Future Shapers: Next-Gen Leadership Stories

What can a failed Antarctic expedition teach today's healthcare leaders? For Ian Spier, chief financial officer of Longitude Health, quite a lot. In this episode of Future Shapers, Ian sits down with BRG Director Kurt Eicher for a conversation about leading through challenge—and why the journey matters more than the destination. Ian draws on Ernest Shackleton's 1914 Endurance expedition, where Shackleton kept his crew together through months stranded on the ice. He points to optimism as a leadership essential in an industry he describes as a "ground game": "two or three yards and then a dust-up." They trace how Ian's view of leadership evolved from investment banking to Novant Health, where he learned that, in a highly matrixed organization, self-preservation can lead to paralysis and the best leaders take personal risk for the good of the organization. The conversation dives into building a culture from a blank slate, why speed is a superpower and perfect information is a myth, and what it will take to develop the next generation of nonprofit healthcare leaders. A conversation about optimism, endurance, and what it really takes to lead a team through uncertainty.

What does Spider-Man have to do with leadership? For Heather Sager, more than you'd expect. In this episode, BRG Director Shantee Hope sits down with Heather, her longtime friend and Senior Workforce Transformation consultant at Perceptyx, to discuss what happens when the thing you spend years hiding turns out to be what makes you good at your job. Heather traces the story back to childhood: learning struggles in school in rural Pennsylvania, the shame of feeling like she processed the world differently than her classmates, and the moment Spider-Man's secret identity gave her a new way to see it: as a source of power rather than a flaw to conceal. They dig into how that reframe followed Heather into the workplace, from catching costly errors nobody else saw to pushing back on outdated processes, and why she still tells colleagues when something feels off using her own shorthand: "my Spidey sense." The conversation dives into leading teams that span ages, cultures, and working styles; what artificial intelligence can reveal about whose face we picture when we imagine a leader; and why the goal involves actively making room for difference on a team. A personal conversation about the parts of ourselves we are told to hide—and why they might be exactly what make us effective leaders.

What can a children's picture book about a school election teach about leadership? More than you might expect.  In this episode of Future Shapers, BRG Director Kelli Foy sits down with Rachel Gervin, assistant general counsel at NCR Voyix, to explore leadership, representation, and resilience through the lens of Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio—the story of a young girl who notices there has never been a woman president and decides to do something about it.  Rachel reflects on the themes that drew her to the book as a mother of daughters: the weight of being "the first," the reality that women so often feel they must be 110 percent prepared and check every box before raising their hand, and why representation matters at every level. She shares candid lessons from her own path: from becoming the first Black woman lawyer hired at a major Washington, DC, firm to serving as general counsel of a multinational software company. She also discusses the mindset she carried along the way: you are the captain of your own career.  The conversation dives into the difference between mentorship and sponsorship, why careers are rarely linear, and how leaders can use even the smallest moments—like the first three minutes of a virtual meeting—to build connections and create opportunities to shape the next generation of leaders.  Whether you are just starting out or leading a team today, remember that a career is a journey, not a destination—and the best leaders lift others as they climb.

What can Home Alone teach us about leadership? In this episode of Future Shapers, BRG Director Mark Jennings sits down with James Breese, a partner at Stewarts, to explore leadership, resilience, and team-building through the holiday classic. James reflects on the four themes he sees in the film—confidence, determination, resilience, and protectionism—and how those qualities shaped his approach to leadership while helping build Stewarts' policyholder disputes team from the ground up. They explore why leadership is not about following a single playbook, the importance of adaptability when managing people, and why creating space for junior colleagues to learn through mistakes is essential for long-term growth. James also reflects on stepping into partnership, imposter syndrome, and the leaders who have shaped his own career Whether you lead a growing team or are developing your leadership style, this episode reminds us that the best leaders constantly learn, adapt, and create opportunities for others to succeed.

Leadership is not something you are born with or given—it's a muscle you can train. In this episode of Future Shapers, BRG Associate Director Isaac Wong sits down with Hsiang Low, cofounder and general counsel at Riverchain, to discuss messages from Disney's Mulan to explore how one develops into a leader. Hsiang shares why effective leadership starts with listening and why growing comfortable with discomfort is nonnegotiable. He breaks down the balance between delivering honest, consistent feedback and avoiding the trap of micromanagement, offering a practical framework for anyone navigating a leadership role for the first time. They also discuss Riverchain, Hsiang's fintech startup that provides innovative working capital solutions that bring transparency, efficiency, and liquidity to the construction supply chain. Listen to learn how he's putting his own leadership principles into practice as he scales the company. Whether you are a first-time manager or a seasoned executive, great leadership is not given—it is earned, one rep at a time.

What does Field of Dreams have in common with becoming a partner at a leading law firm? BRG Director Thanh Do sits down with Missy L. Griffin from Gibbs Giden for a wide-ranging conversation on the measured sacrifices, leaps of faith, and quiet discipline that define a legal career done right. Missy reflects on how early and engaged involvement in professional organizations—including the ABA's Forum on Construction Law—shaped her trajectory and why showing up before you feel ready is often the point. In an era where attorneys feel pressure to project confidence and command, Missy makes a case for the opposite: humility is the most powerful leadership quality a lawyer can bring to today's business landscape. A candid, career-spanning conversation for anyone navigating their own path to leadership in the law.

BRG Director Jason Kuckkan and Moyo LaBode, former chief merchandising officer at Leslie's Pools, discuss the concept of personal agency and career stemming from Dr. Peter Attia's book Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity. They reflect on how intentional decision-making and ownership of one's health, choices, and career shape meaningful professional growth. Their conversation highlights the importance and value of self-awareness, curiosity, and reverse mentorship as critical components in evolving leadership.

In this episode, BRG Associate Director Nancy Cherashore and Natalia Zibibbo, counsel at Freshfields, discuss leadership by highlighting Watership Down's themes of empathy, trust, and adaptability. They share personal stories about returning from maternity leave, leading teams across different countries, and taking on leadership roles early in their careers. Their conversation emphasizes the importance of empowering others, embracing a growth mindset, and leading with both strategy and compassion.

BRG Director Jean-Gabriel Despeyroux and Mathilde Saltiel, a partner at Latham & Watkins LLP, discuss the evolving nature of leadership through personal experience and insights drawn from the TV series New Amsterdam. They highlight the importance of humility, emotional intelligence, trust, and a collaborative, service-driven mindset encapsulated in the question, "How can I help?" Their conversation moves into how leadership develops early in one's career, shaped by mentorship and self-awareness. Mathilde emphasizes that openly sharing the realities of balancing parenthood and leadership can be a powerful source of inspiration for the next generation of professionals. Selected Transcript Summary [0:56] Jean-Gabriel introduces Mathilde. He praising her leadership style, marked by kindness and high standards, and notes their shared professional background in competition law. They highlight the impact of multicultural careers. Mathilde explains why leadership is vital today. She emphasizes the increasing difficulty of retaining talent and notes that leadership styles must evolve to resonate with new generations of professionals. [5:05] They introduce the television show New Amsterdam as the frame of the conversation. Mathilde shares why the show resonates, highlighting its focus on teamwork, systemic change, and patient-centered values. Mathilde draws parallels between medicine and law, noting the importance of cross-disciplinary teamwork and staying grounded under pressure. She reflects on the value of France's public healthcare in contrast to challenges portrayed in the US system. [10:22] Mathilde emphasizes the leadership mantra "How can I help?," applying it to client service, team support, and crisis management. She links emotional intelligence and the need for empathy to effective leadership. They stress the importance of valuing each team member, from interns to senior partners, and maintaining trust with clients as the foundation of successful legal advice. [16:07] Mathilde reflects on her personal leadership journey, describing her gradual growth in self-confidence rather than a single pivotal moment. She advocates for assuming leadership behaviors ahead of formal promotions. [18:09] Mathilde identifies one of her toughest challenges as delivering hard feedback when professional fit may be lacking. These situations require honesty and listening, even when the outcomes can be difficult. [19:07] They challenge the misconception that leadership requires authoritarianism. Mathilde warns against fear-based leadership, noting its destructive impact on team morale and retention. They also discuss how leadership must evolve to focus on humility, flexibility, and leading by example over rigid hierarchies and urgency-based management. [23:48] Mathilde offers advice to early career professionals: shaping who you are as a leader begins from day one. Good management of peers and interns leaves lasting impressions that influence long-term career paths. [25:03] Jean-Gabriel brings up parenting and leadership. Mathilde shares her experience as a mother of two and stresses the importance of role models, especially for women in law balancing parenthood and professional ambition. Mathilde describes the initial anxiety around parenting in big law and how she overcame it through organization and perspective. She encourages open dialogue about challenges and sharing strategies among peers. [27:35] Mathilde reflects on the value of taking time to think about the type of leader one wants to be. She hopes the conversation sparks further discussion and inspires emerging leaders.

Li Li, a director at BRG, and Michelle Bock, a partner at Squire Patton Boggs, reflect on their global career journeys and explore cultural and professional complexities of international leadership. Through personal stories of growth, mentorship, and cross-border collaboration, they share key lessons on next-generation leadership, emphasizing the power of mutual respect, inclusion, and adaptability in building high-performing, global teams.