Leading Through Innovation

Mike Newman’s path from law school to CEO in enterprise video is anything but typical. In this episode, the former MediaPlatform leader shares his journey—from co-founding Accordent Technologies to scaling cloud-native video solutions for global brands. We dive into his lessons on leadership, growth, and staying grounded in a rapidly evolving industry.

In this episode of The Schmooze, we sit down with Michael Friedlander, Senior Director of Strategy and Transformation at PepsiCo. Michael is an outcomes-based IT Executive with a proven track record of working on mergers and acquisitions and successfully transforming business processes by implementing highly effective technology solutions within multinational companies.

In this episode of The Schmooze, we sit down with Beth Feldman, Senior Vice President of Communications for The CW Network and Nexstar Media. Throughout her career she has launched hit talk shows, primetime series, and well-known brands by developing groundbreaking media campaigns that generate media exposure and drive consumer and viewer awareness.

David Glauber is an innovative international attorney with many years of Legal, Public Policy, Regulatory and Compliance experience.

In this episode of The Schmooze, we sit down with Bill Shafton, a seasoned in-house lawyer who led Grindr’s legal team from its founding days to its public debut on the NYSE. Bill shares insights from his journey through high-growth tech, regulatory challenges, and litigation strategy. Beyond his legal expertise, Bill opens up about his passion for music and how it has shaped his personal and professional journey

Jason Lubin is a manager-producer and the principal at First Story Entertainment, which he founded in 2018. The lit management company represents a diverse roster of talented writers and directors with fresh voices in all genres for Film and TV. The company’s clients have been staffed on shows on multiple networks including Showtime, CW, Apple+, and Netflix, and have sold series to Disney and HBO Max.

With over 15 years of experience in the tech sector, Neal is passionate about investing in and supporting innovative companies that impact communities and solve real-world problems. As a Managing Partner at Interlock Capital, he helped find, evaluate, fund, and support the best technology companies through our venture fund and angel investor syndicate.With over 15 years of experience in the tech sector, Neal is passionate about investing in and supporting innovative companies that impact communities and solve real-world problems. As a Managing Partner at Interlock Capital, he helped find, evaluate, fund, and support the best technology companies through our venture fund and angel investor syndicate.

Stacy Schusterman is chair of Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, whose mission is to pursue more just and inclusive societies in the United States and Israel.

Stacy’s philanthropic vision is deeply rooted in Jewish values, including the pursuit of justice (tzedek), repairing the world (tikkun olam) and treating all people with dignity and respect (derekh eretz).

Schusterman Family Philanthropies is advancing work started by her parents, Charles and Lynn Schusterman, more than 35 years ago to support joyful, diverse Jewish communities and build understanding of, connection to, and support for Israel in the U.S. Through Schusterman Family Philanthropies - Israel, she has grown the family’s investments in efforts to strengthen Israel as a safe homeland for the Jewish people, a thriving democracy and an inclusive society.

Stacy's philanthropic priorities in the U.S. include advancing racial, gender and economic equity through investments in Criminal Justice, Democracy and Voting Rights, K-12 Education, Gender and Reproductive Equity and her hometown of Tulsa, OK.

Stacy held leadership positions in several businesses over many years. Currently, her time is almost fully devoted to her philanthropy.

Stacy earned her Bachelor’s degree from Yale University and her Master’s in Business Administration from the McCombs School of Business of the University of Texas at Austin.

Michael Kaufman founded Kaufman Lynn Construction (KL) in 1989 with three employees, including himself. Over the past 34 years, having completed over 1,000 projects, he has grown his company into one of the largest construction companies in Florida with operations throughout the Southeast. In 2020, Michael sold KL to its 250+ associates through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), sharing the company’s success.

In his daily role, Michael is focused on KL’s regional growth, client satisfaction, and the brand’s continued recognition as a dedicated construction and community partner, and top place to work. Michael is a member of a variety of organizations including the Construction Association of South Florida (CASF) and the Florida East Coast Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). As a testament to his business acumen, Michael was a 3-time Finalist for the prestigious Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Florida Award. He has been repeatedly listed on Florida Trend magazine’s Florida 500 list and was named a “Power Leader in Real Estate” and an “Ultimate CEO” by the South Florida Business Journal.

Michael serves on the Florida Council of 100, the Dean’s Advisory Board for the Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University, and is a member of the FAU Foundation, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, The Executive Quorum, Broward Workshop, and a Trustee of the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce. Michael and his wife, Lisa, make their home in Boca Raton, Florida, and have 6 children, and an extended group of family and treasured friends. Michael and Lisa’s commitment to philanthropy includes their dedication to educational and cultural arts initiatives, with a primary focus on the George Snow Foundation’s scholarship program.

Moses Libitzky is Chief Executive Officer of Libitzky Property Companies. Moses has over 40 years of commercial real estate expertise, specializing in mixed-use industrial rehabilitation. He has successfully directed over 100 projects with long term operation.

Moses attended Brandeis University where he obtained a B.S. in Physics with a sub-specialty in Computer Science. Moses started his professional career by founding a computer company, Abacus Data Systems.

Moses’ other passion is his work with the Libitzky Family Foundation, its mission is to create a culturally rich, supportive, inclusive and strong Jewish community. He also serves as the President of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, and he is a council member of the Muslim-Jewish Advisory Council, an interfaith, bipartisan collaboration convened by the American Jewish Committee and the Islamic Society of North America.