77 The ROI of Alignment in Private Equity

Generative AI may be rewriting the rules, but Felicia Shakiba and Claurelle Rakipovic, Chief Product Officer at Pipe, break down what real product leadership looks like. From customer empathy to AI missteps, Claurelle shares sharp lessons on building products that can actually hold their ground. Chapters 00:00 Building Defensible Products in the Age of AI 01:50 Understanding Defensibility Beyond Automation 04:30 Learning from AI Missteps 09:26 Internal Testing and AI Adoption 14:39 New Competencies for Product Leaders 19:47 The Importance of Unique Data 23:49 Empathy in AI Product Development 27:39 Auditing AI for Value Delivery

In the world of private equity and high-stakes M&A, financials are only half the story. The real differentiator? Leadership. This episode explores what leadership qualities truly drive success in mergers and acquisitions, why most private equity due diligence efforts fall short on the people's front, and how to assess leaders before the deal is signed. Our guest is Cameron Bishop Partner and Managing Director at Raincatcher Investment Bankers. Chapters 00:00 The Importance of People in M&A Success 02:48 Cultural Missteps in Private Equity Acquisitions 05:44 Aligning Leadership Post-Acquisition 08:15 The Role of Communication in Corporate Culture 11:04 Integrating Multiple Cultures 13:37 Data-Driven Decision Making in M&A 16:06 Incentivizing Employees for Success 18:54 Identifying and Nurturing Talent 21:43 Achieving Alignment in Leadership 24:44 The Continuous Journey of Alignment

Matt Lewis unpacks the realities of AI transformation inside organizations — and what happens when AI takes our jobs. He shares stories of employees navigating the emotional fallout of AI, the role of leadership in reducing resistance, and how identity and self-worth shape the success of change initiatives. Listeners will walk away with practical strategies for guiding teams through AI-driven transformation with clarity and empathy. 00:00 Navigating Personal Challenges and Professional Growth 05:30 Real Stories of Emotional Fallout 11:42 Subtle Signs of Resistance 19:55 Communicating Change Effectively 27:32 Understanding Organizational Dynamics During Transformation 34:38 TransferMental: A New Approach to AI Transformation 40:24 Identity and Emotional Complexity in AI Disruption

AI Implementation rates are shockingly low - but why?

What does it really take to lead lasting change inside an organization? Lyon Kassab, Managing General Partner at BoCG Ventures, breaks it down in this episode on organizational change management and how the lack thereof, can cost millions. From the silent weight middle managers carry to the culture shifts that make or break transformation, Lyon shares sharp insights on trust, transparency, and measuring what matters. If you’re tired of buzzwords and want the real mechanics of driving change—this one’s for you.

Felicia Shakiba and Vikash Jha pull back the curtain on how private equity really sizes up leadership during acquisitions for business growth. From reading the silent signals to decoding executive chemistry, they reveal the high-stakes art of aligning leaders with ambitious growth plays. Chapters 00:00 Navigating Leadership Evaluation in Private Equity Due Diligence 03:07 Identifying Leadership Fit: Early Warning Signs 07:49 The Strategy Behind Leadership Retention 12:16 Cultural Integration: The Key to Successful Acquisitions 14:50 Investing in Leadership Development vs. Replacement 17:12 Communicating Change: Engaging Leadership and Employees 20:44 Best Practices for Retaining Talent Post-Acquisition 22:33 Checklist for Assessing Leadership During Acquisitions

How can executives build authentic confidence and overcome self-doubt? Kip Knippel, President & CEO of KIP Search, shares actionable strategies for navigating imposter syndrome, embracing risk-taking, and leading with clarity. Discover how mentorship, direct communication, and self-awareness help women thrive in male-dominated leadership roles. Learn how to build resilience, strengthen executive presence, and shape a culture where confident leaders grow and succeed.

How can HR leaders move beyond surveys to drive real business outcomes? Scott Leuchter, Global Chief People Officer at Ideal Tridon Group, shares how predictive analytics uncovers key drivers of performance, retention, and productivity. Learn how data-driven assessments, feedback loops, and smart change management can transform employee experience into measurable business impact.

How can private equity leaders align fast growth with long-term mission? Manna Tree’s Co-Founder Ross Iverson shares how founder-investor alignment drives execution, protects purpose, and reduces risk. From navigating CEO transitions to using Gestalt protocols and trust-building retreats, Ross breaks down how great governance turns alignment into a competitive edge in high-stakes environments.

How can companies harness Responsible AI without losing the human touch? PepsiCo’s VP of People Solutions, Mark Sankarsingh, shares how the company boosts productivity and streamlines HR—while safeguarding trust, ethics, and human judgment. Learn how to lead with integrity as you scale teams and adopt AI in a digital-first world.