DealBook Summit The New Rules for Leadership
Dec 8, 2025
In this insightful discussion, PayPal's Alex Chriss delves into enabling small-business resilience through digital payments. Land O'Lakes' Beth Ford shares her mission to uplift rural America and strengthen community ties. Bob Jordan from Southwest Airlines emphasizes an employee-first culture, while Ynon Kreiz of Mattel highlights the emotional impact of brand evolution. GSK's Emma Walmsley discusses innovation in healthcare R&D, and Nordstrom's Pete Nordstrom stresses staying relevant with a customer-centric approach. The leaders also tackle the integration of AI and the challenges posed by global competition.
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Episode notes
Farms As Intimate National Assets
- Beth Ford emphasizes the intimacy and responsibility of a farmer-owned cooperative model that connects directly with rural communities.
- She argues food-system resilience deserves national-security-level investment to protect family farms and rural life.
A Loan That Saved A Family Business
- Alex Chriss told the story of a North Carolina family shoemaker hit by a hurricane who regained footing with a PayPal loan.
- He uses that example to show PayPal's mission to keep small businesses solvent and local jobs intact.
Toys Are Timeless IP Businesses
- Ynon Kreiz frames Mattel as an IP company that must keep brands culturally relevant across generations.
- He links timeless play to modern franchise growth in film, parks, and digital games.
