Talks at GS

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

Yvonne Greenstreet, CEO of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, has over 25 years of biopharma experience and is a leader in RNA interference therapeutics. She discusses the transformative power of RNAi technology and highlights the approval of six new medicines in just six years. Greenstreet shares her vision for biotech, emphasizing a patient-focused, teamwork-oriented culture and the importance of diversity in leadership. She also reflects on her career journey, emphasizing mentorship’s role in developing future leaders and fostering innovation in the industry.

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

Carl Nassib spent seven years in the NFL as a linebacker for the Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Las Vegas Raiders. In this Talks conversation with Susie Scher, senior advisor in the Financing Group within Goldman Sachs Global Banking & Markets, Nassib discusses his journey from Penn State walk-on to captain of the Buccs. After leaving the NFL, Nassib founded Rayze, an app that connects non-profits to volunteers and donors. He explains his vision for modernizing the philanthropy industry, and also discusses the response he received when he made history as the first openly gay active player in the NFL, and his recent work with The Trevor Project, an organization focused on supporting LGBTQ+ youth.This episode was recorded on November 19, 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices