The Executives' Exchange

The Executives' Club of Chicago
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The Executives' Exchange is a podcast of the Executives' Club of Chicago, the city's premier membership organization and business forum. Each episode unlocks the keys to success from distinguished executives in the Chicago region through real stories of triumphs and failures, meaning connections and lessons learned in their leadership journeys. Sponsored by Shure Incorporated

  1. 08/13/2025

    Episode 079 – Suzy Welch, Best-Selling Author, Tech Entrepreneur, & Professor

    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 chapter—on your terms. This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience in May 2025.    00:00 – Intro   00:55 – Inspiration Behind the Book  04:26 – Suzy's Becoming You Experience  08:26 – Defining the Four Horsemen  12:50 – The Values Test & Learning Your Values  21:05 – Methodology Applied Across All Age Groups  27:20 – Go Where Your Characteristics Overlap  30:00 – The Worthiness of Values  33:51 – Do Values Change Over Time?  36:16 – Recognizing Attributes & Identifying Aptitudes   46:40 – Economically Viable Interests   50:25 – Outro    Episode Link: Suzy Welch | Becoming You   Guest Host: Kristen Prinz, Founding & Managing Partner, The Prinz Law Firm      Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.     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.    Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

    51 min

  2. 07/08/2025

    Episode 078 – Katrina Markoff, Founder, Violet Flames Chocolate

    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 37:45 – Using Mothership as a Business Tool 43:25 – Making Things Purposeful 46:20 – Leaving a Legacy 50:15 – The Future of AI in Different Spaces 56:25 – Outro   Episode Link: Violet Flames Chocolate   Guest Host: Julie Smolyansky, President & Chief Executive Officer, Lifeway Foods Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago      Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.    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.   Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

    57 min

  3. 06/11/2025

    Episode 077 – Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, Author and Executive Coach

    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 Challenges when Changing Behaviors  8:31 – Identifying and Overcoming Blind Spots  9:10 – The Most Effective Methodology  12:50 – Role of Feedback, or Feed "Forward"  13:51 – Evolving Landscape of Leadership  18:27 – Coping with Hard Decisions   21:00 – Achievement vs. Happiness   24:00 – The Power of Mentorship  28:10 – AI Platform   31:00 – Daily Practices for Effective Leadership  33:50 – What Future Leaders Need to Know  36:23 – Guiding Principles and Philosophies  40:35 – The Secret to Staying Inspired  44:44 – Do the Work or Let it Go  48:35 – Final Bits of Advice  50:48 – Outro    Episode Link: Marshall Goldsmith     Guest Host: Harry M. Kraemer, Clinical Professor of Management & Organizations, Northwestern University  Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago        Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.     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.    Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

    51 min

  4. 05/13/2025

    Episode 076 – Dr. Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO, National Geographic Society

    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 08:45 – Urgent Needs And Impacts 11:09 – Examples Of Influential Work 12:20 – Relationship With Disney 15:20 – What Makes A Good Story 17:33 – Corporate Relationships 19:50 – MapMaker With NatGeo 23:05 – Most Fun Travel Story 26:25 - What's Next After The Amazon 28:10 – A Message From Our Sponsor, Shure 29:00 - Engagement Strategy & Global Solution 31:26 – New Facility Opening 33:33 – Championing Gender Equality 35:50 – Outro   Episode Link(s): National Geographic | Shedd Aquarium   Host: Dr. Bridget Coughlin, President and CEO, Shedd Aquarium Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago   Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.     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.    Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

    37 min

  5. 04/08/2025

    Episode 075 – Richard Edelman, Edelman & Tom Wilson, Allstate

    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 – Intro   00:58 – 25-year Overview on Rising Distrust  02:20 – 4 Important Developments Contributing to Distrust  03:50 – Trust Research Deep-Dive  09:10 – Businesses Role in a Time of High Grievance   11:25 – 5 Things Employees are Asking of Their Company  13:05 – 3 Actionable Steps for Recovering Trust  14:58 – Shure Ad Break  16:35 – How We Got to a High Level of Public Distrust  19:27 – 2 Responses to Addressing Organizational Distress  20:42 – How Executives Should Prepare for Trump Administration  24:15 – Perspectives on DEI Initiatives  27:20 – The Public Perception of Wealth  31:31 – AI's Impact on Employment  37:34 – Wilson's 2 Steps on Rebuilding Trust  40:16 – How Young Generations Absorb Information  43:03 – Whose Responsibility Is It to Reskill People?  45:10 – Getting Beyond the Anger Stage  47:43 - NGOs Role In Rebuilding Trust  49:35 – Merging Necessary Changes with Shareholder Value  51:09 – Outro    Episode Link: 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer | Allstate | Bloomberg    Guest Host: Isis Almeida, Chicago Bureau Chief, Bloomberg    Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago        Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.     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.    Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

    52 min

  6. 03/12/2025

    Episode 074 – Sallie Krawcheck, Co-founder and Former CEO, Ellevest

    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  11:06 – Research Analyst to Women  16:34 – What Was the Motivator  20:24 – Wealth Management   23:45 – Managing Wealth with a Family  28:28 – Sponsorship Message from Shore  29:35 – Feminization of Wealth  34:32 – Difference to Leader Large Corp vs Small   37:08 – Brand Building   39:50 – Thinking About Money as Women  40:58 – Diversity and Inclusion in the Market  45:04 – Advice to Entrepreneurial Women  49:43 – Outro    Episode Link(s): Ellevest    Guest Host: Sidney Dillard, Partner, Loop Capital Markets  Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago        Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.     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.    Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

    51 min

  7. 02/11/2025

    Episode 073 – Darrel Hackett, President and CEO, President & CEO, BMO Bank N.A.

    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 on Bank of the West Acquisition   6:55 – Cultural Changes  9:10 – BMO Community Outreach and Giveback  13:13 – Approach and Vision  14:57 – Including Communities  17:00 – Programs for Removing Barriers to Homeownership  18:06 – Macroeconomic Issues   18:30 – Handling Economic Cycles  22:05 – Shifting Focus and Giving Advice Based on Market  23:28 – Outlook on U.S. Economy  25:36 – Helping Grow Chicago Economy  26:05 – Addressing Inequality within Homeownership  28:50 – Passion Behind Working at BMO  30:55 – Final Thoughts    Episode Link(s): BMO US Bank   Guest Host: Andrea Saenz, President and CEO, The Chicago Community Trust  Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago        Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.     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.    Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

    32 min

  8. 01/14/2025

    Episode 072 – Satya Nadella, Chairman & CEO, Microsoft

    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 AI 12:45 – Maximize Platforms While Mitigating Risk 14:41 – Cascade to Aspiring Goals 18:50 – Advice for Chicago 22:45 – Empathy as a Leader 24:28 – Leadership Qualities for Massive Shifts 26:45 – Thank You 26:49 – Outro   Episode Link: Microsoft Guest Host: Penny Pritzker, Founder and Chairman, PSP Partners Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago      Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.    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.   Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

    28 min
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The Executives' Exchange is a podcast of the Executives' Club of Chicago, the city's premier membership organization and business forum. Each episode unlocks the keys to success from distinguished executives in the Chicago region through real stories of triumphs and failures, meaning connections and lessons learned in their leadership journeys. Sponsored by Shure Incorporated

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