

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 


