Shows
Insights@Questrom PodcastBeyond Clicks and Sales: How Advertising Shapes Company Value in the Eyes of InvestorsWhat happens when Wall Street meets Madison Avenue? Despite billions spent annually on advertising, surprisingly little research has explored how these investments impact a company's stock price—until now.Shubha Srinivasan, the Adele and Norman Barron Professor of Management and Professor of Marketing, pulls back the curtain on this critical relationship in our fascinating conversation about her groundbreaking research synthesizing findings from over 250 studies. She reveals three distinct pathways through which advertising influences firm valuation: the indirect route (via increased sales and profits), signaling value to investors, and building long-term brand assets.The disconnect between ma...2025-07-1725 min
Is Business Broken?The High Stakes of the AI Economy, Live from the WBUR FestivalAI promises massive gains in productivity and a flourishing of goods and services—but also poses consequences for jobs, corporate power, and society. There will be winners and losers. Today, we're asking: How do we strike the balance between innovation and safety, between competition and concentration, between policy and industry regulation?At a live event as part of the WBUR Festival, host Curt Nickisch speaks to:Divya Sridhar - Vice President, Global Privacy Division & Privacy Operations, BBB National ProgramsAsu Ozdaglar - Department Head, MIT Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Deputy Dean, MIT Schwarzman College of...2025-07-0338 min
Wicked ConnectedEpisode 33. Networking for First-gen ImmigrantsJashin Lin of Growbie joins the Wicked Connected crew to share thoughts on the ins and outs of networking for 1st generation immigrants in Boston. Jashin's Message: "Always be networking and use LinkedIn effectively to achieve your goals"Jashin's Bio:A dynamic leader and trailblazer, Jashin stands at the forefront of social entrepreneurship, community building, and career education. As the founder and CEO of Growbie, the first career development platform focused on networking skills and community-building for first-generation immigrants, she is dedicated to addressing the challenges of cultural differences and fostering career re...2025-06-3032 minIs Business Broken?The Economic Anxiety of a Global Trade ShiftOne of the goals of the Mehrotra Institute is to educate, not just through research or in the classroom, but by creating real-world learning opportunities.So, for this episode, we're handing the mic to student host Grant Corbett, who chats with JD Chesloff, President & CEO of the Massachusetts Business Round Table about how the current political environment is impacting businesses on the ground. Special thanks to the Raif Dinçkök Student Forum at the Mehrotra Institute for supporting this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2025-06-2620 min
Work For HumansHow Platforms Are Rewriting the Rules of Work | Andrei HagiuIf work is a product, and employees are customers of that product, then every company is a multi-sided business, one that must serve both consumers and workers. According to platform economist Andrei Hagiu, how companies design that experience, how they structure control, pricing, and participation, matters more than we realize. He has spent his career studying the world’s most influential platforms, from Uber and Airbnb to Apple and Amazon. In this episode, Dart and Andrei explore what platform strategy can teach us about modern work design, why the “employee vs. contractor” debate is outdated, when it is efficient to giv...2025-05-2759 minIs Business Broken?How Should Companies Balance Short-Term Pressures with Long-Term Interests?How should companies balance short-term pressures with long-term interests?Can they do both—and if so, how?
That’s the question we posed at a live event that BU Questrom held in April.
Host Curt Nickisch spoke to Stuart Hart, Professor in Residence at the University of Michigan’s Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise, and the author of Beyond Shareholder Primacy: Remaking Capitalism for a Sustainable Future; Anthony Allot, Board Chair and former CEO of Silgan Holdings Corporation; Aneliya Crawford, Head of ESG Advisory at UBS; and Andrew King, Allen and Kelli...2025-05-0835 minIs Business Broken?How to Combat Common OwnershipLast episode introduced the concept of common ownership. That’s where major investors buy significant stakes across competing firms, which can lower competition, raise prices, and affect innovation. But what could be done about that? Is there a way to address these anti-competitive issues?Host Curt Nickisch talks potential solutions with Florian Ederer, Allen and Kelli Questrom Professor in Markets, Public Policy & Law at BU Questrom; Glen Weyl, founder of the RadicalxChange Foundation and the Plurality Institute;and Fiona Scott Morton, Theodore Nierenberg Professor of Economics at the Yale School of Management....2025-04-1036 minInsights@Questrom PodcastTariffs and Their Economic ImplicationsIn this episode, JP Matychak and Mark Williams, Master Lecturer in Finance, discuss the complexities of tariffs, their implications for the US economy, and the recent changes in tariff policy announced by President Trump. They explore how tariffs function as a tax on imported goods, the burden they place on consumers, and the potential economic fallout, including inflation and recession. The conversation also delves into the long-term risks of relying on tariffs as a trade tool and suggests more constructive approaches to address trade imbalances.Key TakeawaysTariffs are essentially a tax on imported...2025-04-0421 minIs Business Broken?What Happens When the Same Investors Own Competing Companies?When the same big investors buy stakes in multiple competing companies, are those firms still competitors? When they practically have the same owner, do they set their prices differently? Do they lose their drive to innovate?This is not a thought experiment. It’s real and widespread—a phenomenon known as common ownership. Is common ownership just smart investing, or is it reducing competition and driving up costs? And what, if anything, should be done about it?To explain, host Curt Nickisch speaks to Florian Ederer, Allen and Kelli Ques...2025-03-2734 minIs Business Broken?Why is Healthcare Not Better and Cheaper?Innovation is what drives progress—but in healthcare, progress can feel frustratingly slow. New treatments, technologies, and approaches have the potential to save lives and reduce costs, yet systemic barriers often stand in the way. Are financial incentives in this regulated market holding innovation back? If so, how badly? What would it take to realign them?Today, host Curt Nickisch speaks to Jim Rebitzer Professor, Markets, Public Policy & Law, Questrom School of Business, and his brother Bob Rebitzer, National Advisor at Manatt Health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit po...2025-03-2036 minIs Business Broken?How Do Employees Feel about Executive Compensation?As we’ve discussed these last few episodes, there’s a lot that goes into how executives get paid—but what about the people working beneath those executives? How do employees feel about executive compensation, and how can companies balance rewarding top leaders while keeping employees engaged and valued?Today, we explore how pay structures shape workplace culture, trust, and motivation—and what can be done to make them feel fairer.Host Curt Nickisch speaks to Charlie Tharp, Professor of the Practice at BU Questrom School of Business and Peter Fasolo, Former CHRO at Johnson & Johnson...2025-03-1321 minIs Business Broken?Are CEOS Paid Just For Luck?For our next conversation on executive compensation, we’re exploring some of the big questions researchers are tackling today. Like: How much of CEO pay is driven by luck? Have these pay packages gotten too complex? And are CEOs being fairly rewarded — or punished — for the risks they take?Host Curt Nickisch is joined by BU Questrom Professors Ana Albuquerque and Charlie Tharp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2025-03-0630 minIs Business Broken?How Institutional Investors Influence Executive Pay Today's episode dives into the voice that shareholders have and how executives are paid, including large institutional shareholders. What does that relationship look like between investors and companies, and how does this affect CEO pay?Host Curt Nickisch chats with Bob McCormick, Executive Director at the Council of Institutional Investors, and Charlie Tharp, Professor of the Practice at Boston University Questrom School of Business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2025-02-2725 minInsights@Questrom PodcastNavigating Internet Privacy: Unpacking Cookies, Dark Patterns, and Future Data Protection ChallengesUnlock the secrets of internet privacy as we journey through the intricate world of digital cookies and their profound impact on our online lives. Featuring insights from Garrett Johnson and Tesary Lin of Boston UniversityQuestrom School of Business, we explore the evolution of privacy regulations and their influence on major browsers like Chrome. Discover how first-party and third-party cookies have transformed digital marketing, and learn about Google's innovative Privacy Sandbox initiative, which seeks to balance user privacy with the needs of advertisers and publishers.We also shine a light on the controversial "dark patterns" in user interface...2025-02-2032 minIs Business Broken?Why are Executives Paid So Much?Why and how did CEO paychecks become so massive and divisive? Who decides what leaders are worth? And what’s the ripple effect on companies, workers, and the economy?Host Curt Nickisch unpacks these issues and more with Charles Tharp, Professor of the Practice at the Questrom School of Business and former CEO and founding member of the Center On Executive Compensation in Washington D.C. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2025-02-2031 minInsights@Questrom PodcastRedefining Retirement: Navigating Emotional and Social Transitions with Insightful StrategiesOn this episode of Insights@Questrom, contributor Shannon Light chats with Kathy Kram, Professor of Management & Organizations, emerita, and Tim Hall, Professor of Management & Organizations, emeritus, about their co-authored book, Retiring: Creating a Life That Works for You.The discussion dives into retirement as a major life transition—one that goes beyond financial and health concerns to address deeper psychological, social, and structural challenges. Professors Kram and Hall share insights from their book, which is based on detailed retirement stories of 14 individuals and over 200 interviews. They explore how retiring involves reconstructing both identity and life structure, offering wi...2025-01-2251 minIs Business Broken?Regulating Platforms & Speech in an Age of Fake NewsHow do we reconcile the protection of free speech with the need to prevent harmful misinformation from spreading online? Is it even possible to strike a balance?Host Curt Nickisch speaks to Marshall Van Alstyne, the Allen and Kelli Questrom Professor in Information Systems at Boston University Questrom School of Business; Nadine Strossen, Professor of Law at New York Law School and former president of the American Civil Liberties Union; and Michael Masnik, CEO and Founder of Copia Institute and its publication Techdirt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...2024-11-0744 minIs Business Broken?How Can We Understand Online Misinformation?From political lies to viral conspiracy theories, misinformation has reshaped our digital landscape—creating confusion, influencing public perception, and altering national debates.Just how widespread has misinformation become? What are the roles that social media platforms play, and what are some potential solutions?Host Curt Nickisch speaks to Marshall Van Alstyne, the Allen and Kelly Questrom Professor in Information Systems at Boston University Questrom School of Business and Gordon Pennycook, Associate Professor of Psychology and Himan Brown Faculty Fellow at Cornell University Learn more about yo...2024-10-3132 minIs Business Broken?Shareholder Primacy vs. Stakeholderism: 5 Years Later (Pt 2)Last week's episode features the first part of a panel centered around the Business Round Table's pledge five years ago to redefine the purpose of a corporation, by create value for all stakeholders, not just shareholders. Today, we continue where we left off, and look into the future. How should boards operate now? What should they taking into account differently in the coming years?Host Curt Nickisch speaks to Lynn Paine, Professor at Harvard Business School, Om Prakash Bhatt, the former chair and CEO of the State Bank of India, Anthony Allott, former chair...2024-10-2425 minIs Business Broken?Shareholder Primacy vs. Stakeholderism: 5 Years Later (Pt 1)Five years ago, the Business Roundtable made a bold move and redefined the purpose of a corporation. 181 CEOs signed a pledge to create value for all stakeholders in a corporation, instead of just shareholders. What, if anything, has changed since that declaration five years ago? Host Curt Nickisch speaks to Lynn Paine, Professor at Harvard Business School, Om Prakash Bhatt, the former chair and CEO of the State Bank of India, Anthony Allott, former chair and CEO of Silgan Holdings, and James Orlikoff, president of Orlikoff & Associates Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...2024-10-1731 minIs Business Broken?Why Cell and Gene Therapies Cost So Much – And What Can Be DoneLast week's episode introduced the promises and challenges brought forth by Cell and Gene Therapies. Today's show dives deeper into this topic with BU Questrom Professor Rena Conti, an expert on the financing and regulation of the biopharmaceutical market.She and host Curt Nickisch discuss why these treatments are so expensive, challenges for insurance companies, and potential solutions to ensure fair access. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2024-10-0330 minIs Business Broken?Life Science Innovation: Who Should Pay?Sometimes called “living drugs,” Cell and Gene Therapies have the potential to cure an individual of a rare disease by modifying that person’s genes. But due to the labor-intensive, individualized treatment, these drugs are expensive, to the tune of millions of dollars per patient.Rena Conti, BU Questrom associate professor of markets, public policy, and law; U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.); Michael Sherman, RA Capital Management venture partner; and Andrew Obenshain, biotech company Bluebird Bio CEO, discuss how to ensure continued innovation and access to gene and cell therapy without breaking the bank. L...2024-09-2642 min
Ruled by ReasonHow Exactly Does Common Ownership Harm Competition? A Conversation with Florian Ederer, Jerry S. Cohen Award Winner for Antitrust ScholarshipIn this episode of Ruled by Reason, guest host Leslie Marx, the Robert A. Bandeen Distinguished Professor of Economics at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, sits down with Professor Florian Ederer to discuss his award-winning article, Common Ownership, Competition, and Top Management Incentives, 131 J. Pol. Econ 1294 (2023). Professor Ederer is the Allen and Kelli Questrom Professor in Markets, Public Policy & Law at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business. His article, co-authored with Professors Miguel Antón and Mireia Giné of the IESE Business School and Martin Schmalz of the University of Oxford Saïd Business School...2024-08-1433 minIs Business Broken?The Future of ESG: Where Do We Go From Here?The future of ESG, or Environmental Social Governance, depends on how we approach our current moment, according to today's show guests. Host Curt Nickisch talks with Bob Eccles, Visiting Professor of Management Practice at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and Madison Condon, Associate Professor at Boston University School of Law, to discuss where ESG is going. How will today’s political battles play out? How might emerging technology affect the field? And what is the evolving role of the shareholder in this? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2024-05-2325 minIs Business Broken?What Are Today’s Business Leaders Saying About ESG?What do the conversations around ESG, or Environmental Social Governance, look like today? How are businesses addressing E, S, and G factors in what they do? This episode explores how ESG looks on the ground. Host Curt Nickisch talks with Mindy Lubber, CEO of Ceres, a nonprofit dedicated to integrating sustainability into businesses, and Peter Fox-Penner, Chief Impact Officer at Energy Impact Partners, a firm that invests in the clean energy transition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2024-05-1629 minIs Business Broken?Revisiting ESG: How Did We Get Here?ESG, or Environmental Social Governance, isn't the first time business has attempted addressing public concerns regarding the social impact of business. In this episode, Host Curt Nickisch invites John Streur, former Chair CEO of Calvert Research and Management, and Eddie Riedl, the John F. Smith Jr. Professor in Accounting at BU Questrom, to explore the history of this influence and the traditions of corporate reporting. How did we get to the system we use today? And what are the consequences of that? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2024-05-0927 min
Policy OutsiderEp. 91. Un(der)banked ImmigrantsFor many, access to the banking system is an important component of upward mobility. Loans, savings accounts, credit cards–these are all part of a financial system that, when used strategically, can help establish financial stability or undergird entrepreneurial activity. But there are barriers to accessing the banking system for those on society's margins, including in some immigrant communities, where many are unbanked or underbanked. To explore these issues, we speak with Dr. Jay Zagorsky, clinical associate professor of markets, public policy, and law at Boston University's Questrom School of Business and Dr. Dina Refki, executive director of the In...2024-05-0734 minIs Business Broken?Promises and Perils of the ESG MovementESG, or Environmental Social Governance, promises to help the bottom line and the planet at the same time. Is it too good to be true? In this episode, Host Curt Nickisch moderates a live debate between Witold Henisz of the Wharton School and Andy King of BU Questrom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2024-05-0229 minIs Business Broken?Is Business Broken?Host Curt Nickisch and Susan Fournier, Allen Questrom Professor and Dean of Questrom School of Business at Boston University, preview the arc of this podcast and unpack the thorny questions percolating about business and capitalism today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2024-04-2524 minIs Business Broken?Trailer: "Is Business Broken?"A preview of "Is Business Broken?" - Conversations about the role of business in society, brought to you by the Ravi K. Mehrotra Institute for Business, Markets & Society at BU Questrom School of Business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2024-04-2301 minInsights@Questrom PodcastReal Estate Ripples from a Landmark SettlementJoin us as we unravel the implications of a game-changing $418 million settlement that is sending shockwaves through the real estate sector. We discuss how the National Association of Realtors' landmark decision is upending the traditional commission model, and what it means for the pockets of buyers and sellers alike. You'll gain a new perspective on the future of real estate transactions, with an in-depth analysis on how the Federal Reserve's latest move—or lack thereof—on interest rates adds to the complex decision-making process in today's market.Joining the conversation is Keith Munsell, a seasoned expert with four...2024-04-0426 minInsights@Questrom PodcastThe Hidden Wisdom of Cultural PushbackHave you ever felt like an outsider, struggling to find your footing in a world that seems to resist your every step? Professor Michel Anteby, our esteemed guest for today's episode, knows that feeling all too well. In our engaging conversation, he shares how his personal battles with being a minority have equipped him with a unique resilience, one that he has applied to his field research in some of the most secretive and resistant organizations. From the guarded corridors of Disneyland to the strategic planning rooms of Harvard Business School, Professor Anteby's tales offer a fresh perspective on...2024-03-2627 min
Proud to BUBuilding a Major League Soccer Champion | Larry Freedman (Questrom’85)After an early career practicing law, Larry Freedman (Questrom’85) took a leap toward his first love of professional sports and moved to Hollywood to manage a portfolio of minor league baseball teams across the country. When his business partner entered the ownership group of the nascent Los Angeles Football Club in 2014, Larry became instrumental in creating the brand new MLS team – from designing a stadium to building corporate partners to cultivating a loyal and passionate fanbase.
On this episode of Proud to BU, hear about Larry’s path from aspiring pro athlete to becoming the Co-President and Chief B...2024-03-1839 minInsights@Questrom PodcastFusion Strategy: Navigating the Industrial EvolutionUnlock the secrets of "Fusion Strategy," the groundbreaking approach that's rewriting the playbook for industrial giants. On our latest episode, we sit down with Venkat Venkatraman, author of the upcoming book "Fusion Strategy: How Real-Time Data and AI Will Power the Industrial Future" who, along with co-author Vijay Govindarajan, is steering companies through a landscape where AI and real-time data are as critical as nuts and bolts. Venkat maps out for our listeners the fascinating terrain where digital and physical realms converge, elucidating how heavyweights in sectors like automotive and agriculture can not only survive but thrive by adopting...2024-03-0738 min
Proud to BUReinventing the Red Carpet | Jeremy Lowe (CGS’12, Questrom’14)As the VP of Talent and Partnerships for legendary entertainment company Dick Clark Productions, Jeremy Lowe (CGS’12, Questrom’14) manages relationships with entertainers, creators, and brands for numerous dcp shows, including The Golden Globes, Academy of Country Music Awards, and New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. On this episode, Jeremy tells us about the qualities it takes to be successful in Hollywood and about how his BU student experience (both inside and outside the classroom) taught him the leadership, marketing, and communication skills that have propelled his career toward the stars.
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Subscribe to the Proud to BU newslett...2024-03-0438 minInsights@Questrom PodcastSCOTUS: Exploring the Future of Content Moderation, Internet Law, and Free SpeechUnlock the mysteries of online speech regulation with Kabrina Chang and Marshall Van Alstyne as they dissect the debates at the heart of Moody v. NetChoice and NetChoice v. Paxton. This conversation cuts through the legal jargon, promising to enlighten you on the intricacies of Section 230 and its pivotal role in the growth of social networks. Delve into the very fabric of digital communication law, as we peel back the layers of content moderation and explore the protection it affords to both social media companies and their users.Imagine a world where every tweet, comment, or post...2024-02-2952 min
Proud to BUCombatting Racism and Antisemitism with Education and Philanthropy | Ayele Shakur (Questrom’87)When family concerns led Ayele Shakur (Questrom’87) to change her trajectory from aspiring screenwriter to a business degree, she set in motion a career that’s just as inspiring as any Hollywood biopic. On this episode, hear how Ayele went from being a teacher in Compton to the CEO of BUILD, a national nonprofit supporting students from under-resourced communities, and what brought her to her current role as President of the Redstone Family Foundation where she provides funding for organizations that are creating innovative programs to end racism and antisemitism.
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Subscribe to the Proud to BU...2024-02-1935 minInsights@Questrom PodcastUnleashing the Power of Discovery in Leadership and Organizational ChangeDiscover innovation in leadership and organizational change with Professor Emerita Karen Golden-Biddle as we explore her upcoming book, “The Untapped Power of Discovery”. This episode promises to challenge your perceptions, revealing that discovery isn't just for the chosen few—it's a creative endeavor we can all partake in. Karen shares astonishing real-world examples, like Intuit’s revelations from Quicken usage, to illustrate how discovery is not merely an outcome but a journey that can lead to profound insights and inspire better futures.Step into a masterclass on cultural change, as we dissect Hirschman's concepts of voice, exit, and loya...2024-02-1439 minInsights@Questrom PodcastTransforming Employee Development with Generative AIUnlock the secrets to revolutionizing workplace learning with insights from Chris Dellarocas and DK Lee. In an era where AI's capabilities are soaring, they illuminate how generative AI is not just enhancing but personalizing the learning and development experience for employees. Imagine a world where your training is tailored in real-time, adapting to your needs, and offering immersive coaching that's just a cut above. Our conversation delves into AI's role in evolving training scenarios across industries, from sharpening sales techniques to navigating the complexities of environmental compliance. As we navigate through the podcast, we confront the pressing e...2024-02-0932 minInsights@Questrom PodcastBridging the Classroom to the Real WorldOn this episode of the Insights@Questrom Podcast, we talk to Greg Stoller, Master Lecturer of Strategy and Innovation and Director of Questrom Case Competitions, and Robyn Johnson, Questrom Undergraduate Academic Advisor and part-time MBA student, Class of 2024. Following her team's recent win, Robyn discusses her experience competing in Questrom's 5th annual Battle of the Boutiques competition, where teams of students are challenged to form, storm, norm, and perform in just 7 days. Additionally, Greg and Robyn discuss Questrom's Global Management Experience, which offers more opportunities for international learning and experiential learning. 2024-01-2549 min
The Retail PilotTerry Lundgren: Leading the Evolution of Department Store Retail and the State of the Industry TodayKen Pilot interviews Terry Lundgren for this flight of The Retail Pilot - Leaders & Legends.Terry Lundgren served for 14 years as CEO of Macy’s, Inc., operator of Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Bluemercury and one of the largest retail ecommerce businesses in America. He retired from Macy’s, Inc. in January 2018 after serving for 10 months as the company’s Executive Chairman. Prior to becoming CEO of the company in February 2003 and Chairman and CEO in January 2004, Lundgren had been President and Chief Merchandising Officer since May 1997. He is the founder of the Terry J. Lundgren Cen...2023-11-141h 10
Proud to BURestaurateur on Striving for Perfect Harmony | Shraddha Bhansali (Questrom’14)From the age of 15, if you asked Shraddha Bhansali (Questrom’14) what she wanted to do when she grew up, her answer was steadfast: open a restaurant. She graduated from the Questrom School of Business in 2014 having studied both business and hospitality management. Today, she is the owner of Candy & Green, a vegetarian restaurant and bar in Mumbai, India focused on clean eating and local ingredients. She joined us on the podcast to explore her tenacious entrepreneurial journey and share how she’s adapting and keeping busy amidst the pandemic.
Recorded March 2020
2023-11-1025 min
Proud to BUTransforming Personal Loss into an Encore Career | Bill Cohen (Questrom’74)Bill Cohen (Questrom’74) founded Cohen Caregiving Consultants, LLC, to provide advice and counsel to families who are grappling with a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s. His work with caregivers follows a fascinating career that included time in hospitality, financial services, and state government. He joined us on the podcast to talk about the personal loss that inspired his “second act” or “encore career” and to provide a roadmap for other alumni who are looking to make a career change but aren’t quite sure how to get started.
Recorded April 2020
2023-11-1026 min
Proud to BUForbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisor | Alex Tanguay (Questrom’02)Alex Tanguay (Questrom’02) is a Senior Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Boston. Alex earned his bachelor’s degree from the Questrom School of Business in 2002 and was recently named one of Forbes’ “Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors” under 40. Alex is deeply engaged in the Alumni Association; he serves on the BU Alumni Council and is working to build a strong alumni network at Merrill as well. On this episode of the podcast, Alex shares insights on the future of his industry and he reflects on the dividends he’s realized from investing his time and ene...2023-11-1021 min
Proud to BULessons in Leadership from a Fire Chief Officer | Joe Maruca (Questrom’81)Joe Maruca (Questrom’81) didn’t know what he wanted to do for a living after graduating from BU. His advice for any students who are feeling similarly? “Don’t worry about it!” Joe earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Questrom School of Business in 1981 and went on to become both a practicing attorney and Fire Chief in the West Barnstable district on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. On this episode of the podcast, you’ll hear Joe’s reflections on being in student government during the John Silber era at BU and he shares his unique perspective on leadership fo...2023-11-1030 min
Proud to BUSouthwest Strategist on Solving Universal Problems | Ajay Mehta (Questrom’11)Ajay Mehta (Questrom’11) has a proven track record as an innovator and creative problem solver. While his career is centered on the transportation industry, the lessons he’s learned about strategy and consulting are universal. Ajay earned his MBA from the Questrom School of Business in 2011. Today, he is a Manager of Technology, Strategy, & Continuous Improvement at Southwest Airlines and his resume also includes experience at Amtrak, Concentre, and Ericsson. Ajay joined us on the podcast from Dallas, Texas, which is one of BU’s top 20 cities by alumni population. He shares his insights into what makes the greater Dallas...2023-11-1016 min
Proud to BUHow Digital Disruption is Transforming Banking | Phonpimol Pathomsak (Questrom’96)Phonpimol Pathomsak (Questrom’96) is a Senior Vice President at Kasikornbank, one of Thailand’s largest commercial banks. After graduating from BU, Phonpimol moved from Boston to Bangkok where she built a career in banking and consumer finance at world-renowned firms AIG, Citi, GE Capital, and Bank of China. She also served as CEO of fintech startup, Refinn, which empowers consumers to compare mortgage offers.
Recorded September 2019
2023-11-1021 min
Proud to BUGoogle Resident on Challenging the Status Quo | Parag Vaish (Questrom’03)Parag Vaish (Questrom’03) has built a career at the forefront of digital innovation, marketing, and design. He rose through the ranks at companies like Disney, Microsoft, MSNBC, StubHub and Tesla prior to tackling his most recent challenge as a founder-in-residence at Google’s internal incubator, Area 120. During his time at Tesla, Parag worked closely with founder, Elon Musk, on all digital developments and customer facing experiences. He is a proud graduate of the Questrom School of Business where he received both an MBA and an MS in information systems back in 2003. Parag is one of more than 9,000 BU alumni who...2023-11-0935 min
Proud to BUA Journey from Civil Rights Activism to Finance | Thomas W. Jones (Questrom’78)In 1969, Thomas W. Jones (Questrom’78) stood firmly at the center of the armed student takeover of Willard Straight Hall at Cornell University. Pulitzer Prize-winning images of Jones and his fellow classmates emerging from the student union after a peaceful resolution powerfully captured widespread frustration over stalled civil rights efforts. Upon leaving Cornell, Jones entered the financial services industry, earned his MBA from Boston University, and continued to break new ground as a pioneering African American executive atop renowned firms like John Hancock, TIAA, Citigroup, and more. Jones recently published a memoir, From Willard Straight to Wall Street, and he jo...2023-11-0933 min
Proud to BUExploring the World of Private Equity & Venture Capital | Alejandro Garcia Amaya (Questrom’07)Working at the intersection of art, branding, and technology, Alejandro Garcia-Amaya (Questrom’07) has his hands in many industries. Not only is the host of the well-known podcast series “Getting Here“, but he is also the CEO of a new and flourishing investor-backed venture. For tech start-up CEO, Alejandro Garcia-Amaya, entrepreneurship runs in the family. Alejandro learned the ropes alongside his mother and brother as they built the experiential brand marketing company, InterMinds. Today, Alejandro is charting his own course as CEO of the investor-backed team, Mulu Labs in Silicon Valley, and he is the host of the Getting Here podcas...2023-11-0931 min
Proud to BUHow to Become a C-suite Headliner at Live Nation | Alan Ostfield (LAW’90, Questrom’91)If you’ve ever bought concert tickets, there’s a high chance you’ve used Live Nation to purchase them. Enter Alan Ostfield (LAW’90, Questrom’91), a sports fanatic who ironically never really an interest in music growing up, but now finds himself as the President of the North Atlantic Division of Live Nation. After earning his JD and MBA from BU, Alan Ostfield went on to occupy the c-suite of legendary organizations including the San Diego Padres, the Detroit Pistons and now, the North Atlantic division of the world’s largest live entertainment company, Live Nation. Alan explores the process of b...2023-11-0931 minInsights@Questrom PodcastQuestrom $50K Case Competition: In the Trenches of Sustainability with CasellaIn this episode of the Insights@Questrom Podcast, we talk to Greg Stoller, Senior Lecturer of Strategy and Innovation at Questrom School of Business, Paul Ligon, Senior Vice President of Sustainable Growth at Casella Waste Systems, and Thomas Segear, Resource Manager at Casella Waste Systems. Greg, Paul, and Thomas discuss the recent Questrom $50K Sustainability Case Competition, in which teams of students tackle real-world problems related to sustainability, and how the students' work was incorporated into this year's "Allston Christmas," the annual two-day period during which thousands of college students simultaneously move out of and into off-campus ap...2023-10-2343 minInsights@Questrom PodcastThe Optimistic PessimistMoshe Cohen, Senior Lecturer in Management & Organizations, sits down with Insights Contributors Steve Sisto and Shannon Light to discuss his new book, "The Optimistic Pessimist." 2023-10-2343 minInsights@Questrom PodcastQuestrom and BU Means Innovation and EntreprenuershipIn this episode of the Insights@Questrom Podcast, we talk to Ian Mashiter, Curriculum Director of Innovate@BU and Master Lecturer in Strategy & Innovation, Maria Gorskikh, co-founder and president of DreamVenture Labs and recent graduate of Questrom School of Business Class of '23, and Johar Singh, a rising senior at Questrom School of Business and co-founder and CEO of Astra Wellbeing.Ian, Maria, and Johar discuss Innovate@BU and the BUild Lab, a program that offers students the opportunity to study entrepreneurship, launch ideas, and build ventures that positively impact their communities. As a recent winner of...2023-07-1343 minInsights@Questrom PodcastAI: What is it and how will impact business?In this episode, we introduce a new segment called The Language of Business. Greg Stoller, Senior Lecturer in Strategy & Innovation, helps us understand various topics of business through the eyes of scholars and practitioners from around the world.Greg's first Language of Business segment for the podcast, explores the topic of Artificial Intelligence. We learn about what it is, what it isn't, and how it might impact business and our lives.Part 1:Mohammad Soltanieh-ha is at Questrom School of Business, Boston University and says there’s no one definition, even for Chat GPT, bu...2023-03-2329 min