Dole Leadership Series Podcast

Barbara Humpton, Siemens President and CEO joined Jason Grumet at the end of 2019 for a conversation covering a broad array of issues including how to help employees adapt to a changing workforce, the importance of inter-generational collaboration in a company of the 21st century, what role she sees corporate leaders playing in society and more.

In 2019, Hendrik G. "Hank" Meijer, co-chairman and CEO of the supermarket chain Meijer, joined BPC President Jason Grumet for a discussion about his biography on the late Senator Arthur Vandenberg. Known as a consensus builder, Vandenburg played a major role in the creation oof the Marshall Plan, the United Nations, and NATO.  Meijer and Grumet discuss the significant impact Vandenburg’s ability to reach across the aisle had on US foreign policy and what today’s policymakers can learn from the late senator from Michigan.

Don Graham, former publisher of The Washington Post and co-founder of TheDream.US joined BPC president Jason Grumet for the Bob and Elizabeth Dole Series on Leadership. Graham discussed how he gained leadership skills by meeting people where they are, whether that was during his time serving in the Vietnam war or getting to know employees of all levels at The Washington Post. Graham also talked extensively about providing opportunities for DREAMers through the scholarship programs at TheDream.US. 

In September 2018, David Gergen a professor at Harvard University and senior political analyst for CNN sat down with BPC president Jason Grumet to discuss the current political climate, the necessity of civility in public discourse and what today’s political leaders can learn from traditions of the past.

Note: This conversation took place in 2018 and due to this some of the topics covered related to the news cycle may be outdated.

What is it like to be the First Lady of the United States of America? Susan Page, the current Washington Bureau Chief for USA Today, set out to learn just that when she wrote a biography on the life of Barbara Bush. In her discussion with BPC President Jason Grumet, Susan highlights the highs and lows of the former First Lady's life including losing her daughter Robin at a very young age, changing society's views on people living with HIV/AIDS, and how some of her own personal views didn't align with the Republican Party. 

Derrick Johnson leads the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the country’s largest civil rights organization. During this conversation, Johnson discusses fostering an equitable society, spurring social mobility, and the importance of maintaining civility in public discourse.

How did Vicki Hollub become the first woman to head a major oil company? Through hard work, putting herself in other people’s shoes, and seeking to learn from those she admired. Hollub discusses her path to taking the lead at Occidental Petroleum and hw she strives to put her employees first in her conversation with BPC president Jason Grumet.

How do you transform a racially divided college into one that welcomes students every year from more than 100 countries? Freeman Hrabrowski did just that as the President of University of Maryland Baltimore County since he took on this position in 1992. BPC President Jason Grumet sits down with Hrabrowski to discuss overcoming these obstacles, how to promote access and diversity in STEM, and how to bring out the educator in all of us.

“The fact in life is that we [minorities] do need to work harder, and work harder we shall” Oscar Munoz, CEO of United Airlines discusses overcoming adversity to become the CEO of one of the world’s largest airlines, how he is working to cultivate success among his employees, and what role CEOs have in public policy.

BPC president Jason Grumet sits down for an intimate conversation with three of the self-proclaimed "Badasses" of Congress. Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) all have national security or military backgrounds. During their discussion they talk about how their experiences inform their leadership style in Congress.