VOE Podcast Articles

It’s 2008. The economy is taking a nosedive. The government is bailing out the country’s top mortgage lenders. And Doug Duncan walks into a new job at Fannie Mae. The ship has steadied over the past 15 years and Duncan, the senior vice president and chief economist, has kept his core values intact: good communication, a commitment to the truth, and a willingness to make decisions. On this episode of the Voices of Experience podcast, Duncan relays how he makes predictions (knowing full well he could get it wrong), his best advice for clear communication and the “big breaks” that put him where he is today.

Table of contents • 1:04 From dairy farm to chief economist • 2:55 Joining Fannie Mae in 2008 • 6:24 Getting to “The Truth” • 9:48 Making predictions and getting it wrong • 10:59 Most important lesson in leadership • 12:29 What to expect from the housing market • 16:09 “Big breaks” in Doug’s career • 19:13 The importance of communication • 21:02 Show notes and credits

Chris Dawson says he’s always been attracted to big challenges—and he certainly found one when he became CEO of Arcimoto earlier this year. The Oregon-based electric vehicle company was floundering: its worth had plummeted, production was at a halt and the staff was reeling from layoffs. On this episode of the Voices of Experience podcast, Dawson describes his approach to turning around a struggling organization, including his decisions to make deep cuts and how he regained the trust of those who kept their jobs. Plus, he explains how his leadership style shifted to one of implicit trust and weighs in on the future of the electric vehicle industry.

Table of contents • 1:01 “Right-sized” electric vehicles • 3:37 Using “fun” to sell a greener future • 8:22 The future of the electric vehicle industry • 10:53 Taking the helm at a challenging time • 13:31 Cutting staff and regaining trust • Leading with “implicit trust” • 21:11 “Decide it is possible. Make it so.” • Show notes and credits

In a thick, well-loved, black sketchbook, Kirsten Benefiel keeps the lessons she’s learned over her career as an executive. Benefiel’s resume includes stops at Accenture, Newmont Mining, ViaWest and HSS, where she recently served as CEO. On this episode of the Voices of Experience podcast, Benefiel cracks open her notebook and shares her advice for stepping off the corporate ladder, communicating and selling a vision, navigating an unfamiliar industry, and the importance of the word “and” in leadership.

Table of contents • 1:14 Using PR in a non-PR career • 3:02 Selling your ideas to your employees • 5:24 Becoming CEO in an unfamiliar industry • 9:05 It’s lonely at the top • 11:14 The future of manned security • 12:26 Creating equity through Colorado Inclusive Economy • 14:49 Stepping off the corporate ladder • The power of “and” • 18:09 The entrepreneurial mindset—and what people forget about it • 23:08 Inside Kirsten’s notebook • 26:13 “You can choose your own career” • 27:40 Show notes and credits

Lauren Guthrie wasn’t much of a trekker or backpacker, but there she was, climbing 9,000 feet to reach the base camp at Mount Everest. The opportunity to join an all-Black team of climbers was too good to pass up—plus, it taught her valuable lessons about diversity in the corporate space. Guthrie is the vice president of global inclusion, diversity, equity and action (IDEA) and talent development at VF Corporation, the company behind big-name outdoor brands like The North Face and Smartwool. On this episode of the Voices of Experience podcast, she explains what it takes to create DEI initiatives that work and how to practice DEI on a global scale.

1:16 Adding “action” to DEI • 4:26 From merchandising to the IDEA sphere • 10:24 DEI work at home • 12:19 “Global” DEI work vs. domestic DEI work • 15:50 What makes a DEI initiative work? • 19:04 Climbing Mount Everest • 22:06 Extending an “invitation to participate” • 26:06 The power of partner dancing • 28:36 “Don’t be fearful of being expansive” • 30:00 Show notes and credits

Leigh Hitz is a strategic advisor in the hospitality industry that retired as CEO of Stout Street Hospitality in 2016. Hitz worked at Stout Street for nearly three decades, learning to manage all aspects of the hotel space, from the front of the house to the penthouse. In 2008, Hitz and her husband, James, established a scholarship fund for female students pursuing a hospitality degree at the University of Denver’s School Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management.

Table of Contents

1:04 How growing up in Aspen led to a hotel career
2:25 The changing tides of the hospitality industry
4:45 Building relationships first
8:48 Learning to become a leader
9:44 Differentiation in a competitive market
11:48 Rebranding a historic hotel
13:43 “If I had a crystal ball”
16:15 Scholarship for female students in the hospitality industry
18:21 Becoming one of the first female GMs
24:39 Show notes and credits

It was once the stuff of sci-fi stories, but in 2023 the metaverse is very real. Virtual reality, mixed reality and extended reality come together for an immersive experience that an increasing number of businesses are dipping their toes into. Colleen Reilly, senior vice president of business development for ImmersiveWorlds, explains how the metaverse works, how companies are putting it to use and what it means for the future.

Table of Contents

1:10 What the heck is the metaverse?
2:16 “You could be wherever you want”
6:11 VR vs. AR vs. MR vs. XR
7:26 Metaverse in business
11:06 Trouble in (virtual) paradise?
12:23 The future of metaverse technology
15:43 Show notes and credits

Jodie Antypas (MBA 2005) didn’t grow up playing video games. They weren’t expressly forbidden in her house, but they also weren’t encouraged. So, how does a non-gamer end up leading large teams at Nintendo and Electronic Arts (EA) in the consumer marketing space? Antypas isn’t quite sure, but she’s quickly become an expert in the field, using player data and consumer opinions to drive the past, present and future of the video game industry. Now, Antypas is walking down a new path that she couldn’t predict. She’s a newly published children’s book author, taking an adapted bedtime story she told her daughters and repackaging it for the world to enjoy. The Daniels alumna joined the Voices of Experience Podcast to share how she ended up leading 100 person teams in the video game industry, what drove her to write her new book and why she’s taking a leave from her current role.

Table of Contents

1:10 A non-gamers journey to gaming
3:16 Deciding against law school for an MBA
8:03 “Games are constantly evolving”
12:54 From Pong to the modern era
15:06 Key management skills for large teams
17:35 Leveraging your objective mindset to lead
18:52 “I finally gave myself permission that I could take a break”
21:44 Pivoting to children’s books
25:29 Be open to twists and turns
26:47 Show notes and credits

Watching George Floyd’s murder on TV shook Rob Cohen to his core. He was well aware of racial injustices and inequities; he had already implemented diversity, equity and inclusion policies at IMA Financial Group, where he serves as chairman and CEO. But he realized he needed to step up to create even greater change. On this episode of the Voices of Experience podcast, Cohen explains the “listen, learn, then lead” approach he used in response, the best way for a company to build a healthy culture, how he juggles competing priorities and how he keeps things interesting, 34 years into a job.

Table of Contents

1:14 “No Way in Hell”
3:02 Keeping it interesting after 34 years
6:15 Reacting to George Floyd’s murder
8:59 Approaching DEI as a white person
12:34 What’s next for DEI at IMA
14:47 Creating a good culture
20:34 Balancing life’s “platter”
24:08 Attracting today’s new, talented workers
27:54 “Write your dreams down”
29:54 Show notes and credits