Future Shapers: Next-Gen Leadership Stories

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A BRG podcast spotlighting the journeys of emerging leaders, told through the stories that shaped their paths to success in today's dynamic world. BRG combines world-leading academic credentials with world-tested business expertise. We are known for groundbreaking thought leadership in the fields of corporate finance; economics, disputes, and investigations; and performance improvement. For more, please visit ThinkBRG.com.

  1. Oct 7

    Optimism Is Moral Courage

    What can a failed Antarctic expedition teach today's healthcare leaders? For Ian Spier, chief financial officer of Longitude Health, quite a lot. In this episode of Future Shapers, Ian sits down with BRG Director Kurt Eicher for a conversation about leading through challenge—and why the journey matters more than the destination. Ian draws on Ernest Shackleton's 1914 Endurance expedition, where Shackleton kept his crew together through months stranded on the ice. He points to optimism as a leadership essential in an industry he describes as a "ground game": "two or three yards and then a dust-up." They trace how Ian's view of leadership evolved from investment banking to Novant Health, where he learned that, in a highly matrixed organization, self-preservation can lead to paralysis and the best leaders take personal risk for the good of the organization. The conversation dives into building a culture from a blank slate, why speed is a superpower and perfect information is a myth, and what it will take to develop the next generation of nonprofit healthcare leaders. A conversation about optimism, endurance, and what it really takes to lead a team through uncertainty.

  2. Sep 2

    Difference Is the Superpower

    What does Spider-Man have to do with leadership? For Heather Sager, more than you'd expect. In this episode, BRG Director Shantee Hope sits down with Heather, her longtime friend and Senior Workforce Transformation consultant at Perceptyx, to discuss what happens when the thing you spend years hiding turns out to be what makes you good at your job. Heather traces the story back to childhood: learning struggles in school in rural Pennsylvania, the shame of feeling like she processed the world differently than her classmates, and the moment Spider-Man's secret identity gave her a new way to see it: as a source of power rather than a flaw to conceal. They dig into how that reframe followed Heather into the workplace, from catching costly errors nobody else saw to pushing back on outdated processes, and why she still tells colleagues when something feels off using her own shorthand: "my Spidey sense." The conversation dives into leading teams that span ages, cultures, and working styles; what artificial intelligence can reveal about whose face we picture when we imagine a leader; and why the goal involves actively making room for difference on a team. A personal conversation about the parts of ourselves we are told to hide—and why they might be exactly what make us effective leaders.

  3. Aug 11

    Captain of Your Own Career

    What can a children's picture book about a school election teach about leadership? More than you might expect.  In this episode of Future Shapers, BRG Director Kelli Foy sits down with Rachel Gervin, assistant general counsel at NCR Voyix, to explore leadership, representation, and resilience through the lens of Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio—the story of a young girl who notices there has never been a woman president and decides to do something about it.  Rachel reflects on the themes that drew her to the book as a mother of daughters: the weight of being "the first," the reality that women so often feel they must be 110 percent prepared and check every box before raising their hand, and why representation matters at every level. She shares candid lessons from her own path: from becoming the first Black woman lawyer hired at a major Washington, DC, firm to serving as general counsel of a multinational software company. She also discusses the mindset she carried along the way: you are the captain of your own career.  The conversation dives into the difference between mentorship and sponsorship, why careers are rarely linear, and how leaders can use even the smallest moments—like the first three minutes of a virtual meeting—to build connections and create opportunities to shape the next generation of leaders.  Whether you are just starting out or leading a team today, remember that a career is a journey, not a destination—and the best leaders lift others as they climb.

  4. Aug 11

    There's No Leadership Playbook

    What can Home Alone teach us about leadership? In this episode of Future Shapers, BRG Director Mark Jennings sits down with James Breese, a partner at Stewarts, to explore leadership, resilience, and team-building through the holiday classic. James reflects on the four themes he sees in the film—confidence, determination, resilience, and protectionism—and how those qualities shaped his approach to leadership while helping build Stewarts' policyholder disputes team from the ground up. They explore why leadership is not about following a single playbook, the importance of adaptability when managing people, and why creating space for junior colleagues to learn through mistakes is essential for long-term growth. James also reflects on stepping into partnership, imposter syndrome, and the leaders who have shaped his own career Whether you lead a growing team or are developing your leadership style, this episode reminds us that the best leaders constantly learn, adapt, and create opportunities for others to succeed.

  5. Jul 28

    Leadership Is a Muscle

    Leadership is not something you are born with or given—it's a muscle you can train. In this episode of Future Shapers, BRG Associate Director Isaac Wong sits down with Hsiang Low, cofounder and general counsel at Riverchain, to discuss messages from Disney's Mulan to explore how one develops into a leader. Hsiang shares why effective leadership starts with listening and why growing comfortable with discomfort is nonnegotiable. He breaks down the balance between delivering honest, consistent feedback and avoiding the trap of micromanagement, offering a practical framework for anyone navigating a leadership role for the first time. They also discuss Riverchain, Hsiang's fintech startup that provides innovative working capital solutions that bring transparency, efficiency, and liquidity to the construction supply chain. Listen to learn how he's putting his own leadership principles into practice as he scales the company. Whether you are a first-time manager or a seasoned executive, great leadership is not given—it is earned, one rep at a time.

  6. Jul 1

    "Measured Sacrifice": Making Partner at a Leading Law Firm

    What does Field of Dreams have in common with becoming a partner at a leading law firm? BRG Director Thanh Do sits down with Missy L. Griffin from Gibbs Giden for a wide-ranging conversation on the measured sacrifices, leaps of faith, and quiet discipline that define a legal career done right. Missy reflects on how early and engaged involvement in professional organizations—including the ABA's Forum on Construction Law—shaped her trajectory and why showing up before you feel ready is often the point. In an era where attorneys feel pressure to project confidence and command, Missy makes a case for the opposite: humility is the most powerful leadership quality a lawyer can bring to today's business landscape. A candid, career-spanning conversation for anyone navigating their own path to leadership in the law.

  7. 08/12/2025

    Personal Agency: Leading with Intention

    BRG Director Jason Kuckkan and Moyo LaBode, former chief merchandising officer at Leslie's Pools, discuss the concept of personal agency and career stemming from Dr. Peter Attia's book Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity. They reflect on how intentional decision-making and ownership of one's health, choices, and career shape meaningful professional growth. Their conversation highlights the importance and value of self-awareness, curiosity, and reverse mentorship as critical components in evolving leadership.

  8. 07/29/2025

    Empowering Strengths through Trust-Based Leadership

    In this episode, BRG Associate Director Nancy Cherashore and Natalia Zibibbo, counsel at Freshfields, discuss leadership by highlighting Watership Down's themes of empathy, trust, and adaptability. They share personal stories about returning from maternity leave, leading teams across different countries, and taking on leadership roles early in their careers. Their conversation emphasizes the importance of empowering others, embracing a growth mindset, and leading with both strategy and compassion.

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A BRG podcast spotlighting the journeys of emerging leaders, told through the stories that shaped their paths to success in today's dynamic world. BRG combines world-leading academic credentials with world-tested business expertise. We are known for groundbreaking thought leadership in the fields of corporate finance; economics, disputes, and investigations; and performance improvement. For more, please visit ThinkBRG.com.

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