Leadership Next

Wendell Weeks, Chairman and CEO of Corning Incorporated, joins Diane and Kristin to reflect on leading one of America’s oldest innovators through constant reinvention. Weeks shares rare stories from his partnerships with visionaries like Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos, revealing lessons on collaboration, and what it takes to build a company designed to last the next 150 years. He also discusses Corning’s pivotal role in the iPhone’s creation, its quiet influence across industries from solar to AI, and why true leadership begins with followership.

Diane and Kristin sit with Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert to discuss how he's redefining what it means to lead a global brand with values at its core. In this candid interview, Gellert discusses Patagonia’s bold financial restructuring, its decision to give away company profits to fight climate change, and why advocacy is essential to making a powerful impact as a company.

Sheryl Palmer, Chairman and CEO of Taylor Morrison, joins Leadership Next to share her journey from McDonald’s crew member to the first—and still only—woman leading a publicly traded home builder. In this live episode recorded in Scottsdale, Palmer opens up about leading through the housing crash, the challenges of going public, and what it takes to grow a billion-dollar business without losing its soul. She reflects on navigating the post-2008 crisis, standing up to private equity, and building a culture rooted in empathy and impact. Palmer also unpacks how Taylor Morrison is tackling housing affordability through innovation and policy, why she believes “love the customer” is more than a slogan, and how CEOs today must balance public scrutiny with purpose-driven leadership.

WM CEO Jim Fish joins Leadership Next to unpack how the company formerly known as Waste Management is reinventing itself for a new era—one defined by sustainability, automation, and culture-first leadership. Fish explains how WM is transforming from a landfill-dependent waste hauler into a high-tech environmental leader, investing in profitable recycling centers and piloting autonomous garbage trucks. He shares why recycling is not only good for the planet but a major business driver, and reveals WM’s plan to reduce 5,000 jobs through attrition—not layoffs—by automating hard-to-fill roles. Along the way, Fish reflects on the surprising role trash collection has played in improving public health, and why, in his eyes, managing waste responsibly is a civic duty we all share.

Gillian Zucker, master operator at the L.A. Clippers, discussed her unique relationship with owner Steve Ballmer, emphasizing his genuine love for the game. She detailed her career journey, from Hamilton College to roles in PR, sales, and operations. Zucker highlighted the transformation of the Clippers’ fan base and the development of Intuit Dome, focusing on frictionless technology and fan engagement. She shared insights on leveraging data for personalized experiences, such as rewarding loud fans and using facial recognition. Zucker also touched on the Clippers’ commitment to sustainability and efforts to enhance the fan experience through innovative features like the Halo scoreboard and the Wall.

Daphne Koller, CEO of insitro and cofounder of Coursera, joins Leadership Next to unpack a bold idea: Just as calculus revolutionized our understanding of physics, AI could do the same for biology. In this episode, Koller explains how insitro is blending biology and machine learning to unlock new treatments for diseases like ALS and fatty liver. She also opens up about her leap from academia to entrepreneurship, the ethical challenges of data collection, and why the future of medicine lies in personalized, AI-driven care. Plus, her take on why humans and machines must work in tandem to drive meaningful innovation.

Brian Moynihan, CEO of Bank of America, joins Leadership Next to reflect on his journey from law to banking—and how that unexpected pivot brought him to the head job at one of the world’s largest financial institutions. He shares his leadership philosophy, emphasizing the power of staying calm in a crisis and the importance of giving energy to his team, not taking it away. Moynihan discusses Bank of America's strategic shift from aggressive acquisitions to organic growth, fueled by major investments in technology—like the AI assistant Erica. He explains why Erica is evolving from “third-grade Einstein” to near-genius capabilities. He also shares his perspective on responsible capitalism, the importance of expanding opportunities for underserved communities, and how he's preparing the bank for its next generation of leaders. Tune in to hear Moynihan's take on what it means to wear responsibility like a “comfortable sweater”—and how corporate leaders can help combat hate and promote dignity in today’s world.

In this episode, Dropbox founder and CEO Drew Houston joins Leadership Next to share how he's reimagining work in the age of AI. He traces Dropbox’s evolution—from solving file-syncing in the early cloud era to launching Dropbox Dash, a new AI-powered search and knowledge-management tool. Houston reflects on the hard lessons from failed ventures into email and photo apps, the pressures of self-disruption, and what it takes to stay relevant in a crowded productivity space. He also opens up about distributed work, leadership growth, and the books and mentors that have shaped his journey toward becoming a “bionic CEO.”