Economics & Strategy Podcast
DePaul University’s Economics & Strategy Podcast is a monthly conversation with individuals who use frameworks discussed in Economics and Business Strategy & Decision Making. The interviewees will represent multiple industries and institutions, and hold various roles within their organizations. The premise of the podcast is to examine how economics and other related strategy frameworks are practically applied in real-world situations.
info_outline
Episode 051: Roxy Kozyckyj, AdvaMed
04/10/2024
Episode 051: Roxy Kozyckyj, AdvaMed
For Episode 51, MS-EPA graduate joins us. Roxy is Senior Director, State Government & Regional Affairs for the advanced medical technology association and has spent most of her career in healthcare policy, from advocacy, to intern, to analyst, capitol hill fellow, and finally lobbyist. This experience gives her the ability to see how policy goals that serve everyone, require working, step-by-step through the interested parties. Roxy openly admits game theory plays a role in her work and backward induction seems to fit well. Think of it this way, start with a policy goal, navigate backwards solving each preceding step, the resulting path theoretically achieves the desired outcome. Sounds strategic to me. Give it a listen.
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/30751743
info_outline
Episode 050: Andrew Zarkowsky, The Hartford
03/12/2024
Episode 050: Andrew Zarkowsky, The Hartford
It’s the end of winter term, and we’re talking insurance; you’ll be surprised by what you hear. , MBA 2018, is Technology Industry Practice Leader for the insurance giant and specializes in underwriting technology firms. In this episode, Andrew explains what’s unique about insurance for technology firms and shares how today’s insurance companies rely on technology, data, and research to forecast risk and prevent client losses. Andrew also has an interesting story to tell about his journey and the value of pacing while pursuing your MBA. It’s a story of balancing life, school, and work, and simultaneously super charging you’re learning. It’s a great strategy for anyone who wants to make the most of your learning. Give it a listen.
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/30313048
info_outline
Episode 049: Mollie Markham, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
02/13/2024
Episode 049: Mollie Markham, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
For February, we host yet another successful woman from the economics department’s graduate program, . After a brief learning experience pursuing politics at the front lines in DC, she discovered what she doesn’t want in a career. Fully embracing that lesson and, with some great counsel from family, she entered DePaul’s graduate program. The rest is or will be legend as Mollie is now a Program Specialist at the . Her timing could not have had better, as she entered this role at the start of one of the Feds biggest developments in 50 years; the building of a new instant payment system called . Happy, successful, and working on really cool stuff. That’s the recipe for a good life right there.
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/29894963
info_outline
Episode 048: Check In with Dave Ziegelski, National Material L.P.
01/09/2024
Episode 048: Check In with Dave Ziegelski, National Material L.P.
To kick off 2024, we begin a new, and perhaps recurring version of this podcast called Check Ins. Here, we’re going to welcome back previous guests to update the topics we discussed in our original interview. For our inaugural episode, we welcome back Dave Ziegelski. Dave is Vice President of Information Technology for National Material L.P.; a partnership of over 30 business units in steel, metals, and related operations that is now one of the largest suppliers of steel in America. That is a high-profile role where there’s a lot at stake. Dave, though, has a way of boiling down the complex into simply, straightforward tasks. To me, a sign he’s not only very good at what he does, but likely a very good person to work with. Give it a listen
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/29394918
info_outline
Episode 047: Part 2 Marcin Taraszkiewicz, HDR, Inc.
12/12/2023
Episode 047: Part 2 Marcin Taraszkiewicz, HDR, Inc.
For December we offer part 2 with MBA alumnus, and rail industry veteran Marcin Taraszkiewicz. In this episode we talk about trains, trains, and more trains. Yes, Marcin plays with big toys on big projects, but his work really exists at the nexus of rail technology and client goals. His industry recognized expertise helps clients navigate those often-competing forces towards better project outcomes. These large projects tend to have a host of competing stakeholder interests, and things can get complicated fast. Luckily, markets respond quickly to public priorities and, consequently, there’s some cool stuff happening in rail technology. Big trains and cool technology, what more do you want!? Listen in.....
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/29011233
info_outline
Episode 046: Marcin Taraszkiewicz, HDR, Inc. (Part 1)
11/14/2023
Episode 046: Marcin Taraszkiewicz, HDR, Inc. (Part 1)
November begins a 2-part podcast with MBA alumnus Marcin Taraszkiewicz from the global design & engineering firm HDR. In this part 1, Marcin explains how he went from a design focused engineer to senior leader for large, multidisciplinary transportation projects. A transformation that took time, some failure, learning to ask questions, and how to value those answers. He gives some great examples of how being open to learning, by whatever means, he developed skills and interests that he didn’t know he had or even wanted. The lesson is that even perfectly designed plans, developed in a vacuum, are often useless without the input of all the stakeholders involved. If that isn’t strategic, I don’t know what is. Give it a listen.
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/28615103
info_outline
Episode 045: Alla Antonov, Rio Tinto
10/10/2023
Episode 045: Alla Antonov, Rio Tinto
October brings in MBA alumna Alla Antonov, to discuss her role as Principal Advisor, Commercial Strategy at the mining giant Rio Tinto. Alla specializes in Rio’s borates market. Rio, though, is a global, diversified firm with many products and an interesting business structure of four distinct operational entities and a single commercial team, Alla's home, serving as its primary market interface for all products. This is a great business with competitive advantage and high returns to capital. A nice place to be for any firm but the question then becomes what are you going to do next? Rio Tinto isn’t standing idle. They’re innovating for efficiencies, embracing technology to lower environmental impacts and continuing to explore the world for the resources it needs. It's a good story and you should hear it.
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/28258358
info_outline
Episode 044: Howard Gilman, LinkedIn
09/12/2023
Episode 044: Howard Gilman, LinkedIn
Let’s welcome strategy alumnus Howard Gilman to the podcast. Howard currently serves as Lead Deal Desk Strategist for LinkedIn’s Sales Solutions group. LinkedIn, as a firm, is many things though; software company, social media platform, hiring & recruiting services, and more. So, what’s the product, and who’s the customer? Well, it depends. For Howard’s group, it's firm’s looking for market intelligence to grow their business but what about the others? Such is the nature of a multi-sided platform. A business model that seeks to create value for distinct groups interacting across a core technology platform. LinkedIn has built a very elegant and focused version of this model. What to know more? Keep Listening!
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/27994065
info_outline
Episode 043: Jason Knoespel, Evolent
08/08/2023
Episode 043: Jason Knoespel, Evolent
For August, MS-EPA alumnus Jason Knoespel joins us to discuss his work as Managing Director, Client Analytics at Evolent; a provider of technology, reporting, and intelligence services designed to increase efficiency & patient outcomes for its healthcare partners. Jason talks about his current work, new developments in value-based care, information sharing and big data, and the potential of non-traditional health determinants. Evolving markets do make strategy challenging, but Evolent recently showed its strategic guile by refocusing into value-based, specialty care. Indicating this market could be engaging in value addition; a concept where firms focus on separate & distinct segments and increase value for everyone. A rare economic win/win? Listen in.
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/27673215
info_outline
Episode 042: Amy Wilson, AWS
07/12/2023
Episode 042: Amy Wilson, AWS
In our July episode MBA alumna Amy Wilson joins us to discuss her work at the market leading cloud services provider Amazon Web Services (AWS). Amy sells AWS offerings to state and local governments that operate in Windows environments. In this increasingly competitive industry, there are reasons why this segment would seem difficult to crack; even for AWS. So how do they overcome these difficulties? Using the strategic principle of looking ahead and reasoning back. AWS looked ahead to each stage of client interactions, anticipated obstacles (perceived or real), and designed optimal responses to reinforce their market leading strengths. Leading with your strengths, I like that! You should give it a listen.
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/27411072
info_outline
Episode 041: Dain Rideau, Torc Robotics
06/13/2023
Episode 041: Dain Rideau, Torc Robotics
This episode welcome’s strategy alumnus Dain Rideau. As a Product Manager for autonomous vehicle developer Torc Robotics, he works on connecting vehicles to information. Torc, a subsidiary of industry leading OEM Daimler Truck, focuses on self-driving trucks and while this space is filled with strategic uncertainty, this OEM partnership is a strategic marvel. Why? During uncertainty, a leading firm’s priority is to protect its position. This partnership allows Daimler to participate in the advancement of autonomous technologies in its own vehicles. Simultaneously protecting its position and embracing the change, whatever that looks like. Smart! Listen in.
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/27111873
info_outline
Episode 040: Liam Bruno, Walgreens Boots Alliance
05/09/2023
Episode 040: Liam Bruno, Walgreens Boots Alliance
This month we meet Liam Bruno, a Double Demon currently serving as Senior Manager for Procurement at Walgreens. Liam’s focus is on integrating ESG into day-to-day operations. ESG is, of course, well established and proven to create value when executed well, but there are many obstacles. Still, forward thinking firms like Walgreens are widening their definition of stakeholder to include social and environmental interests; seeing the potential payoff of cooperation between this wider interest group. In essence, Liam’s role is seeking, what economic theory calls, a Pareto optimal solution, where all these interest groups are served while taking away from none. How does he do that? Listen in.
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/26779440
info_outline
Episode 039: Philip Costa Hibberd, Automation Boutique
04/10/2023
Episode 039: Philip Costa Hibberd, Automation Boutique
In this episode we meet entrepreneur Philip Costa Hibberd. Philip designs and builds robotic process automation, or RPA, for clients in the finance industry. He solves a productivity problem by automating rote computer tasks often done by highly paid analysts. This is a great example of firm-level microeconomics where investments change production functions and the allocation of resources towards more efficient use. Seems intuitive but nice to see theory meet reality. Efficiency is always a strategic imperative and not just in perfectly competitive markets. Philip helps his clients get there. He’s also got a terrific outlook on life and business that’s worth hearing too. You should listen!
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/26483469
info_outline
Episode 038: Aaron Pagel, University of Oregon (PART 2)
03/14/2023
Episode 038: Aaron Pagel, University of Oregon (PART 2)
In this Part 2 with Aaron Pagel, we learn more about his practice of wandering, and how ultimately that inspired him to ask an interesting question; what is hype? Turns out, isolating hype as a function itself, apart from its context, is relatively uncharted territory with little precedent or literature to lean on. So, he decided to enter a PhD program and find out for himself. The open-ended, scholarly research process is the perfect sandbox to create and test these ideas. Is this a final destination? Maybe, maybe not, but that inspiration resulted from the curiosity before it, and whatever is next will result from the same. And so, it goes. Want to be inspired? Listen in…
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/26202840
info_outline
Episode 037: Aaron Pagel, University of Oregon (PART 1)
02/14/2023
Episode 037: Aaron Pagel, University of Oregon (PART 1)
This month, I’m delighted to welcome my friend and creator & original host of this podcast Aaron Pagel. Aaron is currently pursuing a PHD at University of Oregon in Management Strategy with emphasis on Hype. However, his path getting there was anything but a straight line. He joins us for part one of a two-part interview to discuss his unorthodox career path, lessons learned along the way, and where he’s going now. His story is a reminder that opportunity comes in unexpected ways, and at seemingly random times. However, good decisions at those moments are made easier with varied experience, openness to change, and even a little creativity. Life’s short, enjoy the ride and make sure you listen in!
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/25903308
info_outline
Episode 036: Paulina Costa, Kalsec
01/10/2023
Episode 036: Paulina Costa, Kalsec
To start the year, I spoke with DePaul MBA Alumna Paulina Costa, Sales Director – Americas at Kalsec. Paulina has always been a natural in sales but completing her MBA positioned her to become sales lead for Kalsec’s entire Latin American territory. Kalsec is a global provider of taste and sensory solutions. Which means, they research, test, and produce the all-natural ingredients used by CPG companies to ensure their products are safe and delicous. This critical input market has seen some consolidation of late. Fortunately, Kalsec enjoys some competitive advantages, that allow them to defend existing markets while expanding into new ones. Want to hear how? Settle in and give it a listen!
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/25539225
info_outline
Episode 035: Rachel Burke, Uptake
12/13/2022
Episode 035: Rachel Burke, Uptake
For December’s episode, I was honored to speak with US Military Veteran, Double-Demon, and MBA Strategy Alumna Rachel Burke. Rachel’s impressive combination of career experiences landed her at the seemingly perfect spot as Director of implementation at the Industrial AI firm Uptake. Here we discuss that combination, Uptake’s fascinating work, and why her role is a great example of the strategic concept of specific investments. These types of investments, whether human or physical, signal a commitment to clients and also lower the relative cost of outsourcing vs internalizing things that may be beyond the efficient boundary of a client’s organization.
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/25252233
info_outline
Episode 034: Dan Jungels, Panduit
11/08/2022
Episode 034: Dan Jungels, Panduit
This month DePaul MBA alumnus Dan Jungels and I discussed how to successfully enter new markets. A topic Dan knows well as he was fortunate enough to go straight from the Business Strategy & Decision Making classrooms into the exact challenge he’d been training for. In his current role as Manager of Renewable Energy Strategy and Business Development at the manufacturer Panduit, he has helped plan, executed, and continually adapt to just such an expansion. In this episode we learn Panduit's process and how they leveraged firm specific and usage flexible resources to find the best target for expansion. This is an interesting one, you should listen in.
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/24914673
info_outline
Episode 033: Dave Ziegelski, National Material LP
10/11/2022
Episode 033: Dave Ziegelski, National Material LP
In this episode I hosted DePaul MBA alumnus Dave Ziegelski, Vice President of Information Technology at National Material LP, to discuss his career in IT and the increasingly important role it plays in strategic planning. It IS a digital world and IT touches everything in it, connecting resources & people through process & data. Through Dave’s career he’s accumulated both deep knowledge and some healthy perspective on the subject. While his knowledge has earned him a seat in the strategic planning process, his perspective reminds him that for all of ITs big potential, it always best to start by listening to people and solving their problems first. An important lesson for sure, you should listen in.
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/24626592
info_outline
Episode 032: Alison Tinnon, StudioNorth
09/13/2022
Episode 032: Alison Tinnon, StudioNorth
To welcome a new academic year, I was joined by MBA alumna Alison Tinnon, Senior Campaign Manager at StudioNorth. As an agency-based marketing professional Alison helps other firms navigate their own strategic goals. This puts her right at the nexus of markets and firms and economists love that! It also requires a clear understanding of both a firm’s current positioning in the eyes of customers & competitors and, tactically, how to get them where they want to go. In this episode, Alison describes why the tools of Economics are uniquely applicable in her role and how they help her see things more clearly. It’s a really great example of the power of economics in business strategy – you should listen!
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/24336876
info_outline
Episode 031: Carsten Raaum, CBRE
08/09/2022
Episode 031: Carsten Raaum, CBRE
In this late summer edition, DePaul MSEPA Alumni Carsten Raaum and I discuss his research work at the real estate giant CBRE. In his role as Associate Research Director, Global Research he studies macroeconomic issues, and analyzes their potential impact on global markets and industry sectors; a super interesting role to be sure. For strategy development, this kind of information is vision and, in the right hands, can serve as a divining rod to opportunity. While few will ever find a strategic panacea, well-informed business leader can make better decisions one at a time and even see new connections that help solidify their strategic plans.
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/23978199
info_outline
Episode 030: Brittany Strebel, Ford Motor Company
07/12/2022
Episode 030: Brittany Strebel, Ford Motor Company
This month, I caught up with DePaul MBA Alumna Brittany Strebel; Lincoln Operations Manager at Ford Motor Company. I was lucky to attend graduate school with Brittany and learned quite a bit from this smart, composed and savvy woman. In this episode, Brittany takes us through her 10+ year career at Ford and describes the current transformation taking place at the legendary automaker. A transformation dictated by changing market preferences and full of opportunity for growth and innovation. By embracing such change, Ford illuminates its lineage as an industry disruptor and signals management’s awareness that good strategy means if you’re standing still, you’re falling behind!
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/23700317
info_outline
Episode 029: Bryan Davis, Ryan Specialty
06/14/2022
Episode 029: Bryan Davis, Ryan Specialty
To cap off the academic year, I talked with DePaul MBA Alumnus Bryan Davis, Senior Treasury Manager at Ryan Specialty. Bryan has many strengths and a lot of experience in the strategically vital area of Treasury Management. This episode serves as a reminder that strategic plans are only as good as the people executing them. Like links in a chain, if each business area isn’t aware of, and prepared for the what, when, and how of their firm’s strategic plans, those plans are likely to fail. We discuss the critical role of Treasury in that model of success and highlight the reality that strategic success really does take a village.
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/23357708
info_outline
Episode 028: Anthony Palcheck, Zebra Ventures
05/10/2022
Episode 028: Anthony Palcheck, Zebra Ventures
This month I talked with DePaul MBA Alumnus Anthony Palcheck; Strategic Business Development Advisor at Zebra Ventures, the venture capital arm of Zebra Technologies. Zebra has been on a roll and, as you’ll hear, that success results from a series of good decisions made by leadership with a clear vision and good communication skills. Their success pivoting from a hardware manufacturer to a vertically integrated solutions provider is a masterclass in business transformation and working your way up the value chain.
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/22982792
info_outline
Episode 027: Doug Edgar, White Harvest Energy
04/12/2022
Episode 027: Doug Edgar, White Harvest Energy
This month I was delighted to discuss alternative energy with DePaul MBA Alumnus Doug Edgar, VP of Operations at White Harvest Energy. In this discussion we explored Doug's background, the obstacles he faces prophesizing alternative energy solutions, and discovered how value creation, value capture, and coopetition coexist to benefit all of White Harvest Energy’s stakeholders.
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/22709468
info_outline
Episode 026: Kelly Kester, Cardinal Health
03/08/2022
Episode 026: Kelly Kester, Cardinal Health
In this episode I had the good fortune to speak with DePaul Alumnus Kelly Kester. Kelly currently serves as Senior Manager - Corporate Strategy & Business Development at Cardinal Health. We reviewed her unique career journey and discussed how Cardinal Health uses vertical strategies to offer both value to their customers & provide safe harbor from a highly competitive core business.
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/22289831
info_outline
Episode 025: Andy Polacek, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
02/08/2022
Episode 025: Andy Polacek, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
This month we are thrilled to host DePaul Double Demon, Andy Polacek. Andy is a Senior Economic Research Analyst with Insurance Initiative at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. He speaks with me about how insurance markets develop and how we are currently dealing some highly correlated risks that may defy our standard mechanisms of insurance and de-risking.
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/22055159
info_outline
Episode 024: Erik Lindholm, Deloitte Technology
01/11/2022
Episode 024: Erik Lindholm, Deloitte Technology
In this episode, Erik Lindholm, Digital Transformation Lead at Deloitte, talks with us about how he considers what resources are available and what is the best strategy that is going to maximize the success of those resources. This is called consonance. The musical definition of this is the combination of notes which are in harmony with each other due to the relationship between their frequencies, which is a powerful way to view the relationship between resources and strategy!
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/21734948
info_outline
Episode 023: Jennifer Asplund, AT&T
12/14/2021
Episode 023: Jennifer Asplund, AT&T
This month we are joined by AT&T Vice President of Mobility Customer Care, Jennifer Asplund. Jennifer not only sits in a position that has a 30,000 ft view of a highly competitive industry within one of its most powerful established firms, but she also has over 15 years of experience within AT&T that ranges from front line store operations to product development. The main focus of our conversation is related to the human component of value creation, strategy development, and innovation.
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/21467834
info_outline
Episode 022: John Adams III, Zekelman Industries
11/10/2021
Episode 022: John Adams III, Zekelman Industries
John Adams III is the Inside Sales & Customer Support Manager at Zekelman Industries, a firm that manufactures steel piping for large scale construction projects. The steel industry is a part of well developed supply chain and is highly competitive, making relationship maintenance important and price competition possible. John speaks with me about how his firm creates value without falling into the price competition trap. Surprisingly, one of those value adds is an award winning website!
/episode/index/show/depaulespodcast/id/21108236