How Great Leaders Build Trust: Live at the Penn State Alumni Leadership Conference

This week, Jim has a special bonus episode of The CMO Podcast, recorded live from one of his favorite places in the world: Penn State. Back in Happy Valley for the Penn State Alumni Leadership Conference, Jim sits down with four remarkable Penn State alumni whose careers have taken them from entrepreneurship and healthcare to the C suite and the highest levels of the U.S. Army: Dave Becker, CEO and co founder of CampusESP; General Gary Brito, former Commanding General of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command; Cindy Miller, former CEO of Stericycle and President of UPS Europe; John Waldeisen, entrepreneur, scientist and founding CEO of Lucira Health. Their careers couldn't look more different, but this conversation centers on something every leader needs to earn: trust. Together, they explore what it takes to build trust across organizations of vastly different sizes, why authenticity and transparency matter, and how listening can be one of a leader's most powerful tools. They also get practical about delegating with trust, making difficult people decisions, giving young leaders opportunities to prove themselves, and rebuilding trust when you've gotten something wrong. Throughout it all is a lesson Jim has carried with him from Penn State, captured in a line from the alma mater: “May no act of ours bring shame to one heart that loves thy name.” How we show up matters. How we treat people matters. And whether you're leading a startup, a global company or an organization of nearly a million people, trust is built one action at a time. From Happy Valley, this is a conversation about listening first, leading with humility, and earning the trust of the people you lead. — Meet The CMO Podcast On the Road The CMO Podcast will be on the road throughout early 2027, capturing conversations with the leaders shaping the future of marketing, leadership, and business. If you'll be attending one of these events, we'd love to connect. Let us know! ANA Masters of Marketing | October 20–22 CES | January 5-7 — Interested in partnering with The CMO Podcast?! Looking ahead to the rest of 2026 and into 2027, we're partnering with brands to create executive content platforms that extend far beyond a single event. From pop-up podcast studios and live recordings to executive roundtables, keynote conversations, and bespoke thought leadership programs, we work with partners to build meaningful experiences that connect with senior marketing leaders. Whether you'd like to partner with us at one of the industry's biggest marketing events or create a custom experience designed specifically for your brand, we'd love to explore what's possible. Reach out to learn how we can build something together. Email us at [email protected] — Produced by vYve The CMO Podcast is proudly produced by vYve Production, a full-service production and content studio specializing in podcasts, executive storytelling, branded content, and live experiences. vYve is a community of ambitious leaders dedicated to unlocking what's next in business and in life. Through executive coaching, transformative experiences, strategic content, and communities like The CMO Podcast, vYve helps entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and teams grow their businesses, strengthen their leadership, and build meaningful connections that last. Learn more about vYve and The CMO Podcast community at www.vyve.co. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.