Stanford GSB: View From The Top

Ken Griffin, Founder and CEO of Citadel, shares insights from his journey as the head of the most profitable hedge fund ever, starting from his Harvard dorm room. He emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurship and sales skills, asserting that true growth requires a continuous learning mindset. Griffin discusses the evolution of finance with AI and high-frequency trading, while advocating for resilience and teamwork in volatile markets. He delves into the transformative nature of mentorship, highlighting its critical role in personal and professional development.

Aravind Srinivas, CEO and co-founder of Perplexity, an AI search engine aiming to democratize knowledge, shares his insights on navigating a late-stage startup. He discusses the importance of ethical AI, innovative monetization strategies, and maintaining unbiased answers despite advertising. Srinivas emphasizes his vision for technology that enhances productivity and transforms lives. He also reflects on cultural influences from his background in Chennai, the significance of team diversity, and the evolution of leadership in the fast-paced tech landscape.

Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of AMD, discusses her journey from a Taiwanese immigrant to a tech industry leader. She emphasizes lifelong learning as key to her success. Su explores AMD's shift to an industry powerhouse and the importance of fostering a collaborative culture. The conversation covers the revolutionary impact of AI, contrasting AMD's open-source strategy with competitors. She also addresses the resilience needed in the semiconductor supply chain and reflects on the balance between startups and established corporations in shaping future careers.

Doug McMillon, President and CEO of Walmart, whose journey began unloading trucks, shares his insights on leading one of the world's largest companies. He emphasizes the importance of trust, speed, and culture in today's retail landscape. McMillon reflects on a career-defining product launch mishap and lessons learned during the COVID pandemic. He discusses Walmart's commitment to sustainability and innovation, including integrating technology for enhanced customer experience and preparing the company for the future.

For more than a decade, Darren Walker has led the Ford Foundation — and has been singularly focused on inequality. Why? “Because I want little boys and girls, wherever they are, if they're living in housing projects in the Bronx and they're Black or brown or they're living in rural towns that have been ravaged by opioids, I want them to be able to dream, and to feel as I did, that America wants you to succeed,” he says.  On this episode of View From The Top: The Podcast, Walker joins Kailash Sundaram, MBA ’25, to discuss his approach to grantmaking, why character trumps credentials, and what philanthropy can do — and what it can’t.From actionable insights — “start with a clear vision, mission, and strategy” — to the how of making big career pivots before the golden handcuffs tighten, Walker shares what he’s learned about identifying your purpose, leading without losing yourself, and carrying humility into every room you enter.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leena Nair doesn’t just talk about leadership — she redefines it. In a wide-ranging conversation with Ayesha Karnik, MBA ’25, Nair reflects on her journey from a factory floor in India to the corporate office in London, and ultimately, to Chanel’s C-suite.  With humor and heart, Nair describes how she approaches leading a global luxury brand, shares insights about risk and resilience, and explains what it means to “lift as you climb.”See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Roelof Botha, leader of Sequoia Capital and Stanford GSB alum, shares his remarkable journey from South Africa to Silicon Valley. He discusses the influence of mentors and the value of continuous growth in life and business. Personal stories reveal his lessons on ambition and the immigrant experience in entrepreneurship. Botha also emphasizes the importance of philanthropic efforts within the Stanford community and the mindset shifts required for making bold career decisions. Ultimately, he reflects on legacy and the balance between personal success and making a meaningful impact on others.

Hemant Taneja, managing partner and CEO of General Catalyst, shares his journey from a low-income household in Delhi to a venture capital leader. He emphasizes the vital balance between profit and purpose, especially in sectors like healthcare and AI. Taneja discusses the importance of responsible innovation and collaboration with policymakers. He also highlights the evolving role of venture capital in fostering transformative companies and the need for strategic approaches to new technologies. Personal reflections and insights on leadership complete the engaging conversation.

1,216. That’s the total number of NCAA games won by Tara VanDerveer, making her the all-time winning coach in college basketball history. In addition to coaching for 38 years at Stanford, she led the U.S. Women’s team to Olympic gold in 1996 – finishing with a flawless 16-0 record. “Coaching is teaching. It’s really trying to help people go to places they can’t go themselves,” says VanDerveer. “There’s nothing more rewarding than a great team.”It’s hard to believe that the legendary coach was once barred from playing herself. In the seventh grade, VanDerveer was her school basketball team’s mascot. By the time she was in ninth grade, she still wasn’t allowed to play – even though the coach told her she was the best among both the boys and girls. Since then, the iconic trailblazer for women in sports has changed the game. In this episode of the View From The Top podcast hosted by Shannon Beckham, MBA ’24, VanDerveer shares moments from her legendary career and reflects on what it means to be a great teammate – on and off the court. Stanford GSB’s View From The Top is the dean’s premier speaker series. It launched in 1978 and is supported in part by the F. Kirk Brennan Speaker Series Fund.During student-led interviews and before a live audience, leaders from around the world share insights on effective leadership, their personal core values, and lessons learned throughout their career.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“It wasn’t luck. I worked every single second of the day – I was obsessed with it. I wanted independence for myself, for my family, and I didn’t want to go back to Jacksonville.”In 2022, Daniella Pierson was named the youngest, wealthiest, self-made BIPOC woman in the world by Forbes. The 28-year-old grew her first company, The Newsette, to a $200 million dollar valuation without taking on a single investor. As a one-woman operation, she advertised through word of mouth and ran the company from her college dorm room.She wasn’t just working against a full college course load. Pierson also battled OCD and ADHD diagnoses. Her mental health experiences would help inspire the mental fitness startup Wondermind, confounded with Selena Gomez in 2022. Two years later, Pierson is already onto her next project: Breadwinner, a financial literacy brand dedicated to helping young visionaries turn their barriers into building blocks. In this View From The Top interview, Pierson sits down with Zach Doherty, MBA ’24, to discuss her entrepreneurial journey, work life balance, and what’s next for Breadwinner. “This is my ecosystem of everything that I have proven in my story. None of my businesses have ever been me first.”Stanford GSB’s View From The Top is the dean’s premier speaker series. It launched in 1978 and is supported in part by the F. Kirk Brennan Speaker Series Fund.During student-led interviews and before a live audience, leaders from around the world share insights on effective leadership, their personal core values, and lessons learned throughout their career.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.