Podcast
C-Speak: The Language of Executives
Hosted by PNC & Boston Business Journal · EN
PNC C-Speak: The Language of Executives, features frank and lively conversations on leadership and life. Hosted by Carolyn Jones, market president and publisher of the Boston Business Journal, far left; Jon Bernstein, regional president of PNC Bank; and Saskia Epstein, senior vice president, client and community relations, with PNC Bank, each episode profiles a well-known local business leader and explores their personal career path and today’s most pertinent business topics. Hear their stories, including pivotal highlights from their lives and forward-thinking insights. Listen here and subscribe to PNC C-Speak at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/%20c-speak-the-language-of-executives/id1587932421/ (Apple Podcasts), https://open.spotify.com/show/0JktOGXObtNmMbzKuBPF9S?si=I8mWEhbaSLiE7JEkebQKkQ&dl_branch=1&nd=1 (Spotify) or wherever you get your podcasts.
28episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
George Sargent, CEO at Arnold, on understanding business opportunities, corporate culture and audiences
Oct 15, 202400:29:02Tap to summarizeAt creative agency Arnold, says CEO George Sargent, designing marketing campaigns – whether with large brands or growth companies – comes down to listening and becoming immersed in the client’s culture.That’s how Arnold’s campaigns for PNC Bank, Progressive and others have brought companies’ brands to life.In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Sargent discusses one client with whom Arnold has had an 18-year relationship, as well as the agency’s recent “Brilliantly Boring” campaign for client PNC Bank.“There was a like-mindedness in terms of the kind of work that we were going to be able to do together,” Sargent says about the collaboration between Arnold and PNC. “Our north star for clients is that we make it safe to be brave (with messaging).”Listen to the episode for more about:•What makes Sargent “tick” (10:08)•How his agency sustains a culture of inclusion (20:39) •The book Sargent is currently reading and recommends (25:04) Powered by PNC Bank.Download a transcript of the podcast.
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Lisa Wieland, National Grid’s New England president, on the evolving energy sector, Boston’s talent pipeline
Oct 1, 202400:23:34Tap to summarizeFor Lisa Wieland, president of National Grid’s New England business, today is the best time to work in the evolving energy sector.“To be at the heart of the energy transition is a pretty exciting place to be,” she said. The company’s goal, “is to build out the future grid while also balancing the need to ensure that we continue to support and enable economic development, not only here within the city but across the commonwealth.”In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Wieland also sheds light on National Grid’s role in shaping a diverse workforce pipeline that serves the needs of 2.3 million consumers. “Last year, we created what we're calling our infrastructure academies, or energy infrastructure academies, that really target people across the spectrum,” Wieland said. That ranges from STEM-related academies that targets secondary education students, to energy infrastructure training designed for “work-ready adults.”“At National Grid, we’re investing to build tomorrow’s workforce today.”Listen to the episode to hear more about:Why National Grid invested in the commonwealth’s iconic, red-roofed international terminal (7:16)What attracted Wieland to National Grid (10:20)How National Grid engages with the community (16:21)Her professional and personal role models (13:32)Three pieces of advice for listeners, from up-and-coming leaders to current C-suite executives (19:03)Powered by PNC Bank.Download a transcript of the podcast.
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Dr. Anne Klibanski, CEO of Mass General Brigham, on the complexities of delivering patient-focused care
Aug 13, 202400:29:33Tap to summarizeCreating an inclusive, equitable workplace and “workforce of the future,” says Dr. Anne Klibanski, is imperative for any organization with a goal of delivering patient-focused health care. “I think one of the most important lessons for all hospitals is to think about the local community,” says Klibanski, president and CEO of Mass General Brigham – which, she notes, “needs to look first at how to leverage what we have to create that working force of the future.”In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Klibanski details Mass General Brigham’s multipronged efforts to put patients “at the center of everything we do.”“We are seeing a movement toward health care very much focused on patients, which is where health care always needs to be focused,” says Klibanski. Listen for more from Klibanski about:How her leadership style has evolved alongside the health care system (3:42)What care changes she’s most excited about (10:19)Her favorite place in Boston (27:54)Her wish for the city (28:40)Powered by PNC Bank.Download a transcript of the podcast.
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Brooke Thomson, president of AIM, on creating access to opportunities for her advocacy organization’s members
Jul 30, 202400:30:43Tap to summarizeFor Brooke Thomson, president of the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, the statewide business advocacy organization’s mission is clear.“We are here to help businesses succeed. We know that when our businesses are strong, when our economy is strong, we can hire more people, we can pay great wages, people can have a good quality of life and do the things that they want to do,” Thomson says.In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Thomson also shares details on AIM’s commitment to foster inclusion not only within its board and staff but also with the diverse suppliers on its membership roster.“Creating access to opportunities for members is really what is key,” says Thomson. “That's what drives us at AIM every single day.”Listen to the episode to hear more from Thomson on:The best advice she’s been given (13:37)Top post-Covid-19 issue for AIM’s constituents (20:49)Her childhood career ambition (26:44)A Boston leader to watch (28:12)Powered by PNC Bank.Download a transcript of the podcast
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Andrew Bialecki, CEO of global tech firm Klaviyo: Embrace “the willingness to be wrong”
Jul 16, 202400:26:04Tap to summarizeWhat drives innovation? Andrew Bialecki, CEO and president of Klaviyo, says it’s people willing to take chances and “embrace the willingness to be wrong.”“If you surround yourself with a lot of other ambitious, thoughtful people, you're just naturally going to want to try things,” says Bialecki, one of the company’s co-founders. “At Klaviyo, we're not afraid to take risks.”In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Bialecki not only details the history and philosophy of Klaviyo – a tech company providing an automation platform for email and SMS marketing – but shares a pivotal piece of career advice.If you're not good at something yet,” he says, “just get your foot in that door, crack it open an inch and then don't ever let somebody stop you from opening it all the way.”Listen to the episode to hear more from Bialecki about:Two milestones not celebrated at Klaviyo (11:15)What he finds interesting about AI (16:10)His career aspiration as a child (22:43)The hobby he pursues in his spare time (24:42)Powered by PNC Bank.Download a transcript of the podcast.
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Dr. Makeeba McCreary, president of the New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund, on empowering nonprofit leaders of color
Jul 2, 202400:23:32Tap to summarizeThe Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund’s goal, says Dr. Makeeba McCreary, is to raise $100 million to support nonprofit leaders of color. In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, McCreary, president of the fund, delves into how the organization is disrupting the philanthropy sector. McCreary, born and raised in Boston’s South End, launched her career in service to others, which included working in shelters, and theatrical performances before moving to “education policy.” “I really wanted to be a part of solutions around systems issues that I thought could have made a real difference for some of my friends who I grew up with that didn't have as many successes, I guess you could say, as I did,” McCreary says. Listen to the episode to hear more from McCreary about:Her guiding principle (12:01)Advice to her younger self (13:26) What she finds troubling (15:06)Why impatience is necessary (22:10)Powered by PNC Bank.Download a transcript of the podcast.
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Vikki Spruill, president and CEO of the New England Aquarium, on ocean conservation, climate change and workplace ecosystems
Jun 18, 202400:27:18Tap to summarizeThe New England Aquarium, says president and CEO Vikki Spruill, is far more than a tourist attraction. In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Spruill details the scope and significance of the 54-year-old institution’s contributions – research, education and advocacy, among others – to Boston and far beyond the city limits.As the leader of a marine-based nonprofit with a workforce of 290 and two campuses, Spruill is passionate about climate resiliency, ocean conservation and the role the aquarium plays in furthering those objectives.The aquarium’s mission is working “for a vital and vibrant ocean for all,” Spruill says. “We hope to inspire everyone to form a deeper connection with the ocean and take action to protect it.”Listen to the episode to hear more from Spruill on:The aquarium’s plastic-free gift shop (6:04)“Working at the speed of trust” (9:39)The job of a leader (16:56)Her wish for Boston (26:21)Powered by PNC Bank.Download a transcript of the podcast.
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Robert Lewis Jr., Nicholas President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, on academics, workforce readiness, and health and wellness
Jun 11, 202400:35:56Tap to summarizeRobert Lewis Jr. will never forget Boston’s desegregation busing crisis in the 1970s – an intensely volatile period during which his home was firebombed. In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Lewis, now Nicholas President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston and a longtime community leader, reveals how the unrest became the genesis for his purpose. Lewis, who was 16 when his East Boston home was targeted, vowed “to do work that's about bringing people together, about bringing communities together."A member of the Boys & Girls Clubs during his childhood, Lewis now helms an organization with eight locations, whose future, he says, is “around academics, workforce readiness, and health and wellness. “We want the Boys & Girls Clubs to be the place that our teens are excited about,” he says. Listen to the episode to hear more from Lewis on:What he does when he’s not working (9:16)“Passion points” providing access to opportunities for young people (20:07)His life-threatening battle with Covid (21:37)What’s on his bucket list (31:37)Powered by PNC Bank.Download a transcript of the podcast.
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