VC Brand Feld, Why be on a Board and Advice for First Timers
Release Date: 09/06/2022
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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_outline
10 Min CxO Clip- David Cox
CXO Conversations
In “Leading an Iconic Brand Through a Global Transformation,” former CFO of The Economist, shares how he helped guide the publication through its bold shift from weekly print to a digital-first and live events model. On this episode of CXO Conversations, David reflects on early digital adoption, the value of listening to clients, and how consultative selling reshaped the way advertisers and subscribers engaged with the brand. From launching Economist Espresso to hosting government roundtables across the globe, David’s story is a playbook for executives leading organizations through...
info_outline
2 Min CxO Clip- Jack Blaha
CXO Conversations
What does it take to go from West Point to the corner office? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Jack Blaha, CEO of Cendyn, opens up about his path from Army officer to five-time SaaS CEO and the lessons he’s learned along the way. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability, continuous leadership development, and building a strong professional network, while sharing strategies for excelling in current roles and preparing for future opportunities. For aspiring and current leaders alike, Jack offers practical insights on team building, mentorship, and how presence and emotional...
info_outline
10 Min CxO Clip- Jack Blaha
CXO Conversations
In “West Point to CEO,” , CEO of Cendyn, shares his remarkable journey from Army veteran to seasoned executive leading multiple SaaS companies. On this episode of CXO Conversations, Jack reflects on how military-honed adaptability and leadership shaped his transition into the corporate world, from hospitality to social media marketing software. He discusses the impact of emotional intelligence on company culture, the value of mentorship, and the importance of building strong teams—including bringing trusted colleagues to ensure operational success. Jack’s story is a masterclass in...
info_outline
2 Min CxO Clip- Laura Ortman
CXO Conversations
What does it take to go from making cold calls to leading a hyperscale data center company powering the cloud? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Laura Ortman, CEO of COLOGIX, shares her journey through pivotal roles across tech, the lessons she carried into the C-suite, and why broad business experience is critical for informed leadership. She reflects on perseverance, mentorship, and transforming challenges into opportunities for growth, while emphasizing the importance of corporate culture, strong networks, and risk-taking. Laura’s story is a masterclass in resilience, relationship...
info_outline
10 Min CxO Clip- Laura Ortman
CXO Conversations
In “Leading with Impact: Laura Ortman’s Journey to CEO at COLOGIX,” shares how her career path—spanning Lockheed Martin, Jeppesen, VMware, and Hologic—prepared her to lead North America’s leading network-neutral interconnection and Hyperscale Edge data center company. On this episode of CXO Conversations, she discusses the unique challenges of scaling with private equity partners, her customer experience strategy of listening and rebuilding trust, and how her athletic background shaped her “Together We Win” leadership philosophy. From making cold calls to steering a tech...
info_outline
2 Min CxO Clip- Sean Odendahl
CXO Conversations
From Army paratrooper to Chief Transformation Officer, Sean Odendahl’s career path is a masterclass in adaptability and leadership. In this episode of CXO Conversations, discover his lessons on mergers, building high-performing teams, and creating a culture of trust and feedback. For the full interview: https://ocns.co/sean-odendahl-partner-and-chief-transformation-officer/ #mentorship #executiveleadership #careergrowth #careerdevelopment #CXO
info_outlineBrad Feld is a successful Venture Capitalist and founding member of the Foundry Group. Within the Colorado startup scene, Brad is a bit of a celebrity having been part of some well-known successful companies.
Brad really sees founders and start ups not just investments, but as a community that he supports, sees areas for improvements, mentors and loves.
In this very personal full-length interview, Brad shares his personal Board experiences, what he looks for in Board Director candidates and advice for first time Board members.
He also shares his experiences from his Colorado Trail 2021 days as well lessons learned from the first job he was fired from.
Show Notes
Venture Capitalist Brad Feld of the Foundry Group has invested in many well-known and successful companies. Brad has authored and co-authored several books on leadership for startups. Recently, Startup Boards, a book he co authored released it’s second edition.
Today, Brad discusses:
-
Critical and insightful advice for serving on a board
-
Key skills for first time board members
-
Important perspectives on C level hiring
Brad also shares a story or two from his Colorado Trail hiking experience and why he will never serve on 30 boards simultaneously ever again. He closes with a personal experience early in Brad’s life, what he learned from that moment and how it continues to guide him daily.
Enjoy the show? Review us on iTunes- thanks!
Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.