C-Speak: The Language of Executives – Details, episodes & analysis

By PNC Bank

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On this episode of PNC C-Speak, Alan Trefler, founder and CEO of Pegasystems, joins to discuss his entrepreneurial journey that led to a billion-dollar company. He shares the importance of fostering curiosity in business, managing technological transitions and the impact of AI on future business processes. 

Trefler also touches on his passion for chess — he became a master at age 19 — and his experiences and lessons as the son of a Holocaust survivor and his philanthropic efforts through the Trefler Foundation.

Listen to the podcast to learn more about: 

·      Pega’s business model and impact (2:05)

·      How Pega has navigated major technology transitions (4:32)

·      Trefler’s North Star as he leads the company (6:39)

·      How chess factors into Trefler’s business strategy (12:46)

·      Trefler’s favorite spot in Boston (22:16) 

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Subscribe to C-Speak so you never miss an episode. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode, Saskia Epstein, SVP PNC Bank in New England, sits down with Eneida Roman, president and CEO of ALX, and Kristin McSwain, senior advisor for early childhood and director of the Office of Early Childhood for the city of Boston, to discuss the state of early childhood education in the region. 

McSwain shares how she became interested in early childhood education and what led her to become involved in The Boston Opportunity Agenda, as well as to spearhead development of programs for young people and child care in the Office of Early Childhood.

“I think it’s really important for our child care providers to see themselves as business leaders,” McSwain says. “They’re providing those first formative four or five years for our littlest learners that are really important for the economic prosperity of our region.” 

In the episode, Roman discusses the fact that a significant amount of child care providers in Massachusetts are Latina and how she has focused on providing programs for those individuals to set children up for success.

“I have this immense awareness of how important it is to make sure we have a structured child care space for children so that when they’re ready to enter a school, they have the basic knowledge and tools to be able to be successful,” Roman says. 

Listen to hear more about:

·      The Boston Opportunity Agenda and early childhood initiatives (1:59)

·      Boston’s approach to early childhood and the child care census (5:50)

·      Mentorship and business skills for child care providers (13:57)

·      What actions the business community can take to support early childhood education (26:23)

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Eneida Roman aims to help close the opportunity gap in Massachusetts. 

“We're talking about investing in the Latino community,” said Roman. “This is an investment because economic prosperity of the Latino community is American prosperity."

Roman is the president and CEO of Amplify LatinX, a nonprofit focused on helping Latinos in Massachusetts and beyond attain not just wealth but influence. The organization centers on three pillars: economic development, leadership representation and policy advocacy. 
“We understand that all three (pillars) live in similar spaces, and we need to make sure that we're advancing policy solutions that close opportunity gaps for disadvantaged communities.”

Tune in to this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast to learn more about:

• Why Roman’s first time experiencing opportunity gaps for the Latino community inspired her to found The Latino Circle (1:10)
• Amplify LatinX’s annual campaign honoring 100 Latino leaders across the commonwealth (9:39)
• A piece of advice Roman would give her younger self (14:55)

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At creative agency Arnold, says CEO George Sargent, designing marketing campaigns – whether with large brands or growth companies – comes down to listening and becoming immersed in the client’s culture.

That’s how Arnold’s campaigns for PNC Bank, Progressive and others have brought companies’ brands to life.

In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Sargent discusses one client with whom Arnold has had an 18-year relationship, as well as the agency’s recent “Brilliantly Boring” campaign for client PNC Bank.

“There was a like-mindedness in terms of the kind of work that we were going to be able to do together,” Sargent says about the collaboration between Arnold and PNC. “Our north star for clients is that we make it safe to be brave (with messaging).”

Listen to the episode for more about:

•What makes Sargent “tick” (10:08)
•How his agency sustains a culture of inclusion (20:39)
•The book Sargent is currently reading and recommends (25:04)

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For Lisa Wieland, president of National Grid’s New England business, today is the best time to work in the evolving energy sector.

“To be at the heart of the energy transition is a pretty exciting place to be,” she said. The company’s goal, “is to build out the future grid while also balancing the need to ensure that we continue to support and enable economic development, not only here within the city but across the commonwealth.”

In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Wieland also sheds light on National Grid’s role in shaping a diverse workforce pipeline that serves the needs of 2.3 million consumers. 

“Last year, we created what we're calling our infrastructure academies, or energy infrastructure academies, that really target people across the spectrum,” Wieland said. That ranges from STEM-related academies that targets secondary education students, to energy infrastructure training designed for “work-ready adults.”

“At National Grid, we’re investing to build tomorrow’s workforce today.”

Listen to the episode to hear more about:

• Why National Grid invested in the commonwealth’s iconic, red-roofed international terminal (7:16)
• What attracted Wieland to National Grid (10:20)
• How National Grid engages with the community (16:21)
• Her professional and personal role models (13:32)
• Three pieces of advice for listeners, from up-and-coming leaders to current C-suite executives (19:03)

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Creating an inclusive, equitable workplace and “workforce of the future,” says Dr. Anne Klibanski, is imperative for any organization with a goal of delivering patient-focused health care. 

“I think one of the most important lessons for all hospitals is to think about the local community,” says Klibanski, president and CEO of Mass General Brigham – which, she notes, “needs to look first at how to leverage what we have to create that working force of the future.”

In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Klibanski details Mass General Brigham’s multipronged efforts to put patients “at the center of everything we do.”

“We are seeing a movement toward health care very much focused on patients, which is where health care always needs to be focused,” says Klibanski. 

Listen for more from Klibanski about:

• How her leadership style has evolved alongside the health care system (3:42)
• What care changes she’s most excited about (10:19)
• Her favorite place in Boston (27:54)
• Her wish for the city (28:40)

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For Brooke Thomson, president of the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, the statewide business advocacy organization’s mission is clear.

“We are here to help businesses succeed. We know that when our businesses are strong, when our economy is strong, we can hire more people, we can pay great wages, people can have a good quality of life and do the things that they want to do,” Thomson says.

In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Thomson also shares details on AIM’s commitment to foster inclusion not only within its board and staff but also with the diverse suppliers on its membership roster.

“Creating access to opportunities for members is really what is key,” says Thomson. “That's what drives us at AIM every single day.”

Listen to the episode to hear more from Thomson on:

• The best advice she’s been given (13:37)
• Top post-Covid-19 issue for AIM’s constituents (20:49)
• Her childhood career ambition (26:44)
• A Boston leader to watch (28:12)

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What drives innovation? Andrew Bialecki, CEO and president of Klaviyo, says it’s people willing to take chances and “embrace the willingness to be wrong.”

“If you surround yourself with a lot of other ambitious, thoughtful people, you're just naturally going to want to try things,” says Bialecki, one of the company’s co-founders. “At Klaviyo, we're not afraid to take risks.”

In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Bialecki not only details the history and philosophy of Klaviyo – a tech company providing an automation platform for email and SMS marketing – but shares a pivotal piece of career advice.

If you're not good at something yet,” he says, “just get your foot in that door, crack it open an inch and then don't ever let somebody stop you from opening it all the way.”

Listen to the episode to hear more from Bialecki about:

• Two milestones not celebrated at Klaviyo (11:15)
• What he finds interesting about AI (16:10)
• His career aspiration as a child (22:43)
• The hobby he pursues in his spare time (24:42)

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The Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund’s goal, says Dr. Makeeba McCreary, is to raise $100 million to support nonprofit leaders of color. 

In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, McCreary, president of the fund, delves into how the organization is disrupting the philanthropy sector.

 McCreary, born and raised in Boston’s South End, launched her career in service to others, which included working in shelters, and theatrical performances before moving to “education policy.”

 “I really wanted to be a part of solutions around systems issues that I thought could have made a real difference for some of my friends who I grew up with that didn't have as many successes, I guess you could say, as I did,” McCreary says.

 Listen to the episode to hear more from McCreary about:

• Her guiding principle (12:01)
• Advice to her younger self (13:26) 
• What she finds troubling (15:06)
• Why impatience is necessary (22:10)

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The New England Aquarium, says president and CEO Vikki Spruill, is far more than a tourist attraction. 

In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Spruill details the scope and significance of the 54-year-old institution’s contributions – research, education and advocacy, among others – to Boston and far beyond the city limits.

As the leader of a marine-based nonprofit with a workforce of 290 and two campuses, Spruill is passionate about climate resiliency, ocean conservation and the role the aquarium plays in furthering those objectives.

The aquarium’s mission is working “for a vital and vibrant ocean for all,” Spruill says. “We hope to inspire everyone to form a deeper connection with the ocean and take action to protect it.”

Listen to the episode to hear more from Spruill on:

• The aquarium’s plastic-free gift shop (6:04)
• “Working at the speed of trust” (9:39)
• The job of a leader (16:56)
• Her wish for Boston (26:21)

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Download a transcript of the podcast.