Stratospheric Leaders

In this episode, I am joined by Sharon Bowen, Chair of the New York Stock Exchange – the first woman and person of colour to hold this role in the institution’s 230-year history.Sharon’s career is nothing short of remarkable. She brings more than 35 years in regulatory, securities, and public policy expertise. After a distinguished career in law, she served as a Commissioner at the CFTC during one of the most critical periods in modern financial history, and is now guiding NYSE through a time of profound change and opportunity.She is a truly respected voice in the industry – one that CEOs listen to, learn from and trust.Key Takeaways:You get to choose the mindset you bring. You can see things as obstacles or diverted paths.Don’t let other people define you or limit your dreams.Maintain curiosity throughout your career. It will help you continue to grow and succeed.You don’t have to figure it out alone. It’s ok to ask for help.Build and maintain a personal board of directors.Mentorship matters at every stage. Never stop being a mentee.Networks are a powerful force multiplier. Invest in relationships consistently.Excellence attracts support. Speak up about what you want. Don’t assume your ambition or impact is visible.Lead with respect and integrity. How you treat people matters.If you’re the first, create the path for the next. Success carries responsibility.

In this episode, I’m joined by Brad Levy, CEO of Symphony. Brad has spent decades at the intersection of finance and technology - a bold thinker, seasoned operator, and one of the most respected voices in fintech. Before Wall Street was even on the horizon, Brad’s entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic were already taking shape. From the age of 14, he was earning his stripes working at Woodbury Commons, landscaping gardens, instructing tennis, and operating ski lifts. But it was a job during his sophomore year at university, researching municipal finance, that ultimately sparked his entry into the markets in 1992. From 1992 to 2012, he spent two decades on Wall Street building deep expertise as a muni banker and later leading across capital markets, e-commerce, market structure, and strategic investments. Since 2012, he has held senior leadership roles at IHS Markit and Symphony, where he’s been a leader, operator, builder, and transformer. Brad always brings the best energy with him and this episode is no different! Key TakeawaysSurround yourself with good people during tough times.Flexibility is key in leadership and personal growth.Authenticity in leadership requires balancing vulnerability and responsibility.Crisis moments reveal true character and trust.The importance of presence in navigating change.Frameworks help structure thoughts and actions for success.Measuring success through KPIs is essential for growth.Time management is crucial in a fast-paced world.Failure is a feature of the journey, not a bug.

In this episode, I’m joined by Andy Kuper Founder & CEO of LeapFrog Investments - a pioneering impact investment firm that has reached over half a billion low-income people with access to essential healthcare, financial tools, and climate solutions. Under his leadership, LeapFrog has raised over $3 billion from global investors and, earning recognition from Fortune as one of the top companies changing the world.Andy embodies the conviction that purpose andprofit can scale together - transforming industries, delivering outsized returns, and proving that humble, mission-driven teams can reshape the world.  Key Takeaways:Markets waiting to be restructured hold the greatest potential.Small, dedicated teams can change the world.Profit and purpose can coexist and drive success.See through your customer’s eyes. Assumption is theenemy of insight.Lead with humility. Listen, learn, and stay curious about what you don’t yet know.Serve, don’t prescribe. Meet fundamental needs rather than defining them for others.Uncover unmet needs. Meeting customer demands sustains; anticipating them transforms.Let experience speak for you. Delighted customers are your most powerful marketing engine.Celebrate progress. Recognise milestones, share credit, and strengthen collective resolve.Andy is an extraordinary guest. I trust you will enjoy listening to this episode as much as I did recording it.

In this episode, I’m joined by Sandeep Sahai, CEO of Clearwater Analytics (NYSE: CWAN) - a truly disruptive force shaping the future of financial technology. Clearwater operates on the cloud, providing clients with a comprehensive, real-time view of their portfolios and enabling global execution - processing and reporting on an extraordinary $8.8 trillion in assets daily as of December 31, 2024.What makes this conversation special isn’t just the scale of Clearwater’s innovation - it’s the heart behind the leadership. From his grandmother teaching him chess at nine years old, Sandeep learned to think about others - to understand what drives people and why. That early lesson became a cornerstone of his leadership philosophy: If your employees are happy and engaged, they’ll build great products. They’ll take care of clients. And when clients succeed, shareholders succeed.Throughout his journey, Sandeep has been driven by curiosity, hard work, and humility - and yes, he credits a touch of luck too. In our discussion, we explore the golden threads of his career, his fascination with technology, and how Generative AI is set to transform the way we live, work, and connect - just as every great technological leap before it has done throughout history.This is a conversation that blends humanity, innovation, and vision - a masterclass in what it means to lead with care, courage, and conviction.Key Takeaways:Understanding the global perspective is crucial for success.There are many versions of truth; perspective matters.Curiosity and open-mindedness lead to better conversations.Put your hand up for opportunities, even if uncertain.Success is defined by personal happiness and family well-being.Infectious passion is essential for effective leadership.Work-life balance is challenging but necessary for fulfillment.Generative AI will transform how we work and interact.Transparency in communication fosters trust and engagement.

In this episode of Stratospheric Leaders, I sit down with Keyvan Mohajer, Co-founder & CEO of SoundHound AI - a technical innovator reshaping how we live, work, and interact with AI.From selling bread at age ten to leading a $7B company powering billions of voice interactions worldwide, Keyvan’s journey is one of vision, grit, and relentless innovation.He shares how childhood curiosity, sci-fi imagination, and his father’s wisdom shaped his path and why he believes the AI revolution is only just beginning.This is a story of bold ideas, unshakable persistence, and building a legacy of real-world impact. Key Takeaways:Vision + Faith Beat the Odds - When all the data says you’ll fail, it’s faith, persistence, and belief in your vision that carry you forward.Learn from Everyone, Everywhere — Great ideas, advice, and inspiration can come from anyone and anywhere, if you stay open and curious.Leadership is Earned, Not Assigned — True leaders are chosen by their followers, not appointed by titles or superiors.Resilience Fuels Repeatable Success — The toughest times offer the greatest lessons, and real success comes from building processes that can be repeated, not relying on luck.Ride the Wave, Don’t Celebrate Too Long — Big shifts can drown you or lift you higher, depending on your mindset — so acknowledge wins, but keep moving forward.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.⁠).