How Civic Connection Is Changing Chicago | Dan Gibbons of City Club

Eric Larson, Founder and Managing Partner of Tilia Holdings, joins Laurette Rondenet on Owning Your Legacy to explore how food systems innovation, sustainable investing, and industry collaboration can drive measurable change for human health, climate action, and business growth. With decades of experience in private equity and a deep commitment to sustainability, Eric shares how aligning food, health, and environmental stewardship can create powerful ripple effects across the global economy.In this episode, Eric details how his “Three Ps” philosophy—public health, personal health, and planetary health—guides Tilia’s investments in the food supply chain, positioning the firm as a leader in the “to” of farm-to-table. From launching the Tilia Innovation Collaboratory to driving ESG accountability within portfolio companies, Eric explains how collaboration and practical idealism can transform the food industry while delivering financial returns and leaving a lasting legacy.In this episode, you’ll discover:✅ Why food is the single strongest lever for human and planetary health✅ How Tilia invests in the “to” of farm-to-table✅ The role of collaboration in transforming food systems✅ How data and strategy build successful portfolio companies✅ Insights on sustainability, food safety, and nutrition in the supply chain✅ The power of practical idealism in business leadership✅ How morning rituals and lifelong curiosity fuel legacy building✅ Why food industry innovation matters for future generationsWhether you care about sustainable investing, food innovation, ESG, or building your legacy through industry transformation, this conversation will inspire you to see food as a tool for systemic change.👉 Learn more about Tilia Holdings: https://tiliallc.com🔗 Connect with Eric Larson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-larson-38595b3/🌐 Learn more about Laurette Rondenet and Owning Your Legacy: https://www.lauretterondenet.comIf you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

Natalie Shmulik transformed her passion for food into a mission-driven career helping hundreds of founders grow their food and beverage businesses. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Natalie takes us behind the scenes of The Hatchery—Chicago’s premier food incubator—and shares her journey from running a franchise restaurant in Canada to building one of the nation’s most impactful entrepreneurial ecosystems.You’ll hear how she created programs that not only support product innovation but also champion founder mental health, community development, and legacy-building. From navigating burnout to redesigning what it means to lead with heart, Natalie is the kind of change-maker who makes you want to roll up your sleeves and build something real.🎙 In this episode:✅ How Natalie’s restaurant experience led her to build a national food incubator✅ Why founder burnout is real—and how to protect your energy as you scale✅ The difference between managing and leading (and why it matters)✅ Building equity in underserved communities through food entrepreneurship✅ What big food brands are learning from local startups👉 Learn more about The Hatchery: https://www.thehatcherychicago.org🔗 Connect with Natalie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-shmulik-1432313b/🌐 Discover more from Laurette Rondenet and Owning Your Legacy: https://www.lauretterondenet.comIf you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

Margaret Mueller, CEO of The Executives’ Club of Chicago, turned a 110-year-old institution into a modern hub for business leadership. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Margaret shares her unlikely journey from first-generation college student to founder, strategist, and now a transformational civic leader helping shape Chicago’s executive future.Her story is packed with insight—for women navigating leadership, for founders facing reinvention, and for anyone wondering if they’re “qualified enough” to lead big change. From scaling startups to modernizing The Executives’ Club of Chicago through a pandemic, Margaret shows what’s possible when you trust your vision and build with purpose.🎙 In this episode:✅ How Margaret went from Ph.D. to CEO of a major civic institution✅ What it takes to rebrand a legacy organization during a crisis✅ Why inclusivity—not exclusivity—is the future of executive networking✅ The mindset shift of curating your life (not “balancing” it)✅ Advice for women raising families while leading at the top👉 Visit https://www.executivesclub.org to learn more or explore membership options.🔗 Connect with Margaret on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaretmueller/Video & Photo credits to:@rishi.productions@gosiasimprintIf you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

Jon Harris, EVP & Chief Communications and Networking Officer at ConAgra Brands, has led an extraordinary career built on empathy, authenticity, and bold storytelling. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Jon shares his journey—from humble beginnings and a life-changing internship at the Howard Stern Show to top-level roles at PepsiCo, Sara Lee, and now ConAgra.Jon opens up about his childhood promise to help others, his philosophy of building genuine relationships, and how he became a trusted advisor to some of the biggest names in business and media. Whether you’re interested in PR, personal branding, leadership, or career reinvention, this episode is packed with wisdom, laughs, and heartfelt moments.🎙 In this episode:✅ What it means to lead with empathy in corporate America✅ How a cold-call lie led to his first internship✅ Lessons from Pepsi, Sara Lee, and crisis PR you won’t learn in textbooks✅ The power of networking, from Al Roker to Dolly Parton✅ Why your reputation is your resume—and how to build it with intention🌐 Learn more about ConAgra Brands: https://www.conagrabrands.com🔗 Follow Jon Harris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-harris-5683476/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/C-1UohNvfg0/💬 Connect with Laurette Rondenet: https://www.lauretterondenet.com🛎 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support more conversations like this.🎧 Listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.🎥 Video & Photo credits to:@rishi.productions@gosiasimprintIf you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

Meryl Kennedy, CEO of Four Sisters Rice, is reshaping the future of farming with family, sustainability, and purpose. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Meryl shares how she transformed her father’s commodity rice operation into a nationally recognized consumer brand—while redefining leadership in a male-dominated industry.From launching a cutting-edge rice mill at 21 to securing shelf space in Walmart and Kroger, Meryl’s journey is a powerful example of what happens when legacy meets innovation. If you care about female founders, branding, and building a business with heart, this conversation will resonate deeply.🎙 In this episode:✅ The moment Walmart told her to change everything✅ Turning failure into the launch of Four Sisters Rice✅ What it’s like to run a business with your dad✅ Delegating to elevate—why every founder needs this mindset✅ Building a brand rooted in sisterhood, agriculture, and storytelling👉 Learn more at https://www.4sistersrice.com/🔗 Connect with Meryl Kennedy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meryl-kennedy-36215b14a/, follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/merylkennedy/, or visit her website at https://www.merylkennedy.com.#OYL #WomenInAgriculture #FemaleFounders #FamilyBusiness #FourSistersRice #MerylKennedy #OwningYourLegacyPodcast #LauretteRondenetIf you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

Dan Gibbons, CEO of the City Club of Chicago, believes civic engagement starts with meaningful conversations. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Dan shares his journey from advising Mayor Richard M. Daley to revitalizing one of Chicago’s most influential civic forums.From uplifting entrepreneurs like Ida Nelson to driving real policy change, Dan’s story is a powerful reminder that change starts locally—and with the courage to connect. If you care about urban leadership, civic innovation, and next-gen change-makers, this conversation will inspire you to lean in, show up, and elevate your city.🎙 In this episode:✅ How showing up led to a career in city government✅ The power of building long-term, authentic relationships✅ Elevating grassroots leaders through civic platforms✅ Why mayors (not Washington) get things done👉 Visit https://www.cityclub-chicago.org or follow them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cityclubchicago/ to learn more and get involved.🔗 Connect with Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-gibbons-9aa2497/ 🛎️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support meaningful conversations like this one.Video & Photo credits to:@rishi.productions@gosiasimprint🎯 Keywords: #OYL #CivicLeadership #ChicagoPolitics #CityClubChicago #LocalLeadership #DanGibbons #OwningYourLegacyPodcast #LauretteRondenetIf you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

Thanks to Emily Smith’s bold leadership and inspiring mission, thousands of young girls are gaining the confidence to lead, speak up, and own their space—in business and in life.Emily is the Senior Vice President of Bespoke Commercial Real Estate and the founder of Female Strong (https://www.femalestrong.org), a fast-growing, nonprofit organization empowering girls through entrepreneurship, leadership development, and mentorship programs. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Emily shares how she’s building a national movement to elevate the female economy—starting with girls as young as six.Welcome to Season 9 of Owning Your Legacy. Whether you’re passionate about women in leadership, female entrepreneurship, nonprofit impact, or inclusive corporate culture; this conversation is packed with real stories, tangible advice, and a whole lot of inspiration.In this episode:🦋 Leading with love in a competitive industry🦋 The origin story behind Female Strong’s national growth🦋 Why empowering girls early changes everything🦋 From mentorship to movement: stories of transformation This is more than a conversation—Female Strong is proof of the incredible impact that we can make together… when women support each other.  👉 If you enjoyed the episode please subscribe to the podcast. Visit https://www.femalestrong.org to learn more about their life changing programs and see how you can get involved. And, connect Emily on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilysmithbespoke/) or follow her in Instagram https://www.instagram.com/emilysmith319/ to share in her ongoing journey.To learn more about the Traction Mindset, discussed our conversation, check out my interview with Bobi Siembieda at https://youtu.be/ETO7kxkwY6Q.If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

Thanks to Alan Reeds refreshingly practical approach to taking on big issues, the Food & Beverage Industry delivered 4 million servings to people facing food insecurity last year.As Executive Director of the Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network and Bigger Table, Alan shares how his team is transforming food industry challenges into community solutions. This episode is all about turning what could be wasted into something deeply meaningful—delivering real, nutritious, culturally appropriate meals while fostering connections that make solutions sustainable.From leveraging food industry resources to tackling systemic issues with creativity and heart, Alan shows us what happens when the right people roll up their sleeves and take action.In this episode:·       How Bigger Table turned food waste into 4 million servings last year·       Why culturally appropriate food matters in solving hunger·       The role of human creativity and connection in food innovation·       What it really takes to transform broken systems·       How AI and technology fit into the future of food manufacturingThis is an inspiring close to Season 8, reminding us that big change happens when dedicated people choose to make a difference.If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

What happens when you combine culinary artistry, food science, and a passion for teaching? You get Chef Charlie Baggs, a leader in the culinary industry who’s redefined what it means to innovate with food. In this episode, we explore Charlie’s groundbreaking work on food as medicine, how the hedgehog concept helped him build a culinary empire, and how he bridges the gap between chefs and food scientists. Whether it’s creating nutritionally inspired training programs or teaching his "BASICS" model for flavor development, Chef Charlie’s insights will inspire you to see food in a whole new light.Highlights from this episode:How Chef Charlie’s "food is medicine" philosophy is transforming the culinary industry.The “BASICS” model for balancing flavor, from acid to salt, and why it’s a game-changer for chefs and food scientists.Applying the "hedgehog concept" (from Jim Collins’ Good to Great) to focus on passion, excellence, and sustainable business practices.Chef Charlie’s legacy of giving back, mentoring chefs, and building a business rooted in kindness and gratitude.If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.

Natalie McGrady’s journey from a small town in New York to supplier diversity leader at Cargill is a testament to purpose and determination. Overcoming early discrimination fueled her passion for opening doors for underrepresented businesses. As the youngest of six daughters, Natalie’s fearless resolve led her to break barriers in corporate spaces, championing supplier diversity as a tool for economic empowerment.Known for her commanding presence and impactful approach, Natalie shares how she discovered her voice, navigated systemic challenges, and turned obstacles into opportunities for others.In This Episode:· How Natalie transformed discrimination into a drive for change.· Developing a dynamic leadership style and ability to inspire action.· The critical role of supplier diversity in fostering economic equity.· Practical advice for creating impact and leaving a lasting legacy.Join us for a conversation that bridges personal purpose with professional impact, offering insights about leadership, diversity, and creating meaningful change in corporate America.If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com.