GENeration eXecutive

In this special Spring Break edition of the GENeration eXecutive podcast, host Andrea Bricca dives into the delicate balance between personal and professional lives among Gen X executives. Featuring insights from prior guests, the episode delves into effective strategies for integrating work and life. With Americans taking the least vacation time globally, guests underscore the importance of prioritizing personal time and modeling this behavior within organizations. Tune in to hear how Gen X leaders navigate family commitments while maintaining professional excellence. Don't miss this episode for invaluable tips on achieving work-life harmony from seasoned executives.

As an entertainment and marketing executive, Christopher Yancey began as a traveling promoter at Feld Entertainment and built a career spanning iconic brands like the NBA and Caesars Entertainment and now is President of the Big Apple Circus. As a Gen X leader who started with fax machines and landlines, he brings a unique perspective on resilience and self-sufficiency to today's technology-driven workplace. On this episode of GENeration eXecutive, Chris shares insights about navigating workplace evolution through authentic leadership, the importance of building meaningful professional relationships, and finding passion in your career path despite its challenges.

As a mathematically inclined student who aspired to build rollercoasters, Jim Begley was introduced to fire protection engineering by his family of firefighters. This career ultimately led him to found a niche engineering firm dedicated to fire protection and life safety and named after his alma mater’s mascot.  On this episode of GENeration eXecutive, Jim shares insights into the fire protection industry, recounts how a pivotal early management experience framed his hiring and leadership style, what he thinks others should know about starting a business, and why his ability to write as an engineer works well for him as a parttime food writer. 

Catherine Razzano inadvertently became a role model as a successful big-firm lawyer and mother, before moving to in-house compliance roles at top companies.  As Global Head of Legal Compliance at TikTok she influences a current generation of employees with her authenticity, hard work, and pursuit of personal and professional harmony. On this episode of GENeration eXecutive, hear her insights on leading across generations, understanding diverse motivations, and the joy she finds in helping others soar.

Being in the office while others were on vacation, along with an alumni connection, propelled Helen Dooley into a career in sports. Now, she is a fan of remote work and the ways technology and freedom empower others. On this episode, Helen discusses the numerous possibilities for entering the business of sports, how openness and trust are key to building a culture with remote employees, and how NIL and social media have impacted athletes.

From physicist and engineer to sales professional, CEO and author, Mike Latch has mirrored and lived the evolution of business, sales, technology, and AI. On this episode, Mike shares how his skeptical move to sales eventually led to the founding of a couple of tech companies and the book Sales Sucks. Mike shares his philosophical approach to being coachable, finding a company where leadership supports learning, and how sales processes and AI enable businesses to rapidly adapt to change.

Andrew Ting, Chief Legal Officer at Panorama Education, discusses his career as a lawyer in financial services, technology, and education.  Andrew highlights how he went from trying to fit the dominant work culture early in his career to being an authentic leader in the workplace.  Listen to Andrew’s thoughts on leadership styles among generations, the importance of “soft skills” in the workplace as technology evolves, and his passion for training, mentoring, and developing others, including as a professor focused on entrepreneurship at two universities.

Ekumene “E” Lysonge has worked as a lawyer and government affairs professional in various industries from real estate to gaming and technology, and currently in financial services with NerdWallet.  He repositioned himself after the 2008 economic downturn and the 2020 pandemic via strong relationships, flexibility, and his desire to lead in a mutually beneficial way.  In this episode of GENeration eXecutive, E talks about the importance of listening, relationships, decision points in life, and assessment of priorities to build a successful and fulfilling career.

Javier Zamora persuaded his parents to let him join the military at the age of 17 and he never looked back as he eventually completed law school, was on active duty post-9/11, joined the legal team at Nike, and now is General Counsel at CarGurus.  On this episode of GENeration eXecutive, hear how Javier embraced challenges and change, and leveraged both to build a career and generational bridges along the way.