

The Executives' Exchange
The Executives' Club of Chicago
The Executives' Exchange is a podcast of the Executives' Club of Chicago, the city's premier membership organization and business forum. Each episode unlocks the keys to success from distinguished executives in the Chicago region through real stories of triumphs and failures, meaning connections and lessons learned in their leadership journeys.
Sponsored by Shure Incorporated
Sponsored by Shure Incorporated
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 13, 2025 • 51min
Episode 079 – Suzy Welch, Best-Selling Author, Tech Entrepreneur, & Professor
Suzy Welch, a best-selling author and NYU Stern professor, dives into her transformative framework, Becoming You, designed for anyone seeking authenticity in life and career. She discusses how personal experiences and student demand sparked this methodology, emphasizing the importance of core values over societal expectations. Suzy identifies barriers that confuse values and shares tools to discover aptitudes and economically viable interests. With insights into how values evolve, she inspires listeners to craft a fulfilling life on their own terms.

Jul 8, 2025 • 57min
Episode 078 – Katrina Markoff, Founder, Violet Flames Chocolate
On this episode of the Executives’ Exchange, Katrina Markoff, Founder of Violet Flame Chocolate, joins Julie Smolansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods and Exec Club Board Member, to discuss her nearly three decades of innovation in the world of gourmet chocolate and what it means to lead with creativity and purpose. 00:00 – Intro 02:30 – Katrina's Childhood and Background 06:19 – Why Chocolate? 11:32 – Navigating Challenges 13:12 – Violet Flame 17:45 – Creating a Balanced Company Culture 23:30 – What Makes Chicago Special 30:35 – Balancing Taking Risks 37:45 – Using Mothership as a Business Tool 43:25 – Making Things Purposeful 46:20 – Leaving a Legacy 50:15 – The Future of AI in Different Spaces 56:25 – Outro Episode Link: Violet Flames Chocolate Guest Host: Julie Smolyansky, President & Chief Executive Officer, Lifeway Foods Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives’ Club of Chicago Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated. For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones. Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Jun 11, 2025 • 51min
Episode 077 – Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, Author and Executive Coach
In this episode of the Executives’ Exchange, world-renowned executive coach and bestselling author, Marshall Goldsmith, joins Harry Kraemer of Northwestern University to share timeless advice on career and life success. Learn proven strategies that can help participants successfully balance being present, while simultaneously planning for your future in a world that is ever changing. This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience in February 2025. 00:00 – Intro 01:50 – Key to Being a Great Coach 6:35 – Common Challenges when Changing Behaviors 8:31 – Identifying and Overcoming Blind Spots 9:10 – The Most Effective Methodology 12:50 – Role of Feedback, or Feed “Forward” 13:51 – Evolving Landscape of Leadership 18:27 – Coping with Hard Decisions 21:00 – Achievement vs. Happiness 24:00 – The Power of Mentorship 28:10 – AI Platform 31:00 – Daily Practices for Effective Leadership 33:50 – What Future Leaders Need to Know 36:23 – Guiding Principles and Philosophies 40:35 – The Secret to Staying Inspired 44:44 – Do the Work or Let it Go 48:35 – Final Bits of Advice 50:48 – Outro Episode Link: Marshall Goldsmith Guest Host: Harry M. Kraemer, Clinical Professor of Management & Organizations, Northwestern University Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives’ Club of Chicago Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated. For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones. Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

May 13, 2025 • 37min
Episode 076 – Dr. Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO, National Geographic Society
On this episode of the Executives’ Exchange, we’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO of the National Geographic Society. Under her leadership, National Geographic is achieving remarkable advancements in exploration and conservation. In this episode, Dr. Tiefenthaler speaks with Dr. Bridget Coughlin, President and CEO of Shedd Aquarium. This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience on October 1, 2024. 00:00 – Intro 01:00 – Growing Up Midwest 03:42 – Time At St Mary’s 05:21 – Fast Facts About NatGeo 07:26 – How It Came Together 08:45 – Urgent Needs And Impacts 11:09 – Examples Of Influential Work 12:20 – Relationship With Disney 15:20 – What Makes A Good Story 17:33 – Corporate Relationships 19:50 – MapMaker With NatGeo 23:05 – Most Fun Travel Story 26:25 - What's Next After The Amazon 28:10 – A Message From Our Sponsor, Shure 29:00 - Engagement Strategy & Global Solution 31:26 – New Facility Opening 33:33 – Championing Gender Equality 35:50 – Outro Episode Link(s): National Geographic | Shedd Aquarium Host: Dr. Bridget Coughlin, President and CEO, Shedd Aquarium Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives’ Club of Chicago Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated. For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones. Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Apr 8, 2025 • 52min
Episode 075 – Richard Edelman, Edelman & Tom Wilson, Allstate
In this episode of the Executives’ Exchange, which was recorded in front of a live audience on January 30th, 2025, we feature Richard Edelman, President & CEO of Edelman, along with Tom Wilson, Chair, President, & CEO of Allstate, and our gracious guest moderator, Isis Almeida, Chicago Bureau Chief at Bloomberg. This year’s trust barometer touches on the rise of income-based trust inequality, rapidly polarizing trust disparity among younger generations, and what leaders can do to regain public trust across companies and government. 00:00 – Intro 00:58 – 25-year Overview on Rising Distrust 02:20 – 4 Important Developments Contributing to Distrust 03:50 – Trust Research Deep-Dive 09:10 – Businesses Role in a Time of High Grievance 11:25 – 5 Things Employees are Asking of Their Company 13:05 – 3 Actionable Steps for Recovering Trust 14:58 – Shure Ad Break 16:35 – How We Got to a High Level of Public Distrust 19:27 – 2 Responses to Addressing Organizational Distress 20:42 – How Executives Should Prepare for Trump Administration 24:15 – Perspectives on DEI Initiatives 27:20 – The Public Perception of Wealth 31:31 – AI's Impact on Employment 37:34 – Wilson's 2 Steps on Rebuilding Trust 40:16 – How Young Generations Absorb Information 43:03 – Whose Responsibility Is It to Reskill People? 45:10 – Getting Beyond the Anger Stage 47:43 - NGOs Role In Rebuilding Trust 49:35 – Merging Necessary Changes with Shareholder Value 51:09 – Outro Episode Link: 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer | Allstate | Bloomberg Guest Host: Isis Almeida, Chicago Bureau Chief, Bloomberg Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives’ Club of Chicago Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated. For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones. Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Mar 12, 2025 • 51min
Episode 074 – Sallie Krawcheck, Co-founder and Former CEO, Ellevest
In this episode of the Executives’ Exchange, we feature Sallie Krawcheck, Co-founder and Former CEO, Ellevest. As a trailblazer in the investment landscape, Sallie empowers women to make informed financial decisions that matter most to them, their families and communities. Sallie is joined by Sidney Dillard, Partner at Loop Capital Markets. This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience on September 26, 2024. 00:00 – Intro 01:54 – Not Being My Mother 05:15 – Money is Power 07:34 – Career Journey into Capital 11:06 – Research Analyst to Women 16:34 – What Was the Motivator 20:24 – Wealth Management 23:45 – Managing Wealth with a Family 28:28 – Sponsorship Message from Shore 29:35 – Feminization of Wealth 34:32 – Difference to Leader Large Corp vs Small 37:08 – Brand Building 39:50 – Thinking About Money as Women 40:58 – Diversity and Inclusion in the Market 45:04 – Advice to Entrepreneurial Women 49:43 – Outro Episode Link(s): Ellevest Guest Host: Sidney Dillard, Partner, Loop Capital Markets Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives’ Club of Chicago Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated. For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones. Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Feb 11, 2025 • 32min
Episode 073 – Darrel Hackett, President and CEO, President & CEO, BMO Bank N.A.
In this episode of the Executives’ Exchange, we welcome Darrel Hackett, President and CEO of BMO Bank N.A. and Exec Club Board Member, and guest host, Andrea Saenz, President and CEO of The Chicago Community Trust. Under Darrel’s leadership, BMO continues to soar nationally and in the Chicago area – where they remain the largest bank in our city. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience on September 19, 2024. 00:00 – Intro 1:45 – First Year as BMO U.S. President and CEO 2:30 – Background 5:08 – Comments on Bank of the West Acquisition 6:55 – Cultural Changes 9:10 – BMO Community Outreach and Giveback 13:13 – Approach and Vision 14:57 – Including Communities 17:00 – Programs for Removing Barriers to Homeownership 18:06 – Macroeconomic Issues 18:30 – Handling Economic Cycles 22:05 – Shifting Focus and Giving Advice Based on Market 23:28 – Outlook on U.S. Economy 25:36 – Helping Grow Chicago Economy 26:05 – Addressing Inequality within Homeownership 28:50 – Passion Behind Working at BMO 30:55 – Final Thoughts Episode Link(s): BMO US Bank Guest Host: Andrea Saenz, President and CEO, The Chicago Community Trust Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives’ Club of Chicago Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated. For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones. Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Jan 14, 2025 • 28min
Episode 072 – Satya Nadella, Chairman & CEO, Microsoft
In this episode of the Executives’ Exchange, which was recorded in front of a live audience on November 19, 2024, we feature our International Executive of the Year – Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft. Nadella discusses the strategies and culture that have propelled Microsoft to become a global leader in technology. He is joined by guest host, Penny Pritzker, the founder and chairman of PSP Partners and Microsoft Board Member. 00:00 – Intro 01:25 – Keys to Transformation with AI 04:54 – 3 Platforms Microsoft is Building 08:22 - Leadership in Adopting AI 12:45 – Maximize Platforms While Mitigating Risk 14:41 – Cascade to Aspiring Goals 18:50 – Advice for Chicago 22:45 – Empathy as a Leader 24:28 – Leadership Qualities for Massive Shifts 26:45 – Thank You 26:49 – Outro Episode Link: Microsoft Guest Host: Penny Pritzker, Founder and Chairman, PSP Partners Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives’ Club of Chicago Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated. For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones. Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Dec 11, 2024 • 54min
Episode 071 – Brooke Skinner Ricketts, Co-Founder and President, Beyond Barriers
On this episode of the Executives’ Exchange, we are ecstatic to welcome Brooke Skinner Ricketts, Co-Founder and President of Beyond Barriers. Brooke is a natural leader and shares her insights on leadership, resilience, and the importance of authentic personal branding during this conversation. She is joined by guest host Travis Hunter, Managing Partner of KPMG’s Chicago office and a member of the Exec Club Board of Directors. 00:00 – Intro 01:00 – Early Childhood & Introduction to Activism 03:45 – Impactful Figures of Activism 06:35 – Start of Professional Career 11:20 – Involvement in Corporate Strategy 16:15 – Letter to Younger Self 18:25 – Drive to Start Beyond Barriers 22:28 – Best Parts of Being Entrepreneurial 24:40 – Working Closely with Spouse and Aligning Values 28:25 – Working with Other Companies and What to Look For 30:45 – Changing the Environment around Diversity and Inclusion 31:55 – Potential vs. Current Performance in Individuals 36:01 – Process of Growing in One’s Journey and Battling Self-Doubt 41:05 – Realization and Pivot of Own Goals 42:35 – Significance of Being LGBQT Role Model 44:18 – Cubs Charity Involvement 46:50 – Rapid-Fire Questions 52:00 – Outro Episode Link: Beyond Barriers Guest Host: Travis C. Hunter Jr., Chicago Office Managing Partner, KPMG Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives’ Club of Chicago Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated. For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones. Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Nov 12, 2024 • 58min
Episode 070 – Eric Larson, Chairman and Co-CEO, Tilia Holdings
Episode 070 – Eric Larson, Chairman and Co-CEO, Tilia Holdings On this episode of the Executives’ Exchange, Eric Larson (Chairman and Co-CEO, Tilia Holdings), shares his journey from architecture to private equity, highlighting how creativity and integrity continue to drive his success. Tune in to hear Larson and host, Margaret Mueller (President & Chief Executive Officer, The Executives’ Club of Chicago), discuss the importance of leading with purpose and adapting to make a positive impact in the private equity industry. 00:00 - Intro 00:46 - Introduction into Private Equity Career 03:27 - The Gentleman of Private Equity 07:00 - The Evolution and Roots of the industry 11:51 - Unique role of Chicago 14:04 - Inspiration to starting Linden Capital Partners and Tilia Holdings 17:42 - Food Industry in Private Equity 18:32 - Family Farm Life 20:03 - This Year’s Harvest 20:48 - Lessons Learned and Applied to Tilia 24:56 - Incorporating ESG into Investment Decisions 27:43 - Shure Incorporated 28:10 - Quick Returns with Long Term Growth 30:53 - Is Private Equity Over? 30:30 - Disciplined Investment Approach 36:30 - Not Selling to Private Equity Firms 38:30 - Most Influential Leader 42:25 - Clean Water 42:57 - When and Where to give back 46:07 - What’s to Come 48:08 - Advice to Young Entrepreneurs 51:26 - Rapid-Fire Questions 57:04 - Outro Episode Link: Tilia Holdings Host: Margaret Mueller, President & Chief Executive Officer, The Executives’ Club of Chicago Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives’ Club of Chicago Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated. For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones. Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram