The Executives' Exchange

Episode 058 – Stephanie Morimoto, CEO, Asutra

On this episode of the Executives' Exchange, Stephanie Morimoto, Chief Executive Officer at Asutra, reflects on her journey transitioning from burnout to wellness entrepreneur. Stephanie shares the positive outcomes of focusing on developing relationships, self-care, and magnesium! Hear how she created a company that prioritizes wellness and inclusivity.

00:00 – Intro

01:07 – Morimoto's childhood & inspiring family history

04:53 – Highschool & college journey

09:25 – The powerful impact of education

12:26 – Morimoto's winding path to Asutra

15:37 – Joining the entrepreneurship world & hitting burnout

18:13 – The shift in hustle culture

22:33 – Asutra's goal in self-care

24:22 – Message from our sponsor, Shure

24:53 – The power of magnesium

27:38 – Purchasing Asutra & rebranding

30:01 – The meaning behind Asutra

30:49 – Asutra's core values in workplace culture

37:09 – Pros & cons of declining venture capital

40:39 – Navigating the business realm as a female Asian American entrepreneur

44:04 – Creating meaningful business partnerships

47:47 – Future plans for Asutra

52:07 – Rapid Fire Questions

56:19 – Outro

Episode Link: Asutra

Host: Margaret Mueller, President & Chief Executive Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago

Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago

Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated.

For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.

Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Episode 057 – Marc Schulman, President, Eli's Cheesecake Company

In this episode of the Executives' Exchange, Marc Schulman, President of Eli's Cheesecake Company, engages in a discussion with guest host, Travis C. Hunter, Jr., Chicago Office Managing Partner for KPMG. Together, they delve into Marc's journey, revealing his significant influence on the culinary industry and his crucial role in the growth of Eli's Cheesecake Company, all intertwined with his family's captivating history.

0:00 – Intro 1:45 – Schulman family history 5:45 – First public debut of Eli's Cheesecake 7:03 – Life lessons from Eli Schulman 11:15 – Eli's Cheesecake impactful events 16:50 - Message from sponsors, Shure 17:24 – Marc Schulman's education and early career interests 22:00 – Expansion of the business and the brand 23:32 – Inspiration from Hershey, Wrigley, and Sara Lee 25:45– Marc taking over the company 26:52 – Importance of lifelong learning 27:52 – Keeping the business alive during hard times 29:25 – Acquiring more land from the City of Chicago to expand locations 31:34 – How you grow your business 31:54 – Expanding your lines: Partnerships in food service and retail 34:10 – Continual creation and innovation 35:15 – Passing on the legacy to Marc's daughter 39:24 – The outlook of Eli's Cheesecake Company 43:25 – Rapid fire questions 47:37 - Outro

Episode Link: Eli's Cheesecake Company

Guest Host: Travis Hunter Jr., Chicago Office Managing Partner, KPMG Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago

Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated. For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability, and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.

Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Episode 056 – Marc Benioff, CEO & Founder, Salesforce

On this episode of the Executives' Exchange, we spotlight a recognized leader in the world of business, Mark Benioff. Mark is the CEO of Salesforce, as well as a New York Times bestseller, and an advocate for ethical business practices. Hear what insights Mark thinks helped to propel Salesforce to its extreme success and explore the principles that guide Mark's leadership.

00:00 – Intro

00:19 –greetings banter (his new tower being opened)

01:39 – early life, video games, leading up to salesforce

05:03 – career path, college, guidance/ mentors

08:11 – AI, where it's going and how its transforming salesforce

17:32 – leadership style, innovation

20:36 – Shure Sponsor

21:05 – How to help better vision the future

23:56 – How salesforce operationalizes its values as well as personal values in business

28:35 – 1:1:1 model and philanthropy

34:52 – Chicago investments, the new tower opening again, singer song writers

41:11 – Closing remarks

41:48 – Outro

Episode Link: Salesforce

Host: Margaret Mueller, President & CEO, The Executives' Club of Chicago Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago

Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated. For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability, and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.

Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

In this episode of the Executives' Exchange, we explore the remarkable journey of Kristi Ross, a visionary entrepreneur, co-founder, and former co-CEO of Tastytrade, Inc., a trailblazing financial media company headquartered in Chicago. Get ready to dive into Kristi Ross' incredible journey and discover her upcoming ventures that are set to revolutionize the coffee industry!

0:00 - Intro

0:47 - Introducing Kristi

1:49 - Kristi experiencing the loss of her mother

6:13 - Kristi's childhood dream job & mentors

9:40 - From CFO to CEO, learning from numbers

13:30 - More "actionable" media

14:25 - Understanding culture in mergers & acquisitions

19:23 - TastyTrade & dough

23:25 - Funding & entrepreneurship

27:20 - Message from sponsors, Shure

27:50 - Leaving TastyTrade

32:22 - Coffee & connections - Uniting the world through coffee

41:41 - Creating a collective impact

48:11 - Kristi's biggest wish for the finance industry

49:25 - Rapid fire questions

54:28 - Outro

Episode Link: U3 COFFEE

Host: Margaret Mueller, President & CEO, The Executives' Club of Chicago Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago

Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated. For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability, and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.

Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

In this episode of the Executives' Exchange, we explore the remarkable journey of Kristi Ross, a visionary entrepreneur, co-founder, and former co-CEO of Tastytrade, Inc., a trailblazing financial media company headquartered in Chicago. Get ready to dive into Kristi Ross' incredible journey and discover her upcoming ventures that are set to revolutionize the coffee industry!

0:00 - Intro

0:47 - Introducing Kristi

1:49 - Kristi experiencing the loss of her mother

6:13 - Kristi's childhood dream job & mentors

9:40 - From CFO to CEO, learning from numbers

13:30 - More "actionable" media

14:25 - Understanding culture in mergers & acquisitions

19:23 - TastyTrade & dough

23:25 - Funding & entrepreneurship

27:20 - Message from sponsors, Shure

27:50 - Leaving TastyTrade

32:22 - Coffee & connections - Uniting the world through coffee

41:41 - Creating a collective impact

48:11 - Kristi's biggest wish for the finance industry

49:25 - Rapid fire questions

54:28 - Outro

Episode Link: U3 COFFEE

Host: Margaret Mueller, President & CEO, The Executives' Club of Chicago Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago

Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated. For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability, and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.

Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Tune in to the Executives' Exchange for a powerful conversation between Wendell Dallas, Nicor Gas CEO, and Ralph Cleveland, President of the American Association of Blacks in Energy. In this episode, they delve into Wendell's career, sharing insights on mentorship and why being a mentor keeps you grounded. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience on August 22, 2023.

0:00 - Intro

0:22 - Introducing Dallas

1:45 - Early childhood and upbringing

6:47 - Where Dallas went to school

7:56 - Influence of Dallas' grandmother

10:03 - Dallas on being a father, and his kids

11:00 - Principles and lessons learned through raising kids

15:36 - Passions in the role Dallas is in as a CEO

21:28 - Greatest success as the CEO of Nicor Gas

27:48 - Dallas' first winter in Chicago

28:31 - Message from sponsors, Shure

29:02 - How Dallas shapes his career over time– networking, mentors, etc

36:29 - Being president of a company in a post-Covid world

41:01 - Rapid fire questions

43:42 - Outro

Episode Link: Nicor Gas

Guest Host: Ralph Cleveland, President, The American Association of Blacks in Energy Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago

Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated. For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.

Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Episode 053 - Natalie A. Brown, CEO, Mesirow

On this episode of The Executives' Exchange, Natalie A. Brown (CEO of Mesirow) shares with us her success story and how your career path can stray from the original plan. Join us in hearing her advice for aspiring young girls today and what the financial industry needs to work on.

00:00 – Intro

1:13 – Early life

5:10 – Early influences & role models

6:45 – Early career path

12:57 – The negative connotation of luck for women

17:17 – From CFO to CEO

19:28 – Life as a mother and CEO

21:43 – Message from sponsor, Shure

22:13 – Education and career planning for children

26:51 – Being a woman in finance

28:41 – Diversity and inclusivity within organizations

32:25 – Leading with authenticity and vulnerability

36:43 – Work vs. personal relationships

37:51 – Civic work

39:39 – Work to be done in the finance industry

40:58 – What gives hope (post-pandemic)

44:03 – Advice to past self and younger generations

45:53 – Rapid fire questions

1:01:59 – Outro

Episode Link: Mesirow

Host: Margaret Mueller, President & CEO, The Executives' Club of Chicago Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago

Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated. For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.

Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Episode 052 - John M. Holmes, Chairman, President, and CEO, AAR CORP

On this episode of The Executives' Exchange, we are privileged to feature one of Chicago's next generation of civic leaders John M. Holmes, Chairman, President, and CEO of AAR CORP. With an illustrious career spanning over two decades in the aviation sector, Holmes is known for his strategic thinking, operational excellence, and effective leadership.

00:00 – Intro

1:08 – Early life

5:35 – College

10:51 – Investment banking analyst/career path

16:10 – AAR

19:33 – Experience led to CEO

25:04 – Challenges in the aviation industry/COVID effects

37:21 – Message from sponsor, Shure

37:52 – New terminal at O'Hare

40:03 – Civic work

46:12 – How to encourage CEOs to engage in Civic work

49:05 – Raising kids in the city

51:48 – Bringing bees to AAR CORP

53:51 – DJ hobby

55:24 – Future of aviation

57:47 – Advice for young generation

59:17 – Rapid fire questions

1:01:59 – Outro

Episode Link: AAR CORP

Host: Margaret Mueller, President & CEO, The Executives' Club of Chicago Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago

Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated. For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.

Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Episode 051 – Dr. Joanne Pike, President and CEO, The Alzheimer's Association

In this episode, we have the honor of featuring Dr. Joanne Pike, President and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association, discussing her life journey, professional experiences, and the organization's efforts to combat Alzheimer's disease while delving into critical issues in public health and the nonprofit sector.

00:00 – Intro

00:21 – Introducing Dr. Joanne Pike

01:00 – Dr. Pike background & early influences

01:30 – Early childhood

02:24 – Pursuing Psychology & Philosophy Degree

03:17 – How degree influenced personal & professional development

03:43 – Challenges in health that changed her perspective

05:15 – Experience with the American Cancer Society & Preventative Health Partnership

08:05 – Lessons learned in Public Health career, Navigating COVID-19 Pandemic

10:00 – Personal experiences with Alzheimer's

12:36 – Advice and Resources for those with Alzheimer's

13:52 – Pike's Research with The Alzheimer's Association

16:33 – Initiatives & Programs Developed

18:11 – Message from sponsor, Shure

18:43 – Biggest challenges within the association

20:50 – The most promising area in Alzheimer's research

22:31 – Long-term goals for The Alzheimer's Association & Alzheimer's Impact Movement

24:30 – Most important qualities for a CEO in the non-profit sector

26:14 – Perspective on the evolvement of public health

29:10 – Health challenges facing society today

31:46 – Rapid fire questions

33:13 – Outro

Episode Link: The Alzheimer's Association

Host: Christine Schyvinck, President & Chief Executive Officer, Shure Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago

Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated. For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.

Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Episode 050 – Allison Robinson, Founder and CEO, The Mom Project

In this episode, we have the honor of featuring Allison Robinson, the esteemed Founder and CEO of The Mom Project. From her experience at Procter & Gamble, Allison discovered a profound passion for empowering mothers. Get inspired as Allison unveils the origins of The Mom Project, a venture dedicated to supporting and providing opportunities for mothers and their families.

00:00 – Intro

00:45 – Introducing Allison

00:58 – Allison background and early influences

02:56 – First real job (Hostess)

04:42 – First corporate job (Proctor and Gamble Sales)

09:03 – The start of The Mom Project

16:07 – The purpose and mission of The Mom Project

19:34 – Business side of The Mom Project

22:52 – Message from sponsor, Shure

23:22 – Company family leave policies

28:50 – Negative corporate culture on family leave

33:20 – Role Models, Serena Williams

34:38 –#1 thing learned in fundraising

39:39 – Women in the workforce post-Covid

42:40 – The gig economy and the importance of The Mom Project and the difference between the two

45:47 – Benefits of The Mom Project

46:38 – The Mom Project in the next year, the next 5 years

48:32 – Rapid fire questions

50:09 – Outro

Episode Link: The Mom Project

Host: Margaret Mueller, President & CEO, The Executives' Club of Chicago Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago

Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated. For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.

Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram