• #Blackrock Leadership Secrets LED: Leadership W/Ed Episode 022: Anne Ackerley
    Nov 26 2025

    In this conversation, Anne Ackerley discusses the importance of storytelling in finance, particularly in the context of fiduciary responsibility. She reflects on her transition into marketing at BlackRock and emphasizes the company's commitment to helping clients build better financial futures while maintaining a fiduciary role.

    Takeaways

    Other people tell your story, but we decided to tell ours.

    The importance of being a fiduciary in finance.

    Combining active and index strategies in a portfolio is crucial.

    Transitioning into marketing can be a significant career shift.

    BlackRock's mission is to help people build better financial futures.

    Understanding the culture of a company is essential for success.

    Learning new skills can lead to unexpected opportunities.

    The role of marketing in communicating financial strategies.

    Fiduciaries should never be on the other side of a trade with clients.

    Storytelling is a powerful tool in the financial industry.

    00:00 – Intro 03:45 – Larry Fink (BlackRock) 05:30 – Early Days of BlackRock 08:15 – The 8 Original Founders of BlackRock 10:00 – A Company Without Hierarchy: The BlackRock Ethos 11:00 – Rob K: The Cultural Heart of BlackRock 13:45 – Mentorship With Rob 15:45 – Realizing She Was Part of a Future Global Giant 17:10 – Career: A Story of Give and Take 18:00 – The “Marriage” of Active & Index Investing 19:00 – Becoming the Accidental CMO 21:40 – Rob’s Vision for Anne 23:30 – When the Company Didn’t Understand Active + Index 24:05 – Getting the Role as Head of the Retirement Group (Part 1) 24:50 – Mentoring Others 26:50 – Hurdles She Faced 27:00 – Getting the Role as Head of the Retirement Group (Part 2) 29:35 – “Everyone Does Know Your Story” 30:40 – Anne Loves Getting Results 31:40 – Creating the LifePath Paycheck 34:15 – Belief 35:45 – Going Back to School at Stanford 38:50 – Sports 39:15 – What’s Next: Teaching Finance & Learning AI 40:30 – Stanford Center for Longevity 42:05 – Final Thoughts

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    44 mins
  • LED: Leadership W/Ed Episode 021: Austin Hatch
    Nov 12 2025

    Austin Hatch shares his incredible journey of recovery after a traumatic accident, highlighting the importance of mentorship and resilience in overcoming life's challenges.

    Takeaways Austin was in a coma for two months after the crash. He suffered from a traumatic brain injury and multiple broken bones. Coach B from Michigan visited him in the hospital. There were doubts about whether he would walk again. Mentorship played a crucial role in his recovery. Austin's determination to return to sports was fueled by support. The visit from Coach B inspired him to keep fighting. Resilience is key in overcoming adversity. Austin's story is a testament to the human spirit. Support from mentors can make a significant difference.

    Tragedy story 2:30

    1 plane crash 3:00

    Coach Bielien coming to Ft. Wayne 4:30

    2nd plane crash 5:10

    Coach B coming to hospital 6:10

    Relearning to play b ball 7:45

    Power of belief 8:15

    Relationship with Coach B 10:30

    Do the next right thing 11:15

    Honor a agreement 12:30

    Going from Dominos to Grit platform 12:20

    Last day at Dominos 15:30

    Grit platform 17:00

    Grit acronym 18:30

    Be the most willing 19:25

    Grit Acronym (2) 20:40

    Grit (3) 23:10

    Resilience is taking action every day 23:45

    How he learned resilience 25:35

    Greatest gift to give kids 27:10

    Grit (4) 28:10

    Clip 29:00

    What he learned from his dad (seeing not saying) 30:45

    Josiah being at funeral 32:30

    Grit (5) 35:40

    Coach B statement on leadership 37:00

    Reflection of a leader 38:00

    10 year goal 40:00

    Goal everytime he speaks 41:45

    Team 1st mentality 42:40

    Best for the team quote 42:50

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    46 mins
  • LED: Leadership W/ Ed Episode 020: Beth Nigut #womeninbusiness
    Oct 29 2025

    In this episode of Lead Leadership with Ed, host Ed McGill welcomes Beth Nigut, an executive vice president at EMC Insurance Companies. They discuss Beth's unique journey from being a trial attorney to a leader in corporate America, the dynamics of the leadership team at EMC, and the company's philosophy of 'keeping insurance human.' Beth shares insights on balancing professional and personal life, navigating tough conversations, and the importance of curiosity in leadership.

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    44 mins
  • LED: Leadership W/ Ed Episode 019: Ashley Adamson #Pac12 #womeninbusiness
    Oct 22 2025

    In this episode of Leadership with Ed, host Ed McGill engages in a deep conversation with Ashley Adamson, a three-time Emmy award-winning broadcaster and entrepreneur. They explore Ashley's journey into sports broadcasting, the importance of lifting others up, and the challenges faced in the industry. The discussion also delves into the rise and fall of the Pac-12 Network, the impact of fear on performance, and the significance of psychological safety in leadership. Ashley shares insights on coaching changes at UCLA, the role of a team historian, and her new venture, Tambor, which focuses on capturing family legacies. The episode concludes with reflections on Dan Lanning's leadership style and the legacy one leaves behind.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Podcasting

    02:56 Ashley Adamson's Journey in Sports Broadcasting

    05:54 The Importance of Lifting Others Up

    09:06 The Pac-12 Network Experience

    12:06 Reflections on Fear and Performance

    14:52 The Role of Psychological Safety in Leadership

    17:43 Navigating Career Transitions and Support Systems

    20:44 The Impact of Helping Others

    24:04 Engaging with People in Everyday Life

    26:44 Insights from Coaches and Locker Room Experiences

    30:34 Transforming College Football Programs

    36:44 The Importance of Authentic Leadership

    41:48 Capturing Legacy Through Storytelling

    49:03 The Power of Connection in Coaching

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    57 mins
  • LED: Leadership W/ Ed Episode 018: Angela Walker Franklin
    Oct 15 2025

    In this engaging conversation, Ed McGill speaks with Angela Walker Franklin, the president and CEO of Des Moines University, about her remarkable journey from a small town in South Carolina to a leadership role in higher education. Angela shares her unique upbringing in a funeral home, the influence of her parents on her educational aspirations, and the importance of mentorship throughout her career. She discusses the challenges she faced as a woman of color in leadership, the significance of networking, and her transformational leadership style at Des Moines University. Angela's insights on personal growth, community engagement, and the power of resilience provide valuable lessons for aspiring leaders.

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    49 mins
  • LED: Leadership W/ Ed Episode 017: Emily Griffen
    Oct 8 2025

    In this episode of Leadership with Ed, Emily Griffin shares her inspiring journey from fashion to the beverage industry, detailing her experiences as a woman entrepreneur and the challenges she faced along the way. She discusses the founding of her company, Brewts, which specializes in margaritas and Bloody Mary mixes, and the personal story behind its name. Emily highlights the importance of mentorship, community support, and innovation in her business journey, as well as her aspirations for future growth and expansion.

    TAKEAWAYS

    Emily's journey from fashion to food is unique and inspiring. The name 'Brewts' is a tribute to Emily's beloved dog. Building a manufacturing facility was a significant milestone for Brewts. The transition to margaritas was a natural progression for the brand. Emily emphasizes the importance of community and mentorship in business. Investing in the right people is crucial for business growth. The beverage industry is competitive, but Brewts aims to stand out. Emily's martial arts background helped her navigate a male-dominated industry. The upcoming ready-to-drink margaritas are a key focus for Brewts. Emily hopes to mentor future entrepreneurs as she grows her business.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Leadership with Ed and Emily Griffin

    01:34 Emily's Unique Journey: From Fashion to Food

    06:30 The Transition from Fighting to Entrepreneurship

    09:55 The Birth of Brewts: A Personal Story

    12:21 Growth and Challenges: The Bloody Mary Years

    18:36 Innovating the Future: Ready-to-Drink Margaritas

    20:38 Building a Strong Foundation

    22:29 Navigating Challenges as a Woman Entrepreneur

    26:30 The Importance of Support and Mentorship

    29:08 Community and Collaboration in the Beverage Industry

    36:08 Future Aspirations and Growth Strategies

    #Brewts #womenownedbusiness

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    41 mins
  • LED: Leadership W/ Ed Episode 016: Lillian Bulkley #Bombparty #womenownedbusiness
    Oct 1 2025

    In this episode of LED: Leadership with Ed, host Ed McGill interviews Lillian Bulkley, founder and CEO of Bomb Party. Lillie shares her inspiring journey from a young entrepreneur in Alabama to leading a successful jewelry business. The conversation delves into the challenges she faced, including a cancer diagnosis, and how she built a supportive community around her brand. They discuss the importance of trust, calculated risks, and the unique experiences of female entrepreneurs. Lillie emphasizes the significance of connection and confidence in her business model, showcasing how Bomb Party has grown into a thriving community. The episode concludes with reflections on leadership dynamics and future aspirations for Bomb Party.

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    46 mins
  • LED: Leadership W/ Ed Episode 015: Matt Aaron
    Sep 24 2025

    In this episode of Leadership with Ed, host Ed McGill interviews Matt Aaron, a young entrepreneur and wealth management advisor. They discuss Matt's journey in leadership, the importance of mentorship, and the challenges faced as an African-American advisor in a predominantly white industry. Matt shares insights on the significance of having a vision, the balance between operational excellence and visionary thinking, and the importance of communication and team alignment. The conversation also touches on the influence of family, the importance of giving back, and the need for boundaries in personal and professional life. Matt emphasizes that with hard work and belief in oneself, anything is possible. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Leadership with Ed 02:03 Mentorship and Growth in Leadership 05:48 Navigating Challenges as an African-American Advisor 09:44 The Importance of Vision in Leadership 13:48 Balancing Vision and Operations 19:53 Effective Communication and Team Leadership 22:24 Building a Transparent and Aligned Organization 25:29 Empowering Team Members for Growth 27:50 Balancing Time and Community Engagement 30:55 Influence of Family on Entrepreneurial Journey 34:53 The Importance of Thoughtful Relationships 40:53 Reflecting on Growth and Future Aspirations

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    43 mins