Today, I’m joined by Kathy Sarlson from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Andrew Lobel from the Class of 2025.
Kathy is the National Director of Life & Legacy, a philanthropic initiative helping Jewish organizations across North America build endowments through legacy giving. With over 35 years of nonprofit leadership, she’s helped raise tens of millions of dollars in planned gifts while strengthening Jewish community institutions in healthcare, housing, and education. She holds degrees from the University of Michigan, Harvard Divinity School, and Stanford GSB.
Andrew is a second-year MBA student at Stanford and the current president of the Jewish Business Students Association. Before business school, he worked in private equity at New Mountain Capital and will join Avesi Partners after graduation. A Harvard graduate, Andrew brings a long-standing commitment to Jewish leadership, community service, and deep, reflective dialogue.
Together, we explored how Jewish identity shapes leadership, workplace culture, and moral courage in times of global and personal uncertainty. From the aftermath of October 7th, 2023, and its impact on Jewish communities worldwide, to the evolving role of business leaders in complex social debates, Kathy and Andrew reflect across three decades of Stanford experience—offering a generational handoff of purpose, resilience, and the power of authentic conversation.
Chapters:
00:00 Andrew's Background and Jewish Identity
05:44 Kathy's Journey and Activism History
09:32 Responses to Recent Events and Campus Climate
14:15 Contrasting Experiences at Stanford and GSB
17:51 University Responses to Political Events
21:33 Lessons from Harvard and Facilitation Skills
23:44 Conversations on Anti-Semitism and Institutional Responses
26:06 The Role of Personal Experiences in Advocacy
27:28 Building Compassionate Conversations
30:02 The Importance of Empathy in Difficult Discussions
31:42 Aligning Personal and Organizational Values
33:26 Navigating Workplace Dynamics and Values
35:37 Bringing Spirituality into the Workplace
39:25 Creating Meaningful Team Connections
41:12 Future Aspirations and Authenticity in Career Choices
44:59 Generational Perspectives on Activism
47:23 Encouraging Engagement and Activism in Youth
50:03 Balancing Career and Family Values
52:00 The Value of Meaningful Conversations
Join the Podcast Series
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25
Each of these episodes will feature a different pair of Stanford MBA people -- one from the class of 1995, and one from the class of 2025.
Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected with future episodes!
📺 Also available on YouTube:
Entire series playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSaVisoF0D_GKxVmHmakNxdpAJCb5_VTP
More info: https://www.katharinemclennan.com/
Contact: kath@katharinemclennan.com
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