The Pivot to CEO: Why Authenticity, Courage, and AI are the New Leadership Playbook
Beverly Anderson, President and CEO of BECU—the fourth-largest credit union in the United States—shares her 30-year leadership journey in financial services on the Albers Executive Speaker Series. From her Kentucky small-town roots learning credit fundamentals at a local corner store to leading a major financial institution, Anderson reveals the career strategies and leadership principles that shaped her path to the C-suite.
In this conversation, Anderson discusses her leadership philosophy built on three pillars: authenticity, excellence, and courage. She offers practical advice for women executives navigating corporate leadership, emphasizing the importance of self-advocacy in career advancement.
Anderson details a pivotal career decision that changed her trajectory: leaving a toxic leadership environment, a bold move which ultimately positioned her for the CEO appointment at BECU. Her experience demonstrates how strategic career pivots can accelerate executive success in the financial services industry.
The Leadership Playbook asks top executives from the business world's most recognizable brands and companies about the stories behind their success, their leadership secrets, and the biggest obstacles they've faced and overcome.
Follow us on leadershipplaybook.org to find out more about the show. Subscribe to listen to succeeding episodes.
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Proceed Until Apprehended
This live recording of the Albers Executive Speaker Series features Swedish Health Services President and CEO Elizabeth Wako, who outlines her career trajectory in the context of the five leadership principles that have guided her. In the fireside chat with Seattle University President Eduardo Peñalver, she talks about the impact of AI on healthcare, the business challenges generated by tariffs and the value of mentors. More than anything, Wako emphasizes being strategic in making life choices. "You only have one life," she advises the audience. "Make sure you experience the life that you want. If you're unhappy, make a change."
Hosted by Joseph M. Phillips, dean of Seattle University’s Albers School of Business and Economics, The Leadership Playbook asks top executives from the business world's most recognizable brands and companies about the stories behind their success, their leadership secrets, and the biggest obstacles they've faced and overcome.
Follow us on leadershipplaybook.org to find out more about the show. Subscribe to listen to succeeding episodes.
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Culture is the Only Priority
Recorded in front of a live audience in February 2025, Costco CEO Ron Vachris talks at length about how the organization's culture is the bedrock for the retailer's success. "We always do what's right" is not an arrogant statement, he says, but a commitment to their stakeholders, whether they are customers, shareholders or the communities where they operate. Vachris, the third CEO to helm Costco, demonstrates the firm's commitment to growing talent from within. Starting as a forklift driver in 1982 at Price Club, which merged with Costco in 1993, he worked his way up through the company over the years, becoming CEO in January 2024.
Hosted by Joseph M. Phillips, dean of Seattle University’s Albers School of Business and Economics, The Leadership Playbook asks top executives from the business world's most recognizable brands and companies about the stories behind their success, their leadership secrets, and the biggest obstacles they've faced and overcome.
Follow us on leadershipplaybook.org to find out more about the show. Subscribe to listen to succeeding episodes.
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Let Your Life Unfold
Entrepreneur and philanthropist Sunny Gurpreet Singh kicked off the 2024-25 season of the Albers Executive Speaker Series with this recorded fireside chat with Seattle University President Eduardo Peñalver. Singh is the founder of global healthcare technology company Edifecs and the Roundglass organization that supports programs and initiatives in India promoting health, wellness, the environment and more.
In this conversation, he talked about his journey from India to Montana and Seattle, what he learned in jobs as varied as engineering to working in an Alaskan fishing boat, and how he realized his calling as an entrepreneur at 32. Key to his success was his openness to what each day would bring him. "Let every day, every job, everything you do be an experience in figuring out who you are," Singh advised the audience made up mostly of students. "Find your purpose."
Hosted by Joseph M. Phillips, dean of Seattle University’s Albers School of Business and Economics, The Leadership Playbook asks top executives from the business world's most recognizable brands and companies about the stories behind their success, their leadership secrets, and the biggest obstacles they've faced and overcome.
Follow us on leadershipplaybook.org to find out more about the show. Subscribe to listen to succeeding episodes.
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People, Planet, Profit—and Purpose
PCC Community Markets CEO Krish Srinivasan closed out the 2023-24 season of the Albers Executive Speaker Series talking about the co-op's history; the challenges they overcame during the pandemic; their mission, vision, and values, and why a statement of equity and inclusion—which may seem rote in today's business world—is particularly meaningful to their business. "The food supply chain in this country, for centuries, has been extremely exploitative, has been built on the backs of enslaved labor," Srinivasan said. "It is one area where, as a grocer, we decided we needed to make it clear that it's a long journey ... we acknowledge that they exist, we acknowledge that we have a role to play ... and anything that falls under our purview, we will take steps to ensure that we have a safe and inclusive environment."
Hosted by Joseph M. Phillips, dean of Seattle University’s Albers School of Business and Economics, The Leadership Playbook asks top executives from the business world's most recognizable brands and companies about the stories behind their success, their leadership secrets, and the biggest obstacles they've faced and overcome.
Follow us on leadershipplaybook.org to find out more about the show. Subscribe to listen to succeeding episodes.
Ever wondered about the journeys successful business leaders took to get to where they are?
Looking to learn more about leadership to build a better team or advance your own career?
Going through work challenges and want to know how top executives resolved similar situations?
The Leadership Playbook podcast asks top executives from the business world’s most recognizable brands and companies about the stories behind their success, their leadership secrets, and the biggest obstacles they’ve faced and overcome.
Candid, often humorous, and always inspiring, the Leadership Playbook is hosted by the Dean of the Albers School of Business and Economics, Joe Phillips.
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