In this episode of The Impact Exchange, John Frehse sits down with Dana Stefanczyk from Ankura Office of the CFO to unravel strategic insights into bill paying for enterprises. Discover how timing and prioritization can lead to impactful financial management. Whether you're a business leader or a financial expert, this episode offers fresh perspectives on leveraging vendor terms to enhance cash flow. Tune in today and learn how Ankura is helping businesses thrive amidst financial chall...

As some businesses prioritize AI investment over graduate programs and hiring, a crucial question emerges: where will the next generation of leaders come from? In this timely episode of The Impact Exchange, host John Frehse sits down with recent graduate and Ankura colleague Cady Finley to unpack the essential role of human connections and advanced skills in career growth. They discuss college lessons, the power of real-world experience, and the opportunities for individuals and businesses t...

The financial pressure of inflation, rising debt, and tariffs is changing how consumers shop – so what does this mean for retailers and how can they win in this challenging market? In this episode of The Impact Exchange, Ankura Performance Improvement expert Chris Ventry joins John Frehse for a deep dive on emerging trends and challenges as retail businesses prepare for the 2025 holiday season. They explore consumer debt trends, the pivotal role of AI, how retailers can capitalize on early s...

In this episode of the The Business Behind Sport, Jonny Gray is joined by Aaryaman Banerji, Head of Football Governance at Lane Clark and Peacock. They discuss the ground breaking Football Governance Act 2025, its implications on English professional football and the newly established independent football regulator. Listen as they discuss financial sustainability, fan engagement, and the evolving landscape of football governance.

Ready to challenge some stereotypes about Mexico's workforce? On this episode of The Impact Exchange, John Frehse sits down with Ankura's Horacio Gomez, a market strategy expert and transformational leader, to discuss the highly skilled and innovative labor force driving industry in Mexico. They explore the opportunities in healthcare, education, and digital transformation, and why American businesses should look southward for opportunities and growth.

As business leaders navigate intricate global transformations how can they foster a culture that embraces change? In this episode of The Impact Exchange, John Frehse speaks with Gloria Madrid, a global operations excellence leader with over 20 years of experience across Latin America, the US, and Europe. Gloria discusses strategies for aligning stakeholders, balancing governance with people-centric leadership, and crafting tailored approaches for successful transformations.

Tracey Abbott, a seasoned Private Equity Operating Partner and Keynote Speaker, joins John Frehse to explore the vital role of intuition, risk-taking, and AI in today's business landscape. Drawing from her extensive background in private equity, board advisory, and coaching CEOs, Tracey delves into the power of curiosity and the significance of learning from both triumphs and setbacks to enhance intuition and foster success.

On this episode of The Business Behind Sport, Brandon Doll, Founder of Sports & Entertainment Advisors, joins Jonny Gray to discuss the crucial role of ticket sales in revenue generation of various sports organizations. They dive into: - The evolution of the ticketing sales model - How AI is reshaping ticket pricing models and inventory management - Consumers’ shift in search to AI platforms and how this is impacting primary and secondary ticket markets - Working with secondary mar...

What keeps a CFO up at night? How has the role evolved beyond traditional number-crunching? Join John Frehse as he delves into the intricacies of the modern CFO role with financial expert Elliot Fuhr on this episode of The Impact Exchange. Elliot shares invaluable insights on: • Key financial metrics that every business should focus on • The transformation of finance officers into strategic business leaders • The power of force multiplication through technology Unlock the secret...

Ever wondered why the U.S. healthcare billing process is so complex? Ryan Christine joins John Frehse on the latest episode of The Impact Exchange to unravel the intricacies and challenges hospitals face with revenue cycle management. Key insights include: What revenue cycle management really meansThe importance of cash flow in healthcare operationsTips on negotiating your medical bills as a patientLearn how these challenges affect healthcare institutions and what solutions are being implemen...

In an era of geopolitical challenges and energy transitions, how do businesses adapt? The latest episode of The Impact Exchange with John Frehse features Ambassador Geoff Pyatt, a seasoned diplomat with over 35 years of experience. From the frontlines of international diplomacy to the complexities of energy transitions, Geoff shares insights on Ukraine's resilience, the geopolitical landscape, and the future of critical minerals. Learn about: • U.S. policies in Ukraine and their broade...

Blockchain and cryptocurrency have become buzzwords, but what do they truly mean for industries and society? Join John Frehse as he chats with expert Andrew Sotak on this episode of The Impact Exchange. Andrew shares his insights on: • What blockchain is at its core • The impact of crypto on global regulations • Real-life forensic cases in the crypto world • Future trends in digital assets

With the football transfer window opening today, have you ever wondered about the intricacies behind those multimillion-dollar player moves? With over 22,000 transfers globally last year, the football transfer window is big business, totalling $8.6 billion! In the latest episode of The Business Behind Sport, Jonny Gray is joined by Paolo Lombardi, Managing Director of Lombardi Associates, to share his insights from 23 years of experience, including his pivotal role at FIFA. Together, they dis...

Why are there so many unfinished construction projects? Is it true in construction that you can only pick two: better, faster, or cheaper? In this episode of The Impact Exchange, John Frehse sits down with Ankura’s Chris Nutter to explore the world of value engineering, a process developed during World War II that is used today to balance cost, function, and quality in construction projects. Chris shares insights on: • How to avoid common pitfalls • Ensuring projects meet ...

In the latest episode of The Business Behind Sport, hear from Moses Swaibu, a former professional footballer who spent a spell in prison after he was drawn into the dark world of match-fixing. In a candid conversation with Jonathan Brown, Moses reveals how he was targeted by organized crime syndicates to manipulate matches and the impact his actions had on his life and career. Moses' brother, Ayub Swaibu, also joins Jonathan to discuss the brothers’ shared upbringing and to highlight the impa...

Are you being watched?! 2025 has witnessed a surge in sophisticated cyberattacks, with ransomware attacks rising by 126% globally. In this episode of The Impact Exchange, John Frehse speaks with Han Lai about the critical importance of cybersecurity and the hidden risks we all face in our connected world. Discover why information security matters and learn the first steps to take if your data is compromised. Han explains the complex nature of cyberattacks, from prolonged system infiltrations...

Dive into the world of global trade in the latest episode of The Impact Exchange with John Frehse as he’s joined by trade expert Kate Kalutkiewicz! Kate unpacks the complexities of trade policies and tariffs that are reshaping industries worldwide. From her experiences in the Trump White House Administration to leading trade policy at Amazon, Kate brings unparalleled insights into how these changes affect businesses globally. Discover why tariffs are more than just taxes, how they inf...

Join John Frehse and Michelle Mader on the latest episode of The Impact Exchange as they explore the future of healthcare. Gain insights into the strategic investments required to shape the future and understand what innovations will benefit society at large. Discover how the healthcare sector is transitioning towards tech-driven home care solutions, enhancing both comfort and cost-efficiency, and learn how modernizing healthcare facilities and investing in emerging trends are essential to a...

Dive into the dynamic world of sports branding on this month’s episode of The Business Behind Sport! Join Tom Allwood, co-founder of MATTA, and Jonny Gray as they unravel the secrets of building unforgettable sports brands. From igniting Women’s Elite Rugby in the U.S. to revitalizing established brands, Tom shares his strategic insights on turning visions into fan communities. Whether you’re starting from scratch or breathing new life into a brand, this episode is packed with transform...

In this episode of the Ankura podcast, Lorynn Demetriades is joined by Rebecca McGregor from Linklaters and Ankura colleague Steven Richards to explore the underlying concerns and pressures that lead auditors to engage more aggressively with the investigative process and best practises that companies can employ when faced with enhanced audit scrutiny related to investigations or issues that are flagged for investigation during the course of their audit.