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inSpired
inSpired
Author: Woodline Partners
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© 2026 Woodline Partners
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Mike Rockefeller, Co-Chief Investment Officer of Woodline, manager of the Woodline | Spire funds, sits down with executives building tomorrow’s great companies. Candid, strategic conversations. For investors, by an investor. This is inSpired.
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On this episode of inSpired, Mike Rockefeller, Co-Chief Investment Officer of Woodline, is joined by his colleague Ben Rosen to sit down with Kevin Hochman, President & CEO of Brinker International, at its headquarters in Dallas, Texas. Hochman traces how Chili's introduced a whole new generation to the brand, from the Triple Dipper cheese pull that went viral to the $10.99 meals, and menu hacks that kept young guests discovering more. They explore fixing leaky roofs before chasing growth, executing a viral trend well rather than fast, the better-than-fast-food campaign, cutting nearly 30% of the menu, becoming the number one seller of margaritas, and why Chili's now offers the excitement of an upstart with the strength of a legacy brand. A grounded look at how doing the basics right won over a new generation. This is inSpired.00:00 Cold open01:57 What Kevin inherited at Chili’s05:16 Lessons from P&G and KFC09:57 How Chili’s won Gen Z24:36 Majoring in major segments43:05 Better than fast food49:18 Holding the $10.99 line57:34 The North of Six playbook01:11:34 Built to win in any economy01:22:13 What inspires KevinMike Rockefeller is the Co-CIO of Woodline® Partners LP ("Woodline"), manager of the Woodline | Spire funds. All opinions expressed by Mike and podcast guests are solely their own opinions and do not reflect the opinion of Woodline. Guests appearing on this podcast may maintain, or may have maintained, business relationships with Woodline or its affiliates. The views expressed by any guest do not constitute an endorsement or testimonial of Woodline. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only, is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any Woodline fund and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions. Funds managed by Woodline, including the Woodline Spire℠ funds, may maintain positions in the securities discussed in this podcast. Any discussion of the past performance of any investment, sector, or market is not indicative of any future results.www.woodlinepartners.comBe sure to follow Mike on X/Twitter: @mikerockefellerBe sure to follow us on X/Twitter: @inSpiredPodXEpisode Credits:Directed by & Artwork Designed by: Brian Thompson / BT Design & CreativeProduced, Edited, and Mixed by: Dillon Mortensen FilmsMusic Licensed through: Epidemic Sound
On this episode of inSpired, Mike Rockefeller, Co-Chief Investment Officer of Woodline, is joined by his colleague Neetu Dhaliwal to sit down with Joe Kudla, Founder & CEO of Vuori, at its headquarters in Carlsbad, California. Kudla traces Vuori's path from an Encinitas garage to a global brand, its fabric-first design philosophy, and the decision to build the company on free cash flow. They explore community as a growth engine, moving into women’s apparel, the plan to reach 300 stores by 2030, expansion into China, and how merchandising discipline protects full-price selling and best-in-class margins. A sharp look at product, brand, and financial rigor. This is inSpired.____________________________________________________________________________________________________Mike Rockefeller is the Co-CIO of Woodline® Partners LP ("Woodline"), manager of the Woodline | Spire funds. All opinions expressed by Mike and podcast guests are solely their own opinions and do not reflect the opinion of Woodline.Guests appearing on this podcast may maintain, or may have maintained, business relationships with Woodline or its affiliates. The views expressed by any guest do not constitute an endorsement or testimonial of Woodline.This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only, is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any Woodline fund and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions. Funds managed by Woodline, including the Woodline Spire℠ funds, may maintain positions in the securities discussed in this podcast. Any discussion of the past performance of any investment, sector, or market is not indicative of any future results.www.woodlinepartners.comBe sure to follow us on X/Twitter: @inSpiredPodXEpisode Credits:Directed by & Artwork Designed by: Brian Thompson / BT Design & CreativeProduced, Filmed, Edited, and Mixed by: Dillon Mortensen FilmsMusic Licensed through: Epidemic Sound
On this episode of inSpired, Mike Rockefeller, Co-Chief Investment Officer of Woodline, sits down with Dr. Leonard Schleifer, Co-Founder, President & CEO of Regeneron, at its headquarters in New York. Len reflects on the 38-year journey of building Regeneron alongside co-founder Dr. George Yancopoulos, the company's deep pipeline, and the extraordinary story of treating President Trump for COVID-19. They explore the growth runway for Eyela and Dupixent, its late-stage pipeline spanning obesity, multiple myeloma, anticoagulation, and the C5 franchise, as well as the Regeneron Genetics Center, curing genetic deafness, AI in drug discovery, and the company's disciplined M&A philosophy. A candid take on science-first drug development and what it takes to succeed in the biotechnology industry going forward. This is inSpired.Recorded May 6, 2026._____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________00:00 inSpired with Dr. Leonard Schleifer01:49 Founding Regeneron in 198808:04 Working with Dr. George Yancopoulos11:44 Top Moments and the EYLEA Approval15:05 Treating President Trump for COVID19:22 EYLEA and EYLEA HD Today20:18 Dupixent and the Type 2 Franchise23:20 Next Generation Immunology29:39 Obesity: A GLP That Lowers Cholesterol33:42 Lynozyfic in Multiple Myeloma34:50 Factor XI Anticoagulation39:46 The C5 Franchise42:48 The Regeneron Genetics Center48:06 Curing Genetic Deafness50:03 AI in Drug Discovery52:17 M&A Philosophy55:47 Succession and Advice for the Next Len_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Mike Rockefeller is the Co-CIO of Woodline® Partners LP ("Woodline"), manager of the Woodline | Spire funds. All opinions expressed by Mike and podcast guests are solely their own opinions and do not reflect the opinion of Woodline.Guests appearing on this podcast may maintain, or may have maintained, business relationships with Woodline or its affiliates. The views expressed by any guest do not constitute an endorsement or testimonial of Woodline.This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only, is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any Woodline fund and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions. Funds managed by Woodline, including the Woodline Spire℠ funds, may maintain positions in the securities discussed in this podcast. Any discussion of the past performance of any investment, sector, or market is not indicative of any future results.www.woodlinepartners.comBe sure to follow us on X/Twitter: @inSpiredPodXEpisode Credits:Directed by & Artwork Designed by: Brian Thompson / BT Design & CreativeProduced, Edited, and Mixed by: Dillon Mortensen FilmsMusic Licensed through: Epidemic Sound
On this episode of inSpired, Mike Rockefeller, Co-Chief Investment Officer of Woodline, manager of the Woodline | Spire funds, sits down with Dave Ricks, Chair & CEO of Eli Lilly, at its headquarters in Indiana. Ricks dives into the market for GLP-1s, a wide range of potential future applications, and upcoming pipeline drugs like retatrutide and eloralintide. They explore obesity pricing dynamics, Lilly's direct to consumer strategy, drug compounding, and internal vs. external innovation. A sharp, insightful look at science, strategy, and leadership from the CEO who built Eli Lilly into the most valuable healthcare company in the world. This is inSpired. __________________________________________________________________________00:00:00 - inSpired with Dave Ricks00:01:25 - Thriving for 150 years00:06:50 - Obesity market size00:10:45 - 100 million patients possible?00:11:30 - Next generation weight loss therapies00:15:08 - Retatrutide00:18:28 - Orforglipron and eloralintide00:23:48 - Brain health, immunology, and cancer00:27:32 - Lilly Direct00:35:55 - Price stability through innovation00:38:45 - Innovators vs. compounders00:42:13 - Neuroscience00:47:38 - M&A: opening the aperture00:53:04 - What inspires Dave Ricks?00:57:28 - Navigating a complex healthcare landscape01:00:39 - 10-year goals________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Mike Rockefeller is the Co-CIO of Woodline® Partners LP ("Woodline"), manager of the Woodline | Spire funds. All opinions expressed by Mike and podcast guests are solely their own opinions and do not reflect the opinion of Woodline.Guests appearing on this podcast may maintain, or may have maintained, business relationships with Woodline or its affiliates. The views expressed by any guest do not constitute an endorsement or testimonial of Woodline.This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only, is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any Woodline fund and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions. Funds managed by Woodline, including the Woodline Spire℠ funds, may maintain positions in the securities discussed in this podcast. Any discussion of the past performance of any investment, sector, or market is not indicative of any future results.www.woodlinepartners.comBe sure to follow us on X/Twitter: @inSpiredPodXEpisode Credits:Directed by: Brian Thompson / BT Design & CreativeProduced, Edited, and Mixed by: Dillon Mortensen FilmsArtwork designed by: BT Design & CreativeMusic Licensed through: Epidemic Sound







