Welcome to the Arena from ICR – Conversations with Today's Innovators & Business Leaders

This week we're re-sharing a really fun interview from back in April, with the unstoppable Sarah-Marie Martin.It's pretty inspiring to hear from people who climb huge heights, and then go looking for even bigger challenges. And that's exactly what today's guest did. On this episode we're sitting down with Sarah-Marie Martin, who joined Uber in 2022 as Head of M&A Investor Relations and Capital Markets, after a successful 25-year career in investment banking. At Uber, Sarah-Marie helps optimize and finance Uber's portfolio of businesses. Before joining Uber, she was the first CFO of Yumi, a digitally native, organic children's food company. Previously, in her time as an investment banking Sarah-Marie was a partner at Goldman Sachs, and also worked at Credit Suisse for 20 years. In the early days of her career, Sarah-Marie worked in the high-yield and equity capital markets groups, as well as Latin American corporate finance. She earned a BA from Stanford in Quantitative Economics, graduating with distinction. And she got her MBA from Columbia Business School, where she was valedictorian of her class.Sarah-Marie serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of The Door, an organization that empowers disconnected youth in New York City. She's a board member of Easy Point, a pre-IPO shipping software company. And in her spare time, she's the mom of five kids. We had a great conversation about her fascinating career, and the exciting direction that Uber is headed.Highlights:Sarah-Marie's education, how she got into investment banking, and what led her to Goldman-Sachs (3:05)What it was like being a woman in such a male-dominated field (6:25)Why Sarah-Marie decided to pivot after 25 years in banking (8:21)What the transition was like going from banking to Yummi (10:50)How she ended up at Uber (12:46)Sarah-Marie's priorities (14:16)Sarah-Marie talks about Uber's situation when she joined (15:51)What Uber's focus is right now (17:00)Diversity and inclusion at Uber (19:26)Sarah-Marie's experience at the World Economic Forum in January 2023 (22:05)Corporate employees driving for Uber (24:25)Tips for getting your Uber rating up (25:54)Sarah-Maries top product recommendations for Uber (26:53)How Sarah-Marie balances her career with having 5 children (27:33)Links:ICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteSarah Marine-Martin on LinkedInUber on LinkedInUber WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

When it comes to high-stakes strategising for businesses undergoing challenging shifts, the incredible value of legal training mixed with communications expertise can't be overstated. Today's guests know all about that.On this episode, we welcome two of ICR's finest, Joan Vollero and Lee Pacchia. Joan and Lee are both Managing Directors in ICR's Special Situations practice group.Joan advises companies and individuals on a wide range of matters relating to crisis and litigation. For more than 11 years, she ran communications and external affairs for the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, where she served as the Director of Communications and a Senior advisor to Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. Earlier in her career, Joan worked as a journalist at New York One News. She's a graduate of Tufts University and received her masters from the Med Hills School of Journalism in Northwestern University. Lee is also in ICR's Special Situations practice, where he works on a range of corporate crisis matters with a focus on advising, financially distressed businesses, exploring strategic alternatives, restructuring, or chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.Previously, Lee served as a Senior Executive at a boutique restructuring advisory firm, providing financial, operational and communications advisory services to companies in crisis, restructurings, or bankruptcy. After completing his Law Degree at New York Law School, Lee clerked for the US Bankruptcy Court, before joining Bloomberg as a journalist covering bankruptcy in the legal industry.Highlights:How Joan was introduced to litigation communications (3:03)Cases and matters Joan handled during her time at the Manhattan DA Office (3:41)Common mistakes made by companies involved in high-profile court cases (4:23)Lee's previous work and how it led him to his current consultation position (5:45)Self-awareness and denial when creating internal solutions for management teams (8:15)How management teams can be prepared, and what internal functions need to be concerned about (9:51)Scenarios when management teams need experts like Joan and Lee for guidance (10:56)Misconceptions about the term bankruptcy, and what it means for a business (13:03)What has stayed the same, and what has changed in the litigation world in recent years (14:27)How Joan approaches sensitive situations when management teams are experiencing turbulent litigation situations (15:08)How ICR's array of clients attracted Joan to her position (17:14)Recent interesting developments, and working with management teams in the emerging technology space (19:24)A recent public case that Joan would have liked to litigate (21:15)A recent public case that Lee would have liked to litigate (22:25)Links:ICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteLee Pacchia on LinkedInJoan Vollero on LinkedInFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

In the developing post-pandemic landscape, the discussion of a possible recession has been the latest ongoing hot topic, leaving businesses in a difficult position for decision-making. Today’s guest is sharing his expansive career knowledge to inform businesses about the reality of the current market. We're sitting down with my only two-time guest, Gregg Nabhan. If you tuned in to the first episode with Gregg, you'll remember that he's Chairman of America's Equity Capital Markets for Bank of America, as well as Managing Director of the Consumer and Retail Team.Gregg is responsible for the origination, IPO valuation, structuring, book-building, price discovery, allocation trading, and aftermarket performance of the equity transactions. He has 35-plus years of experience on Wall Street, and during the last 20 of those years, Gregg has led over 400 transactions raising over 265 billion dollars for companies around the world including 115 IPOs.Prior to joining B of A in June of 2008, Gregg worked at Morgan Stanley for 13 years where he was an MD in their equity capital markets group. On this week's episode, we talked about the reality of the current economic market. Highlights:A brief overview of the current economic market (2:44)How Gregg sees the current economic landscape, and its rate of potential risk (3:40)Gregg breaks down how to understand the perspective of market fluctuation and trends (5:02)Current events affecting the economy, and economist predictions (7:16)Understanding the context of the current IPO market (8:38)Areas of focus for management teams maneuvering the economic climate (10:24)Industries of focus for investors looking to put their money to work (12:42)Analyzing past IPO market trends and predicting the potential future of the space (13:53)What made an investment like Kenvue so successful for investors? (15:37)Insight on dividends and buybacks (17:55)Techniques that issuers are using to navigate the current market (18:55)Adjusting focus from daily changes to long-term planning (21:55)Gregg's biggest piece of advice to listeners and investors (23:34)Links:ICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteGregg's first WTTA episodeBank of America on LinkedInBank of America WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Solving today's huge environmental problems takes creativity and innovation, but it also requires businesses to build strong industry partnerships. Today's guest is doing just that. We're sitting down with Vijay Manthripragada, President, CEO and Board Member of Montrose Environmental Group, which trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol, M E G. Vijay brings significant leadership in management experience to the company. Previously, he was the CEO of PetCareRX, a high-growth e-commerce company in the pet health industry. Prior to that, Vijay was in investment banking at Goldman Sachs, and was also a director at The Advisory Board Company and a member of Johnson & Johnson's management development program. He received his MBA from Wharton and his BS from Duke and Oxford.In this episode we talk about Montrose's mission to protect the environment with ground-breaking technology.Highlights:Vijay explains Montrose's business, and his family's connection to environmental work (2:38)How Vijay went from finance to the environment (3:57)The market and the competition for Montrose is in (5:06)Montrose's strategy with integrating with other service providers (6:40)Who are Montrose's clients? (7:41)R & D at Montrose (8:11)Vijay talks about Montrose's work in greenhouse gas mitigation (9:35)How politics have impacted the business (11:01)The Inflation Reduction Act's new standards (12:37)Montrose's financial position since going public (13:45)Montrose's portfolio and what Vijay sees as holding promise in the future (14:52)Creating value with non-organic growth (15:57)Montrose's current balance sheet (17:04)What Vijay hopes he could see in the industry in the next 5 years (17:49)Vijay's ideal vacation (18:30)Vijay's favourite musicians/music (19:50)What investors might miss about Montrose (21:03)Links:ICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteVijay Manthripragada on LinkedInMontrose Environmental Group on LinkedInMontrose Environmental Group WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

A great thinker once said "what is right is not always popular and what is popular is not always right." Our guest on this episode has built his legacy on difficult, but hugely influential decision-making.We're joined by Cyrus Vance Jr., best known for serving as New York County's top law enforcement officer for 12 years. As Manhattan District Attorney, he oversaw everything from white-collar fraud to cybercrime, human-trafficking, and even cold-case homicides. He's now a partner at global law firm, Baker Mackenzie, where he wears three hats, sitting in its litigation and government enforcement and global investigations and compliance groups, all while serving as Global Chair of the Cybersecurity Practice. After graduating from Yale University and earning his JD from Georgetown Law Center, Cy entered his first stint in public service as an Assistant District Attorney in the office that he was later elected to lead. His career has taken him everywhere from Africa to the Pacific Northwest, and we're very fortunate to have him as a guest. Highlights:Cyrus describes his background and journey to the Manhattan DA Office(2:58)Cyrus' father's influence on his career (4:42)What it's like to run for office, and learning how to operate in the public eye (6:02)Returning to work in the office: what was the same and what was different (7:39)The benefits and problems of working with large amounts of money (11:10)Developments in anti-corruption legislation, and heightening pressure on white-collar crime (15:06)Cyrus on if he regrets leaving office amongst the current prosecution of President Trump (19:31)What Cyrus learned from a business standpoint about managing a large team at the Manhattan DA Office (20:55)Cyrus' current goals as head of cybersecurity at Baker McKenzie (22:21)Cyrus discusses potentially writing a book in the future (24:16)Cyrus' hobbies and passion for motorcycles (26:57)What Cyrus would be doing if he didn't pursue a career in law (27:57)Links:ICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteCyrus Vance on LinkedInBaker McKenzie on LinkedInBaker McKenzie WebsiteManhattan DA Office WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Millions of Americans with medical conditions spend years waiting for breakthrough treatments. Today's guest is making extraordinary advances in cancer treatment to significantly improve outcomes.Today we're sitting down with Dr. Marc Hedrick, President and CEO at Plus Therapeutics whose stock trades under the symbol PSTV. Previously, Dr. Hedrick served in a number of executive leadership roles, including President, CEO and Director of Cytori Therapeutics, and President and CEO of STEM Source. He's a trained general vascular and plastic surgeon, and former Associate Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics at UCLA. He also served as co-Director of the Laboratory of Regenerative Bioengineering and Repair at UCLA. Dr. Hedrick received his MD from University of Texas Southwestern Medical School Dallas, and an MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA in 2005. We talked about his company's incredible new technology that is revolutionizing how some cancers can be treated. Highlights:Marc describes his background, and path to the medical field (2:52)How Plus Therapeutics approaches their work to change outcomes for debilitating diseases (3:34)How Plus Therapeutics targeted treatment differs from traditional radiotherapy (5:19)Marc breaks down how the company chooses what types of cancer to develop treatments for (6:11)How Plus Therapeutics is driving innovation (7:39)What treatments their distinctive drugs can be used for and how they work (9:44)Plus Therapeutics partnerships, and what the company looks for in a partner (12:16)How the company managed challenges through the COVID-19 pandemic (13:47)Competition in the CNS space, and the challenges Plus Therapeutics faced introducing a new treatment (15:18)Funding, and the company's unique capitalization strategy (16:33)The competitive landscape (18:32)Plus Therapeutics leadership team, and value of culture (20:16)Locational benefits, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Texas (21:42)Marc's predictions on the future of the radiotherapy industry (22:59)What investors might not understand about this company (24:42)Links:ICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteMarc Hedrick on LinkedInPlus Therapeutics on LinkedInPlus Therapeutics WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

When it comes to legacy industries, it's all too common for business processes to become embedded and stagnant, but with growing technological and environmental transformation across markets, there may be no choice but to change. Today's guests are teaming up to promote a technology that could drive that change with the potential to disrupt the mining industry.Today we're talking with John Dowd, CEO of GoGreen Investments and Chris Showalter, CEO of Life Zone Metals. GoGreen is a special-purpose acquisition company combining with Life Zone Holdings Limited in a go-public transaction set to list on the New York Stock Exchange in July under the symbol LZM. John has over 30 years of energy and commodity investing experience and has received six Lipper Awards for best risk-adjusted performance in in the energy sector. Previously, he researched energy companies for 11 years as a sell-side analyst. Needless to say, John has a deep understanding of what resonates with investors.Chris is the CEO of Lifezone Metals. He brings a corporate finance and merchant banking background to the Lifezone team and has extensive experience across Africa. In addition to capital markets and fundraising, Chris brings strong expertise, originating sourcing, and developing relationships across the continent.He held the role of director and partner at the Merchant Bank, Hanneman Partners in Zimbabwe, where he focused on African mining sector. Over six years in Zimbabwe he has developed specific, he has developed specific expertise in the platinum sector and advised a number of platinum mining companies prior to that. He spent nine years at Goldman Sachs where he held various roles in equity capital markets where where also ex, while also exploring opportunities for Goldman across Southern Africa. Highlights:John explains GoGreen's mission statement (3:16)How GoGreen approached the SPAC process (3:42)John explains the benefits of the SPAC structure (5:06)John describes what attracted GoGreen to Life Zone Metals (5:50)SPAC redemption rates, and the process of securing a partnership (7:37)Chris breaks down Life Zone Metals' work, and relationship to Africa (9:41)Chris compares traditional smelting practices to the benefits of Lifezone's Hydra-Met technology (12:10)Efficiency of Hydra-Met technology, versus traditional mining practices (14:23)What makes Kabanga nickel sustainable? (15:20)Chris describes the market in Africa, and why they companies work in the location (16:28)Tanzanian Nickel and its relation to the recent Inflation Reduction Act (18:47)Chris and John describes the total addressable market for their industry (20:35)Links:ICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteJohn Dowd on LinkedInChris Showalter on LinkedInGoGreen Investments on LinkedInLife Zone Metals on LinkedInGoGreen Investments WebsiteLife Zone Metals' WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Sometimes abstract thinking that can lead to real breakthroughs. The knowledge and innovative thinking of today's guests led to an life-changing solution to an ongoing 75-year puzzle. Today we sit down with David Katz and Robert Jacks; Chief Scientific Officer, and President & CEO, of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals, respectively. Sparrow has come up with a groundbreaking way to help patients who need steroid treatments. Robert was previously President & CEO of Indalo Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech company developing therapeutics for serious fibrotic diseases, and President, CFO, and Co-Founder of Symbiomix Therapeutics, which was sold after achieving NDA approval for Solosec®. Robert began his career in finance and product development at Pfizer, where he last worked as the Director of Business Development for Oncology and Infectious Diseases.Prior to Sparrow, David Katz was a pharmaceutical R&D leader at Abbott and AbbVie, where he led clinical development and drug discovery teams, and was a personalized medicine pioneer. David is dedicated to the mentorship of the next generation of life sciences entrepreneurs, currently as an entrepreneur-in-residence at Oregon Health & Science University. He has published over 50 peer-reviewed scientific papers.Highlights:David explains Sparrow's key focus, and they problem they are solving (2:49)How Sparrow planned for the economics of developing a new treatment (5:13)Robert explains why he jumped on board at Sparrow (7:21)David talks about his background, mentors, and interests in the field (8:36)David explains the 75-year puzzle of glucocorticoids (13:50)How Sparrow's SPI-62 treatment can change a patient's life, and how it's a novel approach (16:27)Sparrow’s current clinical trials (19:41)Sparrow's strategic partners (21:20)Why an investor would be attracted to Sparrow now (22:19)Managing being on 2 different coasts, and how they attract talent (23:18)The businesses/leaders that David admires (24:40)David talks about his passion for both art and science (25:58)Robert discusses Sparrow's unique value proposition (26:51)Links:ICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteRobert Jacks on LinkedInDavid Katz on LinkedInSparrow Pharmaceuticals on LinkedInSparrow Pharmaceuticals WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Building partnerships and investing strategically can be key in the growth of a business. However, for big corporations, and small start-ups, creating and managing a variety of partnerships can be challenging. Today's guest created his company to help ease that process.On this episode we're sitting down with David Horowitz, founder and CEO of Touchdown Ventures. Touchdown partners with leading corporations to manage their venture capital funds, and currently they partner with Kellogg T-Mobile, Amerisource Bergen, Olympus, and Erie Insurance, Masco and Colorcon just to name a few. Prior to starting touchdown, David was founding partner and managing director at Comcast Ventures for nearly 15 years. There he focused on investments in digital media, advertising, technology, digital home education, and financial technology. David also helped start and was partner at Gencast Ventures, a seed stage venture capital fund affiliated with Comcast Ventures.Prior to Comcast, David worked in investment banking at Bear Stearns. He started South Jersey Tech Collective and networking group of entrepreneurs and investors in South Jersey, and David is also the inventor of the board game 'Frequent Flyer', which we'll talk about later in the program. Highlights:David's previous work, and introduction to Touchdown Ventures (3:10)Market change and transitioning into corporate venture capital (4:33)Benefits of corporate venture capital investing (6:08)Common mistakes corporations make with investments (7:19)Pros and cons of venture capital partnerships (9:11)Industries investing in corporate venture capital (11:12)What makes a company an ideal partner for Touchdown Ventures (12:53)How Touchdown Ventures' model works, and success examples (14:03)Effects of the current market on investing and venture capital business (15:35)The company's future goals and trajectory (17:45)David's board game 'Frequent Flyer' (18:42)Links:ICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteDavid Horowitz on LinkedInTouchdown Ventures on LinkedInTouchdown Ventures WebsiteDavid's 'Frequent Flyer' board gameFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Making mistakes is a natural part of building every business, but leaving problems unresolved for too long can be costly. Today's guest is teaching business owners that huge success can come out of grand failures - if you’re paying attention. Today we're sitting down with Robert Irvine, a world-class chef and host of Food Network's hit show 'Restaurant: Impossible', where he takes two days and under $20,000 to transform failing restaurants and give their owners a second chance.Robert's also an entrepreneur, a Royal Navy veteran, and a tireless supporter of the military. In addition to his restaurants, he's the owner of 'Fit Crunch', makers of protein bars and snacks; Robert Irvine Foods, which makes restaurant-quality, prepared meals available in grocery stores and for food service applications; and Boardroom Spirits, makers of Irvine's Vodka and Irvine's American Dry Gin. Robert is also the author of five books, the latest of which is called 'Overcoming Impossible'.Highlights:Robert's childhood, and introduction to military (2:44)'Restaurant: Impossible' TV show, and inspiration for new book (3:56)Robert's businesses, and business hurdles (6:04)Philosophy on businesses integrating social media (8:49)Robert explains how, and why businesses fail (10:39)Memorable success stories from 'Restaurant: Impossible' (13:26)How Robert discovered his talent for leadership (17:15)Robert discusses scalability and growth (19:47)Hiring and maintaining a great team (20:31)The Robert Irvine Foundation and philanthropy (23:23)Links:ICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteRobert Irvine on InstagramRobert Irvine on LinkedInRobert Irvine's WebsiteRobert's TV Show 'Restaurant: Impossible'Buy Robert's Book 'Overcoming Impossible'Feedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.