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
Episode 26 – A Farewell and a Future: Closing the Stanford MBA ’95 Meets ’25 Series
In this final episode, host Katharine McLennan reflects on the full arc of the Stanford MBA ’95 meets MBA ’25 podcast series—25 episodes bridging two generations, born 30 years apart, at two pivotal moments in history: the dawn of the internet and the rise of artificial intelligence.
With gratitude and insight, Katharine revisits the major themes expl...
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 worked in the Philippines, Malawi, and Colombia, focusing on socioeconomic empowerment. During her time at Stanford, Carmen co-founded a startup exploring how AI can support freelance fashion de...
🌟 “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 may reshape healthcare’s back office, but compassion will always be at its heart.”
🎙️ Episode 24 is live for the Stanford MBA ’95 meets MBA ’25 podcast, “From Baby Boomer to Gen Z.”
This time, I’m joine...
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 currently President of the Builders Initiative, part of Lucas Walton’s Builders Vision, where he steers capital and grants toward environmental and social change. Before that, he led TechnoServe, drove s...
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 U.S. From senior roles at Capital One and Wells Fargo to leading large-scale transformations in fintechs and UK utilities, he brings deep expertise in productivity, regulation, and customer experie...
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 Bruker Corporation (Nasdaq: BRKR), a life science and diagnostics company, and was previously a board member for Shockwave Medical (Nasdaq: SWAV) prior to its acquisition by Johnson & Johnson. She...
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 founders, CEOs, and boards drive growth across the technology sector. Calm under pressure and pragmatic in approach, Glover has built a career structuring, negotiating, and integrating major transac...
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 Vanity Fair Corp. He then moved into large company roles, leading new business development for a startup incubator at Intel and later overseeing global supply chain strategy for Nike, culminating as Nike...
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 Systems, and Accenture. In early 2025, he transitioned full-time into nonprofit leadership, now serving as Co-Chair of Project Redwood, a GSB-founded initiative fighting global poverty, as well as a ...
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 Operations. Now based in Park City, Utah, he serves on the advisory board of Crowdstake, a platform using crypto rewards to fund new initiatives — and he’s preparing for his second climb of Denali.
Marc-Au...
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, and executive development. After earning his MBA at Stanford, Jason founded Aplomb Consulting and later served eight years in the Vermont House of Representatives, advocating for reforms in prison pol...
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 great to legendary—often leading them through ownership transitions, IPOs, and international expansion. With roots in investment banking, consulting, and C-suite leadership across North America, As...
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, bringing improvisation into business education long before it was a buzzword. His career spans Second City, Edinburgh Fringe, and dozens of corporate stages, all with a comedic twist and deep insight...
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 Oracle, she pivoted to community leadership—raising three children, supporting education through strategic fundraising, and now serving on the Student Affairs National Council at Washington Univers...
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 content creators grow and monetize their audiences, Jillian worked as a screenwriter in Hollywood. She also hosts The Blogger Genius Podcast, where for over seven years she’s interviewed top m...
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 America build endowments through legacy giving. With over 35 years of nonprofit leadership, she’s helped raise tens of millions of dollars in planned gifts while strengthening Jewish community instituti...
🎙️ 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, integrated change. With deep roots in healthcare, strategy, and leadership development, Pam brings a rare mix of analytical precision and human insight to the world’s most complex organizations.
Pragati is ...
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-founding EMERAM Capital Partners and later Blue Ocean Partner, helping small and mid-sized companies scale through growth strategy and private equity.
Laura is a second-year MBA student at Sta...
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 largest network of allied healthcare workers in the U.S. Her career spans roles in high tech, government, and nonprofit leadership, including serving as Executive Vice Chancellor for the Califo...
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 founding, leading, and scaling some of the world’s most prominent professional services and talent-centric organizations. He is currently the Founder and Chairman of Ascent Leadership Networks, an advis...
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