You, Me, and Your Top Three

The 40-year trajectory for your career: Punit Dhillon, executive, investor, and new author, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on being an effective corporate athlete and catapulting your career. He of course shares his Top Three who include his wife who acts as the yin to his yang, a mentor who Punit has followed through his 20-year career, a business partner who backstops him every step of the way, and an executive coach who helped him to re-realize the importance of the coaching relationship in achieving excellence. And you have to hear what he says about making a routine around the first hour of your day.   About Punit Dhillon Punit Dhillon is the Chair and CEO of Skye Bioscience Inc., a public pharmaceutical company. He is the Co-founder, former President, and CEO of OncoSec, a biotechnology company pioneering new technologies to fight cancer, and the Co-founder of the registered charity, YELL Canada. Punit has been recognized as one of PharmaVOICE 100’s top CEOs and as a finalist for the E

Leading Leaders: Brian Suszek, CGS Fellow and former President and CEO of Tweddle Group, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on leading the transformation of the private company from a paper publishing corporation to an information juggernaut in the mobility industry. He of course shares his Top Three who include his wife of over 30 years who drives tremendous candor, a turnaround specialist who amplifies Brian’s effect, a get-stuff-done team member, and a corporate strategist that drove a scaling effect in the business. And you have to hear what he says about trusting yourself to connect the dots.   About Brian Suszek Brian Suszek is a business leader with more than 25 years of experience. Brian has always been a change agent that has led the successful turnaround of nearly every type of functional area within a business. Brian is passionate about the ability of excellent leadership to solve complex problems with creative and pragmatic solutions. From entry level, as a cost estimator, Brian grew his

Launching an Enterprise Innovation Capability: Arthur Orduña, an enterprise innovator, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on his experiences leading innovation initiatives at Avis and ADT. Arthur of course shares his Top Three who include his wife, an advisor to the board at Google, a screen writer, a former Fortune 500 CEO, and an entrepreneur. And you must hear what he says about the intersection of curiosity and creativity.   About Arthur OrduÑa Arthur Orduña is an accomplished senior leader with a unique track record of launching innovative new products and technologies across diverse industries and developing and launching disruptive new businesses and partnerships for entities ranging from early-stage start-ups to Fortune 500 public companies. He has successfully led high-profile initiatives across the embedded real-time software, satellite television and cable broadband, broadcast and digital advertising, smart home security and automation, and global automotive and transportation mobility ind

Looking backward to lead forward: DeLu Jackson, vice president of precision marketing for Conagra Brands, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on precision marketing being the new frontier at Conagra. He of course shares his Top Three who include a childhood role models who gave him his model for mentorship, his wife who reminds him to lead with empathy and humility, a former boss who helped him understand what he would be great at, and a friendly sounding board for big decisions. And you must hear what he says about the daily standup! About DeLu Jackson DeLu Jackson currently serves as Conagra Brands Vice President of Precision Marketing. In this role, DeLu leads the company’s marketing transformation and demand acceleration through increased data intelligence, agility, always-on content and dynamic measurement. He is responsible for various facets of integrated marketing for the organization, including design, advertising, media, e-commerce, agile content and consumer data. DeLu has over 20 years of

Exploring Frictionless Experiences: Anita Klopfenstein CIO at Little Caesars, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on innovation in the fast-turn restaurant industry and what is on the horizon for the entertainment industry as COVID restrictions are lifted. She of course shares her Top Three ranging from her aunts and uncles who helped her get on the right path to her high school teacher who helped her find her voice and learn management skills to a former boss who awoke a desire to transform organizations to her husband who helps ground her as they raise 12 children. And don’t miss what she has to say about gathering exactly five pieces of information before you act. About Anita Klopfenstein Anita Klopfenstein is the Chief Information Officer of Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc., where she is responsible for the overall strategic direction, development, deployment, and maintenance of technology across the organization. Prior to Little Caesars, Klopfenstein was vice president, eCommerce and consumer

Realities of Top Leadership: Elise Neel, VP, Verizon New Business Incubation, joined host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on the realities of top leadership and how to succeed once you reach that point. Elise also shares her leadership journey and philosophies, and how important it is to create a team of like-minded professionals to lean on at work. She of course speaks about her top three ranging from her faith to her partner who has had her back to allow her career to take off to a truth teller who keeps her in her place to a boss who gives her advice she doesn’t always want, but needs. And don’t miss what she says about the one-minute pause. About Elise Neel Elise Neel, VP, Verizon New Business Incubation, is harnessing her fiercely curious builder mindset to scale new software automation businesses fueled by the orchestration power of the 5G future. Elise’s team houses industry experts across strategy, product, technology, sales, marketing and R&D in the areas of location technology, aerial and

To Master Understanding: Join Gregg Garrett, host and CGS Advisors CEO, during this solocast as he discusses the skill of mastering understanding of the problem and environment before you jump to solutioning. Gregg addresses the need to empathically understand the problem to build the trust necessary to truly have an effective solution. He also speaks about one of his many “Top Three” advisory members and more! About Gregg Garrett Greggory R. Garrett is the CEO and Managing Director of CGS Advisors, a boutique strategy and innovation advisory firm that works with senior leaders at public companies and select private organizations. He is a dynamic and experienced international keynote speaker, an adjunct professor of business and engineering, the host of the “You, Me, and Your Top Three” podcast, and author of the best-selling business leadership book, Competing in the Connecting World. Having addressed audiences from 20 to upwards of 1500 people in public and private/corporate events, Gregg is at his bes

Are you thinking big enough to find the right solution? Pratibha Vuppuluri, Managing Director, Portfolio Management at Unreasonable, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on how Private Equity may need to shift to support all the firm transformations taking place due to digitalization. Pratibha shares how driving diversity in gender and race will likely demand greater returns for investors and faster transformation for companies and society. She highlights her Top Three who include a group of gritty and resilient leaders, an empathetic group that helps build empires and her North stars. And you must hear what she says about finding her ambition to explore.   About Pratibha Vuppuluri Pratibha Vuppuluri Show Highlights During this episode: Are you thinking big enough? [1:08] Understanding Private Equity, the challenges, and why diversity may matter [4:40] Welcome guest, Pratibha Vuppuluri [13:09] The “Top Three” Grit & Resilience: A value embodied by Pratibha’s family [15:40] Empathy & Gratitude

Readying the environment for transformation: Johan de Nysschen, COO of Volkswagen North America, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on the importance of readying the environment for transformation; as well as sharing his observations of the automotive industry and the lessons he’s learned through decades of executive leadership. Johan of course shares his Top Three and you have to hear what he says about the importance of professional informal interactions.   About Johan De Nysschen Johan de Nysschen is a member of the boards of Volkswagen North America Region and Volkswagen of America, Inc. He also served as Chairman of the Board, Volkswagen de Mexico. As COO, he oversees engineering, quality, purchasing, value engineering, production and vehicle logistics for compact, midsize and electric vehicles. He brings extensive automotive experience from Audi, General Motors and Nissan, with domestic and global success in brand development, product portfolio planning, and overall business operations. He join

Information is the Great Blurring Agent: Host Gregg Garrett is joined by Nils Wollny, co-founder and CEO of Holoride, for a discussion on how his firm is bringing together diverse industries to create new experiences. Nils of course shares his Top Three ranging from a dynamic duo of creative explorers to a career long friendship forged in the trenches of early career escapades to a soulmate who pushes him beyond typical boundaries. And you have to hear what he says about seeking euphoric problem solving. About Nils Wollny Nils Wollny brings extensive experience in strategy, digital business, and innovation to his current role as CEO of holoride, a spin-out from Audi focusing on the next generation of in-car entertainment. Nils’ passion for mobility and media led him to co-found holoride in 2018, and since then, holoride has been named the “Best of CES 2019” and acknowledged by TIME Magazine as one of the “The 100 Best Inventions of 2019.” Additionally, Nils was recently named a “Rising Star” for 2020 by Aut

A machine on your advisory board? Host Gregg Garrett is joined by Cheri Alexander, a professor at the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business, for a discussion on machines joining virtual boards, lessons learned through Cheri’s 30+ years of leading a Fortune 50 company as well as over a decade of educating one of the world’s top business schools. Cheri also shares her Top Three ranging from her husband who taught her to challenge herself to colleagues who reinforced surrounding yourself with people who know more than you to an aspirational mentor turned colleague who taught her about positive leadership. And you have to hear what she says about the 11 C’s of Leadership. About Cheri Alexander Cheri Alexander teaches Leadership and Managing Human Capital in the Bachelors and Masters Programs at the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business. In addition, she teaches assorted leadership and HR topics for Ross Execution Education. Prior to January 2021, she was the Chief Innovation Officer-Corporat

Giving passionate side hustles the main stage: Host Gregg Garrett is joined by Paul A. Glantz, Co-Founder and Chairman of Emagine Entertainment, for a discussion on turning his side hustle into a full-time chairman role; as well as the shifting entertainment industry, lessons learned from previous disruptions and of course, his Top Three. And you have to hear what Paul says about needing to be a person of character as you audition everyday! About Paul A. Glantz Paul A. Glantz is the Co-Founder and Chairman of Troy, Michigan-based theatre chain Emagine Entertainment, Inc. Glantz has raised over $150 million in capital to develop 12 world-class entertainment venues and in doing so has brought his concept of an exemplary entertainment experience to reality. Glantz is regarded as an expert in the cinematic exhibition industry. He has been at the forefront of technological change in the theatre industry by leading the transition to high-definition digital presentation, being among the first to deploy “4K” d

The Importance of Trust in Leadership: Host Gregg Garrett is joined by Vijay Sankaran, technology executive who was most recently CIO at TD Ameritrade, who discusses the importance of trust in leadership and the role it played in shaping his career. Vijay shares his Top Three who range from a colleague who used trust to be his daily 360 check in to a former boss-turned-friend who taught him how to use trust to build world class organizations. And you have to hear what he says about focusing on your daily top three! About Vijay Sankaran Vijay Sankaran is a forward-thinking software engineering leader and technology executive who was most recently Chief Information Officer at TD Ameritrade. He led a team of 2,000 employees with responsibility for digital strategy, software engineering, technology operations, cybersecurity, data and innovation. Prior to joining TD Ameritrade, Vijay held several senior leadership roles at Ford including: Direction, Application Development where he was responsible for software d

Join Gregg Garrett, host and CGS Advisors CEO, during this solocast as he celebrates the 101st episode of You, Me, and Your Top Three! Gregg discusses the six different types of advisory board members you can have, the four typical styles of mentoring they may bring, and provides tips on how you can start building your own virtual advisory board today. About Gregg Garrett Greggory R. Garrett is the CEO and Managing Director of CGS Advisors, a boutique strategy and innovation advisory firm that works with senior leaders at public companies and select private organizations. He is a dynamic and experienced international keynote speaker, an adjunct professor of business and engineering, the host of the “You, Me, and Your Top Three” podcast, and author of the best-selling business leadership book, Competing in the Connecting World. Having addressed audiences from 20 to upwards of 1500 people in public and private/corporate events, Gregg is at his best when he can focus on industry shaping & transformational

Recognizing Opportunity in Threats: Host Gregg Garrett is joined by a panel of CGS Advisors Fellows who are experts in technology and leadership, for a discussion on how the pandemic removed artificial barriers and how flexibility may be the key strategic capability needed to survive. Ty Beltramo, John Horn, and Angie Tuglus share their observations after one-year of leading through the disruption caused by COVID-19 and provide hints on when you can’t predict, how leaders need to prepare.    About the CGS Fellows Ty Beltramo is a critical member of the CGS Fellows Network. Ty is a hands-on technical leader with proven expertise in connected solutions and large enterprise integration projects. He has over 20 years of experience as the senior technology leader of large firms, including Fortune 50 companies, overseeing the design and development of complex enterprise systems. He deeply understands the solutions with many years of intense development experience, building connected applications and managing d

Create an Environment to Encourage Innovation: Host Gregg Garrett is joined by Leah JM Dean, author and Founder and CEO of Conduit International Ltd., who discusses how to assemble the tribe. Leah’s Top Three include a former early career boss, a colleague, and a leader who helped her recognize imperfect perfection may be the key. And you have to hear what she says about how to build tribes of women that support one another and can unlock the value in companies.   About Leah JM Dean Leah JM Dean is the author of the best-selling book, Assemble the Tribe, and an expert on leading with a “tribe mindset”. She is a former Chief Human Resources Executive and Board member who, for more than 20 years, successfully led multiple billion-dollar people integrations and developed leading HR strategies. As the Founder and CEO of Conduit International Ltd., Leah has worked with organizations and executives across numerous industries, including insurance, reinsurance, education, not-for-profit, and business consul

Join Gregg Garrett, host and CGS Advisors CEO, during this solocast as he explores innovating on the fringe of your organization and industry. Gregg also discusses a third dimension of innovation, sensing beyond the edges of your organization to be effective in setting your strategy. About Gregg Garrett Gregg R. Garrett is the CEO and Managing Director of CGS Advisors, a boutique strategy and innovation advisory firm that works with senior leaders at public companies and select private organizations. He is a dynamic and experienced international keynote speaker, an adjunct professor of business and engineering, the host of the “You, Me and Your Top Three” podcast, and author of the best-selling business leadership book, Competing in the Connecting World. Having addressed audiences from 20 to upwards of 1,500 people in public and private/ corporate events, Gregg is at his best when he can focus on industry shaping and transformational topics. Prior to launching CGS Advisors, Gregg was the Chief Strategy

Join Gregg Garrett, host and CGS Advisors CEO, during this solocast as he explores how to help leaders and the organizations in which they lead be more successful in transformation and driving big innovation. And you have to hear why Gregg says tapping into the reptilian brain is at the center of it all.  About Gregg Garrett Gregg R. Garrett is the CEO and Managing Director of CGS Advisors, a boutique strategy and innovation advisory firm that works with senior leaders at public companies and select private organizations. He is a dynamic and experienced international keynote speaker, an adjunct professor of business and engineering, the host of the “You, Me and Your Top Three” podcast, and author of the best-selling business leadership book, Competing in the Connecting World. Having addressed audiences from 20 to upwards of 1,500 people in public and private/ corporate events, Gregg is at his best when he can focus on industry shaping and transformational topics. Prior to launching CGS Advisors, Gregg was t

The Impact of Constant Transformation: Host Gregg Garrett is joined by McKeel Hagerty, CEO Hagerty Group and former Chairman Young Presidents Organization (YPO), who shares his incredible, ongoing journey. McKeel’s Top Three include his spouse, a former professor turned mentor, and his YPO tribe. And you have to hear his spin on the concept of work-life balance.   About McKeel Hagerty McKeel Hagerty is the Chief Executive Officer and driving force behind Hagerty, the world’s largest automotive lifestyle brand. Under his leadership, Hagerty has grown from a local insurance agency operating from his parents’ basement in Traverse City, to a global market leader with more than $500 million in annual revenues and an average year-over-year growth rate of 22 percent the past nine years. Hagerty is the leading provider of specialty insurance and partners with 22 of the top 25 U.S. auto insurance companies to protect nearly 2 million vintage, classic and enthusiast vehicles. Based in Traverse City, the company ha

Getting uncomfortable can lead to breakthrough growth: Host Gregg Garrett is joined by Dwayne Hicks, NCAA division one coach who shares his non-traditional coaching journey and tackles one of today’s most relevant leadership topics: race. His Top Three include his spouse, an Air Force Colonel, and a handful of coaches who share his passion on and off the field. And you have to hear what he has to say about how the secret to fitting in, might just be to work hard enough to stand out. About Dwayne Hicks Dwayne Hicks was named as the head coach of the Detroit Mercy Titans women’s lacrosse team in May 2020. Prior to this, Hicks spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach on the men’s lacrosse staff. He joined the men’s lacrosse program in the fall of 2017 and in both of his full campaigns with the team, he helped coach back-to-back winning campaigns with a school-record nine wins in 2018 and a trip to the MAAC Championship game and another eight wins in 2019 and another bid to the postseason. Hicks has m