Leading By Example: Executives Making An Impact

Building a $100M Brand with Empathy: Grace Lee Chen, Founder of Birdy Grey

What does it take to turn a simple idea into a $100 million brand? In the Season 2 premiere of Leading By Example, host Jessica Chen sits down with Grace Lee Chen, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Birdy Grey, the direct-to-consumer company reshaping how people shop for weddings. Grace shares how she transformed a personal frustration as a six-time bridesmaid into a thriving business built on empathy, creativity, and deep customer connection. She opens up about scaling her brand, collaborating with her best friend and co-founder, and why stepping down as CEO to focus on creative leadership was the most empowering decision of her career. Through her journey, Grace reveals what it means to lead with trust, authenticity, and heart in today’s fast-changing business landscape.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Season 2 of Leading by Example!

What sets remarkable leaders apart? In Season 2 of Leading By Example, Emmy Award winner and global communication expert Jessica Chen uncovers how today’s executives inspire trust, navigate change, and lead with purpose. From bold decision-making to everyday empathy, these conversations pull back the curtain on the communication skills, mindset shifts, and human stories behind impactful leadership. Whether you’re managing a team or leading your own path, this season will inspire you to lead with confidence, authenticity, and purpose.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season One Rewind: Lessons on Leadership, Authenticity & Growth

In this special in-between-seasons bonus episode of Leading by Example, host Farnoosh Torabi is joined by supervising producer Nakia (Kia) Swinton to reflect on standout leadership lessons from Season One. From authenticity and inclusion to empathy, expertise, and the power of introspection, Farnoosh and Kia revisit powerful moments and behind-the-scenes insights from their conversations with industry trailblazers including Will Pearson (iHeartMedia), Shannon Schuyler (PwC), Kathleen Griffith, Naveen Jain, Claude Silver (VaynerX), Marisa Thalberg, Danielle Weisberg & Carly Zakin (TheSkimm), and Ryan Serhant. Whether you're new to the show or a longtime listener, this highlight reel captures the spirit of the series—and sets the stage for an inspiring Season Two.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan Serhant - Founder of SERHANT.

Ryan Serhant has built a real estate empire by doing things differently. As the CEO of SERHANT.—a brokerage, media company, and tech platform all rolled into one—he’s redefining what it means to sell in the modern market. In this dynamic conversation, Farnoosh and Ryan talk about launching a company during the pandemic, building a brand that scales, and why “always in, all ways” isn’t just a motto—it’s a mindset. Ryan shares how he hires, the surprising way he tests for emotional intelligence, and why listening is his ultimate growth strategy. They also dive into AI’s growing role in real estate, what’s really behind the affordability crisis, and how innovation—not litigation—is Ryan’s favorite way to win.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg - Co-founders and Co-CEOs of The Skimm

Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg have lived every chapter of theSkimm’s story—from scrappy startup to multimillion-user platform to their recent acquisition by Ziff Davis. In this candid conversation, Farnoosh sits down with the co-founders to explore resilience, leadership, and how they’ve stayed deeply connected to their audience of millennial and Gen Z women. They open up about rejection, burnout, and the challenges of being women founders—including the ones that still persist. Plus, the story behind their viral #ShowUsYourLeave campaign, why caregiving is the next workplace frontier, and how they’re helping women navigate the realities of adulthood—with clarity, confidence, and just the right amount of Froot Loops.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.