Podcast Summary: Squawk Pod – Introducing: CNBC Changemakers and Power Players

Date: November 4, 2025
Host: Julia Boorstin (for Changemakers and Power Players segment)
Guest: Courtney Gibson, CEO of Retirement Solutions at TIAA
Podcast: Squawk Pod (CNBC)

Episode Overview

This special episode of Squawk Pod serves as an introduction to CNBC’s new podcast, “Changemakers and Power Players,” hosted by Julia Boorstin. The series spotlights trailblazing women transforming industries and leadership. In this preview segment, Julia sits down with Courtney Gibson—former Loop Capital leader and newly appointed CEO at TIAA Retirement Solutions—to discuss her professional journey, the mission of TIAA, and the challenge of fostering innovation in legacy financial institutions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing “Changemakers and Power Players”

• Julia Boorstin shares her excitement for the new series, noting its focus on in-depth conversations with inspiring female leaders from various industries.
• Notable guests mentioned include Arianna Huffington, Bobby CEO Laura Modi, and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego.
  • Julia Boorstin: “These are candid in depth conversations with some of the most inspiring women in business…” (01:11)

2. Courtney Gibson’s Mission at TIAA

• TIAA’s Legacy and Mission:
  • TIAA was founded over a century ago to create retirement security for Americans.
  • Courtney emphasizes that “helping Americans have comfortable retirements” remains at the core of their work.
  • Courtney Gibson: “We actually were founded to create retirement security for more Americans. And here we are, 107 years later, still living out that mission every single day… That’s our North Star.” (02:34-03:03)

3. Path to Leadership: From Startup Roots to Institutional Finance

• Unplanned Career Arc:
  • Courtney didn’t intend to go into finance; she aspired to be a bilingual pediatrician.
  • An internship at Loop Capital, founded by her cousin, changed her trajectory.
  • Courtney Gibson: “I didn’t choose finance. I’d say finance chose me.” (03:20)
  • She fell in love with the world of finance—especially understanding and demystifying how money moves, and building relationships across the industry.
• Startup Experience:
  • Courtney’s early years at Loop Capital shaped her into a leader who appreciates the growth journey.
  • “Growth really happens on the journey. It’s not when you get to the destination.” (04:54)

4. Core Leadership Lessons & Organizational Trust

• Importance of Trust:
  • Across industries, “people do business with who they know, like and trust.”
  • Building and sustaining trust is fundamental, regardless of a company’s size or sector.
• Building Substance:
  • Authentic relationships and organizational core values are key ingredients to success.

5. Bringing Innovation to a Century-Old Institution

• Navigating Bureaucracy:
  • Courtney describes the challenges of driving entrepreneurship within a large, established organization like TIAA.
  • She humorously recounts “15 layers of this and that” and excessive meetings and sign-offs, highlighting the difference versus startup culture.
  • Courtney Gibson: “You’ve got 15 layers of this and that and you’ve got sign offs and check ins and 15 PowerPoints for a 12-minute meeting.” (05:59)
• Empowering Teams:
  • She focuses on empowering her team to move faster, address barriers, and continually ask, “What’s getting in the way?”
  • The urgency is real: “45% of Americans aren’t saving enough for retirement… two thirds of Gen Z just not knowing what to do. That’s not talking about just black and brown… it’s all.” (06:16)
  • She reframes retirement security as a non-partisan issue affecting all Americans.

Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• On Mission:

  • “Here we are, 107 years later, still living out that mission every single day… That’s our North Star.” — Courtney Gibson (02:54)

• On Career Path:

  • “I didn’t choose finance. I’d say finance chose me.” — Courtney Gibson (03:20)
  • “I was gonna be a bilingual pediatrician, right?” — Courtney Gibson (03:20)

• On Leading and Building Trust:

  • “People still do business with who they know, like and trust. And those fundamentals have to stay within the fabric of an organization... When people stop trusting you, there’s a problem.” — Courtney Gibson (04:54-05:24)

• On Bureaucracy in Big Firms:

  • “You’ve got 15 layers of this and that and you’ve got sign offs and check ins and 15 PowerPoints for a 12-minute meeting.” — Courtney Gibson (05:59)

• On the Urgency of Retirement Security:

  • “45% of Americans aren’t saving enough for retirement. That’s a big number. And when you think about 2/3 of gen Z just not knowing what to do... it’s talking about all.” — Courtney Gibson (06:16)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:01] – Julia Boorstin introduces the “Changemakers and Power Players” podcast.
• [02:08] – Start of Courtney Gibson interview; discussing her role and TIAA’s longstanding mission.
• [03:20] – Courtney recounts her unexpected transition into finance and the formative years at Loop Capital.
• [04:32] – Discussing startup lessons and applying them to leadership in larger organizations.
• [05:59] – Chipping away at institutional bureaucracy to foster a culture of innovation.
• [06:16] – The challenge and urgency of increasing retirement security for Americans.

Tone and Style

The conversation is candid and friendly, filled with personal anecdotes, genuine admiration between interviewer and guest, and both gravity (regarding the current retirement crisis) and humor (about career detours and corporate realities). Courtney Gibson’s responses are direct, honest, and frequently peppered with warm, conversational humor.

Summary Takeaway

This episode preview offers a vivid glimpse into the new “Changemakers and Power Players” podcast—anchored by both inspirational stories and sharp, actionable wisdom. Courtney Gibson’s leadership journey from a would-be pediatrician to the helm of TIAA Retirement Solutions underscores the often-unplanned, people-focused nature of leadership. With financial security as both mission and challenge, Courtney brings lessons of trust, innovation, and urgency to a legacy institution, reminding listeners: change is both necessary and possible, for individuals and for society at large.