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#6—Designing and Operating an Effective Strategy Office (Part 2)11 Oct 202400:37:04

In this episode, we're joined by Eric Goldstein, Chief Strategy Officer at TIAA, to explore the challenges and opportunities of setting up and operating a strategy office. With over six years at TIAA and an impressive background in investment banking at JP Morgan and management consulting at McKinsey, Eric brings a wealth of experience to the table. 

We dive into Eric’s journey of centralizing the strategy office at TIAA, the importance of aligning strategy with business goals, and how he navigates the complexities of managing a large, mission-driven financial services organization. We'll also discuss the role of the strategy office in fostering cross-functional collaboration, setting organizational KPIs, and striking the right balance between strategy development and execution. 

Key questions and topics we tackle include: 

  • A breakdown of the TIAA strategy office responsibilities 
  • How to decide whether to centralize or decentralize the strategy office 
  • Keys to building a high-performing strategy team 
  • A CSOs role in setting KPIs, metrics, and measurements in the organization 
  • How to build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders 
  • Eric’s top 3 recommendations for new strategy officers to drive success 

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Eric Goldstein as we uncover the secrets behind building and operating a successful strategy office.  

#5—Designing and Operating an Effective Strategy Office (Part 1)30 Aug 202400:48:22

In today’s episode, we're diving deep into the intricate process of designing and operating a successful strategy office. This is a critical discussion for any newly appointed CSO or those looking to fine tune their existing strategy office. 

Our guests today are two seasoned Chief Strategy Officers who have navigated the complexities of building strategy offices in different industries. We’re joined by Roopa Unnikrishnan, the Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at IDEX Corporation, and Eric Chesin, the Chief Strategy Officer at Anywhere Real Estate who have both made significant strides in shaping the strategic direction of their organizations.

In this episode, we explore how these leaders set up their strategy offices from the ground up, how they adapted to the evolving needs of their industries, and the challenges they faced along the way. We’ll discuss the importance of aligning with the CEO and board, building the right team, and maintaining agility in a constantly changing business environment. 

We’ll cover: 

  • How do you determine the focus areas for a strategy office? 
  • Tips for managing stakeholders and building relationships and influence 
  • Four filters for managing the capacity of the strategy office and CSOs deciding what problem to work on and which to say “no” to  
  • The three things every CSO should do when they get promoted to the role or start at a new company 

Join us as we uncover the strategies and insights that have helped these leaders successfully navigate the complexities of their roles and drive meaningful change within their organizations. 

#4—How to Integrate Sustainability into Corporate Strategy29 Jul 202400:48:41

In this episode, we are joined by three chief strategy officers who are also responsible for sustainability in their organizations. Alpa Sutaria of WestRock, Paula Kovarsky of Raizen, and Maisie Ganzler of Bon Apetit Management Company.

In this episode, we explore why companies might choose to make sustainability a core responsibility of their strategy officers. We'll discuss the benefits of integrating sustainability into the strategic framework and examine the challenges that come with this responsibility. Our expert guests share insights on overcoming these hurdles, offering practical advice and innovative solutions. 

Some of the key questions we address include: 

  • When and why should sustainability be a strategic priority for companies? 
  • What are the main challenges faced by strategy officers when incorporating sustainability into their plans? 
  • How can companies effectively balance short-term financial goals with long-term sustainability objectives? 
  • Where should a Chief Strategy Officer start if their organization is considering making sustainability a part of their role? 

Join us as we uncover the strategies and mindsets of organizations where sustainability is not just a buzzword, but a vital component of success. 

#3—The Unexpected Role of the Strategy Office27 Jun 202400:39:59

How Southern Glazer's Office of Strategic Management Built an Enduring Strategic Advantage

Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits is the largest wine and spirits distributor in the United States, serving over 240,000 customers across 44 states and the District of Columbia. It is also one of the largest family-owned business in the US. Their strategy office is doing remarkable things that push the boundaries that define most strategy offices. In this podcast episode, we hear first hand from their head of strategy and two of the leaders of their “Office of Strategic Management” or OSM.  

Stephen Von Oehsen is the Senior Vice President, of the Office of Strategic Management, as well as a Professor and Member or Dean's Executive Advisory Board at Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management.

Sascha Rubin is a VP in the OSM.

Kyle Weiss is a Senior Manager in the OSM.  

In this episode we cover: 

  • The surprising roles that their OSM plays including why and how they became a lightening rod for talent and the unexpected benefits of taking on this role 
  • How Southern Glazer thinks about managing the culture of the OSM and how the culture differs from typical strategy offices and consulting firms  
  • The phases through which this strategy office evolved, why it evolved, and what it took to adapt and expand its impact
  • Why they decided to launch what they call Extended Enterprise Strategic Services, through which they consult not just to the company but to partners, and how they manage this activity 
  • How to both hold onto the unique consulting toolkit and way of thinking that the company needs the strategy officer to bring while, at the same time, blending with the language and norms and culture of the company 
#2—Scaling Smart: Strategy in Growth-Stage Organizations23 May 202400:33:39

Corporate strategy in growth-stage companies can be very different from strategy in mature organizations. In this episode, we hear from three chief strategy executives who are effectively navigating the strategic journeys for their scaling organizations – Elisabeth Moore from West Monroe Partners, Adam Zalisk from Amplify Education, and Edward Crook from DeepL. Today’s discussion is moderated by Outthinker Networks President, Claudio Garcia.  

In this episode you’ll learn: 

  • Practical advice on balancing entrepreneurial freedom with strategic focus 
  • How to structure a strategy function to support rapid growth and innovation 
  • Techniques for maintaining alignment and clarity in decision-making processes 
  • How to turn change from a "chore" into a tactic to drive customer-centricity 
  • And strategies for fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing within fast-growing teams
#1—How to recruit and build a diverse strategy team23 Apr 202400:43:12

As much as companies promise and commit to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, the reality is corporate strategy, especially at the senior level, remains a male-dominated field. Some chief strategy officers have made it their mission to change that reality. In this episode, we hear from two of them. Alok Agrawal, Chief Strategy Officer & Head of Ventures at Celestica, and Nicolas Chapman, former EVP and Chief Strategy Officer of Teradata, have made tremendous strides in shifting the diversity levels of their strategy offices. Today’s discussion is moderated by another diversity-focused strategy leader, Kalina Nikolova, SVP of Business Operations and Strategy at Yahoo. These CSOs will share the real hurdles they overcome to bring more diverse hiring to their strategy function.  

From them, you’ll learn: 

-Advice from successful CSOs on how to set realistic objectives to support your DEI hiring initiatives 

-How to influence and work with HR to fill your hiring pipeline with more diverse candidates 

-Actionable steps to fight unconscious bias and make your job descriptions and interview processes more welcoming to diverse hires 

#8—Expanding Your Impact: A CSO's Roadmap to Board Service18 Dec 202400:40:09

In this episode, we’re diving into an increasingly hot topic for chief strategy officers: joining external advisory boards. 

We feature three accomplished chief strategy officers who serve on numerous public and private boards : Desiree Castillejos, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of M&A for Scutum Group North America; Prasad Padman, Chief Strategy Officer of Moog; and Sukanya Soderland, former CSO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Together, they share their experiences and provide actionable advice for CSOs looking to expand their influence and impact through board service. 

In this episode we talk about: 

  • How to craft a compelling board bio that highlights your unique value 
  • The importance of networking in securing board opportunities and practical tips and tactics for “board-specific-networking" 
  • The unique attributes and differentiators CSOs can highlight to strengthen their board resume and increase their chances of selection 
  • Important considerations, risks, and factors you don't want to overlook when evaluating board service 
  • Entry points for strategy officers who are looking to land their first external board position 

Whether you’re considering your first board position or looking to refine your strategy for securing your next board opportunity, this episode is packed with insights to guide your journey.

#7—Making Strategic AI Investments14 Nov 202400:38:05

Welcome to another episode of The Chief Strategy Officer Podcast. Today’s discussion centers on one of the most transformative and rapidly evolving topics in business— artificial intelligence.  We’re joined by three distinguished strategy leaders --- Joanne Sheppard of Holtzbrinck, Ed Knapp from American Tower, and Prashant Kelker of ISG, who bring unique perspectives about how organizations can think strategically about making investments in AI to minimize risk and maximize ROI.  

In this episode, our guests explore the critical considerations for integrating AI into corporate strategy, from navigating the fast-changing AI landscape to evaluating the infrastructure and ethical implications. They share insights on how their organizations are leveraging AI for operational efficiency, data-driven innovation, and enhancing customer experiences. 

Things We Will Cover: 

  • The three areas that you as a CSO should consider applying AI to in your organization. 
  • How organizations can build strong data infrastructure that supports AI and enables responsible innovation. 
  • Practical steps for CSOs to stay informed and strategically engaged with AI without needing deep technical expertise. 

Join us to learn how other strategists are navigating the complexities of investing in and implementing AI solutions for their organizations.  

#9—Mastering M&A: Strategy, Integration, and Effectiveness16 Jan 202500:32:53

Welcome to another episode of The Chief Strategy Officer Podcast! Today, we’re diving into a pivotal topic for strategy leaders: how to approach mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to accelerate your company’s strategic goals. 

Joining us are two Outthinker CSOs with extensive Strategy and M&A experience. Kevin Ilcisin, has a fascinating career in high tech, most recently as SVP of Strategy and Corporate Development for NI, formerly known as National Instruments, which was recently acquired by Emerson Electric in 2023. Kevin brings a scientific approach and holds a phD in Astrophysical Sciences with a focus on Plasma Physics. Alok Agrawal is the Chief Strategy Officer at Celestica, a $7B multinational leader in the design, manufacturing, and supply chain solutions industries. Alok started his career as a management consultant with Kearney serving industrial clients before taking strategy and M&A executive leadership roles for industry leaders like Johnson Controls, Meritor, and Tenneco. In this episode, Kevin and Alok share their insights and practical experience in the art and science of successful deal-making and integration. 

In this episode, we explore: 

  • The critical distinction between strategy and M&A. (hint- M&A isn’t a strategy- it's a tool to realize your strategy) —What people miss about this and why that matters. 
  • How to identify the right acquisition targets and develop relationships with key players like investment banks. 
  • Practical tips for building and managing a robust M&A pipeline 
  • Insights on navigating cultural integration and realizing post-merger synergies effectively. 
  • The unique role a Chief Strategy Officer plays in orchestrating and guiding the M&A process- and advice they have for CSOs and M&A leaders early in their career about what they wish they knew early on and mistakes to avoid 

Whether you’re new to M&A or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with practical advice and lessons learned from two seasoned leaders. Tune in for actionable takeaways to become masterful at using M&A to accelerate your strategy and execution. 

 

#12—Agile Budgeting: Capital Allocation at the Pace of Change 24 Apr 202500:37:34

Today, we are tackling a topic that holding back most organizations from adapting to our rapidly changing business environments, a topic rooted in a habit that is so engrained in most companies that we don’t even think about changing it: budgeting.

In this episode, we sit down with Eric Woodard, Head of Strategy at Primerica and former Bain consultant, to unpack the future of agile budgeting. Eric shares why the old model—locking budgets 12 months in advance—is no longer viable in a world shaped by digital disruption, economic volatility, and shifting priorities. He lays out a practical, compelling alternative: treat strategy as a living, breathing guide for capital allocation.

We explore:
- Why companies are being forced—not just encouraged—to rethink budgeting cycles 
- The key difference between "run the business" and "change the business" spend 
- How to structure dynamic, strategy-led funding pools 
- What cycle times and KPIs work in an agile budgeting environment 
- Why people—not systems—are the biggest barrier to change 
 
Whether you're navigating growth, transformation, or efficiency, this episode will give you the tools to align your budget with your boldest strategic ambitions. 

#11—Working with Investment Bankers: Strategy First, Deal Second29 Mar 202500:28:25

If you’re a strategy leader stepping into M&A or refining your inorganic growth strategy, there’s one relationship that can either propel you forward or hold you back: your relationship with investment bankers. In this episode, we dive deep into the often opaque world of investment banking with two strategy executives who’ve worked across both sides of the deal table. 
 
Together, our guests bring more than 40 years of combined experience across investment banking, M&A strategy, and corporate development—having led acquisitions and divestitures in both public and private companies, across industries and borders.  

Michael Arlotto is the Global Head of Corporate Development and Ventures at Kenvue, an American consumer health company and the proprietor of many brands you’ve heard of, like Band-Aid, Benadryl, Neutrogena and Tylenol.  

Chris Nuttall is the Executive Vice President of Corporate Development at Bazaarvoice, an American tech company that helps brands collect and leverage UGC, which stands for user-generated content.

Together, the three of us explore:

- How to assess and build the right relationship with an investment banker 
 - What “transformative M&A” really means—and how to pull it off 
 - The soft skills and cultural fit that matter just as much as deal terms 
 - How to avoid M&A regret by starting with strategy and ending with integration 
 - Why successful M&A is less about buying a company—and more about buying into a multiyear business plan 
  
 Whether you’re planning your first acquisition or fine-tuning your approach to external growth, this episode will help you build stronger partnerships, avoid costly missteps, and execute deals that deliver long-term value.

#10—Making Purpose a Strategic Advantage11 Mar 202500:35:12

Welcome to another episode of The Chief Strategy Officer Podcast! Today, we’re tackling a topic that sits at the heart of every successful organization: purpose. 

For years, the question of what purpose an organization should hold has typically sat outside the auspices of the strategy office. It was the remit of the CEO or board, maybe corporate communications or the HR. But it is increasingly becoming a central strategic lever, especially as the success of strategy depends on activating ecosystem partners, employees, communities … and it is one we need to better understand.  

How can companies define a purpose that isn’t just a slogan but a real driver of strategic decisions? How does purpose impact employee motivation, customer engagement, and long-term competitive advantage? And most importantly, how can CSOs play a role in shaping and embedding purpose in a way that creates measurable business impact? 

To explore these questions, we’re joined by David Zapata, Corporate Head of Strategy at Grupo Bancolombia, and Claudia Ludovisi, former head of strategy at Disney ABC, assistant Dean of Marketing and Strategy at Pepperdine Business School, who has done interest research into the role of purpose in strategy. Together, they share firsthand experiences and research-driven insights on how organizations can make purpose actionable, sustainable, and truly transformative. 

In this episode, we explore: 

  • Why purpose isn’t just about branding—it should drive real business decisions. 
  • The biggest mistake companies make when defining their purpose. 
  • How to measure whether purpose is actually working inside your organization. 
  • The evolving role of AI in shaping personalized and scalable purpose-driven strategies. 
  • Insights and a step-by-step approach for crafting a purpose that aligns with strategy and capabilities for your organization. 

Whether you’re refining your company’s purpose or just starting to explore its role in strategy, this episode is packed with insights to help you take a more structured and impactful approach.

  • Learn more about Outthinker's community of chief strategy officers - https://outthinkernetwork.com/
  • Follow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/outthinker-networks
#13—Creating the First Penguin Culture: Driving Change in High-Stakes Industries22 May 202500:35:03

In this episode, we’re joined by Sarah Beckman, Chief Strategy Officer of Ulteig.
Ulteig specialized in infrastructure solutions across power, renewables, transportation, and water. Sarah is an experienced structural engineer, shedesigning energy systems spanning the continental U.S., and also spent time in sales before moving into her current role leading corporate strategy. Her deep technical roots give her a unique perspective on solving complex problems and leading transformation in a traditionally slow-moving, high-stakes industry. Today, she’s focused on preparing Ulteig—and the entire sector—for an era defined by AI, electrification, and the race to build faster than ever before.  Sarah brings a powerful systems-thinking lens to transformation in one of the most critical—and traditionally slow-moving—sectors: energy infrastructure. 

Things we’ll cover in this conversation: 

  • How to drive innovation inside mission-critical industries where the cost of failure is high 
  • Why aligning strategy to purpose and stakeholder value is key to building urgency without panic 
  • How Sarah applied engineering skills to transform a sales strategy and sunset a commoditized offering 
  • What CSOs can do to prepare for industry-wide disruption—from AI demands to a nuclear energy renaissance 
  • The leadership behaviors and organizational systems that actually make strategy stick 

Whether you're preparing to pivot, wrestling with internal resistance, or rethinking how to build a transformation-ready culture—this episode is packed with practical wisdom from the front lines.

#16—From Fruit to Data: Rethinking Strategy with Claudio Finol25 Sep 202500:33:20

What does a banana have to do with data strategy? In this episode of the Chief Strategy Officer Podcast, we sit down with Claudio Finol, Chief Strategy Officer at Fyffes, one of the world’s oldest and most recognized produce companies. Fyffes bananas, pineapples, and melons may be a familiar sight in your grocery store, but behind the scenes the company is navigating some of the most complex strategy challenges of our time—climate change, global supply chains, digitization, and the disruptive power of data.

Claudio shares how Chief Strategy Officers across industries can learn from agriculture—a sector as old as civilization—about using data to push Michael Porter’s productivity frontier, transform traditional business models, and even create new revenue streams. From John Deere’s reinvention into a data-driven platform company to the strategic tension between optimizing your core and monetizing aggregated data, this conversation uncovers lessons every CSO should hear.

Things We Will Cover in This Episode:
- How Fyffes is blending tradition with transformation in the global produce industry. 
- Why data is no longer just supporting products—it is becoming the product. 
- Michael Porter’s productivity frontier and its relevance in the AI era. 
- How companies like John Deere turned data into a competitive advantage and 95th-percentile growth engine. 
- The two strategic paths with data: optimizing the core vs. creating new data products. 
- What CSOs must do today to prepare their organizations for digitization, AI, and data-driven business models. 
 

Why Listen
If you’re a Chief Strategy Officer, innovation leader, or executive thinking about the future of business, Claudio’s insights will challenge you to rethink what business you’re really in. Whether you’re managing physical products, digital platforms, or services, this episode shows how data strategy, AI readiness, and organizational culture can define the competitive frontier in the years ahead. 

#15—From Grievance to Growth: Using Restorative Practice to Drive Transformation & Innovation24 Jul 202500:34:00

In this episode, we sit down with Rachel Credidio, Chief Innovation Officer at Aster Group, to explore how restorative practices can be a powerful lever for culture change, innovation, and organizational performance. Having held the previous role of Chief Transformation and People Officer, Rachel has been at the forefront of embedding inclusivity, trust, and accountability into the DNA of Aster Group. Her leadership has helped make Aster Group most impactful non-profit groups in the UK as they help tackle the UK’s housing shortage by providing affordable, safe, and inclusive housing options, while offering wraparound services to support vulnerable communities. 

In this episode we cover: 

  • Why restorative practices reduce conflict and boost engagement across complex organizations 
  • How inclusive culture lays the foundation for innovation and decentralized leadership 
  • What it means to shift from managing people to empowering them through fair process and shared accountability 
  • Why building a culture of voice and trust is a strategic investment—not a “nice to have” 
  • How Rachel restructured policies and embedded principles into systems for long-term impact 

Whether you're navigating transformation, scaling innovation, or building a more inclusive workforce, this episode offers practical tools and inspiration. 

#14—Why Corporate Venture Capital Fails—and How to Fix It26 Jun 202500:33:33

In this episode, we sit down with Todd Cassler, Chief Growth Officer of Cerity Partners, to explore the growing role of corporate venture capital (CVC) as a strategic tool for driving innovation and growth. With decades of experience in asset and wealth management as a chief strategy and growth officer, Todd is a trusted partner with a front-row seat to how Fortune 500 companies are using CVC not just to diversify financially, but to shape their strategic futures.
 
Things we cover in this episode:
 - Why CVC programs often fail without CEO and board-level buy-in 
 - How to design a governance model that avoids being pulled back into “business as usual” 
 - The hidden benefits of CVC, from M&A pipeline generation to competitive intelligence 
 - What it takes to align siloed innovation efforts with core business objectives 
 - How to measure the strategic—not just financial—value of your venture investments

#17—Winning the AI Infrastructure Game23 Oct 202500:32:32

In today’s episode, we speak with Oreste Donzella, former Chief Strategy Officer of KLA, a global leader in semiconductor process control and inspection. Oreste brings over three decades of experience in the semiconductor industry — a sector that quietly powers every technological advance we see today. 

You know, every strategist planning for AI's future is charting a course on assumptions about computational power, cost curves, and technological capability. But few are examining the foundation on which all of it rests: semiconductors. Without understanding where chip technology is headed—and the geopolitical forces reshaping its landscape—you're navigating without checking what lies beneath the waterline. Oreste is a veteran strategy officer with decades navigating the complex semiconductor stack, and here we explore the dynamics shaping foundational technologies—from manufacturing processes to geopolitical tensions—so you can better anticipate the forces that will enable or constrain your AI ambitions. 

In this episode we get into: 

  • Why AI’s rise is really a story about semiconductors — and how the industry’s “emotional revenge” is unfolding. 
  • The hidden complexity of the semiconductor supply chain — and how a few specialized companies shape global innovation. 
  • How geopolitics, national strategies, and power consumption are redefining the industry’s future. 
  • The movement toward modular, heterogeneous chip design — and what it means for strategy leaders in every sector. 
  • Oreste’s model for the three timeless pillars of great strategy execution: Collaboration, Innovation, and Execution. 

Oreste’s perspective reminds us that strategy doesn’t live in isolation — it operates often within vast, interconnected systems. And those able to think at the systems level, able to understand how they are evolving, will be the ones able to understand where value is truly pooling and therefore where to play. 

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