Learning From Leaders
'Learning From Leaders' is a monthly podcast from Southwestern Medical Foundation that provides a platform for knowledge exchange, mentorship, and collaborative problem-solving. In each episode, we foster a unique learning experience that offers valuable insights, practical advice, and inspiring stories from seasoned community leaders. We delve into the pressing issues facing our communities and explore innovative solutions.
Episodes
We Broke the Rules: The Creative Research of Nanoparticle Expert Dr. Daniel Siegwart
Most nanoparticles “go to the liver,” and for years, that limitation blocked genetic medicines from reaching organs like the lungs. In this episode of Learning From Leaders, host Mason Smith sits down with Daniel Siegwart, Ph.D., a UT Southwestern professor of biomedical engineering and biochemistry and Director of UT Southwestern’s Program in Genetic Drug Engineering, to explain how his lab crack
Ho Din Award Surprise: Hannah Chang’s Path to Standout Medical Student
In this episode of Learning from Leaders, we welcomed a very special guest: Hannah Chang, M.D. Dr. Chang is a member of the UT Southwestern Medical School class of 2026. Dr. Chang is the 2026 recipient of the Ho Din Award, and we had the honor of delivering the good news as a surprise on the podcast. This award is the highest honor bestowed upon a graduating med student at UT Southwestern and has
Mental Health in Elementary Curriculum: The Psychologist on a Mission to Impact a Million Lives
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, establishe
Inside the Mavericks’ Future: Rick Welts on Culture, a New Arena District, and Leadership
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 b
Building a Biotech Ecosystem in Dallas: Inside BioLabs Pegasus Park with Dr. Gabby Everett
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 impa
Do Sub-concussive Hits Matter? Meet the Scientist Leading a Study of Former College Football Players
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. Scha
Shining a Light on the Best Kept Secret in Texas: Carine Feyten’s Bold Vision for TWU
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 ac
Siblings, Science, and Startup Success: The Greenberg Brothers on their Research Journey
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-changin
Leading with Trust: Alfreda Norman on the Currency of Community
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 growt
Beyond the Stage: Warren Tranquada on Leadership, Culture, and Community
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
From Clinic to Kitchen: Leadership Lessons in Culinary Medicine with Dr. Jaclyn Albin
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 cri
The Perfect Match: Mandy Ginsberg & Shar Dubey on Female Leadership in Tech
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 st
Investing for Good: Southwestern Medical Foundation's Financial Strategy
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 An
The Pulse of the Community: Lessons in Public Health Leadership with Dr. Omer and Dr. Hoffman
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
Learning from Leaders Live: Navigating Growth, Y’all Street, and Building in North Texas
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 Clar
Charlie Neil of Dallas Trinity FC: Elevating Women’s Sports, Driving Growth, and Building Community
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 creat
From Slurpees to Streaming: James Keyes on Education, Leadership, AI, and Embracing Change
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 i
Unraveling Mysteries & Breaking Barriers - Rena Pederson talks Leadership and The King of Diamonds
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 reflec
From Coffee to Cancer Breakthroughs: Russell Hayward’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Journey
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 com
From Military Valor to Civic Vision: Michael Rodriguez on Veteran Leadership Following His Service
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. T
Leading Through Adversity: Chief David O. Brown on Resilience, Trust, and Community Impact
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 p
Dr. Chris Herrera on Breakthroughs in Placenta Research and Early-Stage Research Funding
In this episode of Learning from Leaders, host Lili Clark sits down with Dr. Chris Herrera, assistant professor at UT Southwestern’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Herrera shares her groundbreaking work in placenta research, initially funded by The Cary Council’s Early-Stage Research Grant, which supports innovative ideas from emerging medical researchers. Listeners will gain insight
Building Resilient Futures: Education and Mental Health Insights with Dr. Hill and Dr. Keller
At the dynamic intersection of education and mental health are two experts who we are thrilled to have on the Learning From Leaders podcast: Dr. Joan Buchanan Hill and Dr. Andy Keller. Dr. Hill, Head of School at the Lamplighter School in Dallas, Texas, shares her insights on fostering resilience and emotional growth among young learners, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balanced and su
Nicole Small and Matt Crommett on the Innovative Impact of Lyda Hill Philanthropies and Pegasus Park
In this episode of the Learning from Leaders podcast, host Lili Clark sits down with Nicole Small, CEO of Lyda Hill Philanthropies and LH Capital, and Matt Crommett, Managing Director at the organization. They dive into the transformative project of Pegasus Park, a 26-acre future-focused campus dedicated to life sciences, biotech, and social innovation. Nicole and Matt share insights into the uniq
Economics Expert Cullum Clark on Innovation Districts and the Economic Boom in North Texas
Join host Lili Clark on a fascinating journey into the economic transformation of North Texas in this episode of the Learning From Leaders Podcast. We do a deep dive into ‘Innovation Districts’ and how they’re fostering a perfect ecosystem for entrepreneurship. Our special guest, Cullum Clark—Director of the George W. Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative—shares his expert insights on the
From Class Leader to Medical Leader: Dr. Alexa Wilden's Journey
Join us on this enlightening episode of the Learning from Leaders podcast as we explore the remarkable journey of Dr. Alexa Wilden, the distinguished 2024 Ho Din Award recipient from UT Southwestern. Just two days before her graduation, Alexa sat down with our host, Lili Clark, to discuss her transformative experiences through medical school, the personal meaning behind her accomplishments, and he
Global Vision, Local Impact: Kay Bailey Hutchison & Robert Jordan
In the debut podcast episode of “Learning From Leaders,” guest host and member of The Cary Council, Erik Yohe sits down with two influential leaders, Kay Bailey Hutchison, former U.S. Senator and NATO Ambassador, and Robert Jordan, former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, to explore the duality of leadership. During their conversation, these two leaders share their unique insights on how their glob
Learning From Leaders Trailer
The Learning From Leaders podcast connects you with outstanding business and community leaders in North Texas. Each episode provides an inside look at what it means to be a successful leader. From inspiring stories to practical lessons on how we can lead society forward, join our host, Lili Clark, on a journey of growth. Let's learn, grow, and lead together.
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