It's More Than Grit

In this episode, Mariana speaks with Mothanna Gharaibeh, former Jordanian Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship with 15 years of experience in the private sector across the Middle East. They discuss a story that is being overshadowed by the current war in Iran: a story about human capital, tech adaptation, and the sheer entrepreneurial hustle in the Middle East. They also discuss the difference between entrepreneurs in oil-rich versus non-oil-rich countries, the critical need to adopt similar regulations across the region for entrepreneurs to scale, and how Jordan is an exporter of tech talent. Lastly, they explore Jordan’s ambitions to position itself as a key player in the new technological revolution: AI.

In this episode, Mariana speaks with David Fialkow, co-founder and managing director of General Catalyst, a venture capital firm, and an Academy Award-winning storyteller. David discusses his life defined by relentless curiosity from his early days as a serial entrepreneur who built and sold four companies to his pivot toward venture capital. David shares his personal “why” behind the creation of General Catalyst. Mariana and David also explore the many layers of his identity—not only as a successful investor backing giants like Stripe and AirBnB and an Academy Award-winning filmmaker behind Icarus and Navalny, but also as a dedicated athlete, husband, father and mentor. David reveals his “red lines” when evaluating founders and the vital roles of storytelling and mentorship. Finally, they speak about why the United States has been a fertile ground for entrepreneurship, what is important to protect, and what has changed around the world where “unicorns” (companies valued at one billion dollars) are popping up like never before, signaling a new era of innovation and competition.

In this episode, Mariana speaks with Peggy Yu, founder and Executive Chairwomen of DangDang, the largest e-commerce book seller in China. They speak about how China has changed from a country that had very little to a country filled with competition and ambitious entrepreneurs fighting in a saturated market. They also discuss the challenges she faced while starting DangDang when credit card penetration was very low to the different obstacles she faces today to stay relevant and sustain market share. Peggy describes some of the mistakes she made along the way and how important culture is to create loyalty among employees. They also discuss how she is using AI and how businesses like hers could benefit from the technology.

Mariana sits down with Arnaud Vaissié, co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of International SOS, a leading provider of health and security services around the world. Arnaud shares how he and a childhood friend founded the company in the 1980s and reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped its growth. Mariana and Arnaud also explore the advantages of remaining a private, independent company after 40 years, the role of innovation in staying ahead, and the regulatory challenges facing business owners in Europe.

In this episode, Mariana sits down with Evan Greenberg—Chairman and CEO of Chubb Insurance, a CSIS Trustee, and her husband. They discuss Evan's journey from cook to CEO and how he built Chubb into what it is today. Evan dives into the importance of seizing opportunities when they arise, recognizing market conditions, and the critical role of having a great team. Stay tuned for part two with Evan, coming soon!

In this episode, Mariana is joined by Sarah Calhoun, founder of Red Ants Pants, a Montana-based retailer meeting the needs of working women across the country. Together, they discuss the power of serendipity, the value of mentorship, and the experience of starting a business in a state with more entrepreneurs per capita than any other in America. They also delve into the challenges of expanding from rural Montana—navigating the dilemma of manufacturing abroad, transitioning from brick-and-mortar to digital platforms, and raising sufficient capital. Additionally, they reflect on mistakes made along the way and examine the profound impact a single person can have in strengthening a community.

Andrew and Mariana sit down with Jacqueline Novogratz, founder and CEO of Acumen, a pioneering nonprofit venture capital fund. Jacqueline shares her journey from Wall Street to working in Africa’s most underserved communities, offering insights on how entrepreneurship, combined with the power of markets and philanthropy, can drive meaningful and lasting change in the fight against poverty.

In today's episode, Mariana speaks with Moses Lo, the founder and CEO of Xendit, a leading fintech company known as the Stripe of Southeast Asia. They discuss the growing entrepreneurial landscape in the region and the importance of resilience when building a business.

In this episode of It's More Than Grit, Eduardo della Maggiora, Founder and CEO of Betterfly, joins Mariana to discuss his journey of driving social change through Betterfly, a life insurance platform which helps individuals manage their well-being. He shares insights into the challenges entrepreneurs face in Latin America and talks about balancing Ironman training with leading his company. Eduardo is the Founder and CEO of Betterfly, a leading technology company in the fintech and insurtech space, which became the first social unicorn in Latin America in 2022. He began his career at J.P. Morgan before moving to Tanzania to volunteer teaching English and Mathematics to primary school students. In 2022, he was awarded "Entrepreneur of the Year" in Chile by Ernst & Young; in 2022 and 2021 he was recognized among the 500 most influential people in Latin America by Bloomberg; in 2020 he was named “Entrepreneur of the Year 2020” by UDD; and in 2014 he was named one of Chile’s “100 leaders under 35” by El Mercurio. He has also represented Chile in six occasions at the Ironman World Championships.

In this episode of It's More Than Grit, Mariana and Andrew sit down with Dr. Parag Khanna, Founder & CEO of AlphaGeo. They discuss Southeast Asia's dynamic entrepreneurial landscape, highlighting Singapore as a global startup hub. Dr. Khanna also analyzes the intersection between entrepreneurship, AI, and climate. Dr. Parag Khanna is a leading global strategy advisor, world traveler, and best-selling author. He is Founder & CEO of AlphaGeo, an AI-powered geospatial predictive location analytics platform. Dr. Khanna was named one of Esquire’s “75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century,” and featured in WIRED magazine’s “Smart List.” He holds a PhD from the London School of Economics, and Bachelors and Masters degrees from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. He was born in Kanpur, India and grew up in the United Arab Emirates, New York, and Germany.

In this first episode of It's More Than Grit, Mariana and Andrew sit down with Bill Ford, Chairman and CEO of General Atlantic. They discuss Bill's journey to General Atlantic, the entrepreneurial ecosystem, mistakes he has made, the importance of AI as a transformational technology, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Bill Ford is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of General Atlantic, with three decades of experience investing in and helping build leading growth companies. Under his leadership, General Atlantic has expanded its global presence, increased its capital base, and deepened its capabilities to identify and partner with high-potential growth companies across multiple business sectors and geographies. Bill is a member of the CSIS Board of Trustees, and prior to joining General Atlantic was an investment banker at Morgan Stanley. Disclaimer: “Ada” is not a voting member of General Atlantic’s investment committee, but a resource used as needed.