Podcast
Ivory GC
Hosted by Brian Becker · EN
Welcome to the Ivory GC podcast!
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
E035: How Access Governance Impacts Revenue, Solvency, and Enterprise Trust
Feb 2200:30:06Tap to summarizeAccess controls used to be treated as a technical checklist item. Today, they can determine whether a company closes an enterprise deal, secures cyber insurance, passes an audit—or survives a breach.In this episode of Ivory GC, host Brian Becker sits down with Garrett Grajek, CEO of YouAttest and a longtime leader in identity governance and access control. With nearly three decades in information security, Garrett explains why identity and access management are no longer just IT concerns—they are core business, legal, and financial risks.The conversation explores how the shift to cloud-based systems and SaaS platforms has fundamentally changed enterprise security. As traditional network perimeters disappear, identity becomes the primary control layer. That shift carries implications not just for CISOs, but for general counsel, CFOs, and executive teams responsible for governance, compliance, and disclosure.Brian and Garrett discuss:- Why access governance now belongs high on a general counsel’s priority list- How regulations like HIPAA, SOX, and emerging AI governance frameworks require documented access practices- The risks of “privilege creep” and why over-permissioned users create hidden exposure- Lessons from high-profile enforcement actions, including SolarWinds- How weak access controls can increase insurance premiums, disrupt enterprise sales cycles, and erode customer trust- Why governance documentation—not just security tools—matters when breaches occurGarrett also explains how automation and repeatable review processes can help companies demonstrate compliance, reduce financial waste from unused licenses, and mitigate long-term reputational damage.For growth-stage and enterprise companies alike, this episode reframes access controls as strategic infrastructure—impacting revenue, valuation, insurance coverage, and brand trust.What are your thoughts on access governance and the influence of AI? Let us know in the comments!Connect with Brian Becker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-becker-jd-mba-80bb211a/Connect with Garret Grajek on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theauthguyVisit the Ivory Law website here: https://www.ivory.law/Visit the YouAttest website here: https://youattest.com/Listen to Ivory GC on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LsuryrP5VuthnqO2uVtXZApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ivory-gc/id1779481512?uo=4Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b2841956-606a-4d84-b20d-e774185fe610#InHouseCounsel #LegalStrategy #CorporateLaw #IvoryGC #BusinessLaw #LegalCareers #LawyerLife #GeneralCounsel #CorporateGovernance #LegalAdvice #LegalProfessionals #InsideCounsel #LegalLeadership #LegalInnovationIvory GC Podcast is your go‑to channel for in‑depth conversations on balancing legal risk and business innovation. Every week, we bring you candid interviews with general counsel, corporate legal advisors, and business leaders navigating regulatory complexity while driving transformative growth. Ideal for in‑house legal teams, executives, and risk managers, our content delivers strategic insights, practical tips, and real-world stories to help you lead confidently in an ever‑changing legal landscape.
Transcribe →E034: What “Deal-Ready” Really Means: Aligning Legal and Capital Strategy Before Fundraising
Feb 1700:30:38Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Ivory GC Podcast, host Brian Becker sits down with Jeffrey Fidelman, CEO and Founder of Fidelman & Company, to unpack one of the most misunderstood concepts in startup fundraising.Drawing on experience across Morgan Stanley, HSBC, venture capital, and interim executive leadership, Jeffrey explains what founders often misunderstand about fundraising — and how preparation, structure, and disciplined execution directly impact valuation, timelines, and deal success.Together, Brian and Jeff explore:The difference between being “pitch-ready” and truly “deal-ready”Why most founders misunderstand fundraising timing and complexityThe three core materials every company needs before raising capitalHow legal structure, cap table mechanics, and term sheet rights can derail a raiseWhy consistent execution — not just a great deck — determines fundraising outcomesHow aligned legal and capital strategy can protect valuation and strengthen negotiation leverageJeff also explains his firm’s “fundraise as a service” model and why institutional best practices — when applied thoughtfully — can help early-stage companies operate with the discipline of much larger organizations.This conversation delivers a practical, execution-focused playbook for founders looking to approach fundraising with clarity, discipline, and confidence.Listen now and let us know your biggest fundraising takeaway.Connect with Brian Becker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-becker-jd-mba-80bb211a/Connect with Jeffrey Fidelman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreyfidelmanVisit the Ivory Law website here: https://www.ivory.law/Visit the Fidelman & Co and Fundex websites here: https://fidelmanco.com/ & https://www.usefundex.com/Listen to Ivory GC on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LsuryrP5VuthnqO2uVtXZApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ivory-gc/id1779481512?uo=4Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b2841956-606a-4d84-b20d-e774185fe610#InHouseCounsel #LegalStrategy #CorporateLaw #IvoryGC #BusinessLaw #LegalCareers #LawyerLife #GeneralCounsel #CorporateGovernance #LegalAdvice #LegalProfessionals #InsideCounsel #LegalLeadership #LegalInnovationIvory GC Podcast is your go‑to channel for in‑depth conversations on balancing legal risk and business innovation. Every week, we bring you candid interviews with general counsel, corporate legal advisors, and business leaders navigating regulatory complexity while driving transformative growth. Ideal for in‑house legal teams, executives, and risk managers, our content delivers strategic insights, practical tips, and real-world stories to help you lead confidently in an ever‑changing legal landscape.
Transcribe →E033 | How legal functions can become enablers of change, not barriers | Leslie Cornell | Ivory GC
Jul 2400:33:02Tap to summarizeThis episode of Ivory GC features Leslie Cornell, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Social Finance, a nonprofit investment advisor pioneering outcomes-based financing for social change. Leslie shares her transition from public finance law to leading legal strategy in the mission-driven world of impact finance, offering a rare look into legal operations that blend philanthropy, government partnerships, and investment rigor.She discusses how her team structures innovative financial models like the Renew Fund for nursing students while navigating regulatory complexity across tax, securities, and advisor law. From fund formation to compliance for first-of-its-kind projects, Leslie explains how legal functions can become enablers of change, not barriers. This episode is rich in insights for lawyers working at the intersection of finance and social impact and is a must listen for legal professionals looking to build teams that power both innovation and purpose.We hope you enjoyed this episode! :)- The Ivory GC teamConnect with Brian Becker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-becker-jd-mba-80bb211a/Visit the Ivory Law website here: https://www.ivory.law/Listen to Ivory GC on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LsuryrP5VuthnqO2uVtXZApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ivory-gc/id1779481512?uo=4Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b2841956-606a-4d84-b20d-e774185fe610#InHouseCounsel #LegalStrategy #CorporateLaw #IvoryGC #BusinessLaw #LegalCareers #LawyerLife #GeneralCounsel #CorporateGovernance #LegalAdvice #LegalProfessionals #InsideCounsel #LegalLeadership #LegalInnovationIvory GC Podcast is your go‑to channel for in‑depth, expert conversations on balancing legal risk and business innovation. Every week, we bring you candid interviews with general counsel, corporate legal advisors, and business leaders navigating regulatory complexity while driving transformative growth. Ideal for in‑house legal teams, executives, and risk managers, our content delivers strategic insights, practical tips, and real-world stories to help you lead confidently in an ever‑changing legal landscape.
Transcribe →E032 | Navigating marketing regulations and AI in legal workflows | Richard Sarhaddi | Ivory GC
Jul 1700:35:32Tap to summarizeThis episode of Ivory GC features Richard Sarhaddi, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Aspen Standard Wealth, a platform investing in independent registered investment advisory firms. Richard brings nearly 20 years of experience across regulatory, legal, and compliance leadership roles, including at Vanguard, Charles Schwab, and OptionsXpress.In this conversation, Richard shares how he's building a legal and compliance framework from scratch to support a fast-scaling private equity-backed platform. He reflects on lessons learned from building Vanguard’s personalized indexing compliance function, offers insights into onboarding RIAs, and discusses navigating marketing regulations and AI in legal workflows. He also opens up about his career journey—from launching a hedge fund to leading legal across multiple sectors—and the leadership principles that continue to shape his approach.We hope you enjoyed this episode! :)- The Ivory GC teamConnect with Brian Becker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-becker-jd-mba-80bb211a/Visit the Ivory Law website here: https://www.ivory.law/Listen to Ivory GC on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LsuryrP5VuthnqO2uVtXZApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ivory-gc/id1779481512?uo=4Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b2841956-606a-4d84-b20d-e774185fe610#InHouseCounsel #LegalStrategy #CorporateLaw #IvoryGC #BusinessLaw #LegalCareers #LawyerLife #GeneralCounsel #CorporateGovernance #LegalAdvice #LegalProfessionals #InsideCounsel #LegalLeadership #LegalInnovationIvory GC Podcast is your go‑to channel for in‑depth, expert conversations on balancing legal risk and business innovation. Every week, we bring you candid interviews with general counsel, corporate legal advisors, and business leaders navigating regulatory complexity while driving transformative growth. Ideal for in‑house legal teams, executives, and risk managers, our content delivers strategic insights, practical tips, and real-world stories to help you lead confidently in an ever‑changing legal landscape.
Transcribe →E031 | Embedding legal foresight across the organization | Sal Roccaro | Ivory GC
Jul 1000:27:27Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Ivory GC, we’re joined by Sal Roccaro, Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel at Maximum Quality Foods, a third-generation family-run food distribution company. With a background in engineering, law, and business, Sal’s multidisciplinary expertise has helped him shape strategic growth, manage complex acquisitions, and embed legal foresight across the organization. He shares his journey from environmental litigation and land use law to leading operations, compliance, and legal strategy in a fast-moving industry. Sal discusses how he integrates AI tools into legal work, the compliance challenges of entering food manufacturing, and how he balances legal and strategic decision-making. Whether leading union negotiations or building guardrails for risk in a high-volume environment, Sal brings a sharp, grounded view of how legal can fuel operational innovation.We hope you enjoyed this episode! :)- The Ivory GC teamConnect with Brian Becker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-becker-jd-mba-80bb211a/Visit the Ivory Law website here: https://www.ivory.law/Listen to Ivory GC on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LsuryrP5VuthnqO2uVtXZApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ivory-gc/id1779481512?uo=4Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b2841956-606a-4d84-b20d-e774185fe610#InHouseCounsel #LegalStrategy #CorporateLaw #IvoryGC #BusinessLaw #LegalCareers #LawyerLife #GeneralCounsel #CorporateGovernance #LegalAdvice #LegalProfessionals #InsideCounsel #LegalLeadership #LegalInnovationIvory GC Podcast is your go‑to channel for in‑depth, expert conversations on balancing legal risk and business innovation. Every week, we bring you candid interviews with general counsel, corporate legal advisors, and business leaders navigating regulatory complexity while driving transformative growth. Ideal for in‑house legal teams, executives, and risk managers, our content delivers strategic insights, practical tips, and real-world stories to help you lead confidently in an ever‑changing legal landscape.
Transcribe →E030 | My successful non-linear career journey | Nicole Moss | Ivory GC
Jul 300:28:19Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Ivory GC, we sit down with Nicole Moss, a seasoned legal leader who currently serves as in-house general counsel for multiple companies across sectors like energy, healthcare, and tech. From Geophysical Technology to Assurance Medication Management and BluBridge, Nicole plays a pivotal role advising executive teams, managing legal risk, and building startup legal functions from the ground up.Nicole shares her non-linear career journey—from litigator to startup recruiter to founding her own business before returning to law and ultimately becoming a trusted advisor to scaling companies. She discusses what it takes to serve multiple high-growth organizations at once, how to adapt your legal approach to the needs of founders and early-stage businesses, and why she believes legal strategy must enable impact, not just protection. It’s a masterclass in practical legal leadership, emotional intelligence, and entrepreneurial grit.We hope you enjoyed this episode! :)- The Ivory GC teamConnect with Brian Becker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-becker-jd-mba-80bb211a/Visit the Ivory Law website here: https://www.ivory.law/Listen to Ivory GC on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LsuryrP5VuthnqO2uVtXZApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ivory-gc/id1779481512?uo=4Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b2841956-606a-4d84-b20d-e774185fe610#InHouseCounsel #LegalStrategy #CorporateLaw #IvoryGC #BusinessLaw #LegalCareers #LawyerLife #GeneralCounsel #CorporateGovernance #LegalAdvice #LegalProfessionals #InsideCounsel #LegalLeadership #LegalInnovation
Transcribe →E029 | The Legal Nuances of Operating in the Gig Economy | Eric Fisher | Ivory GC
Jun 2600:36:01Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Ivory GC, we sit down with Eric M. Fisher, General Counsel at Homeaglow, a tech-enabled platform that connects households with trusted cleaning professionals. With a legal career spanning Madison Square Garden Entertainment and Gopuff, Eric shares his journey from law firm associate to leading legal strategy for high-growth, consumer-focused businesses.Eric reflects on the pivotal experiences that shaped his leadership style, including helping MSG through major acquisitions and guiding Gopuff through a dramatic market shift. He dives deep into the legal nuances of operating within the gig economy, building legal functions from the ground up, and why curiosity, judgment, and relationship-building are more valuable than ever in lean legal environments.This episode is a must-listen for GCs operating in tech-driven industries and young attorneys aspiring to play a meaningful role in business strategy.https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-m-fisher/We hope you enjoyed this episode! :)- The Ivory GC team#InHouseCounsel #LegalStrategy #CorporateLaw #IvoryGC #BusinessLaw #LegalCareers #LawyerLife #GeneralCounsel #CorporateGovernance #LegalAdvice #LegalProfessionals #InsideCounsel #LegalLeadership #LegalInnovation
Transcribe →E028 | Essentials for Modern Legal Leaders | Frank Chou | Ivory GC
Jun 1900:27:01Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Ivory GC, we sit down with Frank Chou, General Counsel at Rhino and Jetty, an insurtech company transforming the security deposit landscape through innovative insurance products. Frank shares his journey from early roles in government and fintech to leading legal strategy in a heavily regulated industry.He reflects on his experience advising across teams, balancing compliance with innovation, and why curiosity, communication, and clear ownership are essential for modern legal leaders. Frank also opens up about his transition from public interest to startup life, the influence of mentorship, and how AI is reshaping legal risk in tech-enabled businesses.For legal professionals navigating cross-functional work, regulatory change, or startup environments, this is a thoughtful and insightful listen.We hope you enjoyed this episode! :)- The Ivory GC team#InHouseCounsel #LegalStrategy #CorporateLaw #IvoryGC #BusinessLaw #LegalCareers #LawyerLife #GeneralCounsel #CorporateGovernance #LegalAdvice #LegalProfessionals #InsideCounsel #LegalLeadership #LegalInnovation
Transcribe →E027 | Embracing Uncertainty with Confidence and Integrity | Tatyana Kleyman | Ivory GC
Jun 1200:40:13Tap to summarizePlease be advised that this episode of Ivory GC was recorded in May 2025. Consequently, some of the information presented may have been subject to changes or updates since that time.In this episode of Ivory GC, Tatyana Kleyman, General Counsel at Brightcore Energy, shares her fascinating pivot from finance law to leading legal strategy in the clean energy sector. With a background in big law and global investment banking, Tatyana discusses her transition to Brightcore, a company at the forefront of building decarbonization through solutions like LED lighting, solar, and particularly, geothermal heating and cooling. As General Counsel, she navigates complex project contracting, construction law nuances, environmental regulations, and government incentives. Tatyana reflects on her motivation to use law as a tool for societal improvement, the unique legal challenges in geothermal projects (like subsurface rights and urban drilling), and the parallels she sees between the crypto industry and clean energy in terms of regulatory uncertainty. She also offers valuable insights on building an in-house legal function, mentorship, and advice for young attorneys considering a similar path.We hope you enjoyed this episode! :)- The Ivory GC team#InHouseCounsel #LegalStrategy #CorporateLaw #IvoryGC #BusinessLaw #LegalCareers #LawyerLife #GeneralCounsel #CorporateGovernance #LegalAdvice #LegalProfessionals #InsideCounsel #LegalLeadership #LegalInnovation
Transcribe →E026 | Put Things Into Perspective and Make Sure You Have a Support System | Bita Goldman | Ivory GC
Jun 5, 202500:27:36Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Ivory GC, Bita Goldman, Global General Counsel at UNiDAYS, shares her journey from advocating for her immigrant family to shaping legal strategy at a global student platform. With early roots in advocating for victims of domestic violence, Bita transitioned to in-house roles, first at a rapidly growing e-tailer and then at UNiDAYS. As Global General Counsel, she oversees legal, privacy, and compliance, navigating the complexities of international expansion and data protection. Bita reflects on the importance of understanding the business, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset within her team, and adapting to the fast-paced world of tech. From managing global teams to leveraging AI ethically, Bita shows what legal leadership looks like when you’re building trust with the next generation of consumers. We hope you enjoyed this episode! :)- The Ivory GC team#InHouseCounsel #LegalStrategy #CorporateLaw #IvoryGC #BusinessLaw #LegalCareers #LawyerLife #GeneralCounsel #CorporateGovernance #LegalAdvice #LegalProfessionals #InsideCounsel #LegalLeadership #LegalInnovation
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