Learning From Leaders

What if mental health wasn’t something we addressed only after a crisis, but something we intentionally built from the very start? Lili Clark sits down with Dr. Jessica Gomez, a licensed psychologist and Executive Director of Momentous Institute, to explore what prevention can look like when it’s woven into classrooms, families, and communities.

Dr. Gomez shares how Momentous Institute, established more than 100 years ago by the Sa...

What does it take to lead a storied sports franchise through change, rebuild trust with fans, and design a venue that feels unmistakably Dallas? In this special episode of Learning From Leaders, host Lili Clark is joined by Andrew Kaufmann, the host of The Strategerist Podcast, for a conversation with Rick Welts, CEO of the Dallas Mavericks. They explore the leadership lessons behind some of the biggest moments in modern basketball...

What does it really take to build a thriving biotech ecosystem and help breakthrough science reach patients? In this episode of Learning From Leaders, host Lili Clark sits down with Dr. Gabby Everett, Director of Business Operations and Strategy and site head at BioLabs Pegasus Park, to unpack the infrastructure, partnerships, and leadership that turn early-stage biotech ideas into real-world impact.

Gabby explains how BioLabs func...

Do repeated “bell ringers” and repetitive, sub-concussive hits add up over time? In this episode of Learning From Leaders, host Lili Clark sits down with Dr. Jeff Schaffert, assistant professor in UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry, to explore the evolving science of brain health in athletes. Fresh off receiving The Cary Council’s $50,000 early-stage research grant, Dr. Schaffert shares how the pilot study he...

In this episode of Learning From Leaders, host Lili Clark sits down with Dr. Carine Feyten, chancellor of the Texas Woman’s University System and president of Texas Woman’s University, to unpack how a 125 year old institution stays future focused. TWU, originally founded in 1901 to open doors for women, is now the seventh university system in the State of Texas and serves nearly 16,000 students across its campuses in Denton, Dallas...

In this episode of Learning from Leaders, host Mason Smith sits down with Dr. Benjamin Greenberg and Dr. David Greenberg, two accomplished physician-scientists, innovators, and brothers shaping the future of medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Benjamin, a neurologist leading groundbreaking stem cell and immune-reset therapies, and David, an infectious disease expert developing game-changing technologies to fight antimicrobi...

In this episode of Learning From Leaders, host Lili Clark sits down with Alfreda Norman, retired Senior Vice President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, to explore a career defined by connection, trust, and community. From her beginnings in the Dallas Arts District to two decades of leadership at the Fed, Alfreda has built bridges between institutions and people — ensuring that economic growth includes every community it touch...

In this episode of Learning From Leaders, we sit down with Warren Tranquada, President and CEO of the AT&T Performing Arts Center. From his roots in Toronto to nearly two decades at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Warren brings a wealth of nonprofit leadership experience to Dallas’s thriving Arts District. He shares the moment that first hooked him on live performances, and reflects on how that passion continues to shape...

What if the prescription for better health starts in the kitchen? In this episode of Learning from Leaders, we sit down with Jaclyn Albin, M.D., Associate Professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center and founder of its pioneering Culinary Medicine program. A nationally recognized leader in food as medicine, Dr. Albin blends nutrition, education, and clinical care to show how what we eat plays a critical role in prevention and healin...

In this episode of Learning From Leaders, we sit down with Mandy Ginsberg and Shar Dubey. These two women are trailblazing executives who each served as CEO of Match Group, the company behind Tinder, Match.com, OkCupid, and Hinge. Together, they reflect on their unlikely paths into tech leadership, building a startup from the ground up, and scaling Match into a global portfolio of brands. Their story is one of risk-taking, resilien...

How do we ensure that there is funding to advance medicine? It starts bold vision and is catalyzed by the generosity of donors, but sustaining support for the critical work of our health care leaders requires expertise in stewarding those donations within an investment portfolio. Sarah Fletcher, CFO of Southwestern Medical Foundation, leads a conversation with investment leaders David Haley and Andrew Zach as they explore how the F...

What does it take to lead in public health during a crisis and beyond? In this episode of Learning From Leaders, we sit down with Dr. Richard Hoffman, longtime state epidemiologist and former Chief Medical Officer of Colorado, and Dr. Saad Omer, Founding Dean of the Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health at UT Southwestern. Together, they explore what it means to serve the public, the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic...

In this special live-audience episode of Learning from Leaders, we sit down with two influential business minds: Drew McKnight, Co-CEO and Managing Partner of Fortress Investment Group, and James “Jim” Litinsky, Founder, Chairman and CEO of MP Materials and JHL Capital Group.

This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at Old Parkland’s Debate Chamber in Dallas and moderated by Lili Clark, Vice Chair of The Cary Council a...

In this episode of Learning From Leaders, we sit down with Charlie Neil, President of Dallas Trinity FC, to discuss the rise of women’s soccer, the economic impact of sports in North Texas, and the leadership principles behind building a successful franchise.

Charlie shares thoughts on why North Texas is a soccer powerhouse, why investment in women’s sports is essential, and what it takes to create a sustainable, community-driven o...

In this episode of Learning From Leaders, we sit down with Jim Keyes, former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster, to discuss the power of education, embracing change, and the future of leadership in a rapidly evolving world. From growing up in a three-room shack with no running water to leading Fortune 500 companies, Jim shares how education transformed his life and why he believes lifelong learning is the key to success.

Jim shares hi...

In this episode of Learning From Leaders, we sit down with acclaimed journalist and Pulitzer Prize-nominated author Rena Pederson. Known for her trailblazing career and fearless storytelling, Rena shares the fascinating journey behind her latest book, The King of Diamonds: The Search for the Elusive Texas Jewel Thief, a gripping true-crime story about an elusive Dallas jewel thief.

She also reflects on breaking barriers as a pionee...

In this inspiring episode of Learning from Leaders, we sit down with Russell Hayward, a serial entrepreneur whose ventures span coffee culture, global branding, and leading-edge cancer research. Russell shares how his frustration with mediocre coffee led to the creation of Ascension, a Dallas staple redefining community spaces. He then takes us on his unexpected leap into biotech with Etira, a company advancing groundbreaking thera...

In this impactful episode of Learning from Leaders, Mason Smith sits down with Michael "Rod" Rodriguez, a U.S. Army Special Forces veteran and CEO of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation. Rod shares his journey from over two decades in military service to now leading the effort to create a national memorial in Washington, D.C., honoring those who served in the Global War on Terrorism. This episode dives deep into the val...

In this episode of Learning from Leaders, host Lili Clark sits down with Chief David O. Brown, an iconic figure in law enforcement with a remarkable career spanning leadership roles in the Dallas and Chicago Police Departments. Chief Brown shares his deeply personal journey, beginning with his return to Dallas, where he reflects on the significance of his hometown and his leadership evolution in public safety. He dives into pivotal...