2 Min CxO Clip- John Oechsle
CXO Conversations
What does it take to plan a career all the way to the CEO chair? In this episode of CXO Conversations, John Oechsle discusses the strategic decisions that helped him rise from technology leadership at J&J and IHS to CEO of Derive Systems. He reflects on how international assignments shaped his leadership style, why embracing “crackpot projects” at Kellogg’s accelerated his growth, and the importance of taking roles for the right reasons—not just for compensation. For aspiring executives, John’s story is a roadmap on career planning, resilience, and the values that define strong...
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10 Min CxO Clip- John Oechsle
CXO Conversations
In “Career Planning and Strategic Decisions to Become CEO,” was CEO of Derive Systems and now Bolt On Technology, shares how purposeful choices shaped his path from CIO roles at Johnson & Johnson and IHS to leading multiple organizations, including Swiftpage and now Derive. John explains how he set a goal early to become a CEO, took on challenging assignments others avoided, and leveraged international experiences across Europe, Latin America, and Asia to expand his leadership perspective. He also offers candid insights on why money is the wrong reason to pursue the C-suite and why...
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2 Min CxO Clip- Craig Cummings
CXO Conversations
What does it take to transition from the battlefield to the boardroom? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Craig Cummings—Army veteran, Bronze Star recipient, and co-founder of Moonshots Capital—discusses the lessons he’s carried from 17 years of military service into the world of startups and venture capital. He shares practical advice on creating a career-defining elevator pitch, supporting veteran entrepreneurs, and building strong networks that accelerate growth. From deploying with Special Operations to scaling tech startups and investing in extraordinary leaders, Craig’s...
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10 Min CxO Clip- Craig Cummings
CXO Conversations
In “Building Your Career Transition Elevator Pitch,” shares how his journey from Army Intelligence Officer in Afghanistan to General Partner at Moonshots Capital shaped his approach to leadership, entrepreneurship, and investing. A Bronze Star recipient and West Point graduate with a Ph.D. from Columbia, Craig explains how veterans can craft an elevator pitch that opens doors, the importance of building strong entrepreneurship communities like Austin’s, and why investing in talented veteran founders is a mission for him. His story is a powerful reminder that clarity, curiosity, and...
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2 Min CxO Clip- Chris Younger
CXO Conversations
What can hundreds of transactions and decades of leadership teach us about CEOs? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Chris Younger, CEO of Class VI Partners, reflects on buying, selling, and leading companies across industries. He shares candid insights on managing the stress of leadership, why presence and transparency matter, and how servant leadership builds lasting teams. From his experience acquiring 27 companies to guiding CEOs through exits and growth strategies, Chris highlights both the rewards and the realities of C-suite life—and why prioritizing self-care is as important as...
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10 Min CxO Clip- Chris Younger
CXO Conversations
In “CEO Insights & Self Care with Chris Younger,” shares lessons from a career spanning telecom, private equity, and advisory leadership. As President of Expanets, he acquired 27 companies in just 3 years before selling to Avaya, and today, as CEO of Class VI Partners, he advises middle-market businesses and family offices on transactions and growth. Chris opens up about the physical toll of overwork, the importance of managing stress, and why diet, sleep, and exercise are critical for executives. He also explains his “Dinner Test” for CEOs and why executive presence sets the tone...
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2 Min CxO Clip- Christine Gagnon
CXO Conversations
What does it mean to be truly intellectually curious as a leader? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Christine Gagnon, CFO of African Asset Finance Company at time of interview, discusses the value of continuous learning and the global perspective she’s gained from international assignments and advanced education at top institutions. From her early career at PwC and EY to her current role financing critical sectors across Africa, Christine shares how ongoing education enriches her work, enhances strategic planning, and opens new angles of business she would have never seen otherwise. Her...
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10 Min CxO Clip- Christine Gagnon
CXO Conversations
In “Christine Gagnon CFO, the Importance of Being Intellectually Curious,” shares how a lifelong passion for learning has shaped her global career. During recording, she was the CFO of African Asset Finance Company, she reflects on her journey through leadership roles at EY, PwC, and OneWest Bank, as well as earning multiple advanced degrees and executive certifications from Harvard, Stanford, and Washington University. Christine explains how international experiences, from Johannesburg to London, shaped her global market perspective, and why intellectual curiosity allows her to better...
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21 Min CxO- Gen. Kevin "Chili" Chilton
CXO Conversations
In “General Kevin ‘Chili’ Chilton, Board Member, Astronaut and Flying the Space Shuttle,” shares lessons from his extraordinary 34½ years in the U.S. Air Force and his successful transition into corporate leadership. On this episode of CXO Conversations, Chili reflects on problem-solving and leadership training, the astronaut band Max Q, and the experience of flying three space shuttle missions. From serving as Deputy Program Manager of Operations for the International Space Station to becoming the only astronaut to achieve the rank of 4-star General, Chili’s story is a powerful...
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2 Min CxO Clip- David Cox
CXO Conversations
What does it take to transform one of the world’s most respected publications without losing its identity? In this episode of CXO Conversations, David Cox discusses his 14 years at The Economist, including his role as CFO and COO, where he spearheaded the company’s global shift from print to digital and live events. He explains how he balanced editorial independence with client demands, why pricing digital at the same level as print was a pivotal decision, and what he learned about storytelling, teamwork, and leading large-scale transformation. David’s lessons remain invaluable for...
info_outlineLeslie has worked in financial services, engineering, Energy, ski industry, health care, and technology and today she joins the show to talk about starting a new role on the eve of a national lockdown and crisis, how she leverages her experience in different sectors and the impact of authenticity on executive culture.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Leslie McIntosh is the Vice-President Head of Human Resources. Previously she held the role of Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer of BioScrip. She was also Vice President, Human Resources at DigitalGlobe, a business unit of Maxar Technologies. Prior to that, she was HR Director at Vail Resorts and held senior HR roles at MWH (now part of Stantec), Janus Henderson Investors, and American Century Investments, with ten years at public companies.
GET IN TOUCH WITH LESLIE ON LINKEDIN
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
OC Executive Search: OCExecutiveSearch.com
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[1:52] Michael introduces Leslie and asks her to share an interesting tidbit about herself as well as what CoreSite is and what they do.
NATIONAL LOCKDOWN [3:52] Leslie talks about getting on a plane to her new job at CoreSite on the eve of the National lockdown at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the experiences she drew from to manage that rocky transition.
CRITICAL MOMENTS [8:00] In her very first professional-level role, Leslie learned important lessons about how to take feedback and how to become more aware of the impact of her action on others. She shares a second pivotal career moment.
CANDIDATE SELECTION [9:27] Passionate, smart, talented, and humble are just some of the key characteristics Leslie looks for in her candidates.
ACROSS SECTORS [10:20] Leslie touches on what the advantages are of having touched and worked in so many different sectors. She also touches on the surprises she had at her different roles.
WHY THE C? [12:53] Leslie shares what personal discoveries she made on her way to figuring out if the C-suite was for her. She also talks about the rewards and challenges of roles at that level as well as some of the overlooked aspects.
PREPARING [16:40] Preparing for a board interview for Leslie is an organized process, she walks us through it and shares her tips for being prepared.
INTERVIEW ADVICE [19:27] Leslie shares her advice for people who may be looking at high-rank interviews in the future.
CULTURE [20:50] Culture is super important; Leslie shares her own experiences with various places she’s worked in; she also touches on how she identifies good cultures. She also talks about how to change or manage culture.
MENTORSHIP [24:15] Leslie speaks to her own experiences as a mentor and a mentee.
PASSING YOUR TURN [27:57] Leslie was always very certain that she wanted a company that was the right fit for her and she has passed up opportunities that would have been great for her career, but not such a great fit.
EMERGING LEADER ADVICE [29:00] Why do you want the role, and what important thing do you have to give are two things Leslie advises you should think on. She also expands on servant leadership.
BEST WORST JOB LESLIE EVER HAD [31:08] Working for a family catering company, Leslie shares what she learned from that experience.
[34:44] Michael thanks Leslie for coming on the podcast to share his insight and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please give us 5 stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
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