Shows
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25Podcast Ep. 26 FInal Episode Summary Stanford MBA '95 Katharine McLennan Untitled EpisodeEpisode 26 – A Farewell and a Future: Closing the Stanford MBA ’95 Meets ’25 SeriesIn this final episode, host Katharine McLennan reflects on the full arc of the Stanford MBA ’95 meets MBA ’25 podcast series—25 episodes bridging two generations, born 30 years apart, at two pivotal moments in history: the dawn of the internet and the rise of artificial intelligence.With gratitude and insight, Katharine revisits the major themes explored throughout the series: leadership in times of disruption, the evolving role of AI, and the enduring importance of human connection across age, industry, and culture.She shares:Her top...2025-06-1308 min
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25Podcast Ep. 25 Stanford MBA '95 Katharine McLennan meets MBA '25 Carmen GordonToday, I’m joined by Carmen Gordon from the Stanford MBA Class of 2025. Carmen is a second-year MBA student originally from Spain, who previously worked in strategy consulting at McKinsey. She’s driven by a passion for social impact and has worked in the Philippines, Malawi, and Colombia, focusing on socioeconomic empowerment. During her time at Stanford, Carmen co-founded a startup exploring how AI can support freelance fashion designers and spent the summer in India and Europe, working with artisans and luxury brands to bridge cultures and commerce.This episode is bittersweet—it’s the last one I’ll rec...2025-06-1057 min
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25Podcast Ep. 24 Stanford MBA ’95 Laura Zung meerts '25 Shelly Ngo🌟 “In healthcare, technology can optimize systems—but it’s the human connection that truly heals.”💡 “Leadership in crisis isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about showing up, staying real, and caring for people first.”🌱 “AI may reshape healthcare’s back office, but compassion will always be at its heart.” 🎙️ Episode 24 is live for the Stanford MBA ’95 meets MBA ’25 podcast, “From Baby Boomer to Gen Z.” This time, I’m joined by: ✨ Laura Zung (MBA ’94) – CEO of Lancaster Health Group, who led her family’s skilled nursing and Alzheimer’s care fac...2025-06-1048 min
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25Podcast Ep. 23 Bruce McNamer Stanford MBA '95 meets MBA '25 Batu DemirToday, I’m joined by Bruce McNamer from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Batu Demir from the Class of 2025.Bruce is a philanthropic leader who has spent his life weaving together business, government, and global development. He’s currently President of the Builders Initiative, part of Lucas Walton’s Builders Vision, where he steers capital and grants toward environmental and social change. Before that, he led TechnoServe, drove strategy at JPMorgan Chase and McKinsey, served as a White House Fellow, and even worked as a Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay. Bruce brings a rare mix of heart...2025-05-1250 min
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25Podcast Ep. 22 David Farlow Stanford MBA '95 meets Khalid Alajlan '25Today I’m joined by David Farlow from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Khalid Alajlan from the Class of 2025.David is a transformation leader whose career spans global banking, fintech, and operational turnarounds across Europe and the U.S. From senior roles at Capital One and Wells Fargo to leading large-scale transformations in fintechs and UK utilities, he brings deep expertise in productivity, regulation, and customer experience. These days, he splits his time between London and rural Ireland—working remotely from a village that boasts neither a pub nor a post office, but, he assures us, has...2025-05-1154 min
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25Podcast Ep. 21 Laura Francis Stanford MBA ’95 meets Aislin Roth MBA ’25Today, I’m joined by Laura Francis from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Aislin Roth from the Class of 2025.Laura is the CEO of SI-BONE (Nasdaq: SIBN), a global leader in the medical device industry. She recently joined the board of Bruker Corporation (Nasdaq: BRKR), a life science and diagnostics company, and was previously a board member for Shockwave Medical (Nasdaq: SWAV) prior to its acquisition by Johnson & Johnson. She also serves as an executive board member of the Medical Device Manufacturers Association, advocating for the future of the medtech industry and mentoring the next generation of...2025-04-2952 min
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25Podcast Ep. 20 Glover Lawrence Stanford MBA ’95 Vikram Kanodia meets MBA ’25Today, I’m joined by Glover Lawrence from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Vikram Kanodia from the Class of 2025.Glover is a highly respected M&A strategist and financial advisory executive with over 30 years of experience helping founders, CEOs, and boards drive growth across the technology sector. Calm under pressure and pragmatic in approach, Glover has built a career structuring, negotiating, and integrating major transactions—from leading corporate development at AspenTech and driving its $12 billion deal with Emerson Electric, to advising global technology firms through his work at Oracle, Hambrecht & Quist, and his own firm, McNamee Lawr...2025-04-2847 min
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25Podcast Ep. 19 Stanford MBA ’95 Steve Hochman meets MBA ’25 Ayesha KarnikToday, I’m joined by Steve Hochman from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Ayesha Karnik from the Class of 2025.Steve started two companies, selling both. His first was lucy activewear, a predecessor to Lululemon, which was sold to Vanity Fair Corp. He then moved into large company roles, leading new business development for a startup incubator at Intel and later overseeing global supply chain strategy for Nike, culminating as Nike’s Global VP of Retail Supply Chain. Passionate about sustainability, Steve went on to leadership roles at Bolt Threads, creating biodegradable spider silk, and Sseko Designs, a so...2025-04-2855 min
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25Podcast Ep. 18 Stanford MBA ’95 Brad Smith meets MBA ’25 Yoshimi MunetaToday, I’m joined by Brad Smith from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Yoshimi Muneta from the Class of 2025.Brad spent over 30 years leading IT and operations for companies like Uline, McMaster-Carr, PayNet, EthnicGrocer.com, CellNet Systems, and Accenture. In early 2025, he transitioned full-time into nonprofit leadership, now serving as Co-Chair of Project Redwood, a GSB-founded initiative fighting global poverty, as well as a board member of THRIVEGulu and advisor to a family-run school in Northern India that educates 1,300 under-resourced students.Yoshimi is a second-year MBA student at Stanford, passionate about building inclusive cultures, sc...2025-04-2644 min
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25Podcast Ep. 17 Stanford MBA ’95 Tony Ross meets MBA ’25 Marc-Aurèle StarkToday, I’m joined by Tony Ross from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Marc-Aurèle Stark from the Class of 2025.Tony spent nearly 22 years at Apple, leading Americas Operations after key roles in Worldwide Planning and Mac Product Operations. Now based in Park City, Utah, he serves on the advisory board of Crowdstake, a platform using crypto rewards to fund new initiatives — and he’s preparing for his second climb of Denali.Marc-Aurèle is a transformative sales leader, blending cutting-edge AI technology with human connection to redefine how companies drive growth. A second-year MBA stud...2025-04-2641 min
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25Podcast Ep. 16 Stanford MBA ’95 Jason Lorber meets MBA ’25 David Goehring FreedToday, I’m joined by Jason Lorber from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and David Goehring Freed from the Class of 2025.Jason is a consultant, comedian, and former Vermont legislator whose eclectic career has spanned politics, activism, and executive development. After earning his MBA at Stanford, Jason founded Aplomb Consulting and later served eight years in the Vermont House of Representatives, advocating for reforms in prison policy and public accountability. As a stand-up comic who once opened for Joan Rivers, Jason now brings the principles of improvisation into leadership coaching—helping teams find clarity, connection, and courage amid...2025-04-2456 min
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25Podcast Ep. 15 Stanford MBA ’95 PY Nicole Chang meets MBA ’25 Jesse CaiToday I’m joined by Nicole Chang from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Jesse Cai from the Class of 2025.Nicole is a powerhouse strategist, entrepreneur, and global executive who’s spent three decades helping companies grow from good to great to legendary—often leading them through ownership transitions, IPOs, and international expansion. With roots in investment banking, consulting, and C-suite leadership across North America, Asia, and Europe, Nicole brings depth, heart, and unstoppable energy to every venture—including a recent creative collaboration with her singer-songwriter daughter.Jesse is a second-year MBA student and former high-fre...2025-04-2454 min
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25Podcast Ep. 14 Stanford MBA ’95 Al Samuels meets MBA ’25 Joel JohnsonToday I’m joined by Al Samuels from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Joel Johnson from the Class of 2025.Al is an award-winning stage, TV, and film actor, writer, and producer. He co-founded Spark Creative during our time at the GSB, bringing improvisation into business education long before it was a buzzword. His career spans Second City, Edinburgh Fringe, and dozens of corporate stages, all with a comedic twist and deep insight into team dynamics, creativity, and human connection.Joel is currently completing a dual degree at Stanford: an MBA and a Master of Sc...2025-04-241h 02
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25Podcast Ep. 13 Stanford MBA ’95 Carol Hamilton meets MBA ’25 Lauren MaymarToday, I’m joined by Carol Hamilton from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Lauren Maymar from the Class of 2025.Carol is a tech industry veteran and education advocate. After shaping the early days of e-commerce as VP of Online Sales at Oracle, she pivoted to community leadership—raising three children, supporting education through strategic fundraising, and now serving on the Student Affairs National Council at Washington University in St. Louis. With deep experience in high-growth environments and a passion for mental wellness and inclusion, Carol reflects on how leadership styles evolve with time and context.La...2025-04-2356 min
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25Podcast Ep. 12 Stanford MBA ’95 Jillian Leslie meets MBA ’25 Mehek MohanToday, I’m joined by Jillian Leslie from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Mehek Mohan from the Class of 2025. Jillian is a creative entrepreneur, podcast host, and digital business builder. Before co-founding MiloTree, a platform that helps content creators grow and monetize their audiences, Jillian worked as a screenwriter in Hollywood. She also hosts The Blogger Genius Podcast, where for over seven years she’s interviewed top minds in the world of digital entrepreneurship. Her journey blends storytelling, tech, and a deep understanding of what today’s audiences need. Mehek is a second-year MBA student at Stanfor...2025-04-2354 min
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25Podcast Ep. 11 Stanford MBA ’95 Kathy Sarlson meets MBA ’25 Andrew LobelToday, I’m joined by Kathy Sarlson from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Andrew Lobel from the Class of 2025.Kathy is the National Director of Life & Legacy, a philanthropic initiative helping Jewish organizations across North America build endowments through legacy giving. With over 35 years of nonprofit leadership, she’s helped raise tens of millions of dollars in planned gifts while strengthening Jewish community institutions in healthcare, housing, and education. She holds degrees from the University of Michigan, Harvard Divinity School, and Stanford GSB. Andrew is a second-year MBA student at Stanford and the current presi...2025-04-2253 min
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25Podcast Ep. 10 Stanford MBA ’95 Pam Fox Rollin meets MBA ’25 Pragati Rastogi🎙️ Today, I’m joined by Pam Fox Rollin from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Pragati Rastogi from the Class of 2025.Pam is a renowned executive coach and strategist, partnering with C-level leaders and top teams to drive bold, integrated change. With deep roots in healthcare, strategy, and leadership development, Pam brings a rare mix of analytical precision and human insight to the world’s most complex organizations.Pragati is a second-year MBA student and former strategy consultant who has worked across India, the Middle East, and Africa to expand healthcare access. At Stanford, she’s leading a...2025-04-2257 min
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25Podcast Ep. 9 Stanford MBA '95 Volker Schmidt meets Laura Kiehl '25Today, I’m joined by Volker Schmidt from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Laura Kiehl from the Class of 2025. Volker is a seasoned investor and leadership advisor with deep roots in Europe’s Mittelstand. He began his career at BCG before co-founding EMERAM Capital Partners and later Blue Ocean Partner, helping small and mid-sized companies scale through growth strategy and private equity. Laura is a second-year MBA student at Stanford GSB, originally from Germany and Poland. Before business school, she worked in consulting at BCG and co-founded an initiative supporting First-Generation professionals. At Stanford, she’s explore...2025-04-171h 04
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25Podcast Ep. 8 Stanford MBA '95 Van Ton-Quinlivan meets MBA '25 Sarah TangToday, I’m joined by Van Ton-Quinlivan from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Sarah Tang from the Class of 2025. Van is a national thought leader in workforce development and currently serves as CEO of Futuro Health, a nonprofit growing the largest network of allied healthcare workers in the U.S. Her career spans roles in high tech, government, and nonprofit leadership, including serving as Executive Vice Chancellor for the California Community Colleges and being appointed by the Governor of California to shape statewide health workforce education strategy. Sarah is a dual-degree MBA-MA student at Stanford, combining bus...2025-04-1754 min
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25Podcast Ep. 7 Stanford MBA Kevin Steinberg meets '25 Michael BakanSee chapter timings below this introduction: Today, I’m joined by Kevin Steinberg from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Michael Bakan from the Class of 2025. Kevin is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of operating experience founding, leading, and scaling some of the world’s most prominent professional services and talent-centric organizations. He is currently the Founder and Chairman of Ascent Leadership Networks, an advisory and executive talent development firm. His past leadership roles include CEO, COO, and President positions at the World Economic Forum, Purpose, Spencer Stuart’s leadership consulting practice, and The Brattle Group.Mi...2025-04-1353 min
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25Podcast Ep. 6 Stanford MBA ’95 Russell Eggers meets MBA ’25 Michael LiuToday, I’m joined by Russell Eggers, a seasoned executive from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995. Now a CEO and board director, Russell brings over 40 years of operational leadership across mining, aviation, and industrial enterprises. He’s known for turning strategy into growth in “old school” businesses—and for speaking candidly about the power of humility, hiring well, and staying grounded in the real economy. Joining him is Michael Liu, a second-year MBA student from the Class of 2025. Born in China, raised in Sydney, and soon to be based in New York, Michael brings a global perspective on finance—...2025-04-0759 min
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25🎬 The Trailer | Stanford MBA – From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Katharine McLennan '95I’m Katharine Keough McLennan, Stanford MBA Class of 1995 alumna; I am the creator, producer and facilitator for this series in which I have the honour of hosting each episode with a different pair of two Stanford MBA generations—one from my Class of 1995 and the other from the Class of 2025.Our dialogues explore the profound shifts both of these classes saw in the "Changing of the Eras" :The Class of 1995 graduated at the dawn of the internet, heralding the Information Age emerging from the Industrial Age. Some of our classmates are considered glob...2025-01-0801 min
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25🎬 Podcast Ep. 4 | Stanford MBA – From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Fran Sachs ’95 meets Kate Kabat '25This is Episode 4. Today, I’m joined by Fran Sachs, a senior executive with over 25 years of experience growing service businesses and driving organisational change. Fran’s career includes roles in Fortune 500 companies, middle-market organisations, and start-ups. For the past 17 years, she and her husband have optimised supply chain and logistics for their clients through their business.Joining us as well is Kate Kabat, a second-year dual-degree MBA-MS student in Stanford’s Emmett Interdisciplinary Program in Environment and Resources (E-IPER). Kate has worked in management consulting at Bain & Company and on growth strategy for BioLite, a clean energy...2025-01-0856 min
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25🎬 Podcast Ep. 5 | Stanford MBA – From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Peter Crawford '95 meets Doug Phipps '25Today, I’m joined by Peter Crawford, a seasoned executive from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995. As CFO at Charles Schwab for seven years, Peter was instrumental in growing the company’s client assets under management from $1 trillion to $10 trillion during his two decades of leadership. Now transitioning into retirement, he is focusing on board work, community service with the Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco, and personal passions like skiing and guitar.Joining us is Doug Phipps, a second-year MBA student from the Class of 2025. Doug is a social entrepreneur and educator with a background in thea...2025-01-0857 min
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25🎬 Podcast Ep. 3 | Stanford MBA – From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Michael Rodriguez meets Kailash SundaramThis is Episode 3. Today, I’m joined by Michael Rodriguez from the Class of 1995, a distinguished CEO and director in early-stage companies with a focus on healthcare innovation, who now also teaches managerial accounting and business ethics at Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business and Kailash Sundaram from the Class of 2025, a former member of the White House Biden Administration, venture capitalist, and advocate for sustainable capitalism with AI-driven solutions.Michael and Kailash share their unique perspectives from the healthcare and venture capital sectors. Reflecting on their experiences, they delve into the evolving landscape of business educ...2025-01-081h 01
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25🎬 Podcast Ep. 2 | Stanford MBA – From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Jeff Barnett ’95 meets Zach Dyce '25This is Episode 2. Today, I’m joined by Jeff Barnett from the Class of 1995, a seasoned hedge fund executive, classical singer extraordinaire and multiple award recipient for his service to Stanford over the years, and Zach Dyce from the Class of 2025, an entrepreneur who intends to transform the way the American health system through Medicare can deliver addiction care through the application of AI. Today, I’m joined by Jeff Barnett from the Class of 1995, a seasoned hedge fund executive, classical singer extraordinaire and multiple award recipient for his service to Stanford over the years, and Zach Dyce...2025-01-0754 min
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25🎬 Podcast Ep. 1 | Stanford MBA – From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Katharine McLennan '95This is Episode 1—a 20-minute episode. I introduce myself, Katharine McLennan, a Stanford MBA Class of 1995 member, an organisational culture and leadership consultant, and an avid explorer of the intersections between leadership, culture, strategy, and human potential. In this inaugural episode, I share the inspiration and vision for this podcast series, which bridges the wisdom and experiences of two generations—my classmates, now in our 60s, give or take, and the Class of 2025, just entering their 30s, give or take.I also set the scene for our dialogue by reflecting on each class's unique...2025-01-0720 min