Bigger. Stronger. Faster.

In this episode, Elizabeth Smyers shares her journey from occupational therapist to Chief Innovation Officer at PRO-spectus and the mission-driven mindset that fuels her work. Rooted in compassion and shaped by a willingness to step into the unknown, Elizabeth reflects on how solving one patient’s challenges led her to solving problems at scale. She brings a blend of curiosity, process discipline, and a “how can I help” spirit to every opportunity, fostering a culture where people lean in, take risks, and show up for one another and the patients they serve.

Key Takeaways:

• A “how can I help” mindset turns challenges into opportunities for impact
• Curiosity and adaptability create the path for unexpected career growth
• Process and discipline transform complexity into clear, achievable outcomes
• Culture thrives when people show up for one another with purpose and consistency

Chapters:

1. 00:00 - Introduction
2. 05:08 - Connecting Passion to Purpose
3. 08:41 - The Power of a “How Can I Help” Mindset
4. 18:11 - Looking Ahead at Innovation
5. 20:54 - A Nonlinear Career Path

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In this episode, Ken Meyer shares his journey from growing up on a family farm to leading at Whole Foods and beyond. He reflects on how hard work, humility, and a people-first mindset shaped his 24-year career and guided him through major transitions from building teams to leading Whole Foods’ sale to Amazon. Ken discusses how trust, transparency, and empowerment drive lasting culture, why great leaders learn through failure, and how success comes from focusing on purpose, staying curious, and never losing sight of what matters most.

Key Takeaways:

• Lasting leadership begins with hard work, humility, and curiosity that keep growth grounded in purpose.
• Empowering people through trust, transparency, and context creates a culture where teams thrive and leaders emerge.
• Successful transformations happen when leaders build trust, communicate openly, and stay true to shared values.
• Fulfillment comes from focusing on what matters most, helping others grow, and creating impact that endures.

Chapters:

1. 00:00 - Introduction
2. 03:45 - Lessons from the Farm
3. 09:30 - The Power of Trust and Empowerment
4. 15:11 - Leading Through Transformations
5. 22:44 - Purpose and Fulfillment

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In this episode, Kathy Wanner reflects on a career built on excellence, empathy, and entrepreneurship. From her start at Morgan Stanley to building Adams Street Partners into a global investment firm, she shares lessons on ownership, trust, and the power of putting capital in the hands of great founders. Kathy discusses what drew her to Shore Capital Partners, how investing in searchers aligns with her passion for mentoring, and why leading with kindness remains her guiding principle. She offers perspective on grit, humility, and staying true to yourself, and why success and kindness can go hand in hand.

Key Takeaways:

• Excellence begins with trust and consistency, built through attention to detail and a commitment to doing every job with pride
• Entrepreneurial success depends on humility, grit, and adaptability, allowing leaders to pivot and persevere through uncertainty
• True fulfillment comes from helping others grow by sharing knowledge, mentoring emerging leaders, and investing in people with purpose
• Kindness and competitiveness can coexist, and the most effective leaders lead with empathy while maintaining the drive to win

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Introduction
• 06:24 - Grit and Adaptability
• 10:48 - Mentorship and Growth
• 17:29 - Resilience and Authenticity
• 20:57 - Leading with Kindness

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In this episode, I talk with Alison Shekman, Chief of Staff at PhaseWell Research and a member of the CXO Fellows Program. Alison shares her journey from consulting into operations and what it has meant to step into an early-stage, acquisition-driven business. She reflects on slowing down to go fast, listening to frontline experts, and creating systems for prioritization. Alison also discusses lessons from the Shore Resource Team and why embracing iteration over perfection has shaped her approach as a CXO.

Key Takeaways:

• Go slow to go fast by taking the time to understand what motivates people and plan for change so it can be implemented more effectively
• Listen first and spend time in the field with the people who know the work best to close knowledge gaps and build credibility
• Create a system for relentless prioritization to bring clarity to the noise and stay aligned with leadership on what matters most
• Call it version one, move forward, and keep iterating rather than waiting for perfection

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Introduction
• 02:57 - Go Slow to Go Fast
• 05:01 - Closing the Knowledge Gap
• 09:35 - The Value of Networks
• 13:03 - Prioritization and Integration
• 19:47 - Lessons for Young Leaders

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In this episode, we sit down with Preethi Menon, Senior Vice President of Integrations and Partnerships at Empower Aesthetics. After nearly a decade in consulting, Preethi joined the CXO Fellows Program and stepped into the challenge of building Empower from the ground up. She reflects on lessons from scaling the company, including overcoming perfectionism, embracing accountability, and moving fast to create value. Preethi also underscores the importance of humility, strong relationships, and the CXO peer network in her growth as a leader.

Key Takeaways:

• Learning to value progress over perfection helps leaders in young companies move with speed, capture opportunities, and create meaningful value before the moment passes
• Taking full ownership means recognizing that every choice and relationship matters, and leaders are directly accountable for the outcomes that shape the business
• Earning trust with founders and partners comes from humility and being willing to roll up your sleeves, especially when transitions bring uncertainty and change
• Leaning on a network of peers gives young leaders the perspective and encouragement they need to navigate the challenges of building a company from the ground up

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Introduction
• 07:42 - The Early-Stage
• 11:16 - Operational Learning Curves
• 18:15 - Building Great Companies
• 23:24 - Lessons Learned

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