ALEJANDRO GRAJAL 

Alejandro has lived and breathed the amazing natural ecosystems that make up our beloved planet. He is also an accomplished  and prolific author that currently leads Woodland Park Zoo, one of the largest zoos in America with a legacy of 126 years and one of the most important cultural and most visited institutions in Seattle. 

He is internationally known for his vision to define a new relationship between humans and nature by helping to restore the deep, affective bond between people and animals. He advocates for zoos as the best community institutions to create a social movement for conservation, to foster science learning beyond the classroom, and to ensure that all people have access to nature, regardless of socioeconomic background.

Before joining the zoo, Alejandro served as senior vice president for conservation, education and training at the Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, where he headed the Center for Conservation Leadership, oversaw field conservation and research programs for the Center for the Science of Animal Welfare, and supervised education programs. Previously, he had served as executive director of international programs for the National Audubon Society and director of Latin American programs at the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York.

A noted author, Alejandro’s publications include 45 peer-reviewed books, chapters, and scientific and popular articles covering topics which span the psychology of conservation, measuring the impact of environmental education, the sustainable use of natural resources and ornithology, among others. He leads the Climate Literacy Zoo Education Network (CliZEN), a coalition of zoological institutions, universities and NGOs.  In 2016, Trustees of the Chicago Zoological Society awarded him the prestigious George B. Raab Medal for Conservation Leadership, recognizing his lifelong contributions to environmental and species protection, and inspiring future generations of scientists and leaders to tackle big questions about living harmoniously with all beings on the planet.  In his spare time, he is an accomplished wildlife artist whose work has been exhibited in galleries in major cities.

He currently serves on the boards of Wild Welfare, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and World Trade Center Seattle. Alejandro earned his undergraduate degree in ecology from Simón Bolívar University in Caracas, Venezuela and his PhD in zoology from the University of Florida.

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This week is America's 249th birthday and there are few things more quintessentially American than football. So we have a special treat for you, a conversation with Marissa Solis. She is the steward of the NFL brand and serves as SVP of Global Brand and Consumer Marketing. The National Football League is by far the most valuable sports league in the world.

She has been instrumental in widening the aperture and appeal of the game and the enterprise. Demographics made this an imperative, technology made it possible, and with them business of sports - which is as much about playing games as it is about media and entertainment. Exhibit One (of many): the most recent NLF draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin. 

Marissa has had a remarkable career managing global brands at companies like Procter & Gamble and PepsiCo and holds degrees from The University of Texas at Austin and Georgetown University.  

TOD LEIWEKE

Tod is a remarkable human being, full stop. His journey’s genesis is rooted in very humble beginnings in one of the poorest counties in Missouri, punctuated by two tragedies, to becoming one of the most prolific sports executives in the United States over the last four decades. He  is currently part-owner, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Seattle Kraken and was instrumental in building the world’s first carbon neutral stadiums and a beloved institution in the city, Climate Pledge Arena.

Before his current roles, he served as NFL as Chief Operating Officer running day-to-day operations of the league including football operations, media, marketing, NFL International, communications and social responsibility. Prior to rejoining the NFL, Tod  was Chief Executive Officer of Tampa Bay Sports and Entertainment, which included the Tampa Bay Lightning and Amalie Arena and in his last season the team was a Stanley Cup Finalist accentuating a remarkable turnaround of the franchise.  

Prior to joining the Lightning, Tod served as CEO of the Seattle Seahawks (NFL) and Vulcan Sports & Entertainment for seven years. During his tenure in Seattle he revived the Seahawks 12th Man brand, and assisted in building one of the NFL's finest 200,000sf waterfront practice facilities including access for fans to attend training camp. Concurrently he  also provided oversight of the Portland Trail Blazers (NBA) as acting President. Tod also served as first ever team President of the Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) helping set in motion the team that is now regarded as one of the model franchises in Major League Soccer then averaging over 40,000 fans per match. He is part-owner of the Sounders FC.  

Preceding this, Tod was President of the Minnesota Wild and Minnesota Sports & Entertainment. He also held an executive position with the PGA TOUR and  held early career positions with the NHL's Vancouver Canucks, the NBA's Golden State Warriors and a short stint as President of the Houston Rockets.

TOD RELATED LINKS

Wikipedia

Kraken’s Future 

Sounders 

Downtown Seattle Association

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LYNDEE FLETCHER

Lyndee Fletcher is CEO of VCheck GLobal and she is one of the foremost experts in the public record and reputational due diligence industry. Since joining VCheck Global in 2016 as the company's sixth hire, she has been an integral part of Vcheck's operations and technology evolution enabling Vcheck to grow 2500%. 

Lyndee is by far the youngest CEO in the industry (at 30 years old) and served as President of the company in her late 20’s. She also happens to one of the only female CEOs of an institutionally backed financial and business services company. 

She is passionate about transforming the speed, quality, and process by which companies mitigate risk by embracing a human-led, tech-enabled approach to diligence and investigations - from IPOs to massive real estate developments to blockbuster leveraged buy-outs to sexy venture capital investments to bank loans, structured credit, limited partner interests, law firm financial diligence and everything in between. The company serves some of the most respected, largest and sophisticated capital allocators, investment firms and financial institutions in the world  

Lyndee spearheads a team focused on a human-led, technology-enabled approach to risk mitigation in the industry with strategic use of automation and AI to make diligence faster, more efficient, and higher quality - ultimately a human endeavor enabled by innovative tools.

Homeschooled by her mom in a small town in Florida and starting college at 16, she embodies a new kind of leadership in this interesting and important, yet obscure, corner of the economy. Her smarts coupled with her grit and competitive drive are outsized and put her at the top of the game.

Disclaimers: (1) I serve as an independent board member of the company. (2) The introduction was generated by Google’s Notebook LM.

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ELISA ORLANSKI OURS

Elisa Orlanski Ours is at the top of the architecture and design world game. She is a highly regarded designer, educator, and industry leader who currently serves as Chief Planning & Design Officer at Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group. A founder of the firm's Planning & Design department, Elisa has been instrumental in transforming the relationship between the design and the real estate industries, fusing architectural marketing with strong design principles throughout all phases of residential, hotel, and amenity space planning. 

Elisa's portfolio boasts an impressive array of projects, ranging from master plans and hotel- branded developments to individual villas, with NYC highlights including 220 Central Park South, 56 Leonard, Hudson Yards, One High Line, and historic landmark conversions like The Greenwich Lane and The Apthorp. Through her work with Corcoran Sunshine, Corcoran New Development, and the brand's affiliate network, she has consulted with developers including Silverstein Properties, Related, Rudin Management, and Vornado Realty Trust, and has shaped the architectural landscape of New York City through collaborations with architects including Robert A. M. Stern, BIG Architects, Foster and Partners, Selldorf Partners, KPF, SOM, Yabu Pushelberg, Thomas Juul Hansen, Champalimaud, and Rockwell Group. Elisa has also had the privilege of working on the first NYC residential development with Herzog and de Meuron, Shigeru Ban, David Chipperfield, Studio Gang, Jean Nouvel, Zaha Hadid, Studio Sofield, Adjaye Associates, and Michaelis Boyd. 

Elisa holds a BA in architecture with a concentration in computer science from Barnard College and a master's in architecture from Columbia University. She is a dedicated working mother of two young boys who is actively dedicated to her community, supporting the NYC public school system and the Architecture League. She serves on the board of Southworth Development, an owner and operator of six golf resorts.

ELISA RELATED LINKS

Corcoran Sunshine

AIA NYC Center for Architecture

Salone del Mobile - Milano

Architectural Digest

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TOM'S BIO 

On March 5, 2025, Tom Llamas was named as Lester Holt’s successor as anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News beginning in summer 2025. This episode is a re-released show originally released on October 26, 2023.

Tom's life and career are remarkable and he is a master of truth telling and the news media. He is an American journalist who was the weekend anchor for World News Tonight on ABC and is now Senior National Correspondent and anchor for NBC News Now, hosting Top Story with Tom Llamas, as well as substituting occasionally in NBC's Today and NBC Nightly News. 

(0:38) - Bio

(01:06) - Discovering a talent, nurturing it, developing it; background informs perspective

(02:40) - Getting into the business; Telemundo at 15 years old

(04:48) - The path, learning the business, starting at the bottom

(05:48) - Media changing, citizen journalism; pros and cons, the future

(07:25) - Careers in new media, digital distribution, democratizing fame

(08:55) - Training as a journalist, ethics, laws, impartiality; 10,000 reps

(10:38) - Americans love variety; from burgers to tomato sauce to news

(11:42) - A story that sticks out

ETHAN STOWELL

We're diving into the story of Ethan Stowell—a name that’s become synonymous with the culinary world in Seattle. He comes from a family of artists, specifically ballet dancers. He’s not just a chef; he’s an innovator who’s left an indelible mark on his community. Ethan started with a vision back in 2003 when he opened Union, his first restaurant in downtown Seattle, praised for its simplicity and its elegance right out of the gate.

From there, Ethan Stowell Restaurants, or ESR, grew into something truly remarkable. We're talking about Tavolàta, with its pasta-inspired focus, and How to Cook a Wolf, which brings this delicate, almost artful approach to dining, among others. Oh, and there’s Ballard Pizza Company—it’s like, the perfect neighborhood pizza spot. He makes high-quality food feel accessible and welcoming.

What’s even more impressive is how ESR has expanded, now covering over a dozen concepts and over twenty locations, including in Idaho and New York City—and it doesn’t stop there. Ethan's team has partnered with iconic brands like the Seattle Mariners. And even with all that growth, there’s this real effort to stay anchored in the community.

Back in 2008, he was named one of *Food Wine*’s Best New Chefs, and in 2020, he was a semifinalist for a James Beard Award in the Outstanding Restaurateur category. Those aren’t just titles—they’re windows into the kind of impact he’s had, both regionally and nationally.

It’s stories like Ethan’s that remind us how passion, vision, and a commitment to community can truly shape industries and, honestly, create experiences people cherish.

ETHAN RELATED LINKS

Ethan Stowell Restaurants

Wikipedia 

Holland America Partnership

Seattle City Makers (Video via Downtown Seattle Association)

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DIEGO RODRIGUEZ

Diego’s remarkable experiences and brilliance has driven him to  work at the nexus of business, design, and technology. He is also a terrific human being, catalyst and educator. He has served as Intuit’s Chief Product & Design Officer, as a Senior Partner at IDEO, on the Harvard Board of Overseers, and on the founding team of Stanford’s d.school. He is an active startup advisor, investor, and member of several public boards, focusing on tough tech, fintech, and the future of transportation. He serves on the boards of  LendingTree and TrueCar, and was on EngageSmart's board until its January 2024 acquisition.

As Intuit’s Executive Vice President, Chief Product & Design Officer, Diego guided the strategy, design, and delivery of Intuit’s groundbreaking, AI-powered customer experiences. Before Intuit, Diego was a Senior Partner at IDEO and served as the Managing Director of IDEO Bay Area—its largest business unit. Through IDEO CoLab, funded and incubated a portfolio of external startups, including PillPack (acquired by Amazon), Faraday Bicycles (acquired by Pon Holdings), and Mural. At the start of his career, Diego developed leading-edge products as an engineer at HP and IDEO, and he helped pioneer the SaaS version of QuickBooks as a product marketer at Intuit.

He is a founding faculty member of the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford (aka "the d.school"). He served on the Harvard University Board of Overseers and as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Harvard Business School. Diego holds  bachelor’s degrees in engineering and humanities with honors from Stanford University, and an MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School.

He won a Chicago Athenaeum Good Design Award and several Red Dot Design Awards. Fortune named him one of “The Smartest People in Tech”. Fast Company called his writing about culture, strategy, and innovation “a must-read for anyone who wants to incorporate design thinking into their work.” He holds multiple patents.

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NINA TANDON

Nina Tandon is a remarkable person, who is currently Co-Founder and CEO of EpiBone, a biotech company that grows bone and cartilage for skeletal reconstruction which just recently completed human trials reconstructing mandibles; the lower jaw is the largest and strongest bone in the face. Her life and accomplishments are inspiring and is deeply thoughtful, multi-dimensional and extremely driven. A great episode to kick off 2025, Happy New Year to all!

She grew up on Roosevelt Island on the East River in New York City, and showed interest in science as a child when, her siblings suffered from eye conditions. They were encouraged to try various science experiments: Nina took apart TVs, built giant Tinkertoy towers, played with static solved complex puzzles, and dabbled in community theatre, poetry, and sewing. She studied French, Hindi and Italian, runs marathons, and enjoys metal-smithing and being a yoga instructor.

EpiBone has raised millions in investor funding and has received such distinctions as the World Economic Forum’s 2015 Technology Pioneer, named one of the 100 most exciting start-ups in New York City by Business Insider. Nina has been recognized as one of the 100 Most Creative People in Business by Fast Company Magazine; an Ernst & Young Winning Women and Goldman Sachs’ 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs, among others.

Nina started her career as an electrical engineer. Then while studying abroad on a Fulbright scholarship, she worked on an electronic nose to “smell” lung cancer. This ignited her passion for healthcare and changed the course of her career. She went back to school, earning a master’s in bioelectrical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and two advanced degrees from Columbia University – an MBA in healthcare entrepreneurship and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering.

With decades of experience as both a scientist and entrepreneur, Nina is a loud voice that raises  awareness on  the field of tissue engineering. She has done a number of TED Talks, has published in Forbes magazine, and was featured on the Netflix series “Human: The World Within". In 2022, she offered  policy perspectives at the White House Summit on Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing.

RELATED LINKS

Epibone

Wikipedia

Columbia Board Visitor

TED Talks

Crain’s Women in Health

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POPE JOHN PAUL II

Pope John Paul II visited the United States in 1979 and gave this speech in the Boston Common on October 1st  of that year. He was born in Poland as Karol Józef Wojtyła on May 18, 1920 and was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City from 1978 until his death in 2005. Pope John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope since Adrian V1 in the 1500’s and   the third longest serving pope after Pius IX and St. Peter (the first pope). He put emphasis on family and identity, while questioning consumerism, hedonism and the pursuit of wealth. He was one of the most travelled world leaders in history, visiting 129 countries during his reign.  

He has been credited with fighting against dictatorships for democracy and with helping to end communist rule in his  native Poland and the rest of Europe. Under John Paul II, the Catholic Church greatly expanded its influence in Africa and Latin America and retained its influence in Europe and the rest of the world. 

Note: This show is longer than usual, the speech is in its original form.

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