Something big is happening in the world of business. CEOs increasingly say their jobs have become less about giving orders, more about inspiring, motivating, setting a north star. They are taking the lead on big issues like climate change, worker retraining, and diversity and inclusion. They are under pressure from employees, customers and investors not just to turn a profit, but to prove they are doing good in the world. And in the process, they are fundamentally redefining the relationship between business and society. Join Fortune Executive Editorial Director Diane Brady and Editorial Director Kristin Stoller as they engage global leaders on the insights, experiences and issues you need to know.
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Something big is happening in the world of business. CEOs increasingly say their jobs have become less about giving orders, more about inspiring, motivating, setting a north star. They are taking the lead on big issues like climate change, worker retraining, and diversity and inclusion. They are under pressure from employees, customers and investors not just to turn a profit, but to prove they are doing good in the world. And in the process, they are fundamentally redefining the relationship between business and society. Join Fortune Executive Editorial Director Diane Brady and Editorial Director Kristin Stoller as they engage global leaders on the insights, experiences and issues you need to know.
JLL’s Global CEO and President Christian Ulbrich sat down with Fortune’s Diane Brady and Kristin Stoller to discuss global housing affordability challenges, Zohran Mamdani’s victory, and the relationship between governments and developers.On this week’s episode of Leadership Next, Ulbrich also gives his predictions about the future real estate trends.“You enter a building and a camera will detect you. The building will know where you are, what you are using, where you spend your time. Everything will be measured, and that can be scary…” JLL CEO Christian Ulbrich says. “…But on the other hand, it is very beneficiary, because we will be able to operate those buildings at a much lower cost level.”
ULTA Beauty, the largest beauty retailer in the United States, will open its first Middle East store in Kuwait later this week.
The company has been on a trajectory of global expansion since its international debut earlier this year, with the opening of the first stores in Mexico and the major acquisition of the leading British beauty retailer SpaceNK.
CEO Kecia Steelman sat down with Fortune’s Diane Brady and Kristin Stoller to discuss what her first months as CEO have been like, her leadership style, and how social media has charted the way for doing business overseas.
Author and researcher Brené Brown sat down with Diane Brady and Kristin Stoller at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women summit to discuss leadership and power during times of uncertainty, political turmoil and fear. Brown emphasized the importance of businesses having mission clarity for every employee, human work over AI “slop,” and making decisions in the space between stimulus and response.
Wendell Weeks, Chairman and CEO of Corning Incorporated, joins Diane and Kristin to reflect on leading one of America’s oldest innovators through constant reinvention. Weeks shares rare stories from his partnerships with visionaries like Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos, revealing lessons on collaboration, and what it takes to build a company designed to last the next 150 years. He also discusses Corning’s pivotal role in the iPhone’s creation, its quiet influence across industries from solar to AI, and why true leadership begins with followership.
Ramp cofounder and CEO Eric Glyman joins Leadership Next to discuss how the fintech upstart has scaled from launch to $1 billion in annualized revenue in just a few years—while reshaping the incentives of the corporate card industry. Glyman explains Ramp’s mission to help companies spend less, how AI is automating millions of hours of financial work, and why urgency and speed are core to Ramp’s culture.
Diane and Kristin sit with Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert to discuss how he's redefining what it means to lead a global brand with values at its core. In this candid interview, Gellert discusses Patagonia’s bold financial restructuring, its decision to give away company profits to fight climate change, and why advocacy is essential to making a powerful impact as a company.
In this episode, Diane and Kristin sit down with Lyft CEO David Risher to explore his leadership philosophy, deeply rooted in firsthand experience and an unwavering commitment to customer experience. David shares insights on the future of ride sharing, his dedication to delivering exceptional service for both riders and drivers, and the journey that shaped his path to leadership.
Sheryl Palmer, Chairman and CEO of Taylor Morrison, joins Leadership Next to share her journey from McDonald’s crew member to the first—and still only—woman leading a publicly traded home builder. In this live episode recorded in Scottsdale, Palmer opens up about leading through the housing crash, the challenges of going public, and what it takes to grow a billion-dollar business without losing its soul. She reflects on navigating the post-2008 crisis, standing up to private equity, and building a culture rooted in empathy and impact. Palmer also unpacks how Taylor Morrison is tackling housing affordability through innovation and policy, why she believes “love the customer” is more than a slogan, and how CEOs today must balance public scrutiny with purpose-driven leadership.
Vlad Tenev, CEO and cofounder of Robinhood, joins Leadership Next to discuss his evolution as a leader, from weathering the GameStop firestorm to reshaping the platform into a full-spectrum financial services provider. Tenev reflects on how Robinhood disrupted Wall Street giants, the leadership lessons he learned under pressure, and why he sees AI as both a labor market disruptor and a catalyst for wider retail investing. He also opens up about navigating viral misinformation, the power of financial education, and how memecoins and tokenized assets could transform capital markets.
WM CEO Jim Fish joins Leadership Next to unpack how the company formerly known as Waste Management is reinventing itself for a new era—one defined by sustainability, automation, and culture-first leadership. Fish explains how WM is transforming from a landfill-dependent waste hauler into a high-tech environmental leader, investing in profitable recycling centers and piloting autonomous garbage trucks. He shares why recycling is not only good for the planet but a major business driver, and reveals WM’s plan to reduce 5,000 jobs through attrition—not layoffs—by automating hard-to-fill roles. Along the way, Fish reflects on the surprising role trash collection has played in improving public health, and why, in his eyes, managing waste responsibly is a civic duty we all share.
What does it take to lead during a new era of health, culture, and commerce? Brooks Running CEO Dan Sheridan joins Leadership Next to discuss the company’s pivotal role in today’s running resurgence, and how it’s winning over Generation Well. From investing in biomechanics and injury prevention to launching lifestyle collaborations, Sheridan shares how Brooks remains purpose-led and performance-focused while adapting to modern consumer habits. He also reflects on navigating global expansion, tariff challenges, and how a strong internal culture has kept Brooks grounded as it grows.
Gillian Zucker, master operator at the L.A. Clippers, discussed her unique relationship with owner Steve Ballmer, emphasizing his genuine love for the game. She detailed her career journey, from Hamilton College to roles in PR, sales, and operations. Zucker highlighted the transformation of the Clippers’ fan base and the development of Intuit Dome, focusing on frictionless technology and fan engagement. She shared insights on leveraging data for personalized experiences, such as rewarding loud fans and using facial recognition. Zucker also touched on the Clippers’ commitment to sustainability and efforts to enhance the fan experience through innovative features like the Halo scoreboard and the Wall.
Yahoo CEO Jim Lanzone joins Leadership Next to unpack the company’s bold transformation from a sprawling media conglomerate into a streamlined, product-first tech company. He shares lessons from turning around Ask Jeeves; why authenticity, not hype, is key to rebuilding trust; and how Yahoo’s future rests on delivering real utility to users through innovation in AI, sports, finance, and beyond.
Plus, Lanzone gets personal about leadership, family, and why Yahoo’s next 30 years might be its most exciting yet.
Daphne Koller, CEO of insitro and cofounder of Coursera, joins Leadership Next to unpack a bold idea: Just as calculus revolutionized our understanding of physics, AI could do the same for biology. In this episode, Koller explains how insitro is blending biology and machine learning to unlock new treatments for diseases like ALS and fatty liver. She also opens up about her leap from academia to entrepreneurship, the ethical challenges of data collection, and why the future of medicine lies in personalized, AI-driven care. Plus, her take on why humans and machines must work in tandem to drive meaningful innovation.
Zillow CEO Jeremy Wacksman joins Leadership Next to unpack the forces reshaping American real estate—and the friction threatening its transparency. In a wide-ranging conversation, Wacksman addresses the industry lawsuit brought by Compass and defends Zillow’s stance on keeping property listings open and accessible to all. He explains how the current system—a uniquely American one that allows any buyer or agent to view every listing—is now at risk.With home prices nearly doubling since the pandemic and affordability out of reach for many millennials and Gen Z buyers, Wacksman outlines how Zillow is leaning into AI, computer vision, and immersive virtual experiences to create “super listings” that streamline the buying process. He also shares Zillow’s strategy for supporting buyers long before they’re ready to transact, highlighting the role of casual browsing in shaping the future of homeownership.Wacksman discusses the emotional weight of buying a home, why nearly half of buyers report crying during the process, and how Zillow is building tools to ease the burden. He also opens up about the company’s remote-first culture, the power of retreats to foster creativity, and why he champions a “career jungle gym” over a traditional ladder.
Brian Moynihan, CEO of Bank of America, joins Leadership Next to reflect on his journey from law to banking—and how that unexpected pivot brought him to the head job at one of the world’s largest financial institutions. He shares his leadership philosophy, emphasizing the power of staying calm in a crisis and the importance of giving energy to his team, not taking it away.
Moynihan discusses Bank of America's strategic shift from aggressive acquisitions to organic growth, fueled by major investments in technology—like the AI assistant Erica. He explains why Erica is evolving from “third-grade Einstein” to near-genius capabilities.
He also shares his perspective on responsible capitalism, the importance of expanding opportunities for underserved communities, and how he's preparing the bank for its next generation of leaders.
Tune in to hear Moynihan's take on what it means to wear responsibility like a “comfortable sweater”—and how corporate leaders can help combat hate and promote dignity in today’s world.
Michelle MacKay, CEO of Cushman & Wakefield, doesn’t see the company as just a real estate firm—she sees it as an architect of the built world. In this episode of Leadership Next, she joins us to discuss the evolving definition of commercial real estate and Cushman & Wakefield’s expansive global strategy, from solar installations to hospital management. Michelle reflects on her unconventional path from political science to the C-suite, her “filters-off” approach to hiring, and the lessons boardrooms have taught her about resilience. She also breaks down why adaptability is crucial in cities like New York and Singapore, how AI is reshaping the future of the industry, and why she’s placing big bets on underdog markets like Baltimore and St. Louis.
In this episode, Dropbox founder and CEO Drew Houston joins Leadership Next to share how he's reimagining work in the age of AI. He traces Dropbox’s evolution—from solving file-syncing in the early cloud era to launching Dropbox Dash, a new AI-powered search and knowledge-management tool. Houston reflects on the hard lessons from failed ventures into email and photo apps, the pressures of self-disruption, and what it takes to stay relevant in a crowded productivity space. He also opens up about distributed work, leadership growth, and the books and mentors that have shaped his journey toward becoming a “bionic CEO.”
In this episode of Leadership Next, cohosts Diane Brady and Kristin Stoller speak with Kate Johnson, CEO of Lumen, about her bold effort to reinvent a legacy telecom as the digital backbone of the AI era. Johnson shares how Lumen is capitalizing on its vast fiber network to support the explosive data demands of artificial intelligence—and how partnerships with innovators like Corning are helping supercharge that capacity.
Johnson opens up about the cultural overhaul she led inside the company, shifting Lumen’s mindset from “play not to lose” to “play to win,” and implementing leadership frameworks like Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead across tens of thousands of employees.
She also reflects on her personal evolution as a leader, the phases of AI adoption she sees ahead, and why she believes human creativity and empathy will remain central in an AI-driven world.
What does the future of money look like when plastic disappears—and payments happen seamlessly in the background?
In this episode of Leadership Next, Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach joins hosts Diane Brady and Kristin Stoller to explore how technology is reshaping the way we spend, save, and connect. With 150 billion transactions processed each year, Mastercard is positioning itself as a key player in the digital economy—far beyond credit cards.
Miebach discusses the company’s push to eliminate manual account entry by 2030, innovations in fraud prevention, and why tokenization is central to building trust in a cashless world. He also reflects on his own path—from a German exchange student in Michigan to the helm of a global financial powerhouse—and Mastercard’s mission to expand financial inclusion, particularly across Africa. From post-COVID spending habits to the end of card numbers, this conversation reveals why payments are more than just transactions—they’re infrastructure for a connected world.
Something big is happening in the world of business. CEOs increasingly say their jobs have become less about giving orders, more about inspiring, motivating, setting a north star. They are taking the lead on big issues like climate change, worker retraining, and diversity and inclusion. They are under pressure from employees, customers and investors not just to turn a profit, but to prove they are doing good in the world. And in the process, they are fundamentally redefining the relationship between business and society. Join Fortune Executive Editorial Director Diane Brady and Editorial Director Kristin Stoller as they engage global leaders on the insights, experiences and issues you need to know.