill also reflects on his experiences with Walmart during an acquisition and offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses effectively.https://growth-optimized.com/https://coaches.scalingup.com/coaches/bill-goodwinhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/billcgoodwin/Before becoming an entrepreneurial...
2025-09-2656 min
Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex RozenfeldFrom IBM to Entrepreneurship: Carter Looney on Scaling, Hiring, and Raising MillionsIn this conversation, Carter Looney shares his extensive experience as an entrepreneur, discussing his journey from a successful exit in 2010 to his current focus on helping businesses grow through mergers and acquisitions. He emphasizes the importance of building a company that can operate independently of its founder, the significance of hiring the right people, and the lessons learned throughout his career. Carter also reflects on his childhood influences, education at Thunderbird, and the current fundraising environment in Europe, while considering the impact of AI on business operations.TakeawaysCarter Looney emphasizes the importance of...
2025-09-2240 min
Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex RozenfeldLaura Libman: Building Health, Hope and Human Dignity One Community at a TimeWhen Laura Libman left a successful aerospace career, she didn’t plan to start a nonprofit. But a summer of field research in rural Mexico after graduating from Thunderbird changed everything. In this episode, she shares the incredible and inspiring story of how the Tia Foundation was born—from horseback surveys and homegrown health worker training to empowering women like Juana, who used her training to save lives and spark change in her village. Today, Tia Foundation is on track to reach one million people. This is a story about grit, vision, and what happens when you give...
2025-09-1351 min
Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex RozenfeldCoca Cola lessons and global adventures with Shawn GalleglyJoin us as we delve into the fascinating global marketing journey of Shawn Gallegly, a seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience. From driving growth for iconic brands like Coca-Cola and Carlsberg to his adventures in Lagos and beyond, Shawn shares captivating stories and insights. Discover how his curiosity and strategic vision have shaped his career, and learn about the lessons he's gathered from working across diverse cultures and markets. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that spans continents and industries.https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgallegly/AboutAs a seasoned...
2025-09-071h 01
Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex RozenfeldFrom Casablanca to Startup Founder with Rabie ZahriRabie Zahri didn’t speak a word of English when he arrived in the U.S. at 18. Fast forward to today — he's the CEO and co-founder of Positon, an AI platform transforming the M&A lifecycle from deal origination to post-close integration.In this episode, we dive into Rabie’s founder journey — from Casablanca to corporate development at Hewlett Packard, to building an AI-native startup backed by early believers and growing into the enterprise space.https://positon.ai/#companyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rabiezahri/Rabie Zahri is the CE...
2025-09-0741 min
Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex RozenfeldGoodyear, Gretzky, and Global Growth: Inside Marco Molinari’s Leadership StoryIn this conversation, Marco Molinari shares his extensive experience in global business, highlighting his successful marketing campaigns at Goodyear, including a notable celebrity endorsement with Wayne Gretzky. He reflects on his upbringing in Sweden, his education at Thunderbird, and the lessons learned throughout his career, particularly at Goodyear and HNI Corporation. Marco emphasizes the importance of understanding local markets, the value of international business, and the need for continuous learning and adaptation in a globalized world.https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcomolinari1/BioMarco Molinari is a true global...
2025-08-301h 01
Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex RozenfeldClean Beauty, Big Dreams: How Suzanne Martens Built Adesse New York from ScratchIn this conversation, Suzanne Martens, founder of Adesse New York, shares her journey from a childhood in Pennsylvania to becoming a leader in the clean beauty industry. She discusses her entrepreneurial spirit, the challenges of starting her own business, and the innovative use of AI in product development. Suzanne emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs and the role of cultural awareness in business. She also reflects on her personal growth as an entrepreneur and offers valuable advice for aspiring business owners.https://www.instagram.com/adesseny/?hl=enhttps://adesseny.com/
2025-08-2745 min
Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex RozenfeldFrom India to England in a 73-Year-Old Car: Daman Thakore’s 13,000 KM Family Road TripWhat happens when a childhood dream, a vintage convertible, and a tight-knit Indian family collide? You get the incredible journey of Daman Thakore—a businessman, tennis champ, and explorer at heart—who drove 13,000 kilometers from Ahmedabad to London in a 73-year-old car named Lalpari (Red Angel), alongside his father, wife, and daughter.In this inspiring conversation, Daman shares the origin of his love for vintage cars, the bedtime stories that planted the seed for this expedition, and the unexpected breakdowns—both mechanical and emotional—along the way. From fixing an axle in...
2025-08-2541 min
Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex RozenfeldFrom Caracas to Pepsi and Koch Industries: Aquiles' Journey of Resilience and ReinventionIn this episode, Aquiles Gatas shares his incredible path from growing up in poverty in Venezuela to leading marketing at PepsiCo and managing billion-dollar investments at Koch Industries. He talks about his transition into entrepreneurship, launching ventures like Eco Wash and Centrum, and his latest company BizzMD, which helps small businesses thrive through remote CEO consulting.Aquiles also reflects on cultural challenges, lessons from failure (including opening a café just before the pandemic), and his advice for young entrepreneurs: start fast, learn as you go, and don’t wait for perfect timing...
2025-08-1938 min
Real Talk: Real Estate Discussions with Andrew KirshFrom Parking Meter Technician to Owning a Portfolio of Multi-Family Assets Worth $500mmMy conversation with Alex Rozenfeld, Founder of Freshwater Investments. We discuss: - When immigrating to the U.S. from Ukraine, did he ever think he would own $500mm of real estate? - What he needs to see in order to acquire multi-family properties again - Which mid-western cities he likes to own real estate inLearn more about Alex Rozenfeld: - Read about Freshwater Investments on their website: https://freshwaterinvestments.com/about - Connect with Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com...
2025-08-1332 min
Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex RozenfeldGlen Michel on Japanese Whisky, Big Asks, and Building a $200M AUM FirmIn this engaging conversation, Glenn Michel shares his multifaceted life journey, from his passion for Japanese whiskey to his experiences in martial arts and his transformative time at Thunderbird School. He discusses his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of starting a business, and the importance of intuition in decision-making. Glenn also emphasizes the significance of community involvement and philanthropy, while offering valuable insights into the financial advisory landscape and life insurance. His adventurous spirit shines through as he shares future travel aspirations, including climbing Mount Vinson in Antarctica.https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenmichel/https://www...
2025-08-131h 00
Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex RozenfeldFrom Formula One to the Olympic Flame: Andreas Sigl’s Playbook on Leadership & MarketingAndreas Sigl joins the show to talk about his global career in branding and marketing. He shares stories from working in Japan, leading Formula One sponsorships, helping launch Infiniti in Europe, and even advising the International Olympic Committee. Andreas also talks about writing his upcoming book and what young marketers should focus on in an AI-driven world. Packed with real stories and honest advice, this episode is a great listen for anyone interested in international business and brand strategy.https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreassigl/Andreas SiglGlobal Chief Marketing Officer | Brand Transformation Leader...
2025-08-0648 min
Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex RozenfeldCable Deals, Pinot Noir, and a Life Well Lived with Nimrod KovacsJoin us in this captivating episode as we sit down with Nimrod Kovacs, a seasoned entrepreneur and wine enthusiast, who shares his incredible journey from growing up in post-war Budapest to becoming a successful businessman in the United States. Discover how Nimrod navigated the challenges of a communist regime, his adventurous escape to freedom, and his eventual rise in the corporate world. We delve into his passion for winemaking, the philosophy behind his craft, and his advice for young professionals. Tune in for an inspiring story of resilience, exploration, and the pursuit of one's passions.Buy Nimrod's...
2025-08-0140 min
Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex RozenfeldA Crazy Job Offer, a War Zone, and a Global Mission: Kellie Kreiser’s Unplanned JourneyIn this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Kellie Kreiser '04, a pivotal figure at Thunderbird Business School. From her unexpected start at Thunderbird to becoming the driving force behind Thunderbird for Good, Kellie shares her experiences of building impactful programs like Project Artemis, DreamBuilder, DreamCatcher and WE3A. Discover how her passion for global business education and her commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs have shaped her career and contributed to Thunderbird's mission of creating global citizens. Join us as we explore Kellie's remarkable story of innovation, resilience, and dedication to making a difference in the world.
2025-07-2758 min
Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex RozenfeldInside the Mind of a Global CEO: Doug Deardorf's Path to ImpactSummaryIn this conversation, Doug Deardorf '84 shares his journey from childhood aspirations to becoming a CEO. He reflects on his upbringing, the influences that shaped him, and his experiences at Thunderbird School of Global Management. Doug discusses the importance of building relationships, the challenges of running a business, and the excitement of product development. He emphasizes the value of attitude in hiring and offers advice for young professionals entering the workforce, encouraging them to focus on community and contribution.Doug Deardorf is owner and CEO of...
2025-07-0238 min
Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex RozenfeldGlobal Expansion and Cultural Intelligence: Gbemi Disu's Leadership StorySummaryIn this conversation, Gbemi Disu '06 shares her journey from launching a new campus for George Mason University in Korea to her current role as Vice President for Global Expansion at Northeastern University. She discusses the cultural challenges she faced in Korea, the importance of building relationships, and how her Thunderbird education shaped her career. Gbemi also reflects on the evolving landscape of higher education, the impact of AI, and offers valuable advice for students and alumni navigating their careers.Gbemi Disu '06...
2025-07-0246 min
Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex RozenfeldBuilding Business Across Borders: Egor Musatov’s Journey in Emerging MarketsSummaryIn this conversation, Egor Musatov '04 shares his remarkable journey from growing up in the Soviet Union to becoming a successful director at Euronet Worldwide. He discusses the influences of his early life, the impact of cultural shocks, and the transformative experience at Thunderbird School of Global Management. Egor reflects on his career development, the challenges faced over 22 years at Euronet, and his aspirations for the future, emphasizing the importance of soft skills and networking in achieving success.Egor Musatov is the Managing Director for...
2025-07-0247 min
Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex RozenfeldFrom Investment Management to Brand Builder: Negar Nadimi's Journey to Founding Ragen JewelsSummaryIn this engaging conversation, Negar Nadimi '05 shares her eclectic journey from Iran to France and then to the U.S., highlighting how her diverse background shaped her identity and career. She discusses her educational experiences in both French and American school systems, the cultural shocks she faced, and her transition from a corporate job to entrepreneurship. Negar emphasizes the importance of empowering women through her brand, Ragen Jewels, and offers valuable advice for young entrepreneurs about pursuing their passions and staying authentic.Negar Nadimi '05 is...
2025-07-0231 min
Energy Transition SolutionsNatural Disasters and Energy Resiliency| Joseph Batir | Ep 155
In this episode, our host, Joe Batir, recaps the past week of his life and quickly discusses the role of energy resiliency in the midst of current natural disasters.
The biggest, fastest ramping natural gas turbine in the world – Siemens Energy and their natural gas turbine
The CHILI Incubator Program with Alex Rozenfeld – the hydrogen incubator program in Houston Texas
Keywords
Natural Disasters, Hydrogen, Siemens Energy, Climate Impact Capital, Alaska, 4th of July
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2024-07-1114 min2024-06-2650 min
Multifamily Investor Nation102 Unit Pine Meadow Townhomes In Shawnee, KS With Alex Rozenfeld, Apartment SyndicatorWhitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews apartment syndicator Alex Rozenfeld of Freshwater Investments. He shares how they acquired 102 Unit Pine Meadow Townhomes in Shawnee, KS, and closed the deal on May 2023. Alex talks about chasing the deal alongside seven other offers, going on due diligence for 30 days, and how much they raised for senior debt and investor capital. He also opens up about his experience as a Ukrainian immigrant moving to the United States and how they started Freshwater Investments with his partners in 2015.
2023-10-0216 min