Podcast
Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex Rozenfeld
Hosted by Alex Rozenfeld · EN
Grab a cup of coffee and join Alex Rozenfeld, Thunderbird alum and founder of Freshwater Investments, as he sits down with fellow T-bird graduates who are making an impact in business, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Each episode features open and insightful conversations that explore the pivotal moments, personal motivations, and lessons learned on their journeys.
From building companies across continents to leading global teams, these stories highlight the drive and mindset behind success. Whether you're a student, alum, or someone passionate about business and personal growth, you'll walk away with fresh ideas and real-world perspective.
This is more than a podcast—it’s a platform for connection, storytelling, and celebrating the global spirit of Thunderbird.
This podcast is sponsored by www.freshwaterinvestments.com
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Building the Future, One Flight at a Time with Manoel Coelho
May 1401:04:54Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Coffee with a T-Bird, I sit down with Manuel Coelho—entrepreneur, Thunderbird alum, and founder of Speedbird Aero—to talk about what it really takes to build something from the ground up.We get into his journey from Brazil to the U.S., how he went from telemedicine to launching a drone logistics company, and what it’s like to actually deploy drone delivery in real cities like New York. This isn’t just theory—this is boots-on-the-ground innovation, dealing with regulations, scaling globally, and figuring things out as you go.We also talk about the bigger picture—entrepreneurship, global business, and the mindset it takes to operate across cultures. And of course, a little bit of the Thunderbird experience and how it shapes the way you see the world.If you’re into startups, tech, or just enjoy hearing real stories behind building something meaningful, you’ll get a lot out of this one.What we cover: The reality behind drone delivery and autonomous logistics Building and scaling a global startup Lessons from working across the U.S., Brazil, Israel, and beyond Why execution matters more than hype The Thunderbird mindsethttps://www.linkedin.com/in/manoel-r-coelho/https://www.speedbird.aero/Manoel Coelho, visionary entrepreneur and CEO of Speedbird Aero, boasts over two decades of dynamic business leadership and a history of guiding start-ups with groundbreaking technologies. A Thunderbird School of Global Management honors graduate, Coelho seamlessly integrates technological innovation with international business strategies.His career spans key roles in the telemedicine and healthcare industry, marked by leadership in three disruptive technology-focused start-ups. Taking the helm at Speedbird Aero in 2018, Coelho leverages expertise in Drone as a Service, Software as a Service, Artificial Intelligence, and Telemedicine to lead the company's global development.Under Coelho's leadership, Speedbird Aero pioneers in unmanned aviation, with cutting-edge technologies in electric propulsion, autonomous flight, and sustainable solutions. Beyond his professional impact, Coelho is a respected figure in the unmanned aviation community, advocating for sustainability.In the ever-evolving unmanned aerospace landscape, Coelho's leadership at Speedbird Aero is defined by an unwavering pursuit of excellence, positioning the company for new heights in this sector.This podcast is sponsored by Freshwater Investments
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Marc Sondheimer’s Journey: From Setbacks to an Oscar
Apr 2601:14:13Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Coffee with T-Bird, Alex Rozenfeld sits down with Marc Sondheimer, an Academy Award–winning producer known for his work at Pixar on films like The Incredibles, WALL-E, Finding Dory, and the Oscar-winning short Piper.Marc shares the story behind Piper—a short animated film that was shut down three separate times before it was finally completed—and what it really takes to succeed in animation, filmmaking, and creative storytelling. From his unconventional path through international business to breaking into Pixar and becoming a film producer, this conversation dives deep into persistence, career pivots, and the reality behind Hollywood success.They also go behind the scenes of the Oscars, discuss how animated films are made, and explore what it means to produce at the highest level in the film industry. Marc opens up about leadership, problem-solving, and navigating setbacks in a competitive creative field.This episode is for anyone interested in Pixar, animation, filmmaking, entrepreneurship, career growth, and the mindset needed to turn big ideas into reality.https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-sondheimer-b014343/Marc Sondheimer joined Pixar Animation Studios in October of 2001, where he started out as a Production Finance Lead for “The Incredibles” and “Cars”. Since then, Mr. Sondheimer assumed a variety of positions in production. He was the Finance Lead for numerous short films as well as for the Academy Award®-winning feature film “WALL•E” and “Finding Dory.” In addition, Mr. Sondheimer worked as a Production Manager on the films “WALL•E,” various CarsToons, and Associate Producer and Production Manager on the Academy Award®-nominated short, “Day & Night.” He served as an Associate Producer on “The Good Dinosaur” before becoming the Producer of Pixar’s short form content for “The Good Dinosaur,” “Finding Dory,” “Coco”, “Cars3” , “Incredibles 2”, “Toy Story 4”, “Onward” and “Soul”. Marc has produced over 50 commercials for Fortune 500 companies as well as several digital media projects, including AR and VR. In 2018 Marc developed and produced the episodic series “Cars on the Road” for Disney+ based on the Cars franchise. In 2017, Marc won an Oscar® as producer of the Pixar short, “Piper,” which was named Best Animated Short Film by the Academy. “Piper” was released theatrically in front of “Finding Dory.” In 2018, Marc was nominated for an Emmy Award® for “CocoVR”, Pixar’s first Virtual Reality experience. “CocoVR” was released in the Fall of 2017. This project also earned Mr Sondheimer a Cannes “Silver Lion”, Grand Clio and Webby Awards. Prior to Pixar, Mr. Sondheimer worked in a variety of different fields including as a Business Strategy Consultant, as the Business Development Director for Quokka Sports - a digital sports media company, and was also a successful entrepreneur while operating his own import business. For the past two years, Marc has freelanced as a Producer for commercials and short films, including producing an animated commercial for the National Football League with Cisco Systems. He is currently a Producer for Skydance Animation. He received a Bachelor of Art degree from University of California, Berkeley, and went on to earn a Masters of International Management degree from Thunderbird Graduate School. Born and raised in Marin County, California, Sondheimer currently splits his time between Berkeley and Lake Tahoe. This podcast is sponsored by Freshwater Investments
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From Startup to Whole Foods: Blaine Yates on Building Xlear and Scaling a Health Brand
Mar 3001:04:22Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Coffee with a T-Bird, Alex Rozenfeld interviews Blaine Yates, Thunderbird alum, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Xlear(Clear), the xylitol-based nasal and oral health company. Blaine shares how Xlear grew from a startup idea into a nationally distributed brand, the challenges of scaling sales and educating consumers, and how his Thunderbird Executive MBA helped shape his leadership and international expansion strategy. He also talks about his photography project capturing the highest points in all 50 U.S. states, his investment work, and his mission to launch an advanced rehabilitation center for stroke and traumatic brain injury patients in Salt Lake City. A conversation packed with insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, and global business.https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaine-yates-358113/Mr. Yates is one of the cofounders of Xlear Inc., a xylitol products company focused on nasal and oral health. He served as the company’s CEO from 2006 until 2014. From 2014 until January of 2016 Mr. Yates left Xlear’s employment to work on a photography project taking vista photographs from the high point of all 50 US States. He returned to Xlear in January of 2016 to head up Xlear’s international department. Prior to serving as the company’s CEO he served as Vice President of Sales and built the company’s first sales force while bringing in Xlear’s original customer base.Blaine was a Sales Manager with Sirsi Corporation from 1996 through 2003 during which time he assisted in establishing new sales channels in public and school library sectors, and with recruiting and managing a top sales force. Prior to joining Sirsi Corporation, he was a Project Manager for a division of Ameritech and managed a 30+ person team converting libraries from card catalogs to modern, automated systems.He sold his ownership in Xlear in 2024 and embarked on a new journey investing in early stage companies and managing a luxury vacation rental. He is now preparing to open an advanced neuro rehabilitation center in the Salt Lake City area focused on getting stroke and TBI victims back to living fulfilling lives.He is a father to a 29-year-old daughter and a 5-year-old son (with three stepsons blended in the middle of that age range). His partner, Ashley, is a nurse and will be working with him on the new venture.He holds a B.A. in International Relations with a Minor in Spanish from Brigham Young University; and an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.This podcast is sponsored by Freshwater Investments
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The 20-Year Overnight Success: Ilya Vinogradsky on Bootstrapping a Global Giant
Mar 1201:02:34Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Alex Rozenfeld sits down with Ilya Vinogradsky, the Co-Founder and Chief Solutions Officer of Astound Digital. Ilya shares his "ultimate Silicon Valley story"—immigrating from the Soviet Union at 14, teaching himself to code on paper, and eventually transforming a scrappy startup into a global digital commerce leader servicing brands like L'Oreal, Crocs, and Adidas.The conversation explores the technical and human sides of leadership. Ilya breaks down the concept of "Vibe Coding" and how AI is revolutionizing enterprise software development. He then takes us through the three critical phases of his company's growth, including the harrowing challenges of the 2008 financial crisis and the strategic diversification of their global offices in response to the 2014 conflict in Ukraine.Listeners will gain insight into Ilya’s "Kindness Principle," his commitment to servant leadership, and the personal productivity hacks—like his "24-hour response rule"—that kept him grounded over a 20-year founder journey.https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinograd/About the GuestIlya Vinogradsky is a technical visionary and co-founder of Astound Digital. With a Master’s in Computer Science from Stanford, he has spent over 25 years at the intersection of technology and retail, helping define the modern e-commerce landscape while fostering a culture of loyalty and continuous learning across five continents.This podcast is sponsored by Freshwater Investments
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Leading at Boeing: Maria Laine on Career, Family, and Taking the Leap
Feb 1700:39:25Tap to summarizeIn this engaging conversation, Maria Laine shares her journey from her unique upbringing in Finland and Sweden to her successful career at Boeing. She reflects on a truly meaningful day at Thunderbird—standing at the podium as keynote speaker while her daughter crossed the stage as a graduate. Maria discusses the importance of mentorship, cultural insights, and the skills needed for success in the aerospace industry, especially in the context of AI advancements. She emphasizes the value of stepping out of comfort zones and offers advice for aspiring leaders, particularly women, in navigating their careers. Maria concludes with a heartfelt message to the Thunderbird community, highlighting its relevance in today's rapidly changing world.https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-laine-8b61ba11/Thunderbird Graduation SpeechWith more than 30 years of aerospace and defense experience, Maria Laine leads the Business Capture and Operations organization of Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) at Boeing’s headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. In this role she is responsible for the functional excellence of the business development organization which includes leading the proposal development efforts for U.S. Government and international defense campaigns, leading the campaign and competitive analysis teams, the financial management and business operations teams, as well as the training and development teams. Prior to taking on her current role, Laine served as president of Boeing in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Nordic region based in London covering Boeing’s enterprise wide interests across the region in one of Boeing’s largest markets and footprints outside the United States. Prior to the move to London, Laine was leading global business development for Boeing’s defense portfolio and she has an extensive background in global defense acquisition programs, US Government Foreign Military Sales and global Industrial Cooperation Programs. Prior to her 32 year career at Boeing spanning a variety of different roles in numerous global locations, Laine also worked at the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration on the Nordic desks, as well as at the US Embassy in Helsinki in the Commercial section. Laine has also served on multiple non-profit boards to include on the Board of Trustees of the Whitehall & Industry Group (WIG), the International Advisory Board of British-American Business (BAB), both in London. She previously also served as Chairman of the Board of the Global Industrial Cooperation Association (GICA), as well as on the Board of the American Chamber of Commerce in Denmark. She was also named a visiting professor at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Center (AMRC) while based in the UK. Laine has an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona and a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from the University of California Santa Barbara. Laine was born in Finland, spent her childhood in Sweden and moved to the United States in 1975, after which she has moved back and forth across the Atlantic numerous times. Her native languages include Finnish, Swedish and English, and she has studied French, Spanish and Dutch. She is married and has two daughters.This podcast is sponsored by Freshwater Investments
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Grit, Growth & Career Pivots with Ekaterina Solovova, Head of Albania at EBRD
Feb 700:58:56Tap to summarizeIn this insightful episode, Alex Rozenfeld sits down with Ekaterina Solovova, Head of EBRD in Albania, to explore her remarkable journey from post-Soviet Russia to leading economic development across emerging markets. With over 20 years of experience in development finance, Ekaterina shares how her early exposure to international institutions, a pivotal scholarship to Thunderbird School of Global Management, and her work in private equity shaped her career.The conversation dives into Albania’s unique history, its path toward EU integration, and EBRD’s critical role in supporting green energy, infrastructure, and private sector competitiveness. Katya also reflects on leadership, values, and the importance of seizing opportunities—both professional and personal.Whether you’re interested in economic development, international finance, or global leadership, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration.https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekaterina-solovova-6bb361/This podcast is sponsored by Freshwater Investments
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A Life in Diplomacy with Ambassador Larry André
Jan 2300:44:52Tap to summarizeIn this special episode, Alex Rozenfeld sits down with Ambassador Larry André, a veteran of more than 33 years in the U.S. Foreign Service. From his beginnings as a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal to serving as U.S. Ambassador to Somalia, Djibouti, and Mauritania, Ambassador shares what diplomacy really looks like day to day: building trust, leading teams under pressure, and pushing progress forward in some of the world’s toughest environments. He reflects on Somalia’s hard-won gains, the human side of crisis work, and the lessons he now brings to the classroom at UT Austin’s LBJ School—especially the idea that you can love your country and still show up for the broader human community.https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-edward-andr%C3%A9-jr-8066a0245/https://so.usembassy.gov/thank-you-somalia/Ambassador (ret.) Larry E. André, Jr. retired from the State Department’s Senior Foreign Service in May 2023 after a 38-year career in global public affairs. During his 33 years at the U.S. State Department, he served in a mix of leadership, policy, and management positions. Ambassador André's leadership positions included Ambassador to Somalia, Ambassador to Djibouti, and Ambassador to Mauritania. He also served as Chargé d’affaires, U.S. Embassy South Sudan; Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy Tanzania; Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy Sierra Leone; Director, Office of the Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, and Deputy Director, Office of West African Affairs.Ambassador André's management positions included Deputy Director, African Affairs Executive Office; Management Officer, U.S. Embassy Guinea; Administrative Officer, U.S. Consulate Kaduna (northern Nigeria); Deputy Management Counselor, U.S. Embassy Iraq; and Supervisory General Services Officer, U.S. Embassy Bangladesh.Ambassador André's policy positions (advocacy, diplomatic reporting and programs) included Political Counselor, U.S. Embassy Kenya; Political/Consular Officer, U.S. Embassy Cameroon, Economic/Commercial officer, U.S. Embassy Bangladesh, and Regional Environment Officer for East Africa covering 14 countries from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Prior to joining the State Department’s Foreign Service, Ambassador André worked in Chad for USAID as an institutional contractor assisting refugees returning home following the war with Libya. Before that, he served both as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Senegal and as Peace Corps staff in Washington, DC. As an undergraduate, he was a researcher at the Rose Institute of State and Local Government in Claremont, California. Ambassador André is a recipient of the Presidential Rank Award, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Award, Global Reporting Award, and several other honors. In 2023, Amb. André was inducted into the American Academy of Diplomacy. Ambassador André, his wife Ouroukou, and their sons Isidore and Amiel reside in Caldwell County, Texas. His daughter, Ruhiyyih, joined the State Department Foreign Service in 2024. He has Cal-Tex roots: born in California then relocating to Fort Worth, Texas in the 8th grade. He speaks French.This podcast is sponsored by Freshwater Investments
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From Wall Street to Clean Energy: Bo Lee's Entrepreneurial Journey
Jan 600:46:07Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we explore the remarkable journey of Bo Lee, an entrepreneur who has navigated the complexities of Wall Street and ventured into the promising realm of clean energy. Bo shares his strategic insights and experiences, offering a candid look at the challenges and triumphs of building a business in the renewable energy sector. Join us for a conversation that delves into the intricacies of entrepreneurship, innovation, and the future of energy.https://akkuenergydevices.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/bo-lee-22072194/A serial entrepreneur and investor, Bo started his career on Wall Street as an institutional FX and interest rate derivatives trader in New York and London with two leading global firms – Harlow Meyer Savage and Garvin Guy Butler, after earning his Master’s in International Finance and Trade from the renowned Thunderbird School of Global Management and MIS from from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies. He later joined American Express/First DataCorporation as the Director of Asia-Pacific Region, leading the company’s expansion into the Asia market, successfully developed an extensive payment product network throughout the region.Bo started his entrepreneurial pursuit in the year 2000, founded several companies, started venture investments in renewable energy and climate tech. He has owned and operated companies ranging from manufacturing of energy efficient modular homes to food process; invested in and helped scaling companies in the clean energy sector – thin-film PV modules manufacturing, hydrogen electric critical component engineering/manufacturing, electrification of heavy duty material handling devices, product/resource circular solutions, etc..Born in China, immigrated to the U.S. 40 years ago, he lives in Denver, Colorado. He sits on school boards, volunteered his time as a board member and treasurer of DCIS Foundation(Denver Center for International Studies). In his spare time, he enjoys reading, the outdoors and sports. He is an avid skier, golfer and tennis player.This podcast is sponsored by Freshwater Investments
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From One Clinic to a European Network: Dennis Diokno on Scaling FirstMed
Dec 1901:01:46Tap to summarizeIn this episode we sit down with Dennis Diokno, founder and CEO of FirstMed, to unpack a 30-year journey of building trusted healthcare for expats across Europe. From launching a single clinic in Budapest to expanding into Rome, Milan, and beyond, Dennis shares lessons on perseverance, customer care, scaling with culture, and knowing when to focus. The conversation also explores the power of the Thunderbird network, hard-earned entrepreneurial mistakes, and how AI and telemedicine are shaping the next chapter of FirstMed’s growth.https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-a-diokno-5a455a8/https://firstmed.hu/Dennis Diokno is a global healthcare entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience launching and scaling international outpatient clinics. He is the Founder and CEO of FirstMed, one of Central Europe’s most recognized English-language private healthcare providers, serving expatriates, tourists, and international insurers.Dennis began his career in Moscow with the American Medical Center, rising from intern to Marketing Director and Operations Manager. He later became the first General Manager of the International Medical Center–Beijing, where he helped launch China’s first international joint-venture clinic. He then co-founded a healthcare venture in China, raising 3 million dollars in funding and advising U.S. healthcare companies on expansion into Asia.He moved to Central Europe to establish FirstMed in Budapest, developing the business plan, securing investment, and opening what is now a trusted healthcare provider entering its 26th year. Today, FirstMed operates clinics in Budapest, Rome, and Milan, with new locations planned for Paris and Vienna, alongside a pan-European telemedicine expansion designed to make international healthcare more accessible and scalable.Dennis serves as a Council Member of the British Chamber of Commerce in Hungary and is a Co-Founder and Board Member of the International Business Chamber in Rome. He speaks English and German, converses comfortably in Hungarian, and enjoys running, golf, Aikido, and travel.This podcast is sponsored by Freshwater Investments
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From Morgan Stanley COO to Bestselling Author of Visible: May Busch on Owning Your Career
Dec 1200:50:22Tap to summarizeIn this engaging conversation, I spoke with May Busch, a former COO of Morgan Stanley Europe and author of the book 'Visible'. We discussed May's journey from a challenging corporate career to becoming an entrepreneur and author, emphasizing the importance of visibility, relationships, and integrity in career advancement. May shared formative experiences from her upbringing, insights on leadership, and practical advice for navigating the corporate world without compromising one's values. The conversation also touched on the emotional impact of publishing a book and the significance of mentorship and support systems in personal and professional growth.https://thevisiblebook.com/T-Birdhttps://maybusch.com/T-Birdhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/maybusch/May Busch works with good people who want to advance their careers and make the difference they’re meant to make in the world – without sacrificing their values in the process.After her own 24-year rise to Chief Operating Officer of Morgan Stanley Europe, she discovered the hidden shift that separates those who advance from those who plateau: it’s not enough to deliver excellent performance – you also need to make your potential visible to key decision-makers.As founder of Career Mastery™, May has developed a practical framework that helps mid-career professionals accelerate their advancement while staying authentic. Her approach has guided hundreds of professionals toward promotions, leadership roles, and greater career satisfaction.A Harvard College and Harvard Business School graduate, May serves as Senior Advisor for Leadership at Arizona State University and provides executive coaching globally. Her work proves that good people can finish first.May is the author of #1 International Bestseller, VISIBLE: How to Advance Your Career without Playing Politics, Selling Your Soul or Working Yourself into the Ground, and Accelerate: 9 Capabilities to Achieve Success at Any Career Stage.Everything May shares is what she wishes she’d had during her own journey.This podcast is sponsored by Freshwater Investments
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