PwC Pulse - a business podcast for executives

In this episode, we’ll take a deeper dive into the importance of trust and how it is shaping CEOs' plans for 2024, with a conversation between PwC US Senior Partner Tim Ryan and Daryl Brewster, CEO of Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose. Their discussion was recorded during a recent Trust in Action webcast presented by PwC's Trust Leadership Institute, which convenes senior executives and thought leaders to navigate the most complex trust-related issues.

About the podcast participants

Tim Ryan is PwC's US Senior Partner. A forward-thinking leader committed to driving human-led, tech-powered outcomes to build trust in society and solve important problems, Tim has a proven record advancing strategy, growth, innovation, and upskilling. He reimagined PwC leading a complete digital transformation and launching a bold new strategy – The New Equation – to get ahead of the rapid pace of change bringing the best people, capabilities and technology together to support clients in building trust and delivering sustained outcomes. Equity is foundational to Tim’s trust-based leadership – he is also the founder of CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion.

Daryl Brewster currently serves as CEO of Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP), an organization focused on empowering senior executives of the world’s leading companies to achieve unprecedented progress on societal challenges while driving business performance.

Daryl has nearly 30 years of executive experience in the US and abroad. He has been an officer for several Fortune 500 companies, served as the turnaround CEO of a publicly-traded company, run five multi-billion dollar business units and currently serves on several privately-held and non-profit boards.

Tim Ryan, PwC US Senior Partner, was recently in Davos for the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting, which brings together global leaders from government, business and civil society to help solve global challenges. In this episode, J.C. Lapierre, US Chief Strategy and Communications Officer, talks to Tim about some of the top topics discussed this year, like technology, the future of work, climate and -- the theme of this year’s meeting -- building trust. Tim and J.C. also explore key takeaways for business leaders, including new ways, in this changing world, to find growth and create value for all stakeholders.

For more information on this episode's speakers, and to view the full transcript, please visit pwc.com.

About the podcast participants

Tim Ryan is PwC's US Senior Partner. A forward-thinking leader committed to driving human-led, tech-powered outcomes to build trust in society and solve important problems, Tim has a proven record advancing strategy, growth, innovation, and upskilling. He reimagined PwC leading a complete digital transformation and launching a bold new strategy – The New Equation – to get ahead of the rapid pace of change bringing the best people, capabilities and technology together to support clients in building trust and delivering sustained outcomes. Equity is foundational to Tim’s trust-based leadership – he is also the founder of CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion.

J.C. Lapierre serves as PwC’s US Chief Strategy and Communications Officer. In that capacity, J.C. works with the executive leadership team to develop, communicate, execute and sustain corporate strategic initiatives. J.C. has been a critical part of the firm’s efforts to streamline business operations and reduce operating costs to create investment capacity. She also helped architect the strategy to digitally transform the firm. 

People are at the core of organizations, and we need to treat them like the valued stakeholders they are to help retain and recruit them in today’s competitive job market. Upskilling and expanding benefits and strategic hiring for specialized skills will go a long way toward fostering the right culture for growth on your teams and in your business.

In this episode, PwC US Chief People Officer Yolanda Seals-Coffield is joined by J. Ofori Agboka, Amazon Vice-President of People Experience and Technology, for a discussion on how companies are tailoring benefits and development programs for different types of workers, and technology’s role in that process. We’ll also explore ways to personalize the career journey, including PwC’s own My+ people strategy.

For more information on this episode's speakers, and to view the full transcript, please visit pwc.com.

About the podcast participants

Yolanda Seals-Coffield, Chief People Officer, PwC US
As US Chief People Officer, Yolanda Seals-Coffield drives PwC's people solutions and function, promoting and supporting our firm’s growth strategy to serve our clients and help our people thrive in and outside of work.

As former Chief Employment Counsel, Yolanda worked with teams across every aspect of the employee life cycle — from hiring to performance, diversity and inclusion and alumni. This gives her unique insights into opportunities to help PwC employees learn, develop and grow.

J Ofori Agboka, Vice President People Experience and Technology (PXT) - Global Operations at Amazon

J Ofori Agboka is responsible for the worldwide Human Resource (HR) practices for Fulfillment, Transportation, Delivery, Customer Service, Employee Relations (ER), and Workplace Health & Safety. He leads teams that support the employment life cycle of Amazonians globally.

His background covers diverse aspects of Human Resources in global and domestic markets spanning automotive and industrial environments. He works hard to utilize his extensive knowledge and expertise and his passion for putting people first, to the fullest potential. He has expertise in strategic human capital planning, employee relations, employment law, employee engagement, performance management, retention and recruiting. His operational background includes in dynamic environments requiring focused decision-making, understanding of how to optimize business processes, developing cost management systems, and enhancing operational efficiency and excellence. His language capabilities include moderate Spanish, and social Mandarin. 

Board diversity has been an intense focus area for investors for years. This trend is clear among directors as well. With emerging regulations,and growing external expectations, companies recognize having a wider range of representation at decision-making tables can be essential for success in today's landscape. For women looking to positively impact their careers and community, serving on a board can be a proactive way to make a difference. What are some of the steps women can take to become board-ready?

In this episode, Maria Moats, Governance Insights Center Leader at PwC, is joined by Barb Loughran, a Board Director and retired PwC Partner, for a discussion on women's representation on boards and what it means to be board-ready.

For more information on this episode's speakers, and to view the full transcript, please visit pwc.com.

About the podcast participants

Maria Moats, Governance Insights Center Leader at PwC
As the Governance Insights Center leader, Maria Moats is relentlessly focused on helping directors address corporate governance issues by providing insights and tools to help them be more informed and effective in their roles and create better outcomes.

Before leading the Governance Insights Center, Maria served as PwC’s Chief Diversity Officer and Vice Chair, Mexico and US Assurance Leader - overseeing PwC’s national Assurance practice, including strategy and operational aspects to manage a practice of approximately 20,000 professionals. Maria is currently the Senior Relationship Partner (SRP) for several large multinational clients in the financial services, transportation, consumer and industrial products industries.

She is a first-generation Mexican-American and an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion.

Barb Loughran, Board Director and retired PwC Partner
Barb Lougran is a current board member, global executive, financial expert and prior advisor to boards and audit committees, with 35+ years of experience working with Fortune 500 C-Suite executives and Boards as they navigate strategic, transformational and operational challenges. She has strong and diversified industry expertise, spanning consumer products, retail, engineering, industrial products, services, energy, pharmaceuticals, medical device and technology. Barb is a highly qualified financial expert with 20 years as a PricewaterhouseCoopers partner, including two tours in the National Office. Barb was responsible for leading PwC’s Industrial Products business unit in NY Metro with P&L responsibility. Additionally, she has deep M&A expertise, including leading due diligence internationally. Barb is a current board member, retired PwC partner and angel investor.

At a time when economic uncertainty remains, leaders are questioning whether their organizations will be viable a decade from now. It's important to know that resilience is possible if you prioritize transformation and foster trust in a challenging financial environment. And as a leader, your authenticity is paramount.

In this episode, Kathryn Kaminsky, Vice Chair and US Trust Solutions co-leader at PwC, is joined by Mary Callahan Erdoes, CEO of JP Morgan Chase's Asset and Wealth Management line of business for a discussion on what it takes to navigate the evolving needs of diverse stakeholders and technologies, and what areas of investment are important for companies to remain relevant and achieve their growth goals. Mary shares her views on what it means to deliver leading performance and results for clients, and why it’s important to listen not only to our clients, but to the expertise that surrounds us.

About the podcast participants

Kathryn Kaminsky, Vice Chair and US Trust Solutions Co-Leader at PwC

In this role Kathryn Kaminsky oversees the largest Trust platform in the world, bringing together the firm’s combined Audit, ESG, Digital Assurance and Tax Reporting capabilities to best help clients as they seek to build trust with their stakeholders. As co-leader, Kathryn is responsible for the quality of service, excellence in the work performed by over 21,000 partners and staff, developing diverse teams and driving innovation.

Mary Callahan Erdoes, CEO of JP Morgan Chase's Asset and Wealth Management line of business

Mary Callahan Erdoes is Chief Executive Officer of JPMorgan Chase's Asset & Wealth Management line of business – one of the largest and most respected investment managers and private banks in the world, with $4.3 trillion in client assets and a 200-year-old legacy as a trusted fiduciary to corporations, governments, institutions and individuals. Since joining the firm 25 years ago, Erdoes has held senior roles across Asset & Wealth Management before becoming its CEO in 2009 and joining the JPMorgan Chase Operating Committee, the firm’s most senior management team.

Erdoes serves on the boards of the U.S.-China Business Council and the Robin Hood Foundation of New York City. She is also a board member of Georgetown University, where she earned her Mathematics undergraduate degree, and serves on the Global Advisory Council of Harvard University, where she received her MBA.