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PODCAST

CXO Conversations

Michael Mitchel

CXO Conversations joins business leaders as they share their personal journey to the top: where they started, how they got here, and any advice they may have for those of us on the way. I"m your host, Michael Mitchel. For more than twenty years, I"ve been a search consultant, specializing in hiring for executive positions. Through my boutique search firm, OC National Search, I work with clients ranging from startups, middle market to Global F10 companies. In 2019, I started CXO Conversations as

business careers

All Episodes

02:14

2 Min CxO Clip- Craig Cummings

CXO Conversations ·

2025/12/11

What does it take to transition from the battlefield to the boardroom? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Craig Cummings—Army veteran, Bronze Star recipient, and co-founder of Moonshots Capital—discusses the lessons he's carried from 17 years of military service into the world of startups and venture capital. He shares practical advice on creating a career-defining elevator pitch, supporting veteran entrepreneurs, and building strong networks that accelerate growth. From deploying with Special

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11:03

10 Min CxO Clip- Craig Cummings

CXO Conversations ·

2025/12/09

In "Building Your Career Transition Elevator Pitch," Craig Cummings shares how his journey from Army Intelligence Officer in Afghanistan to General Partner at Moonshots Capital shaped his approach to leadership, entrepreneurship, and investing. A Bronze Star recipient and West Point graduate with a Ph.D. from Columbia, Craig explains how veterans can craft an elevator pitch that opens doors, the importance of building strong entrepreneurship communities like Austin's, and why investing in talented

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02:07

2 Min CxO Clip- Chris Younger

CXO Conversations ·

2025/12/04

What can hundreds of transactions and decades of leadership teach us about CEOs? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Chris Younger, CEO of Class VI Partners, reflects on buying, selling, and leading companies across industries. He shares candid insights on managing the stress of leadership, why presence and transparency matter, and how servant leadership builds lasting teams. From his experience acquiring 27 companies to guiding CEOs through exits and growth strategies, Chris highlights both the

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11:04

10 Min CxO Clip- Chris Younger

CXO Conversations ·

2025/12/02

In "CEO Insights & Self Care with Chris Younger," Chris shares lessons from a career spanning telecom, private equity, and advisory leadership. As President of Expanets, he acquired 27 companies in just 3 years before selling to Avaya, and today, as CEO of Class VI Partners, he advises middle-market businesses and family offices on transactions and growth. Chris opens up about the physical toll of overwork, the importance of managing stress, and why diet, sleep, and exercise are critical for

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02:09

2 Min CxO Clip- Christine Gagnon

CXO Conversations ·

2025/11/27

What does it mean to be truly intellectually curious as a leader? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Christine Gagnon, CFO of African Asset Finance Company at time of interview, discusses the value of continuous learning and the global perspective she's gained from international assignments and advanced education at top institutions. From her early career at PwC and EY to her current role financing critical sectors across Africa, Christine shares how ongoing education enriches her work, enhances

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11:42

10 Min CxO Clip- Christine Gagnon

CXO Conversations ·

2025/11/25

In "Christine Gagnon CFO, the Importance of Being Intellectually Curious," Christine shares how a lifelong passion for learning has shaped her global career. During recording, she was the CFO of African Asset Finance Company, she reflects on her journey through leadership roles at EY, PwC, and OneWest Bank, as well as earning multiple advanced degrees and executive certifications from Harvard, Stanford, and Washington University. Christine explains how international experiences, from Johannesburg to

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21:46

21 Min CxO- Gen. Kevin "Chili" Chilton

CXO Conversations ·

2025/11/19

In "General Kevin 'Chili' Chilton, Board Member, Astronaut and Flying the Space Shuttle," General Kevin "Chili" Chilton shares lessons from his extraordinary 34½ years in the U.S. Air Force and his successful transition into corporate leadership. On this episode of CXO Conversations, Chili reflects on problem-solving and leadership training, the astronaut band Max Q, and the experience of flying three space shuttle missions. From serving as Deputy Program Manager of Operations for the International

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02:12

2 Min CxO Clip- David Cox

CXO Conversations ·

2025/11/13

What does it take to transform one of the world's most respected publications without losing its identity? In this episode of CXO Conversations, David Cox discusses his 14 years at The Economist, including his role as CFO and COO, where he spearheaded the company's global shift from print to digital and live events. He explains how he balanced editorial independence with client demands, why pricing digital at the same level as print was a pivotal decision, and what he learned about storytelling,

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10:16

10 Min CxO Clip- David Cox

CXO Conversations ·

2025/11/11

In "Leading an Iconic Brand Through a Global Transformation," David Cox, former CFO of The Economist, shares how he helped guide the publication through its bold shift from weekly print to a digital-first and live events model. On this episode of CXO Conversations, David reflects on early digital adoption, the value of listening to clients, and how consultative selling reshaped the way advertisers and subscribers engaged with the brand. From launching Economist Espresso to hosting government

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02:09

2 Min CxO Clip- Jack Blaha

CXO Conversations ·

2025/11/06

What does it take to go from West Point to the corner office? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Jack Blaha, CEO of Cendyn, opens up about his path from Army officer to five-time SaaS CEO and the lessons he's learned along the way. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability, continuous leadership development, and building a strong professional network, while sharing strategies for excelling in current roles and preparing for future opportunities. For aspiring and current leaders alike, Jack

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12:04

10 Min CxO Clip- Jack Blaha

CXO Conversations ·

2025/11/04

In "West Point to CEO," Jack Blaha, CEO of Cendyn, shares his remarkable journey from Army veteran to seasoned executive leading multiple SaaS companies. On this episode of CXO Conversations, Jack reflects on how military-honed adaptability and leadership shaped his transition into the corporate world, from hospitality to social media marketing software. He discusses the impact of emotional intelligence on company culture, the value of mentorship, and the importance of building strong

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02:13

2 Min CxO Clip- Laura Ortman

CXO Conversations ·

2025/10/30

What does it take to go from making cold calls to leading a hyperscale data center company powering the cloud? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Laura Ortman, CEO of COLOGIX, shares her journey through pivotal roles across tech, the lessons she carried into the C-suite, and why broad business experience is critical for informed leadership. She reflects on perseverance, mentorship, and transforming challenges into opportunities for growth, while emphasizing the importance of corporate culture,

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11:45

10 Min CxO Clip- Laura Ortman

CXO Conversations ·

2025/10/28

In "Leading with Impact: Laura Ortman's Journey to CEO at COLOGIX," Laura shares how her career path—spanning Lockheed Martin, Jeppesen, VMware, and Hologic—prepared her to lead North America's leading network-neutral interconnection and Hyperscale Edge data center company. On this episode of CXO Conversations, she discusses the unique challenges of scaling with private equity partners, her customer experience strategy of listening and rebuilding trust, and how her athletic background shaped her

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02:15

2 Min CxO Clip- Rand Lewis

CXO Conversations ·

2025/10/16

What makes a successful executive worth following? In this CXO Conversations episode, Rand Lewis—accomplished investor, co-founder of Delta-v Capital, and former McKinsey consultant—shares lessons from hiring and backing leaders across some of tech’s most recognized companies, including Zayo, Iterable, and Chegg. Drawing on more than two decades of experience, Rand explains the traits he looks for in candidates, why decisiveness and followership matter, and how building authentic relationships is

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10:19

10 Min CxO Clip- Rand Lewis

CXO Conversations ·

2025/10/14

With over 24 years of experience in venture capital and private equity, Rand Lewis has seen what separates good leaders from great ones. In this episode of CXO Conversations, the Managing Partner and co-founder of Delta-v Capital—whose investments include Zayo, Cloud Sherpa, LogRhythm, Iterable, and Chegg—shares why he invests not just capital, but real relationships. Rand also offers candid advice to current and emerging CEOs, explains how he evaluates executive talent, and reflects on lessons

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01:48

2 Min CxO Clip- Stephen Brown

CXO Conversations ·

2025/10/02

From Director to President overnight—Stephen Brown’s career pivot is the stuff of bold leadership moves. In this CXO Conversations episode, Stephen tells the story of how one transition memo at Travelers Insurance turned into running an entire division in California. He opens up about the challenges of leading executives older than him, the importance of continuous improvement, and how he built the confidence to grow into the role. Now a veteran CEO, Stephen also shares the hard-won lessons and

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11:22

10 Min CxO Clip- Stephen Brown

CXO Conversations ·

2025/09/30

What happens when you propose leading a transition project—and instead get promoted to President overnight? In this episode of CXO Conversations titled “Creating the President Role for Yourself at 32 Years Old,” Stephen Brown shares how a bold memo at Travelers Insurance changed his career forever. Thrust into leading an older C-suite generation at just 32, Stephen talks about overcoming self-doubt, continuously learning, and preparing himself for responsibilities far beyond his years. Today, as a

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26:22

Medical Reasons for Having Executive Presence with...

CXO Conversations ·

2024/10/09

In this episode, host Michael Mitchel interviews Laura Hamirani, a speech language pathologist specializing in therapy for voice disorders. They discuss vocal executive presence and preventing vocal strain in the new Zoom culture. Laura emphasizes the importance of vocal warm-ups, breathing techniques, and vocal hygiene for maintaining a healthy voice. They also explore the impact of remote work and virtual platforms on voice issues. Laura shares advice on improving executive presence vocally and

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31:21

How Your Personal Brand Will Grow Your Career

CXO Conversations ·

2024/08/21

Abbas Udawala is the CFO of Hexagon Digital Wave who is a seasoned financial veteran with a track record of turning companies around. He joins us today to share his insights on leadership and building a strong personal brand. With a resume that includes nine transactions and executive roles in multiple industries, Abbas knows a thing or two about navigating the complex world of business. He's been involved in everything from high-growth startups to turnarounds, giving him a unique perspective on

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33:49

Hootsuite CFO Dave Wynne on Building a Successful Career

CXO Conversations ·

2024/07/24

In this episode, Dave Wynne, CFO of Hootsuite, discusses his career journey, from starting as a consultant to becoming a leading financial executive. He shares how his foundational consulting experience applies across different industries and shaped him into the leader he is today. Dave dives into his unique perspective on the CFO role, comparing it to the central nervous system of a company. He also explores the evolution of the CFO position and the changing demands it requires. Key takeaways for

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22 results

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