Episode 055 – Kristi Ross, Co-Founder and Co-Owner, U3 COFFEE
Release Date: 12/12/2023
Episode 079 – Suzy Welch, Best-Selling Author, Tech Entrepreneur, & Professor
The Executives' Exchange
Suzy Welch—best-selling author, professor, and tech entrepreneur—joins The Executives’ Exchange for a candid conversation with guest host Kristen Prinz. This isn’t just about her latest book, Becoming You: The Proven Method for Crafting Your Authentic Life and Career—it’s about rewriting the rules of success. Drawing from her hit NYU course, Suzy breaks down a framework for finding your core values, leading with purpose, and building a career that actually fits the life you want. No buzzwords. No one-size-fits-all formulas. Just the clarity and tools you need to shape your next...
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Episode 078 – Katrina Markoff, Founder, Violet Flames Chocolate
The Executives' Exchange
On this episode of the Executives’ Exchange, Katrina Markoff, Founder of Violet Flame Chocolate, joins Julie Smolansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods and Exec Club Board Member, to discuss her nearly three decades of innovation in the world of gourmet chocolate and what it means to lead with creativity and purpose. 00:00 – Intro 02:30 – Katrina's Childhood and Background 06:19 – Why Chocolate? 11:32 – Navigating Challenges 13:12 – Violet Flame 17:45 – Creating a Balanced Company Culture 23:30 – What Makes Chicago Special 30:35 – Balancing Taking Risks ...
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Episode 077 – Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, Author and Executive Coach
The Executives' Exchange
In this episode of the Executives’ Exchange, world-renowned executive coach and bestselling author, Marshall Goldsmith, joins Harry Kraemer of Northwestern University to share timeless advice on career and life success. Learn proven strategies that can help participants successfully balance being present, while simultaneously planning for your future in a world that is ever changing. This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience in February 2025. 00:00 – Intro 01:50 – Key to Being a Great Coach 6:35 – Common...
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Episode 076 – Dr. Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO, National Geographic Society
The Executives' Exchange
On this episode of the Executives’ Exchange, we’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO of the National Geographic Society. Under her leadership, National Geographic is achieving remarkable advancements in exploration and conservation. In this episode, Dr. Tiefenthaler speaks with Dr. Bridget Coughlin, President and CEO of Shedd Aquarium. This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience on October 1, 2024. 00:00 – Intro 01:00 – Growing Up Midwest 03:42 – Time At St Mary’s 05:21 – Fast Facts About NatGeo 07:26 – How It Came Together ...
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Episode 075 – Richard Edelman, Edelman & Tom Wilson, Allstate
The Executives' Exchange
In this episode of the Executives’ Exchange, which was recorded in front of a live audience on January 30th, 2025, we feature Richard Edelman, President & CEO of Edelman, along with Tom Wilson, Chair, President, & CEO of Allstate, and our gracious guest moderator, Isis Almeida, Chicago Bureau Chief at Bloomberg. This year’s trust barometer touches on the rise of income-based trust inequality, rapidly polarizing trust disparity among younger generations, and what leaders can do to regain public trust across companies and government. 00:00 –...
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Episode 074 – Sallie Krawcheck, Co-founder and Former CEO, Ellevest
The Executives' Exchange
In this episode of the Executives’ Exchange, we feature Sallie Krawcheck, Co-founder and Former CEO, Ellevest. As a trailblazer in the investment landscape, Sallie empowers women to make informed financial decisions that matter most to them, their families and communities. Sallie is joined by Sidney Dillard, Partner at Loop Capital Markets. This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience on September 26, 2024. 00:00 – Intro 01:54 – Not Being My Mother 05:15 – Money is Power 07:34 – Career Journey into Capital ...
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Episode 073 – Darrel Hackett, President and CEO, President & CEO, BMO Bank N.A.
The Executives' Exchange
In this episode of the Executives’ Exchange, we welcome Darrel Hackett, President and CEO of BMO Bank N.A. and Exec Club Board Member, and guest host, Andrea Saenz, President and CEO of The Chicago Community Trust. Under Darrel’s leadership, BMO continues to soar nationally and in the Chicago area – where they remain the largest bank in our city. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience on September 19, 2024. 00:00 – Intro 1:45 – First Year as BMO U.S. President and CEO 2:30 – Background 5:08 – Comments...
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Episode 072 – Satya Nadella, Chairman & CEO, Microsoft
The Executives' Exchange
In this episode of the Executives’ Exchange, which was recorded in front of a live audience on November 19, 2024, we feature our International Executive of the Year – Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft. Nadella discusses the strategies and culture that have propelled Microsoft to become a global leader in technology. He is joined by guest host, Penny Pritzker, the founder and chairman of PSP Partners and Microsoft Board Member. 00:00 – Intro 01:25 – Keys to Transformation with AI 04:54 – 3 Platforms Microsoft is Building 08:22 - Leadership in Adopting...
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Episode 071 – Brooke Skinner Ricketts, Co-Founder and President, Beyond Barriers
The Executives' Exchange
On this episode of the Executives’ Exchange, we are ecstatic to welcome Brooke Skinner Ricketts, Co-Founder and President of Beyond Barriers. Brooke is a natural leader and shares her insights on leadership, resilience, and the importance of authentic personal branding during this conversation. She is joined by guest host Travis Hunter, Managing Partner of KPMG’s Chicago office and a member of the Exec Club Board of Directors. 00:00 – Intro 01:00 – Early Childhood & Introduction to Activism 03:45 – Impactful Figures of Activism 06:35 – Start of Professional...
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Episode 070 – Eric Larson, Chairman and Co-CEO, Tilia Holdings
The Executives' Exchange
Episode 070 – Eric Larson, Chairman and Co-CEO, Tilia Holdings On this episode of the Executives’ Exchange, Eric Larson (Chairman and Co-CEO, Tilia Holdings), shares his journey from architecture to private equity, highlighting how creativity and integrity continue to drive his success. Tune in to hear Larson and host, Margaret Mueller (President & Chief Executive Officer, The Executives’ Club of Chicago), discuss the importance of leading with purpose and adapting to make a positive impact in the private equity industry. 00:00 - Intro 00:46 - Introduction into Private...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Executives' Exchange, we explore the remarkable journey of Kristi Ross, a visionary entrepreneur, co-founder, and former co-CEO of Tastytrade, Inc., a trailblazing financial media company headquartered in Chicago. Get ready to dive into Kristi Ross' incredible journey and discover her upcoming ventures that are set to revolutionize the coffee industry!
0:00 - Intro
0:47 - Introducing Kristi
1:49 - Kristi experiencing the loss of her mother
6:13 - Kristi's childhood dream job & mentors
9:40 - From CFO to CEO, learning from numbers
13:30 - More "actionable" media
14:25 - Understanding culture in mergers & acquisitions
19:23 - TastyTrade & dough
23:25 - Funding & entrepreneurship
27:20 - Message from sponsors, Shure
27:50 - Leaving TastyTrade
32:22 - Coffee & connections - Uniting the world through coffee
41:41 - Creating a collective impact
48:11 - Kristi's biggest wish for the finance industry
49:25 - Rapid fire questions
54:28 - Outro
Episode Link: U3 COFFEE
Host: Margaret Mueller, President & CEO, The Executives’ Club of Chicago
Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives’ Club of Chicago
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Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated.
For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability, and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.