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Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex Rozenfeld

Alex Rozenfeld

21 episodes

6 days ago

In this conversation, Michael Johnston shares his fascinating journey from strategy consulting and private equity to becoming a hospitality entrepreneur. He discusses his early travels, the impact of his Peace Corps experience in Ukraine, and the challenges of navigating the Ukrainian economy while working in private equity. Michael also delves into the founding of Aspen Company, his vision for luxury boutique hotels, and the innovative strategies he employs to enhance guest experiences and o...

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In this conversation, Michael Johnston shares his fascinating journey from strategy consulting and private equity to becoming a hospitality entrepreneur. He discusses his early travels, the impact of his Peace Corps experience in Ukraine, and the challenges of navigating the Ukrainian economy while working in private equity. Michael also delves into the founding of Aspen Company, his vision for luxury boutique hotels, and the innovative strategies he employs to enhance guest experiences and o...

Show more...

Episodes (20/21)

Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex Rozenfeld

Scaling Mountains and Hotels: Michael Johnston's Journey from Private Equity to Hospitality and Beyond

In this conversation, Michael Johnston shares his fascinating journey from strategy consulting and private equity to becoming a hospitality entrepreneur. He discusses his early travels, the impact of his Peace Corps experience in Ukraine, and the challenges of navigating the Ukrainian economy while working in private equity. Michael also delves into the founding of Aspen Company, his vision for luxury boutique hotels, and the innovative strategies he employs to enhance guest experiences and o...

5 days ago

1 hour 1 minute

Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex Rozenfeld

The Speech, The Scale, The Shift: Eduardo Donnelly on Leading Uber LATAM—and the Transition to Executive Coaching

Eduardo Donnelly spent nearly a decade helping build Uber in Latin America—from launching Uber Eats and scaling it 7×, to leading operations across 18 markets and overseeing half of the company’s global trips. But at the height of his career, he made a surprising decision: he stepped away. In this episode, Eduardo shares the story behind that choice, the lessons he learned from a failed startup, and how a powerful commencement speech—given by his late father at Eduardo’s own Thunderbird gradu...

2 weeks ago

56 minutes

Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex Rozenfeld

From Scuba Diver to CEO: How Joe O’Dowd Turned Global Adventures into Purpose-Driven Leadership

In this conversation, Joe O'Dowd discusses his transformative gift to establish the O'Dowd Postdoctoral Fellowship in Ocean Diplomacy and Leadership at Thunderbird. He explains the significance of ocean diplomacy, the blue economy, and the importance of addressing environmental issues. Joe shares insights from his career in international business, his experiences living in Medellin, Colombia, and the lessons he learned throughout his journey. He emphasizes the value of situational awareness a...

3 weeks ago

48 minutes

Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex Rozenfeld

From Executive TV Producer to Startup Advisor: The Many Lives of Maria Botta

In this conversation, Maria Botta shares her unique journey from a multicultural childhood as the daughter of Cuban refugees to a successful career in film, television, and startup advising. She discusses the challenges of adapting to different cultures and languages, the lessons learned from her experiences in TV and film production, and her transition to helping entrepreneurs find clarity and success. Maria emphasizes the importance of communication, service, and creating a personal manifes...

4 weeks ago

33 minutes

Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex Rozenfeld

How to Sell Your Company to Walmart: Insights from Bill Goodwin

In this conversation, Bill Goodwin shares his extensive experience in leadership and business transformation, discussing his journey from a young worker in various jobs to becoming a CEO and eventually a leadership coach. He emphasizes the importance of operational speed, understanding customer dynamics, and building a strong company culture. Bill also reflects on his experiences with Walmart during an acquisition and offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesse...

1 month ago

56 minutes

Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex Rozenfeld

From IBM to Entrepreneurship: Carter Looney on Scaling, Hiring, and Raising Millions

In this conversation, Carter Looney shares his extensive experience as an entrepreneur, discussing his journey from a successful exit in 2010 to his current focus on helping businesses grow through mergers and acquisitions. He emphasizes the importance of building a company that can operate independently of its founder, the significance of hiring the right people, and the lessons learned throughout his career. Carter also reflects on his childhood influences, education at Thunderbird, and the...

1 month ago

40 minutes

Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex Rozenfeld

Laura Libman: Building Health, Hope and Human Dignity One Community at a Time

When Laura Libman left a successful aerospace career, she didn’t plan to start a nonprofit. But a summer of field research in rural Mexico after graduating from Thunderbird changed everything. In this episode, she shares the incredible and inspiring story of how the Tia Foundation was born—from horseback surveys and homegrown health worker training to empowering women like Juana, who used her training to save lives and spark change in her village. Today, Tia Foundation is on track to reach on...

1 month ago

51 minutes

Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex Rozenfeld

Coca Cola lessons and global adventures with Shawn Gallegly

Join us as we delve into the fascinating global marketing journey of Shawn Gallegly, a seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience. From driving growth for iconic brands like Coca-Cola and Carlsberg to his adventures in Lagos and beyond, Shawn shares captivating stories and insights. Discover how his curiosity and strategic vision have shaped his career, and learn about the lessons he's gathered from working across diverse cultures and markets. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that ...

1 month ago

1 hour 1 minute

Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex Rozenfeld

From Casablanca to Startup Founder with Rabie Zahri

Rabie Zahri didn’t speak a word of English when he arrived in the U.S. at 18. Fast forward to today — he's the CEO and co-founder of Positon, an AI platform transforming the M&A lifecycle from deal origination to post-close integration. In this episode, we dive into Rabie’s founder journey — from Casablanca to corporate development at Hewlett Packard, to building an AI-native startup backed by early believers and growing into the enterprise space. https://positon.ai/#company https:/...

1 month ago

41 minutes

Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex Rozenfeld

Goodyear, Gretzky, and Global Growth: Inside Marco Molinari’s Leadership Story

In this conversation, Marco Molinari shares his extensive experience in global business, highlighting his successful marketing campaigns at Goodyear, including a notable celebrity endorsement with Wayne Gretzky. He reflects on his upbringing in Sweden, his education at Thunderbird, and the lessons learned throughout his career, particularly at Goodyear and HNI Corporation. Marco emphasizes the importance of understanding local markets, the value of international business, and the need for con...

2 months ago

1 hour 1 minute

Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex Rozenfeld

Clean Beauty, Big Dreams: How Suzanne Martens Built Adesse New York from Scratch

In this conversation, Suzanne Martens, founder of Adesse New York, shares her journey from a childhood in Pennsylvania to becoming a leader in the clean beauty industry. She discusses her entrepreneurial spirit, the challenges of starting her own business, and the innovative use of AI in product development. Suzanne emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs and the role of cultural awareness in business. She also reflects on her personal growth as an entrepreneur and offers va...

2 months ago

45 minutes

Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex Rozenfeld

From India to England in a 73-Year-Old Car: Daman Thakore’s 13,000 KM Family Road Trip

What happens when a childhood dream, a vintage convertible, and a tight-knit Indian family collide? You get the incredible journey of Daman Thakore—a businessman, tennis champ, and explorer at heart—who drove 13,000 kilometers from Ahmedabad to London in a 73-year-old car named Lalpari (Red Angel), alongside his father, wife, and daughter. In this inspiring conversation, Daman shares the origin of his love for vintage cars, the bedtime stories that planted the seed for this expedition, and th...

2 months ago

41 minutes

Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex Rozenfeld

From Caracas to Pepsi and Koch Industries: Aquiles' Journey of Resilience and Reinvention

In this episode, Aquiles Gatas shares his incredible path from growing up in poverty in Venezuela to leading marketing at PepsiCo and managing billion-dollar investments at Koch Industries. He talks about his transition into entrepreneurship, launching ventures like Eco Wash and Centrum, and his latest company BizzMD, which helps small businesses thrive through remote CEO consulting. Aquiles also reflects on cultural challenges, lessons from failure (including opening a café just before the p...

2 months ago

38 minutes

Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex Rozenfeld

Glen Michel on Japanese Whisky, Big Asks, and Building a $200M AUM Firm

In this engaging conversation, Glenn Michel shares his multifaceted life journey, from his passion for Japanese whiskey to his experiences in martial arts and his transformative time at Thunderbird School. He discusses his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of starting a business, and the importance of intuition in decision-making. Glenn also emphasizes the significance of community involvement and philanthropy, while offering valuable insights into the financial advisory landscape and l...

2 months ago

55 minutes

Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex Rozenfeld

From Formula One to the Olympic Flame: Andreas Sigl’s Playbook on Leadership & Marketing

Andreas Sigl joins the show to talk about his global career in branding and marketing. He shares stories from working in Japan, leading Formula One sponsorships, helping launch Infiniti in Europe, and even advising the International Olympic Committee. Andreas also talks about writing his upcoming book and what young marketers should focus on in an AI-driven world. Packed with real stories and honest advice, this episode is a great listen for anyone interested in international business and bra...

2 months ago

48 minutes

Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex Rozenfeld

Cable Deals, Pinot Noir, and a Life Well Lived with Nimrod Kovacs

Join us in this captivating episode as we sit down with Nimrod Kovacs, a seasoned entrepreneur and wine enthusiast, who shares his incredible journey from growing up in post-war Budapest to becoming a successful businessman in the United States. Discover how Nimrod navigated the challenges of a communist regime, his adventurous escape to freedom, and his eventual rise in the corporate world. We delve into his passion for winemaking, the philosophy behind his craft, and his advice for young pr...

3 months ago

40 minutes

Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex Rozenfeld

A Crazy Job Offer, a War Zone, and a Global Mission: Kellie Kreiser’s Unplanned Journey

In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Kellie Kreiser '04, a pivotal figure at Thunderbird Business School. From her unexpected start at Thunderbird to becoming the driving force behind Thunderbird for Good, Kellie shares her experiences of building impactful programs like Project Artemis, DreamBuilder, DreamCatcher and WE3A. Discover how her passion for global business education and her commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs have shaped her career and contributed to Th...

3 months ago

58 minutes

Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex Rozenfeld

Inside the Mind of a Global CEO: Doug Deardorf's Path to Impact

Summary In this conversation, Doug Deardorf '84 shares his journey from childhood aspirations to becoming a CEO. He reflects on his upbringing, the influences that shaped him, and his experiences at Thunderbird School of Global Management. Doug discusses the importance of building relationships, the challenges of running a business, and the excitement of product development. He emphasizes the value of attitude in hiring and offers advice for young professionals entering the workforce, encoura...

4 months ago

38 minutes

Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex Rozenfeld

Building Business Across Borders: Egor Musatov’s Journey in Emerging Markets

Summary In this conversation, Egor Musatov '04 shares his remarkable journey from growing up in the Soviet Union to becoming a successful director at Euronet Worldwide. He discusses the influences of his early life, the impact of cultural shocks, and the transformative experience at Thunderbird School of Global Management. Egor reflects on his career development, the challenges faced over 22 years at Euronet, and his aspirations for the future, emphasizing the importance of soft skills and ne...

4 months ago

47 minutes

Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex Rozenfeld

Global Expansion and Cultural Intelligence: Gbemi Disu's Leadership Story

Summary In this conversation, Gbemi Disu '06 shares her journey from launching a new campus for George Mason University in Korea to her current role as Vice President for Global Expansion at Northeastern University. She discusses the cultural challenges she faced in Korea, the importance of building relationships, and how her Thunderbird education shaped her career. Gbemi also reflects on the evolving landscape of higher education, the impact of AI, and offers valuable advice for students and...

4 months ago

46 minutes