Leap Academy with Ilana Golan

Stephanie Mehta never chased the CEO title. She chased the story. She built her career in some of the toughest newsrooms in the world, including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Fortune, and Vanity Fair, where credibility is earned line by line. Those same instincts eventually carried her beyond the newsroom and into leadership, leading her to the CEO seat at Mansueto Ventures, the company behind Fast Company and Inc. In this episode, Stephanie joins Ilana to share her journey from journalism student to leading iconic media brands, the challenges of stepping into executive leadership, and how to prioritize as a leader in an ever-changing industry.

Stephanie Mehta is a journalist, business executive, and CEO and chief content officer of Mansueto Ventures, the media company that publishes Fast Company and Inc. magazines. She has held senior editorial roles at Fortune, Bloomberg, and Vanity Fair.

In this episode, Ilana and Stephanie will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction 

(02:52) Stephanie's Early Career in Journalism

(05:16) Challenges and Growth at the Wall Street Journal

(10:35) Transitioning to Fortune Magazine

(17:38) Reflecting on 14 Years at Fortune 

(22:42) Taking a Break and Exploring New Opportunities

(27:18) Becoming the CEO of Fast Company

(35:37) How to Get Stories Published in Major Media

(39:11) Rising Above the Noise in Business

(42:01) How Stephanie Prioritizes as a CEO

(45:26) How Careers are Changing in the Modern Era

(49:31) The Impact of Immigrant Upbringing

Stephanie Mehta is a journalist, business executive, and CEO and chief content officer of Mansueto Ventures, the media company that publishes Fast Company and Inc. magazines. She previously served as Editor-in-Chief of Fast Company and held senior editorial roles at Fortune, Bloomberg, and Vanity Fair. Stephanie is also the author of the Modern CEO newsletter, where she explores leadership, careers, and the future of work.

Connect with Stephanie:

Stephanie’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stephanie-mehta-media-ceo 

Resources Mentioned:

Modern CEO Newsletter: https://www.fastcompany.com/section/modern-ceo 

Leap Academy:

LeapCon is the #1 Conference for Reinvention, Leadership & Career — a powerful 3‑day experience designed to help you unlock what’s next in your career and life.

📍 San Jose, CA

📅 Feb 26–28, 2025

If you’re ready to step into clarity, confidence, and bold action, this is your moment.

👉 Grab your ticket before doors close at leapacademy.com/leapcon

At just ten years old, Kim Storin was writing letters to CEOs, asking for donations and clearly outlining why her cause mattered. That instinct to connect people, solve problems, and step forward without permission never left her. Years later, as Chief Marketing Officer at Zoom, that same mindset shapes how she leads one of the most trusted brands in modern work. In this episode, Kim joins Ilana to share Zoom’s evolution from a single, iconic product into a broad portfolio of solutions, and what it takes to reinvent a brand the world already relies on without losing trust.

Kim Storin is the Chief Marketing Officer at Zoom and a seasoned marketing leader with experience spanning consulting, enterprise transformation, and global brand leadership. She has held senior leadership roles at companies including Dell, IBM, and Deloitte.

In this episode, Ilana and Kim will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction 

(03:44) Making Bold Requests at Age Ten

(06:28) Problem Solving as Her Career Compass

(14:53) Receiving the Hardest Feedback of Her Career

(17:40) Athletic Pursuits and Influence on Leadership

(20:50) Joining Zoom and Leading Its Transformation

(23:38) How Zoom Reinvented and Repositioned Itself

(27:12) The New Era of Marketing and How to Stay Ahead

(30:33) AI as a Teammate, Not a Threat

(35:08) Redefining Success Beyond Metrics and Titles

(38:30) The Right Way to Build a Portfolio Career

Kim Storin is the Chief Marketing Officer at Zoom, where she leads global marketing strategy, brand, and growth as the company evolves into a broader communications platform. Prior to Zoom, Kim held senior leadership roles at companies including Dell, IBM, Deloitte, and multiple high-growth organizations. She is also a lifelong athlete, marathon runner, and is passionate about building the next generation of market leaders.

Connect with Kim:

Kim’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kimberlystorin 

Resources Mentioned:

Zoom: https://www.zoom.com 

Leap Academy:

LeapCon is the #1 Conference for Reinvention, Leadership & Career — a powerful 3‑day experience designed to help you unlock what’s next in your career and life.

📍 San Jose, CA

📅 Feb 26–28, 2025

If you’re ready to step into clarity, confidence, and bold action, this is your moment.

👉 Grab your ticket before doors close at leapacademy.com/leapcon

Long before ChatGPT became a household name, Zack Kass was walking into boardrooms as Head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI, introducing executives to a technology they barely understood or cared about. Then one simple shift changed everything. Put intelligence into a familiar interface, remove friction, and suddenly the future arrived. In this episode, Zack joins Ilana to unpack what truly drove ChatGPT’s explosive growth, confront the biggest fears leaders have about AI, and explore what the future of work will demand from humans next.

Zack Kass is a global AI advisor, keynote speaker, and former Head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI, where he helped bring some of the world’s most transformative AI technologies to market.

In this episode, Ilana and Zack will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction 

(02:59) Zack’s Journey to OpenAI

(04:46) Understanding Modern AI and Its Evolution

(08:03) The Breakthrough of ChatGPT and Its Impact

(17:42) Transitioning from OpenAI to New Beginnings

(21:21) Challenging Common Misconceptions About AI

(28:32) Adaptability in a Rapidly Changing World

(34:54) Lessons from Top Innovators

(38:15) The Future of Work and Purpose in the Age of AI

Zack Kass is a global AI advisor, futurist, speaker, and former Head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI, where he helped bring some of the world’s most transformative AI technologies to market. He now advises global leaders and organizations on how artificial intelligence will reshape work, leadership, and human potential, turning complex ideas into clear, practical insight for the future. His book, The Next Renaissance, offers an optimistic vision of how AI will shape our future.

Connect with Zack:

Zack’s Website: zackkass.com 

Zack’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/zackkass 

Resources Mentioned:

Zack’s Book, The Next Renaissance: AI and the Expansion of Human Potential: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1394381085 

Leap Academy:

LeapCon is the #1 Conference for Reinvention, Leadership & Career — a powerful 3‑day experience designed to help you unlock what’s next in your career and life.

📍 San Jose, CA

📅 Feb 26–28, 2025

If you’re ready to step into clarity, confidence, and bold action, this is your moment.👉 Grab your ticket before doors close at leapacademy.com/leapcon

At just 10 years old, Mick Hunt made a promise that would shape the rest of his life. Growing up in a home marked by abuse, Mick stepped into a role no child should ever have to carry. He became the protector, the emotional anchor, and the one who believed he could change his family’s future. That moment didn’t just force him to grow up fast. It forged a lifelong mission around leadership, accountability, and purpose. In this episode, Mick joins Ilana to share the raw story behind that promise, how it shaped his drive to build businesses and high-performing teams, and why leadership starts with something deeper than your “why.” 

Mick Hunt is a leadership coach, entrepreneur, and speaker known for helping ambitious individuals unlock their full potential. He works with leaders who want to grow their influence, scale their thinking, and build companies and teams that people genuinely believe in and follow.

In this episode, Ilana and Mick will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction 

(02:14) How a Traumatic Childhood Built Mick’s Drive

(08:48) The Childhood Promise That Defined His Life

(10:26) Entrepreneurial Beginnings and Challenges

(16:36) His Passion for Building High-Performing Teams

(17:14) Why Your ‘Because’ Beats Your ‘Why’

(21:50) The “What If I Fail” Mindset

(27:46) Understanding The MICK Factor

(30:42) Mick’s Book: How to Be a Good Leader

(36:09) The Future of Leadership and Staying Relevant

(38:53) The Value of Mentorship

(42:28) Daily Practices for Success

Mick Hunt is a USA Today bestselling author, international speaker, and leadership expert known for his impact in modern leadership and emotional intelligence. He is the host of the highly rated Mick Unplugged podcast and the author of How to Be a Good Leader When You’ve Never Had One, a modern leadership guide with hands-on insights and actionable frameworks to help you lead with transparency, resilience, and influence.

Connect with Mick:

Mick’s Website: https://mickhuntofficial.com/ 

Mick’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mickhunt 

Resources Mentioned:

Mick’s Book, How to Be a Good Leader When You've Never had One: The Blueprint for Modern Leadership: http://amazon.com/Good-Leader-When-Youve-Never/dp/1394357958 

Mick’s Podcast, Mick Unplugged: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/id1731755953 

Leap Academy:

LeapCon is the #1 Conference for Reinvention, Leadership & Career — a powerful 3‑day experience designed to help you unlock what’s next in your career and life.

📍 San Jose, CA

📅 Feb 26–28, 2025

If you’re ready to step into clarity, confidence, and bold action, this is your moment.

👉 Grab your ticket before doors close at leapacademy.com/leapcon

As a young mom, primary breadwinner, and full-time professional, Sheila Lirio Marcelo understood the relentless struggle of balancing work and family. The constant search for reliable care left her feeling overwhelmed. Instead of accepting this as the norm, Sheila took matters into her own hands and created Care.com, a platform that has eased the caregiving burden for millions of families worldwide. In this episode, Sheila joins Ilana to discuss her journey of balancing motherhood and a high-powered career, the challenges of building Care.com, and her exciting new venture, Ohai.ai, an AI-powered household assistant.

Sheila Lirio Marcelo is the founder of Care.com, an online marketplace for families to find childcare, senior care, pet care, and more. She is also the founder of Ohai, an AI-powered household assistant designed to help reduce the mental load of running a home.

In this episode, Ilana and Sheila will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction 

(02:12) Sheila's Childhood and Family Influence

(08:04) Struggling to Balance Motherhood and a Career

(11:20) Her Journey Into Entrepreneurship and Care.com

(14:57) Why Generalists Are Key in Business

(18:12) Care.com’s Success: The Power of Testing Ideas

(23:34) Building a Two-Sided Marketplace and Gaining Trust

(29:44) The Decision to Go Public With Care.com

(31:39) Managing Decision-Making and Stress as a Leader

(33:38) Reinventing With Ohai AI for Families

(40:01) Her Approach to Mental Clarity and Calm

(44:44) Embracing Challenges and Personal Growth

Sheila Lirio Marcelo is the founder and former CEO of Care.com, the world’s largest online caregiving marketplace, which went public in 2014 and was acquired for $500 million in 2020. After years of leading Care.com through exponential growth, Sheila transitioned into a new chapter, founding Ohai, an AI-powered household assistant designed to help manage various household activities. She is deeply committed to creating solutions that simplify life, improve well-being, and empower families.

Connect with Sheila:

Sheila’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sheilamarcelo 

Sheila’s Instagram: instagram.com/sheilaliriomarcelo 

Resources Mentioned:

Care.com’s Website: https://www.care.com/ 

Ohai’s Website: https://www.ohai.ai/ 

Leap Academy:

LeapCon is the #1 Conference for Reinvention, Leadership & Career — a powerful 3‑day experience designed to help you unlock what’s next in your career and life.

📍 San Jose, CA

📅 Feb 26–28, 2025

If you’re ready to step into clarity, confidence, and bold action, this is your moment.👉 Grab your ticket before doors close at leapacademy.com/leapcon