It Comes Back to People

Netysha Santos
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It Comes Back to People is a podcast for investors, executives, and senior leaders who understand that the hardest business problems are not solved with better financial models, sharper strategy, or smarter org design.  They are solved by getting the people piece right. Trust, communication, influence, empathy, teamwork …these are not secondary concerns. For the leaders and investors on this show, they are the primary levers of performance, execution, and value creation. Hosted by Netysha Santos, Leadership Development Consultant and Executive Coach at Avion Consulting, each episode is a candid conversation with operators, executives, and investors who have learned that human capital is not a supporting factor. It is the determining one.

Episodes

  1. Oct 14

    How Jeffrey Fidelman Learned That People Matter More Than Strategy

    In this episode of It Comes Back to People, Netysha Santos of Avion Consulting sits down with Jeffrey Fidelman, CEO and Principal of Fidelman & Company, an investment banking firm helping early-stage companies and emerging fund managers raise capital. He's also the Founder and CEO of Fundex, an intelligent platform built for raising capital through Fidelman and companies fundraise as a service. The conversation explores Jeff's evolving perspective on leadership, from saying yes to almost every opportunity during the early years of entrepreneurship to becoming far more intentional about focus, incentives, expectations, and culture. Jeff also discusses why transparency and alignment have become central to the way he leads, what he's learned about responding rather than reacting, and the challenge of preserving culture as an organization continues to scale. Expect to Learn: Why hiring for the actual skills a role requires can matter more than traditional industry pedigreeHow aligning employee compensation, client expectations, and business incentives can strengthen performanceWhy Jeff believes leaders should understand the jobs of the people they manageHow responding instead of reacting has changed Jeff's approach to leadership and difficult conversationsWhy transparency, communication, and in-person connection are especially important for building culture in remote organizations Episode Breakdown with Timestamps: [00:00] - Introduction to Jeffrey Fidelman and Fidelman & Company[01:36] - Building Fundraise as a Service and the Fundex platform[04:25] - How Jeff's perspective on the people side of business evolved[07:21] - Why traditional investment bankers weren't always the right fit for investor outreach[11:40] - Hiring, training, promotion, and aligning employee incentives[15:31] - How failed business lines changed Jeff's approach to people and focus[19:25] - Moving from working on the business to developing yourself as a leader[21:35] - Responding instead of reacting and learning from burned bridges[24:07] - Building culture, communication, and collaboration in a fully remote company[34:13] - Scaling Fundex, developing managers, and protecting culture through future growth "Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review." Follow the Guest, Jeffrey Fidelman: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreyfidelman/Company Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fidelmanco/home/Company's Website: https://fidelmanco.com/ Follow the Host, Netysha Santos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/netysha-santos-laborbe/ More from Avion Consulting: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avionconsulting/Website: http://www.avionconsulting.com/

    How Jeffrey Fidelman Learned That People Matter More Than Strategy

  2. Sep 30

    A Direct Reflection of Leadership, Culture Shapes How Your Startup Operates in the Day to Day with Nathalie McGrath

    In this episode of It Comes Back to People, Netysha Santos of Avion Consulting sits down with Nathalie McGrath, Co-Founder of The People Design House and former VP of People at Coinbase, where as one of the first employees, she helped scale the company from roughly 10 to over 1,000 employees. Nathalie discusses building culture intentionally from a company's earliest days, and how that culture must evolve rather than stay fixed as an organization moves through different stages of hypergrowth. She dives into the challenges of leadership transitions at scale, including how to support long-tenured employees as new, more experienced leaders come in above them. The conversation also covers the role of coaching and psychological safety in helping teams take risks and grow, practical lessons for first-time managers, and how she sees AI reshaping the value of human-built, in-person, and creative work going forward. Expect to Learn: Why culture is a reflection of the founder or leader, not a separate initiativeHow to diagnose and codify a company's real culture through structured questioningWhat's at stake financially and operationally when culture and behavior are misalignedHow culture needs to evolve, not just persist, through different stages of hypergrowthWhy leadership transitions during scaling are painful but necessary, and how to handle them with careHow AI is reshaping the value of human-built, in-person, and creative work Episode Breakdown with Timestamps: [00:00] - Nathalie's journey from marine biology to Stanford GSB[04:46] - Joining Coinbase as employee #11 and shifting into people & culture[07:09] - Building an intentional culture from day one at early-stage Coinbase[09:33] - Defining culture: intentionality, honesty, and the founder's reflection[11:15] - Diagnosing and codifying culture through founder interviews[16:00] - Navigating culture through hypergrowth from 11 to hundreds of employees[24:21] - Leadership transitions and bringing in new leadership as organizations scale[29:35] - Coaching, growth, and learning to make mistakes[33:08] - Lessons for first-time managers and managing across generations "Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review." Follow the Guest, Nathalie McGrath: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathaliemcgrath/Company's Website: https://thepeopledesignhouse.com/Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-people-design-house Follow the Host, Netysha Santos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/netysha-santos-laborbe/ More for Avion Consulting: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avionconsulting/Website: http://www.avionconsulting.com/

    A Direct Reflection of Leadership, Culture Shapes How Your Startup Operates in the Day to Day with Nathalie McGrath

  3. Jul 15

    AI Combined With Leadership for Managers Will Make Teams Lazy, Build Problem Solvers with Fabrice Bernhard

    In this episode of It Comes Back to People, Netysha Santos of Avion Consulting sits down with Fabrice Bernhard, Cofounder of Theodo, a multi-country tech consultancy, to discuss building high-performance tech teams. Fabrice shares why the most critical challenges in scaling teams are human, not technical, and how lean principles can transform organizations. He explains the importance of trust, empathy, psychological safety, and collaboration, and how these factors drive innovation and efficiency. Fabrice also discusses his book, The Lean Tech Manifesto, which applies Toyota’s lean production principles to modern software teams. Expect to Learn: Why human factors often outweigh technical skill in high-performing tech teamsHow lean principles guide problem-solving and decision-makingThe importance of psychological safety and team trust for innovationTools and methods to identify skill gaps and coach teams effectivelyHow AI can support human-centric problem solving Episode Breakdown with Timestamps: [00:00] - Introduction to Fabrice Bernard & Thedo consultancy[02:36] - Fabrice’s background and professional progression[04:13] - Transition from technical expertise to leadership focus[06:29] - Defining the working environment: skills, technology, and management support[09:43] - Skills assessment and continuous learning within teams[12:21] - Lean thinking and systematic problem solving[15:04] - Writing The Lean Tech Manifesto and learning from the process[17:41] - Early team structures, scaling challenges, and bureaucracy vs autonomy[24:19] - Benefits of lean principles on team performance and culture[30:21] - AI and human-centric automation in lean teams[38:07] - Final thoughts and wrap-up Follow the Guest, Fabrice Bernhard: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabricebernhard/Company’s Website: https://www.theodo.com/Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theodo/ Follow the Host, Netysha SantosLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/netysha-santos-laborbe/ More for Avion Consulting: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avionconsulting/Website: http://www.avionconsulting.com/

    AI Combined With Leadership for Managers Will Make Teams Lazy, Build Problem Solvers with Fabrice Bernhard

  4. Jul 1

    How Great Founders Build Teams That Scale Without Losing Culture with Aaron Battista

    In this episode of It Comes Back to People, Host Netysha Santos of Avion Consulting, Inc. is joined by Aaron Battista, a seasoned retail industry leader with over 25 years of experience. Aaron is the Founder and CEO of Battista Co., Managing Partner and Chief Retail Officer at The Ember Co., and a retail executive who has worked with global brands including VF Corporation, Gucci, Lucky Brand, and Seven for All Mankind Aaron shares how leadership in modern organizations is deeply tied to people, culture, and trust rather than just strategy or numbers. He explains why high-performing teams thrive when they are given space to learn, make mistakes, and grow. The conversation explores how culture, onboarding, and leadership behavior shape long-term business success, and why human-centered leadership is becoming more important in an AI-driven world. Expect to Learn:Why leadership success depends more on people than strategy aloneHow psychological safety enables teams to learn through mistakesWhy high-performing teams need freedom to experiment and growHow strong onboarding and training improve retention and engagementWhy HR and talent functions must have a strategic role in businessHow brand promise and culture directly impact customer experience Episode Timestamps:[00:00:00] – Introduction of Guest[00:01:54] – Aaron’s background, education, and transition from operator to advisor.[00:03:00] – Experiences with global brands like Seven For All Mankind, Gucci, and The Body Shop.[00:08:09] – Building high-functioning teams for successful retail expansion.[00:11:39] – The concept of psychological safety in leadership and its importance.[00:12:55] – Evaluating talent and role alignment within an organization.[00:22:37] – The role of brand promise and its impact on employee engagement.[00:26:34] – Evaluating the cost of turnover and its impact on business operations.[00:28:29] – Green flags that indicate an organization values its employees.[00:39:04] – Human resources’ critical role in organizational success and development.[00:45:04] – Closing thoughts on leadership, retail, and the evolving landscape of talent management. Connect with Guest Aaron Battista: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronbattista/ Connect with Guest Company Battista Co.: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/battista-co/ Connect with Guest Company The Ember Co.: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/embercompany/Website: https://www.embercompany.co/ Connect with the Host Netysha Santos: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/netysha-santos-laborbe/ More from Avion Consulting, Inc.: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avionconsulting/Website: http://www.avionconsulting.com/

    How Great Founders Build Teams That Scale Without Losing Culture with Aaron Battista

  5. Jun 17

    The Culture Advantage Business Leaders Need to Survive AI Disruption with Kevin Nelis

    In this episode of It Comes Back to People, Host Netysha Santos of Avion Consulting, Inc. sits down with Guest Kevin Nelis, Advisory Principal at True. and a strategy advisor with over a decade of experience across venture building, consulting, and leadership advisory. Kevin breaks down why culture is not a soft concept but the real driver of execution, performance, and survival in modern organizations. He explains how strategy without culture collapses in practice, why investors prioritize founders over products, and how leadership today is about building adaptability in a world shaped by constant AI-driven change. He also introduces the idea of “human infrastructure” and explains why the future belongs to organizations that invest in communication, behavior, trust, and decision-making systems rather than just tools and technology. Expect to Learn: Why culture determines whether strategy actually works in executionHow investors evaluate leadership teams beyond products and marketsWhy adaptability is now a survival skill in an AI-driven business worldWhat “human infrastructure” means and why it drives organizational successHow leaders can design environments that improve decision-making and behaviorWhy growth mindset and learning matter more than raw talent over time Episode Breakdown with Timestamps: [00:00] – Introduction to Kevin Nelis and his background in consulting, venture building, and advisory work[03:34] – Defining organizational culture and what actually shapes it inside companies[05:04] – How leaders intentionally shape culture and influence behavior[09:29] – How investors evaluate leadership teams and why founders matter most[10:36] – Why strategy fails without cultural alignment in execution[17:48] – Traits of strong leaders including optimism and long-term thinking[20:12] – Budget allocation using the 10-20-70 model for tech, data, and people[23:33] – Human infrastructure and how it improves execution and change speed[36:47] – B Corp mindset, ethical business, and reinvesting profits into real societal impact[42:51] – Closing Remarks Follow the Guest, Kevin Nelis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-nelis/Website: https://www.true.global/ Follow the Host, Netysha Santos: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/netysha-santos-laborbe/ More from Avion Consulting, Inc.: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avionconsulting/Website: http://www.avionconsulting.com/

    The Culture Advantage Business Leaders Need to Survive AI Disruption with Kevin Nelis

  6. Jun 3

    Brilliant with Numbers, Gone in 18 Months: The CFO Paradox

    In this episode of It Comes Back to People, Netysha Santos from Avion Consulting sits down with Ken Hickey, CFO coach at Ken Advisory and a finance leader with over 30 years of experience, including 16 years at Microsoft, to discuss the evolving role of the CFO. Ken explains why technical expertise alone is no longer enough and how CFOs must develop strategic leadership skills to navigate ambiguity, influence stakeholders, and drive business value. He shares insights on executive presence, the human role of CFOs as a signal to boards and investors, and how finance can be the starting point for AI and digital transformation initiatives within organizations. Expect to Learn: How the CFO role has evolved from technical reporting to strategic leadershipKey leadership skills CFOs need for influencing boards, CEOs, and investorsWhy executive presence and personal authority are critical for CFO successHow to manage ambiguity while maintaining professional rigorThe role of finance in driving AI adoption and digital transformation Episode Breakdown with Timestamps: [00:00] - Introduction to Ken Hickey & his career background[02:55] - Transition from corporate finance to executive coaching[05:12] - Challenges of the CFO role and high turnover[09:30] - Gap between technical training and strategic leadership needs[12:48] - Executive presence and communicating effectively with stakeholders[15:18] - Risks of not developing strategic CFO capabilities[21:05] - Moving from control to influence; operational to strategic focus[25:55] - Learning leadership through experience and self-development[32:15] - Managing ambiguity and decision-making frameworks[35:04] - AI and innovation: finance as a starting point for digital transformation Follow the Guest, Ken Hickey: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-hickey/Website: https://www.kenhickeyadvisory.com/Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ken-hickey-advisory/ Follow the Host, Netysha SantosLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/netysha-santos-laborbe/ More for Avion Consulting: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avionconsulting/Website: http://www.avionconsulting.com/

    Brilliant with Numbers, Gone in 18 Months: The CFO Paradox

  7. May 5

    New Episodes Coming Soon

    In the world of leadership, the best talent isn't just filling roles—they're shaping the future of organizations. They're the strategic thinkers, the cultural architects, and the leaders who drive performance through their people. Welcome to Leadership: Risk and Return, hosted by Netysha Santos. With a proven track record in leadership development and executive coaching, Netysha has been empowering organizations to create high-performing teams and visionary leaders for years. This podcast delves into the real-world challenges and opportunities that leaders face across industries, from building cohesive teams to transforming decision-making processes. Whether you're an executive striving to navigate organizational change or a leader looking to elevate your team’s potential, Leadership: Risk and Return is your essential resource for building effective leadership systems that deliver lasting impact. Subscribe now to Leadership: Risk and Return and start redefining what leadership means for your organization. A new episode is coming soon!

  • 7 Episodes

About

It Comes Back to People is a podcast for investors, executives, and senior leaders who understand that the hardest business problems are not solved with better financial models, sharper strategy, or smarter org design.  They are solved by getting the people piece right. Trust, communication, influence, empathy, teamwork …these are not secondary concerns. For the leaders and investors on this show, they are the primary levers of performance, execution, and value creation. Hosted by Netysha Santos, Leadership Development Consultant and Executive Coach at Avion Consulting, each episode is a candid conversation with operators, executives, and investors who have learned that human capital is not a supporting factor. It is the determining one.

Information

  • Creator
    Netysha Santos
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Netysha Santos
  • Show Website
    It Comes Back to People