Talks at GS

Pieter van der Does, co-founder and co-CEO of Adyen, a payments fintech scaling global merchant payments. He shares Adyen’s origin story and why they built every layer in-house. Listens about engineering-led culture and hiring standards. Discusses AI in authorizations, fraud, KYC, and trends like shopper identity, omnichannel and least-cost routing.

Stephen Ellsworth, co-founder who built Poppi’s flavors and operations, and Allison Ellsworth, co-founder who shaped the brand from farmers markets to national fame. They trace a kitchen experiment into a digital-first, culture-driven beverage success. Topics include flavor obsession, rapid scaling via Amazon and TikTok, a surprise Super Bowl ad, and preparing Poppi for a strategic sale.

Marc Tessier-Lavigne, neuroscientist and CEO of Xaira Therapeutics, who shifted from academia to biotech leadership, discusses using AI to design therapeutics for previously undruggable targets. He covers combining AI with high-throughput biology, speeding discovery from lab to clinic, and balancing rapid computational advances with slower biological validation.

Edward Norton, acclaimed actor and filmmaker turned serial entrepreneur and philanthropist. He compares filmmaking to building companies. He discusses founding CrowdRise, modernizing board workflows with Zek, and why he never starts a company solo. He explains trade-offs between standalone businesses and M&A and how storytelling shapes leadership and team-building.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, leads the country’s foreign policy and Vision 2030 economic plan. He discusses Qatar’s mediation role and why engagement can secure stability. He outlines how stability fuels Qatar’s rise as an LNG exporter and investor. He highlights investments in education and the sovereign fund’s role in building national champions.

Anastasia Soare, the visionary Founder and CEO of Anastasia Beverly Hills, shares her inspiring immigrant journey from Romania to building a billion-dollar beauty brand. She reveals how her early family values shaped her resilience and business skills. Discover her pivotal moments, like persuading a landlord for a salon in Beverly Hills and breaking into retail with Nordstrom. Anastasia also discusses her unique approach to eyebrow shaping and the power of client relationships. Plus, learn about her commitment to philanthropy and inspiring future beauty professionals.

John Paul DeJoria, co-founder of John Paul Mitchell Systems and Patrón Spirits, shares insights on his inspiring journey from homelessness to billionaire entrepreneur. He discusses how his mother's teachings on kindness shaped his leadership style and how the Navy instilled teamwork principles in him. John recounts the grit learned from door-to-door sales and the creative strategies he used to launch his beauty brand with just $700. With a focus on impactful philanthropy, he highlights his commitment to fighting homelessness and food insecurity.

Pete Stavros, Co-Head of Global Private Equity at KKR and founder of Ownership Works, shares insights on KKR's transformation into a $500 billion powerhouse. He discusses navigating market cycles, expanding into infrastructure, and the competitive advantages cultivated through a collaborative culture. Stavros highlights his passion for employee ownership, driven by personal experiences, and outlines how Ownership Works aims to improve worker outcomes and reduce turnover. Exciting plans for policy initiatives and CEO engagement mark the future of employee ownership.

Brian Armstrong, Co-founder and CEO of Coinbase, shares insights on the evolution of one of the leading digital asset exchanges. He reveals his journey from early Bitcoin meetups to the vast array of products Coinbase now offers. Armstrong discusses the future of on-chain financial services and the integration of decentralized trading. He highlights exciting trends like tokenized stocks and automated payments using AI. Lastly, he emphasizes the importance of regulatory advocacy for fostering a thriving crypto economy.

Adam Foroughi, co-founder and CEO of AppLovin, shares his inspiring journey from fleeing Iran to leading a mobile tech powerhouse. He discusses crucial lessons learned during AppLovin's tumultuous IPO, emphasizing the importance of operational efficiency and maintaining a lean team of top performers. Foroughi reveals how the company leverages AI for enhanced ad compliance and efficiency. He also expresses admiration for Elon Musk's innovative execution, highlighting the relentless pursuit of improvement in the competitive tech landscape.