Bigger. Stronger. Faster.

In this episode, Bill Clendenen, Charlie Talbot, and Michael Burcham focus on the critical role N-1 leaders play in building scalable companies and how great boards evaluate and develop that talent. They discuss why N-1 engagement in the boardroom strengthens succession planning, sharpens strategic alignment, and prepares leaders for larger roles. The conversation explores how CEOs can coach and position their teams for success, wh...

In this episode, Bill Clendenen, Charlie Talbot, and Michael Burcham explore how CEOs can turn their boards into true strategic assets. They share practical guidance on building trust through transparency, setting realistic goals, and engaging board members outside the boardroom. The conversation focuses on how effective CEOs pressure test strategy, avoid surprises, and translate strategic plans into clear operational execution. Th...

In this episode, Bill Clendenen, Charlie Talbot, and Michael Burcham build on the foundation of great board design by focusing on how effective board members show up in practice. They explore the mindset, behaviors, and preparation that separate high-impact directors, emphasizing curiosity over judgment, role clarity, and alignment with the strategic plan. The conversation examines what strong board preparation looks like, how dire...

In this episode, Bill Clendenen, Charlie Talbot, and Michael Burcham explore what makes a great board member and how Shore Capital Partners designs boards to drive value creation. They discuss the purpose of the board, the importance of diverse and relevant operating experience, and why board composition matters as much as strategy. The conversation highlights the role of the Lead Independent Director in supporting CEOs, de-risking...

In this episode, I talk with Alison Shekman, Chief of Staff at PhaseWell Research and a member of the CXO Fellows Program. Alison shares her journey from consulting into operations and what it has meant to step into an early-stage, acquisition-driven business. She reflects on slowing down to go fast, listening to frontline experts, and creating systems for prioritization. Alison also discusses lessons from the Shore Resource Team a...

In this episode, we sit down with Preethi Menon, Senior Vice President of Integrations and Partnerships at Empower Aesthetics. After nearly a decade in consulting, Preethi joined the CXO Fellows Program and stepped into the challenge of building Empower from the ground up. She reflects on lessons from scaling the company, including overcoming perfectionism, embracing accountability, and moving fast to create value. Preethi also und...

In this episode, we sit down with Will Cook, Chief of Staff at Skycrest Roof Co. Will shares his unique path from consulting to serving as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army before joining the CXO program. He reflects on his first year helping to launch Skycrest, where the role meant doing everything from marketing to operations while learning the business from the ground up. Will highlights the importance of humility, listening,...

In this episode, we sit down with Rachel Scott Garrison, CXO at Agentis Longevity. Rachel shares her journey from Dell, Visa, and Deloitte into the microcap space and what drew her to entrepreneurship. She reflects on lessons from her first year helping to launch Agentis, including building the right data infrastructure, practicing relentless prioritization, and supporting a young CEO. She highlights the importance of managing stak...

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Dardi, an alumnus of the CXO Fellows Program who was CFO of Behavioral Innovations at the time of recording and now serves as COO. Chris shares why he left financial due diligence to build something bigger, how he navigated the leap into healthcare, and the mindset shifts that helped him succeed. He reflects on lessons learned during his time as a CXO, the demands of leading through an exit a...

In this episode, Anderson Williams, Principal of Talent Development, is joined by Jackson Sprayberry, Director of Talent Development, and Ben Gilbert, Associate of Talent Development, to share how Shore University customizes talent development to meet the unique needs of each portfolio company. They explore how surface-level requests like conflict resolution or performance management often reveal core challenges with communication,...

In this episode, Michael Burcham, Chief of Strategy, Research, and Talent Development, joins Anderson Williams, Principal of Talent Development, along with Ben Gilbert, Associate of Talent Development, and Jackson Sprayberry, Director of Talent Development, to share how Shore University has grown into a platform that supports learning at every level, including executives, managers, and frontline team members. They talk about the sy...

In this episode, Michael Burcham, Chief of Strategy, Research, and Talent Development, joins Anderson Williams, Principal of Talent Development at Shore Capital, to explore why investing in people has been core to Shore since the beginning. Michael shares how the firm’s founders valued learning as a strategic advantage and how that mindset led to the creation of Shore University, the talent development function supporting both the ...

In this episode, Zachary Nippert, Chief Commercial Officer at Shore Capital, discusses building out the Commercial Center of Excellence (COE) to accelerate organic growth across the firm’s portfolio. Drawing from his experience in global advertising, tech entrepreneurship, and revenue leadership, Zack shares how he is creating a structured approach to commercial strategy, talent development, and sales enablement. He also explains h...

In this episode, Head of Events at Shore Capital, Julia Dilday, shares insights into how thoughtful event design and relationship-building strengthen the firm’s brand and fuel growth. She discusses her path from TV production to private equity, the importance of small details in creating memorable experiences, and how collaboration across teams shapes the Shore culture. Joined by Jeff Williams (COO), Julia also reflects on the evol...

In this episode, the Shore Capital Strategic Planning team explores how they partner with portfolio companies to build and execute strategic plans. They discuss bridging the gap between the investment thesis and real-world execution, helping teams prioritize key initiatives, align stakeholders, and make data-driven decisions. Their structured yet adaptable process ensures companies stay focused, respond to market dynamics, and driv...

In this episode, David Korb, Director on the Shore Resource Team, shares insights into how the SRT supports portfolio growth and enables faster execution. He discusses key projects, his career journey from consulting to private equity, and how mentorship plays a role in developing future leaders and CFOs. David also reflects on the evolution of the SRT and its growing impact on the Shore Capital portfolio.

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In this episode, Ellie Hupp, a manager on the Shore Resource Team, shares her journey from financial due diligence to hands-on operational support. She discusses the importance of diversifying skills early in a career, the value of pattern recognition in private equity, and how SRT fosters collaboration across teams. Ellie also reflects on the growth opportunities at Shore and her aspirations for a future C-suite role.

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In this episode, the Shore Capital Strategic Planning team describes their proven approach to creating, managing, and iterating strategic plans with portfolio companies. They highlight timed breakouts, facilitation, and clear documentation to ensure alignment, accelerate idea-sharing, and deliver tangible outcomes. By evolving management processes and clarifying goals, they help companies achieve rapid growth and increased value.

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In this episode, Bob Pollard, Senior Director on the Shore Resource Team, shares how the SRT prepared him for a longer-term interim CFO role. He discusses stepping into leadership, driving change, and mentoring team members. Bob also reflects on projects that transformed companies by taking on tasks that the founders did not have the capacity or resources to do before. He speaks about his personal growth as a leader and emphasizes ...