Talks at GS

Seth Klarman, CEO and portfolio manager of The Baupost Group, is a prominent figure in value investing, celebrated for his focus on downside protection. He shares insights on how his investment philosophy adapts to today’s market dynamics and the importance of patience and risk management. Klarman also addresses vulnerabilities in the credit market amid rising interest rates and discusses the value of psychological resilience in leadership during volatile times. His commitment to philanthropy and lifelong learning underscores a holistic approach to success.

Jim VandeHei, founder of Axios and Politico, shares his journey in shaping modern media companies. He discusses the innovative 'smart brevity' approach that Axios adopted to stand out in a saturated market. VandeHei highlights the importance of company culture and relationships in nurturing talent and sustaining success. He also addresses the revitalization of local journalism and its crucial role in democracy. Additionally, he offers insights from his new book on communication and personal growth, emphasizing mentorship and navigating today's media challenges.

Nelly Korda is a world number 1 professional golfer and Olympic gold medalist, who has had 19 professional wins since she went pro in 2016. In this Talks at GS with Goldman Sachs chairman and CEO David Solomon, she discusses her journey from a family of athletes to her professional career, the importance of passion, and the mental and physical challenges of playing golf professionally. Nelly also shared her insights on the future of women’s golf and how her evolving technical skills have allowed her to stay on top. This episode was recorded on May 12, 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals has pioneered RNA interference therapeutics, or RNAi. This groundbreaking technology has increased the company’s success rates of bringing medicines through the clinical pipeline—leading to the approval and launch of six new medicines in just six years. Their CEO Dr. Yvonne Greenstreet spoke with Jerry Lee, head of biopharma banking in the global healthcare group, about the applications of Alnylam’s Nobel Prize-winning RNAi technology, her vision for the future of biotech, and the importance of a patient-focused and teamwork-oriented culture. Dr. Greenstreet also discussed her career journey and leadership philosophy —as one of the only women of color leading a major pharmaceutical company. This episode was recorded on April 23, 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Raj Chetty, a leading economist and director of Opportunity Insights at Harvard, dives into the complex factors influencing economic mobility in America. He highlights how big data can uncover disparities in opportunities and the impact of socio-economic backgrounds on a child's success. Chetty discusses innovative solutions to bridge the opportunity gap, the role of social capital, and the need for reevaluating traditional education paths. He also examines local initiatives in places like Charlotte that are fostering meaningful change despite systemic challenges.

From being the first non-founding employee of Skype to co-founding international money transfer platform Wise, Taavet Hinrikus has been at the center of Europe’s technology ecosystem. Today at early-stage VC Plural, he focuses on funding European tech startups and supporting the next generation of founders. He spoke about the impacts of early exits, the importance of backing mission-driven entrepreneurs, and his optimism for Europe’s tech landscape with Clif Marriott, Goldman Sachs co-head of the Technology, Media and Telecommunications Group in EMEA. The conversation was filmed at Goldman Sachs’ Disruptive Technology Symposium in London on March 5, 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adena Friedman, Chair and CEO of Nasdaq, has expanded Nasdaq from an exchange operator to a global technology and insights platform. She spoke with Goldman Sachs COO and President John Waldron about how Nasdaq is utilizing AI and cloud technology to drive financial innovation, as well as the company’s vision for making public markets more attractive to companies. This episode was recorded on April 7, 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Friar, CFO of OpenAI and former head of tech equity research at Goldman Sachs, shares insights on the race to artificial general intelligence. She reflects on her journey in the tech world and the pressing need for significant investments in AI and data infrastructure. The conversation reveals how AI is set to transform industries, including healthcare with personalized medicine, and emphasizes the critical role of leadership in embracing these technologies. Friar also discusses the importance of financial backing in fostering innovation and competitiveness.

Yasmin Green is the CEO of Jigsaw, the unit at Google that builds technology aimed at protecting open societies. She joined Goldman Sachs’ Sharmin Mossavar-Rahmani, head of the Investment Strategy Group and chief investment officer of Wealth Management, to share Jigsaw’s mission and the innovative tools they are building to harness AI for constructive communication. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Richard Buery is the CEO of Robin Hood, New York City’s largest poverty-fighting philanthropy. Since its founding in 1988, Robin Hood has invested more than $3 billion dollars in the fight against poverty. In this Talks at GS with Tony Pasquariello, global head of hedge fund coverage for Global Banking & Markets, co-head of One Goldman Sachs, and Robin Hood board member, Buery discusses the critical role of early childhood education, mental health, and public-private partnerships in creating lasting change, and how innovative approaches, including AI, are reshaping anti-poverty efforts. This episode was recorded on February 26, 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices