Today I’m joined by Nicole Chang from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Jesse Cai from the Class of 2025.
Nicole is a powerhouse strategist, entrepreneur, and global executive who’s spent three decades helping companies grow from good to great to legendary—often leading them through ownership transitions, IPOs, and international expansion. With roots in investment banking, consulting, and C-suite leadership across North America, Asia, and Europe, Nicole brings depth, heart, and unstoppable energy to every venture—including a recent creative collaboration with her singer-songwriter daughter.
Jesse is a second-year MBA student and former high-frequency trading leader who now balances part-time work at Hudson River Trading with finishing his final quarter at Stanford. With a background in computer science and a passion for algorithmic problem-solving, Jesse brings curiosity, candor, and a keen awareness of the ethical and cultural shifts shaping the future of AI and finance.
Together, Nicole and Jesse reflect on what it means to lead, adapt, and stay human across wildly different industries, life stages, and eras—from Wall Street to Shanghai, and from startup bootcamps to AI bootstrapping. We explore how culture, courage, and creativity define success—no matter the decade
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Backgrounds
03:50 Career Paths and Work Experiences
07:00 High-Frequency Trading Explained
09:58 Diversity and Role Models in Business
13:16 Cultural Reflections and Asian American Identity
15:49 The Evolution of Startups and Technology
18:55 Personal Growth and Career Development
30:57 The Essence of Leadership and Organizational Culture
31:55 Experiences in Beijing: Leadership and Cultural Insights
37:02 Navigating Cultural Expectations and Identity
39:03 The Challenges of Returning to Roots
43:14 The Impact of AI on Technology and Jobs
45:46 Teaching the Next Generation: Creativity and Critical Thinking
52:12 The Role of Creativity in Music and AI
57:50 Reflections on Lifelong Friendships and Personal Growth
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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