Welcome to the Arena from ICR – Conversations with Today's Innovators & Business Leaders

Summary: 

Innovation often starts with asking tough questions, like: What if the systems we’ve always relied on aren’t equipped to handle today's complexities? By leveraging data and challenging outdated assumptions, new possibilities are arising in unexpected industries.

Today, we're sitting down with Jay Jackson, Chairman and CEO of Abacus Life, which trades under the symbol ABL. Jay joined Abacus Settlements in 2016 as President and Chief Executive Officer and has also served as CEO of Longevity Market Assets since June 2019. 

He serves as a current member of the Orlando Mayor's Committee on Livability and as an Executive Board Member for the Senior Resource Alliance, an agency of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. Jay began his career at Franklin Templeton Investments, and prior to joining Abacus, he co-founded and managed the Fayerweather Street Life Fund, as well as the Cambridge Life Management origination platform for FDO Partners, a three billion quantitative investment firm founded by Harvard Business School professor Ken Froot.

With over 20 years of experience in the financial services and life settlement industry, Jay is not only a pioneer in the life settlement and longevity industry but has also formed multiple verticals within that umbrella. 

In this episode, we explore how Jay Jackson and Abacus Life are transforming life insurance into a powerful financial empowerment tool, offering policyholders and their loved ones newfound flexibility. He'll also tell us how Abacus is leveraging data to unlock hidden value and drive innovation across the longevity market.

Highlights:

• Abacus' background and mission (3:05)
• The total addressable market for Abacus in life insurance (4:14)
• Market competition and key business differentiators (6:10)
• Abacus' target audience and customer profiles (8:12)
• Abacus Life's business model and how it has evolved (9:49)
• Jay describes Abacus' technology platform and the value of data collection (12:11)
• How data insights will unlock opportunities for innovation and efficiency in the field (16:03)
• How life insurance policies will change if human lifespans increase (17:50)
• Jay describes the benefits of taking Abacus public (21:19)
• The senior team at Abacus Life (23:24)
• Future goals at Abacus and balancing growth with M&A (25:44)

Links:
Jay Jackson LinkedIn

Abacus Life on LinkedIn

Abacus Life Website

Book: Pursuing Wealthspan: How Science is Revolutionizing Wealth Management

ICR LinkedIn

ICR Twitter

ICR Website

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If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, [email protected].

Summary: 

In business, leadership isn’t just about taking charge — it’s about enabling others to thrive. As companies grow and stakes rise, fostering trust and collaboration becomes essential. Today’s guest has embraced a leadership style rooted in empowerment, driving innovation, and turning ambitious visions into tangible success.

Today we're sitting down with Mohammed Alardhi, Executive Chairman of Investcorp, a leading global manager of alternative investments. Under his leadership, Investcorp has grown its assets under management from 10 billion to 53 billion in just nine years, all while diversifying and expanding its global footprint.

Mohammed leads the firm's activities across its global network in New York, London, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Mumbai, Delhi, Beijing, Singapore, and Japan. He is a retired Air Vice Marshal and was the youngest and longest-serving Chief of the Omani Air Force, having joined the Royal Air Force of Oman in 1978.

In addition to his role at Investcorp, Mohammed also serves as Chairman of the Muscat Stock Exchange. He sits on several boards, including the International Advisory Board of the Brookings Institute in Washington, D.C., the Eisenhower Fellowship in Philadelphia, The World Economic Forum's Community of Chairpersons, and the Harvard Kennedy School's Dean Council, among others. Mohammed is the author of three published books, the most recent is Connecting to the Future, which became a U.S. bestseller in 2023. 

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Military Science from the Royal Air Force U.K. Staff College and a Master's in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He is also a graduate of the Royal Air Force Military Academy in the U.K. and the National Defense University in Washington, D.C.

In this episode, we discuss how Mohammed redefined his leadership style at Investcorp, blending military precision with visionary strategy to scale operations, foster innovation, and create lasting impact on a global stage.

Highlights:

• How Mohammed spearheaded Investcorp's transformation plan (5:36)
• Mohammed describes his military experience and how it informs his approach to business (7:47)
• Situational awareness, and its application to work environments (9:39)
• How Mohammed views investment decisions on a global scale (11:27)
• Mohammed's leadership style (12:21)
• How challenging the status quo helped Investcorp set growth and transformation goals (13:50)
• What Mohammed has learned from navigating high-profile deals (17:58)
• How to balance short-term results with long-term strategic planning (19:15)
• Breaking free of nostalgia in business (20:40)
• How the Investcorp team maintained internal stability amid substantial growth (22:34)
• Navigating cultural and economic environments on a global scale (25:19)
• Investcorp's outlook and goals for 2025 (26:27)
• Incorporating AI into Investcorp workflows (29:33)
• Investcorp's influence on corporate social responsibility (30:37)

Links:
Mohammed Alardhi LinkedIn

Investcorp on LinkedIn

Investcorp Website

Book: Connecting to the Future by Mohammed Alardhi (2023)

ICR LinkedIn

ICR Twitter

ICR Website

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If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, [email protected].

Summary: 

Branding used to be as simple as product packaging. But today, it’s woven into every touchpoint — from social media and customer service to in-store experiences. With more opportunities than ever to connect, brands face the challenge of creating a unified, authentic experience that not only stands out but also stays true to their core identity. Our guest today is helping brands forge deeper, more meaningful connections with their customers...connections that last.

Kate Doerge is Principal at Kate Doerge Consulting and Operating Partner at Traub, a global business development, advisory, and investment firm focused on the consumer and retail industries. Kate works with her colleagues at Traub on all aspects of brand strategy and optimization across domestic and global markets.

Kate is a dynamic business leader, brand strategist, and trusted advisor driving organizational transformation and delivering impactful results. As an experienced brand marketing consultant, Kate champions innovation and optimizes brand performance to generate value for stakeholders. Her clients have included L'Oreal, H&M, Kate Spade, TAG Heuer, and Oscar de la Renta, among others. 

Previously, Kate was Head of Marketing at iStar New York, leading iStar's branding and communications efforts. She launched the firm's first marketing department to drive awareness and also helped iStar play a central role in revitalizing Asbury Park, New Jersey with the Asbury Park Now brand campaign.

Prior to that, Kate was a partner at Paul Wilmot Communications, where she led the firm's fashion, beauty and wellness, accessories, culture, and lifestyle divisions. In 2015, Kate was appointed Vice Chair of the Board of Advisors of the Hospital for Special Surgery. She sits on the HSS Pediatric Council, and for the past 16 years, she has Co-chaired HSS's most successful fundraiser for the Pediatric Pavilion, raising more than 25 million to date.

She also sits on the Board and acts as a Strategic Advisor for the Penny Doerge Adaptive Pediatric Academy and is Co-founder and CEO of Penny's Flight Foundation dedicated to raising awareness and funding for neurofibromatosis, launched in honor of Kate and her husband Chad's daughter, Penny, who passed away from this condition in November of 2022.

In this episode, we explore how Kate Doerge is helping brands stand out by balancing authenticity with innovation, aligning messaging across platforms, and leveraging storytelling to create lasting connections in a rapidly evolving market.

Highlights:

• Kate's path into public relations and consulting (4:03)
• Memorable client experiences at Traub (9:48)
• Kate describes the Traub team (11:59)
• How Kate aligns brand strategies across entire teams (13:32)
• Challenges brands face when adapting their branding digitally (14:37)
• How Kate stays on top of trends and innovations (15:51)
• Adapting to trends while remaining authentic (18:20)
• How Kate's work at Traub informs her consulting business (20:05)
• Kate's philanthropic work and 'Penny's Flight Foundation' (22:24)

Links:

Kate Doerge on LinkedIn

Kate Doerge Consulting Website

Penny's Flight Foundation 

Traub Website

ICR LinkedIn

ICR Twitter

ICR Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, [email protected].

Summary: 

What does it take to revitalize a legacy brand, while maintaining its identity? By balancing tradition and transformation, any company can breathe new life into its business and consistently evolve to meet the changing expectations of customers and employees alike.

Today's guest is Julie Masino. Julie is President and CEO of Cracker Barrel, a role she took on just over a year ago in November of 2023. Since then, she's led the company with a focus on innovation and growth drawing on her over 30 years of experience in the restaurant and retail industries. Previously, Julie served President of International at Taco Bell and before that, President of North America. She's also held senior leadership positions at Sprinkles Cupcakes, Mattel, Starbucks, and began her career at iconic brands like Godiva, Coach, J. Crew, and Macy's. 

In this episode, Julie shares her vision for the brand and the five-pillar transformation strategy she is implementing aimed at enhancing market share, guest experience, and profitability.

Highlights:

• Julie explains the opportunity she saw for Cracker Barrel (2:58)
• Julie's fiver pillar strategy for Cracker Barrel's transformation (4:25)
• Why dinner remains a key area for increasing market share (9:23)
• What updates are being made to Cracker Barrel's pricing strategy? (12:39)
• Improving facilities and team satisfaction (15:44)
• Julie highlights the metrics correlated with sales growth (18:48)
• Digital and off-premises growth (23:00)
• How Cracker Barrel is engaging younger consumers (27:05)

Links:

Julie Masino on LinkedIn

Cracker Barrel on LinkedIn

Cracker Barrel Website

ICR LinkedIn

ICR Twitter

ICR Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, [email protected].

Summary: 

 This year, news cycles were dominated by American election coverage, groundbreaking advancements in AI, and distressing updates on global conflicts. After a year marked by uncertainty on so many fronts, will 2025 see a leveling out of the macroeconomic landscape, or persistent volatility? On this brief, end-of-year episode, Tom Ryan, founder and CEO of ICR, and host of Welcome to the Arena reflects on the key market trends of 2024 and explores the potential economic shifts that could define the year ahead.

Happy new year from everyone at ICR and Welcome to the Arena. Watch out for new episodes and more incredible stories from our guests in 2025.

Links:

ICR Twitter

ICR LinkedIn

ICR Website

Tom Ryan LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, [email protected].

Summary: 

With a new, crypto-friendly administration incoming, 2025 may be the year we see Bitcoin integrate more fully into mainstream finance in America and globally. Though volatile, and with an uncertain future that will heavily depend on how macroeconomic conditions and regulatory policies play out across the year, there's reason to believe that Bitcoin could soon be more prominent than ever. Today's guest is here to tell us why.

Michael Saylor is the Executive Chairman and co-founder of business intelligence company MicroStrategy (Nasdaq: MSTR), and a leading advocate of Bitcoin. MicroStrategy considers itself to be the world's first Bitcoin Company, and under Michael's leadership have adopted a unique Bitcoin acquisition strategy with approximately $42 billion in Bitcoin held to date. 

Michael will also be the keynote speaker in ICR's 27th annual conference, held in Orlando, Florida in January 2025. 

In this episode, Michael describes his journey from skeptic to Bitcoin maximalist, emphasizes the importance of understanding Bitcoin as a digital capital asset, and discusses its potential to disrupt traditional valuation methodologies in finance.

Highlights:

• Michael recommends resources for Bitcoin beginners (2:37)
• Why fear of progress holds us back (3:55)
• Michael points out the clues suggesting Bitcoin is here to stay (7:11)
• What USD maximalists get wrong (13:15)
• How we can understand the potential of Bitcoin through an engineering lens (16:25)
• Why valuation methodologies need to adapt to include Bitcoin (18:48)
• How Bitcoin outperforms traditional investments (28:09)
• Why supportive regulatory environment is crucial for Bitcoin's growth (30:54)
• Michael explains why the current capital market structure favors a select few (34:59)
• Why sound money is critical for societal progress (39:00)

Links:

Michael Saylor LinkedIn

MicroStrategy Website

Book: The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous

ICR LinkedIn

ICR Twitter

ICR Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, [email protected].

Summary: 

With a rising global population and growing urgency around sustainability, one industry under the spotlight is cultured meat. Vegan and plant-based products have made strides in recent years, but today’s guest is pushing that progress further—pioneering new ways to create sustainable alternatives without compromise.​

Arik Kaufman is an accomplished entrepreneur and the CEO and co-founder of Steakholder Foods. Armed with strong values and a clear vision 
of how to approach urgently-needed changes in the food industry, Arik set out to develop printed meat in 2019, resulting in a more sustainable and authentic alternative to conventional meat. 

Today, with its innovative 3D food printing technology, Steakholder is at the forefront of this growing industry. Arik has also founded three other food-tech firms, two of them (cell-grown milk developer Wilk and cultured honey company Beeio Honey) on the Tel Aviv stock exchange, and is a founding partner of Blue Sound Waves, an investment partnership led by Ashton Kutcher, Guy Oseary, and Effie Epstein.

In this episode, we explore how Steakholder Foods is shaping a future where alternative proteins and traditional meat coexist, and what it will take for cutting-edge technologies like 3D printing to gain widespread adoption in a rapidly evolving market.

Highlights:

• The impact of a growing population and climate change on the cultured meat industry (4:36)
• How 3D printing meat works, and what makes Steakholder's approach unique (6:42)
• The importance of IP and in-house innovation at Steakholder Foods (8:50)
• Steakholder Foods' business model (10:05)
• Steakholder's customer base and target audiences (11:19)
• The status of regulation with cultured meat technology (15:25)
• Differences between 3D printing variances of cultured meat (18:08)
• Arik speaks on the potential for international expansion (19:35)
• Arik discusses collaborations and partnerships in the food industry (22:42)
• Arik reflects on lessons learned working in food tech (23:49)
• What Arik is most excited about at Steakholder, and plans for the future (24:46)

Links:

Arik Kaufman on LinkedIn

Steakholder Foods on LinkedIn

Steakholder Foods Website 

ICR LinkedIn 

ICR Twitter 

ICR Website 

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, [email protected].

Summary: 

In today’s market, too often brands find themselves caught up in chasing trends, losing sight of the path to long-term growth. Today’s guests are breaking that cycle by taking a customer-first approach, turning insights into action, and aligning multiple brands under one clear vision.

Today we're sitting down with Steve Dunn and Diana "DB" Barnes from WHY Brands. Steve is WHY's CEO, founder, and Chairman and Diana is Chief Brand Officer and Creative Director of the company. WHY Brands is the parent company of baby lifestyle brand Munchkin, which Steve founded in 1990, as well as a new name in upscale home goods, Curio, which was co-founded by DB and Steve in 2023. 

A young father himself at Munchkin's start, Steve aspired to bring smart design into the nursery and found his passion in innovative product development and is now the primary inventor of the majority of over 350 patents. An investment banker turned entrepreneur, Steve holds a Bachelor's Degree from UC Berkeley and an MBA from Harvard Business School. 

As Chief Brand Officer, DB oversees global brand partnerships and manages the public relations, social media, and brand design teams for Munchkin and Curio Worldwide. She joined Munchkin in 2014 and under her leadership the brand design team has won over a hundred top international awards.

She's the creator and producer of Munchkin's top-ranked parenting podcast, StrollerCoaster, and was recently named one of the top 20 CMOs in the world by Fast Company. DB is a passionate advocate for animals and the environment, and leads all Munchkin CSR initiatives, including partnerships with the International Fund for Animal Welfare and Trees for the Future.

Diana holds a BA from the University of Tennessee, a BFA in Graphics Packaging from the ArtCenter College of Design, and has completed several executive MBA programs at Harvard Business School.

In this episode, we learn how WHY Brands' "moonshot" culture fuels its innovation, and why paying attention to your customers should always be a priority. 

Highlights:

• Steve's business background and path to founding Munchkin (3:50)
• Steve describes the early days of the baby and children's market, and initial hurdles at Munchkin (5:20)
• DB talks through the founding of Curio Home Goods (7:08)
• The inspiration behind the creation of WHY Brands (8:22)
• DB discusses the unique 'moonshot culture' at WHY Brands (9:35)
• WHY Brands' RD8 Group and how they innovate for the future (10:40)
• DB on the importance of connecting with the consumer beyond advertising (15:03)
• Potential M&A opportunities at WHY Brands (17:31)
• Hot to stay on top of evolving trends and maintains brand relevancy (19:59)
• Standout products from Curio and Munchkin (22:59)
• WHY Brands' philanthropic initiatives (24:44)
• Steve's advice for navigating rocky climates in business (26:22)
• DB reflects on career challenges she has overcome (28:13)

Links:

WHY Brands Inc. on LinkedIn

WHY Brands Inc. Website

Diana Barnes on LinkedIn

StrollerCoaster Podcast

ICR LinkedIn

ICR Twitter

ICR Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, [email protected].

Summary: 

Navigating the intricate landscape of ESG and shareholder activism requires a deep understanding of both market dynamics and investor expectations. That's why expert guidance is indispensable for companies looking to build lasting value and trust with their stakeholders.

Today we're sitting down with Lyndon Park, Head of ICR Governance Solutions. Lyndon advises boards and management teams on complex corporate governance, ESG and shareholder activist event-driven issues to align clients with investor and market expectations.
 

Before joining ICR, Lyndon was Head of Global Corporate Governance at Dimensional Fund Advisors, where he oversaw the firm's global stewardship and ESG initiatives. Prior to Dimensional, Lynden was a partner and Head of Governance and Listing Standards at EQX, a capital market startup. He began his career in governance at BlackRock by supporting BlackRock's board of directors on intercompany governance matters before serving as one of the BlackRock Investment Stewardship teams' lead governance analysts, overseeing portfolio companies representing about $450B of BlackRock's AUM.
 

Lyndon is a recognized thought leader in ESG and shareholder activism, frequently participates on panels, and his perspectives have been published or quoted in numerous leading media outlets like the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times.
 

Highlights:

• Takeaways from the 2024 proxy season (3:25)
• What companies can do differently to avoid Executive comp challenges (6:00)
• What companies can do differently when under duress during proxy season (8:58)
• Lyndon discusses the effects of the Universal Proxy Card (11:45)
• Lyndon discusses MNA-driven attacks (16:06)
• Examining the recent Starbucks ESG activist campaign (17:25)
• The current anti-ESG movement, and Lyndon's take (19:24)
• Lyndon's advice on easy wins in ESG strategy in this moderating DEI climate (21:50)
• Lyndon shares what he sees on the horizon in 2025 (25:05)
• How the best boards and management teams tackle this landscape (28:17)

Links:

Lyndon Park on LinkedIn

ICR LinkedIn

ICR Twitter

ICR Website

 Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, [email protected].

Summary: 

Every industry has its trailblazers, but true innovation goes beyond just patents and profits. Today’s guest understands that collaboration and flexibility aren’t just ideals—they’re essential to creating safer, smarter technologies that drive progress across an entire ecosystem.

Frantz Saintellemy is the CEO of LeddarTech, an automotive ADAS and autonomous driving software company, trading under the symbol LDTC. As an engineer, innovator, and internationally recognized expert in advanced technology, Frantz brings over 25 years of experience in the electronics and automotive sectors.

Frantz is the co-founder of Groupe 3737, an incubator and innovation hub, and previously served as VP and General Manager of the Automotive and Industrial Division at Integrated Device Technology. His remarkable career includes roles as President and Executive VP of Global Sales and Marketing at ZMDI AG, a global supplier of automotive and industrial sensor solutions, and as CTO and Corporate VP of Technical Marketing and Advanced Engineering at Future Electronics.

A graduate of the MIT Sloan Engineering Fellows Program on Innovations and Global Leadership with a degree in electrical engineering from Northeastern and an MBA from McGill, Frantz's expertise has a firm academic foundation. And, in 2021, he was appointed Chancellor of the University of Montreal, underscoring his commitment to both innovation and education.

In this episode, we explore LeddarTech’s approach to innovation and IP, how LeddarTech’s technology is differentiated, and what the future of autonomous driving looks like for all of us. 

Highlights:

• LeddarTech's background and how their software works (3:32)
• Common automobile safety problems and what software can do to help (7:46)
• LeddarTech's target audience (10:52)
• How LeddarTech protects their software innovations through IP (14:00)
• Frantz's perspective on market competition (15:52)
• AI incorporation and current software developments (19:06)
• Common misconceptions about ADAS safety systems (20:40)
• Frantz's outlook on short-term developments in automotive technology (22:20)
• Future goals for LeddarTech (25:04) 

Links:

Frantz Saintellemy on LinkedIn

LeddarTech on LinkedIn

LeddarTech Website

ICR LinkedIn 

ICR Twitter

ICR Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, [email protected].