The Blind Ambition with Jack Kelly

In this episode of the Blind Ambition Podcast, we welcome May Mobility’s CEO and cofounder Edwin Olson and chief people officer Tom Tang. May Mobility is an autonomous vehicle technology company focused on working with cities to make transit more sustainable and beautiful with shared mobility. Ed and Tom share how they are hiring the best talent to help execute their mission and their methodical approach to their operation, and how optimized convenience trumps risk aversion toward innovative products.

David Cohen is the cofounder and CEO of Techstars, a global startup accelerator and venture capital firm. In this episode of the Blind Ambition podcast, David gives us an inside look of how his firm supports and mentors tech founders and has the willingness to bet early on. He emphasizes that successful investments often seem counterintuitive at first. David notes that there are rarely "aha" moments in investing, and ideas that initially sound bad can turn out to be the most valuable opportunities. This approach has led Techstars to invest in unicorn companies like Uber. He emphasizes the critical role of startups in driving job growth, challenging the traditional notion that large corporations are the primary employment engines. Lastly, David talks about growing his startup community and how he plans to scale tech hubs on the ground everywhere.

Norm Ashkenas, a financial services veteran with over 30 years of experience, transitioned from traditional investment banking to the financial technology sector, becoming Robinhood's Chief Compliance Officer  In this episode, Norm discusses what it was like making the jump and the importance of candidates evaluating potential employers during interviews. He emphasizes how diverse backgrounds lend to new ways of thinking, enhancing team dynamics and growth. Additionally, Norm explains his approach to balancing fostering innovation while maintaining regulatory adherence. He describes compliance as an integral part of all operations and shares how it has evolved over time. Norm also highlights how compliance efforts contribute significantly to the fight against terrorism, human trafficking and arms trafficking, among other major concerns. Lastly, he addresses the challenges faced by those in non-revenue-generating roles, stressing the importance of demonstrating personal and departmental value.

Dave Lu is a seasoned Silicon Valley technology professional who transitioned from being a successful entrepreneur, Emmy Award-winning producer to a venture capitalist. He established Hyphen Capital, an investment firm dedicated to supporting and empowering Asian American founders by providing early-stage funding and access to a robust professional network.  In this episode, Dave shares his personal journey of overcoming the scarcity mindset that was deeply ingrained in him. He describes how he diverged from the conventional career trajectory, which he found unfulfilling, and highlights the challenges faced by individuals from cultures that stigmatize failure. Dave emphasizes that this cultural aversion to failure can significantly hinder one's ability to take risks and believe in oneself.  Instead of seeking validation from peers or waiting for permission, Dave stresses the importance of proactively creating opportunities. He suggests that this can be achieved by identifying one's unique strengths or "superpower" and developing a personal brand centered around these distinctive abilities.   Lastly, Dave advocates for the power of building relationships and trust as a means to open new doors and advance one's career.

Dale Bendler served in Force Recon and is a former CIA paramilitary officer for the United States.  In this episode, Dale reflects on how his study abroad through Rutgers University was a litmus test for a career in intelligence, and walks us through his journey in the CIA. He addresses the recent drone sightings in NJ and other parts of the world, and how Americans deserve more transparency.  He speaks to the importance of cybersecurity in an increasingly digitized world, as he is the founder and current COO of a cyber and urban safety consultancy.  ONE.61 is a one-stop shop for safety preparation for corporate executives, private individuals and their family members, including teenagers, teaching them street smarts and cyber knowledge.