Frank Discussions

In this insightful edition of "Frank Discussions," Dean Frank Hodge interviews Jason Child, Executive Vice President and CFO of Arm. Child delves into his experiences scaling disruptive technologies within various companies, drawing from his wealth of expertise. From his tenure at Amazon during its explosive growth from a billion-dollar business to a juggernaut of $50 billion, to his roles at Groupon, Open Door, and Splunk Software, Jason offers valuable insights into building sustainable companies amidst rapid expansion.

Throughout the conversation, Jason reflects on lessons learned, emphasizing the importance of understanding product-market fit and avoiding pitfalls that can arise during high-growth phases. He shares anecdotes, such as the challenges faced at Groupon with managing customer expectations and navigating complex international markets, highlighting the necessity of adapting strategies while maintaining core values. Furthermore, Jason sheds light on his experiences working with visionary leaders like Jeff Bezos, emphasizing the significance of curiosity, humility, and perseverance in shaping successful organizational cultures. Overall, Jason's discussion provides a wealth of wisdom for entrepreneurs and business leaders navigating the dynamic landscape of disruptive technologies and rapid growth.

Frank Discussions is back—with a twist. Frank had the opportunity to sit down with Catie Griggs, President of Business Operations for the Seattle Mariners, in front of a live audience of MBA students on January 10, 2023.

Listen in as they address early-career lessons, the challenges of diversifying the C-Suite in major league sports, and what Catie is most excited about when looking at the upcoming season. Catie also fields questions (pun intended) from students regarding finding one’s north star, breaking into the sports industry, casting the promotional spotlight on individual players and more.

Frank chats with Josh Rodriguez, Army veteran and Private Wealth Advisor at Goldman Sachs. Josh reflects on his military service and his time at Foster and how both experiences have informed his journey as a leader. They address the challenges of leadership in a time of crisis and how making tough decisions on the ground during deployment has translated to making tough decisions in the corporate world. Frank and Josh also discuss the recent withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, and how Josh was involved in helping get his interpreter out of the country.

In our latest installment of Frank Discussions, Frank chats with Brad Tilden, former CEO and current Board Chair of Alaska Airlines, about his storied career with the PNW-based airline. Brad’s 30-year stint with Alaska Airlines has seen him through a myriad of leadership positions within the company; from Executive Vice President of Finance and Planning, to Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Controller, as well as President of Alaska Airlines from 2008 to 2016, and Chief Executive Officer from 2012-2021. They discuss key transition points in Brad’s career, his advice for how to navigate job transitions nimbly, and how both Alaska Airlines and Brad himself have grown with respect to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In this installment of Frank Discussions, Dean Hodge and Jenna Johnson drill down into working in a purpose-driven organization, and how that purpose informs business decision-making at every level. Patagonia’s main purpose is to be part of the climate crisis solution, and they work to make sure that purpose is at the core of their business. Their purpose statement, “We’re in business to save our home planet” seems to express the relationship of business and purpose quite simply. From innovations in material development to connecting with community on social media, the “business activists” at Patagonia are constantly making decisions about how to use their work to help save the planet.

In this installment of Frank Discussions, Diana and Frank discuss Alaska Airlines’ company ethos, and their dedication to corporate responsibility, philanthropy, and showing up authentically in the community. Diana details the ways Alaska’s commitment to community has evolved facing a global pandemic that curtails opportunities for in-person volunteer activities. As with many everyday activities, all company volunteering has gone virtual; from writing letters to seniors and others who are currently homebound, to Pilots, Flight Attendants, and Technicians engaging in Q&A’s via Instagram or Facebook live, as well as leaning into supporting educational equity programs that advocate for remote learning. Public health and safety is a large part of Alaska’s commitment to corporate responsibility and they’re working hard to ensure their employees, clients, and airport staff are as safe as possible admist the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this installment of Frank Discussions, Ken discusses his journey to success and the challenges, both personal and professional, that have led him to where he is today. Frank and Ken discuss the foibles of founding a startup during the first internet bubble, struggling with imposter syndrome in board rooms where no one else looks like you, and how to lean on your loved ones during times of personal hardship. The conversation examines diversity, equity, and inclusion in the world of business, and how Ken finds optimism for our shared future in the current movements surrounding social and racial justice. Lastly, Ken reveals the key qualities he looks for in future leaders and recalls that many of his shrewdest business decisions were the result of trusting his mentors, and perhaps most importantly, trusting his own intuition.

President & CEO Kevin Johnson has spent the last few years helping Starbucks make the leap from founder-led to founder-inspired by “honoring the past while imagining the future.” In this interview with Dean Hodge, you’ll hear about the courageous conversations facilitated within the company to create a safe and helpful space for difficulty discussion including the challenges faced around race and equity. Kevin shares some insights into the partner roundtables that look at languages, cultures, religions and more to connect each new Starbucks to the people and communities it will serve. He shows his pride in the ways team members have stepped up and adapted throughout the pandemic in service to others. Looking to the future, Kevin also discussing the vitality of prioritization and sequencing in touting quality over quantity for long-term success. With tens of millions of app users and Starbucks loyalists around the globe, there’s no question Kevin’s “simple job” is anything but that (even if it makes it look easy). Find out who he looks to for inspiration…as well as what he’s ordering to start each day!

How does one lead through a global pandemic that shuts all stores for the first time in a storied 119-year history? What can be done with inventory that evolves as quickly as it does in the fashion industry where last season could just as well be last century? UW Foster Alumnus and Nordstrom, Inc. CEO Erik Nordstrom will talk about the challenges and opportunities he sees moving forward. He shares his expertise on the changing definition of customer service and the massive acceleration of this change brought about by the events of 2020.

In this interview, we will get an inside look at the future of the cruise industry and how people’s health and safety can be taken to even higher levels. Stein also addresses the importance of bringing together a multinational/multicultural workforce and how to lead while worldwide operations are closed down. He’ll share some of the influences and values that have helped him overcome challenges and produce successes in his career and significance in his life.