Today, I’m joined by Russell Eggers, a seasoned executive from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995. Now a CEO and board director, Russell brings over 40 years of operational leadership across mining, aviation, and industrial enterprises. He’s known for turning strategy into growth in “old school” businesses—and for speaking candidly about the power of humility, hiring well, and staying grounded in the real economy.
Joining him is Michael Liu, a second-year MBA student from the Class of 2025. Born in China, raised in Sydney, and soon to be based in New York, Michael brings a global perspective on finance—from investment banking at Goldman Sachs, to private equity at Warburg Pincus, to public equity investing at T. Rowe Price. At Stanford, he holds multiple leadership roles and is deeply interested in AI, economics, and equity market dynamics.
Together, Russell and Michael explore what it means to lead across generations, industries, and ideologies—from manufacturing floors to Wall Street trading desks.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Backgrounds
04:10 Cultural Perspectives: New Zealand vs Australia
07:08 Educational Journeys and Career Paths
10:14 Private Equity Landscape in Australia
13:04 Differences Between Private Equity and Venture Capital
15:59 Transitioning to Public Equity
19:16 The Future of Manufacturing and AI
22:06 Financial Considerations of Education
25:00 Trends in Career Choices
27:59 Investment Focus in Public Equity
31:03 Conclusion and Reflections
31:38 The Role of AI in Manufacturing and Data Analysis
32:52 Understanding Clientele and Competition in Finance
36:02 Active vs. Passive Investing: Finding the Edge
39:51 The Importance of Talent in Business
41:48 Navigating Age and Experience in the Workplace
46:49 AI's Transformative Impact on Business Processes
53:28 Concerns About Technology and Misinformation
01:01:02 Shifting Values: Family, Friends, and Career Perspectives
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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