Today, I’m joined by Volker Schmidt from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Laura Kiehl from the Class of 2025. Volker is a seasoned investor and leadership advisor with deep roots in Europe’s Mittelstand. He began his career at BCG before co-founding EMERAM Capital Partners and later Blue Ocean Partner, helping small and mid-sized companies scale through growth strategy and private equity.
Laura is a second-year MBA student at Stanford GSB, originally from Germany and Poland. Before business school, she worked in consulting at BCG and co-founded an initiative supporting First-Generation professionals. At Stanford, she’s explored everything from HealthTech VC to women’s entrepreneurship as a co-lead of Galvanizer, the school’s accelerator for MBA female founders.
In this episode, Volker and Laura share perspectives on European identity, career reinvention, and what it means to lead across generations. From kite-surfing off Cape Verde to navigating AI-powered classrooms at Stanford, their dialogue spans continents, industries, and life stages—offering practical wisdom and unexpected laughter along the way.
Chapters
00:00 Spring Break and Academic Pressures
03:58 Travel Adventures and Kite Surfing
07:09 Career Paths and Educational Journeys
10:11 Search Funds and Business Acquisitions
13:00 Cultural Perspectives on Risk and Entrepreneurship
15:55 Long-Term Commitments in Business
18:56 Reflections on Career Choices and Life Goals
23:13 Navigating Identity and Background in Business School
26:39 The Weight of Responsibility and Legacy
28:22 Shifting Perspectives on Life and Career
32:33 Political Climate and Campus Discussions
33:05 Bridging Divides Through Dialogue
36:30 The Future of Europe in a Changing World
38:38 Embracing Opportunities Amidst Challenges
41:56 The Impact of AI on Future Generations
45:41 The Evolution of AI and Business Models
47:02 AI in Education: Efficiency vs. Creativity
50:22 The Impact of AI on Daily Life
53:31 Generational Perspectives on AI and Social Media
57:02 Navigating the Challenges of AI and Mental Health
01:01:01 Bridging Generational Gaps and Global Mindsets
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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