Stratospheric Leaders

• #7 Doug Cifu: The Winning Formula of Vision, Values & Velocity

  In this engaging episode of Stratospheric Leaders, I sit down with Doug Cifu, co-founder and CEO of Virtu Financial — a global leader in market making and execution services.Doug takes us on an extraordinary journey: from humble beginnings landscaping lawns and scooping ice cream, to practicing law, and ultimately co-founding one of the world’s most influential market-making firms alongside Vinnie Viola.Doug shares how his upbringing shaped a fierce work ethic, the role of trusted relationships in his career pivots, and the leap of faith required to leave a secure legal career for the entrepreneurial journey.But this conversation goes beyond finance. Doug opens up about the heart of leadership — building inclusive teams, preserving company culture, prioritizing wellness, and leading with authenticity.This episode is more than just a conversation — it’s a masterclass in leading with heart and a powerful reminder that success and humility are not mutually exclusive.If you want to learn more practical lessons and real-world leadership insights from remarkable founder CEOs, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠order Georgie's book Stratospheric CEOs out now (⁠U.K⁠. & ⁠U.S.⁠).Key Takeaways:From Law to Leadership: How Doug transitioned from a law career to co-founding a global trading powerhouseThe Power of Relationships: Why trust and personal connections are critical in shaping career-defining opportunitiesCulture Over Everything: Building inclusive, mission-driven teams that value diversity and collaborationWellness as a Strategy: The importance of health, flexibility, and balance in sustaining long-term successLeading with Instinct: How staying true to your core values can guide big decisions in high-stakes environments

  --------  

  57:40
• #6 Sal Naro: The Long Game of Character and Capital

  In this episode, I sit down with Sal Naro, Chief Investment Officer of Coherence Credit Strategies, a 5-time award winning fixed income credit fund with a 12-year track record.  This is a fund that has boasted an annualized return of 8% and a sharpe ratio of 1.50 since its inception in 2012.Sal is an extraordinary leader who has spent over 40 years navigating the highs and lows of Wall Street. From his humble beginnings as a busboy to becoming a world-class trader and investor, he shares invaluable insights on building winning teams and leading with impact through times of uncertainty.Tune in for an inspiring discussion. Sal’s wisdom is generous, hard won and deeply personal.Key Takeaways: Early, Humble Beginnings Build Long term Character: Diverse work experiences forge leadership principles that last a lifetime. Building Winning Teams Through Vulnerability: the art of hiring for resilience, not just results. Leading through Uncertainty with Forward Vision: how to master the pivot by focusing ahead, not behind.Thriving in Transformative Times: Cutting losses fast, letting gains run and spotting coherent patterns in chaos. Finding Light in Dark Moments Through Gratitude: crisis clarity comes through pause and appreciation, not anxiety. Memorable Quotes:Learn from your losses. Hard work is a minimum.Be in the business of getting along with people.Every day give the best of you. Leave nothing on the sidelines. The events you think will never happen, happen all the time.In times of cataclysmic events, adapting isn’t an option.Don’t catch falling knives. Never double down on the things you are losing on. Reflect through the rear-view mirror but lead through the windshield.As corporate athletes, there's no off-season—sustainable performance means mastering your own rhythm for rest and renewal.If you want to learn more practical lessons and real-world leadership insights from remarkable founder CEOs, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠order Georgie's book Stratospheric CEOs out now (U.K. & U.S.).

  --------  

  1:00:00
• #5 Michelle Neal: Pushing Limits, Driving Change and Building Loyalty

  In this episode, I sit down with Michelle Neal, a trailblazing executive in financial services with a proven track record in leading global markets and infrastructure businesses. With expertise spanning multiple asset classes, regulatory landscapes, and a focus on digitizing complex, scalable infrastructures, Michelle brings unparalleled insights to the table. Having held senior roles, currently as CEO of Fnality International, as well as at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, BNY Mellon, and RBC Capital Markets, she shares her remarkable journey through the industry. Tune in for her hard-earned lessons, innovative strategies, and invaluable advice—whether you're charting your career path or refining your leadership approach- this one’s for you! Key Takeaways from This Episode:Michelle's personal journey: building a strong work ethic, drive and commitment from an early age. What drew Michelle to Fnality: its mission driven values that resonate deeply with her. Practical strategies for driving innovation within large organizations. Key traits Michelle seeks in top talent: the qualities that set individuals apart. The vital role of clear and consistent communication in effective leadership. Insights on navigating unexpected challenges during times of crisis. Memorable Quotes:"Things that are complex can in some ways make you look clever, but genuine mastery is making complicated things simple.""People can be super smart, but that doesn't necessarily mean they have common sense or good judgment.""When it comes to the why, you need to be the CRO – Chief Reinforcement Officer. People rarely absorb a message the first time—they need to hear through multiple channels, in multiple ways.""Not every crises will give you the luxury of time, but when it does take the time to think and be strategic rather than just react, in order to stem your losses quickly.""Declaring failure is counter to human nature, but it is necessary to support innovation and growth. You don't have room for sustained failures, but you do probably have room to ideate, fail, try again and course correct.""It’s important to love what you do, but that doesn't mean you have to love what you do for every task or every minute, because sometimes work is very rewarding and sometimes work is just work. ""Develop good habits, learn from mistakes and get better at incrementally improving.""I don't have all the answers. I think I'm only midway through the journey. I am trying to have a mindset to have no regrets."If you want to learn more practical lessons and real-world leadership insights from remarkable founder CEOs, you can ⁠⁠⁠order Georgie's book Stratospheric CEOs out now.

  --------  

  1:01:24
• #4 Michael Spencer: Origin Story of One of The City's Most Successful Entrepreneurs

  I was delighted to welcome Michael Spencer to Stratospheric Leaders. Michael is one of the most renowned entrepreneurs and dealmakers of our time. As the Founder and CEO of NEX Group (formerly ICAP), he built a global powerhouse—one that he later sold to CME Group for £3.8 billion in 2018.His story is, in many ways, a modern history of the financial markets: how The City came to dominate global finance in the 1980's and 1990's. In 1986, with just £50,000 of his own capital and three other brokers by his side, Michael launched Intercapital (a voice broking firm) - entering a fiercely competitive and crowded market with 23 well-established firms already operating in this space. What followed was a masterclass in differentiating yourself from your competitors, looking forwards not backwards, never being complacent and sheer perseverance. Over two decades, ICAP delivered a staggering 6,000% shareholder return.In 2006 ICAP secured its place in the FTSE 100—a rare feat for a founder-led company.So, what makes Michael different?He’s a pioneer, always thinking ahead, willing to take calculated risks—even if that meansdisrupting his own business. He believes that to achieve more in the future, you must be ready to challenge and reinvent what you've built in the past.Beyond business, Michael is a dedicated philanthropist, launching ICAP Charity Day, raising over $150 million pounds and supporting more than 2,000 charities.Michael Spencer is a visionary -  He is somebody who has redefined markets, built extraordinary value, and proven time and again that fortune does truly favour the brave.If you want to learn more practical lessons and real-world leadership insights from remarkable founder CEOs, you can ⁠order Georgie's book Stratospheric CEOs out now.

  --------  

  54:49
• #3 Henry Fernandez: A Journey of Bold Vision & Exponential Growth

  In this compelling episode of Stratospheric Leaders, Georgie Dickins sits down with Henry Fernandez, Chairman and CEO of MSCI, to explore the essential qualities that define extraordinary leadership. From navigating uncertainty to embracing risk, Henry shares profound insights on vision, resilience, and long-term thinking. He reflects on lessons from his early life, the importance of calculated risk-taking, and how great leaders shape the future by working backward from a bold vision.Henry unpacks the fine line between genius and irreverence. He also explains the necessity of embracing discomfort, and why failure is the foundation of success.Key Takeaways from This Episode:The Leader’s Vision: Great leaders see the future and work backward to create it. Vision isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about unwavering belief in the mission.Embracing Discomfort & Risk: Success comes from stepping into uncertainty. Leaders who push boundaries and defy convention often face rejection but create real change.The Power of Long-Term Thinking: Most people are wired for short-term survival. The true differentiator of great leaders is their ability to think 5, 10, or even 20 years ahead.Learning from Failure: Every failure plants the seeds for future success. The best leaders don’t bury their failures—they analyze them relentlessly to grow stronger.Courage in Leadership: Whether in business or politics, transformational leaders inspire through resilience, bold decision-making, and a deep commitment to their cause.Competitive Advantage in Crisis: Many companies retreat in turbulent times—Henry explains why MSCI expands during downturns and how crises are the best time to gain market advantage.Memorable Quotes:"Great leaders don’t need to know the exact path. They just need the conviction that they will find the way.""If you want to be truly exceptional, study human nature. Success comes from understanding how people think and then going against the predictable.""A crisis is a terrible thing to waste. The best opportunities come when the world is in turmoil.""Take more smart risks. Fear magnifies risk in the short term. But if you master it, risk becomes your greatest advantage."If you want to learn more practical lessons and real-world leadership insights from remarkable founder CEOs, you can ⁠⁠order Georgie's book Stratospheric CEOs out now.

  --------  

  1:17:12

More Business podcasts

Trending Business podcasts

About Stratospheric Leaders