30-Year Wisdom Bridge: Stanford MBA 1995 meets 2025
30-Year Wisdom Bridge: Stanford MBA 1995 meets 2025
Podcast Description
I’m Katharine Keough McLennan, Stanford MBA Class of 1995 alumna; I am the creator, producer and facilitator for this series in which I have the honour of hosting each episode with a different pair of two Stanford MBA generations—one from my Class of 1995 and the other from the Class of 2025.Our dialogues explore the profound shifts both of these classes saw in the "Changing of the Eras" :The Class of 1995 graduated at the dawn of the internet, heralding the Information Age emerging from the Industrial Age. Some of our classmates are considered global internet pioneers, and the companies they created are well-known worldwide. Our class is now in our 60s. The Class of 2025 enters the next era as we witness the rise of artificial intelligence. Information is a commodity and no longer describes an "era." They now grapple with a very different world than we did 30 years ago -- not only in technology but also in politics, economics, social connections, environmental challenges, and legal dynamics. They are in their 30s. Together, we unpack the possibilities: Will AI spark a new era of human creativity and connection that I call the Integration Age? Or will it deepen disconnection, ushering in an Isolation Age?This podcast is a "wisdom exchange" across generations, blending the hard-won lessons of my peers in their 60s with the bold vision of leaders in their 30s. Through candid, inspiring, and often humorous conversations, we reflect on aspirations, anxieties, and challenges while envisioning a future shaped by collaboration, ingenuity, and integrity—a call to action for a world where technology serves humanity. For updates and more, visit katharinemclennan.comLet’s shape the Integration Age, together.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on themes such as the evolution of technology and society, the impact of artificial intelligence, and intergenerational wisdom. Each episode highlights specific topics, for example, dialogues on leadership challenges faced by executives from different eras, discussions on educational reforms led by innovative thinkers, and explorations of sustainability initiatives relevant to contemporary business practices. These discussions aim to project future possibilities, debating the potential emergence of the Integration Age contrasted with the risks of an Isolation Age.
I’m Katharine Keough McLennan, Stanford MBA Class of 1995 alumna; I am the creator, producer and facilitator for this series in which I have the honour of hosting each episode with a different pair of two Stanford MBA generations—one from my Class of 1995 and the other from the Class of 2025.
Our dialogues explore the profound shifts both of these classes saw in the “Changing of the Eras” :
- The Class of 1995 graduated at the dawn of the internet, heralding the Information Age emerging from the Industrial Age. Some of our classmates are considered global internet pioneers, and the companies they created are well-known worldwide. Our class is now in our 60s.
- The Class of 2025 enters the next era as we witness the rise of artificial intelligence. Information is a commodity and no longer describes an “era.” They now grapple with a very different world than we did 30 years ago — not only in technology but also in politics, economics, social connections, environmental challenges, and legal dynamics. They are in their 30s.
Together, we unpack the possibilities: Will AI spark a new era of human creativity and connection that I call the Inspiration Age? Or will it deepen disconnection, ushering in an Isolation Age?
This podcast is a “wisdom exchange” across generations, blending the hard-won lessons of my peers in their 60s with the bold vision of leaders in their 30s. Through candid, inspiring, and often humorous conversations, we reflect on aspirations, anxieties, and challenges while envisioning a future shaped by collaboration, ingenuity, and integrity—a call to action for a world where technology serves humanity.
For updates and more, visit katharinemclennan.com
Let’s shape the Inspiration Age, together.
Today, I’m joined by Bruce McNamer from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Batu Demir from the Class of 2025.
Bruce is a philanthropic leader who has spent his life weaving together business, government, and global development. He’s currently President of the Builders Initiative, part of Lucas Walton’s Builders Vision, where he steers capital and grants toward environmental and social change. Before that, he led TechnoServe, drove strategy at JPMorgan Chase and McKinsey, served as a White House Fellow, and even worked as a Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay. Bruce brings a rare mix of heart, systems thinking, and real-world impact to the conversation.
Batu is a second-year MBA student who was born blind and is now charting new territory in both AI and accessibility. Originally from Izmir, Turkey, he’s worked at McKinsey, Google, and startups like WeWALK, while also competing as a professional blind soccer player. At Stanford, he co-founded the school’s Disability Club and has been a vocal advocate for designing tech with inclusion in mind from the start.
Bruce and Batu explore how leadership, opportunity, and systems change intersect across three decades. We talk about building markets for good, AI as a tool for empowerment, and how each generation—Gen X and Gen Z—views risk, meaning, and purpose. It’s a deeply moving and often funny conversation across space, time, and values.
00:00 Introduction to Philanthropy and Accessibility
08:09 Personal Journeys: Overcoming Challenges and Innovating Solutions
13:41 Career Paths: From Consulting to Philanthropy
17:44 Navigating Career Decisions in a Changing Landscape
20:33 The Impact of AI on Accessibility and Education
25:00 AI for Good: Exploring Opportunities and Ethical Considerations
25:50 Creating a Bubble: The GSB Experience
28:32 AI and Accessibility: Designing for All
31:40 The Evolution of Business Models in Tech
33:53 Government and Business: A Complex Relationship
37:53 Economic Challenges: Lessons from Turkey
41:43 Empowering Communities: The Role of Development
44:02 Reflections on Relationships and Learning
48:43 Finding Purpose: Advice for the Next Generation
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.
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📺 Also available on YouTube:
Entire series playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSaVisoF0D_GKxVmHmakNxdpAJCb5_VTP
More info: https://www.katharinemclennan.com/
Contact: [email protected]
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