Succeeding as an Independent Consultant
Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs Invites
Release Date: 02/14/2023
Thought Leadership & the Start-up
Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs Invites
IN THIS EPISODE: In this episode, host Denise Silber sits down with Michaela Horvathova, co-founder of Beyond Education and alumna of Harvard's Graduate School of Education, to explore how building an innovative company demands more than a great product — it requires becoming a thought leader. Michaela’s journey is as global as it is inspiring. Despite not fitting into the traditional school system in Slovakia, Michaela earned a tennis scholarship to the U.S., graduated from Harvard, advised the Prime Minister of Slovakia, and co-founded a bold edtech startup helping schools adapt to...
info_outline
From Founder to Leader: Mastering the Scaleup Journey
Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs Invites
IN THIS EPISODE: Scaling a startup brings exciting opportunities—but also the challenge of increased complexity, slower decision-making, and the creeping risk of bureaucracy. In this episode, Artus de Longuemar joins host Philip Guarino to reveal how founders can delegate with confidence, maintain agility, and empower teams without losing control. They explore the psychological barriers to delegation, the shift from hands-on execution to strategic leadership, and how clear autonomy frameworks can drive success. Artus also highlights the power of inspiring content creation for platforms like...
info_outline
Digital Health: ROI is King
Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs Invites
IN THIS EPISODE: In a change of pace, host Denise Silber delves into her professional field, digital health, as she invites fellow Harvard alumna Dr. Ariel Dora Stern. Together they explore Dr. Stern's extensive and unique, research-based findings on what drives successful business models in healthtech. Dr. Stern combines her Harvard PhD, insights from her decade on the HBS faculty, and her prestigious position as Alexander von Humboldt Professor at Germany’s Hasso Plattner Institute to provide listeners with unparalleled expertise in the digital health business across the...
info_outline
Dancing with Robots : A New Entrepreneurial Frontier
Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs Invites
IN THIS EPISODE: Host Denise Silber sits down with Harvard alumna Dr. Merritt Moore, who is a quantum physicist, ballet dancer, educator and entrepreneur all at once! They explore her unique multi-disciplinary journey at the intersection of dance and robotics. Dr Moore reveals the challenges and triumphs of merging her two passions, and how her work offers deeper insights into human-machine interaction. Dr. Moore shares how she is creating a new industry by coding robots and performing as a professional ballet dancer on global stages. Dr Moore’s innovative teaching approach in...
info_outline
Empowering Success for Early-stage Ventures
Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs Invites
IN THIS EPISODE: In this episode of the Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs podcast, host Philip Guarino speaks with Bede Moore, an HBS alumnus and the Chief Commercial Officer at Antler, a global leader in pre-seed venture investment. Moore shares his entrepreneurial journey, from his successful e-commerce venture to his current role at Antler, where he leads a team operating in 27 cities worldwide. The conversation explores Antler's mission to empower aspiring founders at the earliest stages of company formation. Key topics include the challenges of scaling, the importance of community and...
info_outline
Investing in LatAm with VC Trailblazer Christine Kenna
Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs Invites
IN THIS EPISODE: In this unique episode taking us to Latin America, Denise Silber interviews HBS alumna Christine Kenna, Partner at a leading early-stage VC fund in Mexico, in order to explore and amplify the often overlooked opportunities for venture capital investment in the region. Drawing from her experience as a former Silicon Valley executive, operational manager in LatAm, and board member, Christine Kenna shares insights on identifying innovative business models and supporting entrepreneurs in this emerging market. Listeners will gain valuable takeaways on the region’s...
info_outline
Top AI Use Cases in Business
Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs Invites
IN THIS EPISODE: This exciting episode features Jon Down, HBS MBA, professor at the University of Portland and AI entrepreneur who founded two AI companies. He is interviewed by host Denise Silber about the top AI business use cases supported by emerging research, best practices for implementing AI and the key ethical considerations raised by business’s use of AI. The conversation also covers how AI can improve productivity, how companies can navigate the challenges of AI adoption, why you might need to spend more time with AI, the need for responsible AI use, and the...
info_outline
Deep Tech: Money Matters
Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs Invites
IN THIS EPISODE: In this podcast episode, host Philip Guarino speaks with Andrew Lo, a distinguished professor at MIT and an entrepreneur with a focus on healthcare and deep tech ventures. Andrew shares his journey from academia to entrepreneurship, detailing his transition from economics to founding a quantitative investment firm and later exploring the financial challenges of drug development. He discusses the fundraising challenges for deep tech entrepreneurs, how investors’ risk calculation differs for more complex ventures and how this requires continuous investor communication and...
info_outline
Crypto Explained
Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs Invites
IN THIS EPISODE: In this episode, our host Denise Silber welcomes recent HBS MBA, Kai-Tai Chang, General Partner at a quantitative crypto fund. Kai-Tai Chang explains, step by step, how cryptocurrency works and presents the key components and stakeholders in a session sure to interest crypto beginners and enthusiasts alike. Specialized in Alpha research, or detecting opportunities that offer returns above the market average, Kai-Tai Chang shares his journey from engineering to the world of cryptocurrencies, highlighting technology’s potential to redefine financial systems....
info_outline
From Startup to Fortune 100 Executive
Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs Invites
IN THIS EPISODE: In this podcast episode, Anthony Soohoo, an entrepreneur with experience in both startups and Fortune 100 companies, shares his insights on the value of corporate skills for entrepreneurs and vice versa. He discusses the differences between startup and corporate work environments, emphasizing the importance of an entrepreneurial mindset in large organizations for innovation and nimbleness. Anthony also reflects on his board experiences and the role of entrepreneurs in governance. Anthony Soohoo discusses how corporate skills can benefit entrepreneurs, touching on empathy and...
info_outlineIN THIS EPISODE:
With an evolving business and societal context more and more people are seeking to become independent professionals. One industry that has undergone significant changes is management consulting. In this episode our host, Philip Guarino, is joined by Will Bachman, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Umbrex. Together they share the trends, opportunities and challenges that come with being an independent consultant.
Independent consultants are in ever higher demand. Will explains why it takes a global community to thrive as an independent professional, and the resources available to those looking to grow their brand. This episode provides advice for all entrepreneurs looking to build their network, find unique work opportunities, and connect with like minded professionals. With individuals placing more emphasis on autonomy and independence, there has never been a better time to make the leap and thrive as an independent consultant.
GUEST BIO:
Will Bachman was recently named one of 38 "Power Players of Consulting" by Business Insider. A McKinsey alum, Bachman is a co-founder and the Managing Partner of Umbrex, the world's first global community connecting top-tier independent management consultants. He hosts the popular podcast Unleashed - How to Thrive as an Independent Professional. Bachman created The Umbrex Guide to Setting Up Your Own Consulting Practice, which is based on over 1,000 discussions with independent management consultants and 300 episodes of his podcast. Bachman is a graduate of Harvard College and Columbia Business School. Before becoming a management consultant, Bachman served as a nuclear-trained submarine officer in the U.S. Navy.