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

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In the increasingly crowded and competitive corporate and financial ecosystem, it’s harder than ever for companies to break through the clutter and be heard. The media, investors, agenda-driven influencers, even customers and competitors, are defining your business story on their terms. Therefore, it is imperative that companies take control and proactively drive the conversation with stakeholders in an effort to build & maintain equity value. In Welcome to the Arena from ICR, Co-Founder & CEO of ICR, Tom Ryan, interviews key business and financial players who influence the fate of public or aspiring public companies in the capital markets. As a fo...

Mike Aiello, CEO and Managing Partner, Centri Business Consulting – You Can't Unring That Bell: How one firm helps companies get IPO-ready

Putting together an IPO is no easy feat. Just getting your finances in order can be a herculean effort. Add in the laundry list of compliance requirements, and it simply becomes too much for most firms to handle on their own. That's especially true for young companies in emerging industries like biotech or AI, where corporate governance may have taken a backseat to product development. Enter, Mike Aiello. He's the CEO and managing partner at Centri Business Consulting, one of the country's faste

Mar 26, • 28:32

Michael Halen, Senior Restaurant Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence – I'll Take It To Go: How the restaurant industry is reshaping itself in an uncertain world

Summary:  It's early in the 2025 reporting season, but new trends in the restaurant and foodservice space are already emerging. 2024 was a difficult year and the industry is still adjusting—navigating the same pressures of inflation, labor costs, and economic shifts, plus some new challenges. Consumer habits continue to evolve, and technology is playing a bigger role than ever.  Today we're joined by Michael Halen, the Senior Restaurant and Foodservice Analyst for Bloomberg Intelligence. At Bloo

Mar 19, • 28:49

Kevin Duffy, CEO, iFIT – The Perfect Fit: How technology is ending one-size-fits-all fitness

Summary:  Personalization has reshaped nearly every industry, turning one-size-fits-all solutions into tailored experiences. Think self-serve kiosks in fast food or streaming algorithms curating content just for you—consumers now expect products to adapt to them, not the other way around. In the health and fitness space, where no two people share the same habits, goals, or motivations, personalization is crucial to progress. So why hasn’t mass personalization taken hold in the space? Because it

Mar 12, • 28:49

Rahul Mewawalla, President & CEO, Mawson Infrastructure Group – Full Charge: Developing the energy and infrastructure to power the future of AI

Summary:  The rapid rise of AI is transforming industries at an unprecedented pace, creating both challenges and opportunities for innovation. With technology this powerful, pure progress is not enough. We have a responsibility to be intentional about about how we build it, power it, and use it, to ensure it drives positive outcomes and a more sustainable future. Today, we're sitting down with Rahul Mewawalla, the President and CEO of Mawson Infrastructure Group, a rapidly evolving digital infra

Mar 5, • 30:13

Stuart Haselden, CEO, Arc'teryx – Built to Last: How authenticity strengthened Arc'teryx’s brand and customer loyalty

Summary:  You’ve heard it before: "The customer is always right." For many businesses, that’s sound advice. But for premium brands, the road to success often takes a different route. Rather than reacting to every shift in demand, it’s about staying rooted in a philosophy: delivering quality, staying authentic, and fostering relationships that stand the test of time. Today’s guest has fully embraced this approach, leveraging his brand’s strengths to set a new standard of excellence in the technic

Feb 26, • 26:26

Kent Collier, Founder & CEO, Octus – Prioritizing Progress: How Octus built a market leader in credit intelligence by filtering out the noise

Summary:  Getting ahead begins with a sharp focus on recognizing problems and finding better solutions than anyone else. But staying ahead requires something more: the ability to adapt, evolve, and lead as the stakes grow. Today’s guest didn’t just solve a problem; he built a system so indispensable it’s reshaped how an entire industry operates.  Kent Collier is the Founder and CEO of Octus (formerly Reorg), a credit intelligence and data provider for the world's leading buy-side firms, investme

Feb 19, • 28:20

Jeff "Trip" Tripician, CEO, Meatable – A Shared Plate: Shaping a sustainable future for the meat industry through partnership

Summary:  In some industries, new players try to shake things up by breaking them down. But in sectors like food, where traditions run deep and habits are hard to change, collaboration can be a far more palatable strategy and can be leveraged to create scalable, sustainable solutions. Today's guest is doing just that, using decades of industry expertise to partner with key players, tackle global challenges, and redefine what’s possible for the future of food. Jeff "Trip" Tripician is the CEO of

Feb 12, • 31:58

Chuck Davis, Chairman & CEO, Prodege – Data Done Differently: Building a consumer insights platform that thrives through change

Summary:  When it comes to running a business, data insights are invaluable, but that data has to come with meaningful action. You need to be willing to evolve alongside your customers and constantly refine your approach to meet their needs. Today’s guest has mastered this balance, building a platform that drives engagement, growth, and innovation at scale.  Today, we're sitting down with Chuck Davis, Chairman and CEO of Prodege. Chuck's business journey began by creating a sports newsletter in

Feb 5, • 33:05

Jay Jackson, Chairman & CEO, Abacus Life – Life by the Numbers: Turning life insurance policies into powerful financial tools

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 Longev

Jan 29, • 29:39

Mohammed Alardhi, Executive Chairman, Investcorp — Scaling New Heights: Empowering Teams to Achieve Global Success

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, Investco

Jan 22, • 37:23

Kate Doerge, Principal, Kate Doerge Consulting – The Branding Blueprint: Aligning Strategy, Storytelling, and Authenticity

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 Principa

Jan 15, • 27:45

Julie Masino, President & CEO, Cracker Barrel – Leveraging Legacy: Fusing tradition with transformation to drive growth

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 o

Jan 8, • 32:06

Tom Ryan, Founder & CEO, ICR – New Year, New Outlook: Welcome to the Arena's 2024 Year-End Wrap-Up

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 tha

Jan 1, • 9:51

Michael Saylor, Executive Chairman, MicroStrategy – The Bitcoin Buy-in: Embracing a New Paradigm of Digital Capital

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-founde

Dec 18, 2024 • 46:06

Arik Kaufman, Co-Founder & CEO, Steakholder Foods – Meat the Future: Leading Innovation in Cultured Meat Tech for a Sustainable Tomorrow

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

Dec 11, 2024 • 28:00

Steve Dunn, CEO & Diana 'DB' Barnes, Chief Brand Officer, WHY Brands – Better Together: Building stronger futures with unified strategies

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

Dec 4, 2024 • 30:51

Lyndon Park, Managing Partner, Global ESG Advisory & Shareholder Activism, ICR – Boardroom Balancing Act: Governance, ESG, and Shareholder Power (re-broadcast)

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

Nov 27, 2024 • 32:57

Frantz Saintellemy, CEO, LeddarTech – Paving the Way: Revolutionizing automotive safety through unified, scalable software

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 advan

Nov 20, 2024 • 28:26

Dale Schwartz, Founder & CEO, Pinstripes – Holistic Hospitality: Widening market appeal with curated experiences and exceptional quality

Summary: Driven by pandemic restrictions and changing lifestyles, social isolation is on the rise in America. In response, many people are searching for new ways to connect and share meaningful experiences together. Bars, restaurants, and entertainment spaces have a unique opportunity to help fill this void, but too many venues leave potential markets untapped by prioritizing some aspects of their offering at the expense of others. Today’s guest, however, has come up with a winning formula: a bl

Nov 13, 2024 • 26:36

Roshan Pujari, Founder & CEO, Stardust Power – Powering Progress: Refining lithium production with sustainable practices and American innovation

Summary:  There's a growing call for clean energy solutions in America, and our guest today is ready to answer it. With an unpredictable geopolitical landscape and US lithium demands projected to skyrocket over 500% by 2030, now is the time for American innovation in the outdated lithium refinement industry. Today’s guest is leading this charge, modernizing an industry long overdue for and upgrade with a commitment to environmental responsibility and smarter, sustainable practices. Roshan Pujari

Nov 6, 2024 • 24:44

Christine Schindler, Co-founder & CEO, PathSpot – A Clean Sweep: Revolutionizing health and safety in hospitality (re-broadcast)

Summary:  On October 22, the CDC reported that an outbreak of E. coli infections was connected to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers, leading to recalls of their quarter pound beef patties and fresh slivered onions from supplier Taylor Farms in several states. This outbreak has spotlighted the importance of food safety for restaurants and food services companies and has reminded us of an interview from earlier this year with food safety expert, and CEO & Founder of PathSpot, Christine Schindl

Oct 30, 2024 • 25:31

Sandra Campos, 3x CEO & Entrepreneur – Fashion Forward: Leading the fashion industry into the future (re-broadcast)

Summary: Last week, we welcomed Sandra Campos back to the show to discuss her new role as CEO of PetMed Express, and her vision for the company's future. This week, we’re revisiting our previous interview with Sandra, where we unpacked the career trajectory that set the stage for her leadership at PetMeds today. If you missed it the first time, this conversation is a must-listen. The fashion industry is powered by the sometimes differing perspectives of artistic entrepreneurs and business execut

Oct 23, 2024 • 32:07

Sandra Campos, CEO, PetMed Express – Leading the Pack: Driving innovation in pet care through core-value realignment

Summary: Periods of transition often come with uncertainty, but they also offer a chance for businesses to innovate and refine their direction. Under the right leadership, companies can seize these opportunities to reevaluate objectives and implement fresh strategies, finding new alignment with the core values of their customers. At PetMed Express, that leadership takes the form of CEO Sandra Campos.Sandra is now a two-time guest on the podcast, and, as of this past April, the president and CEO

Oct 16, 2024 • 29:57

Jared Isaacman, Founder, Shift4 and Draken International, Part 2 of 2 – The Next Frontier: Exploring the boundaries of space and innovation (re-broadcast)

A few weeks ago, Jared Isaacman became the first civilian in history to carry out a spacewalk during a mission aboard the SpaceX spacecraft. We decided to celebrate that by revisiting our two-part interview with him from earlier this year. Check out part two, now!If you've been to space and back, you're bound to have an amazing perspective about your own capabilities, and what humans can achieve. Our guest today knows all about that.On this episode, we're sharing part two of Morgan Brennan's int

Oct 9, 2024 • 22:56

Jared Isaacman, Founder, Shift4 and Draken International, Part 1 of 2 – Shooting For The Stars: Going beyond limits for lasting impact (re-broadcast)

A few weeks ago, Jared Isaacman became the first civilian in history to carry out a spacewalk during a mission aboard the SpaceX spacecraft. We decided to celebrate that by revisiting our two-part interview with him from earlier this year. Look for part two next week.In business, there's success, and there's potential. Success is an achievement, but true greatness lies in tapping into untapped possibilities. Today's guest has harnessed their business's potential to make a lasting impact on a glo

Oct 2, 2024 • 26:48

Alex Ibrahim, Corporate CFO, Yanolja – Globetrotter Goals: How Yanolja is Upping the Travel Game

As travel trends shift, and young people drive demand for simple, integrated, experience-focused journeys, its critical to respond with innovative solutions that are ahead of the curve. That's where today's guest comes in. We're sitting down with Alex Ibrahim, the Corporate CFO at Yanolja. South Korea's top travel and accommodation booking platform. In this role, Alex leverages his expertise in the capital markets to strengthen the company's financial management and drive strategic initiatives,

Sep 25, 2024 • 23:55

Pete Najarian, Managing Partner, RW3 Ventures – Digital Disruption: Decoding the crypto world and revolutionizing finance through blockchain technology (re-broadcast)

As the world embraces cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and deregulated finance, there's a massive transformation on the horizon. But if you're going to invest in these innovations, you need to be incredibly diligent and have a deep understanding of the tech. Today's guest has both.We're sitting down with Pete Najarian, who is the Managing Partner of RW3 Ventures. RW3 is a digital asset venture firm built in partnership with The Raptor Group. The Raptor Group is a multi-sector venture firm

Sep 18, 2024 • 35:02

Andy Goldberg, President & CEO, PCH Media – A Winning Strategy: Leveraging data-driven insights to evolve and thrive in a shifting landscape

Longevity in any business is something to celebrate, but when a media company can successfully evolve through several decades of seismic shifts, it's also a huge lesson in the art of pivoting. Today's guest has navigated through 41 years of change and his company has come through stronger than ever.We're sitting down with Andy Goldberg, CEO of PCH Media. Andy is leading PCH's multi-year transformation as the company continues to pivot from direct-to-consumer retail towards an identity and data-d

Sep 11, 2024 • 26:27

Larry Connor, Managing Partner, The Connor Group (Part 2 of 2) – Leaping Into the Unknown: The power of taking unconventional risks in business and beyond

Breaking away from the norm will always attract skepticism, especially from industry veterans. But these risks often lead to the most significant rewards. Our guest today has not only challenged the status quo in business but did so with fearless commitment and a willingness to be the newcomer in any field.In this episode, we're diving into part two of our conversation with Larry Connor—a trailblazer in business and beyond. Larry is an entrepreneur, nonprofit activist investor, and adventurist,

Sep 4, 2024 • 21:07

Larry Connor, Managing Partner, The Connor Group (Part 1 of 2) – Daring to Be Different: Disrupting industries through radical strategies

Hiring top talent is a proven game plan for any business, but there’s untapped power in taking risks—especially on professionals with unconventional, strategic backgrounds that keep your company fresh and forward-thinking. Today’s guest is no stranger to risks of any kind. He took that leap with his company, and it's been thriving for over 30 years. And he continues to take extraordinary leaps today — both inside and outside of the business world.Today we're sitting down with Larry Connor, an en

Aug 28, 2024 • 23:00

Lyndon Park, Managing Partner, Global ESG Advisory & Shareholder Activism, ICR – Boardroom Balancing Act: Governance, ESG, and Shareholder Power

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 inves

Aug 21, 2024 • 32:57

Keri Findley, Founder, CEO of Tacora Capital – Structured Credit Secrets: How Tacora Capital carved out a unique approach to business growth (re-broadcast)

When you're a founder, you need creative ways to grow your business. Today's guest recognized that need, and built her company on it.We're sitting down with Keri Findley, Founder and CEO of Tacora Capital. Keri has two decades of experience in structured credit investing at leading firms, and as a private investor. She founded Tacora in 2022, securing a $250 million investment from renowned venture capitalist Peter Thiel.From 2009 to 2017, Kerry ran the structured credit portfolio for Third Poin

Aug 14, 2024 • 34:02

Chris Tomasso, CEO of First Watch Restaurants – Breaking Fast: A disruptive and innovative recipe for success in hospitality (re-broadcast)

As today's guest will tell us, breakfasts have recently overtaken Friday dinners as the number one dining out experience of choice. So in the always-competitive hospitality industry, restaurants that do those meals particularly well are in a fantastic position. Chris Tomasso definitely understands how to excel in this space. Chris is the CEO of First Watch Restaurants, which trades under the symbol FWRG.  Prior to taking the helm in 2018, Chris served as President for three years and as Chief Ma

Aug 7, 2024 • 30:01

Chris Schultz, CEO, VooDoo Doughnut – The Sweet Spot: Balancing expansion and identity for sustainable business growth

On the surface, successful growth in business might seem to be about rapid expansion. But that's not the right strategy for every business. Growth has to align with the business's principles, be at the right pace, and it can't endanger the brand's image and identity along the way. Today's guest has reset his growth strategy to reinforce and preserve brand identity.We're sitting down with Chris Schultz, CEO of Voodoo Doughnut. Chris has a remarkable track record in expanding renowned brands, both

Jul 31, 2024 • 30:03

Doug Sanders, Chairman & CEO, Heritage Grocers Group – Market Roots: Embracing diversity and unique consumer needs to expand authentically

For industry dominators, success rarely hinges on a 'one-size-fits-all' approach. Instead, they master their market by focusing on specific demographics and creating tailored strategies unique to needs and preferences. Today's guest has used this method to craft customized solutions in his unique market.Today, we're sitting down with Doug Sanders, Heritage Grocers Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Doug's extensive career in the grocery industry spans 38 years across multiple and wide-r

Jul 24, 2024 • 25:29

Rob Skinner, Founding Partner & Co-CEO, IEQ Capital – Trust Funded: Building team culture to cultivate client connection and loyalty

In the world of wealth management, working with clients is a deeply personal endeavor that requires more than just financial expertise. By looking inward first, and prioritizing a strong team culture and personal and professional development, companies can cultivate a strong trust and connection with clients. Today's guest has made this approach the foundation to his business.Today we're sitting down with Rob Skinner, who is a founding partner and the co-CEO of IEQ Capital. He has serve

Jul 17, 2024 • 24:21

Seth Spergel, Managing Partner, Merlin Ventures – More Than Money: Standing out in Venture Capital by investing in relationships

Venture Capital is all about the cash — but in a crowded field, money is a commodity. To truly stand out, you have to go above and beyond for your portfolio companies. Today's guest has set themselves apart by providing exceptional support.We're sitting down with Seth Spergel, who is a managing partner of Merlin Ventures, where he's responsible for identifying cutting-edge companies for Merlin to partner with and invest in. Seth has more than 20 years of experience building, selling, an

Jul 10, 2024 • 31:00

Matthew Tucker, Head of Tock – Data-Driven Dining: Optimizing the guest experience by reshaping reservations (re-broadcast)

In the effort to recover from the impact of the pandemic, the hospitality industry has had a surge of innovation, ideas, and new technologies. And while the boost has been essential to getting the industry back on its feet, it has also intensified the competition. Today's guest is setting their company apart with a consumer-focused approach.We're sitting down with Matt Tucker, who is the head of Tock, a technology driven hospitality business owned by Squarespace, and trading under the s

Jul 3, 2024 • 27:10

Chef Ming Tsai, TV Personality, Entrepreneur, & Founder, MingsBings – Bing-ing Together Tradition and Innovation: Transforming the Freezer Aisle with Health and Taste

In a landscape where standing out demands both innovation and accessibility, finding ways to connect with a broad audience is crucial. Today's guest has been on a career-long quest to revolutionize the culinary world by blending tradition with modernity, creating products that not only appeal to diverse audiences but also prioritize health and taste.Today we are lucky enough to sit down with Chef Ming Tsai, who is not only an Iron Chef, he's also a James Beard and Emmy Award winner, and

Jun 26, 2024 • 29:49

Syed “Raj” Imteaz, Partner, Head of Convertible and Equity Derivatives, ICR – Inflation Insulation: Navigating complex capital markets with advisory expertise

In the current macro environment with growing inflation and financial uncertainty, it's no wonder companies are actively seeking alternative solutions to safeguard their businesses. But today's guest is more than just an alternative; he's a game-changer for his clients, helping them maximize their financial outcomes.Today we're sitting down with Raj Imteaz, who serves as the Head of ICR Capital's Convertible and Equity Derivatives Advisory Team, where he focuses on complex capital marke

Jun 19, 2024 • 18:51

Charles Baker, Partner, Sidley Austin, Co-Chair Entertainment, Sports & Media – He Shoots, He Scores! : Winning strategies for the game of sports and entertainment investments (re-broadcast)

This week we’re looking back at one of our most popular episodes of the last 6 months: our conversation with Charles Baker.Every investment comes with plenty of responsibility, but in a multifaceted market like sports and entertainment with varied revenue streams and worldwide integration, navigating this complex landscape can be overwhelming. Today's guest is helping his clients make sure that all the bases are covered. Literally. We're sitting down with Charles (Chuck) Baker, who chai

Jun 12, 2024 • 33:45

Ajay Kochhar, President, CEO, and Co-Founder, Li-Cycle – Powering the Future: Leading the charge in sustainability through revolutionary lithium-ion recycling

Lithium-ion batteries are playing a big part in clean energy development, but making the battery itself clean and efficient will be crucial for the future of this technology. Today's guest is right at the center of making that happen. We're sitting down with Ajay Kochhar, who is President, CEO, and Co-Founder of Li-Cycle, a leading global lithium-ion battery resource recovery company that trades under the symbol LICY. Before founding Li-Cycle in 2016, Ajay gained extensive technology an

Jun 5, 2024 • 27:49

Fred LeFranc, Managing Partner and Co-founder, Results Thru Strategy – The Secret Ingredient: Spicing up your strategy to succeed in hospitality

To be a great consultant, a deep understanding of an industry is table stakes, but you also have to connect with the needs of the employees that work within it, while helping a business grow and change appropriately. It's not an easy formula to master, but today's guest has figured it out.Today we're sitting down with long-time FOICER - that stands for friend of ICR -  Fred LeFranc. Fred is the Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Results Thru Strategy, a consulting firm focused on the ho

May 29, 2024 • 32:11

Dr. Denis Phares, Founder & CEO, Dragonfly Energy – Charging Ahead: Powering sustainability efforts through a battery breakthrough

Outsourcing our sustainability efforts does help us get one step closer to an eco-friendly future, but to make a true impact we have to develop our own resources and processes. Our guest today is helping to drive the green revolution right here at home.Joining us on this episode is Dr. Denis Phares. After establishing himself as a tenured professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Southern California, Dr. Phares left academia to found Dragonfly Energy in 2012

May 22, 2024 • 30:38

Thomas Sandgaard, Founder, Chairman, President, and CEO, Zynex Medical – Electrifying the Industry: Revolutionizing chronic pain care with innovative service and solutions

There's a reason it's called healthcare – care and carefulness are at the core, and if you want to be successful in the field, you've got to understand the significance of compliance, exceptional service, and continuous expansion. Today's guest has mastered that formula. We're sitting down with Thomas Sandgaard who is Chairman, President, and CEO of Zynex, which trades on the NASDAQ under the symbol ZYXI. Thomas founded the company in 1996, but before that, he held management positions

May 15, 2024 • 30:04

Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech – Fueling the Future: Transforming pollution into energy solutions (re-broadcast)

Innovation is about creation, but it's also about finding new spaces where those creations can be used. Today's guest has applied a centuries-old scientific process to solve the problems of a global industry. Today's guest is Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech. Under Jennifer’s guidance, LanzaTech is developing a variety of platform chemicals and fuels, including the world’s first alternative jet fuel derived from industrial waste gases. She is also the Director and Chair of the La

May 8, 2024 • 33:18

Kevin McLaughlin, Co-Founder & CCO, and Mary Ellen Coyne, CEO, J. McLaughlin – Dressed for Success: Designing a brand's future with customer-centric simplicity (re-broadcast)

The sign of a strong apparel brand isn't always about covering every billboard. It's about longevity, steady growth, and speaking the customer's language. And today's two guests certainly know how to do that. On this episode, we're sitting down with Kevin McLaughlin, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of J. McLaughlin, and Mary Ellen Coyne, the company's CEO. Kevin started J.McLaughlin in 1977 with his brother, Jay. They envisioned a timeless lifestyle brand with a legacy of style an

May 1, 2024 • 37:56

Tom Nolan, CEO of Kendra Scott – Bling it On: Building a Values-Driven Jewelry Empire (re-broadcast)

In business, you have to want to win. But in addition to that, simple, honest values go an incredibly long way. Today's guest leads a company that is powered by that philosophy.On this episode we get to sit down with Tom Nolan, CEO of the jewelry and accessories brand, Kendra Scott. Tom leads the billion dollar business by balancing day-to-day functions and strategy with the integration of the brand's core pillars of family, fashion and philanthropy into every consumer touch-point. In a

Apr 24, 2024 • 32:16

Pete Najarian, Managing Partner, RW3 Ventures – Digital Disruption: Decoding the crypto world and revolutionizing finance through blockchain technology

As the world embraces cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and deregulated finance, there's a massive transformation on the horizon. But if you're going to invest in these innovations, you need to be incredibly diligent and have a deep understanding of the tech. Today's guest has both.We're sitting down with Pete Najarian, who is the Managing Partner of RW3 Ventures. RW3 is a digital asset venture firm built in partnership with The Raptor Group. The Raptor Group is a multi-sector vent

Apr 17, 2024 • 36:59

Morgan Brennan, Co-Anchor, CNBC's Closing Bell: Overtime – Lights, Camera, Ascend: A behind-the-scenes look at scaling the media industry's fast-paced climb

When it comes to climbing the ladder in any industry, being willing to try new things and seize opportunities is your fastest track to growth. Our guest today has built her impressive career and carved out her place in the industry by doing just that. Today we're sitting down with Morgan Brennan, who Co-anchors CNBC's Closing Bell Overtime, which broadcasts live from CNBC's global headquarters in Inglewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Previously, she was co-anchor of the 10 a.m. hour on CNBC's S

Apr 10, 2024 • 31:04

Jake Karls, Co-Founder & Rainmaker, Mid-Day Squares – Bittersweet Victory: Showcasing challenges and successes in the entrepreneurial journey

Introducing a new product into the extremely competitive snack market is not for the faint of heart. To succeed, you need more than a unique product; you need energy, creativity, and a bold approach. Today’s guest has all that in spades. We're sitting down with Jake Karls, who is the first to admit that he's a different kind of business leader, unapologetically authentic, refreshingly relatable, and completely free of bullshit. Jake is the Co-Founder and Chief Rainmaker of Mid-Day Squar

Apr 3, 2024 • 33:13

Chris Hall, CEO and President, Personalis Inc. – A Prescription for Prosperity: Fueling medical breakthroughs with cutting-edge tech and strategic alliances

Big healthcare challenges demand cutting-edge healthcare products. Today's guest is building strategic partnerships to get ahead of disease and fuel the growth of their company. Today we're sitting down with Chris Hall, CEO and President of Personalis, which trades under the symbol PSNL. In his role, Chris drives the vision and strategy for the company, including commercializing its diagnostic product offerings. He brings over 20 years of experience in general management and product dev

Mar 27, 2024 • 29:50

David Bandele, CFO, Hexagon Composites – Energizing the Industry: Fueling growth by tapping into a sustainable future and a vast market

There are some extraordinary opportunities for companies with the vision and commitment to get behind the energy transition, and today's guest works with one of them.We're sitting down with David Bandele, who has served as the CFO of Hexagon Composites since 2014. The company is headquartered in Norway and trades under the symbol H E X . O L. Their business is focused on carbon-negative, zero-emission energy solutions supported by world-class manufacturing and digitization.Before joinin

Mar 20, 2024 • 32:47

Jared Isaacman, Founder, Shift4 and Draken International, Part 2 of 2 – The Next Frontier: Exploring the boundaries of space and innovation

If you've been to space and back, you're bound to have an amazing perspective about your own capabilities, and what humans can achieve. Our guest today knows all about that.On this episode, we're sharing part two of Morgan Brennan's interview with Jared Isaacman, recorded in January at ICR's 26th annual conference in Orlando, Florida. If you didn't catch part one last week, we highly recommend you do. Jared is an extraordinary business leader and on top of his incredible career as found

Mar 13, 2024 • 24:55

Jared Isaacman, Founder, Shift4 and Draken International, Part 1 of 2 – Shooting For The Stars: Going beyond limits for lasting impact

In business, there's success, and there's potential. Success is nice, but true greatness lies in tapping into unseen possibilities. Today's guest has harnessed their business's potential to make a lasting impact on a global scale.On this episode, we're featuring part one of a two-part interview recorded in January at ICR's annual conference in Orlando. It's a fireside chat hosted by Morgan Brennan, who was kind enough to step in to ask all the pressing questions. Morgan is co-anchor of

Mar 6, 2024 • 26:46

Amol Dhargalkar, Managing Partner and Chairman of the Board, Chatham Financial – Risky Business: How to strategically mitigate and manage market volatility

Mitigating risk has never been more challenging, but today's guest leans on smart data technology, a great relationship with his clients, and over 20 years of working with his very successful firm.We’re excited to sit down today with Amol Dharkalkar, who is Managing Partner and Chairman of the Board of Chatham Financial. He is the Global Head of Chatham's corporate sector and brings over 20 years of experience in derivatives capital markets expertise to the treasury and accounting funct

Feb 28, 2024 • 33:44

Bob Wright, President & CEO of Potbelly Sandwich Works – Bread Winners: How Potbelly's sandwiches are transforming fast-casual dining

At a time when everyone is paying more for a lot less, and service is in decline, today's guest is leaning in to added value, and it's paying off in spades. We're sitting down with Bob Wright, who has been President and CEO of Potbelly Corporation since July of 2020. The stock trades under the symbol PBPB. Bob has over 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry, most recently serving as Executive Vice President and COO of the Wendy's Company, where he ran operations for over 6,00

Feb 21, 2024 • 30:29

Christine Schindler, Co-founder & CEO, PathSpot – A Clean Sweep: Revolutionizing health and safety in hospitality

In an industry booming with customer-focused innovations, it's crucial not to overlook the backbone of an enterprise. Today's guest created a groundbreaking technology that prioritizes health and safety for both customers and in-house staff, that is a critical asset for hospitality businesses as a whole.We're sitting down with Christine Schindler, who is CEO and co-founder of PathSpot, a technology company dedicated to protecting businesses and their customers from the threat of food bo

Feb 14, 2024 • 24:21

Anton Nicholas, Managing Partner, ICR – Revving up Consumer Relationships: How Blue Engine Merges Creativity and Strategy in PR Communications

Today, there are countless platforms to reach consumers, but utilizing too many outlets can also fragment a brand's image. Our guest on this episode specializes in strategic brand exposure, providing clients with guidance to target consumers, and maintain a united market presence.We're sitting down with Anton Nicholas, Managing Partner at ICR. Anton just celebrated his 12th anniversary at ICR, and he runs the corporate PR team for all of Consumer, from retail to apparel to food to resta

Feb 7, 2024 • 24:31

Matthew Tucker, Head of Tock – Data-Driven Dining: Optimizing the guest experience by reshaping reservations

In the effort to recover from the impact of the pandemic, the hospitality industry has had a surge of innovation, ideas, and new technologies. And while the boost has been essential to getting the industry back on it's feet, it has also intensified the competition. Today's guest is setting themselves apart with their consumer-focused approach.We're sitting down with Matt Tucker, who is the head of Tock, a technology driven hospitality business owned by Squarespace, and trading under the

Jan 31, 2024 • 25:12

Matt Frazier, Founder & CEO, Jones Street Investment Partners – A Prosperous Pursuit: Mastering a market niche, one property at a time

Over the last few years, the wavering economy has presented problems for virtually every market. In real estate, rising rates and inflation have challenged buyers and sellers alike. But while wading in those waters, today's guest managed to find a silver lining in their unique investment field. Today, we get to sit down with Matt Fraser, a 20-year veteran of real estate, private equity, and corporate finance. He is the founder and CEO of Jones Street Investment Partners, a multi-family

Jan 24, 2024 • 28:39

Charles Baker, Partner, Sidley Austin, Co-Chair Entertainment, Sports & Media – He Shoots, He Scores! : Winning strategies for the game of sports and entertainment investments

Every investment comes with plenty of responsibility, but in a multifaceted market like sports and entertainment with varied revenue streams and worldwide integration, navigating this complex landscape can be overwhelming. Today's guest is helping his clients make sure that all the bases are covered. Literally. We're sitting down with Charles (Chuck) Baker, who chairs Sidley Austin's Entertainment, Sports, and Media Group. Chuck represents investors in professional sports, businesses an

Jan 17, 2024 • 31:47

Maital Rasmussen, Chief Commercial Officer at Octave – Harmony in the Healthcare Ecosystem: Creating a collaborative platform to drive treatment innovations

Providing effective healthcare isn't just about the right treatment, it's a field with many branches, and strong relationships and communication channels are just as essential to providing patients with the care they need. Today's guest has developed a platform to bridge those gaps and facilitate collaboration. Today we're sitting down with Maital Rasmussen, who has over 20 years experience as a global commercial executive and strategic advisor. In her role as chief commercial officer a

Jan 10, 2024 • 30:44

Chris Tomasso, CEO of First Watch Restaurants – Breaking Fast: A disruptive and innovative recipe for success in hospitality

As today's guest will tell us, breakfasts have recently overtaken Friday dinners as the number one dining out experience of choice. So in the always-competitive hospitality industry, restaurants that do those meals particularly well are in a fantastic position. Chris Tomasso definitely understands how to excel in this space. Chris is the CEO of First Watch Restaurants, which trades under the symbol FWRG.  Prior to taking the helm in 2018, Chris served as President for three years and as

Jan 3, 2024 • 30:00

John Carrington, CEO at Stem – Powering Up: Transforming the energy sector with AI (re-broadcast)

During the holiday period, we're re-sharing this very popular episode from earlier this year. If you missed it the first time, definitely check out Tom's chat with Stem's John Carrington!Extreme weather, aging grids, power storage and distribution; these are just some of the challenges that clean energy is stepping up to solve. And companies like Stem are at the forefront, with cutting edge AI-driven services. On this episode we get to hear from John Carrington, CEO of Stem. John leads

Dec 27, 2023 • 30:52

Tom Ryan, Founder & CEO, ICR – Sleigh-ing in Business: Welcome to the Arena's Year-End Holiday Wrap-Up

In a year of uncertainty, one thing is for sure: no one could accuse 2023 of being boring. On this short holiday episode, Tom Ryan, Founder and CEO of ICR, and host of Welcome to the Arena looks back on the highs and lows of 2023, shares some of his top episodes and favorite guests of the year, and his advice for businesses and strategists for a successful 2024. Happy holidays from everyone at ICR and Welcome to the Arena! Look for new episodes and more incredible guests from our team i

Dec 20, 2023 • 8:33

Michael Browning, Founder & CEO, Unleashed Brands – Business Jungle Gym: Scaling up with brands that help kids learn, play, and grow

At a time when parents are fighting a losing battle against screen-time for their kids, real world, active and educational experiences are a huge draw. Today's guest is passionate about these kinds of opportunities for kids, and has built an amazing business to fill that need.We're sitting down with Michael Browning, Founder and CEO of Unleashed Brands, a platform company that houses the world's best franchise brands to help kids learn, play, and grow. Michael launched Unleashed Brands

Dec 13, 2023 • 30:35

Kevin McLaughlin, Co-Founder & CCO, and Mary Ellen Coyne, CEO, J.McLaughlin – Dressed for Success: Designing a brand's future with customer-centric simplicity

The sign of a strong apparel brand isn't always about covering every billboard. It's about longevity, steady growth, and speaking the customer's language. And today's two guests certainly know how to do that.On this episode, we're sitting down with Kevin McLaughlin, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of J.McLaughlin, and Mary Ellen Coyne, the company's CEO. Kevin started J.McLaughlin in 1977 with his brother, Jay. They envisioned a timeless lifestyle brand with a legacy of style and

Dec 6, 2023 • 35:54

Chris Pronger, Professional Athlete, Co-Founder, The JRNY Whisky – Taking a Shot: Launching into a new market after a lifetime in the NHL

On Welcome to the Arena, Tom gets to talk to some  of the most impressive people around, and with today's guest, that couldn't be more true.  An added bonus? Their conversation combines two things Tom is a huge fan of: the NHL and Whisky, so this is an extra special episode.Today we get to hear from Chris Pronger, not just a former professional hockey player, but a Hall of Famer who has been voted one of the NHL's hundred greatest players ever.  For 19 years, Chris was known as one of t

Nov 29, 2023 • 28:01

Barry McGowan, CEO, Fogo de Chão – Rare and Well-Done: Revolutionizing the Restaurant Experience with Customized Service

At a time when customization and a personalized experience have become the expectation, the hospitality industry is racing to keep up with that demand. Our guest today understands that deeply, and he’s driving an innovative business model that is way ahead of the curve. We're sitting down with Barry McGowan, the CEO of Fogo de Chão, an international chain of Brazilian Steakhouses. Barry became CEO in 2019, after serving as President from 2013 to 2018. He has over 40 years of experience

Nov 22, 2023 • 31:56

Ed Garden, Founder, Garden Investments (Part 2 of 2) – Boardroom Brilliance: Investing in the Future

It's a huge treat to get the behind-the-scenes stories of the crucial transitions and incredible growth of some of the most iconic companies in the world. And that's why our guest today needed a two-part episode.Last week we shared the first half of my conversation with Ed Garden, Founder of Trian Fund Management and most recently, Garden Investments. Ed was Chief Investment Officer at Trian until May of 2023, and oversaw the company's portfolio management, idea generation, and due dili

Nov 15, 2023 • 26:14

Ed Garden, Founder, Garden Investments (Part 1 of 2) – Sowing Seeds of Growth: Cultivating Success through Strategic Activist Investing

Today we're celebrating a big milestone for the show: It's our 100th episode of Welcome to the Arena and we're marking that huge achievement with a 2-part interview with an influential player in the investment world. Our guest today has had an incredible career and our conversation was packed with inspiring stories and insightful advice.We're sitting down for part one of our interview with Ed Garden, Founder and CEO of Garden Investments. Prior to starting Garden Investments, Ed founded

Nov 8, 2023 • 32:32

Joe Hand Jr., President of Joe Hand Promotions – Knockout Success: Over 50 years of growth in live sports and entertainment distribution

Every successful family business has a good story behind it, but today's guest has an extraordinary one, that's all about innovation, creativity, and loving what they do.Today we're sitting down with Joe Hand Jr., President of Joe Hand Promotions, the global leader in live sports for bars, restaurants, and cinemas. In his role, Joe focuses on fostering lasting relationships and delivering exceptional experiences for commercial customers, helping them drive revenue for their business.For

Nov 1, 2023 • 30:28

Ross Fubini, Founder and Managing Partner, XYZ Ventures – Valuing the Vision: Fueling innovation through strategic guidance

When you're just starting out as a business, getting the right support during those crucial early stages plays a pivotal role in whether a good idea can reach its full potential. Today's guest has been providing that expert guidance for many years.On this episode we're sitting down with Ross Fubini, founder and managing partner of XYZ Ventures. XYZ was founded in 2017, making investments in 105 companies across seed and growth stages, and as an organization, they look to support founder

Oct 25, 2023 • 30:21

Maud Brown, Partner, PAI Partners – Taking Ambition Abroad: Navigating an International Investment Landscape

Embracing a challenge and going after the big prize is something that today's guest knows all about.We're sitting down with Maud Brown, who is a partner at PAI Partners. PAI is a private equity firm that invests in real economy businesses and manages over 25 billion in assets. Maud heads the firm's U. S. team and oversees investment activity in North America. She's involved in fundraising, deal sourcing, and portfolio company management, including the iconic juice company, Tropicana.Mau

Oct 20, 2023 • 29:16

Gary Beasley, Co-founder & CEO, Roofstock – Reshaping Rental: Using economic pressure to create real estate prosperity

Sometimes the most innovative business concepts are born from immense industry stress. Today's guest created a ground-breaking platform in response to the economic pressure cooker of the 2000's.On this episode, we're sitting down with Gary Beasley, who is a co-founder and CEO of Roofstock, an award winning real estate investment as a service platform for the 4 trillion dollar single family rental sector. The company is backed by Blue Chip roster investors, including Cosla Ventures, Ligh

Oct 11, 2023 • 31:58

Chad Cardenas, Founder & CEO, The Syndicate Group – Connecting Capital: Scaling startups through strategic networking

Building a thriving business certainly has a lot to do with hard work, but it's just as much about having a strong network and leveraging those relationships. Today's guest has gathered incredible insights and connections in his long career  to build a platform that facilitates these critical partnerships. Today we sit down with Chad Cardenas, Founder and CEO of The Syndicate Group. The Syndicate Group is pioneering a new evolution of venture capital investing, helping startups scale fa

Oct 4, 2023 • 31:36

Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech – Fueling the Future: Transforming Pollution into Energy Solutions

Innovation is about creation, but it's also about finding new spaces where those creations can be used. Today's guest has applied a centuries-old scientific process to solve a global industry problems. Today's guest is Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech. Under Jennifer’s guidance, LanzaTech is developing a variety of platform chemicals and fuels, including the world’s first alternative jet fuel derived from industrial waste gases. She is also the Director and Chair of the LanzaJet

Sep 27, 2023 • 31:17

Keri Findley, Founder, CEO of Tacora Capital – Structured Credit Secrets: How Tacora Capital carved out a unique approach to business growth

When you're a founder, you need creative ways to grow your business. Today's guest recognized that need, and built her company on it.We're sitting down with Keri Findley, Founder and CEO of Tacora Capital. Keri has two decades of experience in structured credit investing at leading firms, and as a private investor. She founded Tacora in 2022, securing a $250 million investment from renowned venture capitalist Peter Thiel.From 2009 to 2017, Kerry ran the structured credit portfolio for T

Sep 20, 2023 • 33:59

Warren de Haan, CEO of ACORE Capital – Loan Ranger: ACORE's innovative approach to commercial real estate lending in a shifting economy

As the economy shifts, and interest rates rise, there's an extraordinary opportunity right now for lenders who pay attention and lean in.Today we get to sit down with Warren de Haan, Founder, Managing Partner, and CEO at ACORE Capital. ACORE is one of the largest credit managers focused on commercial real estate lending, with approximately $20 billion of assets under management for the past three years.ACORE originates, acquires and manages first mortgages, bnot, mezzanine, debt, and pr

Sep 13, 2023 • 34:43

Len Liptak, Co-Founder & CEO, ProSomnus Sleep Technologies – Silent Nights: Trailblazing with life-changing sleep tech

Sleep apnea affects a billion people worldwide and can cause serious medical problems, and yet its most widely prescribed therapy can be intolerable for many sufferers. My guest today has identified and jumped on a huge need for an alternative therapy.We're sitting down with Len Liptak, founder and CEO of ProSomnus Sleep Technology, which trades under the symbol O S A. He's a board member and the co-inventor of the company's flagship product. Prior to starting ProSomnus, Len was Preside

Sep 6, 2023 • 30:27

Tom Schadewald, Director, Baird – Mastering the Market: Sound advice in uncertain times

After a couple of turbulent years, there are still a lot of unknowns in the market. But today's guest is sharing his insights based on a wealth of experience, grounded in his firm's excellent reputation. Today we're sitting down with Tom Schadewald, who is a Managing Director working on Baird's Equity Capital Markets Team. Tom is focused on technology and on the technology and services sectors. He joined Baird in 2022 from UBS, where he was a Director in their equity capital markets gro

Aug 30, 2023 • 30:17

David Pennino, Founder & CEO, LogicSource – Procure and Conquer: Behind the Scenes of Procurement Optimization

For companies with expenditures that run into the billions, strategic procurement can mean millions for the bottom line. Today we're sitting down with David Pennino, President, CEO, Board member and Founding Partner of LogicSource, a purpose-built procurement services and technology provider focused exclusively on indirect or not-for-resale expenditures. LogicSource’s service and technology solutions drive cost reductions and efficiencies for clients across all areas of this spend, whic

Aug 23, 2023 • 29:56

Jeff Grass, Co-Founder & CEO, HUNGRY – Feeding Innovation: A visionary app for a thriving food industry

During the pandemic, there was an eruption of on-demand delivery sites and apps focused on consumer convenience. Today's guest has built a strategic service that provides flexible opportunities for both their customers and their employees.This week we sit down with Jeff Grass, Co-Founder and CEO of HUNGRY. It's the first ever platform that connects independent chefs to the catering and corporate food services markets while improving the lives of its chefs, clients, community, and team.H

Aug 16, 2023 • 25:11

Alison Lange Engel, Partner at Greycroft – From the Ground Up: Managing and maintaining business partnerships in venture capital

Starting any business is a highly complicated endeavor. In the start-up space, where stakes are higher and more competitive than ever, businesses need guidance to survive and stand out from the crowd. Today's guest draws on her vast career experience to provide expertise to businesses at pivotal phases in their development.This week we sit down with Alison Lange Engel, a partner at Greycroft. Greycroft is a venture capital firm that invests in early and growth stage technology companies

Aug 9, 2023 • 30:21

Sarah-Marie Martin, VP, Corporate Development & Capital Markets at Uber – Drivers of Growth: Changes and challenges from investment banking to early-stage companies (re-broadcast)

This week we're re-sharing a really fun interview from back in April, with the unstoppable Sarah-Marie Martin.It's pretty inspiring to hear from people who climb huge heights, and then go looking for even bigger challenges. And that's exactly what today's guest did. On this episode we're sitting down with Sarah-Marie Martin, who joined Uber in 2022 as Head of M&A Investor Relations and Capital Markets, after a successful 25-year career in investment banking. At Uber, Sarah-Marie hel

Aug 2, 2023 • 30:11

Lee Pacchia and Joan Vollero, Managing Directors of Special Situations, ICR – Mastering Crisis: Navigating High-Stakes Shifts with Legal and Communications Expertise

When it comes to high-stakes strategising for businesses undergoing challenging shifts, the incredible value of legal training mixed with communications expertise can't be overstated. Today's guests know all about that.On this episode, we welcome two of ICR's finest, Joan Vollero and Lee Pacchia. Joan and Lee are both Managing Directors in ICR's Special Situations practice group.Joan advises companies and individuals on a wide range of matters relating to crisis and litigation. For more

Jul 26, 2023 • 24:31

Gregg Nabhan, Chairman of America's Equity Capital Markets for Bank of America – Staying Afloat in the Economic Current: Navigating the post-COVID economy with financial foresight

In the developing post-pandemic landscape, the discussion of a possible recession has been the latest ongoing hot topic, leaving businesses in a difficult position for decision-making. Today’s guest is sharing his expansive career knowledge to inform businesses about the reality of the current market. We're sitting down with my only two-time guest, Gregg Nabhan. If you tuned in to the first episode with Gregg, you'll remember that he's Chairman of America's Equity Capital Markets for Ba

Jul 19, 2023 • 25:37

Vijay Manthripragada, President & CEO, Montrose Environmental Group – A Greenprint for Success: A Win-Win Formula for Business and the Earth

Solving today's huge environmental problems takes creativity and innovation, but it also requires businesses to build strong industry partnerships. Today's guest is doing just that. We're sitting down with Vijay Manthripragada, President, CEO and Board Member of Montrose Environmental Group, which trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol, M E G. Vijay brings significant leadership in management experience to the company. Previously, he was the CEO of PetCareRX, a high-grow

Jul 12, 2023 • 24:09

Cyrus Vance, Partner, Baker McKenzie - The Prosecutor's Dilemma: Navigating tough decision-making in the legal sector

A great thinker once said "what is right is not always popular and what is popular is not always right." Our guest on this episode has built his legacy on difficult, but hugely influential decision-making.We're joined by Cyrus Vance Jr., best known for serving as New York County's top law enforcement officer for 12 years. As Manhattan District Attorney, he oversaw everything from white-collar fraud to cybercrime, human-trafficking, and even cold-case homicides. He's now a partner at glo

Jul 5, 2023 • 30:00

Dr. Marc Hedrick, President & CEO, Plus Therapeutics - The Plus Side: Making groundbreaking developments in cancer research

Millions of Americans with medical conditions spend years waiting for breakthrough treatments. Today's guest is making extraordinary advances in cancer treatment to significantly improve outcomes.Today we're sitting down with Dr. Marc Hedrick, President and CEO at Plus Therapeutics whose stock trades under the symbol PSTV. Previously, Dr. Hedrick served in a number of executive leadership roles, including President, CEO and Director of Cytori Therapeutics, and President and CEO of STEM

Jun 28, 2023 • 28:41

John Dowd, CEO of GoGreen Investments, and Chris Showalter, CEO of Life Zone Metals - Digging Deep: Unearthing the future of sustainable mining

When it comes to legacy industries, it's all too common for business processes to become embedded and stagnant, but with growing technological and environmental transformation across markets, there may be no choice but to change. Today's guests are teaming up to promote a technology that could drive that change with the potential to disrupt the mining industry.Today we're talking with John Dowd, CEO of GoGreen Investments and Chris Showalter, CEO of Life Zone Metals. GoGreen is a specia

Jun 21, 2023 • 24:37

David Katz, Founder & CSO, and Robert Jacks, President and CEO, Sparrow Pharmaceuticals – Pioneering Relief: A prescription for changing lives and healthcare

Sometimes abstract thinking that can lead to real breakthroughs. The knowledge and innovative thinking of today's guests led to an life-changing solution to an ongoing 75-year puzzle. Today we sit down with David Katz and Robert Jacks; Chief Scientific Officer, and President & CEO, of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals, respectively. Sparrow has come up with a groundbreaking way to help patients who need steroid treatments. Robert was previously President & CEO of Indalo Therapeutics, a cl

Jun 14, 2023 • 29:10

David Horowitz, Founder & CEO, Touchdown Ventures - Scoring Big: The power of partnerships and strategic investing

Building partnerships and investing strategically can be key in the growth of a business. However, for big corporations, and small start-ups, creating and managing a variety of partnerships can be challenging. Today's guest created his company to help ease that process.On this episode we're sitting down with David Horowitz, founder and CEO of Touchdown Ventures. Touchdown partners with leading corporations to manage their venture capital funds, and currently they partner with Kellogg T-

Jun 7, 2023 • 21:06

Robert Irvine, World Class Chef & Entrepreneur – The Recipe for Success: Cooking up a second chance, and turning setbacks into comebacks

Making mistakes is a natural part of building every business, but leaving problems unresolved for too long can be costly. Today's guest is teaching business owners that huge success can come out of grand failures - if you’re paying attention. Today we're sitting down with Robert Irvine, a world-class chef and host of Food Network's hit show 'Restaurant: Impossible', where he takes two days and under $20,000 to transform failing restaurants and give their owners a second chance.Robert's

May 31, 2023 • 28:02

Alex Ryan, CEO, The Duckhorn Portfolio – Aged to Perfection: A generational journey in crafting brand legacy

To create a brand with a lasting legacy, owners have to set and follow clear principles from the very beginning. Today's guest has continued to strengthen and grow their brand while maintaining those key principles. Today we're sitting down with Alex Ryan, President, CEO, and Chairman of The Duckhorn Portfolio, North America's premier luxury wine company, with 10 wineries, eight state-of-the-art wine-making facilities, seven tasting rooms, and over a thousand coveted acres of vineyard s

May 24, 2023 • 31:23

Krishna Gupta, Chairman and Interim CEO at Presto – Driving Innovation: Using AI tools to accelerate the service industry

Recently, the restaurant industry has been struggling to hire new workers and retain their current employees. Today's guest is using innovative AI technology to deliver speed and consistency in customer service, and in the kitchen. On this week's episode we sit down with Krishna Gupta, Chairman and Interim CEO of Presto, one of the largest drive-through automation technology providers in the hospitality industry. Krishna is a founder and CEO of venture firm Remus Capital which he founde

May 17, 2023 • 28:34

Sandra Campos, 3x CEO & Entrepreneur – Fashion Forward: Leading the fashion industry into the future

The fashion industry is powered by the sometimes differing perspectives of artistic entrepreneurs and business executives. It takes an intuitive and bold business innovator to merge those visions, and lead brands into the future. On this episode we sit down with Sandra Campos, a board member, three time CEO and two-time entrepreneur and advisor. Throughout her career, she's built global lifestyle brands, and she's been instrumental in turnarounds, digital transformations, and innovative

May 10, 2023 • 31:44

Sean O'Scannlain, President & CEO of Fortune International – Reeling in Success: Utilizing tech to take the seafood industry global

The food industry is a tough business that relies on tight planning and logistics, but today's guest has created a finely-tuned operation by taking advantage of tech innovations. On this episode, we're sitting down with Sean O'Scannlain, who founded Fortune International in 2001. Since then, the company has grown both organically and through numerous acquisitions into one of the country's leading processors, distributors, and importers of quality seafood, meats and gourmet products.Toda

May 3, 2023 • 29:18

Tom Nolan, CEO of Kendra Scott – Bling it On: Building a Values-Driven Jewelry Empire

In business, you have to want to win. But in addition to that, simple, honest values go an incredibly long way. Today's guest leads a company that is powered by that philosophy.On this episode we get to sit down with Tom Nolan, CEO of the jewelry and accessories brand, Kendra Scott. Tom leads the billion dollar business by balancing day-to-day functions and strategy with the integration of the brand's core pillars of family, fashion and philanthropy into every consumer touch-point. In a

Apr 26, 2023 • 30:18

Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods – Gut Feeling: Building demand for probiotic foods

A business's true test of survival is based on their ability to learn from challenges. By adapting to changing times, today's guest found a sweet spot in the market for their product to thrive. Today we're sitting down with Julie Smolyansky, who became the youngest female CEO of a publicly held firm when she took over Lifeway Foods at the age of 27 in 2002. Over the ensuing years, Julie has continued the company's growth trajectory with creative product development and marketing, bringi

Apr 19, 2023 • 28:42

John DiLullo, CEO of LiveVox – Dialing Up Efficiency: Transforming call center communications with cloud-based tech

The success of a company can hinge on clear and accessible communication with customers. Today's guest is leveraging tech to marry communication quality with the ultimate efficiency.This week, we're sitting down with John DiLullo. John is the CEO of Live Vox, which is transforming call centre communications with cloud technology. LiveVox trades under the symbol LVOX.  John is a growth oriented industry veteran with a track record spanning more than 30 years in networking, telecom applic

Apr 12, 2023 • 30:25

Sarah-Marie Martin, VP, Corporate Development & Capital Markets at Uber – Drivers of Growth: Changes and challenges from investment banking to early-stage companies

It's pretty inspiring to hear from people who climb huge heights, and then go looking for even bigger challenges. And that's exactly what today's guest did.On this episode we're sitting down with Sarah-Marie Martin, who joined Uber in 2022 as Head of M&A Investor Relations and Capital Markets, after a successful 25-year career in investment banking. At Uber, Sarah-Marie helps optimize and finance the company's portfolio of businesses. Before joining Uber, she was the first CFO of Yu

Apr 5, 2023 • 30:11

Robert Piconi, Chairman and CEO of Energy Vault – Fuel for Thought: Creating the Preeminent Energy Storage Company

Renewable, sustainable energy has made strides in the last 20 years with developments in solar and wind power, but much of the field still struggles to move forward from traditional fossil fuels. Today's guest has broken new ground on a uniquely clean, and extremely effective energy technology.Robert Piconi is Chairman and CEO of Energy Vault, developers of sustainable energy storage solutions. Prior to Energy Vault, Robert was founder and CEO of Pantheon Healthcare Group, and he also s

Mar 29, 2023 • 29:46

Dr. Eddie Sullivan, President, CEO at SAB Biotherapeutics – The Battle of Biotech: Fighting disease with a breakthrough treatment strategy

In healthcare, they say the only constant is change. Medical practices and treatments are always evolving, and today's guest is on the cutting edge of an exciting development. Today we're sitting down with Dr. Eddie Sullivan, co-founder, President and CEO at SAB Biotherapeutics. Eddie served in biopharma leadership positions for more than 25 years, and prior to joining SAB, he was CEO of Hema Tech, where he led initiatives to develop infectious disease, cancer, and autoimmune immunother

Mar 22, 2023 • 30:26

Tom Harrington, CEO at Primo Water Corporation – A Refreshing Approach: Shifting business models and designing an infallible growth strategy

Making a decision like transitioning from a successful soda brand into a water company will certainly come with its risks, but it can also open the door for commercial expansion and innovation. Today's guest was able to make that shift seamlessly.On this week's episode, we get to sit down with Tom Harrington, Chief Executive Officer of Primo Water, which trades under the symbol PRMW. Tom took the post in the beginning of 2019 and prior to that, he served as the CEO of Primo's North Amer

Mar 15, 2023 • 24:44

Matthew Doctor, President & CEO at Regis Corporation – A Cut Above: Rebuilding a business model, and transitioning from corporate to franchise

As a public company, moving into a fully franchised model isn't always easy. There are lots of challenges and misconceptions, but today's guest has come through all of that with flying colors.Matthew Doctor is President, CEO, and a Board Member of Regis Corporation, which trades under the symbol R G S. Regis is the beauty industry's global leader in salons and cosmetology education, with more than 5,500 locations worldwide operating under concepts such as Supercuts®, SmartStyle® and Fir

Mar 8, 2023 • 27:45

Mei Mei Hu, CEO and Co-Founder of Vaxxinity – Taking a Shot: Chronic disease prevention and democratizing healthcare with vaccine technology

We get to hear from a lot of smart people with incredible ideas on this show, but it's extra exciting when they also have a world-changing vision, and our guest today has just that.On this week's episode we're talking with Mei Mei Hu, CEO and Co-Founder of Vaxxinity, which trades under the symbol VAXX. Mei Mei is also a member of the Executive Committee of United Biomedical, and has overseen the launch of one of the first antibody vaccines in the world, and the successful spin out of fi

Mar 1, 2023 • 30:34

Rob Arena, Co-President of Global Atlantic Financial Group – Making 'Cents' of Wealth Management: Providing clients with strong, reliable plans

For people navigating financial planning in these shaky times, there's a great deal of comfort in the way that insurance companies can help mitigate risk and still grow wealth. Global Atlantic is one of those companies offering innovative products and solid planning.On today's show we're joined by Rob Arena, Co-President of Global Atlantic where he supports Chairman and CEO Allan Levine in operating the business and executing the company's growth strategy. Rob also leads the company's i

Feb 22, 2023 • 26:24

Mark Walker, Founder and CEO of Direct Digital Holdings – Finding Your Audience: Digital advertising solutions that reach multicultural audiences

Summary:Digital advertising has allowed companies to be laser-focused with their audiences, and that means a super-efficient, high-impact campaign. On this episode we sit down with Mark Walker, Co-Founder, CEO, and Chairman of Direct Digital Holdings, which trades under the symbol DRCT. Direct Digital Holdings (DDH) is a digital advertising solutions holding company consisting of three subsidiaries: Colossus SSP, Orange 142, and Huddled Masses. DDH provides programmatic digital advertis

Feb 15, 2023 • 23:01

Louis Chen, Executive Vice President and CSO of Perfect Corp – Industry Makeover: The technological transformation of beauty brands

Summary:AI and AR technologies are rapidly becoming stable stakes for any retail experience, and today's guest is leading the way there. On this episode, we're talking to Louis Chen, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Perfect Corp, which trades under the symbol PERF. Perfect is an AI and AR-powered beauty tech solutions provider, and Louis leads the company's corporate development, strategic partnerships, and marketing efforts. He joined Perfect when it was establish

Feb 8, 2023 • 32:26

Andy Wiederhorn, CEO of FAT Brands – The Best Ingredients: Building a strong portfolio of restaurants

Success in the restaurant industry can be tricky, but today's guest has really nurtured the built-in growth opportunities in his business, with remarkable results.On this episode we're sitting down with Andy Wiederhorn, President and CEO of FAT Brands. FAT Brands is a global franchising company that acquires, markets and develops a range of casual and quick-service dining restaurant concepts.Andy made his first restaurant acquisition in 2003 with Fatburger, and went on to acquire Buffal

Feb 1, 2023 • 25:59

Cindy Hess, Partner at Fenwick – Big Tech's Big Deals: Counseling the world's most influential technology companies

Even the most ingenious technologies won't go far without a solid legal foundation and a forward thinking framework that will help it scale,  and this episode's guest knows all about that. Cindy Hess is a corporate partner at Fenwick and for over 10 years she's served as the co-chair of the firm's startup and venture capital group. Over the course of her practice, Cindy has counseled technology companies on a broad range of corporate transactional matters. She's worked with a wide range

Jan 25, 2023 • 26:56

Michael Pengue, CEO at ZOA Energy – Rocking the Boat: Shaking up the world of energy drinks

Summary:If you're going to jump into the massive beverage market with a brand new product, you better have some incredible experience and a solid team behind you. And that's exactly what today's guest has. On this episode we're sitting down with Mike Pengue, who has been CEO of ZOA Energy since its launch in March of 2021. Prior to ZOA, Mike was Senior Vice President, General Manager for the Emerging Brands Group at Keurig, Dr. Pepper. He came to Keurig, Dr. Pepper from Bai Brands where

Jan 18, 2023 • 28:21

Molly Langenstein, President and CEO at Chico's FAS – Know Thy Customer: Building brands and revitalizing sales in the retail fashion industry

Summary:To really serve your customer, you have to understand them. And that's just one of the crucial ways that today's guest has led her company into remarkable growth. On this episode, we welcome Molly Langenstein, CEO, President and Board Member of Chico's FAS. She joined the company in August of 2019 and became CEO and President less than a year later, in June 2020. Molly is a 30-year retail industry veteran with a proven track record of building multiple successful brands, and rev

Jan 11, 2023 • 27:48

John Carrington, CEO at Stem – Powering Up: Transforming the energy industry with AI

Summary:Extreme weather, aging grids, power storage and distribution; these are just some of the challenges that clean energy is stepping up to solve. And companies like Stem are at the forefront, with cutting edge AI-driven services. Today we hear from John Carrington, CEO of Stem. John leads the energy storage and analytics movement at the company and has more than 25 years of leadership experience in technology, energy, and industrial companies.John came to Stem from MiaSolé, the wor

Jan 4, 2023 • 30:52

Tom Ryan, Founder & CEO, ICR – Year in Review: Observations, Advice and Holiday Greetings for 2022

Summary:It's been an amazing year on Welcome to the Arena, and we've heard from some of the most exciting and successful businesses and strategists in the game. On this brief episode of the show, Tom Ryan, founder and CEO of ICR, and host of Welcome to the Arena shares his reflections on 2022, and looks ahead to 2023 and the 25th anniversary of ICR. Enjoy the holidays, and look for new episodes and more incredible guests coming in January!Links:ICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteTom Ryan

Dec 21, 2022 • 6:22

Todd Lachman, President and CEO at Sovos Brands – Secret Sauce: Disrupting the food aisle with premium brands

Summary:Being a disruptor in business can be as uncomplicated as putting out high quality products, in a small-but-mighty category. And that's what today's guest has done, with incredible success. On this episode we're talking to Todd Lachman, the founder, President and CEO of Sovos Brands.For 25 years, Todd's delivered growth and value creation for some of the biggest names in consumer packaged goods. He served as Global President of Mars Pet Care, President of Mars Chocolate, North Am

Dec 14, 2022 • 29:27

Kyle Kazan, Founder and CEO at Glass House Brands – High Hopes: Growing the cannabis industry in California and beyond

Summary:There are a lot of things that California produces well: movies, wine, and now cannabis. Today's guest knows all about that. Kyle Kazan is co-founder and CEO of Glasshouse Brands, a vertically integrated sustainable producer of cannabis products. In 1991, he began investing in real estate, and became a manager of private equity funds. He's now launched a total of 23 funds with a current estimated value of almost $3 billion. In 2016 Kyle pivoted to the regulated cannabis industry

Dec 7, 2022 • 30:28

Manny Hilario, President and CEO at The One Group – Appetite for Growth: Redefining the restaurant experience

Summary:At a time when many restaurants are cutting back on what they offer guests, the One Group is raising the bar on the dining experience, and positioning themselves for huge success in the process.Today's guest is Manny Hilario, CEO of The One Group and long-time friend of ICR. The One Group is a global hospitality company that develops and operates upscale and polished casual, high energy restaurants and lounges. Their two primary restaurant brands are STK and Kona Grill, where th

Nov 30, 2022 • 27:53

Dana Telsey, CEO and CRO at Telsey Advisory Group – Tales of Retail: Telling the story of the consumer universe

Summary:You can never underestimate the power of high quality consumer research from a globally renowned team, especially when they're led with energy and heart by a top industry analyst.Case in point is today's guest, long-time friend of ICR, Dana Telsey. Dana is the CEO and Chief Research Officer of Telsey Advisory Group, which was founded in 2006. The firm has grown to be a leading equity research trade execution, investment banking and consulting firm focused on the consumer space.D

Nov 23, 2022 • 30:20

Noah Glass, Founder and CEO at Olo – Changing Your Order: The digital transformation of the restaurant industry

Summary:We take for granted how rapidly restaurants have gone digital in the past few years, but it's actually been a vision 20 years in the making. And it all started with today's guest.Noah Glass is the founder and CEO of Olo, a leading commerce platform powering the restaurant industry's digital transformation. Over 600 of the most recognized restaurants and C-Store brands use Olo to grow digital sales, preserve direct consumer relationships, and maximize profitability. More than 85

Nov 16, 2022 • 31:01

Gregg Nabhan, Chairman of the Americas Equity Capital Markets, Bank of America – The Wisdom of the Deal: Learning from four decades of Wall Street deal-making

Summary:It's always a pleasure to speak to a grizzled veteran who has decades of experience leading hundreds of deals that have raised billions of dollars.Here to share that wisdom is Gregg Nabhan, Chairman of the America's Equity Capital Markets, as well as Managing Director of the Consumer and Retail team at Bank of America. Gregg is responsible for the origination, IPO valuation, structuring, book-building, price discovery allocation trading, and aftermarket performance of equity tra

Nov 2, 2022 • 28:22

Nitin Chexal, CEO at Palladius Capital Management – Opportunity Knocks: Finding real estate opportunities in unexpected places

Summary:Sometimes, acquisitions that seem risky are actually just really smart: seeing opportunity where others don't. And in real estate, if you have the experience and a strong handle on research, undervalued assets are there for the taking.My guest this week is Nitin Chexal. Nitin is the CEO of Palladius Capital Management where he oversees all aspects of the firm, including leading a team of investment and asset management professionals focused on real estate equity and debt investments acro

Oct 19, 2022 • 28:28

Joe Ennen, CEO at SunOpta – Milking the Market: Sustainable food products and the plant-based milk revolution

SummaryA growing number of food companies are investing in sustainable product development, but only a handful are really getting it right. Joining me to talk about doing sustainability successfully is Joe Ennen. Joe is CEO and a director at SunOpta, which trades under the symbol S T K L. The company sources, processes, and produces organic, natural, and non-GMO plant and fruit-based food and beverage products. SunOpta sells to retail customers, food service distributors, branded food c

Oct 12, 2022 • 26:53

TJ Jiang, CEO at AvePoint – Ahead in the Cloud: Riding the huge growth in the Saas software industry

SummaryIn an industry that's seen incredible growth in the last few years, lots of Saas companies are exploding. But Saas software vendor AvePoint was on the scene long before the industry took off, and their strategic vision of the cloud's potential has helped secure their own extraordinary long-term growth.Back in March we chatted with AvePoint's Chief Brand Officer, Dux Raymond Sy about building brands, so I'm excited to learn more about this growing company with today's guest, AvePo

Oct 5, 2022 • 29:25

Scott Hart, CEO at StepStone Group – Flywheeling High: Creating a niche in private markets investment and growing on your own momentum

Summary:Private markets investment is a giant field, and finding a unique place in the business isn’t easy. But when you pay close attention to timing, the needs and wants of your clients, and building a solid team, you can make a definitive mark in the industry. Joining me to talk about how that's done is Scott Hart, CEO of StepStone Group, a private markets investment firm. Since its founding in 2006, StepStone’s seen steady growth, and that’s been fueled by their customized investmen

Sep 21, 2022 • 28:09

Meaghan Montegari, Managing Director at ICR — ICR Industry Reports: Investor Access

Summary:In an ever-changing market, consistent communication and messaging is essential to building up stakeholder trust. Corporate access is key when it comes to developing relationships between companies and investors, but access strategy can be difficult to navigate without the right experience. Joining me on this episode of ICR Industry Reports is Meaghan Montegari, Managing Director and Head of Global Investor Access. Meaghan recently joined ICR with over a decade of experience in

Sep 14, 2022 • 22:33

John Mancini, Partner at Mayer Brown — Investing in your IP Strategy : The importance of protecting your intellectual property

Summary:In today's knowledge-based economy, your intellectual property is your competitive advantage and it needs to be protected. My guest this week is John Mancini, partner at Mayer Brown and a member of the firm's global intellectual property practice, which was named IP practice group of the year in 2017 and 2020 by Law360. John's practice focuses on litigating copyright, trademark, trade secret, and patent disputes across the country, and he has successfully tried high-profile inte

Sep 7, 2022 • 28:58

Henry Nassau, CEO at Dechert — On Firm Footing : How law firms play an essential role in the corporate landscape

Summary:Given the legal complexity of just about every aspect of running a company, lawyers are nearly ubiquitous in the corporate world. So, it should come as no surprise that a lifetime in corporate law amounts to an incredible wealth of knowledge and insight that can extend a lawyer's value far beyond just providing legal advice.My guest this week is Henry Nassau, CEO of global law firm, Dechert. First joining Dechert in 1987 and returning in 2003 after a stint as in-house general co

Aug 31, 2022 • 30:32

Joe Folkman, Co-founder and President at Zenger Folkman — The Data on Distrust : Building and maintaining trust as a leader

Summary: My guest this week is co-founder and president of Zenger Folkman, a leadership development consultancy, Joe Folkman. For more than 30 years, Joe has been assessing and studying top leaders in a variety of industries and is a world-renowned psychometrician and leadership development expert. If you're not familiar with his unusual job title, a psychometrician creates psychological tests to measure employees' knowledge, skills, and abilities. Joe is also a prolific writer and has

Aug 24, 2022 • 30:39

Scott Sanborn, CEO at LendingClub — Bank on It: Innovative lending for better financial futures

Summary:According to recent surveys, 43% of Americans expect to add to their debt in the next six months in order to make ends meet. Most will use credit card debt to bridge the gap, but high interest rates could see this put the financial futures of many Americans at risk. Innovative solutions to help manage that debt can make all the difference.Today's guest is Scott Sanborn, CEO of LendingClub, the only full-spectrum FinTech Marketplace Bank that has helped more than 4 million Americ

Aug 17, 2022 • 32:06

Jim Barr, CEO at Nautilus — Don't Sweat It: The home fitness trend is here to stay

Summary: While gyms were closed, and most of the population was stuck at home during the pandemic, the home exercise equipment category saw a huge boom in sales. With this came increased consumer appetite for connectivity and consolidation of their fitness experience across all the products in their home gyms.Today's guest is Jim Barr, CEO of the iconic fitness brand Nautilus Inc. Also falling under the Nautilus umbrella are well-known brands like Bowflex and Schwinn. Before joining Nau

Aug 10, 2022 • 29:09

Greg McDowell, Partner at ICR — ICR Industry Reports: Technology Investor Relations

Summary:Tech companies are having to work harder than ever to prove their resilience in an increasingly noisy market. For investors, the pandemic has highlighted the need for sustained growth and detailed future planning when choosing where to put their capital, and communicating these avenues of value to investors needs to be a part of every company's core strategy. Joining me today on this episode of ICR Industry Reports is Partner Greg McDowell, Head of Technology Investor Relations.

Aug 3, 2022 • 18:29

Dave Prokupek, CEO at Ideal Image — The Beauty Business is Booming: The rapid rise of the aesthetics industry

Summary:The 'Fountain of Youth' was first mentioned in the writings of Herodotus in the 5th century BC. The world may have changed a lot since the Ancient Greeks, but our desire to look better, look younger, has not. Fast forward to today, Tiktok "beauty hacks" and YouTube videos promising to help us "look younger in seconds" flood the internet. The human obsession with youth and beauty has been alive and well for thousands of years, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that the aesthetic

Jul 27, 2022 • 22:50

Jeff Fischer, President at Longhorn Vaccines & Diagnostics — Passing the Test : How this small company made a big difference in the fight against COVID-19

Summary:Testing the population is a vital step in the pursuit of disease control. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the biotech industry was challenged to rapidly adapt and produce safe, effective testing at an almost unimaginable scale, businesses were forced to adapt and re-think the way diagnostic tests are designed, distributed, and safely conducted in order to keep up with demand. Today's guest is Jeff Fischer. Jeff is the co-founder and president of Longhorn Vaccines & Diagno

Jul 20, 2022 • 25:10

Brad Cohen, Managing Partner at ICR — ICR Industry Reports: Proptech, Real Estate & Lodging

Summary:As a public company, building strong relationships with investors is vital. In a down market, the strength of those relationships relies more than ever on honest, reliable communication. No matter what's happening in the market, your company always has a story to tell. Telling it genuinely builds trust, and your investors will thank you for it. My guest today is corporate communications expert and ICR Managing Partner, Brad Cohen. At ICR, Brad leads the PropTECH, Real Estate, an

Jul 13, 2022 • 18:45

Joseph Antoun, CEO at L-Nutra — Food for Thought: Turning sick care into health care with science-based nutrition

Summary: We live in the era of the most advanced medical technologies the world has ever seen, but are we really that much healthier for it? According to the CDC, 6 in 10 adults in the US are living with at least one chronic disease, 4 in 10 have two or more. In the wake of the pandemic, those numbers look primed to keep going up. Modern health care systems treat these illnesses after the fact, but what if healthcare began long before we got sick? And what if the best preventative medic

Jul 6, 2022 • 27:16

Jerry Morgan, President & CEO at Texas Roadhouse — Serving Up Success: The key ingredients? Great value and 'legendary' service

Summary:When inflation goes up, and disposable incomes shrink, consumers approach their spending with increased scrutiny. Despite tighter budgets, however, people are still social and they still need to eat, and restaurants that consistently provide great value to their customers will come out on top. Today's guest is Jerry Morgan. Jerry is President and CEO of Louisville, Kentucky-based Texas Roadhouse, trading under the symbol TXRH. With 35 years of food service experience, including

Jun 29, 2022 • 26:47

Nino Ciappina, CEO at PARTS iD — Standing Apart: Finding success through differentiation

Summary:The automotive industry is changing. Shifting consumer behavior, increased demand for sustainability, and macro shifts towards digitization, automation, and new business models could see companies that are unable to keep up get left behind. For companies ready to embrace these changes, however, there are new opportunities for significant growth.Today's guest is Nino Ciappina, CEO of PARTS iD. PARTS iD is a digital commerce company, trading under the symbol ID, that is responding

Jun 22, 2022 • 29:53

James Foster, CEO at ZeroFOX — Heading Off Hackers : Why external cybersecurity is not just a defensive sport

Summary:As threat volume and complexity grows, cyber attacks are quickly becoming one of the biggest concerns facing companies today. When the pandemic accelerated the shift towards digital, and employees around the world began logging in to work from anywhere, the threat of data being compromised only deepened. This is a big problem, not only for businesses, but for the stakeholders who put their trust in them. Cybercriminals are getting bolder, and cyber risks are always evolving. To

Jun 16, 2022 • 27:05

Kyle Kostesich, Executive Creative Director at ICR — ICR Industry Reports: Branding + Creative Practice

Summary:Your brand is your promise. It's how you signal to stakeholders who you are and what you stand for. With so much on the line, it's no wonder that a messy brand can have a huge impact on your business.Joining me for this installment of ICR Industry Reports, the mini-series where we profile some of the industry leaders within ICR, is Kyle Kostesich. Kyle is the Executive Creative Director for ICR's Branding + Creative practice, having spent the last 15 years leading ICR's creative

Jun 8, 2022 • 20:11

Marc Silverberg, Partner at ICR — ICR Industry Reports: Energy, Sustainability & Modern Mobility

Summary:This week: the next of our ICR Industry Reports. In this mini-series we profile some of ICR's industry experts, and hear about what they're observing at the frontlines of their fields.My guest today is Marc Silverberg, Partner and head of ICR's Energy, Sustainability & Modern Mobility investor relations practice. His team specializes in working with companies across the ESM ecosystem, with focus areas including electric vehicles, battery technology, and renewable energy amon

Jun 1, 2022 • 15:55

Russell Fleischer, General Partner at Battery Ventures — Supporting CEOs: How investment partners with firsthand operations experience can help

Summary:Growth through M&A can be hit or miss. Studies show that nearly half of these transactions fail to see value creation as a result of acquisition. Why is that? Well, one reason may be that M&A is disruptive to stakeholder relationships. The challenge for investment firms is to strike the ideal balance between creating enough change to see accelerated growth in the companies they acquire or invest in and preserving the brand and core values of those companies so that key s

May 25, 2022 • 28:34

Farah Soi, Partner at ICR — ICR Industry Reports: Consumer, Retail & Digital Commerce

Summary:This week is the first in a new mini-series profiling some of ICR's leading industry experts: ICR Industry Report. Alongside our usual content, this series will feature observations and analysis of what ICR's leaders are seeing in the market, and what trends they anticipate are coming up next in their verticals. These bite-size segments will be jam-packed with useful information to help you better understand the fields you're playing in.My guest today is Farah Soi, Partner in IC

May 18, 2022 • 18:42

Conor Flynn, CEO at Kimco Realty — Realty Reality, Post Pandemic: Responsible REITs are more than just landlords

Summary:Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) can be pretty misunderstood as investment opportunities, particularly amongst younger investors. Their slow-and-steady pace and relative lack of volatility can lead investors looking for quicker action to focus on other asset classes. However, REITs have historically produced long-term capital appreciation and high, consistent dividend income at relatively low risk. For growth-oriented investors, they should be worth consideration. Conor Fly

May 11, 2022 • 33:29

Eli Manning and Drew Sheinman, Partners at Brand Velocity Group — Pro Sports and Private Equity: A differentiated approach to managing PE portfolios

Summary:A company culture where you win together or lose together as a team gives everyone an incentive to perform at their best. It also creates supportive environments where strategic risk-taking is encouraged, opening the door to new opportunities. In private equity, a lot of scrutiny goes into every investment decision, but there's one factor that has historically been overlooked: human capital. However, there's been a shift in recent years. Companies ahead of the curve in recognizi

May 4, 2022 • 25:42

Brian Kelsey, Voice Actor and Host of Ten Minutes With — Take it from a Talk Show Host : Building a brand from the bottom up

Summary:Before there was Apple, or Amazon, or Disney, or Google, there was a person with an idea, who was willing to put in the work to see that idea come to life. Across industries, there are common lessons to be learned from the stories of the entrepreneurial-minded people who have built successful brands from the bottom up. One such person is my guest today, Brian Kelsey, a 25-year veteran of the television, radio, and voiceover industries. He's been a radio host on some legendary st

Apr 20, 2022 • 26:55

Joth Ricci, CEO at Dutch Bros Coffee — One Cup at a Time: How a simple model and strong mission can drive growth

Summary:With Covid-19 mandates relaxing and consumers eager to rejoin the real world, the beverage industry has been bouncing back over the last year. However, the landscape is not exactly what it used to be, and while doors are open, there are some new challenges to face. Changes in consumer habits as a result of the pandemic, along with the much-discussed supply chain issues, have forced many in the industry to reconsider best practices. 2021 even saw industry giant Starbucks close ne

Apr 6, 2022 • 26:32

Andy Rothman, Investment Strategist at Matthews Asia — Investing in China: Why misperceptions might have you missing out

Summary:In America, there are a lot of misconceptions about many aspects of Chinese culture and economic policy. These have become especially apparent over the last two years during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, many investors are curious about the opportunities to be found in China’s fast-growing market but while factors like the country’s political structure, ongoing trade wars with the US, and regulatory differences shouldn’t deter investment, it is important to understand the risk

Mar 16, 2022 • 29:34

Dux Raymond Sy, Chief Brand Officer at AvePoint — Business' Brand New Era: Building brand visibility and reputation post-pandemic

Summary:In 2021, the average person was estimated to encounter between 6000 and 10 000 ads every single day. And, with eyes more glued to screens than ever before, digital marketing, finding its way to us via smartphones and computers, accounts for a great deal of that ad consumption. Customers are constantly bombarded with messaging telling them to “buy now,” but in increasingly crowded markets of near-identical competitors, how can you convince them to not just “buy now,” but buy you.

Mar 9, 2022 • 28:12

Dave Tayeh, Head of Private Equity North America at Investcorp — Investing in Relationships: The people side of private equity

Summary:The private equity industry has a reputation for being, well, pretty private. That’s been changing over the course of the last decade and where PE firms used to keep their cards close to their chest, they are increasingly championing transparency. That shift allows investors to form more informed assessments, and businesses looking to sell are able to have a better understanding of who they’re working with and how their interests align.Relationships are an important factor to ev

Mar 3, 2022 • 26:02

Troy Swope, Co-founder & CEO at Footprint — Reduce, Reuse, Revenue: The positive impact of plant-based plastic alternatives

Summary:It’s 2022, and what’s good for the planet is becoming increasingly good for business. The warning bells scientists and environmentalists have been ringing for decades are getting too loud to ignore, and the market is reflecting it. Consumers want better, more responsible options, and with sustainable alternatives becoming more cost competitive than ever, companies with strong environmental standards are making a big impression on investors.One such company is Footprint, helmed by co-foun

Feb 23, 2022 • 27:41

Lyndon Park, Partner & Head of ICR Governance Solutions — Embracing ESG: Finding value in your company's values

Summary:In recent years, ESG has become a hot button topic for almost all companies, public and private alike. As conversations around environmental and social issues continue to gain momentum, opportunities can present themselves for companies willing to stop playing defense with ESG and start using it as an offensive tool. Investment stories and ESG stories are quickly merging and with disclosures on ESG factors becoming standardized and related shareholder activism continuing to rise

Feb 9, 2022 • 28:11

Stan Chia, CEO & Board Director at Vivid Seats — Winning a Seat at the Table: Entering established markets

Summary:Breaking into a market controlled by prominent players can be daunting, but competition breeds innovation and when newcomers are successful it usually means big benefits for consumers and investors. Vivid Seats (online ticket marketplace), led by CEO Stan Chia, is one of those success stories.Vivid Seats has carved out a space for themselves in an industry that has historically been dominated by big names like TicketMaster and StubHub by focusing on customer service and consumer

Feb 2, 2022 • 27:56

Steve Glenn, CEO of Plant Prefab — Building Better Businesses: Efficient and eco-conscious construction

Summary:Here’s a quick word association. What comes to mind when you hear the word, “construction.” Your first thought probably wasn’t “efficient,” but CEO Steve Glenn and his company, Plant Prefab, are trying to change that. Plant Prefab creates architect-designed custom homes held to the highest environmental standards and, because they fabricate structural pieces at production facilities simultaneously to onsite construction, they operate much more efficiently than companies using tr

Jan 19, 2022 • 31:18

Chris Rondeau, CEO of Planet Fitness — It Works Out in the End: The future of fitness

Summary:When businesses were forced to shut down during the Covid-19 pandemic, gyms found themselves particularly vulnerable. One company that managed to weather the storm (without losing a single location) and is now poised to come back stronger than ever is Planet Fitness. In this episode, we hear from the CEO of Planet Fitness, Chris Rondeau.From working the front desk of a single location in New Hampshire, to CEO of a public company with 2000+ locations, Chris Rondeau takes us throu

Jan 12, 2022 • 30:17

Jason Kelly, Bloomberg Quicktake— Good News: How the media can help your business

Summary:With fast-growing private and public companies, you’re often juggling a lot of stakeholders: management, employees, board members, investors. But there’s one key stakeholder that’s often forgotten: the media. But ignore them at your peril. They control a huge portion of the narrative and public image of your company—and if you haven’t established the relationships and trust to tell your story, then they’re going to tell it for you.Fortunately, there are journalists like Jason Ke

Jan 5, 2022 • 41:33

Brian Gonick, Co-CIO of Senvest — Diamonds in the Rough: Finding the value that everyone else ignores

Summary:Investing in stocks that the market has passed by is certainly risky, but that's right where Co-Chief Investment Officer Brian Gonick and his team at Senvest find value. Through strong understanding of management, a discerning eye, and techniques adopted from the CIA, Senvest find stocks with the potential for exponential long-term growth.Brian Gonick highlights how Senvest look to invest over an extended period of time, showing how important they view their horizons. To be part

Dec 15, 2021 • 32:14

Paddy Spence, CEO & Amy Taylor, President of Zevia — Can-do!: The benefits of being nimble in the beverage industry

Carbonated beverages and health don't often go hand in hand, but Zevia intends to change that. By using plant-based ingredients and all-natural sweeteners, Zevia eliminates sugar, GMO's and artificial ingredients from the equation. They deliver drinks that fly off the shelves, both in-store and online; they rank as the number-one sold beverage on Amazon. But their commitment doesn't stop at great taste. CEO Paddy Spence and President Amy Taylor are passionate about consumer health and e

Dec 8, 2021 • 33:18

Katherine Fogertey, CFO at Shake Shack — Grabbing a Byte : Innovation, digitalization and experience in the new age fast-food industry

Highlights:Learning within the fast-food industry (4:36) Digital transformation of the company (5:46) Enlightened hospitality and commitment to service (6:54) Creating a stellar experience for the customer (8:22) Importance of digital channels (10:02) How the company values its people, both customers and employees (15:45) Menu innovation (18:51) Cold-beverage innovation (21:22) Logistics of company balance sheets (23:15) Intention of digital ecosystem regarding promotions and user engag

Nov 30, 2021 • 29:39

Syed Raj Imteaz, ICR — Convert Operations: Why (and how) you should use convertible securities

Highlights:How Raj found himself in equity derivatives (0:35)What makes a convertible instrument more complex than debt or equity (2:36)Why you need advice if you’re going to attempt a convert (4:58)Convertible language that could hurt you down the road (9:45)Why the market for converts is so hot (11:38)Raj’s sell-side convertible pitch (16:55)When Raj saved a company millions (20:09)How convertibles can help you rethink capital return (24:05)Links:ICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteICR

Nov 17, 2021 • 30:38

Eric Yunag, Convergint — Connecting the Dots: Making your technology work together

Highlights:How Convergint is applying the technology they have at their disposal (2:51)The next technological revolution (5:37)How organizations can implement new technologies in physical world applications (7:44)How society is using "computer vision" to navigate itself (9:38)People should begin using technology as a visual intelligence platform (14:55)The power of gaze detection (16:52)How Convergint provides strategic guidance (17:42)Giving service that feels like an experience (19:44

Nov 10, 2021 • 33:33

Russ Wheeler, BBQGuys — In Your Grill: A look at the innovative platform that's changing the outdoor game

Highlights:Intro to community surrounding BBQGuys (2:46)How private equity actually attracted Russ to the company (5:01)How BBQGuys are getting employee buy-in (7:10)How BBQGuys found gaps in the market for their own brand (10:45)Creating a professional customer base (12:43)Defining the addressable market (15:30)Creating a content platform (17:33)How investors should read into acquisition costs (19:51)Why Russ is excited about getting acquired by a SPAC, Velocity Acquisition Group (22:2

Oct 27, 2021 • 27:52

Miguel Martin, Aurora Cannabis — High Times: An exploration of the ever-evolving cannabis industry

Highlights:Introduction of the 4 key areas (1:08)The pathway to SG&A profitability (4:19)What it takes to succeed in medical (6:25)The importance of building relationships with regulators (9:47)The future of cannabinoids (14:50)Dynamic nature of the cannabis market (18:21)Breakdown of the science and innovation unit of Aurora (19:55)The pathway to EBITDA profitability (24:02)Aurora's next steps (26:07)Links:ICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteMiguel Martin LinkedInAurora WebsiteAurora

Oct 20, 2021 • 30:28

Harold Edwards, Limoneira — Freshly Squeezed: Creating an agile, sustainable business that lasts

Highlights:The asset base and background context on Limoneira (3:57)How the company dealt with challenges brought by the pandemic (10:43)How the pandemic changed supply-demand dynamics (13:10)Limoneira's secret weapon (15:46)Why there is increased emphasis on company balance sheets and Limoneira's plans for capital structure moving forward (20:33)How the company is integrating technology to provide a better brand experience (26:31)Limoneira's technical transformation (29:56)What investo

Oct 13, 2021 • 32:21

Rob Sharp, Ramy Brook — Both Sides of the Check: Lessons from Private Equity and Management

Highlights:The benefits of diplomacy in the private equity world (8:08)What Rob looked for in his initial meetings with management teams (11:45)The personal nature of business and private equity (16:42)The origins of Ramy Brook (17:47)The power that comes from people (19:42)You can't be too detailed: what Rob has learned moving from private equity into management (23:06)The importance of your team (25:40)How Rob uses the complexity of his business to drive value (27:20)Links:ICR Twitter

Oct 6, 2021 • 30:37

Bob McCooey, Nasdaq — After IPO Day: A look into securities exchange and the logistics of foreign markets

Highlights:Bob's change of career from brokerage to Nasdaq (5:06)The modern services Nasdaq provide (5:52)How Nasdaq provides an exceptional experience to listed companies (10:39)Consolidation and trends among the exchanges (14:17)A look at some of the companies that Bob has counseled (18:39)Next steps in building Nasdaq brand globally (24:18)How Nasdaq approaches the SPAC market (26:52)Bob's personal assessment of SPACs (28:50)Links:ICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteBob McCooey LinkedI

Sep 29, 2021 • 32:11

Don Duffy, ICR — SPACs: the ongoing evolution of Special Purpose Acquisition Companies

Highlights:Looking at the impact of SPACs and recent history of the market (0:41)When the market 'pivoted' and institutions changed their transactional approach (4:06)The changes of structure relating to transaction negotiation (5:52)Don's opinion on regulation (13:30)The benefits of buying SPACs for investors (15:35)Sponsor and target relations (23:29)Media strategy difference between IPO and SPAC (28:02)How to deal with the threat of short-sellers (30:32)Links:ICR TwitterICR LinkedInI

Sep 15, 2021 • 37:37

Laird Bieger, Baron Capital Group — Eyes on the Buys: What the Buy-Side Looks for When Investing

The buy-side has analysts that know your industry, so why don't you know the universe of buyers? Asset managers have different strengths and different strategies. Knowing the players will help you find the best investment partner for your business. It also helps to know what they're looking for. On this episode, Laird Bieger, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of the Discovery Fund at Baron Capital, gives us a peek behind the curtain of a successful fund. What makes them confident eno

Sep 1, 2021 • 27:02

Nicole Miller, Piper Sandler — Food for Thought: Sell-Side Analysis & the Restaurant Universe

Effective sell-side analysts have to be well-versed in their industry. The best are experts on every aspect: consumer behavior, competitive landscape, and industry trends. Nicole Miller is one of those experts. As Senior Research Analyst at Piper Sandler, she has been conducting sell-side analysis for over 15 years, and is an authority on the restaurant and hospitality universe. We sat down with Nicole to talk how the restaurant industry drove value by adapting to COVID, what factors in

Aug 18, 2021 • 26:07

Introducing Welcome to the Arena

Introducing Welcome to the Arena, launching Q3 2021.For more information, visit http://www.icrinc.com

Jul 8, 2021 • 1:35