Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25
I’m Katharine Keough McLennan, Stanford MBA Class of 1995 alumna; I am the creator, producer and facilitator for this series in which I have the honour of hosting each episode with a different pair of two Stanford MBA generations—one from my Class of 1995 and the other from the Class of 2025.
Our dialogues explore the profound shifts both of these classes saw in the "Changing of the Eras" :
- The Class of 1995 graduated at the dawn of the internet, heralding the Information Age emerging from the Industrial Age. Some of our classmates are considered global internet pioneers, and the companies they created are well-known worldwide. Our class is now in our 60s.
- The Class of 2025 enters the next era as we witness the rise of artificial intelligence. Information is a commodity and no longer describes an "era." They now grapple with a very different world than we did 30 years ago -- not only in technology but also in politics, economics, social connections, environmental challenges, and legal dynamics. They are in their 30s.
Together, we unpack the possibilities: Will AI spark a new era of human creativity and connection that I call the Inspiration Age? Or will it deepen disconnection, ushering in an Isolation Age?
This podcast is a "wisdom exchange" across generations, blending the hard-won lessons of my peers in their 60s with the bold vision of leaders in their 30s. Through candid, inspiring, and often humorous conversations, we reflect on aspirations, anxieties, and challenges while envisioning a future shaped by collaboration, ingenuity, and integrity—a call to action for a world where technology serves humanity.
For updates and more, visit katharinemclennan.com
Let’s shape the Inspiration Age, together.
Episodes
27 episodes
Podcast Ep. 26 FInal Episode Summary Stanford MBA '95 Katharine McLennan Untitled Episode
Episode 26 – A Farewell and a Future: Closing the Stanford MBA ’95 Meets ’25 SeriesIn this final episode, host Katharine McLennan reflects on the full arc of the Stanford MBA ’95 meets MBA ’25 podcast series—25 episodes bridging...
Podcast Ep. 25 Stanford MBA '95 Katharine McLennan meets MBA '25 Carmen Gordon
Today, I’m joined by Carmen Gordon from the Stanford MBA Class of 2025. Carmen is a second-year MBA student originally from Spain, who previously worked in strategy consulting at McKinsey. She’s driven by a passion for social impact and has wor...
Podcast Ep. 24 Stanford MBA ’95 Laura Zung meerts '25 Shelly Ngo
🌟 “In healthcare, technology can optimize systems—but it’s the human connection that truly heals.”💡 “Leadership in crisis isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about showing up, staying real, and caring for people first.”🌱 “AI m...
Podcast Ep. 23 Bruce McNamer Stanford MBA '95 meets MBA '25 Batu Demir
Today, I’m joined by Bruce McNamer from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Batu Demir from the Class of 2025.Bruce is a philanthropic leader who has spent his life weaving together business, government, and global development. He’s curre...
Podcast Ep. 22 David Farlow Stanford MBA '95 meets Khalid Alajlan '25
Today I’m joined by David Farlow from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Khalid Alajlan from the Class of 2025.David is a transformation leader whose career spans global banking, fintech, and operational turnarounds across Europe and the...
Podcast Ep. 21 Laura Francis Stanford MBA ’95 meets Aislin Roth MBA ’25
Today, I’m joined by Laura Francis from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Aislin Roth from the Class of 2025.Laura is the CEO of SI-BONE (Nasdaq: SIBN), a global leader in the medical device industry. She recently joined the board of Br...
Podcast Ep. 20 Glover Lawrence Stanford MBA ’95 Vikram Kanodia meets MBA ’25
Today, I’m joined by Glover Lawrence from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Vikram Kanodia from the Class of 2025.Glover is a highly respected M&A strategist and financial advisory executive with over 30 years of experience helping ...
Podcast Ep. 19 Stanford MBA ’95 Steve Hochman meets MBA ’25 Ayesha Karnik
Today, I’m joined by Steve Hochman from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Ayesha Karnik from the Class of 2025.Steve started two companies, selling both. His first was lucy activewear, a predecessor to Lululemon, which was sold to Vanit...
Podcast Ep. 18 Stanford MBA ’95 Brad Smith meets MBA ’25 Yoshimi Muneta
Today, I’m joined by Brad Smith from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Yoshimi Muneta from the Class of 2025.Brad spent over 30 years leading IT and operations for companies like Uline, McMaster-Carr, PayNet, EthnicGrocer.com, CellNet S...
Podcast Ep. 17 Stanford MBA ’95 Tony Ross meets MBA ’25 Marc-Aurèle Stark
Today, I’m joined by Tony Ross from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Marc-Aurèle Stark from the Class of 2025.Tony spent nearly 22 years at Apple, leading Americas Operations after key roles in Worldwide Planning and Mac Product Operat...
Podcast Ep. 16 Stanford MBA ’95 Jason Lorber meets MBA ’25 David Goehring Freed
Today, I’m joined by Jason Lorber from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and David Goehring Freed from the Class of 2025.Jason is a consultant, comedian, and former Vermont legislator whose eclectic career has spanned politics, activism, an...
Podcast Ep. 15 Stanford MBA ’95 PY Nicole Chang meets MBA ’25 Jesse Cai
Today I’m joined by Nicole Chang from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Jesse Cai from the Class of 2025.Nicole is a powerhouse strategist, entrepreneur, and global executive who’s spent three decades helping companies grow from good to...
Podcast Ep. 14 Stanford MBA ’95 Al Samuels meets MBA ’25 Joel Johnson
Today I’m joined by Al Samuels from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Joel Johnson from the Class of 2025.Al is an award-winning stage, TV, and film actor, writer, and producer. He co-founded Spark Creative during our time at the GSB, b...
Podcast Ep. 13 Stanford MBA ’95 Carol Hamilton meets MBA ’25 Lauren Maymar
Today, I’m joined by Carol Hamilton from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Lauren Maymar from the Class of 2025.Carol is a tech industry veteran and education advocate. After shaping the early days of e-commerce as VP of Online Sales at...
Podcast Ep. 12 Stanford MBA ’95 Jillian Leslie meets MBA ’25 Mehek Mohan
Today, I’m joined by Jillian Leslie from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Mehek Mohan from the Class of 2025. Jillian is a creative entrepreneur, podcast host, and digital business builder. Before co-founding MiloTree, a platform that helps c...
Podcast Ep. 11 Stanford MBA ’95 Kathy Sarlson meets MBA ’25 Andrew Lobel
Today, I’m joined by Kathy Sarlson from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Andrew Lobel from the Class of 2025.Kathy is the National Director of Life & Legacy, a philanthropic initiative helping Jewish organizations across North Amer...
Podcast Ep. 10 Stanford MBA ’95 Pam Fox Rollin meets MBA ’25 Pragati Rastogi
🎙️ Today, I’m joined by Pam Fox Rollin from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Pragati Rastogi from the Class of 2025.Pam is a renowned executive coach and strategist, partnering with C-level leaders and top teams to drive bold, integrat...
Podcast Ep. 9 Stanford MBA '95 Volker Schmidt meets Laura Kiehl '25
Today, I’m joined by Volker Schmidt from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Laura Kiehl from the Class of 2025. Volker is a seasoned investor and leadership advisor with deep roots in Europe’s Mittelstand. He began his career at BCG before co-f...
Podcast Ep. 8 Stanford MBA '95 Van Ton-Quinlivan meets MBA '25 Sarah Tang
Today, I’m joined by Van Ton-Quinlivan from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Sarah Tang from the Class of 2025. Van is a national thought leader in workforce development and currently serves as CEO of Futuro Health, a nonprofit growing the la...
Podcast Ep. 7 Stanford MBA Kevin Steinberg meets '25 Michael Bakan
See chapter timings below this introduction: Today, I’m joined by Kevin Steinberg from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Michael Bakan from the Class of 2025. Kevin is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of operating experience...
Podcast Ep. 6 Stanford MBA ’95 Russell Eggers meets MBA ’25 Michael Liu
Today, I’m joined by Russell Eggers, a seasoned executive from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995. Now a CEO and board director, Russell brings over 40 years of operational leadership across mining, aviation, and industrial enterprises. He’s known ...
🎬 The Trailer | Stanford MBA – From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Katharine McLennan '95
I’m Katharine Keough McLennan, Stanford MBA Class of 1995 alumna; I am the creator, producer and facilitator for this series in which I have the honour of hosting each episode with a different pair of two Stanford MBA generations—one from my Cl...
🎬 Podcast Ep. 5 | Stanford MBA – From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Peter Crawford '95 meets Doug Phipps '25
Today, I’m joined by Peter Crawford, a seasoned executive from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995. As CFO at Charles Schwab for seven years, Peter was instrumental in growing the company’s client assets under management from $1 trillion to $10 tril...
🎬 Podcast Ep. 4 | Stanford MBA – From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Fran Sachs ’95 meets Kate Kabat '25
This is Episode 4. Today, I’m joined by Fran Sachs, a senior executive with over 25 years of experience growing service businesses and driving organisational change. Fran’s career includes roles in Fortune 500 companies, middle-market organisat...
🎬 Podcast Ep. 3 | Stanford MBA – From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Michael Rodriguez meets Kailash Sundaram
This is Episode 3. Today, I’m joined by Michael Rodriguez from the Class of 1995, a distinguished CEO and director in early-stage companies with a focus on healthcare innovation, who now also teaches managerial accounting and business ...
