CEO School with Suneera Madhani

Why Your Network Is Literally Your Net Worth

Have you been networking the wrong way, treating it as a transaction instead of a long-term relationship investment? This episode gets into the real work behind two things that can transform a business: building a genuine community and forging the kind of strategic partnerships that actually move the needle. Host Suneera Madhani and guest Cate Luzio, founder and CEO of Luminary, go deep on how Cate survived losing 80% of her revenue overnight during COVID, why she pivoted to acquisitions as a growth strategy, and the mindset shifts every leader needs to make around self-advocacy, networking, and community. Whether you’re thinking about building a community around your brand, landing your first major partnership, or exploring M&A as a growth lever, this episode gives you the real-world playbook to start thinking and acting like the CEO who plays the long game. Cate Luzio is the founder and CEO of Luminary, a global professional education and networking platform supporting women and allies through community learning and leadership development. After two decades in corporate investment banking at Bank of America, JPMorgan, and HSBC, Cate left finance to build the community she had always wished existed. Today, Luminary runs 250+ programs annually, serves members in 30 countries, and counts JP Morgan, Verizon, LVMH, and Under Armour among its corporate partners. What you’ll learn in this episode: (00:03:39) Why Cate walked away from a 20-year career in investment banking to build Luminary, and how her corporate background gave her the fundamentals to create a business that was profitable and sustainable from the start. (00:08:35) How Luminary lost 80% of its revenue overnight when COVID hit, and the mindset shift that led Cate to pivot to a digital model and double down on B2B enterprise partnerships instead of shutting down. (00:15:19) The difference between organic and inorganic business growth, and why every entrepreneur should understand M&A as a real and accessible tool for scaling faster than building alone. (00:23:03) The non-negotiables for building a community that actually works, including why authenticity, daily commitment, and a clear code of conduct matter far more than follower counts or platforms. (00:33:19) Where the community industry is heading in a post-COVID world, why loneliness and mental health are driving demand for meaningful spaces, and what it takes for community-based businesses to survive and thrive long-term. (00:37:47) How to build strategic partnerships that go beyond logos on a banner, including how to get in the room, define mutual value, and play the long game instead of chasing one-off deals that go nowhere. Thank you to Cate Luzio for being on our show! Learn more about Cate: luminary.com Attend a Luminary LIVE event: https://www.weareluminary.com/events Your Exit Plan, April 22nd, 2026: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/luminary/2115442 Join the CEO School’s Millionaire Founders Club: https://theceoschool.com/join. We're building a table where every female founder has a seat. Subscribe to the CEO School podcast because only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue, and we’re changing that: * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast//id1525261018 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money: * Website: https://theceoschool.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for badass female CEOs like you to take center stage not just in your industries but in your whole life. * Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

How to Build A Brand Experience

How can you structure your team so that a large project does not derail your core business? If you are building a major project, launching an event, or trying to create a stronger brand experience, this episode gives you a candid look at what execution actually demands. In this solo episode, Suneera Madhani shares the five biggest lessons she learned while building the Unicorn Summit, from project management and cash flow to team structure and customer experience. You will hear what worked, what she would change, and how to lead through uncertainty when the stakes are high and the vision matters deeply. What you’ll learn in this episode: (00:01:51) Why a memorable brand experience depends less on the original idea and more on the systems, leadership, and execution required to bring it to life. (00:04:30) How launch timing can affect ticket sales, audience awareness, and momentum, especially when you are trying to market during holiday slowdowns. (00:07:11) Why large initiatives need dedicated focus, separate from day-to-day business operations, so your team can protect both the new project and the existing business. (00:13:08) Why your team can make or break a major initiative, especially when you need solution-oriented people who can stay positive and adapt quickly under pressure. (00:15:56) How to design an event experience strategically by thinking through pacing, programming, speaker flow, preparation, and every transition your audience will feel. (00:18:31) What leadership looks like when outcomes are uncertain, including how to carry private pressure, manage doubt, stay present with your team, and still move the vision forward. Join the CEO School’s Millionaire Founders Club: https://theceoschool.com/join. We're building a table where every female founder has a seat. Subscribe to the CEO School podcast because only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue, and we’re changing that: * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast//id1525261018 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money: * Website: https://theceoschool.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for badass female CEOs like you to take center stage not just in your industries but in your whole life. * Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

Inside Unicorn Summit 2026

What changes when you stop thinking like a founder and start leading like a CEO? This episode takes you inside the energy, emotion, and leadership lessons from Unicorn Summit 2026, and what it meant to bring ambitious women founders together in one place. In this solo episode, Suneera Madhani shares what she learned about community, asking for support, building a one-of-one brand, and making the shift from founder to CEO. If you are building something meaningful and need a reminder that growth is messy, leadership is learned, and you are not doing this alone, this conversation will meet you right where you are. What you’ll learn in this episode: (00:00:49) You will hear why Unicorn Summit 2026 felt like such a defining moment for Suneera and what stood out most about gathering hundreds of ambitious women in one room. (00:03:23) You will learn why community can be one of the most valuable assets in business, even when the event or initiative is not built around immediate profit. (00:06:00) You will learn why making the ask is uncomfortable for many leaders and why asking clearly for support, attendance, or participation is often necessary for growth. (00:08:38) You will hear why major visions require a true village and how team support, thoughtful planning, and shared ownership shape successful execution. (00:11:40) You will learn how Suneera redefines the idea of a unicorn beyond valuation and why being one of one in your category matters more than chasing a single financial metric. (00:17:46) You will hear what it really means to move from founder mode into CEO mode and why scale demands process, people, profit, and structure. (00:19:14) You will learn why struggle exists at every level of entrepreneurship and how community can help you stay grounded when the pressure feels isolating. (00:25:32) You will hear how Suneera’s accelerator certification is designed to help founders build the operational playbooks, systems, and confidence needed to lead at a higher level. Join the CEO School’s Millionaire Founders Club: https://theceoschool.com/join. We're building a table where every female founder has a seat. Subscribe to the CEO School podcast because only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue, and we’re changing that: * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast//id1525261018 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money: * Website: https://theceoschool.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for badass female CEOs like you to take center stage not just in your industries but in your whole life. * Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

They Rejected Her Idea, She Turned it into a BILLION Dollar Business

Lock in your spot for the Unicorn CEO Summit today at https://theceoschool.com/ceo-school-summit What happens when a business idea everyone rejects turns out to be right? Every major company begins with a moment when someone decides to keep going even after being told no. In this episode, Suneera Madhani sits down with Nathan Chan to discuss the early risks, difficult decisions, and long road behind building a payments company that would eventually become a fintech unicorn. As you listen, you will hear what it actually takes to build a business through uncertainty, push past rejection, and stay focused on the long game. Nathan Chan is the founder and CEO of Foundr, a global media and education company that helps entrepreneurs build and scale successful businesses. Through the Foundr podcast and platform, he has interviewed many of the world’s most successful founders and business leaders. What you’ll learn in this episode: (00:00) Discover how an idea that was initially dismissed eventually became the foundation for a billion dollar fintech company. (03:53) Understand how early exposure to entrepreneurship and small business shaped the mindset required to start a company. (09:56) Learn what it takes to leave a stable job and commit fully to building a company from scratch. (11:20) See how early traction, including processing millions in payments, can validate a startup concept quickly. (17:55) Explore the strategic decision to bet on omnichannel payments before the broader market recognized the opportunity. (22:06) Examine the reasoning behind rejecting a $17.5M acquisition offer and choosing to keep building. (28:15) Gain insight into the realities of raising hundreds of millions in funding and navigating investor relationships. (36:31) Understand the strategic thinking behind rebranding a growing company as it scales to new markets. Learn more about Nathan Chan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanhchan Join the CEO School’s Millionaire Founders Club: https://theceoschool.com/join. We're building a table where every female founder has a seat. Subscribe to the CEO School podcast because only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue, and we’re changing that: * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast//id1525261018 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money: * Website: https://theceoschool.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for badass female CEOs like you to take center stage not just in your industries but in your whole life. * Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

How Relationships Led To Suneera Madhani’s Billion Dollar Exit

Today’s episode is a special re-air from Suneera’s conversation on The Community Podcast with Kristina. In this powerful live interview from Orlando, Suneera shares the real story behind her billion-dollar exit and the relationships that made it possible. From building Stax to founding CEO School and launching the Unicorn Summit, this conversation unpacks how community became her greatest growth strategy. If you’ve ever wondered how to scale as a first-time female founder, raise venture capital, and grow your visibility without losing yourself, this episode pulls back the curtain. In this episode, you’ll hear: • Why the people closest to you will shape both your business and your identity • The advice that helped Suneera scale from startup to unicorn exit • What it truly means to “collect relationships” and why community compounds • How to build the courage to be disliked as your impact grows • How her upbringing shaped her ambition and leadership style • Why you must find rooms that sharpen you and support you Learn more about Kristina: https://www.instagram.com/kristina.bartold/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinabartold/ Learn more about The Social Snippet: https://www.thesocialsnippet.com/ You’re invited to attend Kristina’s High Vibe Women event in Toronto on March 7: https://www.highvibewomen.ca/march-2026-event Use the code PODCAST50 for a discount. Subscriber to Kristina’s podcast: https://communitypodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Join the CEO School’s Millionaire Founders Club: https://theceoschool.com/join. We're building a table where every female founder has a seat. Subscribe to the CEO School podcast because only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue, and we’re changing that: * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast//id1525261018 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money: * Website: https://theceoschool.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for badass female CEOs like you to take center stage not just in your industries but in your whole life. * Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/