LEAP Into Business

Entrepreneurship is not limited to launching a company or raising venture capital. In Season Four, Episode Two of LEAP Into Business, Sean Stein Smith & Andrew Gold speak with Dayna Maniccia and Kim Fredericks of New York State Technology Enterprise Corporation (NYSTEC) to discuss how entrepreneurial thinking can spark innovation and create impact far beyond the business world.

lehman.edu/business

What will the next generation of economic growth in the Bronx look like? LEAP Into Business host Sean Stein Smith welcomes Winston Peters, President of the Bronx Economic Development Corporation (BXEDC), to the premiere of Season Four of LEAP Into Business, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, innovation, investment, and the future of the borough. Together, they discuss the Bronx's potential and the future of its economy.

lehman.edu/business

In this LEAP Into Business conversation, Sean Stein Smith and Jorge Silva-Puras speak with Ron Quaranta about innovation, education, finance, and emerging technology. The discussion for Season Three, Episode Seven, frames blockchain, digital assets, and artificial intelligence as business issues that affect decision-making, risk management, and career preparation. Quaranta stresses that technology creates opportunities for efficiency, inclusion, and growth, but also requires attention to cybersecurity, regulation, governance, and ethics. Silva-Puras connects these themes to Lehman College’s mission of expanding opportunity for students and the Bronx community. Stein Smith emphasizes the need to translate complex technologies into practical, accessible guidance. This engaging conversation highlights continuous learning, collaboration, and responsible leadership.lehman.edu/business

In Season 3 Episode 6 of LEAP Into Business, host Sean Stein Smith and special co-host Professor Andrew Gold interview Soo Kim (Chairman of Bally's Corporation) on how to think rigorously about risk in today’s business landscape. The conversation explores capital discipline, strategic patience, and how professionals can build careers by consistently applying sound judgment rather than chasing short-term opportunities.Lehman College School of Business - lehman.edu/business

In Season 3, Episode 5 of LEAP Into Business, host Sean Stein Smith is joined by special co-host - Professor Alexander Nuñez-Torres, for an in-depth conversation with guest Lehman President Fernando Delgado. This episode breaks down the $50 million gift to Lehman College from MacKenzie Scott's Yield Giving Foundation, what projects are being supported by these funds, and the inner workings of how university finances actually work, including a deep dive into endowments and sound fiscal managementLehman College School of Business - lehman.edu/business

Sean Stein Smith and Lehman College Provost Jorge Silva-Puras sit down with Jennifer Bernstein, the CEO of the New York Botanical Garden for a LEAP Into Business interview highlighting leadership, community engagement, and economic development in The Bronx. Listen to learn how cultural and scientific institutions partner with local business ecosystems to foster education, sustainability, and inclusive opportunities. You'll also gain insights for students, professionals, and community stakeholders.lehman.edu/business

Lehman College Professor Jane Cleland, author of Beat the Bots: A Writer's Guide to Surviving and Thriving in the Age of AI, joins the LEAP into Business podcast to talk about her book, how she merges her business and creative background, and the importance of of originality in battling the blandness of AI.Hosted by Lehman Business Professor Sean Stein Smith and Provost Jorge SIlva-Puras.https://janecleland.com/lehman.cuny/business

In this episode of LEAP Into Business (Season 3 Episode 2), co-hosts Provost Jorge Silva Puras and Professor Sean Stein Smith sit down with NYCPA (New York State Society of CPA's) President Kevin Matz, a Lehman alumnus! Their conversation focused on the importance of taking a curious and proactive approach to continuing education, building a well-rounded persona for both personal and business growth, and (of course) how emerging technologies such as AI are changing how every aspect of business. lehman.edu/businesshttps://www.nysscpa.org/

In the kick off episode of Season 3 of LEAP Into Business, Rob Walsh - President of the Bronx Economic Development Corporation - sits down with Lehman College Provost Jorge Silva-Puras and Associate Professor Sean Stein Smith to discuss business trends, technological innovation, and what institutions and policymakers can do to help the Bronx realize its true economic potential.lehman.edu/business

In the Season Two, Episode Three edition of the LEAP into Business podcast, hosts Lawrence Fauntleroy, Lehman Experiential Learning Director and Lehman College Professor and Digital Assets Expert Sean Stein Smith sit down with Jamiel Sheikh, founder and CEO of Modelex AI and Scifn, a leading voice at the intersection of distributed AI, blockchain, and financial innovation. With over 20 years of experience on Wall Street and a current role advising governments and central banks, Jamiel shares how emerging technologies are transforming finance, reshaping industries, and opening new doors for entrepreneurs.

We explore his work with the Digital Currency Think Tank, his insights on the convergence of AI and blockchain, and how he's helping shape the future of digital economies. From Wall Street to TED Talks and from Columbia classrooms to global innovation summits—Jamiel brings clarity, vision, and practical advice for navigating what's next.

lehman.edu/business