Stern Chats

Francine Mends is an NYU alumna who left a 13-year career in medicine to found Evolving Conversations, a consultancy where she coaches business leaders on how to have better, deeper conversations. This week, Kathleen and Lauren talk with Francine to talk about her decision to leave her career in medicine and how we can all use a scientific approach to improve the quality of the conversations we have every day.

With interviews around the corner, we thought hearing from Francine could help many of our listeners as they prepare for important conversations of their own. Francine has provided resources specifically for Stern Chats listeners available at: onevolving.com/nyusternchats

Hosted by: Kathleen Dillon & Lauren Marinaro

Produced by: Daniel Yellin & Kathleen Dillon

Edited by: PJ Wyderka

Tara Hankinson is an NYU Stern alumna and the co-founder of TALEA Beer Co., a woman and veteran-owned beer company based in NYC. This week on Stern Chats, Tiffany and Melanie sit down with Tara to discuss what it's like breaking the glass ceiling in the beer industry, creating a brand name, and how a non-linear career trajectory can help you find your passions.

Hosts: Tiffany Lin & Melanie Gonzalez

Produced by: Daniel Yellin & Hayley Wilcox

Edited by: PJ Wyderka

Professor Michael Posner is currently the Co-Director of the Center of Business and Human Rights at NYU Stern. Previously, he served in the Obama administration as the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Daniel and Tiffany sat down with Professor Posner to talk about his illustrious career as a lawyer, advocate, and statesman, why he thinks human rights should be a central tenet of a business education, and what to do about Facebook.

Hosted by: Daniel Yellin & Tiffany Lin

Produced by: Daniel Yellin & Galila Gray

Edited by: PJ Wyderka

In this special Veterans Day edition of Stern Chats, Kathleen Dillon talks with three of her fellow Stern MBA veterans, Bennett Adams, Natalie Ashbridge, and Asher Eddy. Kathleen, Bennett, Natalie, and Asher have a wide-ranging conversation about their experiences in the military, mental health, civilian support for veterans, and what it's like making the transition to business school. Kathleen, Bennett, Natalie, and Asher are all part of the Fertitta Veterans Program at NYU Stern.

Hosted by: Kathleen Dillon

Produced by: Daniel Yellin & Kathleen Dillon

Edited by: PJ Wyderka

Megan Fairchild is a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, spent a year on Broadway, and is also pursuing her MBA part-time at NYU Stern. This week on Stern Chats, Melanie and Mahum spoke with Megan to discuss the intensely competitive world of professional ballet, balancing academics and motherhood while being at the top of her field, and the power of setting small goals.

Hosted by: Melanie Gonzalez & Mahum Jamal

Produced by: Daniel Yellin

Edited by: PJ Wyderka

Amy Nelson is the CEO of Venture for America, a non-profit mobilizing the next generation of entrepreneurs. This week, Kathleen and Daniel (a Venture for America Fellow himself) speak with Amy about the barriers to entrepreneurship, what it's like to take on the CEO role, and choosing a career that indicates your values. Amy also talks about what it was like being the only single mother in her Stern full-time MBA class and why we should push our institutions to be more equitable and inclusive.

Hosted by: Daniel Yellin & Kathleen Dillon

Produced by: Daniel Yellin

Edited by: PJ Wyderka

Ashwin Chandra and Antonella Tellez were elected NYU Stern Student Government Co-Presidents a few weeks before COVID hit New York. Since then, their tenure has looked much different than in years past. Ashwin and Antonella stopped by Stern Chats to tell us a little more about themselves, why they're still optimistic about the Stern Community, and what it has been like getting an MBA during the pandemic.

Hosted by: Tiffany Lin & Daniel Yellin

Produced by: Daniel Yellin

Edited by: PJ Wyderka

When Ben Sperling arrived at Stern in 2019, he had already made a mark on the world. He had taught high school math as a Teach for America fellow and then, motivated by what he saw in his school, went on to found a non-profit, Next Generation Men & Women, to help close the opportunity gap for under-resourced students. Daniel and Lauren had the chance to talk with Ben about resiliency in the classroom and in business, the smartest way to grow a fledgling organization, and how an office space can cost as little as a banana and a cup of tea per day. Ben also shared the story of the worst meeting he ever had during his early days as a founder and why he decided to leave his organization to pursue his MBA.

Hosted by: Daniel Yellin & Lauren Marinaro

Produced by: Daniel Yellin

Edited by: Frank Varrichio

Vanessa O'Brien is in the Guinness World Records book. She holds the fastest time for a woman to complete the Seven Summits challenge and was the first woman to reach both the highest point on Earth (Mt. Everest) and the lowest point (Challenger Deep). She's also an NYU Stern alumna and had a highly successful career in finance before becoming one of the world's most respected adventurers. Vanessa talked to us about the value of calculated risk, patience, preparation, and what comes next when you've already been on top of the world.

Hosted by: Kathleen Dillon & Melanie Gonzalez

Produced by: Daniel Yellin

Edited by: Frank Varrichio

RJ Rushmore, a second-year MBA at Stern and one of the most creative minds in the current student body, talks to us about his passion for street art, his work as a curator, and why an MBA makes him more valuable to his community. He also shares the one question he asked himself that helped him break into a coveted career in the world of art.

RJ's Instagram: @RJRushmore

Hosted by: Lauren Marinaro & Mahum Jamal

Produced by: Daniel Yellin

Edited by: Frank Varrichio