The Chief Strategy Officer Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Chief Strategy Officer Podcast

Outthinker

Business

Frequency: 1 episode/33d. Total Eps: 24

The Chief Strategy Officer Podcast brings you conversations with global executives who lead strategy to share their unique experiences in tackling complex challenges, navigating disruptive technologies, and driving impactful growth.

The Chief Strategy Officer role can be lonely and misunderstood. In today's interconnected world, no single leader has all the answers. To learn more about how Outthinker's network of leading chief strategy officers can offer you time-saving solutions, trend insights, and invaluable peer connections - visit outthinkernetwork.com.

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Score global : 37%

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#20—From Founder-Led to Function-Led: Scaling Strategy with Michael Drexler

Season 1 · Episode 20

Thursday, December 11, 2025 • Duration 35:03

Today’s guest is Michael Drexler, Chief Strategy Officer at Brightstar Capital Partners, a private equity firm that invests in closely held, middle-market businesses and helps them scale into professional, process-driven organizations.

Michael’s career spans leadership roles across investment banking, global strategy, and private equity—from Barclays to the World Economic Forum, and Brightstar Capital Partners—giving him a rare perspective on how strategy functions evolve as companies mature from founder-led to institutional scale.

In this conversation, we unpack lessons from Michael’s career leading strategy functions and explore how the head of strategy role transforms along a company’s growth journey.

Things we will cover:

How strategy evolves from a “chief of staff” role in founder-led companies to a full-fledged internal consulting function
The mindset shift from advising a single CEO to influencing a broader leadership team
How to build and sustain an effective strategy team—including Michael’s “2-to-4-year rotation” and “no bad news for two weeks” rules
Why private equity firms view internal strategy functions differently—and how to reposition your team in a PE environment
Michael’s four-step framework for prioritizing projects that’s “never failed him once”

From developing consulting-style skillsets inside corporations to balancing neutrality among competing executives, Michael brings clarity and practicality to what it means to be an effective CSO.

Learn more about Outthinker's community of chief strategy officers - https://outthinker.com/
Follow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/outthinker-networks

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#19—Inside Cisco’s Strategy Office: Building the Infrastructure for the AI Era

Episode 19

Thursday, November 27, 2025 • Duration 34:49

In this episode, Cisco’s Chief Strategy Officer Ammar Maraqa joins host Kaihan Krippendorff to discuss how one of the world’s largest technology companies is evolving its strategy to lead the next wave of AI and digital infrastructure.

From building AI-ready data centers to fostering intrapreneurship through Outshift, Cisco is reimagining how strategy, innovation, and execution come together. Ammar shares lessons from his experience leading Cisco’s strategy organization and shaping its innovation portfolio across build, buy, partner, and incubate pathways.

Topics Covered

Cisco’s strategy for the AI and digital infrastructure era
How the Strategy Office connects long-term vision with execution
Building AI-ready data centers and enabling digital resilience
The meaning of agentic AI and its impact on enterprise productivity
How Cisco’s Outshift incubator drives internal innovation
Cisco’s approach to build, buy, partner, and incubate innovation
The difference between a “push” and “pull” model in corporate strategy teams
Why resource allocation is the truest test of strategic clarity

Key Quotes

“We’re helping customers build AI-ready data centers — the infrastructure that will power the next generation of digital workers and intelligent systems.”

“Cisco has always viewed the startup ecosystem as an extension of our own R&D. We don’t have a monopoly on good ideas.”

“A successful strategy team isn’t the strategy police. It’s when people across the business pull you in because of the value you bring.”

Resources Mentioned

Cisco Outshift (https://outshift.cisco.com)
Cisco’s Digital Resilience framework
Outthinker Networks (https://outthinker.com)

Learn more about Outthinker's community of chief strategy officers -

#10—Making Purpose a Strategic Advantage

Season 1 · Episode 10

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 • Duration 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/

#9—Mastering M&A: Strategy, Integration, and Effectiveness

Season 1 · Episode 9

Thursday, January 16, 2025 • Duration 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.

Learn more about Outthinker's community of chief strategy officers -

#8—Expanding Your Impact: A CSO's Roadmap to Board Service

Season 1 · Episode 8

Wednesday, December 18, 2024 • Duration 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.

Learn more about Outthinker's community of chief strategy officers - https://outthinker.com/
Follow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/outthinker-networks

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#7—Making Strategic AI Investments

Season 1 · Episode 7

Thursday, November 14, 2024 • Duration 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.

Learn more about Outthinker's community of chief strategy officers - https://outthinker.com/
Follow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/outthinker-networks

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#6—Designing and Operating an Effective Strategy Office (Part 2)

Season 1 · Episode 6

Friday, October 11, 2024 • Duration 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.

Learn more about Outthinker's community of chief strategy officers - https://outthinker.com/
Follow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/outthinker-networks

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#5—Designing and Operating an Effective Strategy Office (Part 1)

Season 1 · Episode 5

Friday, August 30, 2024 • Duration 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.

Learn more about Outthinker's community of chief strategy officers - https://outthinker.com/
Follow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/outthinker-networks

#4—How to Integrate Sustainability into Corporate Strategy

Season 1 · Episode 4

Monday, July 29, 2024 • Duration 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.

Learn more about Outthinker's community of chief strategy officers - https://outthinker.com/
Follow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/outthinker-networks

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#3—The Unexpected Role of the Strategy Office

Season 1 · Episode 3

Thursday, June 27, 2024 • Duration 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

Learn more about Outthinker's community of chief strategy officers - https://outthinker.com/
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The Chief Strategy Officer Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Chief Strategy Officer Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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