Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex Rozenfeld

Alex Rozenfeld

Grab a cup of coffee and join Alex Rozenfeld, Thunderbird alum and founder of Freshwater Investments, as he sits down with fellow T-bird graduates who are making an impact in business, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Each episode features open and insightful conversations that explore the pivotal moments, personal motivations, and lessons learned on their journeys. From building companies across continents to leading global teams, these stories highlight the drive and mindset behind success. Whether you're a student, alum, or someone passionate about business and personal growth, you'll walk away with fresh ideas and real-world perspective. This is more than a podcast—it’s a platform for connection, storytelling, and celebrating the global spirit of Thunderbird. This podcast is sponsored by www.freshwaterinvestments.com 

  1. Coca Cola lessons and global adventures with Shawn Gallegly

    1D AGO

    Coca Cola lessons and global adventures with Shawn Gallegly

    Join us as we delve into the fascinating global marketing journey of Shawn Gallegly, a seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience. From driving growth for iconic brands like Coca-Cola and Carlsberg to his adventures in Lagos and beyond, Shawn shares captivating stories and insights. Discover how his curiosity and strategic vision have shaped his career, and learn about the lessons he's gathered from working across diverse cultures and markets. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that spans continents and industries. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgallegly/ About As a seasoned strategic marketing growth leader with 20 years of international experience in the beverage industry leading teams across the US, Europe, Asia and Africa, Shawn Gallegly has a proven track record of leadership driving brand growth and category expansion internationally. He has successfully led marketing strategies and commercial growth for global brands at Coca-Cola, Monster and Carlsberg, and worked with international companies across various industries, including beverages, natural cosmetics, frozen food, soft drinks and breweries. His expertise lies in strategic marketing, dynamic commercial growth, P&L leadership, brand portfolio optimization, brand positioning, on & offline communication & influencer strategy, launch strategy and planning, full stack strategic brand entry & launch planning, online communication, and commercial DTC and investment planning. As a Global Marketing Leader with a proven track record of structuring global alcohol-free-brew vision, brand innovation, and commercial execution strategies to accelerate company growth and revenue generation, He was recognized as a member of the Top 60 executive leadership team within the Carlsberg Group, where he established high-performing alcohol-free brew brands in the health and wellness category, generating $600M in revenue and achieving 52% volume growth.  He is passionate about building and leading great teams to create engaging consumer experiences and build strong relationships with key stakeholders. He's always eager to learn new skills and make connections in the ever changing world of marketing.  Shwan Gallegly holds an Executive MBA from IMD and an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management, with a focus on Executive Leadership and International Marketing Management. This podcast is sponsored by Freshwater Investments

    1h 2m
  2. From Casablanca to Startup Founder with Rabie Zahri

    1D AGO

    From Casablanca to Startup Founder with Rabie Zahri

    Rabie Zahri didn’t speak a word of English when he arrived in the U.S. at 18. Fast forward to today — he's the CEO and co-founder of Positon, an  AI platform transforming the M&A lifecycle from deal origination to post-close integration. In this episode, we dive into Rabie’s founder journey — from Casablanca to corporate development at Hewlett Packard, to building an AI-native startup backed by early believers and growing into the enterprise space. https://positon.ai/#company https://www.linkedin.com/in/rabiezahri/ Rabie Zahri is the CEO and Co-Founder of Positon AI, the first AI-native, cloud-native command center built to streamline M&A and investment workflows from deal origination through post-close integration. A former executive and corporate development leader at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Rabie blends deep technical expertise with a global business mindset to help dealmakers move faster, smarter, and with less friction. Originally from Morocco, Rabie came to the U.S. at 18, with little money, speaking little English, and working multiple jobs to put himself through school. He earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Engineering from Arizona State University and later his MBA at the Thunderbird School of Global Management. As part of the program, he trained in corporate finance, entrepreneurship, and regional business environments at Beida University in China and EGADE Business School at Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico, gaining hands-on exposure to Asia and Latin America’s evolving economic and deal landscapes. Away from the boardroom, Rabie is a sommelier who calls Napa Valley home, where he lives with his family. He speaks four languages and enjoys riding his road bike through the vineyards, collecting art, and spending time by the ocean. Inspired by the Thunderbird tradition of connecting across cultures, he continues to collaborate with leaders from around the world on ventures that aim to mentor new leaders, foster innovation, and make a lasting positive impact on society. This podcast is sponsored by Freshwater Investments

    42 min
  3. Goodyear, Gretzky, and Global Growth: Inside Marco Molinari’s Leadership Story

    AUG 30

    Goodyear, Gretzky, and Global Growth: Inside Marco Molinari’s Leadership Story

    In this conversation, Marco Molinari shares his extensive experience in global business, highlighting his successful marketing campaigns at Goodyear, including a notable celebrity endorsement with Wayne Gretzky. He reflects on his upbringing in Sweden, his education at Thunderbird, and the lessons learned throughout his career, particularly at Goodyear and HNI Corporation. Marco emphasizes the importance of understanding local markets, the value of international business, and the need for continuous learning and adaptation in a globalized world. https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcomolinari1/ Bio Marco Molinari is a true global business leader. Born in Sweden, he studied in the US and is fluent in English, German, Italian and Swedish. He spent 12 years in Europe before moving permanently to the US where he has spent 25 years in Fortune 1000 corporations with industry leading brands and product portfolios. He has worked in multi-channel consumer, commercial, OEM, retail and wholesale markets in North America, Latin America, Europe, China and India. He has operating experience in R&D, sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution in diverse B2B and B2C companies, including HNI Corporation, a $2.2B Fortune 1000 market leader in office furniture with manufacturing and distribution across North America and Asia, and sales in 50+ countries. He was a Senior Executive with the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, a global leader in the tire industry with50+ facilities and 1.2K repair centers in 20+ countries. He has managed P&Ls up to $1B and delivered growth in revenue, profit, market share, and corporate value through business creation, M&A, turnarounds, and operational improvement. Marco led aggressive expansion into India and China where he focused on select market development and product/brand differentiation against global competitors. He established the US export division and built strategic partnerships and distributor relationships in Latin America, the Caribbean, Middle East and South America. He was part of the executive leadership team that positioned HNI as one of Fortune’s “Most Admired Companies,” Forbes’ “Best Big Companies,” and Industry Week’s “Best Manufacturing Companies.”   Marco has lead and developed high performing teams across the globe. From the moment Marco was selected out of business school for an international management development program, he understood that all great things are accomplished through the recruitment, development, and leadership of high performance teams that are aligned around the strategic priorities of the company and successful execution across the globe. He works effectively at all levels as evidenced by his early appointment as Chairman of Deutsche Goodyear Holdings Supervisory Board that served as a liaison between corporate leaders and German Works Councils to influence positive labor relations and performance. Marco has an international education. He earned an MBA in International Business from Thunderbird, a BSBA in Marketing from St. Louis University where he is in the University Hall of Fame as a 1999 Distinguished Alumnus, and has an Associate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Aso Gymnasium in Sweden. He has taken advantage of additional leadership development initiatives by participating in Northwestern University’s CEO Perspectives Program, the Center for Creative Leadership, the Mahler External Executive Leadership Program; as well as the Kaizen Institute in Japan. Marco believes in giving back. He has served on the Advisory Board of the University of Iowa, College of Engineering, and the St. Ambrose University Business School Advisory Board. This podcast is sponsored by Freshwater Investments

    1h 1m
  4. Clean Beauty, Big Dreams: How Suzanne Martens Built Adesse New York from Scratch

    AUG 27

    Clean Beauty, Big Dreams: How Suzanne Martens Built Adesse New York from Scratch

    In this conversation, Suzanne Martens, founder of Adesse New York, shares her journey from a childhood in Pennsylvania to becoming a leader in the clean beauty industry. She discusses her entrepreneurial spirit, the challenges of starting her own business, and the innovative use of AI in product development. Suzanne emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs and the role of cultural awareness in business. She also reflects on her personal growth as an entrepreneur and offers valuable advice for aspiring business owners. https://www.instagram.com/adesseny/?hl=en https://adesseny.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sroberta/ Bio I’m the Founder and CEO of Adesse New York, a luxury beauty and wellness brand best known for pioneering Skin Care for Nails™—a clean, high-performance approach to nail care and color. I launched the brand in 2015 after identifying a gap in the market for non-toxic, cruelty-free nail products that didn’t sacrifice quality or luxury. Today, Adesse is a leading global brand, featured on ABC’s The View, QVC, Univision, and the official nail care partner of Canyon Ranch Spa. Adesse is proudly aligned with major beauty subscription leaders like Ipsy, BoxyCharm, Birchbox, FabFitFun, and Alltrue, delivering millions of full-size products to consumers who crave performance-driven, clean beauty. My background spans over two decades in the beauty industry, with hands-on experience in product development at iconic brands like Estée Lauder, Revlon, Avon, and Elizabeth Arden. I’ve also held executive roles in media and private equity, venture capital and corporate consulting, bringing a well-rounded, strategic lens to brand building, AI driven product development & innovation and business growth. I hold an MBA in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, and undergraduate degrees in Marketing and Computer Science, with a specialization in Business Systems Analysis. My ongoing commitment to innovation is supported by certifications in AI, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Data Science Engineering (MIT), Global Finance, and French Language & Culture. Currently based in Scottsdale, Arizona, I’m passionate about wellness, clean beauty, and empowering the next generation of beauty entrepreneurs. When I’m not building the next innovation at Adesse, you’ll find me deep water diving, hiking desert trails, or on the Pilates Reformer. Let’s connect if you’re a fellow innovator, beauty founder, or investor looking to disrupt the beauty space. This podcast is sponsored by Freshwater Investments

    46 min
  5. From India to England in a 73-Year-Old Car: Daman Thakore’s 13,000 KM Family Road Trip

    AUG 25

    From India to England in a 73-Year-Old Car: Daman Thakore’s 13,000 KM Family Road Trip

    What happens when a childhood dream, a vintage convertible, and a tight-knit Indian family collide? You get the incredible journey of Daman Thakore—a businessman, tennis champ, and explorer at heart—who drove 13,000 kilometers from Ahmedabad to London in a 73-year-old car named Lalpari (Red Angel), alongside his father, wife, and daughter. In this inspiring conversation, Daman shares the origin of his love for vintage cars, the bedtime stories that planted the seed for this expedition, and the unexpected breakdowns—both mechanical and emotional—along the way. From fixing an axle in Croatia to receiving a letter from King Charles, Daman’s story is a testament to family bonds, resilience, and the power of following a dream, no matter how improbable. Join us for a ride across 14 countries, through rainstorms, breakdowns, border crossings, and heartwarming human connections—all in the name of joy, unity, and a little red car that could. https://www.linkedin.com/in/daman-thakore-8b5452b/ https://www.instagram.com/mylalpari?igsh=dWJzMzJiZjZ3YWVj&utm_source=qr https://www.youtube.com/@mylalpari Bio Daman Thakore is the Managing Director of Thakore Group, a diversified family-run business specializing in construction equipment and environmental services. An MBA graduate from Thunderbird School of Global Management and a former nationally ranked tennis player, Daman combines strategic leadership with a strong commitment to social responsibility. With decades of experience in business development and operations, he focuses on sustainable growth, people-first leadership, and long-term impact. This podcast is sponsored by Freshwater Investments

    42 min
  6. From Caracas to Pepsi and Koch Industries: Aquiles' Journey of Resilience and Reinvention

    AUG 19

    From Caracas to Pepsi and Koch Industries: Aquiles' Journey of Resilience and Reinvention

    In this episode, Aquiles Gatas shares his incredible path from growing up in poverty in Venezuela to leading marketing at PepsiCo and managing billion-dollar investments at Koch Industries. He talks about his transition into entrepreneurship, launching ventures like Eco Wash and Centrum, and his latest company BizzMD, which helps small businesses thrive through remote CEO consulting. Aquiles also reflects on cultural challenges, lessons from failure (including opening a café just before the pandemic), and his advice for young entrepreneurs: start fast, learn as you go, and don’t wait for perfect timing. https://www.linkedin.com/in/aquiles-gatas-mba-ms-bs-5159a83a/ https://www.bizzmd.com/ With over 25 years of experience in marketing, business growth, and brand strategy, Acquiles Gatas worked with leading global brands like PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble, Telecom Italia Mobile, and Chupa Chups, alongside successful entrepreneurial ventures such as Cenntrum, Rush International Beverages, and PagoPorti. He specializes in scaling businesses, optimizing multi-channel marketing, and developing go-to-market strategies for SaaS and cloud communications. His expertise in digital marketing, content creation, and data-driven insights has helped companies accelerate customer acquisition and drive revenue growth.​ He holds and MBA from Thunderbird Business School, a Master of Science in Information Systems and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. ​As a strategic and results-driven leader, He has successfully managed high-performance, cross-functional teams across Latin America, Europe, and the U.S. Fluent in English and Spanish, He thrives in diverse business environments, bringing innovation, efficiency, and growth-focused strategies to every project.  This podcast is sponsored by Freshwater Investments

    38 min
  7. Glen Michel on Japanese Whisky, Big Asks, and Building a $200M AUM Firm

    AUG 13

    Glen Michel on Japanese Whisky, Big Asks, and Building a $200M AUM Firm

    In this engaging conversation, Glenn Michel shares his multifaceted life journey, from his passion for Japanese whiskey to his experiences in martial arts and his transformative time at Thunderbird School. He discusses his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of starting a business, and the importance of intuition in decision-making. Glenn also emphasizes the significance of community involvement and philanthropy, while offering valuable insights into the financial advisory landscape and life insurance. His adventurous spirit shines through as he shares future travel aspirations, including climbing Mount Vinson in Antarctica. https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenmichel/ https://www.advancedportfolios.com/ Bio With over 29 years of international business experience, Glen provides advisory services in the areas of insurance, investments, pensions, business and estate planning. Deeply concerned with the impacts of taxation on his clients’ businesses, investment portfolios and retirement savings, Glen works closely with their tax and legal advisers to develop financial strategies that mitigate these impacts. In addition, his experience includes two distinct sub-specialties of estate planning: services directed to the needs of transnational residents with significant assets in the United States and special needs planning for physically or developmentally disabled children. Glen has either worked or traveled in over 25 countries and is bilingual English/Japanese. This diverse background gives him an added degree of business acumen that directly benefits his clients. Prior to starting his own firm, Glen worked as an international business consultant for Arthur Andersen and Deloitte & Touche, and was a financial services professional at New York Life and a MassMutual. His diverse education includes a BA from the University of Arizona, where he completed a significant part of his studies at Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, Japan.  He also holds an MBA in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. Glen holds a California Life & Health Insurance License and is a licensed Investment Adviser Representative.  This podcast is sponsored by Freshwater Investments

    1h 1m
  8. From Formula One to the Olympic Flame: Andreas Sigl’s Playbook on Leadership & Marketing

    AUG 6

    From Formula One to the Olympic Flame: Andreas Sigl’s Playbook on Leadership & Marketing

    Andreas Sigl joins the show to talk about his global career in branding and marketing. He shares stories from working in Japan, leading Formula One sponsorships, helping launch Infiniti in Europe, and even advising the International Olympic Committee. Andreas also talks about writing his upcoming book and what young marketers should focus on in an AI-driven world. Packed with real stories and honest advice, this episode is a great listen for anyone interested in international business and brand strategy. https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreassigl/ Andreas Sigl Global Chief Marketing Officer | Brand Transformation Leader | Thunderbird Class of 1995 Andreas Sigl is a globally recognized marketing and communications executive with over 25 years of experience driving brand transformation, strategic growth, and leadership alignment across industries including automotive, technology, FMCG, sports, and lifestyle. Known for his ability to reposition premium brands, lead large-scale digital transformations, and deliver sustainable growth, Andreas has held senior leadership roles at some of the world’s most iconic organizations, including Intel, Audi, Nissan/Infiniti, the International Olympic Committee, Philip Morris International, and Stoli Group. As the former Chief Marketing Officer of Stoli Group, Andreas elevated the company’s marketing strategy to a global level, streamlining operations, amplifying creativity, and driving consumer-centric outcomes. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Global Media and Partnerships at Philip Morris International, where he spearheaded brand engagement initiatives during the company’s transformation toward a smoke-free future. His career also includes a decade at Nissan, where he repositioned the premium challenger brand Infiniti and led the digital transformation of Nissan Corporation worldwide. Earlier in his career, Andreas made his mark at Audi North America, where he upgraded the digital consumer experience, and at Intel, where he helped pioneer the groundbreaking Intel Inside Program. A dual citizen of Switzerland and Germany, Andreas has lived and worked across Europe, the United States, and Japan, and speaks four languages: English, German, French, and Japanese. His global perspective and cross-cultural expertise have been instrumental in building high-performing teams and fostering collaboration across diverse markets. A proud graduate of Thunderbird School of Global Management (Class of 1995), Andreas credits the school with shaping his global mindset and professional ethos. He has maintained strong ties to the Thunderbird community, serving as a guest speaker for executive education programs and initiating partnerships between Thunderbird/ASU and Philip Morris International. Andreas embodies the Thunderbird Mystique—a unique and enduring spirit that transcends traditional educational bonds. For him, Thunderbird is more than a school, it’s a global family defined by camaraderie, cultural intelligence, and a shared commitment to fostering global prosperity. The lifelong friendships, collaborative ventures, and shared values he gained as a T-bird have been a guiding force throughout his career. “The mystique isn’t just something we talk about—it’s something we live,” Andreas reflects. “Thunderbird didn’t just shape my career, it shaped who I am. It gave me the tools to navigate complex global challenges, the confidence to lead in multicultural environments, and the humility to learn from every culture I’ve encountered. I’ll always be proud to call myself a T-bird.” This podcast is sponsored by Freshwater Investments

    48 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Grab a cup of coffee and join Alex Rozenfeld, Thunderbird alum and founder of Freshwater Investments, as he sits down with fellow T-bird graduates who are making an impact in business, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Each episode features open and insightful conversations that explore the pivotal moments, personal motivations, and lessons learned on their journeys. From building companies across continents to leading global teams, these stories highlight the drive and mindset behind success. Whether you're a student, alum, or someone passionate about business and personal growth, you'll walk away with fresh ideas and real-world perspective. This is more than a podcast—it’s a platform for connection, storytelling, and celebrating the global spirit of Thunderbird. This podcast is sponsored by www.freshwaterinvestments.com 

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