What if the key to long-term business success isn’t just about strategy or product—what if it's about the people you choose to surround yourself with? In this episode of the North Star Leaders Podcast, Lindsay Pedersen speaks with Lynn Baranowski, CEO of Avalyn Pharma, about leading a purpose-driven company in the biotech and pharma industry. Lynn shares her journey of navigating a complex industry while prioritizing mission-driven work that impacts patients’ lives. She reflects on how making in...
Dec 17, 2024•21 min•Ep. 35
What happens when marketing stops being just about transactions and becomes a true driver of brand loyalty and business growth? In this episode, Lindsay Pedersen dives into the world of marketing with Jessica Shapiro, CMO at LiveRamp, to uncover how businesses can create meaningful connections with customers while delivering measurable value. You’ll hear them discuss: The human side of marketing where understanding people—both customers and team members—and drives Jessica’s success as a marketin...
Dec 09, 2024•24 min•Ep. 34
How do you craft a story that resonates with both investors and customers? In this episode of North Star Leadership podcast, Erika Shaffer - a Director for Strategic Communication for Madrona Venture Group, shares her insights on the art of storytelling in business. She highlights the importance of tailoring the narrative for different audiences—investors versus customers—and the key role of authenticity and empathy in making a lasting impact. Storytelling for investors often focuses on trends, ...
Dec 03, 2024•27 min•Ep. 33
What’s the one thing you do better than anyone else? And how can understanding this unique strength transform the way you work and lead? In this episode of North Star Leadership Podcast, Lindsay Pedersen sits down with Court Lorenzini, past CEO of Docusign, to explore the concept of “superpowers” and their critical role in personal and professional success. Court shares his journey of creating a framework for identifying these innate strengths, offering practical advice for leaders and teams str...
Nov 26, 2024•28 min•Ep. 32
How do you create a brand that stands the test of time? In this episode of North Star Leaders, Lindsay Pedersen sits down with Cammie Dunaway, CMO of Duolingo and Yahoo, among other Hall of Fame companies, to discuss what it really takes to build a lasting brand. They dive into the key moments of Cammie’s career and the lessons she’s learned, from navigating career phases to understanding the critical role CEOs play in shaping their company’s brand. Plus, they talk about why long-term brand valu...
Nov 19, 2024•27 min•Ep. 31
What’s the secret to pitching a compelling business idea? In this episode of North Star Leaders, Lindsay Pedersen talks with Greg Gottesman, co-founder of Pioneer Square Labs (PSL), about the art of storytelling in startups, using AI to scale businesses, and the journey of transforming ideas into thriving companies. They also explore Greg's transition from venture capital to the startup world, sharing insights on building companies and the transformative role of AI in business. Storytelling as S...
Nov 12, 2024•29 min•Ep. 30
What challenges do leaders face in fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability in today’s diverse workplace? In this episode, Lindsay Pedersen sits down with Maria Colacurcio, CEO of Syndio, to delve into the evolving dynamics of leadership and workplace culture. They explore Maria's insights on creating equitable workplaces and the vital role of transparency in leadership. They discuss the power of vulnerability in leadership, particularly in the context of admitting failures. Maria...
Nov 05, 2024•35 min•Ep. 29
What does it take to lead a startup through rapid growth while maintaining innovation and cultural integrity? In this episode of North Star Leaders, Lindsay Pedersen interviews Aviel Ginzburg, Partner at Founders' Co-op and co-founder of Simply Measured, to uncover the unique challenges founders face as they scale their companies. They explore the balance between innovation, leadership, and securing investment, with Aviel sharing his journey from entrepreneur to venture capitalist and offering i...
Oct 29, 2024•30 min•Ep. 28
What happens when creation meets purposeful leadership in a startup environment? In this engaging episode, Lindsay Pedersen interviews Todd Owens, CEO of Kevala, a healthcare scheduling software. They delve into the duality of leadership and management, discussing how purpose-driven leadership can generate economic value while fostering a positive workplace culture. Todd emphasizes the significance of clear direction and team empowerment, highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities with...
Oct 22, 2024•33 min•Ep. 27
What drives entrepreneurs to persist through the toughest challenges? Mike Fridgen, CEO of Madrona Venture Labs, joins Lindsay Pedersen on North Star Leaders Podcast to explore the dynamics of purpose-driven businesses and the importance of deeply connecting to the problem you're solving. They discuss how purpose fuels economic value, how mission-driven founders can navigate market shifts, and the balance between personal passion and the high-growth demands of venture-backed companies. You will ...
Oct 15, 2024•30 min•Ep. 26
What happens when the mission to empower with facts is paired with the challenge of reaching those who need it most? In this insightful podcast episode, Lindsay Pedersen interviews Poppy MacDonald, CEO of USA Facts, about the power of non-partisan data, navigating uncertainty, and maintaining work-life balance. Poppy highlights the importance of delivering clear, unbiased information to the public, emphasizing that USA Facts is funded to serve people, not generate revenue. The conversation explo...
Oct 08, 2024•37 min•Ep. 25
What happens when leaders are too afraid to take bold, polarizing actions? In this episode, Lindsay Pedersen interviews Dan Shapiro, CEO and author of Hot Seat, about the complexities of leadership, decision-making, and strategy in today’s business landscape. Dan delves into how leaders can balance decisiveness with inclusivity, why polarizing strategies often lead to better results, and how to empower teams without losing accountability. Drawing on both his business experience and personal life...
Oct 01, 2024•35 min•Ep. 24
Jenny Xia Spradling is the co-CEO of Freewill, an online software company revolutionizing estate planning and charitable giving. With a background in math competitions, Jenny brings a unique perspective to the intersection of social impact and economic success. Under her leadership, Freewill has helped nearly one million Americans complete their estate planning and committed almost $10 billion to charity. Jenny's commitment to values like courage, joy, kindness, and focus has shaped Freewill's i...
Jul 09, 2024•29 min•Ep. 23
What happens when the intense focus on solving a specific problem is paired with a clear understanding of what not to do? In this thought-provoking podcast episode, Lindsay Pederson interviews Bill Richter, CEO of Qumulo, about the power of long-term thinking, customer partnerships, and the importance of focus in business. Bill emphasizes the value of creating enduring customer relationships by staying true to the company's mission and not diluting efforts by trying to do everything. The convers...
Jul 02, 2024•27 min•Ep. 22
What does it take for a venture capitalist to build a successful brand strategy that resonates with founders and investors alike? In this episode, host Lindsay Pedersen sits down with Kirby Winfield, the founding general partner at Ascend, to explore the importance of defining and embodying a brand identity in the world of venture capital. Kirby shares insights on the value of authenticity, problem-driven processes, and the power of being intentional in shaping a brand that stands out in a compe...
Jun 25, 2024•29 min•Ep. 21
Carole Offredo is the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Dataiku, a leading end-to-end platform for everyday AI. With over eight years of experience in the tech industry, Carole is passionate about democratizing AI and empowering individuals to harness its potential. She has a strong belief in the power of collaboration and transparency, driving her to create impactful marketing strategies that align with Dataiku's vision of making AI accessible to everyone. In this episode, Carole shares why ther...
Jun 18, 2024•32 min•Ep. 20
Adriana Gil Miner, the CMO at Iterable, brings a wealth of experience and passion to the world of marketing. With a background that spans industries like financial services and tech, Adriana's unique perspective on brand building and customer experience shines through in her work. Known for her dedication to creating joyful experiences and building emotional connections between brands and people, Adriana's insights on marketing strategy and the evolving landscape of the tech industry are both en...
Jun 11, 2024•37 min•Ep. 19
Elena Donio is a seasoned leader with a wealth of experience in the tech industry. As the former CEO of Axiom and President at Concur, she played pivotal roles in driving growth and innovation. Elena's expertise extends to advising and serving on the boards of companies like Twilio, Benchling, Databricks, Contentful, and PayScale. With a passion for mentoring the next generation of talent, Elena's career has been marked by a commitment to authenticity, leadership, and creating meaningful impact ...
Jun 04, 2024•30 min•Ep. 18
Barry Padgett, CEO of Amperity, is a seasoned executive with a proven track record in leading innovative companies like Stripe and SAP Concur. His genius lies in driving transformative business strategies and creating new categories in the customer data unification space. Barry's focus on better data, better results exemplifies his commitment to delivering audacious economic value while staying true to a distinctive purpose. You’ll hear Lindsay and Barry discuss: Importance of having a North Sta...
May 28, 2024•30 min•Ep. 18
Elissa Fink, former CMO of Tableau, led the company from its startup phase through its IPO and beyond. With a focus on helping people see and understand data, she emphasized the importance of human connection in marketing. Elissa's expertise extends to advising tech companies and serving on boards for companies like Intellimize, Pantheon Platforms, and Cumulo. Her passion for creativity, collaboration, and brand strategy has made her a respected leader in the industry. You'll hear Lindsay and El...
May 21, 2024•38 min•Ep. 17
Frank Mycroft is the CEO of Booster, a company providing energy delivery and logistics solutions for decarbonizing last-mile delivery. With over eight years of experience, Frank has led Booster in its mission to eliminate the need for traditional gas stations and bring mobile energy solutions to the world. When leading his team, he focuses on increasing velocity, raising the bar, and narrowing the focus to drive excellence and innovation. Frank's dedication to sustainability and efficiency has p...
May 14, 2024•34 min•Ep. 16
Jessica Rolph is the CEO of Lovevery, an early learning platform that offers stage-based information for parents and products for children. With a background in brand strategy and a passion for helping children reach their fullest potential, Jessica leads Lovevery in providing tools for intentional play and connection between parents and children. Her dedication to creating meaningful learning experiences for children during their crucial developmental stages has made her a respected leader in t...
May 07, 2024•30 min•Ep. 15
Xiao Wang is the co-founder and CEO of Boundless Immigration, a technology company that assists immigrants in navigating their immigration journey. With a background at Amazon, Xiao has honed his leadership skills to create a purpose-driven organization. Under his leadership, Boundless has served tens of thousands of immigrants annually, receiving countless positive feedback and testimonials. Xiao's focus on values, culture, and decision-making has led to the development of a successful and impa...
Apr 30, 2024•34 min•Ep. 14
Raj De Datta is the CEO and co-founder of Bloomreach, a leading software platform for digital commerce experiences. He is a multiple-time entrepreneur and bestselling author of The Digital Seeker. Raj is known for challenging the status quo and operationalizing company values to drive continuous improvement. With a focus on seeker-centric experiences, he emphasizes the importance of mission-driven leadership in the digital world. A growth mindset characterizes Raj's leadership style, prioritizin...
Apr 23, 2024•31 min•Ep. 13
Tarang Amin is the Chairman and CEO of e.l.f. Beauty, a cosmetics company he took public in 2016. He previously served as CEO of Schiff Nutrition and has over 30 years of experience in the consumer products industry. Under his leadership, e.l.f. has grown into a digital-first cosmetics powerhouse while staying true to its roots of providing prestige quality at accessible price points. You’ll hear Lindsay and Tarang discuss: Brand builds economic value by increasing pricing power, enabling premiu...
Dec 19, 2023•31 min•Ep. 12
Kristen Hamilton is a seasoned tech founder and CEO. As the co-founder and CEO of Koru, she played a pivotal role until its acquisition in 2019. Currently serving as General Manager with Enjoy the Work, Kristen is dedicated to helping founders evolve into great CEOs. She has over 25 years of experience in building and running companies, and brings a unique blend of expertise and empathy to her advisory role. She has a deep commitment to impact-driven entrepreneurship. You’ll hear Lindsay and Kri...
Dec 12, 2023•32 min•Ep. 11
Charlie Cole is the CEO of Tribute Technology, a leading provider of software solutions for the funeral industry. His leadership experience includes roles such as CEO of FTD, Chief eCommerce Officer at Samsonite, and Chief Digital Officer at Tumi. He embraces a leadership style rooted in transparency and a commitment to driving positive change. This approach involves blending the best of the past with innovative strategies, ensuring that his teams evolve and thrive in the evolving business lands...
Dec 05, 2023•33 min•Ep. 10
Leigh McMillan is the CEO of Whitepages. She has a diverse professional background that includes roles in politics and Major League Baseball. As the CEO of Whitepages, she has helped to steer the company into the new era of data and technology. Leigh is not only a seasoned executive but also a winemaker and co-owner at Welcome Road Winery in Seattle. She joins Lindsay Pedersen to explore insights into leadership, building a strong company culture, and the challenges of leading a brand with high ...
Nov 28, 2023•29 min•Ep. 9
Clayton Lewis has over three decades of experience launching and scaling early-stage companies. His impressive track record includes leading two companies, Onvia and HouseValues, to public offerings and serving as a general partner at Maveron. He co-founded Arivale in 2014, and served as its CEO. He currently advises CEOs and is a member of the Board of Trustees for Harborview Medical Center. Clayton is recognized for his expertise guiding purpose-driven leaders toward creating audacious economi...
Nov 21, 2023•34 min•Ep. 8
Robbie Cape is the co-founder and CEO of Mt. Joy, a mission-driven restaurant aiming to demonstrate that profitability and positive impact can coexist. Having previously served as CEO and co-founder of both 98point6 and Cozy, Robbie has dedicated his career to building mission-driven businesses that transcend traditional boundaries. He envisions a world where restaurants not only serve exceptional food but also prioritize the well-being of the planet, animals, and every participant in the supply...
Nov 14, 2023•33 min•Ep. 7
