Brilliant People Podcast

Tiffany Lopinsky, alongside fellow co-founders Harry Rein and Chris Tinsley, set out to change the influencer marketing space in 2020. Their vision: craft a revolutionary tool for the creator economy – ShopMy.Already, they have grown its network to over 40,000 creators and 300 brand partners, signing on renowned beauty brands like Tatcha, Dior, and Elemis and retailers like Nordstrom, Nike, and Lululemon. Recently, they secured $18.5 million in funding, which they are now using to innovate product features, attract even more brands to the platform, and build the team to support its strategic investments.

Ben Gaw embraces the chance to address complex challenges head on, approaching them with passion, grit, and determination. His pursuit of unleashing organizational potential is fueled by a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of leadership and operational excellence. This conviction is the cornerstone of his distinguished career in the private equity industry.

Daniel Perry is an energized revenue leader who, time and again, has been the driving force for scaling companies and delivering successful exits. The challenges he tackles are as varied as his approaches to solving them, whether collaborating with portfolio companies to dramatically scale their productivity, provide capacity to their go-to market teams, or help accelerate revenue growth.

Jason Ojalvo has a knack for spotting trends that others don’t see, and a willingness to bet big on those beliefs, often swimming against the tide. That lens has shaped his 25 years as a leader, all focused on digital entertainment and disruptive innovation.

Russell Findlay, a distinguished marketing leader, has shaped some of the most identifiable brands over the last three decades, Major League Soccer, IHOP, and PepsiCo among them. Unlike most, his success traverses sectors. He’s left an imprint on industries as diverse as CPG, food & beverage, sports & entertainment, and financial services. While there’s no “one-size-fits-all” answer as to how Russell has repeatedly scaled billion dollar brands, his commitment to nurturing the next generation of marketeers is a prevailing theme.

Jeff Sloan has risen through the ranks and the worlds of fintech, private equity, and investment banking. In his role as CEO of Global Payments, these experiences led Jeff to get on the radar as one of the most innovative leaders in the fintech space. He led the company through a remarkable transformation from conventional payment enterprise into a global technology trailblazer.

Marc Jourlait is passionate about taking broken things and making them whole again. A serial CEO and private equity operator, his career weaves a compelling narrative of transforming shattered ambitions into resounding success stories, reigniting both performance and pride in people.

Jack Callison, CEO of Sunrise Senior Living, is leading the evolution of the senior living industry by championing the cross-section between personalized health care and hospitality.Jack joined the Brilliant People Podcast on Episode 3 for a conversation on how he made this possible with Rick DeRose, co-founder and managing partner at Acertitude. Read on for Jack’s mission behind transforming the organization, his lessons for building resilience during sudden disruption, and his scorecard for successful executive leadership teams.For more leadership insights, follow us on Instagram @Acertitude and visit us at Acertitude.com. Questions or comments? Want to be featured on the show? Email Stephanie Giunta, Marketing Director, at sgiunta@acertitude.com.

Chris Quinn, CEO of iDesign, is in an enviable spot. When the average American has an estimated four of your company’s products in their household — even if they don’t realize it — it’s fair to say your brand is successful. Chris helped iDesign reach that ubiquitous level and emerge as a dynamic leader in the global housewares and organizational products market in more than 100 countries.He joined Acertitude’s Brilliant People Podcast on Episode 2 for a conversation with Partner Geoff Votta, who leads board and C-suite searches for the firm’s consumer practice. Here, Chris reveals the strategies he uses to drive record-breaking growth; the qualities he seeks in high-performing team members; and where he draws inspiration as a leader.For more leadership insights, follow us on Instagram @Acertitude and visit us at Acertitude.com. Questions or comments? Want to be featured on the show? Email Linnea Jungnelius, VP, Marketing & Strategy, at linnea@acertitude.com.

What does it take to lead with care in times of crisis, and why does it make for better leaders, teams, and lives?In Episode 1, host Kevin O’Neill sits down with Dr. Drew Pinsky — physician, addiction medicine specialist, and globally recognized media personality — to explore the intersection of medicine, media, and leadership. Known to millions as “Dr. Drew,” he’s built a career devoted to helping people live better lives, from treating patients on the front lines of the AIDS epidemic to breaking new ground in public health education through radio, television, and digital media.With decades of experience guiding people through their toughest moments, Dr. Drew shares hard-won lessons about compassion, mental health, and what it really means to show up for others — and yourself. For executives, entrepreneurs, and anyone navigating leadership under pressure, this conversation offers powerful insights on resilience, recovery, and the human side of success.What You’ll Learn:• Why the most powerful word in leadership is “care” — and what it truly looks like in practice• How to maintain empathy and boundaries to prevent burnout• The three essential steps to recovery and sustainable change: decide, do the work, build habits• How leaders can protect their own and others’ mental health in high-stakes environments• Why optimism, presence, and service are the foundation of meaningful leadershipResources:Dr. Drew Pinsky:Website: ⁠https://drdrew.com/Kevin O’Neill:LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinroneill/Explore the Podcast:Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/66BFkYKJZR0GNb7gWK3p6SApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brilliant-people-podcast/id1582636185Blog: https://www.acertitude.com/insights/dr-drew-caring-makes-for-better-leaders-and-better-livingFound Value?👍 Tap Like. And Subscribe: ⁠https://acertitu.de/rate-brilliant-people-podcast⁠Stay Updated on Acertitude:LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/acertitude⁠X: ⁠https://www.x.com/acertitude⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/acertitude⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/brilliantpeoplepod⁠Website: ⁠https://www.acertitude.com⁠