Coffee with a T-bird hosted by Alex Rozenfeld

Building the Future, One Flight at a Time with Manoel Coelho

In this episode of Coffee with a T-Bird, I sit down with Manuel Coelho—entrepreneur, Thunderbird alum, and founder of Speedbird Aero—to talk about what it really takes to build something from the ground up. We get into his journey from Brazil to the U.S., how he went from telemedicine to launching a drone logistics company, and what it’s like to actually deploy drone delivery in real cities like New York. This isn’t just theory—this is boots-on-the-ground innovation, dealing with regulations, scaling globally, and figuring things out as you go. We also talk about the bigger picture—entrepreneurship, global business, and the mindset it takes to operate across cultures. And of course, a little bit of the Thunderbird experience and how it shapes the way you see the world. If you’re into startups, tech, or just enjoy hearing real stories behind building something meaningful, you’ll get a lot out of this one. What we cover: *  The reality behind drone delivery and autonomous logistics  *  Building and scaling a global startup  *  Lessons from working across the U.S., Brazil, Israel, and beyond  *  Why execution matters more than hype  *  The Thunderbird mindset https://www.linkedin.com/in/manoel-r-coelho/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/manoel-r-coelho/] https://www.speedbird.aero/ [https://www.speedbird.aero/] Manoel Coelho, visionary entrepreneur and CEO of Speedbird Aero, boasts over two decades of dynamic business leadership and a history of guiding start-ups with groundbreaking technologies. A Thunderbird School of Global Management honors graduate, Coelho seamlessly integrates technological innovation with international business strategies. His career spans key roles in the telemedicine and healthcare industry, marked by leadership in three disruptive technology-focused start-ups. Taking the helm at Speedbird Aero in 2018, Coelho leverages expertise in Drone as a Service, Software as a Service, Artificial Intelligence, and Telemedicine to lead the company's global development. Under Coelho's leadership, Speedbird Aero pioneers in unmanned aviation, with cutting-edge technologies in electric propulsion, autonomous flight, and sustainable solutions. Beyond his professional impact, Coelho is a respected figure in the unmanned aviation community, advocating for sustainability. In the ever-evolving unmanned aerospace landscape, Coelho's leadership at Speedbird Aero is defined by an unwavering pursuit of excellence, positioning the company for new heights in this sector. This podcast is sponsored by Freshwater Investments [https://freshwaterinvestments.com/]

Marc Sondheimer’s Journey: From Setbacks to an Oscar

In this episode of Coffee with T-Bird, Alex Rozenfeld sits down with Marc Sondheimer, an Academy Award–winning producer known for his work at Pixar on films like The Incredibles, WALL-E, Finding Dory, and the Oscar-winning short Piper. Marc shares the story behind Piper—a short animated film that was shut down three separate times before it was finally completed—and what it really takes to succeed in animation, filmmaking, and creative storytelling. From his unconventional path through international business to breaking into Pixar and becoming a film producer, this conversation dives deep into persistence, career pivots, and the reality behind Hollywood success. They also go behind the scenes of the Oscars, discuss how animated films are made, and explore what it means to produce at the highest level in the film industry. Marc opens up about leadership, problem-solving, and navigating setbacks in a competitive creative field. This episode is for anyone interested in Pixar, animation, filmmaking, entrepreneurship, career growth, and the mindset needed to turn big ideas into reality. https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-sondheimer-b014343/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-sondheimer-b014343/] Marc Sondheimer joined Pixar Animation Studios in October of 2001, where he started out as a Production Finance Lead for “The Incredibles” and “Cars”.  Since then, Mr. Sondheimer assumed a variety of positions in production. He was the Finance Lead for numerous short films as well as for the Academy Award®-winning feature film “WALL•E” and “Finding Dory.” In addition, Mr. Sondheimer worked as a Production Manager on the films “WALL•E,” various CarsToons, and Associate Producer and Production Manager on the Academy Award®-nominated short, “Day & Night.”   He served as an Associate Producer on “The Good Dinosaur” before becoming the Producer of Pixar’s short form content for “The Good Dinosaur,” “Finding Dory,” “Coco”, “Cars3” , “Incredibles 2”, “Toy Story 4”, “Onward” and “Soul”. Marc has produced over 50 commercials for Fortune 500 companies as well as several digital media projects, including AR and VR. In 2018 Marc developed and produced the episodic series “Cars on the Road” for Disney+ based on the Cars franchise.   In 2017, Marc won an Oscar® as producer of the Pixar short, “Piper,” which was named Best Animated Short Film by the Academy. “Piper” was released theatrically in front of “Finding Dory.”    In 2018, Marc was nominated for an Emmy Award® for “CocoVR”, Pixar’s first Virtual Reality experience. “CocoVR” was released in the Fall of 2017. This project also earned Mr Sondheimer a Cannes “Silver Lion”, Grand Clio and Webby Awards.   Prior to Pixar, Mr. Sondheimer worked in a variety of different fields including as a Business Strategy Consultant, as the Business Development Director for Quokka Sports - a digital sports media company, and was also a successful entrepreneur while operating his own import business.    For the past two years, Marc has freelanced as a Producer for commercials and short films, including producing an animated commercial for the National Football League with Cisco Systems. He is currently a Producer for Skydance Animation.   He received a Bachelor of Art degree from University of California, Berkeley, and went on to earn a Masters of International Management degree from Thunderbird Graduate School. Born and raised in Marin County, California, Sondheimer currently splits his time between Berkeley and Lake Tahoe.  This podcast is sponsored by Freshwater Investments [https://freshwaterinvestments.com/]

From Startup to Whole Foods: Blaine Yates on Building Xlear and Scaling a Health Brand

In this episode of Coffee with a T-Bird, Alex Rozenfeld interviews Blaine Yates, Thunderbird alum, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Xlear(Clear), the xylitol-based nasal and oral health company. Blaine shares how Xlear grew from a startup idea into a nationally distributed brand, the challenges of scaling sales and educating consumers, and how his Thunderbird Executive MBA helped shape his leadership and international expansion strategy. He also talks about his photography project capturing the highest points in all 50 U.S. states, his investment work, and his mission to launch an advanced rehabilitation center for stroke and traumatic brain injury patients in Salt Lake City. A conversation packed with insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, and global business. https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaine-yates-358113/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaine-yates-358113/] Mr. Yates is one of the cofounders of Xlear Inc., a xylitol products company focused on nasal and oral health. He served as the company’s CEO from 2006 until 2014. From 2014 until January of 2016 Mr. Yates left Xlear’s employment to work on a photography project taking vista photographs from the high point of all 50 US States. He returned to Xlear in January of 2016 to head up Xlear’s international department. Prior to serving as the company’s CEO he served as Vice President of Sales and built the company’s first sales force while bringing in Xlear’s original customer base. Blaine was a Sales Manager with Sirsi Corporation from 1996 through 2003 during which time he assisted in establishing new sales channels in public and school library sectors, and with recruiting and managing a top sales force. Prior to joining Sirsi Corporation, he was a Project Manager for a division of Ameritech and managed a 30+ person team converting libraries from card catalogs to modern, automated systems. He sold his ownership in Xlear in 2024 and embarked on a new journey investing in early stage companies and managing a luxury vacation rental. He is now preparing to open an advanced neuro rehabilitation center in the Salt Lake City area focused on getting stroke and TBI victims back to living fulfilling lives. He is a father to a 29-year-old daughter and a 5-year-old son (with three stepsons blended in the middle of that age range). His partner, Ashley, is a nurse and will be working with him on the new venture. He holds a B.A. in International Relations with a Minor in Spanish from Brigham Young University; and an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. This podcast is sponsored by Freshwater Investments [https://freshwaterinvestments.com/]

The 20-Year Overnight Success: Ilya Vinogradsky on Bootstrapping a Global Giant

In this episode, Alex Rozenfeld sits down with Ilya Vinogradsky, the Co-Founder and Chief Solutions Officer of Astound Digital. Ilya shares his "ultimate Silicon Valley story"—immigrating from the Soviet Union at 14, teaching himself to code on paper, and eventually transforming a scrappy startup into a global digital commerce leader servicing brands like L'Oreal, Crocs, and Adidas. The conversation explores the technical and human sides of leadership. Ilya breaks down the concept of "Vibe Coding" and how AI is revolutionizing enterprise software development. He then takes us through the three critical phases of his company's growth, including the harrowing challenges of the 2008 financial crisis and the strategic diversification of their global offices in response to the 2014 conflict in Ukraine. Listeners will gain insight into Ilya’s "Kindness Principle," his commitment to servant leadership, and the personal productivity hacks—like his "24-hour response rule"—that kept him grounded over a 20-year founder journey. https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinograd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinograd/] About the Guest Ilya Vinogradsky is a technical visionary and co-founder of Astound Digital. With a Master’s in Computer Science from Stanford, he has spent over 25 years at the intersection of technology and retail, helping define the modern e-commerce landscape while fostering a culture of loyalty and continuous learning across five continents. This podcast is sponsored by Freshwater Investments [https://freshwaterinvestments.com/]

Leading at Boeing: Maria Laine on Career, Family, and Taking the Leap

In this engaging conversation, Maria Laine shares her journey from her unique upbringing in Finland and Sweden to her successful career at Boeing. She reflects on a truly meaningful day at Thunderbird—standing at the podium as keynote speaker while her daughter crossed the stage as a graduate. Maria discusses the importance of mentorship, cultural insights, and the skills needed for success in the aerospace industry, especially in the context of AI advancements. She emphasizes the value of stepping out of comfort zones and offers advice for aspiring leaders, particularly women, in navigating their careers. Maria concludes with a heartfelt message to the Thunderbird community, highlighting its relevance in today's rapidly changing world. https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-laine-8b61ba11/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-laine-8b61ba11/] Thunderbird Graduation Speech [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaXveAktuww] With more than 30 years of aerospace and defense experience, Maria Laine leads the Business Capture and Operations organization of Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) at Boeing’s headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. In this role she is responsible for the functional excellence of the business development organization which includes leading the proposal development efforts for U.S. Government and international defense campaigns, leading the campaign and competitive analysis teams, the financial management and business operations teams, as well as the training and development teams. Prior to taking on her current role, Laine served as president of Boeing in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Nordic region based in London covering Boeing’s enterprise wide interests across the region in one of Boeing’s largest markets and footprints outside the United States. Prior to the move to London, Laine was leading global business development for Boeing’s defense portfolio and she has an extensive background in global defense acquisition programs, US Government Foreign Military Sales and global Industrial Cooperation Programs. Prior to her 32 year career at Boeing spanning a variety of different roles in numerous global locations, Laine also worked at the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration on the Nordic desks, as well as at the US Embassy in Helsinki in the Commercial section. Laine has also served on multiple non-profit boards to include on the Board of Trustees of the Whitehall & Industry Group (WIG), the International Advisory Board of British-American Business (BAB), both in London. She previously also served as Chairman of the Board of the Global Industrial Cooperation Association (GICA), as well as on the Board of the American Chamber of Commerce in Denmark. She was also named a visiting professor at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Center (AMRC) while based in the UK. Laine has an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona and a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from the University of California Santa Barbara. Laine was born in Finland, spent her childhood in Sweden and moved to the United States in 1975, after which she has moved back and forth across the Atlantic numerous times. Her native languages include Finnish, Swedish and English, and she has studied French, Spanish and Dutch. She is married and has two daughters. This podcast is sponsored by Freshwater Investments [https://freshwaterinvestments.com/]