Leadership Next

In this episode of Leadership Next, recorded live at Deloitte University’s Next Generation CEO Conference, hosts Diane Brady and Kristin Stoller sit down with Qualtrics CEO Zig Serafin for a deep dive into the future of experience management, the transformative power of AI, and the importance of defining your “why” as a leader. Serafin reflects on his 18-year tenure at Microsoft, his leadership journey at Qualtrics, and how the company navigated SAP’s $8.5 billion acquisition, went public, and later returned to private ownership. He also explores the rise of agentic AI, customer experience lessons from Delta Airlines, and what today’s leaders can learn from the early skeptics of the iPhone.

Oura is more than just a sleep tracker—it’s a cultural phenomenon. In this episode of Leadership Next, Oura CEO Tom Hale joins Diane and Kristin to discuss how the smart ring has become a symbol of well-being, embraced by everyone from high-profile figures like Mark Zuckerberg and Kim Kardashian to everyday users looking to optimize their health. Hale explores Oura’s expansion into activity readiness and women’s health, the importance of accuracy in wearables, and the growing consumer demand for data privacy—especially in the wake of Roe v. Wade being overturned. He also shares compelling stories of how Oura has helped athletes, cancer patients, and even non-drinkers make informed lifestyle choices and develop healthier habits. Plus, hear his take on whether too much health data can be a bad thing—and what Oura is doing to remain a trusted companion in personal health.Leadership Next is powered by Deloitte.

When Bill Anderson became CEO of the German pharmaceutical conglomerate Bayer AG in 2023, he found a company with a long history and a robust corporate bureaucracy. The company handbook was 1,300 pages, and layer after layer of management too easily stifled innovation. Anderson, who worked at Genentech earlier in his career, wanted to instill more of an ownership culture, where decisions and information moved more nimbly. Almost two years in, the changes have been significant: The entire company now runs on 90-day review cycles—allowing for quicker course correction and more of a startup feel for the 161-year-old firm. Anderson is this week’s guest on Leadership Next. He spoke to Diane and Kristin about the current state of the health care system, the U.S. regulatory environment, and Bayer’s newest advancements in Parkinson’s treatment, as well as the company’s own complicated history.Leadership Next is powered by Deloitte.

Can success run in a family? For serial entrepreneur Naveen Jain, the answer is clearly yes. This week's guests on Leadership Next are Jain and his son, fellow entrepreneur Ankur Jain. Naveen Jain made a name for himself in the 1990s as the founder of InfoSpace. These days he's hard at work on other endeavors, including his personalized medicine company Viome. Meanwhile Ankur, whose earlier company Humin was acquired by Tinder a few years ago, is already on to his next endeavor, a platform called Bilt Rewards, which allows users to pay their rent online, and helps them earn rewards by doing so. Diane and Kristin speak to Naveen and Ankur about the differences in their leadership styles, how Naveen put entrepreneurship front and center for his children, and innovation driven by AI.Leadership Next is powered by Deloitte.

Beauty is a crowded space with tons of entrenched players. But stiff competition hasn’t slowed the growth for e.l.f., the popular drugstore beauty brand founded in 2004. Tarang Amin is e.l.f’s CEO and this week’s guest on Leadership Next. The company and its popular products, including its flagship Halo Glow Liquid Filler, are lower-cost than industry competitors, says Amin. That value proposition, savvy social media marketing partnerships with celebrities like Jennifer Coolidge and Judge Judy, and early moves onto popular tech platforms like TikTok, Twitch, and Roblox, have made the company a Gen Z darling. Amin speaks to hosts Diane Brady and Kristin Stoller about the importance of DEI in beauty, the brand’s focus on sustainability, and its strategy for dealing with the current U.S. political environment.Leadership Next is powered by Deloitte.

Trust is the lifeblood of business. That makes Edelman's annual Trust Barometer a must-read for leaders. This week's guest is Richard Edelman, the CEO of global communications firm Edelman. This year marks Edelman's 25th year doing the Trust Barometer. Richard Edelman talks to hosts Diane Brady and Kristin Stoller about why trust is more important today than ever, and gives an update on which sectors are gaining or losing on the trust scale. The conversation also highlighted a generational divide around trust, and touched on the importance of business leaders working together where possible to help address some of society’s most intractable issues.Leadership Next is powered by Deloitte.

2025 promises to be the year of AI for global business. The change will go beyond applications like the popular chat tools that can answer questions and sort data. For Deloitte US CEO Jason Girzadas, this week's guest on Leadership Next, AI is front of mind for him and the CEOs he speaks with. Girzadas believes 2025 is the year of the full-time digital assistant, with advancements like Agentic AI deploying across a range of functions, driving both efficiency and growth. Along with hosts Diane Brady and Kristin Stoller, Girzadas also discussed the shift from proof of concept to practical implementations, and how AI is reshaping workforce dynamics and enabling legacy brands to stay competitive.Leadership Next is powered by Deloitte.

Dive into the transformative world of AI as Marc Benioff discusses how it's reshaping software and workforce dynamics. Discover Agentforce, Salesforce's bold venture into AI tools for enhanced business efficiency. Learn about the importance of mentorship in leadership, drawing inspiration from iconic figures. Explore how AI influences urban planning and the necessity for agile leadership. Benioff also emphasizes the essence of core values in innovation and the importance of self-awareness in personal growth.

If purses are your bag, chances are you're familiar with the classic luxurious silhouettes that made Coach into a global powerhouse brand. The luxe leather goods are but one brand owned by parent company Tapestry, which also has Kate Spade and bootmaker Stuart Weitzman in its portfolio. Joanne Crevoiserat is Tapestry's CEO and this week's guest on Leadership Next. She talks to Diane about what luxury means in 2024, how Gen Z shoppers are sending shock waves through retail, and about AI in fashion.Leadership Next is powered by Deloitte.

Christian Klein, CEO of SAP, began his journey as an intern before rapidly ascending to the top. In this insightful discussion, he tackles the critical role of AI in transforming industries, emphasizing the need for balanced regulations. Klein also addresses the significance of company culture in embracing technological advancements and discusses the intersection of tech and sustainability. He highlights essential leadership traits, like adaptability and collaboration, while reflecting on the importance of personal well-being alongside professional responsibilities.