The Executives' Exchange The Executives' Club of Chicago, hosted by Margaret Mueller

On this episode of the Executives' Exchange, guest host, MxD’s Chandra Brown sits down with Patrick O’Rahilly, founder and CEO of Factory Fix. They discuss the opportunities and challenges of reshoring manufacturing and supply chain operations, in the US, and Chicagoland in particular. From attracting and retaining talent to the pipeline for professional growth, these two explore ways we can all be thinking about solving some of the supply chain backlogs by bringing opportunities stateside.
 
01:15 – Patrick discusses the founding and ideas behind Factory Fix
06:30 – How Patrick’s business ran pre-pandemic and how he survived during Covid-19
13:22 – Patrick discuses business and manufacturing strategy specifically in the Chicagoland area
15:45 – Patrick’s thoughts on the current labor market & the opportunities and challenges it will bring
21:32 - Patrick discusses the business market in neighboring countries
23:21 – Patrick discusses diversity in the workplace in today’s market
25:20 – Technological and automation industry advancements & the opportunities they will create
31:26 – Patrick discusses Supplier diversity to support local manufacturing
33:43 – The innovative technologies Patrick uses at Factory Fix
38:50 – Patrick discusses the one step for success in the Midwest for manufactures
 
Episode link: FactoryFix | MxD
Guest Host: Chandra Brown, CEO, MxD
Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives’ Club of Chicago
 
Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher 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

On this episode of the Executives’ Exchange, Daniel Polotsky and Ben Weiss of CoinFlip, join guest host, Kristi Ross Co-CEO and President of tastytrade, Inc., to discuss the creation and development of CoinFlip. Tune in to learn more about how CoinFlip became one of the fastest growing companies, the competition in the cryptocurrency world, and advice they have for entrepreneurs in today’s day and age.  
1:00 – Daniel and Ben discuss how they met in high school and their ideas behind the company 
6:24 – Ben shares his thoughts on having Co Founders in his company  
7:50 – Daniel discusses the inception of the company and how it took off 
11:30 – CoinFlip’s biggest hurdles 
12:55 – Ben shares the ideas behind Trade Desk  
17:37 – Ben discusses how CoinFlip stands out from the competition 
21:36 – The future of crypto 
25:50 – CoinFlip’s commitment to sustainability  
29:15 – CoinFlip’s “secret sauce”  
31:52 – Daniel discusses opportunities in Chicago  
34:30 – Ben and Daniel share their proudest accomplishment 
38:56 – The biggest takeaways from building this company  
41:27 – Daniel shares his advice he would give to college students 
49:04 – How Daniel and Ben would describe each other in 3 words 
50:23 – Coinflip’s plans for international business  
Episode link: CoinFlip
Guest Host: Kristi Ross, Co-CEO and President, tastytrade, Inc.
Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives’ Club of Chicago
Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher 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

Episode 028 – Kenneth C. Frazier, Executive Chairman & Former CEO, Merck & Co.
On this episode of the Executives’ Exchange, Kenneth C. Frazier, Executive Chairman and former CEO of Merck is joined by Margaret Mueller, the Executives’ Club of Chicago’s President & CEO. Frazier discusses his experiences working as a lawyer and activist and how it defined him as a leader. Tune in to hear how his values play out in his successful career. 
 
01:17 – Kenneth discusses his upbringing in Philadelphia and how it has defined him as a leader
02:52 – Kenneth describes his first job & segregation 
04:52 – How powerful advocacy work at the start of his career shaped Kenneth’s leadership as a CEO
10:17 – Kenneth discusses his ambition to become CEO as a general counsel & what people saw in him that he did not see in himself
14:43 – How one can embody their employee’s values, goals and ambitions. 
15:50 – A company’s “soul” & how Kenneth found Merck’s soul as CEO
18:00 – Kenneth discusses Covid-19, Merck’s development of a new oral drug, and the global impact it may have
24:32 – How Kenneth’s values translated to his company’s work and vision
28:01 – Kenneth discusses his position on the President’s business council 
31:48 – Kenneth discusses company’s positions and progress on racial and social justice in this country 
36:17 – Kenneth discusses his transition to chairman at Merck & and what he brings to the table 
 
Episode Link: Merck 
 
Host: Margaret Mueller, CEO & President, The Executives’ Club of Chicago
Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives’ Club of Chicago
 
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 

On this episode of the Executives’ Exchange, Mark Hoplamazian, President & CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, and Robert Isom, CEO of American Airlines sit down with guest host, Phil LeBeau of CNBC. Tune in to hear about the ramifications of inflation on the travel industry, the return of both business and leisure travel, and the importance of human connection in the workplace. This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience on May 11, 2022.
 
02:00 – Mark and Robert discuss the current rate of inflation & macro-economics 
05:30 – Fuel, airline tickets, and business travel
10:16 – Mark and Robert discuss the state of the return to office movement in corporate America  
15:10 – How has the pandemic changed how you define your customer?
18:30 – Mark weighs in on Chicago’s importance to American Airlines and Hyatt 
22:40 – How will our current economic situation compare to previous times?
28:20 – The future of loyalty programs & sustainable businesses
 
Episode links: American Airlines | Hyatt Hotels
 
Host: Phil LeBeau, Auto and Airline Industry Reporter, CNBC
Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives’ Club of Chicago

On this episode of the Executives’ Exchange, Chandra Brown, CEO of MxD, joins Margaret Mueller, The Executives’ Club of Chicago’s President & CEO to discuss her experiences as a female who has been a leader and transformer in the supply chain and manufacturing sectors. Tune in to hear about Chandra’s lessons learned moving through her career, including during her tenure as the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Manufacturing, reshoring opportunities for those in manufacturing, and increasing diversity in the field.
 
0:45 - Introductions
1:40 – Chandra shares about her early life and growing up in a family of tradespeople

4:58 – Chandra discusses a potential shift of focus to trades and the concept of continuous learning

7:01 – Chandra discusses the best advice her parents gave her

7:44 – Chandra discusses her impactful post-college move to Oregon and the impacts it had on her life and leadership style

10:46 – Chandra describes the two companies that helped define her and set her on her path in manufacturing: Oregon Iron Works and United Streetcar

14:10 – Lessons learned from and experience of being appointed by President Obama to Deputy Assistant Secretary of Manufacturing

25:20 – Chandra describes the creation of MxD

27:17 – How MxD is impacting American manufacturing

29:13 – The inevitablity of reshoring

32:16 – Discussing “Made in America”

34:15 – The biggest challenges for reshoring

36:15 – Chandra discusses environmental concerns

37:28 – Comparing being a woman in tech then and now

39:04 – Questions to ask about diversity in tech

40:30 – Diversity in tech: you can’t fix it unless you measure it

42:28 – Chandra discusses wanting to see more women in positions of power

44:10 – How other people can learn the lessons Chandra has

45:22 -- “The kitchen cabinet” -- surrounding yourself with a diverse group of people

47:35 – Chandra discusses her love of fantasy novels

48:27 – Discussing Chandra’s retirement from role with MxD

49:00 – Knowing when it is time to move on

51:55 – Discussing empathy and new leaders

53:45 – Chandra’s plan for life after stepping down

56:35 – Parting words for the Chicago business community
 
Episode Link: https://www.mxdusa.org/
 
Host: Margaret Mueller, CEO & President, The Executives’ Club of Chicago
Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives’ Club of Chicago
 
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
 

On this episode of the Executives' Exchange, Garry Cooper, Rheaply's Chief Executive Officer and co-founder, joins Amanda Lannert, Chief Executive Officer of Jellyvision. Tune in to hear Garry and Amanda discuss innovation, the transformation of Chicago’s tech sector, and how Rheaply thinks about bottom-line spending and waste in their day-to-day operations.
00:55 – Introductions
2:02—Garry shares career path and guides North Star
4:09—Garry describes the influential person in his life and the role of education in his upbringing
6:45—Rheaply helping companies attain net-zero through technology
9:00—Garry discusses Rheaply’s evolutionary and revolutionary sell approach  to businesses
11:03—The key to success for pitching for funding
13:30—Amanda and Garry discuss measuring Rheaply’s impact and goal
15:55—Garry discusses Rheaply’s vision and goals and business structure
18:30—Holding companies accountable publicly on a green scale and the future repercussions of not scaling a circular economy
22:34—Garry discusses systems change needed for more cities to have a circular economy
27:00—The key to keeping customers engaged is being human
30:33—Garry provides tips for organizations to reduce waste
33:25—One concept to take away from this discussion & advice for influencers, not the leadership that wants to change within their company
35:18—Saying yes more to Chicago’s technology companies working to improve the world and being intentional in creating diverse boards in Chicago
37:14— The balance of work productivity, giving back, and personal time
38:41—Garry provides advice for younger self, recommended books, and ways to get involved with Rheaply
 
Guest Host: Amanda Lannert, CEO, Jellyvision
Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives’ Club of Chicago
Recommended Book: Speed & Scale by John Doerr
rheaply.com
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