Banking on Change: How Standard Chartered Group Chief Executive Bill Winters Stays Ahead
06/03/2026 | 29 mins.
Stepping into the CEO role is a challenging transition for any leader to make. It’s even more challenging when you know you’re stepping into the role at a turbulent time in an organization’s history.
Our guest today experienced that transition over a decade ago and has since built a compelling story of transformation and value creation. Standard Chartered Group Chief Executive Bill Winters joins Marla Oates and Clarke Murphy to talk about why he knowingly stepped into the role at a challenging time at the bank and what he did to restore confidence in the company. Bill shares how he manages innovation and perpetual transformation in a highly regulated industry, including how the bank is using AI, reskilling teams, and continuing to evolve with digital assets. He also unpacks how he builds relationships and trust with his board, including plans for the next CEO succession.
We’ll also hear from Henryk Krajewski, leadership advisor at Russell Reynolds Associates, who shares his perspective on how CEOs can unlock greater value in today’s environment.
Four things you’ll learn from this episode: What are some the first steps to take to restore confidence in a company in turmoil What are the keys to value creation and balancing innovation with risk How to think about succession planning and working with your board How to lead perpetual change
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes: Transformation in Turbulent Times with Former Telstra CEO Andy Penn Leadership Lounge: How New CEOs Build Productive Relationships With Their Board Talking Tough Decisions with TCW President and CEO Katie Koch Leadership Lounge: The Art of Succession: How to Identify Tomorrow's Leaders Today The Necessity of Change with President and CEO of Wells Fargo Charlie Scharf Leadership Lounge: From Firefighting to Future-Building: How Leaders Can Master Perpetual Transformation
A closer look at the research from this episode: How CEOs Unlock the Hidden Barrier to Value Creation CEO Succession: A Never-Ending Story Adapt or Die in the Age of Perpetual Transformation Code to Culture: AI-Driven Workforce Transformation in Financial Services
Leadership Lounge: Staying Sharp at the Top: How CEOs Can Use Mentors to Sustain Performance
05/20/2026 | 14 mins.
The demands of the CEO role don’t stand still—and neither can the leaders in it. Yet while many executives benefit from mentorship on the path to the top, far fewer maintain it once they arrive.
In this episode of Leadership Lounge, Emma Combe sits down with Suzanne Bose-Mallick to explore how mentorship helps CEOs sustain performance in one of the most demanding roles in business.
They discuss: Why many CEOs stop engaging with mentors—and why that can limit their effectiveness The moments when mentorship matters most, from succession to transformation How mentors support CEOs in building relationships with their boards, making top team decisions, and deciding between competing priorities The difference between a mentor and a chair—and why independence can be important
“An external mentor allows a CEO to have consequence-free conversations…a space where they can truly express their concerns.”
- Suzanne Bose-Mallick, Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds Associates
Four things you’ll learn from this episode: Mentorship becomes more valuable at the top: The transition into the CEO role often increases the need for external perspective, not reduces it. Challenge sharpens performance: The best mentors hold CEOs to account, helping them make better, more grounded decisions. Independence creates space for honesty: Unlike internal stakeholders, external mentors offer a confidential environment for candid reflection and clearer thinking. Impact depends on the CEO: The most effective mentoring relationships require preparation, openness, and a willingness to be challenged.
In this episode, we will cover: (1:53) Why CEOs must continually evolve to stay effective (2:38) How mentorship supports leaders through high-stakes transitions (5:20) When to seek a mentor—and why it’s never too late (6:53) The role of mentors in grounding decision-making under pressure (8:44) Mentor vs. chair: understanding the difference (10:55) What CEOs must bring to get value from mentorship (12:31) When mentoring relationships lose effectiveness—and how to respond
Scaling Giving: How GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan Connects 190 Million People to Help Each Other
05/06/2026 | 30 mins.
The term “crowdfunding” was coined in 2006 by entrepreneur and technologist, Michael Sullivan. The number of crowdfunding tools and companies have grown since then, but the purpose has remained the same—democratizing access to capital for those who need it.
GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan joins Marla Oates and Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic to talk about how his organization is helping people help each other, connecting more than 190 million people to raise $40 billion since the company’s founding in 2010. Tim digs into the key drivers to scaling and growing the business, including embedding purpose, technology, and AI. He delves into the psychology of asking for and receiving help, and how emotion and the need for human connection impact fundraising. And he shares his journey from entrepreneur CEO to board chair, and how he shifted and evolved his leadership style along the way.
We’ll also hear from Emma Combe, leadership advisor and the UK Board Practice Leader at Russell Reynolds Associates, who will share what it really takes to move from an executive role into the boardroom. Emma is also the host of Redefiners’ sister podcast, Leadership Lounge, where she asks our advisors to answer some of the most pressing questions senior leaders face.
Four things you’ll learn from this episode: The top leadership and tech/AI drivers to scaling and growing a business How to embed purpose into a culture and team to help guide strategy and decision making The psychology of giving and asking for help Tips on building your leadership team across different stages of a company’s growth
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes: Action Creates Hope: A Conversation with IRC President and CEO David Miliband Leadership Lounge: Boardroom Bound: How to Navigate Your Journey from Executive to Board Director Leading with Faith and Purpose with His Eminence Cardinal Dolan Leadership Lounge: How GenAI Can Elevate—And Expose—Today’s Leaders Music with a Mission: Former MTV International Chairman and CEO Bill Roedy on Leading with Purpose Leadership Lounge: How to Create and Maintain Impact as a Leader
A closer look at the research from this episode: The Imperfect CEO AI and Leadership
Leadership Lounge: Advice on How to Be an Effective Board Chair
04/22/2026 | 20 mins.
Stepping into the board chair role is a pivotal moment in any leadership journey—one that requires a fundamental shift in mindset and approach. You’re not just contributing to the discussion; you’re responsible for shaping boardroom dynamics, drawing out collective insight, and ensuring the board focuses on what matters most.
In this episode of Leadership Lounge, Emma Combe is joined by Rich Fields, Laura Sanderson, and Margot McShane to explore what separates effective board chairs from the rest—and how new chairs can establish credibility and impact from day one.
They discuss: How the board chair role differs across governance structures and geographies The balance between facilitating discussion and maintaining strategic focus The leadership behaviors of high-performing board chairs How board chairs can build strong, productive relationships with their CEOs
“Being an effective chair isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about creating the conditions for better questions, better conversations, and ultimately better decisions.”
Emma Combe, Leadership Advisor, RRA
Four things you’ll learn from this episode: The role of the chair is to enable—not control: Great chairs focus on orchestrating the board’s effectiveness, rather than driving outcomes themselves. Facilitation is a critical leadership skill: The best chairs create space for diverse perspectives, ensuring every voice is heard and valued. Perspective shapes performance: High-performing chairs bring a broad internal and external view, helping boards focus on the issues that matter most. The chair–CEO relationship is foundational: Trust, clarity, and open communication between the chair and CEO are essential to organizational success.
In this episode, we will cover: (02.11) The evolving role of the board chair across different governance models (03.54) The core responsibilities of board chairs and how they differ from executives (07.28) The leadership behaviors of high-performing board chairs (11.44) How to facilitate inclusive, high-quality board discussions (12.54) How to navigate the transition from executive to board chair—and why it can be challenging (14.31) How to build trust and alignment with the CEO
Winning in Volatility: How Trafigura Chairman Jeremy Weir Built a Global Powerhouse
04/08/2026 | 26 mins.
There’s no shortage of uncertainty and change in the world these days, which is why it’s a frequent topic on Redefiners. This is especially true in the world of commodities, as perhaps no other industry has to deal with the level of uncertainty and volatility that comes with the global trade of energy, metals, and minerals.
Trafigura Chairman Jeremy Weir joins Clarke Murphy and Marla Oates to discuss how he scaled the employee-owned company during his time as CEO to become one of the world’s leading commodities groups. Jeremy talks about how he identified and developed leaders and talent to manage that growth while staying ahead of constant volatility and change. He shares insights from his transition into the CEO role, and how he’s shifted his leadership style as Chairman to help the company and the next CEO succeed. He also talks about how AI is being used at Trafigura to reshape the business and where they’re placing the biggest bets.
We’ll also hear from Dee Symons, a leadership advisor at Russell Reynolds Associates, who will share her perspective on how leaders can respond effectively in times of uncertainty.
Four things you’ll learn from this episode: Preparing for a transition to a CEO and board role Ways to identify and develop leaders and talent during times of rapid growth Decision-making during volatile and uncertain times Making big bets with AI and how to manage the risks
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes: Digging Deep: Leadership, Growth & Risk with BHP CEO Mike Henry Leadership Lounge: How New CEOs Build Productive Relationships With Their Board From Chaos to Clarity: How Bain Capital’s John Connaughton Leads Through Volatility Leadership Lounge: How to Build a Top-Performing C-suite – The Leadership Blueprint for Sustained High Performance The Only Certainty Is Change: Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman on AI, Innovation & Market Evolution Leadership Lounge: From Firefighting to Future-Building: How Leaders Can Master Perpetual Transformation
A closer look at the research from this episode: Global CEO Turnover Index Global Corporate Governance Trends for 2026
Call them changemakers. Call them rule breakers. We call them Redefiners. And in this provocative podcast, we explore how daring leaders from across industries and around the globe are redefining their organizations—and themselves—to create extraordinary impact in today’s rapidly changing world. In each episode, Russell Reynolds Associates former CEO Clarke Murphy, Leadership Advisor Marla Oates, and Chief Science Officer Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, host engaging, purposeful conversations with leaders in and out of the business world who share their insights and perspectives on how they lead, boldly. You’ll come away with fresh ideas and tangible takeaways on how you can redefine your own leadership trajectory—no matter where you are on your journey.
Leadership Lounge
A sister mini-series to the Redefiners podcast, Leadership Lounge gives listeners unfettered access to our global team of leadership experts, who share real-world answers to your most-pressing leadership questions—from how you can give and receive feedback to the benefits of having a mentor. Hosted by RRA leadership advisor Emma Combe, each 15-20-minute episode lifts the curtain on how great leaders think, act, and lead, helping you build your own leadership muscles, whether you’re just starting out or already at the top.
Our Hosts: Clarke Murphy, Marla Oates, Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, and Emma Combe :
Clarke Murphy leverages 30 years of experience in the executive recruiting industry to advise on critical leadership mandates across sectors—including Fortune 100 board searches and CEO successions. Based in New York, he has provided leadership advisory services to corporations such as Duke Energy, Deutsche Bank and Siemens, as well as private equity firms including the Carlyle Group.
Since joining the firm in 1988, Clarke has held several senior level roles at the firm, working both in Europe and the US. Clarke was the CEO of Russell Reynolds Associates from 2011-2021, where he led the firm through unprecedented growth. Previously, he led the CEO & Board Advisory Practice, served as Head of the Americas region, and was a member of the firm’s board of directors and Executive Committee.
Marla Oates is a leadership advisor at RRA who is passionate about connecting organizations with influential leaders and trailblazers who can inspire and drive change in a rapidly evolving world. With a focus on identifying and recruiting exceptional talent for Chief Financial Officer, Chief People Officer, and board searches, Marla has successfully partnered with hundreds of Fortune 500 organizations and private equity firms throughout the technology, industrial, and consumer sectors to identify and recruit top talent.Based in Austin, she has the privilege of fostering community and curating meaningful connections for C-suite executives and board members.
Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic is the Chief Science Officer at RRA and is an international authority in people analytics, talent management, leadership development, and the human-AI interface. His commercial work has focused on the creation of science-based tools that improve organizations' ability to predict performance, and people's ability to understand themselves. He was recently the Chief Innovation Officer at ManpowerGroup, and is a co-founder of DeeperSignals and MyTrudy, as well as Professor of Business Psychology at University College London and Columbia University. He has previously held academic positions at New York University and the London School of Economics, and lectured at Harvard Business School, Stanford Business School, London Business School, Johns Hopkins, IMD, and INSEAD, as well as being the CEO at Hogan Assessment Systems.
As the host of Leadership Lounge, Redefiners’ sister podcast, Emma Combe leads the UK Board Practice for Russell Reynolds Associates. She excels at identifying board chairs, CEOs, and executive and non-executive directors for listed, private equity, and family-owned enterprises. She also has extensive experience advising clients on board composition and development, as well as CEO succession planning. Based in London, she brings deep expertise in the industrial, infrastructure, and services sectors, both in the UK and internationally.
Since 2023, Emma has hosted Leadership Lounge, a podcast mini-series where she asks Russell Reynolds Associates’ leadership advisors to answer some of the most pressing questions facing leaders today.
Emma joined Russell Reynolds Associates when The Zygos Partnership became part of the firm in 2017. Previously, Emma worked for a specialist headhunting firm advising private equity funds on the leadership of their portfolio companies. She began her career as an associate for a boutique executive search firm based in New York.
USA