Advertise on podcast: Excellent Leadership Podcast
Rating
4.9from
This podcast has
52 episodes
Explicit
No
Date created
2024/07/12
Latest episode
2026/09/29
Average duration
62 min.
Release period
29 days
Description
The Excellent Leadership Podcast interviews sports and entertainment CEOs, Presidents, General Managers, Athletics Directors, Head Coaches, Elite Athletes and Performers. We explore their career journeys, experiences, and advice as leaders in the world's most exciting and competitive industry. You will gain key insights on high performance, championship cultures, team management, leadership, and transformation. The podcast is hosted by Chad Biagini, President of Excel Search & Advisory at Excel Sports Management. New Episodes release every Tuesday.
Podcast episodes
Check latest episodes from Excellent Leadership Podcast podcast
Erick Harper (Athletic Director @UNLV) on Financial Literacy For Athletes in the NIL Era & more
2026/09/29
This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Chris Hoppe (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) are here with Erick Harper (Director of Athletics @unlv) to discuss:
Intro (:02)
Erick Harper Intro (:24)
A memory that sticks out at UNLV & What he saw in taking this role (1:45)
Advice to a rising leader & The importance of communication with higher ups (6:26)
The importance of of mentoring student athletes & Walk Around Time (11:20)
Building the culture of UNLV vs. Empathy within the organization (15:23)
Tying in the city of Las Vegas & Leaning to the difference of the product (22:11)
Behind the scenes of a head coaching search & Hiring Dan Mullen (27:56)
Never compromising your values & Financial literacy for athletes in the NIL era (32:04)
Adapting to address the transfer portal & Not being a micromanager (37:44)
Where UNLV is going to be in 5 years & 7 Question Blitz (40:30)
7 Question Blitz (57:40)
Subscribe To Full Episodes & Clips on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExcellentLeadershipPodcast
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excellent-leadership-podcast/id1756992305
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KU2g2Baee7a5d04fQfSzs
Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b52f086a-0266-4345-be4d-bb8a7cde89fd/EXCELLENT-LEADERSHIP-PODCAST?ref=dm_sh_iGzHwozj5FaE9BcH829Nv8GBz
Follow Us:
@excellentleadershippodcast on Instagram, YouTube, Spotify &
LinkedIn
CEO Conversations
#CEO #SportsExecutives #DreamJob
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Greg Beadles (President & CEO @atlantafalcons) on The Global Business Growth of Football & more
2026/09/15
This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with Greg Beadles (President & CEO @atlantafalcons) to discuss:
Excel Seach & Advisory Intro (:02)
Greg Beadles Intro (:25)
What the role of CEO in the NFL really is & Where he spends most of his time in business (1:44)
Hiring for a coach or GM & The role that Matt Ryan is filling for the team now (4:54)
Hiring for core values & Starting out as an intern, becoming CFO to President/CEO of The Falcons (8:31)
The First 30-60 Days of becoming President/CEO & Going through reorginization on the business side (17:45)
Planning with Owner Arthur Blank & What he has learned from him in business (25:21)
The business growth in the NFL & Playing in International games every season (33:04)
The growth of flag football & The business of Mercedes-Benz Stadium (37:56)
Co-Founding a school & Staying sharp and grounded (44:27)
7 Question Blitz (49:58)
Subscribe To Full Episodes & Clips on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExcellentLeadershipPodcast
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excellent-leadership-podcast/id1756992305
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KU2g2Baee7a5d04fQfSzs
Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b52f086a-0266-4345-be4d-bb8a7cde89fd/EXCELLENT-LEADERSHIP-PODCAST?ref=dm_sh_iGzHwozj5FaE9BcH829Nv8GBz
Follow Us:
@excellentleadershippodcast on Instagram, YouTube, Spotify & LinkedIn
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ross Bjork (Athletic Director at The Ohio State University) on The Scale of Being a Buckeye & more
2026/09/01
This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with Ross Bjork (Athletic Director @theohiostateuniversity) to discuss:
This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with Ross Bjork (Athletic Director @theohiostateuniversity) to discuss:
Excel Search & Advisory Intro (:00)
Ross Bjork Intro (:26)
Setting the tone as Athletic Director & The scale of working at The Ohio State University (2:04)
Having the torch passed to him with overlap from Gene Smith & Balancing between honor and tradition (8:46)
Having patience when stepping into a new role & Having the right cadence of executives in your organization (15:39)
The gospel of being Athletic Director & Accelerating your learning curve when dealing with the media (23:29)
Cascading culture throughout roles in an organization & Ensuring values during an interview process (28:19)
Balancing football vs. the other 35 sports in the program & Getting the most out of modern athletes (37:15)
7 Question Blitz (46:19)
Subscribe To Full Episodes & Clips on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExcellentLeadershipPodcast
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excellent-leadership-podcast/id1756992305
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KU2g2Baee7a5d04fQfSzs
Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b52f086a-0266-4345-be4d-bb8a7cde89fd/EXCELLENT-LEADERSHIP-PODCAST?ref=dm_sh_iGzHwozj5FaE9BcH829Nv8GBz
Follow Us:
@excellentleadershippodcast on Instagram, YouTube, Spotify & LinkedIn
Follow on Instagram & LinkedIn: @excellentleadershippodcast
Produced by DBPodcasts - http://www.DBPodcasts.com
Producers: Miles Davis, Daniel Demme Krutchkoff & Jordan Winter
(c) Excel Search & Advisory
#SportsBusiness #SportsIndustry #SportsExecutives #AthleticDirector #SportsCareers #Leadership #SportsManagement #CollegeAthletics
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kristen Holmes (Global Head of Human Performance @whoop) on Athlete & Executive Motivation Ceiling
2026/08/18
This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Matt Rogers (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) are here with Kristen Holmes (Global Head of Human Performance @whoop) to discuss:
Excel Seach & Advisory Intro (:02)
Kristen Holmes Intro (:24)
Being an athlete at Princeton & Joining WHOOP to enchance human performance (2:30)
Preperation for yourself instead of the opponent at hand & What executives are getting wrong with their health (7:18)
Executives who inquire about using WHOOP to create boundaries & Biggest solution for corrections (16:15)
The importance of sleep consistency along with early caffeine & The competitive advantages achieved in work culture (28:13)
Therapy benefits & Managing stress (38:50)
The motivation ceiling of athletes & Motivation performance plan principles in the workplace (48:38)
The common thread of wining teams & 7 years of data for recovery of professional golfers results (59:46)
The one thing YOU can do tomorrow to better your health & Writing a book (1:05:26)
7 Question Blitz (1:17:07)
Subscribe To Full Episodes & Clips on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExcellentLeadershipPodcast
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excellent-leadership-podcast/id1756992305
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KU2g2Baee7a5d04fQfSzs
Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b52f086a-0266-4345-be4d-bb8a7cde89fd/EXCELLENT-LEADERSHIP-PODCAST?ref=dm_sh_iGzHwozj5FaE9BcH829Nv8GBz
Follow Us:
@excellentleadershippodcast on Instagram, YouTube, Spotify & LinkedIn
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dan Radakovich (Executive Director of FBSAD Association) on How To Be an Athletic Director & more
2026/08/04
This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with Dan Radakovich (Executive Director of FBSAD Association) to discuss:
Intro (:02)
How much the Athletic Director role has changed & How to differentiate yourself to be hired as an AD (1:23)
How to build your generalist muscle & What to do right in the first 60-90 days in onboarding (7:45)
Common themes in administration hires that worked & Having success in building college football programs (18:15)
What works well to get culture to cement in organizations & Differences for executives from other industries getting into in sports (28:05)
If stakeholder management is a muscle that can be built & Looking back at working at Georgia Tech/Clemson/Miami (40:50)
7 Question Blitz (44:36)
Subscribe To Full Episodes & Clips on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExcellentLeadershipPodcast
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excellent-leadership-podcast/id1756992305
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KU2g2Baee7a5d04fQfSzs
Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b52f086a-0266-4345-be4d-bb8a7cde89fd/EXCELLENT-LEADERSHIP-PODCAST?ref=dm_sh_iGzHwozj5FaE9BcH829Nv8GBz
Follow Us:
@excellentleadershippodcast on Instagram, YouTube, Spotify & LinkedIn
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Candice Story Lee (Athletic Director @Vanderbilt) on The Value of Executive Coaching & more
2026/07/28
This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Chris Hoppe (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) are here with Candice Story Lee (Athletic Director @Vanderbilt) to discuss:
Intro (:02)
7 Question Blitz & First job (1:23)
The belief in Vanderbilt University & Encouraging people to fulfill their potential (10:10)
What to do with your team on tough days & What has changed at Vanderbilt University (15:53)
Recruitment in modern day college athletics & Learning how to adapt (24:00)
Vanderbilt Enterprises & How to maintain energy as a leader (31:18)
The importance of morning routine & Keeping control of her calendar (37:55)
Collaboration & Optimization in hiring (44:15)
Implementing executive coaching into the organization & Winning SBJ Athletic Director of the Year (49:50)
Most common advice lately & Being underestimated (56:53)
Subscribe To Full Episodes & Clips on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExcellentLeadershipPodcast
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excellent-leadership-podcast/id1756992305
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KU2g2Baee7a5d04fQfSzs
Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b52f086a-0266-4345-be4d-bb8a7cde89fd/EXCELLENT-LEADERSHIP-PODCAST?ref=dm_sh_iGzHwozj5FaE9BcH829Nv8GBz
Follow Us:
@excellentleadershippodcast on Instagram, YouTube, Spotify & LinkedIn
Follow Us on Socials:
@excellentleadershippodcast on Instagram & LinkedIn
CEO Conversations
#CEO #SportsExecutives #DreamJob
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Morgan Shaw Parker (President & COO of @AtlantaDream) on Leaving The NFL for a WNBA Franchise
2026/07/21
This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Matt Rogers(Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) are here with Morgan Shaw-Parker (President & COO of @AtlantaDream) to discuss:
Intro (:02)
Why she left the NFL for the WNBA & The differences between both leagues (1:22)
Challeges of working in WNBA & Investment strategies to keep up with rising valuations (6:19)
The difference of The Atlanta Dream & Being committed to the community (10:58)
When there’s an opportunity that keeps you up at night vs. Taking on a “fix it” project (15:27)
Advice for those with competitng priorities & Where culture within an organization comes from (20:42)
Key failures that can shape you & Stand out human traits that she looks at for a team member (30:41)
Finding those who are resilient through the hiring process & Hiring for skillset (39:06)
Where the WNBA will be in 5 years & What the vibe on an Atlanta Dream game is (46:35)
Family vacation visions & 7 Question Blitz (50:09)
Subscribe To Full Episodes & Clips on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExcellentLeadershipPodcast
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excellent-leadership-podcast/id1756992305
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KU2g2Baee7a5d04fQfSzs
Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b52f086a-0266-4345-be4d-bb8a7cde89fd/EXCELLENT-LEADERSHIP-PODCAST?ref=dm_sh_iGzHwozj5F
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Desireé Reed-Francois (Director of Athletics @ArizonaWildcats) on Caring For Student Athletes & more
2026/07/14
This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Chris Hoppe (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) are here with Desireé Reed-Francois (Director of Athletics @ArizonaWildcats) to discuss:
Intro (:02)
Her first job & Being present (1:15)
Deciding to become an Athletic Director because of her brother & How Chad got into Executive Search (6:17)
Running Athletics for a school that she went to & Comparing notes with a Fortune 500 CEO (13:23)
The differences in being an Athletic Director now vs. when she started & Creating a sense of belonging (18:10)
High low high in an interview process & The importance of caring about your student athletes (22:43)
How YPO changed her life & Investing in the people around you (29:44)
Knowing when to dive deep & Evolving as a leader (35:44)
The weight of your words & Being prepared to step into an executive role as the next generation (43:30)
Learning from your peers & Studying to become better (52:10)
7 Question Blitz (57:40)
Subscribe To Full Episodes & Clips on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExcellentLeadershipPodcast
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excellent-leadership-podcast/id1756992305
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KU2g2Baee7a5d04fQfSzs
Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b52f086a-0266-4345-be4d-bb8a7cde89fd/EXCELLENT-LEADERSHIP-PODCAST?ref=dm_sh_iGzHwozj5FaE9BcH829Nv8GBz
Follow Us:
@excellentleadershippodcast on Instagram, YouTube, Spotify & LinkedIn
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Derek Schiller (President & CEO of Atlanta Braves) on Building Braves Vision in 32 Days, Strategic Risks & Building A Championship Winning Culture
2026/07/07
This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with (President & CEO of @Braves) to discuss:
Intro (:02)
The Atlanta Braves being a public company & Building a mix-use development (1:14)
Sustaining success & Near term and long term goal setting (8:50)
Championing Innovation & Braves Vision being created in 32 days (16:23)
Preparing for situations that may never happen & Holding strategy and planning meetings (26:10)
Day to day focus for the senior leadership team in selling memories & Early mistakes (32:23)
Hiring for culture fit & How a listener can get enough reps to become a CEO in professional sports (42:09)
Taking strategic risks in your career & The best leaders that he’s worked for (50:02)
What is needed for CEO's in Number 2’s & Launching the women’s line (47:40)7 Question Blitz (56:37)Subscribe To Full Episodes & Clips on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExcellentLeadershipPodcast
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excellent-leadership-podcast/id1756992305
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KU2g2Baee7a5d04fQfSzs
Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b52f086a-0266-4345-be4d-bb8a7cde89fd/EXCELLENT-LEADERSHIP-PODCAST?ref=dm_sh_iGzHwozj5FaE9BcH829Nv8GBz
Follow Us:
@excellentleadershippodcast on Instagram, YouTube, Spotify & LinkedIn
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ryan Ellis (CEO of @TravisMathew) on Brand Initiative, Fabrication, Evaluating Partnerships & more
2026/06/30
This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Mark Mayleben (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) are here with Ryan Ellis (CEO of @TravisMathew) to discuss:
Intro (:02)
Leading TravisMathew & Brand Initiative (1:06)
Intake variables to make changes & Fabrication (9:28)
Early days of pitching to golf shops & Early clothing line creativity (14:37)
How Ryan connected with the founders & Keeping top performers in the company through culture (21:51)
Keeping energy high & The first account wins (28:14)
State of the golf endemic industry & Marketing opportunities (34:41)
Evaluating partnerships & Sales correlation if their tour player wins (39:36)
What is needed for CEO's in Number 2’s & Launching the women’s line (47:40)
7 Question Blitz (55:49)
Bonus Clip (1:03:46)
Subscribe To Full Episodes & Clips on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExcellentLeadershipPodcast
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excellent-leadership-podcast/id1756992305
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KU2g2Baee7a5d04fQfSzs
Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b52f086a-0266-4345-be4d-bb8a7cde89fd/EXCELLENT-LEADERSHIP-PODCAST?ref=dm_sh_iGzHwozj5FaE9BcH829Nv8GBz
Follow Us:
@excellentleadershippodcast on Instagram, YouTube, Spotify & LinkedIn
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
John Needham (President of Publishing & Esports @RiotGames) on The Mission at Riot Games & more
2026/06/23
This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Mark Mayleben (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) are here with John Needham (President of Publishing & Esports @RiotGames) to discuss:
Intro (:02)
First 60 days in a new organization & The mission of Riot Games (1:06)
Making yourself for accessible to a large team & Opening ceremonies for finals (3:52)
Game leadership teams & Top priorities within the Esports community (9:34)
John’s first job & Professional athletes love gaming (15:05)
Being known as "Excel Guy" at Sony & Starting his career in gaming (19:12)
Deciding what a game is looking to accomplish & Active marketing strategies (27:36)
How the business of Esports works & Locating high performers throughout the company (35:46)
The evolution of Esports & Their economic model (41:30)
The global operation with 20 offices worldwide & Taking on publishing at Riot Games (47:16)
Common traits within mentors & Building a foundation of trust within your team (53:49)
7 Question Blitz (57:12)
Bonus Clip (1:03:46)
Subscribe To Full Episodes & Clips on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExcellentLeadershipPodcast
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excellent-leadership-podcast/id1756992305
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KU2g2Baee7a5d04fQfSzs
Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b52f086a-0266-4345-be4d-bb8a7cde89fd/EXCELLENT-LEADERSHIP
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Josh Brooks (Athletics Director at University of Georgia) on Key Values, NIL Era Strategies, Giving 100% All The Time
2026/06/02
This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Chris Hoppe (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) are here with Josh Brooks (Athletics Director @UniversityOfGeorgia-official) to discuss:
Intro (:02)
Favorite Moments & Putting Pressure on himself to win Championships (1:24)
Going from Director of Football Operations to Athletics Director & How an executive builds resistance (4:40)
Hiring for high level pressure coaching & The key values that University of Georgia looks for (8:47)
What hiring for Head Coach in Football looks like & Always giving 100% with all of the sports programs at the University (14:34)
Using his executive team as a super power & reading the room to embrace debate (20:17)
Finding balance for board members & Not micromanaging (26:37)
Striking a balance with football playing student athletes & Revenue sharing strategy splits (33:20)
Measuring if the system is working outside of wins and losses & Honest assessment of staff and student athletes (38:38)
Primary reasons that most athletes choose schools & Pros/Cons of working at a big university vs. a small school (44:15)
Mistakes to avoid as a new Athletics Director & The importance of having mentors (50:35)
Taking pride in your job & Striking a balance in deals being done (57:40)
Managing Donor Fatigue & Pros/Cons of working at a big university vs. a small school (1:03:44)
His secret lasagna recipe & 7 Question Blitz (1:05:14)
Subscribe To Full Episodes & Clips on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExcellentLeadershipPodcast
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excellent-leadership-podcast/id1756992305
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KU2g2Baee7a5d04fQfSzs
Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b52f086a-0266-4345-be4d-bb8a7cde89fd/EXCELLENT-LEADERSHIP-PODCAST?ref=dm_sh_iGzHwozj5FaE9BcH829Nv8GBz
Follow Us:
@excellentleadershippodcast on Instagram, YouTube, Spotify & LinkedIn
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Gene Sykes (Chair U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee) on LA28 Success, Effective CEOs & more
2026/05/26
This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are at the premiere of Season 3! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Mark Mayleben (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) are here with Gene Sykes (Chair U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee) to discuss:
Intro (:02)
Being Chair of USOPC & Ingredients of a Healthy Board (2:01)
Organizations building trust on their board & Strategic governing boards vs. operating boards (9:13)
Common behaviors of effective CEOs & Where boards get CEO selection wrong (14:51)
When it’s time to consider a step up candidate & LA28 Board responsibilities (20:38)
How Gene got to where he is today & Goldman Sachs formula for success (29:01)
Being in the mergers and acquisitions business & Being at the introduction of the iPhone with Steve Jobs (34:58)
What success will look like for LA28 & 7 Question Blitz (43:03)
Special Bonus Clip: Establishing The Maggie Junior Golf & Communnity Foundation with Colin Morikawa (51:26)
Subscribe To Full Episodes & Clips on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExcellentLeadershipPodcast
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excellent-leadership-podcast/id1756992305
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KU2g2Baee7a5d04fQfSzs
Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b52f086a-0266-4345-be4d-bb8a7cde89fd/EXCELLENT-LEADERSHIP-PODCAST?ref=dm_sh_iGzHwozj5FaE9BcH829Nv8GBz
Follow Us:
@excellentleadershippodcast on Instagram, YouTube, Spotify & LinkedIn
CEO Conversations
#CEO #SportsExecutives #DreamJob
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark Jackson (Athletics Director at Northwestern University) on Investing In All Sports, DNA of Hiring, The Science of Optimism, Mentor Mt. Rushmore
2026/05/12
This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are at the premiere of Season 3! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Chris Hoppe (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our thirty seventh guest, Mark Jackson (Athletics Director, Northwestern University) on to discuss:
Intro (:02)
The moment Mark decided to become an Athletic Director & Hiring Yes or No People (1:37)
Biggest Lessons Learned from USC to Vilanova to Northwestern & Superpowers that Northwestern has while maintaining excellence (6:14)
DNA of hiring the right kind of coaches for Northwestern & Getting stakeholders to all march in the same direction (13:04)
Investing dollars throughout all sports programs & Strategy involed in NIL era (19:26)
Continued evolution as a person & The science of optimism (29:14)
Mount Rushmore of Mentors & Determining where money goes throughout sports (34:31)
Managing donor fatigue & Alignment within the Executive team (41:11)
Onboarding in all of these organizations & Unplugging from the workplace (50:09)
The importance of understanding what an Athletics Director does & Lessons learning from working in the NFL (55:41)
Emotional equity & 7 Question Blitz (1:01:00)
Subscribe To Full Episodes & Clips on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExcellentLeadershipPodcast
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excellent-leadership-podcast/id1756992305
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KU2g2Baee7a5d04fQfSzs
Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b52f086a-0266-4345-be4d-bb8a7cde89fd/EXCELLENT-LEADERSHIP-PODCAST?ref=dm_sh_iGzHwozj5FaE9BcH829Nv8GBz
Follow Us on Socials:
@excellentleadershippodcast on Instagram & LinkedIn
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Shelly Cayette (President of Business Operations, Charlotte Hornets) on Staring with The New Orleans Hornets, 10 Years at Cleveland Cavaliers
2025/08/19
This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are at the finale for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Mark Mayleben (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our thirty sixth guest, Shelly Cayette (President of Business Operations, Charlotte Hornets) on to discuss:
Intro (:02)
Being a student athlete at Tulane University & Working in the Casino Industry (1:30)
Working in Marketing for The New Orleans Hornets & Going From Marketing To Sales (7:00)
Working a Community role in New Orleans & Working for The Cleveland Cavaliers during COVID (11:53)
Balancing work with Motherhood & Advice to her younger self (17:31)
The pitch to join The Cleveland Cavaliers & Key pillars that lead to her successes (27:55)
Working with strong executive business leaders & Perfecting an interview process (33:43)
Staying sharp & 7 Question Blitz (43:50)
Subscribe To Full Episodes & Clips on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExcellentLeadershipPodcastSubscribe on
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excellent-leadership-podcast/id1756992305Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KU2g2Baee7a5d04fQfSzsSubscribe on
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b52f086a-0266-4345-be4d-bb8a7cde89fd/EXCELLENT-LEADERSHIP-PODCAST?ref=dm_sh_iGzHwozj5FaE9BcH829Nv8GBz
Follow Us on Socials:
@excellentleadershippodcast on Instagram & LinkedIn
CEO Conversations
#CEO #SportsExecutives #DreamJob
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Podcast reviews
Read Excellent Leadership Podcast podcast reviews
Keili-G 2026/09/15
A Must Listen
Leadership is a critical in sports and business. This podcast brings the two topics together through incredible interviews that also provide deeper un...
Ehild 2026/08/09
One of the Best
This has quickly become one of my favorite podcasts. I love the long form interview. Great guests and great hosts. Keep getting better!
Sandy Cross 2025/06/23
Essential Leadership Insights
Listen to the very first episode with guest Mark Donovan and you’ll be adding this to your ‘must listen’ library right away! The content is highly rel...
Jared Kozinn 2025/02/04
Great Insight!
Awesome podcast filled with rich knowledge and insight on the intricacies of the sports business. Chad Biagini and his team are incredibly thoughtful...
MonsterMalo501xx 2025/02/03
Love this show
Best Sports Business podcast going right now! Loaded guest list with awesome stories and insights
SportsFan2025 2025/02/03
Excellent Leadership
Keep it up, Chad & Mark! Looking forward to season 2.
Alan Smolgovsky 2025/02/03
Great Info
Lots of great guests and insightful conversations filled with wisdom not only applying to leadership and business, but personal development as well.
Flower_seeds 2025/02/03
Must listen
Great energy and insights!
BMC24! 2025/02/03
Top Rated
Excellent guests and incredible questions!
GIANTS FAN 111 2025/02/03
Best Sports Business Podcast You’ll Find
If you’re interested in the business and people behind what happens on the field with your favorite athletes, this is a must-listen. Insightful, engag...