The Impact Exchange

In an era of geopolitical challenges and energy transitions, how do businesses adapt? The latest episode of The Impact Exchange with John Frehse features Ambassador Geoff Pyatt, a seasoned diplomat with over 35 years of experience. From the frontlines of international diplomacy to the complexities of energy transitions, Geoff shares insights on Ukraine's resilience, the geopolitical landscape, and the future of critical minerals.

Learn about: 
• U.S. policies in Ukraine and their broader global strategy
• The rising demand for energy resources and critical minerals 
• The impact of geopolitical dynamics on international trade

Why are there so many unfinished construction projects? Is it true in construction that you can only pick two: better, faster, or cheaper? 

In this episode, John Frehse sits down with Ankura’s Chris Nutter to explore the world of value engineering, a process developed during World War II that is used today to balance cost, function, and quality in construction projects. 

Chris shares insights on: 
• How to avoid common pitfalls
• Ensuring projects meet their intended goals without sacrificing safety or aesthetics
• Turning short-term savings into long-term success
• How to navigate the complexities of modern construction projects

Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the role of value engineering. 

Are you being watched?! 2025 has witnessed a surge in sophisticated cyberattacks, with ransomware attacks rising by 126% globally. In this episode, John Frehse speaks with Han Lai about the critical importance of cybersecurity and the hidden risks we all face in our connected world.

Discover why information security matters and learn the first steps to take if your data is compromised. Han explains the complex nature of cyberattacks, from prolonged system infiltrations to ransomware negotiations, and how he helps clients navigate these challenges.

Blockchain and cryptocurrency have become buzzwords, but what do they truly mean for industries and society? Join John Frehse as he chats with expert Andrew Sotak on this episode of The Impact Exchange. 

Andrew shares his insights on: 
• What blockchain is at its core
• The impact of crypto on global regulations 
• Real-life forensic cases in the crypto world
• Future trends in digital assets

Dive into the world of global trade with John Frehse as he’s joined by trade expert Kate Kalutkiewicz!

Kate unpacks the complexities of trade policies and tariffs that are reshaping industries worldwide. From her experiences in the Trump White House Administration to leading trade policy at Amazon, Kate brings unparalleled insights into how these changes affect businesses globally. 

Discover why tariffs are more than just taxes, how they influence everything from automotive supply chains to pharmaceutical pricing, and what the current trade negotiations mean for the future of international business.

Why do technology projects often miss the mark?

Join John Frehse in this episode as he chats with Mirinda Lowe. Mirinda emphasizes the importance of treating technology implementations as business transformations to ensure success. Key elements for a successful technology rollout include:

• A compelling reason for the initiative
• Clearly defined roles
• A strategic roll-out plan that considers organizational impacts

What keeps a CFO up at night? How has the role evolved beyond traditional number-crunching?

Join John Frehse as he delves into the intricacies of the modern CFO role with financial expert Elliot Fuhr on this episode of The Impact Exchange. Elliot shares invaluable insights on:
• Key financial metrics that every business should focus on 
• The transformation of finance officers into strategic business leaders 
• The power of force multiplication through technology

Unlock the secrets to effectively communicating with your CFO and drive your projects forward.

Dive into this fascinating discussion on the art of discourse with John Frehse and Bret Stephens, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist for the New York Times. 

In a world of increased polarization, Bret educates us on the discourse of civil society and explores the architecture of argument and the cultural forces shaping our conversations today. 

Today, consumers have a relatively positive outlook on the economy, while the economy is showing us signs that we shouldn't. 

In this episode, John Frehse sits down with Ankura's own Keith Jelinek, performance improvement and retail expert, to discuss the implications of rising consumer debt levels, including the consumer spending index, consumer sentiment and outlook on the market, impacts on the economy and society, and more. 

In this episode, John Frehse catches up with Head of Ankura's Disputes & Economics practice in Australia, Christine Oliver, on all things valuation.

How do company stories play into valuations? What do the numbers tell us about what a business is worth? What company data does Christine consider when performing valuations work?