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Welcome to The Ankura Podcast home to our flagship series The Business Behind Sport and The Impact Exchange, as well as a range of insightful discussions with leading experts and advisors from around the world on the developments shaping the global economy.
Ankura, a global expert services and advisory firm, advises the world's leading businesses, governments, and institutions on their most complex challenges. Visit ankura.com
Connect with us on LinkedIn for more of our latest insights: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ankura-consulting-group/
83 Episodes
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Why does diplomacy matter—especially now? In this episode of The Impact Exchange, John Frehse speaks with Ambassador Lee Feinstein, President of McLarty Associates and a seasoned diplomat whose career spans the Pentagon, the State Department, and the U.S. Embassy, in a conversation “On Diplomacy.” Together, they explore the philosophy and real‑world value of diplomacy across government, business, and personal life—highlighting the timeless principles that make it effective: clear communicatio...
Think control drives success? Think again. Most leaders believe control equals results—but what if that belief is holding you back? In the latest episode of The Impact Exchange, John Frehse sits down with Dr. Jessica Kriegel, Chief Strategy Officer at Culture Partners, to explore why the most successful leaders today aren’t the ones who “do more” or “know it all.” You’ll learn: Why surrendering the illusion of control unlocks better leadershipHow adaptive cultures outperform command-and-contr...
In the latest episode of The Business Behind Sport podcast, Jonny Gray is joined by David James, Global Managing Partner – Sport at Elevate Talent, to delve into the evolving dynamics of the sports industry and its impact on executive talent search. They explore how the convergence of sports and entertainment - and shifting commercial priorities - has led sport organizations to tap into unconventional talent pools, the qualities top senior candidates need to thrive and the unique challenges ...
Your brand isn’t what you sell – it’s the experience you deliver and how it makes people feel. In this episode of The Impact Exchange, John Frehse sits down with global brand and experience leader Ben Collier to explore the importance of delivering on brand promises. Ben draws on a career spanning advertising in Beijing and New York, financial services, luxury hospitality, premium spirits, telecoms, and multiple large-scale rebrands – and shares how he designs moments that foster trust, loyal...
In this episode of The Impact Exchange, John Frehse sits down with Dana Stefanczyk from Ankura Office of the CFO to unravel strategic insights into bill paying for enterprises. Discover how timing and prioritization can lead to impactful financial management. Whether you're a business leader or a financial expert, this episode offers fresh perspectives on leveraging vendor terms to enhance cash flow. Tune in today and learn how Ankura is helping businesses thrive amidst financial chall...
As some businesses prioritize AI investment over graduate programs and hiring, a crucial question emerges: where will the next generation of leaders come from? In this timely episode of The Impact Exchange, host John Frehse sits down with recent graduate and Ankura colleague Cady Finley to unpack the essential role of human connections and advanced skills in career growth. They discuss college lessons, the power of real-world experience, and the opportunities for individuals and businesses t...
The financial pressure of inflation, rising debt, and tariffs is changing how consumers shop – so what does this mean for retailers and how can they win in this challenging market? In this episode of The Impact Exchange, Ankura Performance Improvement expert Chris Ventry joins John Frehse for a deep dive on emerging trends and challenges as retail businesses prepare for the 2025 holiday season. They explore consumer debt trends, the pivotal role of AI, how retailers can capitalize on early s...
In this episode of the The Business Behind Sport, Jonny Gray is joined by Aaryaman Banerji, Head of Football Governance at Lane Clark and Peacock. They discuss the ground breaking Football Governance Act 2025, its implications on English professional football and the newly established independent football regulator. Listen as they discuss financial sustainability, fan engagement, and the evolving landscape of football governance.
Ready to challenge some stereotypes about Mexico's workforce? On this episode of The Impact Exchange, John Frehse sits down with Ankura's Horacio Gomez, a market strategy expert and transformational leader, to discuss the highly skilled and innovative labor force driving industry in Mexico. They explore the opportunities in healthcare, education, and digital transformation, and why American businesses should look southward for opportunities and growth.
As business leaders navigate intricate global transformations how can they foster a culture that embraces change? In this episode of The Impact Exchange, John Frehse speaks with Gloria Madrid, a global operations excellence leader with over 20 years of experience across Latin America, the US, and Europe. Gloria discusses strategies for aligning stakeholders, balancing governance with people-centric leadership, and crafting tailored approaches for successful transformations.
Tracey Abbott, a seasoned Private Equity Operating Partner and Keynote Speaker, joins John Frehse to explore the vital role of intuition, risk-taking, and AI in today's business landscape. Drawing from her extensive background in private equity, board advisory, and coaching CEOs, Tracey delves into the power of curiosity and the significance of learning from both triumphs and setbacks to enhance intuition and foster success.
On this episode of The Business Behind Sport, Brandon Doll, Founder of Sports & Entertainment Advisors, joins Jonny Gray to discuss the crucial role of ticket sales in revenue generation of various sports organizations. They dive into: - The evolution of the ticketing sales model - How AI is reshaping ticket pricing models and inventory management - Consumers’ shift in search to AI platforms and how this is impacting primary and secondary ticket markets - Working with secondary mar...
What keeps a CFO up at night? How has the role evolved beyond traditional number-crunching? Join John Frehse as he delves into the intricacies of the modern CFO role with financial expert Elliot Fuhr on this episode of The Impact Exchange. Elliot shares invaluable insights on: • Key financial metrics that every business should focus on • The transformation of finance officers into strategic business leaders • The power of force multiplication through technology Unlock the secret...
Ever wondered why the U.S. healthcare billing process is so complex? Ryan Christine joins John Frehse on the latest episode of The Impact Exchange to unravel the intricacies and challenges hospitals face with revenue cycle management. Key insights include: What revenue cycle management really meansThe importance of cash flow in healthcare operationsTips on negotiating your medical bills as a patientLearn how these challenges affect healthcare institutions and what solutions are being implemen...
In an era of geopolitical challenges and energy transitions, how do businesses adapt? The latest episode of The Impact Exchange with John Frehse features Ambassador Geoff Pyatt, a seasoned diplomat with over 35 years of experience. From the frontlines of international diplomacy to the complexities of energy transitions, Geoff shares insights on Ukraine's resilience, the geopolitical landscape, and the future of critical minerals. Learn about: • U.S. policies in Ukraine and their broade...
Blockchain and cryptocurrency have become buzzwords, but what do they truly mean for industries and society? Join John Frehse as he chats with expert Andrew Sotak on this episode of The Impact Exchange. Andrew shares his insights on: • What blockchain is at its core • The impact of crypto on global regulations • Real-life forensic cases in the crypto world • Future trends in digital assets
With the football transfer window now open, have you ever wondered about the intricacies behind those multimillion-dollar player moves? With over 22,000 transfers globally last year, the football transfer window is big business, totalling $8.6 billion! In the latest episode of The Business Behind Sport, Jonny Gray is joined by Paolo Lombardi, Managing Director of Lombardi Associates, to share his insights from 23 years of experience, including his pivotal role at FIFA. Together, they discuss:...
Why are there so many unfinished construction projects? Is it true in construction that you can only pick two: better, faster, or cheaper? In this episode of The Impact Exchange, John Frehse sits down with Ankura’s Chris Nutter to explore the world of value engineering, a process developed during World War II that is used today to balance cost, function, and quality in construction projects. Chris shares insights on: • How to avoid common pitfalls • Ensuring projects meet ...
In the latest episode of The Business Behind Sport, hear from Moses Swaibu, a former professional footballer who spent a spell in prison after he was drawn into the dark world of match-fixing. In a candid conversation with Jonathan Brown, Moses reveals how he was targeted by organized crime syndicates to manipulate matches and the impact his actions had on his life and career. Moses' brother, Ayub Swaibu, also joins Jonathan to discuss the brothers’ shared upbringing and to highlight the impa...
Are you being watched?! 2025 has witnessed a surge in sophisticated cyberattacks, with ransomware attacks rising by 126% globally. In this episode of The Impact Exchange, John Frehse speaks with Han Lai about the critical importance of cybersecurity and the hidden risks we all face in our connected world. Discover why information security matters and learn the first steps to take if your data is compromised. Han explains the complex nature of cyberattacks, from prolonged system infiltrations...
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