75. Marc Schneider on Empowering Entrepreneurs and Building Mission-Driven Companies
Release Date: 12/02/2024
100. Building Effective Boards in a Changing World with Ray Garcia
On Boards Podcast
In this episode of On Boards, co-hosts Joe Ayoub and Raza Shaikh welcome Ray Garcia, senior partner at PwC and leader of PwC’s Governance Insights Center, to discuss findings from its 2026 Annual Corporate Directors Survey. Drawing on responses from more than 600 corporate directors, Garcia explores how boards can improve their effectiveness, strengthen strategic oversight and adapt to a rapidly changing business environment. The conversation examines board assessments, cybersecurity and AI governance, the quality of information directors receive from management, and the need for more...
info_outline
99. What's Your Story with Anouk Pappers
On Boards Podcast
In this episode of On Boards, hosts Joe Ayoub and Raza Shaikh speak with Anouk Pappers, CEO of Signitt and founder of CoolBrands People. As a brand anthropologist, Anouk advises board directors, C-suite executives and leadership teams on developing their executive narrative and building their digital reputation. Throughout her career, Anouk has interviewed more than 900 CEOs, board members and business owners around the world, publishing 15 books around their stories. Anouk shares why networking for a board seat is a long-term process built on relationships, reputation and trust. She...
info_outline
98. Turning the Board into a Competitive Advantage with Betsy Atkins
On Boards Podcast
In this episode of On Boards, hosts Joe Ayoub and Raza Shaikh speak with Betsy Atkins, a three-time CEO, serial entrepreneur, and one of the most experienced public company directors in the U.S., having served on more than 38 public boards and through 17 IPOs. Betsy explains why a board stuck in an oversight mindset can never be a competitive asset, and what it actually takes for directors to lean into growth and innovation: mentoring the CEO, becoming a thought partner, opening doors, and thinking like an owner. She makes the case that the attributes that matter most in a director today are...
info_outline
97. The Modern Boardroom Playbook with Jonathan Foster
On Boards Podcast
In this episode of On Boards, Jonathan Foster joins hosts Joe Ayoub and Raza Shaikh to discuss what makes a board effective in today’s evolving governance landscape. Jonathan is the founder and managing partner of Current Capitals Partners. Drawing from his experience serving on more than 50 boards, Jonathan’s book, On Board: The Modern Playbook for Corporate Governance, shares lessons on board evaluations, activist thinking, shareholder accountability, and why the best directors listen first. The conversation also explores how boards should approach CEO activism, director...
info_outline
96. Board Matchmaker: Building Global Networks with Mark Hamill
On Boards Podcast
In this episode, Joe Ayoub and Raza Shaikh welcome Mark Hamill, CEO of The Naked Headhunter and co-founder of the Virtual Advisory Board (VAB). Mark shares the origin story of VAB from its start during the COVID-19 pandemic and how it scaled into a global network of over 1,300 members spanning 4,000 boards. The conversation dives into the power of peer-to-peer networks, the mechanics of building effective boards, and the tangible ROI that strong boards can deliver. They also unpack the realities of board recruitment, what it takes to land a first board seat, and why clarity of expertise...
info_outline
95. Curiosity, AI, and the Future of the Boardroom with Rod Adkins
On Boards Podcast
In this episode of On Boards, hosts Joe Ayoub and Raza Shaikh speak with Rod Adkins, board chairman, former IBM executive, and author of Curiosity Redefines the Limits. Rod shares insights from nearly 25 years of board experience, focusing on how directors can effectively oversee risk in an era of rapid technological disruption. The conversation explores how boards are evolving their governance structures to address increasingly complex risks tied to technology, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. Rod explains why traditional audit committees are often no longer sufficient on...
info_outline
94. Bringing Good Governance Home: Inside Co-op and Condo Boardrooms with Tina Larsson
On Boards Podcast
In this episode of On Boards, hosts Joe Ayoub and Raza Shaikh speak with Tina Larsson, a former Wall Street analyst, co-founder of The Folsom Group, and author of Living The High Life. Tina works with co-op, condo, and other HOA boards to improve governance to reduce costs, manage major building projects and oversee their shared residence effectively. Tina shares how she and her husband became involved in board governance after discovering that their New York City co-op board was poorly managed and incurring significant unnecessary expenses. After organizing their co-op neighbors...
info_outline
93. Multi-generational family businesses with David Karofsky
On Boards Podcast
In this episode of On Boards, hosts Joe Ayoub and Raza Shaikh welcome David Karofsky, a principal consultant with The Family Business Consulting Group and co-author of So, you're in the Family Business: A Guide to Sustainability. David brings both professional expertise and personal experience to the discussion, having grown up in a multi-generational family business and later building a family business consulting practice alongside his father. Most recently, his son Adam has also joined David in his consulting practice. He shares how family businesses operate at the unique intersection...
info_outline
92. AI vs. Humans in the Boardroom: Whom Do You Trust, with Babs Ryan.
On Boards Podcast
In this episode of On Boards, hosts Joe Ayoub and Raza Shaikh speak with Babs Ryan, an innovation executive, board director, and AI strategist with experience spanning global technology, marketing, consumer products, and financial services. Ryan discusses the evolving role of artificial intelligence in governance, the future of AI on boards of directors, and realistic scenarios for AI adoption, in a discussion about the possible ways AI can be integrated into boardrooms. The episode also explores broader governance issues, including board refreshment and oversight responsibilities, and how AI...
info_outline
91. Reinforcing Board Cybersecurity with Gary Evee
On Boards Podcast
In this episode of On Boards, hosts Joe Ayoub and Raza Shaikh welcome Gary Evee, cybersecurity leader and founder and CEO of Aprivé. His company is pioneering a concierge approach to cybersecurity protection, providing services that protect high-value individuals and families from the digital threat landscape. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience across IBM, cybersecurity leadership, and board service, Gary explains how breaches increasingly originate through individuals rather than systems. He highlights how personal devices, home networks, and online data exposure create...
info_outlineEpisode Summary
In this episode of On Boards, Joe and Raza welcome Marc Schneider, an accomplished e-commerce and fintech executive with decades of experience building and scaling mission-driven companies.
Marc shares his entrepreneurial journey, including his tenure as co-founder and CEO of Zebit, a transformative e-commerce and fintech platform, and his current role as an Operating Venture Partner at Ulu Ventures.
The discussion dives into governance challenges in venture-backed startups, the evolution of boards from early-stage to IPO, and how founders can effectively leverage board expertise. Marc also discusses Ulu Ventures' commitment to supporting diverse entrepreneurs and shares insights into his innovative role as an “active” board observer and mentor to founders.
Key Topics Discussed
1. Marc Schneider’s Career Journey
- Background and Passion for Mission-Driven Companies: Marc’s journey began with his personal experience of financial hardship, which inspired his work at Zebit to provide credit-impaired consumers with fair access to products without interest or penalties.
- Key Roles: From managing customer service operations at ProFlowers to leading Zulily and founding Zebit, Marc’s career has been defined by innovation and scaling impactful businesses.
2. Zebit’s Business Model and Mission
- Zebit’s Unique Value Proposition: Providing underserved consumers with fair, interest-free payment options for e-commerce purchases.
- Challenges: Operating efficiently without typical revenue streams like interest or penalties, while predicting customer payment behavior with data-driven models.
- IPO Journey: Zebit went public on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) to access liquidity, even though the process posed significant challenges, including valuation issues and market unfamiliarity with its business model.
3. Board Governance in Startups
- Evolution of Boards: Marc discusses the progression of boards through funding stages, from limited investor involvement in early rounds to more structured and diverse boards in public companies.
- Lessons for Founders:
- Understand the dual role of investors as board members and stakeholders.
- Take an active role in shaping board dynamics and agendas.
- Prioritize chemistry and diverse perspectives in board composition.
4. Ulu Ventures and Supporting Diverse Entrepreneurs
- Ulu Ventures’ Mission: Backing women, minority, and diverse entrepreneurial teams using decision analytics to assess investments.
- “Active” Board Observer: Marc’s role involves mentoring founders, facilitating board discussions, and bridging gaps between management and governance.
5. Lessons Learned and Giving Back
- Persistence and Adaptability: Marc’s reflections on navigating challenges, from startup struggles to delisting Zebit, emphasize resilience.
- Mentorship and Legacy: By supporting young entrepreneurs, Marc hopes to inspire a cycle of giving back within the startup ecosystem.