Best Morehead Cain Foundation Podcasts (2025)

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Why you shouldn’t miss the 2025 Alumni Forum, with co-chairs James Dean ’89 and Madhu Vulimiri ’14 1:13

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17d ago1:13

1:13

Join co-chairs Madhu Vulimiri ’14 and James Dean ’89 as they share what will make the 2025 Alumni Forum this fall an unmissable event! This invigorating weekend is a chance to reconnect, learn, and grow with alumni from around the world. The Alumni Forum will take place at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from October 17 to 19. Learn…

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Investing in the future, with North Carolina State Treasurer Brad Briner ’99 35:41

25d ago35:41

35:41

On this episode, North Carolina State Treasurer Brad Briner ’99 shares about his new role managing the state’s financial assets. He offers insights into how North Carolina’s financial processes compare to other states; the importance of strategizing long-term fiscal stewardship; and his leadership approach for the department’s 400-person team. The …

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Kickin’ It in the Kitchen, with Elizah Van Lokeren ’25 and host Allyson Horst ’27 35:56

2M ago35:56

35:56

Welcome to Kickin’ It in the Kitchen, a miniseries by the Catalyze podcast that showcases Morehead-Cain seniors. The second edition of the series features Elizah Liberty Van Lokeren ’25, a professional photographer, small business owner, and member of UNC football’s creative team. In this episode, the advertisement and public relations double major…

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Senior miniseries: Kickin’ It in the Kitchen, with Nigel Parker ’25 and host Allyson Horst ’27 39:23

3M ago39:23

39:23

Welcome to Kickin’ It in the Kitchen, a Catalyze podcast miniseries showcasing Morehead-Cain seniors. The first episode features Nigel Parker ’25, a founding member of the Food for Thought breakfast and conversation series, the chief of staff for UNC Student Government, an Agora Fellow, and a philosophy major at Carolina. This video series is hoste…

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Eight alumnae on was it was like to be in the first class of women Morehead-Cain Scholars 19:15

4M ago19:15

19:15

In 1974, a dozen women became the first female Morehead-Cain Scholars at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the same year the Equal Credit Opportunity Act was passed, granting women the right to open a bank account without a husband’s signature. This past fall, eight members of the class of 1979 reunited to celebrate their 45th annive…

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Meet the Sophomore Selection scholars in the class of 2027 24:48

5M ago24:48

24:48

This past fall, fifteen students enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill joined the Morehead-Cain Class of 2027 through its Sophomore Selection process. Morehead-Cain launched this initiative in fall 2023 to identify sophomores at UNC–Chapel Hill who have demonstrated exceptional scholarship, leadership, and character, and invit…

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State of Morehead-Cain, with President Chris Bradford 33:56

6M ago33:56

33:56

Happy New Year! Morehead-Cain President Chris Bradford sat down with scholar host Stella Smolowitz ’26 to share what we’ve learned since launching the Sophomore Selection process and Morehead-Cain’s Community Standards, and what he hopes scholars take away from their time in the Program. Morehead-Cain launched Sophomore Selection in fall 2023 to id…

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Scholar stories: Celebrating 50 years of the Morehead-Cain Summer Enrichment Program 9:58

6M ago9:58

9:58

As Morehead-Cain celebrates 50 years of the Summer Enrichment Program, we asked scholars to share a few of their highlights from the past year. This episode is hosted by Allyson Horst ’27 of the Scholar Media Team. First up, we hear from Sahil Kapadia ’28 about his Outdoor Leadership expedition trekking around Lake Superior, followed by Carolina Ho…

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Where the University is headed, with UNC–Chapel Hill Chancellor Lee Roberts 24:12

7M ago24:12

24:12

Lee Roberts, the thirteenth chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, sat down with scholar host Allyson Horst ’26 to share his vision for Carolina under his leadership. The two discuss the University’s strategic priorities, with a focus on the areas of artificial intelligence, enrollment growth, investments in applied sciences…

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Meet John Rose, Morehead-Cain’s faculty director for Dialogue and Discourse 17:18

8M ago17:18

17:18

Dr. John Rose joined the Morehead-Cain community this fall as faculty director for Dialogue and Discourse. The initiative is designed to enhance scholars’ ability to listen, discuss, and engage in contemporary issues. Rose speaks with Catalyze co-host Stella Smolowitz ’26 about his approach to facilitating “charity-centric” dialogue with college st…

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The Catalyze podcast: So you’re thinking of taking a gap year, with Sachi Akmal ’28 29:23

12M ago29:23

29:23

Sachi Akmal ’28 visited campus during a break in her International Gap Year to speak with Catalyze host Allyson Horst ’27. So far, Sachi has traveled to ten countries over the span of nine months. From climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with fellow incoming scholars to exploring Italian monasteries, Sachi shares some of the highlights from her time abroad.…

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Patton McDowell ’89 of PMA Nonprofit Leadership on the strategies that empower change makers in philanthropy 29:27

1y ago29:27

29:27

Patton McDowell ’89 is the founder and president of PMA Nonprofit Leadership. The firm provides philanthropic and organizational consulting services. Patton is also the host of the podcast Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, a career development series focused on philanthropy. Patton shares with Catalyze host Charles McCain ’27 how interning at Spec…

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Nandini Kanthi ’27, CEO and co-founder of Sensible, on increasing women’s access to cervical screenings 23:32

1y ago23:32

23:32

Nandini Kanthi ’27 is the CEO and co-founder of Sensible, a startup that provides an affordable menstrual hygiene product that screens for cervical diseases. The diagnostic device uses naturally discharging menstrual blood. The scholar shares with Catalyze host Allyson Horst ’27 about her entrepreneurship journey, from competing on a high school de…

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Meet some of the new scholars through the Morehead-Cain Sophomore Selection Initiative 17:20

1y ago17:20

17:20

Morehead-Cain launched the Sophomore Selection initiative in fall 2023 to identify current sophomores at Carolina who have demonstrated exceptional scholarship, leadership, and character. Fifteen students joined the Program as members of the Morehead-Cain Class of 2026. Four members of the class joined Catalyze co-host Allyson Horst ’27 to share ab…

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Kevin Guskiewicz, UNC–Chapel Hill Chancellor Emeritus, on his legacy at Carolina 31:33

1+ y ago31:33

31:33

Today’s guest is Kevin Guskiewicz, the twelfth chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Food for Thought speaker at Morehead-Cain. The chancellor emeritus spoke with Catalyze as his final engagement on campus before moving to East Lansing, Michigan, to serve as president of Michigan State University. Guskiewicz shares wit…

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Josh Lee ’04 releases Lucha: A Wrestling Tale 32:19

1+ y ago32:19

32:19

Most Morehead-Cain Alumni know Josh Lee ’04 as the co-founder of Green Top Farms, a farm-to-table catering and food service company based in New York City. But after the work day, you’ll find the entrepreneur in the South Bronx coaching girls how to wrestle. Josh is the founder of the Taft High School women’s wrestling team, one of the first of its…

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Peter Hans, president of the University of North Carolina system, on the sustainability of affordable public education 16:51

1+ y ago16:51

16:51

Today’s guest is Peter Hans, president of the University of North Carolina system and a Food for Thought speaker at Morehead-Cain. On this episode, President Hans shares about how growing up in rural North Carolina has informed his work, his experiences as president of the North Carolina Community College System, and his perspective on the future o…

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SEVEN Talk, by Kartik Tyagi ’23: “Haste and Hustle” 8:44

1+ y ago8:44

8:44

Today’s episode is a recording of a SEVEN Talk from the 2022 Alumni Forum. This talk, given by Kartik Tyagi ’23, is entitled, “Haste and Hustle.” Kartik was the senior class president at UNC–Chapel Hill. You can watch all of the SEVEN Talks on our YouTube channel. Morea bout Kartik Born and raised in Cary, North Carolina, Kartik Tyagi ’23 received …

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Welcoming sophomores as new scholars, celebrating educators, and what’s ahead in 2024, with Morehead-Cain President Chris Bradford 33:12

1+ y ago33:12

33:12

Morehead-Cain President Chris Bradford sat down with scholar co-host Benny Klein ’24 to share about an initiative that welcomed more than a dozen sophomores from UNC–Chapel Hill into the Program last fall, recent efforts to celebrate and support educators in North Carolina and beyond, and what’s ahead for the Morehead-Cain Foundation in 2024. How t…

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From the class of 1985 to 2020: Quick takes with five Morehead-Cain Alumnae leading in consulting, tech, nonprofits, and government 15:57

1+ y ago15:57

15:57

Navigating leadership transitions. Tackling education inequities. Finding inspiration within cancel culture. Five Morehead-Cain alumnae share with Benny Klein ’24 about their entrepreneurship journeys from the worlds of consulting, tech, nonprofits, and government. The group shares their role models, most impactful Morehead-Cain summers from colleg…

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SEVEN Talk, by Tai Huynh ’20: “80 Days Around the Mustache” 9:12

1+ y ago9:12

9:12

Today’s episode is a recording of a SEVEN Talk from the 2022 Alumni Forum. This talk, given by Tai Huynh ’20, is entitled, “80 Days Around the Mustache.” Tai is a Chapel Hill Town Council Member and the co-founder and CEO of Acta Solutions LLC. You can watch all of the SEVEN Talks on our YouTube channel. More about Tai Tai Huynh ’20 is a co-founder…

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A friendship forged in the wilderness: David von Storch ’80 3:39

1+ y ago3:39

3:39

Today we have a story from Morehead-Cain Ambassador David von Storch ’80 about how he met his classmate, Andy Spencer ’80. It’s one of resilience, connection, and gratitude. It begins in the wilderness. The Morehead-Cain Day of Giving is this Friday, November 17. Support the Program by the end of the Day to help us reach our goal of 50 percent alum…

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SEVEN Talk, by Frank Bruni ’86: “We Are Starfish” 9:13

1+ y ago9:13

9:13

Today’s episode is a recording of a SEVEN Talk from the 2022 Alumni Forum. This talk, given by Frank Bruni ’86, is entitled, “We Are Starfish.” Frank is a Professor of the Practice of Journalism and Public Policy at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy. The alumnus is also author of four New York Times best sellers, including his new m…

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Ray Sawyer ’13 on re-thinking time management: ‘How do I think about where to invest my energy in the places of maximum impact?’ 27:02

1+ y ago27:02

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Ray Sawyer ’13 is the director of community health partnerships at Well, a health tech and services company co-founded by Dave Werry ’06. On this episode of Catalyze, Ray shares about his path from a small, rural North Carolina town to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He touches on his public service project in Uganda as a Morehead-…

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Leadership lessons from five Morehead-Cain Young Alumni 10:22

1+ y ago10:22

10:22

A group of Morehead-Cain Young Alumni, all of whom graduated from UNC–Chapel Hill within the last five years, spoke with Catalyze co-host Stella Smolowitz ’26 about leadership lessons gained at Carolina. Today’s guests include André Ceccotti ’18, Malik Jabati ’19, Sarah Mackenzie ’20, Ashton Martin ’20, and Andrew Buchanan ’23. The alumni have purs…

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SEVEN Talk, by Bex Frucht ’05: “Free Your Tumbleweed Queen” 11:54

1+ y ago11:54

11:54

Today’s episode is a recording of a SEVEN Talk from the 2022 Alumni Forum. This talk, given by Bex Frucht ’05, is entitled, “Free Your Tumbleweed Queen.” Bex is the program manager for The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. You can watch all of the SEVEN Talks on our YouTube channel. More about Bex Bex Frucht ’05 is a self-ascribed “Tumbleweed Quee…

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Skip Griffin, senior associate at Dialogos, on productive discourse: ‘We are much more golden than we’ve been taught to believe’ 23:43

1+ y ago23:43

23:43

Today’s guest is Skip Griffin, a senior associate at Dialogos and an expert on engaging in productive discourse. Griffin was a plaintiff in Virginia’s 1964 school desegregation lawsuit; led Harvard’s Black students through the tumult of the late 1960s; and later worked in a range of community leadership roles in public schools, at Northeastern Univ…

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The Catalyze podcast: Ashton Martin ’20 of the USET Sovereignty Protection Fund on championing rights for Tribal Nations 27:09

2y ago27:09

27:09

Today’s guest is Ashton Martin ’20, a health policy analyst for United South and Eastern Tribes Sovereignty Protection Fund in Washington, D.C. The nonprofit is an intertribal organization that advocates on behalf of thirty-three federally recognized Tribal Nations, from the Northeastern Woodlands to the Everglades and across the Gulf of Mexico. On…

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SEVEN Talk, by Ricky Hurtado ’11: “Roses in the Concrete” 7:16

2y ago7:16

7:16

Today’s episode is a recording of a SEVEN Talk from the 2022 Alumni Forum. This talk, given by Ricky Hurtado ’11, is entitled, “Roses in the Concrete.” Ricky is the state representative for the North Carolina House of Representatives. He is the first Latino Democrat to serve in the N.C. House. You can watch all of the SEVEN Talks on our YouTube cha…

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From Capitol Hill: A sit-down with Aaron Hiller ’03, chief counsel and Democratic deputy staff director for the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary 31:41

2y ago31:41

31:41

Today’s guest is Aaron Hiller ’03, chief counsel and Democratic deputy staff director for the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary. On this episode, Aaron reflects on the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and what it was like to work on the ensuing two impeachments of former president Donald Trump. The alumnus also shares his thoughts on having…

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Sam Lowe ’20, Scott Diekema ’19, Nicholas Byrne ’19, and Jonny Huang ’24 of recycleReality on launching a creative technology studio in New York 32:35

2y ago32:35

32:35

Today’s guests are Sam Lowe ’20, Scott Diekema ’19, Nicholas Byrne ’19, and Jonny Huang ’24, who Zoomed with Morehead-Cain from Brooklyn. Sam, Scott, and Nicholas are the co-founders of recycleReality, a creative technology studio in New York that specializes in bespoke design and software solutions in music, fashion, art, and architecture. Jonny i…

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Director and producer Taylor Sharp ’16 of Blue Cup Productions on his founding story, following the NBA G League through creative storytelling, and upcoming works 28:59

2y ago28:59

28:59

Taylor Sharp ’16 is a director and producer based in Brooklyn, New York. The alumnus co-founded the independent production company Blue Cup Productions with Holland Randolph Gallagher, a writer and director. Taylor spoke with Catalyze at a neighborhood cafe a day after the 2023 New York City Regional Event for alumni and scholars. Hailing from a cr…

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SEVEN Talk, by Malini Moorthy ’91: “We Are Not in Golden Rock Anymore” 8:43

2y ago8:43

8:43

Today’s episode is a recording of a SEVEN Talk from the 2022 Alumni Forum. This talk, given by Malini Moorthy ’91, is entitled, “We Are Not in Golden Rock Anymore.” Malini is the General Counsel of argenx, a biotech company. You can watch all of the SEVEN Talks on our YouTube channel. More about Malini Since 2022, Malini Moorthy ’91 has served as t…

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SEVEN Talk, by Bruce Gellin ’77: “Serendipitous Lessons” 10:01

2y ago10:01

10:01

Today’s episode is a recording of a SEVEN Talk from the 2022 Alumni Forum. This talk, given by Bruce Gellin ’77, is entitled, “Serendipitous Lessons.” Bruce is the Chief of Global Public Health Strategy at The Rockefeller Foundation. You can watch all of the SEVEN Talks on our YouTube channel. More about Bruce Bruce Gellin ’77 has pursued a career …

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From the dugout to the boardroom: Bobby Evans ’91 and his path to becoming general manager of the San Francisco Giants 46:06

2y ago46:06

46:06

On a spring day in Chapel Hill, Bobby Evans ’91 joined scholar host Benny Klein ’25 outside the Morehead-Cain Foundation to share about his life and career as a Major League Baseball executive. Bobby is the former general manager of the San Francisco Giants, a role he served from 2015 to 2018. Bobby speaks about his grandmother’s pivotal advice as …

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SEVEN Talk, by Sophie Cho ’23: “Searching Beyond the Well” 9:57

2y ago9:57

9:57

Today’s episode is a recording of a SEVEN Talk from the 2022 Alumni Forum. This talk, given by Sophie Cho ’23, is entitled, “Searching Beyond the Well.” You can watch all of the SEVEN Talks on our YouTube channel. More about Sophie Sophie Cho ’23 of Raleigh received her bachelor’s in public policy, business, and statistics from Carolina. During her…

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Seniors Spotlight: Advice and reflections from Roli Enonuya ’23 and Maggie Helmke ’23 27:36

2y ago27:36

27:36

Maggie Helmke ’23 and Roli Enonuya ’23, two graduating scholars, joined Catalyze to reflect on their four years at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Maggie and Roli share with scholar host Stella Smolowitz ’26 about their favorite classes and memories, challenges they overcame, and advice for incoming and current scholars. The senior…

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SEVEN Talk, by Janel Monroe ’10: “Finding Freedom Through Fertility” 10:09

2y ago10:09

10:09

Today’s episode is a recording of a SEVEN Talk from the 2022 Alumni Forum. This talk, given by Janel Monroe ’10, is entitled, “Finding Freedom Through Fertility.” Janel is the strategy senior manager for Accenture. You can watch all of the SEVEN Talks on our YouTube channel. Janel Monroe ’10 is an inclusion, diversity, and equity practitioner who c…

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Miniseries on sustainable farming in North Carolina, Pt. 3: Carolyn Roff Henry ’87 of Tryon Mountain Farms 22:54

2y ago22:54

22:54

For Earth Day, we’re releasing a three-part miniseries on sustainable farming in North Carolina. Elias Guedira ’26 and Stella Smolowitz ’26 of the Morehead-Cain Scholar Media Team traveled to Tryon (Polk County) to understand more about the food we consume and those who produce it. The two co-hosts spoke with representatives of a farmer’s market, t…

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Miniseries (extra!) on sustainable farming in North Carolina: Sights and sounds of Tryon Mountain Farms, with co-hosts Elias Guedira ’26 and Stella Smolowitz ’26 1:11

2y ago1:11

1:11

For Earth Day, we’re releasing a three-part miniseries on sustainable farming in North Carolina. Elias Guedira ’26 and Stella Smolowitz ’26 of the Morehead-Cain Scholar Media Team traveled to Tryon (Polk County) to understand more about the food we consume and those who produce it. The two co-hosts spoke with representatives of a farmer’s market, t…

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Miniseries on sustainable farming in North Carolina, Pt. 2: Jen Perkins, owner of Looking Glass Creamery in Columbus County 15:16

2y ago15:16

15:16

For Earth Day, we’re releasing a three-part miniseries on sustainable farming in North Carolina. Elias Guedira ’26 and Stella Smolowitz ’26 of the Morehead-Cain Scholar Media Team traveled to Tryon (Polk County) to understand more about the food we consume and those who produce it. The two co-hosts spoke with representatives of a farmer’s market, t…

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Miniseries on sustainable farming in North Carolina, Pt. 1: Maranda Williams and Jessica Mullen of Travelers Rest Farmers Market 27:34

2y ago27:34

27:34

For Earth Day, we’re releasing a three-part miniseries on sustainable farming in North Carolina. Elias Guedira ’26 and Stella Smolowitz ’26 of the Morehead-Cain Scholar Media Team traveled to Tryon (Polk County) to understand more about the food we consume and those who produce it. The two co-hosts spoke with representatives of a farmer’s market, t…

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TRAILER: Miniseries on sustainable farming in North Carolina, with Carolyn Roff Henry ’87 of Tryon Mountain Farms 2:11

2y ago2:11

2:11

For Earth Day, we’re releasing a three-part miniseries on sustainable farming in North Carolina. Elias Guedira ’26 and Stella Smolowitz ’26 of the Morehead-Cain Scholar Media Team traveled to Tryon (Polk County) to understand more about the food we consume and those who produce it. The two co-hosts spoke with representatives of a farmer’s market, t…

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Josh Stein, attorney general of North Carolina and gubernatorial candidate, on academic freedom in public universities, college access, and increasing economic equity in the state 16:23

2y ago16:23

16:23

Josh Stein, attorney general of North Carolina, spoke with the Scholar Media Team’s Cate Miller ’25 and Content Manager Sarah O’Carroll before his Food for Thought talk this spring. Stein shares about his career path to serving as attorney general, his views on academic freedom and college access, and his plans to run for state governor. Food for T…

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SEVEN Talk, by Naimul Huq ’08: “The Un-blockable Chain” 8:53

2y ago8:53

8:53

Today’s episode is a recording of a SEVEN Talk from the 2022 Alumni Forum. This talk, given by Naimul Huq ’08, is entitled, “The Un-blockable Chain.” Naimul is the senior vice president of operations at VaynerNFT, a Web3 consultancy. You can watch all of the SEVEN Talks on our YouTube channel. More about Naimul Naimul Huq ’08 is the SVP and head of…

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Cindy Parlow Cone, president of U.S. Soccer, on the historic agreements that achieved equal pay for women soccer players 10:13

2y ago10:13

10:13

Cindy Parlow Cone, president of U.S. Soccer, spoke with the Scholar Media Team’s Laurelle Maubert ’25 and Content Manager Sarah O’Carroll before her Food for Thought talk this spring. On this episode, Cone shares about historic equal pay agreements she led as president, her goals for the federation, and advice for female college athletes. Cone is t…

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Edward Ndopu, UN SDG Advocate for Accessibility and Inclusion, on “radical humanity” 26:23

2+ y ago26:23

26:23

Humanitarian Edward Ndopu joined Catalyze co-hosts Sarah O’Carroll and Elias Guedira ’26 during his visit to the Morehead-Cain Foundation this spring. Ndopu represents accessibility and inclusion as one of the 17 official UN Advocates for the Sustainable Development Goals. Ndopu shares about his experiences becoming the first disabled Black man to …

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SEVEN Talk, by Emily Vasquez ’06: “The Social Life” 8:26

2+ y ago8:26

8:26

Today’s episode is a recording of a SEVEN Talk from the 2022 Alumni Forum. This talk, given by Emily Vasquez ’06, is entitled, “The Social Life.” Emily is a Bridge to the Faculty Fellow in Sociology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The alumna is also an ethnographer of science, medicine, and public health. You can watch all of the SEVEN Ta…

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How sports entrepreneurship can cultivate social change, with Steven Aldrich ’91, chair of the Oakland Roots Sports Club and former chief product officer of GoDaddy 34:37

2+ y ago34:37

34:37

Steven Aldrich ’91, a seasoned entrepreneur and executive with a wealth of experience in growing successful companies, joined Catalyze during a visit to UNC–Chapel Hill this spring. Steven shares with scholar co-hosts Elias Guedira ’26 and Stella Smolowitz ’26 about his experiences starting GoDaddy’s California offices and taking the company public…

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SEVEN Talk, by Antonio McBroom ’08: “Pardon My Passion” 12:51

2+ y ago12:51

12:51

Today’s episode is a recording of a SEVEN Talk from the 2022 Alumni Forum. This talk, given by Antonio McBroom ’08, is entitled, “Pardon My Passion.” Antonio is a franchise developer at Ben & Jerry’s. You can watch all of the SEVEN Talks on our YouTube channel. More about Antonio Antonio McBroom ’08 is the franchise developer of Ben & Jerry’s with …