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 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.
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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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