Chicago Business Leaders

Building a Trusted Brand: Howard Ankin's Approach to Leadership and Building a Brand

In this episode of the Chicago Business Leaders Podcast, Scott Moran is joined by Howard Ankin, co-founder of Ankin Law, for a conversation tracing the evolution of a leading Chicago law firm over the past 29 years. Howard reflects on starting his journey with just himself and a computer, and walks through the firm's growth into an organization with nearly 90 professionals, including 28 lawyers. Our discussion highlights the persistent drive required to scale a professional services practice, the strategic decisions behind brand-building, and the ways in which market and societal shifts. Howard shares his leadership philosophy, rooted in leading by example and a genuine commitment to supporting career-long employee growth. He describes the adaptation in management style prompted by changing workforce dynamics, flexibility with remote work, and an openness to new ideas as key pillars of his approach. You'll hear some great insights into balancing traditional values with the need to remain responsive to modern expectations, all while building lasting trust and engagement within the organization. Connect with Howard at Ankin Law: 🌐 https://ankinlaw.com/ [https://ankinlaw.com/] Email: Howard@ankinlaw.com [Howard@ankinlaw.com] Howard Ankin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-ankin-9671743/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-ankin-9671743/] Connect with Scott: 🌐 https://sutkermoran.com/contact-us/ [https://sutkermoran.com/contact-us/] Email: smoran@sutkermoran.com [smoran@sutkermoran.com] 📍 Presented by Sutker Moran — Chicago's trusted partner for business consulting and CFO services.

Defining Moments: A Leader's Turning Point with Sean Gallagher

In this episode of the Chicago Business Leaders Podcast, Scott Moran sits down with Sean Gallagher, Executive Vice President and Regional President at Busey Bank, to explore what leadership really looks like after 30 years in the banking industry. Sean shares a powerful perspective on leadership, built around trust, accountability, and curiosity. He breaks down the idea of having a "strong back, soft front, and wild heart", balancing empathy with the ability to make tough decisions and lead with integrity. The conversation dives into one of the defining moments of his career, a major financial downturn that reshaped how he thinks about risk, due diligence, and relationships. Sean explains how failure became his greatest teacher, reinforcing the importance of doing things the right way, even when it's hard. They also discuss how Busey Bank differentiates itself through a high-touch, relationship-driven approach, combining commercial banking with top-tier wealth management services. Sean highlights the importance of seeing clients holistically and building long-term trust. Finally, Sean shares his outlook on today's economic environment, emphasizing the impact of global uncertainty and why business leaders should stay focused on fundamentals, control costs, and lean on trusted advisors. This episode is a thoughtful look at leadership, resilience, and navigating uncertainty in today's business world. Connect with Sean at BMO: 🌐 https://www.busey.com/ [https://www.busey.com/] Email: sean.gallagher@busey.com [sean.gallagher@busey.com] Sean Gallagher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-gallagher-7148199/ Connect with Scott: 🌐 https://sutkermoran.com/contact-us/ [https://sutkermoran.com/contact-us/] Email: smoran@sutkermoran.com [smoran@sutkermoran.com] 📍 Presented by Sutker Moran — Chicago's trusted partner for business consulting and CFO services.

Why Most Banks Miss the Mark on Client Relationships — and How BMO Gets It Right

In this episode, host Scott Moran welcomes Rob Hallberg and Matt Stefani, Managing Directors and Market Leaders at BMO, marking the first-ever duo to appear on the Chicago Business Leaders Podcast. Together, Rob and Matt share over 50 years of combined experience in commercial banking and open up about how BMO's guiding principle — "Boldly Grow the Good in Business and in Life" — shapes their approach to leadership, culture, and client relationships. They explore the foundations of effective leadership, emphasizing the power of listening, trust, and authentic communication as the cornerstones of meaningful client and team relationships. Matt discusses the importance of empowering bankers to bring their unique approach to client service, while Rob explains how genuine trust allows teams to navigate challenges with confidence and unity. The discussion moves into how BMO differentiates itself in a crowded financial marketplace — combining the resources and scale of a global institution with the personal touch and decision-making agility of a local bank. Rob and Matt outline how their "One Client" mindset enables collaboration across business lines to deliver comprehensive, relationship-driven solutions. They also share insight on the challenges facing today's business leaders — from information overload to AI's evolving role in banking — and how BMO helps clients cut through noise and focus on facts. With practical examples and thoughtful perspective, Rob and Matt offer a grounded view of how leadership, culture, and client advocacy come together to drive long-term success. Listen now to discover how two of Chicago's top banking leaders are redefining relationship banking — and what their leadership lessons can teach every business owner about focus, trust, and growth. Connect with Rob & Matt at BMO: 🌐 https://www.bmo.com [https://www.bmo.com] Matt Stefani, matt.stefani@bmo.com [matt.stefani@bmo.com] Rob Hallberg, rob.hallberg@bmo.com [rob.hallberg@bmo.com] Connect with Scott: 🌐 https://sutkermoran.com/contact-us/ [https://sutkermoran.com/contact-us/] 📍 Presented by Sutker Moran — Chicago's trusted partner for business consulting and CFO services.

Building a Best Place to Work: Chris Gallagher on Leadership, Culture, and Growth at Green Office Partner

In this episode, host Scott Moran sits down with Chris Gallagher, co-founder of Green Office Partner, a 50-person technology firm recently named the #1 Best Place to Work by both Crain's Chicago Business and the Chicago Sun-Times. Chris shares how he and his brother built Green Office Partner from the ground up — transforming it into a nationwide leader in managed print services, document digitization, and conference room technology serving clients across 49 states and Canada. Chris reflects on his decision to leave corporate America to pursue entrepreneurship, the lessons learned in leadership and delegation, and the importance of building a culture where employees come first — echoing Richard Branson's philosophy that happy employees create happy clients. He explains how EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) helped structure growth, how recruiting top talent has fueled "hockey stick" results, and why learning what not to chase has been key to scaling efficiently. The conversation also touches on the power of nimble decision-making in a saturated industry, navigating family business dynamics, and insights from Green Office Partner's vantage point on shifting workplace trends — from the return to office to AI adoption. Chris also introduces a timely concept: "job hugging" — the tendency for employees to stay put amid economic uncertainty — and how it's affecting recruiting in today's climate. Listen now to hear how Chris and his team at Green Office Partner are redefining leadership, culture, and client service — and what their journey can teach every business leader about growth, focus, and resilience. Connect with Chris Gallagher: 📧 cgallagher@greenofficepartner.com 📞 (312) 399-5299 Connect with Scott: 🌐 https://sutkermoran.com/contact-us/ [https://sutkermoran.com/contact-us/] 📍 Presented by Sutker Moran — Chicago's trusted partner for business consulting and CFO services.

Future-Proofing Your Business: Succession, Tax, and Talent Strategies from FGMK's Lee Singer

In this episode, host Scott Moran sits down with Lee Singer, a 40-year veteran in public accounting and a partner and executive at FGMK, a 250-person Midwest-based professional services firm. Lee shares how FGMK evolved from a small bookkeeping shop into a national powerhouse, serving clients across all 50 states by growing alongside them and building robust in-house expertise rather than merging up with larger firms. Lee dives into leadership shifts post-COVID, highlighting the expanded talent pool with remote work but also the cultural and training challenges it creates. He emphasizes the importance of proactive client communication, creative tax and structure strategies (including re-evaluating LLC vs. S-Corp status), succession planning for aging business owners, and implementing phantom equity plans to retain top talent long-term. Listen now to discover how to future-proof your business with proven leadership, tax, and talent strategies from FGMK's Lee Singer. Don't miss these insights that could transform your next move. Connect with Lee Singer: lsinger@fgmk.com Connect with Scott: https://sutkermoran.com/contact-us/ [https://sutkermoran.com/contact-us/] 📍 Presented by Sutker Moran — Chicago's trusted partner for business consulting and CFO services