What does it take for a first-generation college student with a geology degree to become CEO of a major telecommunications company?

In this episode of Bearcats Mean Business, Lindner MBA alumnus and altafiber President and CEO Leigh Fox reflects on an unconventional career defined by hard work, curiosity and a willingness to embrace uncertainty.

From working 40 hours a week while putting himself through college to pivoting from geology into business, Fox shares how saying "yes" to difficult opportunities — and figuring them out along the way — shaped his leadership and career journey.

In this conversation with Lindner dean Marianne Lewis, Fox also offers an honest look at what leadership requires once you reach the corner office. He explains why the CEO title can be dangerous if you let it feed your ego, how intentionally staying humble has made him a better leader, and why learning, failure and continuous growth never stop.

The UC Foundation Board of Trustees Chair also discusses the importance of civic leadership and giving back, describing how scholarships, philanthropy and community engagement became central to his purpose after Lindner changed the trajectory of his own life.

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Welcome to Bearcats Mean Business, the official podcast of the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, where inspiring career stories, honest lessons and fresh business perspectives from the people building impact in the real world come together.

Every meaningful change starts with someone willing to bring people together.

In this episode of Bearcats Mean Business, Cincinnati Regional Chamber President and CEO Brendon Cull reflects on a career that has spanned government, corporate affairs, public policy and regional leadership.

From advising elected officials and Fortune 500 executives to helping lead transformational initiatives across Greater Cincinnati, Brendon shares how trust, curiosity and a commitment to serving something larger than yourself have shaped his approach to leadership.

Along the way, Brendon offers practical leadership lessons for students and emerging professionals on navigating career pivots, building coalitions and inspiring others around a common purpose.

At one point, he compares leadership to an initial public offering: if you want people to believe in your vision, you have to "sell shares" by giving them ownership of it. Whether you're leading a company, a team or a community initiative, Brendon argues that lasting momentum comes when people don't simply support your mission—they feel it's theirs, too.

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Welcome to Bearcats Mean Business, the official podcast of the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, where inspiring career stories, honest lessons and fresh business perspectives from the people building impact in the real world come together. 

Some students join campus organizations. Others build them.

In this episode of Bearcats Mean Business, Lindner student Hamsa Tadpatri shares how a desire to create community led her to found two student organizations: UC Future Business Leaders of America and Hindu Youth for Unity, Virtues and Action. 

Hamsa also discusses how majoring in business analytics, finance and operations management complements her co-op experiences and long-term career goals.

She offers thoughtful advice on time management, leadership and embracing opportunities you never planned for — showing how the combination of academics, involvement and real-world experience can prepare students to make an impact long before graduation.

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Welcome to Bearcats Mean Business, the official podcast of the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, where inspiring career stories, honest lessons and fresh business perspectives from the people building impact in the real world come together.

As a University of Cincinnati student, Dan Schimberg saw a problem firsthand: students struggled to find safe, well-maintained housing near campus. Instead of accepting the status quo, he began rehabbing properties around UC, laying the foundation for what would become Uptown Rental Properties, one of Cincinnati’s most influential real estate companies. 

On Bearcats Mean Business, Dan reflects on the leadership lessons learned while growing from a one-person operation into a large organization, including why trust, delegation and empowering employees became essential to scaling Uptown.

The recent Distinguished Real Estate Service Awardee also discusses the role mentorship has played throughout his career and the qualities he looks for in young professionals.  Along the way, Dan offers practical advice for students navigating co-op and the early stages of their careers: show up, stay curious, learn the craft and never be too proud to do the small tasks that lead to bigger opportunities.

The conversation also explores the future of Cincinnati, the power of community-focused leadership and how solving problems — both in business and beyond — has guided Dan’s career for decades. 

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Welcome to Bearcats Mean Business, the official podcast of the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, where inspiring career stories, honest lessons and fresh business perspectives from the people building impact in the real world come together. 

Finn and Bowen Alexy never expected a classroom assignment to help launch an angel investing venture. But that's exactly what happened when a Lindner project, a willingness to take initiative and a simple outreach email opened the door to an opportunity that would help shape their careers. 

In this episode of Bearcats Mean Business, the brothers share how growing up around entrepreneurship influenced their approach to business, leadership and risk. They discuss helping run Alexy Metals, launching BowFin Capital and navigating the unique challenges and rewards of working alongside family. 

The conversation is packed with practical lessons for current students and aspiring entrepreneurs. From treating every project like it matters to leading with value, embracing uncertainty and building momentum through small wins, Finn and Bowen explain how opportunities often emerge from effort long before they become visible.  

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Welcome to Bearcats Mean Business, the official podcast of the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, where inspiring career stories, honest lessons and fresh business perspectives from the people building impact in the real world come together. 

To understand a client better, Jeff Karcher once spent a morning sitting in one of their chairs — literally — to experience the pressure and pace of their day-to-day responsibilities firsthand. 

In this episode of Bearcats Mean Business, Jeff reflects on the power of networking, relationship-building and trust while sharing practical leadership lessons shaped by years of working alongside executives, investors and global companies.

From staying composed during pivotal moments to learning how to truly listen, the conversation offers practical business insight for students and professionals alike. 

Jeff also discusses how a UC co-op experience helped launch his career, eventually leading to a leadership role with the soon-to-launch Texas Stock Exchange. Along the way, he offers an inside look at IPOs, public markets and why fewer companies are choosing to go public today — and what that shift could mean for the future of the economy. 

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Welcome to Bearcats Mean Business, the official podcast of the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, where inspiring career stories, honest lessons and fresh business perspectives from the people building impact in the real world come together. 

Antitrust attorney Amanda Wait shares how a UC economics class sparked a fascination with competition law that shaped her entire career.

From turning down a lucrative New York law firm offer to join the Federal Trade Commission, to advising CEOs and boards on multimillion-dollar decisions, Wait reflects on the power of betting on experience over comfort — and why the best career paths are often the least expected ones. 

Throughout the conversation, Wait offers a straightforward look at leadership inside high-stakes industries, discussing how she navigates difficult client conversations, develops young talent and balances strategic thinking with human connection. She also explores how AI is reshaping the legal profession and why curiosity, adaptability and ethical decision-making remain essential in business leadership. 

The episode also highlights the lasting impact of mentorship and philanthropy through Wait’s involvement with the Kautz-Uible Economics Institute. Her story is a reminder that one conversation, one opportunity or one unexpected decision can completely change the trajectory of a career — and why investing in future leaders matters. 

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Welcome to Bearcats Mean Business, the official podcast of the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, where inspiring career stories, honest lessons and fresh business perspectives from the people building impact in the real world come together. 

Former CEO Doug Conant joins Lindner dean Marianne Lewis for a deeply personal conversation on leadership at the highest level of business. From navigating tough calls that balance people and performance to leading through uncertainty, Conant shares the defining decisions that shaped his career and leadership philosophy. 

The former CEO/President of Campbell Soup Company, former President of Nabisco Foods and former Chairman of Avon Products reflects on the formative moment of being fired early in his career, how it reshaped his approach, and why his belief that to “win in the marketplace, you must first win in the workplace” became a guiding principle. 

The conversation also explores the tension between being both tough and kind as a leader—and how intentional recognition, including writing thousands of thank-you notes, became central to building authentic, values-driven cultures. 

Looking ahead, Conant discusses the responsibility leaders have to develop the next generation, drawing on his work with Lindner’s Warren Bennis Leadership Institute. 

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Welcome to Bearcats Mean Business, the official podcast of the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, where inspiring career stories, honest lessons and fresh business perspectives from the people building impact in the real world come together. 

In this episode of Bearcats Mean Business, Fifth Third Bank CIO Jude Schramm reflects on the pivotal early choices that shaped his career, revealing how curiosity and a willingness to step off the expected career track opened unexpected doors. 

The Lindner alum shares how he spearheads AI adoption and transformation at a Fortune 500 bank by building in AI’s rate of change, customer trust and cybersecurity into every decision.

Schramm also touches on aligning business education to AI’s demands and why human connection and problem-solving matter now more than ever for today’s professionals and business students. 

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Welcome to Bearcats Mean Business, the official podcast of the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, where inspiring career stories, honest lessons and fresh business perspectives from the people building impact in the real world come together.

What does it take to lead not just one company, but two? 

In this episode of Bearcats Mean Business, Dustin Grutza, CEO of Ranger Steel and CraftForce, shares how he balances leadership while building high-performing teams and scaling two businesses in relationship-driven industries.

From growing up in a family business to launching his own ventures, Dustin offers a candid look at the realities entrepreneurship, delegation and decision-making at the highest level. 

The former UC quarterback offers practical insight for professionals and students alike seeking mentorship, leadership and entrepreneurial pointers. 

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Welcome to Bearcats Mean Business, the official podcast of the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, where inspiring career stories, honest lessons and fresh business perspectives from the people building impact in the real world come together.