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Janett Liriano is known as a transformational CEO. But her business acumen stems from an unexpected place: her time in the theater department at New York City's famed LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and the Performing Arts. Liriano and her sister Erika co-founded Inaru, a premium chocolate company that operates on a profit-sharing model with cacao farmers in the Dominican Republic. But the chocolate startup isn't her first entrepreneurial endeavor. She recently joined City National Bank's David Cameron, EVP of Personal & Business Banking, for a conversation about her mission to improve the chocolate industry in the Dominican Republic and her collaborative approach to business.

Some entrepreneurs start with a product they think will wow the world, but Damian Bazadona's entrepreneurship journey was inspired by his passion for live entertainment. Bazadona, founder and president of the Situation Group, a conglomerate of experiential digital marketing and advertising companies, started his business in 2001 because of his belief that the power of Broadway, live sports, arts and education could be enhanced by the growing field of digital marketing. After more than two decades, Bazadona's firm has grown to represent brands as diverse as the Metropolitan Opera, Meals on Wheels and Major League Soccer. Bazadona recently joined City National Bank's EVP of Entertainment Banking, JaHan Wang, for a conversation about his passion for live entertainment and technology, and how he combined those interests into a thriving digital marketing firm.

Sean Cercone, founder and CEO of Broadway Licensing Global, understands the powerful reach of theater through performances in thousands of professional, regional, community and high school productions in the U.S. and around the world. He's created, produced and distributed countless plays and musicals, including 40 Tony Award winners and 49 Pulitzer Prize winners in 90 countries. Cercone, who was named to Crain's Business Top 40 Under 40 list, recently joined JaHan Wang, City National Bank's EVP of Entertainment Banking, for a conversation about his licensing business, starting a live streaming platform for theater productions, and the joy of working with creative people.

From a White House internship to a law firm to the entertainment industry, Brian Weinstein's career has taken a few twists and turns. Weinstein, co-founder of the 20-year-old nonprofit Opportunity Network (OppNet), is also president and COO of Bad Robot, a TV and film production company founded by filmmaker J.J. Abrams. Earlier in his career he was head of global client strategy at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and a corporate associate at the law firm of Skadden, Arp, Slate Meagher and Flom. He recently joined City National Bank's CEO Kelly Coffey for a conversation about his passion for philanthropy, the importance of diversity in every industry and his advice for people who want to make an impact.

Sarah Harden is the CEO of Hello Sunshine, a company founded by actor Reese Witherspoon that's dedicated to showcasing women-focused stories across all types of media. Its goal? To change the narrative for women through story. Since its start in 2016, Hello Sunshine has produced films and TV series such as "Wild," "Big Little Lies," "Little Fires Everywhere," "The Morning Show" and "Daisy Jones and the Six." Harden recently joined City National Bank’s CEO Kelly Coffey for a conversation about leadership, women-centered business opportunities and plans for Hello Sunshine’s next 15 years.

When viewers see movies and television programs with a more diverse background than in the past, they often have Dr. Stacy Smith to thank. Smith, founder of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative at the University of Southern California, may not be as instantly recognizable as a Hollywood celebrity, but she’s one of the most influential people in the entertainment industry. Smith joined City National Bank’s Linda Duncombe, executive vice president and chief marketing, data and digital officer, for a conversation about the role of research in solving inequality in Hollywood and other industries, as well as career advice for young people in media and entertainment.

After 26 years in corporate leadership roles, including as CEO of Aramark Uniform and Career Apparel Group, Tom Vozzo was looking for a “second act.” That's when he found Homeboy Industries, a successful nonprofit supporting gang intervention, rehabilitation and reentry for former felons. Vozzo recently joined City National Bank’s CEO Kelly Coffey for a conversation about his corporate and nonprofit experience and the lessons he imparts in his 2022 book, The Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life.

Growing up in Spain, Alex Gallardo was in a band with his friends and wrote songs. But he never dreamed that his enthusiasm for writing and performing music would eventually lead him to becoming president of Sony Music Latin. Gallardo recently joined City National Bank's CEO Kelly Coffey for a conversation about his decades of experience, changes in the music business and the rapid growth of Latin music in the U.S. and around the world.

Julia Boorstin recently joined City National Bank's CEO, Kelly Coffey, for a conversation about being at the forefront of reporting on social media, the impact of technology and the lessons to be learned from women leaders

Five years ago, Jasmine Crowe was feeding homeless people in Atlanta from a pop-up kitchen in her home. She's come a long way in a few short years, transforming her passion for helping others into a national organization. Crowe, founder and CEO of Goodr, a company that leverages technology and logistics to reduce waste and eliminate hunger, recently closed an $8 million Series A funding round. But that's not all. Besides her work as an award-winning social entrepreneur, Crowe has done TED talks and has authored a children's book called “Everybody Eats." Goodr, which is now in 26 markets across the U.S., has served 30 million meals and diverted five million pounds of food from landfills since its founding in 2017. Crowe recently joined City National Bank CEO Kelly Coffey for a conversation about building a business that addresses socio-economic issues, raising capital and increasing awareness around food insecurity and food waste.

While some people think about a five-year plan, Nik Modi prefers to look much further into the future. As a managing directing at RBC Capital Markets, an affiliate of City National Bank, Modi has a keen grasp on financial analytics. He and his team have produced Imagine: Preparing for Hyperdrive, an in-depth report based on surveys and research into more than 1,400 companies that identifies the disruptive forces that will transform the world in the decades ahead. Modi, a sell-side analyst for more than 15 years, joined RBC Capital Markets in 2013. He focuses on industries such as beverages, household personal care and packaged goods. Modi consistently ranks among the top analysts in surveys done by financial media such as the Wall Street Journal, Fortune and Forbes. “Covering these diverse segments taught me something important: Everything is connected," Modi said. “There are lessons from each sector that can be relevant to all the other sectors." Modi recently joined Rich Raffetto, president of City National Bank, for a conversation about the challenges and opportunities of the future and how cross-sector collaboration can make everyone from investors, to consumers, to company leaders smarter. This podcast is for general information and education only and is provided as a courtesy to the clients and friends of City National Bank. It is compiled from data and sources believed to be reliable, however City National Bank does not warrant that it is accurate or complete. Opinions expressed and estimates given are those of the speaker as of the date of the podcast with no obligation to update or notify of inaccuracy or change.

Lloyd Pursall, a Los Angeles-based photographer, videographer and director, has worked with numerous brands, businesses, artists, musicians, athletes, dancers and actors. Pursall recently joined Linda Duncombe, City National Bank's Chief Marketing, Product and Digital Officer, for a conversation about pursuing creative dreams, supporting others in creative industries and his perspective on Pride month. This podcast is for general information and education only and is provided as a courtesy to the clients and friends of City National Bank. It is compiled from data and sources believed to be reliable, however City National Bank does not warrant that it is accurate or complete. Opinions expressed and estimates given are those of the speaker as of the date of the podcast with no obligation to update or notify of inaccuracy or change.