What does it take to build a top-performing growth equity firm in a market defined by hype cycles, capital oversupply, and shifting investor expectations?

In this episode, host Linnea Jungnelius sits down with Brian Neider, Managing Partner at Lead Edge Capital, a $5B global growth equity firm behind category-defining companies like Toast, Spotify, Alibaba, and Duo Security.

As one of the original builders of Lead Edge, Brian has spent two decades refining one of the most disciplined investing models in the industry — a framework rooted in focus, consistency, and an unrivaled network of 700+ operator LPs.

From staying “militantly” true to your strike zone, to navigating the aftermath of the 2020–2021 capital cycle, to separating real AI traction from experimental noise, Brian breaks down what great investors and great firms do differently. For growth equity investors, founders, and anyone responsible for capital allocation, this conversation reveals why discipline compounds, how strategy integrity drives DPI, and what it truly means to build a fund that becomes a company.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why staying in your strike zone is the most underrated competitive advantage in growth equity.

• How Lead Edge built a network of 700 operator LPs and activates them.

• How to evaluate companies in the post–“growth at all costs” era.

• What gross retention tells you that topline growth never will in regard to AI hype.

• Why exit pathways must be defined upfront.

• Urgency, clarity, and the ability to adapt without drifting are the best traits CEOs and teams can have.

Timecodes:

00:00 Intro

00:18 Guest Introduction: Brian Neider, Lead Edge Capital

04:00 From “Grow at All Costs” to Profitable Growth

05:32 Lead Edge 8: The Metrics That Matter

08:30 LP Priorities: DPI, TVPI, and IRR

10:48 Why DPI Is Critical in Today’s Market

11:58 Exit Strategy Design: Defining Paths Upfront

13:58 Disposition Committee: The Overlooked Advantage

16:00 Filtering AI Hype: Experimental Spend vs. Real Retention

20:12 The Bucket Analogy: Understanding AI Churn

23:00 Founding Lead Edge: Building the LP Network Differently

26:10 Scaling the Firm: From All-Hands to Specialization

30:20 Activating the LP Network: How It Works in Practice

33:40 The LP Flywheel: Sourcing, Diligence, and Portfolio Support

36:00 Value Creation Capabilities: GTM, HR, and AI Support

38:12 What Great CEOs Do: Urgency, Adaptability, Action

41:54 Designing Effective Boards: Functional + Industry Balance

44:30 Building Executive Teams: The Power of a Rigorous Hiring Process

46:06 What’s Next: The Future of Lead Edge & Market Opportunities

51:58 Lightning Round: Personal Reflections

Resources:

Brian Neider: LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-neider-7774041/

Linnea Jungnelius:

LinkedIn: https://⁠www.linkedin.com/in/linneajungnelius ⁠

X: ⁠https://x.com/itslinnea⁠

Explore the Podcast:

Spotify: ⁠https://acertitu.de/brian-neider-spotify-podcast

Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://acertitu.de/brian-neider-apple-podcast

⁠Blog: ⁠https://acertitu.de/brian-neider-blog⁠

Found Value?👍

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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/brilliantpeoplepodWebsite: ⁠https://www.acertitude.com ⁠

What does it take to turn creativity into commercial growth in the business of sport?

In Episode 28, host Linnea Jungnelius sits down with Dan Migala, former Co-President and Chief Revenue Officer at Legends and one of the most inventive commercial minds in global sports and entertainment.

From changing first pitch times to 7:11, to transforming a foulpole into an 85-foot TaylorMade driver, to selling out 86,000 seats at the Women’s Cricket World Cup, Dan has built a career by breaking the mold.

He’s helped world-class organizations like the Chicago Bears, Real Madrid, and Oklahoma City Thunder reimagine how creativity, commerce, and culture intersect to drive growth.

For sports executives, private equity investors, and commercial leaders alike, this conversation explores how imagination becomes a competitive advantage, and why the best leaders think like creators, sell like strategists, and operate like owners.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to turn creative thinking into measurable commercial impact

• Why the best ideas are born from curiosity and the courage to ask questions

• How the Art, Heart, and Science framework transforms innovation intorevenue

• The Me–We–Go leadership model that builds alignment and culture

• What every commercial leader can learn from the future of women’s sports, private equity, and mixed-use development

Timecodes:

00:00 Intro
00:12 Guest Intro: Dan Migala
03:30 Early Digital Play: Selling Sports on the Web
03:46 Innovation Moment: Building the Bears’ First Website
05:12 Leadership Lesson: Power of Private Questions
05:58 AI Parallel: Curiosity as a Competitive Edge
07:46 Sponsorship Breakthrough: The 7-Eleven White Sox Deal
09:30 Pitch Like a Pro: Confidence Drives Buy-In
10:00 The Art–Heart–Science Framework for Revenue Growth
11:00 Brand Alignment: Anatomy of a High-Impact Sponsorship
15:16 TaylorMade Case Study: $350M Earned Media Win
16:26 Leadership Playbook: The Me–We–Go Model
21:00 Women’s Cricket World Cup: Designing Demand at Scale
21:22 Cultural Relevance: Katy Perry & International Women’s Day Tie-In
23:52 Leading with Empathy: Evolving the Commercial Leader
29:16 CEO–CRO Trust: Slow Down to Speed Up
30:28 Private Equity in Sports: “Everyone Wants to Be First”
35:12 Building the Future of Sports: Mixed-Use, Tech, and Capital Convergence
45:36 Lightning Round: Personal Reflections

Resources:

Dan Migala:
LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/migala/

Linnea Jungnelius:
LinkedIn: https://⁠www.linkedin.com/in/linneajungnelius ⁠
X: ⁠https://x.com/itslinnea⁠

Explore the Podcast:
Spotify: ⁠https://acertitu.de/dan-migala-spotify-podcast
Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://acertitu.de/dan-migala-apple-podcast⁠
Blog: ⁠https://acertitu.de/dan-migala-blog⁠

Found Value?
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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/brilliantpeoplepod
Website: ⁠https://www.acertitude.com   ⁠

What does it take to build a value-creation engine that scales across portfolios, empowers CEOs, and blends purpose with performance?

In Episode 27, host Linnea Jungnelius sits down with Tory Ramaker, Senior Partner and Co-Head of Vistria PRG, LLC ("Portfolio Resources Group") at The Vistria Group, one of the private-equity industry’s most forward-thinking operating leaders.

From founding the PRG from the ground up to re-engineering how portfolio teams drive transformation, Tory shares what it really means to create impact in essential industries — where financial returns and societal outcomes go hand in hand.

For Operating Partners, CEOs, and investors alike, this conversation breaks down the next generation of value creation, grounded in partnership, empathy, and disciplined execution.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to architect a portfolio operations model that bridges strategy and execution

• Why management ownership, not investor direction, determines success

• The playbook for aligning boards, sponsors, and CEOs around one value-creation plan

• Why the best portfolio leaders blend consulting rigor with real operating experience

• The leadership balance between autonomy and accountability that builds lasting trust

Timecodes

00:00 Intro

00:15 Guest Introduction: Tory Ramaker, The Vistria Group

00:54 Early Lessons in Resilience and Adaptability

02:26 Learning to Influence: From Data and Logic to Empathy

07:13 Building the PRG: Founding Vision and Early Model

08:04 Evolving the Model: From Generalists to Functional Specialists

09:51 Portfolio Priorities: Technology, Talent, and Finance

11:06 Hiring Strategy: Product-Minded Tech Leaders and PE-Proven CFOs

11:45 Next-Gen Operating Talent: Consulting Rigor Meets Operating Experience

13:00 Operating Model Shift: Fewer Companies, Deeper Engagement

14:33 Value Creation Planning: It Must Be Management’s Plan

15:14 Execution and Measurement: Defining Success Metrics

17:03 Integrating Impact: Embedding Purpose into Value Creation

19:00 Partnering with CEOs: Building Trust and Candid Collaboration

21:03 Leadership Alignment: Autonomy with Accountability

22:35 Co-Investment Collaboration: Clarity and Over-Communication

23:46 Change Leadership: Applying AI and Data to Transformation

26:42 Capacity Discipline: Forced Scarcity and Strategic Resourcing

29:15 Leadership Standard: Autonomy with Accountability

31:39 Human Capital Playbook: Assessments, Coaching, and CEO Readiness

36:20 Leadership Evolution: EQ Over IQ

38:19 Lightning Round: Personal Reflections

Resources:

Tory Ramaker:

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tory-ramaker-a077141/

Linnea Jungnelius:

LinkedIn: https://⁠www.linkedin.com/in/linneajungnelius

⁠X: ⁠https://x.com/itslinnea⁠

Explore the Podcast:

Spotify: ⁠https://acertitu.de/tory-ramaker-spotify-podcast

Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://acertitu.de/tory-ramaker-apple-podcast

⁠Blog: ⁠https://acertitu.de/tory-ramaker-blog⁠

Found Value?👍

Tap Like. And Subscribe: ⁠https://acertitu.de/rate-brilliant-people-podcast

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LinkedIn: https://⁠www.linkedin.com/company/Acertitude

X: ⁠https://www.x.com/acertitude

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⁠TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/brilliantpeoplepod

Website: ⁠https://www.acertitude.com ⁠

What does it take to modernize a legacy sport, inspire global fans, and build commercial engines that stand the test of time?

In Episode 26, Linnea Jungnelius sits down with Jeff Price, Chief Commercial & Philanthropy Officer at the PGA of America, and one of the most influential architects behind golf’s modern growth story.

From transforming brand partnerships at Gatorade and MasterCard to reshaping how millions experience the PGA Championship and Ryder Cup, Jeff has built a career at the intersection of sport, business, and innovation.

His lessons apply far beyond the fairway: they’re about building trust, culture, and commercial momentum in any business facing disruption.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to turn sponsorships into lasting, growth-driving partnerships

• The leadership shift from instructing teams to empowering them

• Why understanding your “dual-habit” consumers drives sustainable engagement

• How to extend experiences beyond the venue and into culture

• Why focus and the smart use of AI defines the next wave of sports innovation

Timecodes:

00:00 Intro

00:26 Guest Introduction: Jeff Price

1:09 Early Career & Lessons from Rejection

02:45 Career Journey: NBA, Gatorade, MasterCard

06:31 Startup Experience & Learning from Failure

08:43 Leadership Evolution: Empowerment vs. Instruction

10:16 Decision-Making & Strategic Frameworks

11:37 Joining PGA of America: Strategic Gaps & First Moves

13:15 Partnership Economics & PGA’s Commercial Strategy

17:10 Ryder Cup: Brand Unification & Global Growth

20:36 Commercial Innovation: Events, Experiences, and Media

22:51 Media Strategy: ESPN+ Streaming Deal

25:42 The Future: AI, Data, and Personalization in Golf

30:05 Building High-Performing Teams: The “We” Mentality

32:51 Commercial Leadership: Data, Social Media, and Revenue

34:01 Advice for CEOs & Commercial Teams

35:00 Personal Routines & Sustaining Performance

36:41 Sources of Inspiration & Industry Trends

38:01 Trends in Sports Business & Media

49:00 Lightning Round: Personal Reflections

Resources:

Jeff Price:

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-price-24481318/

Linnea Jungnelius:

LinkedIn: https://⁠www.linkedin.com/in/linneajungnelius ⁠

X: ⁠https://x.com/itslinnea⁠

Explore the Podcast:

Spotify: ⁠https://acertitu.de/jeff-price-spotify-podcast

Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://acertitu.de/jeff-price-apple-podcast⁠

Blog: ⁠https://acertitu.de/jeff-price-blog⁠

Found Value?

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Stay Updated on Acertitude:

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⁠X: ⁠https://www.x.com/acertitude⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/acertitude⁠

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/brilliantpeoplepod

Website: ⁠https://www.acertitude.com ⁠

What does it take to transform a team, ignite a movement, and build a future that didn’t exist before?

In Episode 25, Linnea Jungnelius sits down with Dr. Allison Barber – trailblazing leader, ex-president of the Indiana Fever, and now the force behind Marvella Academy, the first-of-its-kind youth sports and leadership campus built entirely for girls.

From reimagining a professional sports franchise to shaping the next generation of leaders, Allison shares lessons from the locker room, the boardroom, the Pentagon, and beyond. Her stories reveal how vision, conviction, and the courage to show up, again and again, can create lasting impact in business, sports, and life.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to reimagine and rebuild a brand from the ground up
• The framework used to turn fans into loyal, lifelong advocates
• How to prepare your team for a transformational "lightning strike" moment and sustain it
• Why the best leaders show up in the community, not just the corner office
• How investing in girls' sports creates a talent pipeline for future CEOs and leaders

Timecodes:

00:00 Intro

00:11 Guest Introduction: Dr. Allison Barber

01:16 Transforming the Indiana Fever: Rebuilding & Strategy

01:39 Building a Championship Culture: The Three C’s

02:17 Leadership Lessons: Vision, Strategy, and Patience

04:34 The Caitlin Clark Moment: Preparing for Transformation

08:54 Building Belief: Fans, Culture, and the “Movable Middle”

14:17 Shaping a Winning Culture: Optimism & Fundamentals

16:55 What Matters Most in Leadership: Integrity

24:13 9/11: Leading Through Crisis

28:24 The Mission Behind Marvella Academy

34:17 Marvella’s Best-in-Class Approach

35:51 The Business of Youth Sports

39:57 What’s Next: Marvella Mobile & Campus Launch

40:54 The Surge in Women’s Sports: What’s Fueling It?

45:11 Advice for Women in Sports Leadership

49:20 Book & Podcast Recommendations

50:05 Marvella’s Legacy: Empowering Girls

52:58 Lightning Round: Personal Reflections

Resources:

Dr. Allison Barber:  

Website:  ⁠https://www.marvellasports.com⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-barber-phd-06201a2/⁠

Linnea Jungnelius: 

LinkedIn:  ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/linneajungnelius⁠

X:  ⁠https://x.com/itslinnea⁠

Explore the Podcast: 

Spotify:  ⁠https://acertitu.de/dr-allison-barber-spotify-podcast⁠

Apple Podcasts:  ⁠https://acertitu.de/dr-allison-barber-apple-podcast⁠

Blog:  https://acertitu.de/dr-allison-barber-blog

Found Value?

👍Tap Like. And Subscribe: ⁠https://acertitu.de/rate-brilliant-people-podcast⁠

Stay Updated on Acertitude: 

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X:  ⁠https://www.x.com/acertitude⁠

Instagram:  ⁠https://www.instagram.com/acertitude⁠

Website: ⁠https://www.acertitude.com⁠

What does it take to transform a team, ignite a movement, and build a future that didn’t exist before?

In this episode, Linnea Jungnelius sits down with Dr. Allison Barber – trailblazing leader, former president of the Indiana Fever, and now the force behind Marvella Academy, the first-of-its-kind youth sports and leadership campus built entirely for girls.

From reimagining a professional sports franchise to shaping the next generation of leaders, Allison shares lessons from the locker room, the boardroom, the Pentagon, and beyond. Her stories reveal how vision, conviction, and the courage to show up, again and again, can create lasting impact in business, sports, and life.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to reimagine and rebuild a brand from the ground up
• The framework used to turn fans into loyal, lifelong advocates
• How to prepare your team for a transformational “lightning strike” moment andsustain it
• Why the best leaders show up in the community, not just the corner office
• How investing in girls’ sports creates a talent pipeline for future CEOs and leaders
  

Timecodes:

00:00 Intro

01:23 Allison Barber: Trailblazing Leader

03:41 Building a Championship Culture

05:20 The Electric Caitlin Clark Moment

11:02 The Movable Middle: Fan Engagement

19:29 The Power of Optimistic Leaders

28:58 From Teacher to Pentagon Leader

35:44 A Day That Changed Everything: 9/11 Reflections

37:46 Leadership Under Pressure: Lessons from Crisis

40:44 A New Mission: Founding Marvella Academy

42:45 Empowering Girls Through Sports: The Vision of Marvella Academy

44:59 The Impact of Sports on Leadership and Mental Health

50:10 Building the Future: Marvella Academy's Ambitious Plans

52:43 The Business of Women's Sports: Opportunities and Challenges

01:03:59 Lightning Round: Personal Reflections

Resources:

Dr. Allison Barber:  

Website:  https://www.marvellasports.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-barber-phd-06201a2/

Linnea Jungnelius: 

LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/linneajungnelius

X:  https://x.com/itslinnea

Explore the Podcast: 

Spotify:  https://acertitu.de/allison-barber-spotify-podcast

Apple Podcasts:  https://acertitu.de/allison-barber-apple-podcast

Blog:  https://acertitu.de/allison-barber-blog

Found Value? 👍Tap Like. And Subscribe: https://acertitu.de/rate-brilliant-people-podcast

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LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/company/acertitude

X:  https://www.x.com/acertitude

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/acertitude

Website: https://www.acertitude.com

What makes a truly great board? And what defines a life well-led? In Episode 24 of the Brilliant People Podcast, host Linnea Jungnelius sits down with Peter Browning, one of the most respected governance voices in America. With over 14 public company boards under his belt—including lead director roles at Nucor, Acuity Brands, and ScanSource, plus 16 years on the board at Lowe’s—Peter brings a rare depth of experience and perspective to the conversation.

He shares the board-level decisions that matter most, from CEO succession to crisis leadership, and the personal stories that shaped his approach to communication, transparency, and resilience. It’s a deep dive into how leadership is built through pressure, listening, and connection—long before the boardroom.

What You'll Learn:

– The 3 questions every board must answer

– What most boards get wrong about CEO succession

– How to lead through bankruptcy, crisis, and culture change

– Why the best directors listen more than they speak

– How climbing mountains and running plants shaped his edge as a leader

Timecodes:

00:00 Intro

00:11 Peter Browning: Corporate Legend

01:35 Living Life as a Contact Sport

14:57 Inside the Boardroom: ScanSource, Lowe’s & More

16:42 Sales Trainee to CEO: Sonoco, Continental Can, National Gypsum

22:18 Earning Trust Across 300 Plants, 36 Countries

24:38 Bankruptcy Playbook: Reinventing National Gypsum

29:59 Listening as a Leadership Advantage

35:16 Modern Boardroom: From Rubber Stamp to Strategy Engine

40:46 Great Lead Directors Influence Without Authority

43:36 CEO Succession: Making the Hardest Calls

47:32 Board Chemistry: Trust in High-Stakes Rooms

51:49 When, Why & How to Replace a CEO

54:58 Earning Your Seat as a New Director

01:04:07 Favorite CEOs, Leaders & Books

01:08:31 Lightning Round: Family, Focus & Living Fully

Resources:

Peter Browning:  

Website: www.peterbrowning.com 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/peter-browning-4421454/  
 
Linnea Jungnelius: 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/linneajungnelius/ 

X: www.x.com/itsLinnea  

Explore the Podcast: 

Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4q2SyG7jTqV109lC37RtOV  

Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brilliant-people-podcast/id1582636185  

Blog: acertitu.de/peter-browning-blog  

Subscribe and rate the show: https://www.ratethispodcast.com/brilliantpeoplepodcast

Stay Updated on Acertitude: 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/acertitude/  

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCaRywuMZMbDfHR77TyzEQZQ  

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Instagram: www.instagram.com/acertitude  

Website: www.acertitude.com 

For Charlie Turano, legacy isn’t just nostalgia. It’s strategy. As Executive Director at Heritage Werks, Charlie is helping pro sports teams, leagues, and now even universities unlock the untapped power of their history—not just to preserve the past, but to propel the future.

Before that, he co-founded Genesco Sports Enterprises, shaping it into one of the industry’s most respected corporate representation firms, advising global brands on how to maximize their presence in sports. But it all started with the Dallas Cowboys, where Charlie got his first taste of the business side of sports, an experience that sparked a career defined by innovation, storytelling, and the pursuit of enduring value.

What You'll Learn:– How to turn your team's history into a high-ROI brand asset– How to drive fan engagement and revenue with digitized legacy content– The power of cutting through the noise with story-driven brand campaigns

Resources: 

Charlie Turano:  

Website: https://www.heritagewerks.com/  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-turano-7605302/  
 
Linnea Jungnelius: 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/linneajungnelius/ 

X: www.x.com/itsLinnea

Explore the Podcast: 

Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4q2SyG7jTqV109lC37RtOV  

Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brilliant-people-podcast/id1582636185 

Blog: www.acertitu.de/charlie-turano-blog

Stay Updated on Acertitude 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/acertitude/  

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCaRywuMZMbDfHR77TyzEQZQ  

X: www.x.com/acertitude  

Instagram: www.instagram.com/acertitude  

Website: www.acertitude.com 

Today, as Go-to-Market Operating Partner at Sixth Street, Paul brings both commercial operator chops and deep empathy to help CEOs, CROs, and deal teams turn strategy into sustainable results.
He doesn’t do playbooks. He does pattern recognition. His approach is high-trust, high-discipline, and highly customized. Whether he’s transforming revenue orgs or coaching commercial leaders, Paul shows up like an athlete: focused, gritty, and committed to continuous improvement.

Today, as Managing Director of Technology and Digital at CD&R, Chris helps companies do the hard work behind “digital transformation” with no buzzwords, no shortcuts, and a sharp eye on what the business actually needs.

His path has been anything but linear. But the throughline is clear: build great teams, make bold decisions, and lead from deep in the trenches.