From ‘You’ll Never Make It’ to the C-Suite: Dr. DeRetta Rhodes, EVP & Chief People & Culture Officer, The Atlanta Braves

"Our job is to do great things" - Maia Josebachvili, Chief Revenue Officer of AI at Stripe

In this episode of Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman talks with Maia Josebachvili, Chief Revenue Officer for AI at Stripe, about what it really takes to lead at the frontier. Maia shares why authority is never handed to you and why the best leaders surround themselves with people who know more than they do. You’ll learn:  * Why leadership is about creating followership, not giving orders from a boardroom * How to approach a role you have never done before by building the right network and team * The "pin check" culture from skydiving and what it teaches us about defaulting to trust in high stakes situations * Why getting to ground truth means talking to customers directly, not just reviewing data * How a simple one page framework creates clarity in complex moments Maia also opens up about an early career mistake when she tried to act like what she thought a CMO should be, and why being yourself works better than fitting a mold.  For more tools, insights, and strategies to lead with clarity and credibility, visit Elizabeth’s website [https://esuiteleader.com/], take the C-Suite Readiness Assessment [https://esuiteleader.com/esuite-readiness-assessment], and subscribe to Executiveland on  Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1840438124] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/16Gq849LBmQB4u4oN7o1lH] and so you never miss a new chapter of the unwritten playbook! • Free C-Suite Readiness Assessment [https://esuiteleader.com/esuite-readiness-assessment] • Website: https://esuiteleader.com/ [https://esuiteleader.com/] • Forbes Column: https://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabethfreedman/ [https://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabethfreedman/] • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethfreedman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethfreedman/] • Twitter X: @‌esuiteleader [https://x.com/esuiteleader]

Why Executives Lose Confidence in Leaders

In this episode of Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman explains why even highly capable leaders can lose the confidence of senior executives, not because they lack talent, but because trust is built on whether senior leaders believe you can consistently deliver meaningful outcomes.  Key takeaways from this episode: * Why executive confidence is built on outcomes, not effort, activity, or being busy * The hidden ways unclear communication creates doubt and erodes trust at senior levels * How leaders unintentionally lose credibility when they are not fully bought into the outcome themselves, even if they publicly align * Why understanding what you are truly being paid to deliver changes how executives experience your leadership She also shares three practical questions leaders should ask themselves: what outcomes are you actually paid to produce, how do executives currently experience you, and are you fully bought in or privately broadcasting doubt? Strengthening trust starts here. For more tools, insights, and strategies to lead with clarity and credibility, visit Elizabeth’s website [https://esuiteleader.com/], take the C-Suite Readiness Assessment [https://esuiteleader.com/esuite-readiness-assessment], and subscribe to Executiveland on  Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1840438124] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/16Gq849LBmQB4u4oN7o1lH] and so you never miss a new chapter of the unwritten playbook! • Free C-Suite Readiness Assessment [https://esuiteleader.com/esuite-readiness-assessment] • Website: https://esuiteleader.com/ [https://esuiteleader.com/] • Forbes Column: https://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabethfreedman/ [https://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabethfreedman/] • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethfreedman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethfreedman/] • Twitter X: @‌esuiteleader [https://x.com/esuiteleader]

From ‘You’ll Never Make It’ to the C-Suite: Dr. DeRetta Rhodes, EVP & Chief People & Culture Officer, The Atlanta Braves

On Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman sits down with Dr. DeRetta Rhodes, EVP and Chief People and Culture Officer for the Atlanta Braves, to talk about resilience, self-worth, and intentional leadership. DeRetta shares how she pushed past doubt, defined her value, and stayed committed to her vision through career pivots, personal adversity, and earning her doctorate. Key themes you'll hear: * How to tune out "ugly noise" and stay committed to your goals, even when others doubt you * Why thinking like a "free agent" can transform how you define and communicate your value * The importance of asking the right questions before stepping into new roles, and the cost of not asking * How to take inventory of your life and career to make aligned decisions in different seasons * The role of vision journals, mentorship, and belief in building a long-term, purpose-driven career DeRetta also shares insights from her book Courage of Voice, along with stories of the mentors and life experiences that shaped her leadership style, her commitment to empowering women, and her belief that success is available to anyone willing to stay the course. If this conversation resonates, share it with someone who could use the reminder that their goals are still within reach.  For more tools, insights, and strategies to lead with clarity and credibility, visit Elizabeth’s website [https://esuiteleader.com/], take the C-Suite Readiness Assessment [https://esuiteleader.com/esuite-readiness-assessment], and subscribe to Executiveland on  Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1840438124] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/16Gq849LBmQB4u4oN7o1lH] and so you never miss a new chapter of the unwritten playbook! Purchase Dr. DeRetta Rhodes book here: amazon.com/Courage-Voice-Empowering-Women-Professional/dp/1961863014 [http://amazon.com/Courage-Voice-Empowering-Women-Professional/dp/1961863014]To learn more about Dr. DeRetta Rhodes: mlb.com/braves/team/front-office/deretta-rhodes [http://www.mlb.com/braves/team/front-office/deretta-rhodes]Past Episode Mentioned: Ep 16 - Robert Clarkson, Former CRO Americas at Stripe: Why Empathy and Co-Creation Win [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2515544/episodes/18519191] • Free C-Suite Readiness Assessment [https://esuiteleader.com/esuite-readiness-assessment] • Website: https://esuiteleader.com/ [https://esuiteleader.com/] • Forbes Column: https://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabethfreedman/ [https://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabethfreedman/] • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethfreedman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethfreedman/] • Twitter X: @‌esuiteleader [https://x.com/esuiteleader]

“Every Time You Walk in the Room, You’re Being Evaluated” –Ricky Hopson, Catalent Group President and Chief of Staff

In this episode of Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman talks with Ricky Hopson, Group President, Clinical and Specialty Services at Catalent and Chief of Staff. With over 25 years at Catalent, Ricky has navigated roles across finance, operations, and executive leadership in pharmaceutical manufacturing. You'll learn: * How Ricky's finance background shaped his leadership across multiple functions * Why expertise in both finance and operations drives success * How to build cross-functional teams and plan for succession at every level * How to create positive client relationships, even during high-pressure negotiations * What makes a great CFO and how leadership roles are evolving today Share this episode with a senior leader who's balancing multi-functional responsibilities. For more tools, insights, and strategies to lead with clarity and credibility, visit Elizabeth’s website [https://esuiteleader.com/], take the C-Suite Readiness Assessment [https://esuiteleader.com/esuite-readiness-assessment], and subscribe to Executiveland on  Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1840438124] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/16Gq849LBmQB4u4oN7o1lH] and so you never miss a new chapter of the unwritten playbook! • Free C-Suite Readiness Assessment [https://esuiteleader.com/esuite-readiness-assessment] • Website: https://esuiteleader.com/ [https://esuiteleader.com/] • Forbes Column: https://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabethfreedman/ [https://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabethfreedman/] • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethfreedman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethfreedman/] • Twitter X: @‌esuiteleader [https://x.com/esuiteleader]

Why Ego Is the New Enterprise Risk with Deborah Borg, EVP, Chief People & Culture Officer, IFF.

In this episode of Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman speaks to Deborah Borg, EVP, Chief People and Culture Officer at IFF. Deborah shares her insights on navigating the C-Suite, balancing leadership roles, and the power of clear communication. They dive into the evolving role of HR, how to influence the C-Suite as an HR executive, and the tension between business needs and people-first leadership. You’ll explore: * The challenges and rewards of being the sole HR voice in the C-Suite, and how to keep employee interests front and center. * The importance of speaking up early and confidently, even on topics outside your functional expertise, plus why curiosity is at a premium for today's senior leaders. * Why collaboration (not ego) is key to executive leadership, along with managing change, handling fatigue, and being explicit about what to stop doing. * The strategic value of HR leaders on corporate boards and how to break into board roles. * Balancing digital tools with human connection, including how AI assistants can free up HR for high-impact moments. This episode is packed with practical advice on leadership, navigating HR in the C-Suite, and fostering a culture of change. Share it with a fellow leader who might need these insights. For more tools, insights, and strategies to lead with clarity and credibility, visit Elizabeth’s website [https://esuiteleader.com/], take the C-Suite Readiness Assessment [https://esuiteleader.com/esuite-readiness-assessment], and subscribe to Executiveland on  Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1840438124] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/16Gq849LBmQB4u4oN7o1lH] and so you never miss a new chapter of the unwritten playbook! To learn more about Deborah Borg, www.iff.com/experts/debora-borg [http://www.iff.com/experts/debora-borg/] • Free C-Suite Readiness Assessment [https://esuiteleader.com/esuite-readiness-assessment] • Website: https://esuiteleader.com/ [https://esuiteleader.com/] • Forbes Column: https://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabethfreedman/ [https://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabethfreedman/] • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethfreedman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethfreedman/] • Twitter X: @‌esuiteleader [https://x.com/esuiteleader]