There was no shortage of challenges for leaders in 2025, as they navigated a year filled with uncertainty and change. Leaders’ skills were tested as they steered their organizations through changes in the global economy, geopolitics, AI transformation, succession planning, and board relationships.
In this final Redefiners episode of the season, hosts Marla Oates and Simon Kingston take a look back at 2025, highlighting how guests from the year are navigating these challenges. Hear from former CEO and current Chairman of Coveo Louis Têtu and Goldman Sachs CIO Marco Argenti on AI transformation; World Bank President Ajay Banga on culture change; Russell Reynolds Associates CEO Constantine Alexandrakis, Pets At Home CEO Lyssa McGowan, and former President and CEO of Marvel Entertainment Peter Cuneo on stepping into the CEO role; Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman and former chair and CEO of MTV International Bill Roedy on leadership; plus insights from RRA leadership advisors in the Leadership Lounge.
If you’d like to hear more, check out all the episodes of Redefiners and Leadership Lounge.
Redefiners and Leadership Lounge will return with more conversations with global leaders in January 2026, so be sure to follow and subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss an episode!
Happy holidays!
Creating leadership impact isn’t about one defining moment—it’s about the ripple effects your leadership generates over time. In this episode of Leadership Lounge, Emma Combe sits down with Shannon Knott and Erin Marie Collins to unpack what meaningful impact looks like today, and how leaders can sustain it.
They explore:
“Leaders who can sustain real impact do so because they’re able to stay curious. They continually learn and adjust. They treat leadership less like a position and more as a practice.”
— Shannon Knott, Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds Associates
Four things you'll learn from this episode
In this episode, we cover:
(01:35) How you define leadership impact and why it extends beyond results to lasting influence
(04:10) The skills that sustain long-term impact
(07:25) Why leadership must shift from mastery and control to influence and judgment as careers progress
(09:42) Practical ways to assess whether your impact is landing across teams and stakeholders
(12:10) How reflection, feedback, and purpose create a rhythm for sustained leadership effectiveness
(14:38) What inspirational leaders do differently to remain authentic and effective over time
A closer look at the research from this episode:
Russell Reynolds Associates Global Leadership Monitor, H2 2025
Roughly 1.2 billion young people will reach working age in developing countries over the next 10-15 years. However, current projections show that only 420 million jobs are expected to be created by that time, meaning millions of young people will be left without a clear path to employment.
World Bank President Ajay Banga joins Clarke Murphy and Marla Oates on Redefiners to talk about what the Bank is doing about it, and why job creation is so critical to both developing countries and the global economy. Ajay talks about what he’s doing to transform the 80-year old institution into a faster, more efficient, and more impactful partner in development, including partnering more with the private sector to increase investments in emerging markets. He also discusses what he calls the Decency Quotient and how leaders can tap into that in order to lead people with a hand on their back, not in their face.
We’ll also hear from Rebecca Hart, a leadership advisor in our Atlanta office, who will discuss why the most successful leaders prioritize curiosity over having all the answers.
Four things you’ll learn from this episode:
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:
Board directors operate in an environment of high complexity and volatility. The question isn't whether crises will occur—it's whether directors have the skills, judgment, and relationships to navigate them effectively.
In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to two of our trusted advisors—Gwenael Quere and Ted Dysart—who share their perspectives on:
"One key trait is being able to ask the right questions, but also ask those questions in the right way. If a director gets into a meeting and starts asking questions that feel like a trap, the management team will just shut down."
-Ted Dysart
Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds Associates
Four things you'll learn from this episode
In this episode, we will cover:
(01.50) The key skills board directors should utilize during sustained volatility
(03.31) The art of asking the right questions without creating traps for management
(05.44) How to decide when to step in versus when to let management handle critical decisions
(09.45) Balancing individual perspective with creating board consensus during periods of volatility
(11.16) How to manage time and energy when serving on multiple boards facing simultaneous challenges
(13.42) How directors can remain mentally sharp and objective during prolonged uncertainty
(15.28) Why directors should never let a good crisis go to waste
How does a more than 100-year-old family-owned business continue to evolve and grow across generations to become one of the largest privately held companies in the world? On today’s Redefiners episode, Clarke and Marla are joined by Valerie Mars, former Senior Vice President & Head of Corporate Development for Mars, Incorporated, to talk about how the Mars family grew a small kitchen-table candy company into a $55 billion diversified global food and pet care enterprise.
Valerie talks about the family’s decision to bring in a non-family CEO, how the Five Principles and Mars Compass are used to guide decision-making and nurture a values-driven culture, and what they’re doing to develop the next generation of family leaders.
We’ll also hear from Anuradha Chawla, a leadership advisor in our Toronto office, who will explore when family enterprises should consider introducing professional management.
Four things you’ll learn from this episode:
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:
The C-suite is the engine room of organizational success, yet most leaders struggle to build one that truly performs. It's not just about hiring talented individuals—you need the right mix of complementary skills, aligned vision, and chemistry that transforms organizations.
In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to two of our trusted advisors—Danny Ryan and Andres Gil-Casares—who share their perspectives on:
"You need to find people that are interested in learning things instead of just knowing things. This means having people on your teams who are interested in asking questions, getting out of the comfort zone, and thinking outside the box."
Andres Gil-Casares
Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds Associates
Four things you'll learn from this episode
In this episode, we will cover:
(01:52) The risk of unconscious bias and why hiring people who challenge you is critical
(03:49) Why cultural fit can't be underestimated when making C-suite hires
(06:17) The distinction between learning and knowing and why curiosity drives transformation capability
(08:17) How leading by example and admitting failures gives others permission to be more authentic
(09.14) The importance of establishing clear governance frameworks to enable quick decision-making under pressure
(12:10) Why delaying difficult decisions about underperforming executives erodes trust
A closer look at the research from this episode:
Transformational Leadership Study 2025 | Russell Reynolds Associates
Marvel Studios and many of its numerous characters are household names around the world. Their superhero-powered movies earn hundreds of millions and sometimes billions of dollars at the box office, including the #2 top grossing movie of all time – Avengers: Endgame. They’re also arguably one of the top turnaround stories of the past 20 years, as they rose like a phoenix from the ashes of bankruptcy to ultimately sell to Disney for $4.5 billion.
In today’s Redefiners episode, Simon and Marla suit up to talk with Peter Cuneo, former CEO of Marvel Entertainment and the leader who led the turnaround of this storied company, along with several other global brands. Peter shares his story of how he got into the business of turnarounds and why he’s attracted to risk as a leader. He takes us through how he conquers the common challenge of getting the leadership and culture right at the companies he’s led. And he shares some of the 28 leadership tips he’s compiled over the course of his storied career into a list he fittingly calls Essentials for Superhero Leadership (which you can also find in podcast form at Superhero Leadership).
We’ll also hear from Hetty Pye, a leadership advisor in our London office, who will discuss why transformation efforts fail and what senior leaders can do about it.
Four things you’ll learn from this episode:
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:
In an era where adaptability trumps consistency, the leaders who survive and thrive are those who've mastered the art of bouncing back stronger. Yet our Global Leadership Monitor reveals that leaders' preparedness to face threats such as uncertain economic growth and geopolitical uncertainty is at its lowest point since we began tracking in 2021.
The question isn't whether setbacks will come—it's whether leaders have built the genuine resilience to weather them. And more critically, how can executives create resilient organizations where entire leadership pipelines can adapt and flourish under pressure?
In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to two of our trusted advisors—Joey Berk and Maja Hadziomerovic—who share their perspectives on:
"When we think about exercising physically or learning a new skill, being in that growth mentality and constantly stretching is what builds resilience and pushes us to do what's less comfortable."
— Joey Berk, Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds Associates
Four things you'll learn from this episode:
1.True resilience integrates three sources of intelligence—cognitive clarity, somatic awareness, and emotional authenticity work together to create leaders who can navigate uncertainty with confidence.
2.Energy management beats time management—resilient leaders audit and proactively manage their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energy.
3.Organizational resilience requires systematic investment—build resilience at scale through stretch assignments, mentorship programs, and cultures that reward vulnerability over impression management.
4.Authentic vulnerability drives performance—the strongest leaders admit when they don't know, share their learning process, and create psychological safety that unleashes team innovation.
In this episode, we will cover:
A closer look at the research from this episode:
Global Leadership Monitor | Russell Reynolds Associates
Global CEO Turnover Index | Russell Reynolds Associates
After four years and 100 episodes of extraordinary conversations with world-class leaders, what are the most powerful leadership lessons that have emerged? In this milestone episode, hosts Simon Kingston and Marla Oates dig through the Redefiners archives to share the top 10 leadership insights.
From Ruth Porat's revelation that not having a rigid career plan was her secret weapon, and Debra Martin Chase's unshakeable determination in Hollywood, to Will Guidara's $2 hot dog that redefined hospitality excellence—these aren't just inspiring anecdotes. They're battle-tested lessons from leaders who've built careers with real impact across technology, finance, entertainment, hospitality, and global governance.
Simon and Marla reveal their most memorable moments from conversations with CEOs like Adena Friedman at Nasdaq, Brad Smith at Microsoft, Tony Capuano at Marriott, and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at the World Trade Organization. They explore how these leaders navigated everything from AI transformation and crisis management to building authentic cultures and making unpopular decisions.
"Do people need to learn before they leap? I actually think they need to leap in order to learn.” – Brad Smith, Microsoft Vice Chair and President
Four things you'll learn from this episode:
Featured leaders:
C-suite executives face an unprecedented cascade of simultaneous challenges—AI transformation, regulatory upheaval, geopolitical instability, and economic turbulence. Unlike previous generations who weathered single crises, today’s leaders must navigate sustained uncertainty that many have never experienced before.
So, how can the right mentor transform leadership under pressure? And what makes mentorship relationships truly effective for senior executives?
In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to three of our trusted advisors—Kurt Harrison, Amanda Foster, and Jeffrey Cheng—who share their perspectives on:
"Mentorship is not remedial. It's developmental, and it's all part of an agile, constantly learning mindset, which keeps executives fresh in how they look at the future rather than looking backwards."
Amanda Foster, Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds Associates
Four things you'll learn from this episode:
In this episode, we will cover:
(00:01:56) How sustained uncertainty differs from episodic crises and why this changes mentorship needs
(00:04:02) Why cross-industry mentor-mentee pairings are often the most successful
(00:10:07) The importance of building authentic mentorship relationships
(00:14:18) How external mentors provide objective perspectives often impossible internally
(00:15:48) Strategies for maximizing value from mentor relationships through preparation and goal-setting
A closer look at the research from this episode:
Transformation is no longer a project with a distinct beginning, middle, and end—it's the water leaders swim in. For leaders, the ability to lead through perpetual transformation has become mission critical.
In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to four of our trusted advisors—Bob Marcus, Hetty Pye, Sean Dineen, and Alain Ishak—who share their perspectives on:
"Organizations change when people change, and people change when leaders change. Leaders need to role model and project the changes they want to see in the world."
Bob Marcus, Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds Associates
Four things you'll learn from this episode:
In this episode, we will cover:
(00:00:08) Why traditional five-year roadmaps no longer work in today's accelerated business environment
(00:03:03) What perpetual transformation means and why it's become critical for survival
(00:06:52) Why leaders must view C-suite colleagues as their first team.
(00:08:36) The importance of productive conflict and unified decision-making
(00:11:30) Why culture change is 70% of transformation success
(00:13:18) What AI-ready leadership looks like in practice
(00:15:42) How to move beyond the AI pilot phase
(00:17:27) Strategic disruptors and their role in challenging the status quo
A closer look at the research from this episode:
While the terms “uncertainty” and “volatility” get thrown around a lot, they certainly describe what’s going on now in global markets, especially when it comes to private equity. In this episode of Redefiners, Clarke Murphy and Marla Oates talk with Bain Capital Co-Managing Partner John Connaughton to get his take on leading through change.
As someone who has successfully managed through several periods of volatility during his more than 36-year career with Bain Capital, John takes us through how he’s been able to look past current unpredictability with an eye towards the long term. He shares tips and key learnings on how to increase adaptability and agility across the firm, including AI adoption and transformation. He talks about recruiting and retaining top talent, and the top traits he looks for in leaders. Plus, he shares his thoughts on how universities can help redefine the skills needed for next generation leaders to excel in a rapidly changing world.
We'll also hear from Chris Davis, a leadership advisor in our New York City office, who will discuss the critical leadership traits financial services CEOs need to master AI transformation.
Four things you’ll learn from this episode:
The world has gone through several technology transformations in the past 30+ years. From the launch of the Internet to the rise of mobile, cloud computing, digital transformation, and now AI transformation. In our second live recording of Redefiners, Clarke Murphy goes in-studio at Goldman Sachs to talk with someone who’s been through it all and continues to lead through change.
As CIO at Goldman Sachs, Marco Argenti is redefining how business is done with the help of AI at one of the world’s leading financial services firms. Marco takes us through his career in tech leadership roles at AWS, Nokia, and now Goldman Sachs, and shares his key lesson of focusing on the “why” before figuring out the “what” and the “how” when it comes to creating IT solutions. He discusses the three leadership skills that are critical when it comes to AI and how to balance the pace of AI business adoption with employee demands for faster change. He also talks about his commitment to cancer research and how AI will be a game changer when it comes to accelerating both research and new treatments.
We'll also hear from Jennifer Flock, a leadership advisor in our Paris office, who explores what it takes for leaders to build transformation capabilities that last.
Four things you’ll learn from this episode:
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:
Today, leaders are working side-by-side with up to five different generations. This creates both significant challenges and unique opportunities for building cohesive, high-performing teams.
In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to three of our trusted advisors—Kat Armstrong, Paco Ruiz-Maza, and Michelle Mion—who share their perspectives on:
"It's managing conflict, not avoiding conflict. An adequately managed conflict, dispute, or conversation can be highly productive and enlightening for both sides." - Paco Ruiz-Maza Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds Associates
Four things you'll learn from this episode
Born in France almost 50 years ago, Decathlon has grown into the world’s largest sporting goods retailer with over 1,700 stores in more than 70 countries. On today’s episode of Redefiners, Simon Kingston is joined by our new co-host, Marla Oates, as they sit down with former CEO of Decathlon Barbara Martin Coppola.
Barbara takes us through her globe-hopping journey in leadership roles across several industries, including technology, home furnishings, food delivery, and consumer electronics before she came to the CEO role at Decathlon. She talks about the need for a clear North Star to enable transformation, creating a culture of innovation, driving a circular product strategy, and redefining Decathlon’s customer experience in-store and online. Plus, as a member of the board of directors at INSEAD, she shares her insights on how educational institutions’ next generation leaders need to redefine what skills will be needed in a rapidly changing world.
We'll also hear from Pam Fitzpatrick, Global Head of Sustainability at Russell Reynolds Associates. Pam will discuss key insights from our 2024 Sustainability Report and the commitments we’ve made as a firm.
Four things you’ll learn from this episode:
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:
Identifying and developing the next generation of leadership talent is critically important. No decision will have a bigger impact on the performance of an organization and its enduring legacy. Yet, many leaders struggle with effective succession planning.
In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to three of our trusted advisors—James Diggines, Rebecca Slan Jerusalim, and Stacey Shapiro—who share their perspectives on:
"Too often succession is really a check the box exercise at a critical point in time, as opposed to having a long-term focus."
Rebecca Slan Jerusalim, Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds Associates
Four things you'll learn from this episode:
A closer look at the research from this episode:
Many of us have heard the expression “doing good is good for business.” In this episode, Simon Kingston sits down with former MTV International Chairman and CEO Bill Roedy about how he put this concept into practice on a truly global scale.
Bill takes us on his journey of how he redefined broadcast television, launching the most channels in television history with more than 200 global channels and 20 brands, including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, and numerous others. He discusses how and why he started MTV’s Staying Alive Foundation, Suga, and other social responsibility initiatives to realize the ethos of “doing good is good for business.” And Bill shares his journey from West Point to MTV to GAVI and beyond.
We'll also hear from Andrew White, a leadership advisor who specializes in executive assessment and development, who will discuss why curiosity and adaptability are essential leadership traits in today's business environment.
Four things you’ll learn from this episode:
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:
Today's senior executives operate in an environment where trust has never been more critical, or more fragile. According to the latest Edelman Trust Barometer, trust in business leaders is at an all-time low, with people's fear that business leaders are dishonest increasing by 12% in the last year.
So, as a leader, how can you cultivate trust within your team and organization?
In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to three of our trusted advisors—Henryk Krajewski, Emmy Melville, and Ilana Abramowicz—who share their perspectives on:
“Don’t take somebody else’s credit. If you make a mistake, you own it. You don’t bury somebody else.”
Ilana Abramowicz, Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds Associates
Four things you'll learn from this episode:
In this episode, we will cover:
A closer look at the research from this episode:
How CEOs Can Build and Maintain a High-Performing C-suite | Russell Reynolds Associates
When it comes to global financial markets, the only certainty is the likelihood of uncertainty and change. The world is in a period of transformation on multiple levels fueled by AI and technology innovation, shifting economic policies, and infrastructure modernization. At the foundation of all of this transformation is the unrelenting need for long-term capital.
In today’s special in-studio episode, Clarke Murphy sits down with a leader who’s not only deftly navigating her organization through change in her role as Nasdaq CEO, but she’s doing it all at the speed of global capital. Adena Friedman talks about Nasdaq’s evolution from the world’s first electronic stock exchange to its current role as a global technology company serving the broader financial system and capital markets. She digs into her career journey from intern to CEO at Nasdaq, how Nasdaq stays on the leading edge of technology and innovation, and how to compete for and keep top tech talent. And she discusses the $80 trillion investment opportunity to bring every society in every economy forward to face the realities of the world that we're living in today.
We'll also hear from Tristan Jervis, a leadership advisor specializing in AI transformation, who will discuss the four critical steps CEOs can take to build AI-powered organizations.
Four things you’ll learn from this episode:
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:
Today's board directors operate in a complex business landscape, balancing strategic guidance, technological innovation, and heightened governance expectations. They must provide critical leadership while navigating rapid change and increasing stakeholder scrutiny.
So, as an executive, do you have what it takes to thrive in a board role? And how can you maximize your impact once you're there?
In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to some of our trusted advisors—Maggie Benkert, Edward Mason, and Rusty O'Kelley—who share their perspectives on:
"I advise clients and candidates to be really selective about taking a board role. You want to find an opportunity where you can add considerable value, but it's also developmental or stretching for you, and helps support you in your career."
Ed Mason, Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds Associates.
Four things you'll learn from this episode:
In this episode, we will cover:
A closer look at the research from this episode:
2025 Board Culture and Director Behavior Study, Russell Reynolds Associates