The Executives' Exchange

Hosted by The Executives' Club of Chicago

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Jun 2026

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About the show

The Executives' Exchange is a podcast of the Executives' Club of Chicago, the city's premier membership organization and business forum. Each episode unlocks the keys to success from distinguished executives in the Chicago region through real stories of triumphs and failures, meaning connections and lessons learned in their leadership journeys. Sponsored by Shure Incorporated

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June 10, 202640 min

Episode 81 – Economic Indicators & Mid-Year Pulse Check with Dr. Bob Froehlich, Former Vice Chairman, Deutsche Asset Management

Dr. Bob joins Dorri for a mid-year pulse check, approximately six months after the Club's most recent Annual Economic & Market Outlook. The stakes are high and the signals are mixed. In a moment defined by shifting economic indicators, geopolitical tension, and evolving market confidence, business leaders are looking for clarity they can trust. This podcast episode features Dr. Bob Froehlich, Former Vice Chairman, Deutsche Asset Management, and a long-time speaker for The Executives' Club of Chicago's Annual Economic Outlook. Dr. Bob shares insights on key economic indicators from interest rates to inflation, following his 2025 prediction that the Dow could reach 50,000 by 2026 and his appearance during this year's Annual Economic Outlook. At a time when trust in markets and forecasts is being tested, this conversation focuses on clear analysis, practical perspective, and the opportunities ahead. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated. For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones. Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

May 26, 202652 min

Beyond The Loop | Episode 001 - Chicago 2050: Innovation in Action

World Business Chicago's Chicago 2050 Plan outlines a bold vision for a region that thrives on sustainable growth, inclusive opportunity, and global competitiveness. But realizing that vision depends on one critical factor: innovation. In this episode of Beyond the Loop, Phil Clement, President & CEO of World Business Chicago and Luke Tanen, President and CEO of Chicago Innovation, explore the long-term strategy on Chicago's future. The discussion reframes regional planning through the lens of technological advancement, data-enabled decision-making, and cross-sector collaboration. From smart mobility systems and AI-informed planning to climate-tech infrastructure and next-generation workforce development. The conversation explores how innovation will be embedded into every layer of implementation into this bold plan for our city. The episode will also examine how public institutions, private enterprise, and civic organizations can co-create scalable solutions that position the region as a leader in 21st-century urban innovation. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated. For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones. Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

May 12, 202645 min

Episode 80 – Workplace Culture with Jason Zimmerman, Founder, 3Fold Collective

Jason Zimmerman, Founder of 3Fold Collective, joins The Executives' Exchange for a candid conversation on what it truly takes to drive meaningful organizational change. Drawing on more than two decades of experience spanning behavioral economics, corporate strategy, and large-scale transformation, Jason shares how leaders can align people, systems, and purpose to unlock lasting impact. Hosted by Dorri McWhorter, this episode explores the intersection of research and execution — from the innovations that reshaped modern retirement programs to the cultural and operational challenges organizations face during periods of transformation. Jason also reflects on the philosophy behind 3Fold Collective: when individuals and systems are aligned, 1+1=3. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated. For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones. Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

August 13, 202550 min

Episode 079 – Suzy Welch, Best-Selling Author, Tech Entrepreneur, & Professor

Suzy Welch—best-selling author, professor, and tech entrepreneur—joins The Executives' Exchange for a candid conversation with guest host Kristen Prinz. This isn't just about her latest book, Becoming You: The Proven Method for Crafting Your Authentic Life and Career—it's about rewriting the rules of success. Drawing from her hit NYU course, Suzy breaks down a framework for finding your core values, leading with purpose, and building a career that actually fits the life you want. No buzzwords. No one-size-fits-all formulas. Just the clarity and tools you need to shape your next chapter—on your terms. This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience in May 2025. 00:00 – Intro 00:55 – Inspiration Behind the Book 04:26 – Suzy's Becoming You Experience 08:26 – Defining the Four Horsemen 12:50 – The Values Test & Learning Your Values 21:05 – Methodology Applied Across All Age Groups 27:20 – Go Where Your Characteristics Overlap 30:00 – The Worthiness of Values 33:51 – Do Values Change Over Time? 36:16 – Recognizing Attributes & Identifying Aptitudes 46:40 – Economically Viable Interests 50:25 – Outro Episode Link: Suzy Welch | Becoming You Guest Host: Kristen Prinz, Founding & Managing Partner, The Prinz Law Firm    Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated.   For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.   Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

July 8, 202557 min

Episode 078 – Katrina Markoff, Founder, Violet Flames Chocolate

On this episode of the Executives' Exchange, Katrina Markoff, Founder of Violet Flame Chocolate, joins Julie Smolansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods and Exec Club Board Member, to discuss her nearly three decades of innovation in the world of gourmet chocolate and what it means to lead with creativity and purpose.  00:00 – Intro 02:30 – Katrina's Childhood and Background 06:19 – Why Chocolate? 11:32 – Navigating Challenges 13:12 – Violet Flame 17:45 – Creating a Balanced Company Culture 23:30 – What Makes Chicago Special 30:35 – Balancing Taking Risks 37:45 – Using Mothership as a Business Tool 43:25 – Making Things Purposeful 46:20 – Leaving a Legacy 50:15 – The Future of AI in Different Spaces 56:25 – Outro Episode Link: Violet Flames Chocolate Guest Host: Julie Smolyansky, President & Chief Executive Officer, Lifeway Foods Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago    Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated.  For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.  Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

June 11, 202551 min

Episode 077 – Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, Author and Executive Coach

In this episode of the Executives' Exchange, world-renowned executive coach and bestselling author, Marshall Goldsmith, joins Harry Kraemer of Northwestern University to share timeless advice on career and life success. Learn proven strategies that can help participants successfully balance being present, while simultaneously planning for your future in a world that is ever changing. This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience in February 2025. 00:00 – Intro 01:50 – Key to Being a Great Coach 6:35 – Common Challenges when Changing Behaviors 8:31 – Identifying and Overcoming Blind Spots 9:10 – The Most Effective Methodology 12:50 – Role of Feedback, or Feed "Forward" 13:51 – Evolving Landscape of Leadership 18:27 – Coping with Hard Decisions 21:00 – Achievement vs. Happiness 24:00 – The Power of Mentorship 28:10 – AI Platform 31:00 – Daily Practices for Effective Leadership 33:50 – What Future Leaders Need to Know 36:23 – Guiding Principles and Philosophies 40:35 – The Secret to Staying Inspired 44:44 – Do the Work or Let it Go 48:35 – Final Bits of Advice 50:48 – Outro Episode Link: Marshall Goldsmith Guest Host: Harry M. Kraemer, Clinical Professor of Management & Organizations, Northwestern University Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago      Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated.   For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.   Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

May 13, 202537 min

Episode 076 – Dr. Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO, National Geographic Society

On this episode of the Executives' Exchange, we're thrilled to welcome Dr. Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO of the National Geographic Society. Under her leadership, National Geographic is achieving remarkable advancements in exploration and conservation. In this episode, Dr. Tiefenthaler speaks with Dr. Bridget Coughlin, President and CEO of Shedd Aquarium. This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience on October 1, 2024. 00:00 – Intro 01:00 – Growing Up Midwest 03:42 – Time At St Mary's 05:21 – Fast Facts About NatGeo 07:26 – How It Came Together 08:45 – Urgent Needs And Impacts 11:09 – Examples Of Influential Work 12:20 – Relationship With Disney 15:20 – What Makes A Good Story 17:33 – Corporate Relationships 19:50 – MapMaker With NatGeo 23:05 – Most Fun Travel Story 26:25 - What's Next After The Amazon 28:10 – A Message From Our Sponsor, Shure 29:00 - Engagement Strategy & Global Solution 31:26 – New Facility Opening 33:33 – Championing Gender Equality 35:50 – Outro Episode Link(s): National Geographic | Shedd Aquarium Host: Dr. Bridget Coughlin, President and CEO, Shedd Aquarium Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago   Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated.   For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.   Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

April 8, 202552 min

Episode 075 – Richard Edelman, Edelman & Tom Wilson, Allstate

In this episode of the Executives' Exchange, which was recorded in front of a live audience on January 30th, 2025, we feature Richard Edelman, President & CEO of Edelman, along with Tom Wilson, Chair, President, & CEO of Allstate, and our gracious guest moderator, Isis Almeida, Chicago Bureau Chief at Bloomberg. This year's trust barometer touches on the rise of income-based trust inequality, rapidly polarizing trust disparity among younger generations, and what leaders can do to regain public trust across companies and government. 00:00 – Intro 00:58 – 25-year Overview on Rising Distrust 02:20 – 4 Important Developments Contributing to Distrust 03:50 – Trust Research Deep-Dive 09:10 – Businesses Role in a Time of High Grievance 11:25 – 5 Things Employees are Asking of Their Company 13:05 – 3 Actionable Steps for Recovering Trust 14:58 – Shure Ad Break 16:35 – How We Got to a High Level of Public Distrust 19:27 – 2 Responses to Addressing Organizational Distress 20:42 – How Executives Should Prepare for Trump Administration 24:15 – Perspectives on DEI Initiatives 27:20 – The Public Perception of Wealth 31:31 – AI's Impact on Employment 37:34 – Wilson's 2 Steps on Rebuilding Trust 40:16 – How Young Generations Absorb Information 43:03 – Whose Responsibility Is It to Reskill People? 45:10 – Getting Beyond the Anger Stage 47:43 - NGOs Role In Rebuilding Trust 49:35 – Merging Necessary Changes with Shareholder Value 51:09 – Outro Episode Link: 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer | Allstate | Bloomberg Guest Host: Isis Almeida, Chicago Bureau Chief, Bloomberg Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago      Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated.   For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.   Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

March 12, 202550 min

Episode 074 – Sallie Krawcheck, Co-founder and Former CEO, Ellevest

In this episode of the Executives' Exchange, we feature Sallie Krawcheck, Co-founder and Former CEO, Ellevest. As a trailblazer in the investment landscape, Sallie empowers women to make informed financial decisions that matter most to them, their families and communities. Sallie is joined by Sidney Dillard, Partner at Loop Capital Markets. This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience on September 26, 2024. 00:00 – Intro 01:54 – Not Being My Mother 05:15 – Money is Power 07:34 – Career Journey into Capital 11:06 – Research Analyst to Women 16:34 – What Was the Motivator 20:24 – Wealth Management 23:45 – Managing Wealth with a Family 28:28 – Sponsorship Message from Shore 29:35 – Feminization of Wealth 34:32 – Difference to Leader Large Corp vs Small 37:08 – Brand Building 39:50 – Thinking About Money as Women 40:58 – Diversity and Inclusion in the Market 45:04 – Advice to Entrepreneurial Women 49:43 – Outro Episode Link(s): Ellevest Guest Host: Sidney Dillard, Partner, Loop Capital Markets Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago      Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated.   For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.   Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

February 11, 202532 min

Episode 073 – Darrel Hackett, President and CEO, President & CEO, BMO Bank N.A.

In this episode of the Executives' Exchange, we welcome Darrel Hackett, President and CEO of BMO Bank N.A. and Exec Club Board Member, and guest host, Andrea Saenz, President and CEO of The Chicago Community Trust. Under Darrel's leadership, BMO continues to soar nationally and in the Chicago area – where they remain the largest bank in our city. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience on September 19, 2024. 00:00 – Intro 1:45 – First Year as BMO U.S. President and CEO 2:30 – Background 5:08 – Comments on Bank of the West Acquisition 6:55 – Cultural Changes 9:10 – BMO Community Outreach and Giveback 13:13 – Approach and Vision 14:57 – Including Communities 17:00 – Programs for Removing Barriers to Homeownership 18:06 – Macroeconomic Issues 18:30 – Handling Economic Cycles 22:05 – Shifting Focus and Giving Advice Based on Market 23:28 – Outlook on U.S. Economy 25:36 – Helping Grow Chicago Economy 26:05 – Addressing Inequality within Homeownership 28:50 – Passion Behind Working at BMO 30:55 – Final Thoughts Episode Link(s): BMO US Bank Guest Host: Andrea Saenz, President and CEO, The Chicago Community Trust Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago      Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated.   For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.   Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram