60 acast.com Best Manager Ever https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/best-manager-ever en Annie Riley manager, management,leadership,being a good manager,startups,tech,best manager ever Annie Riley Best Manager Ever reveals the secrets of successful management and empowers leaders to build winning teams. Join a community dedicated to sharing insights and stories from the most successful and beloved leaders in the startup world. All guests have been nominated as the “best manager ever” by a recent direct report. Before each interview, we go behind the guest’s back to collect feedback and stories from their team about what they’re *actually* like to work for. Then we sit down with the guest to unpack that feedback and to dig into their leadership playbook and lessons learned. Tune in, learn from the experts, and enhance your management skills while building meaningful connections throughout your career.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever reveals the secrets of successful management and empowers leaders to build winning teams. Join a community dedicated to sharing insights and stories from the most successful and beloved leaders in the startup world. All guests have been nominated as the “best manager ever” by a recent direct report. Before each interview, we go behind the guest’s back to collect feedback and stories from their team about what they’re *actually* like to work for. Then we sit down with the guest to unpack that feedback and to dig into their leadership playbook and lessons learned. Tune in, learn from the experts, and enhance your management skills while building meaningful connections throughout your career.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> false Annie Riley info+67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f@mg-eu.acast.com 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f best-manager-ever episodic https://assets.pippa.io/shows/67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f/1728413788579-f94f39ab-28ce-4c9a-9077-cab3b2761186.jpeg https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/best-manager-ever Best Manager Ever Time Kills Follow-Up: Share Context Now Time Kills Follow-Up: Share Context Now Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT 47:04 69cc248abfb99db0bc7d2061 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/69cc248abfb99db0bc7d2061 69cc248abfb99db0bc7d2061 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 4 4 Speed beats perfection every time. Annie Riley dives in with Junan Pang, VP of Customer Success at Intercom, to unpack how he gives direct reports the context they need to act independently. He talks through why most leaders under-share, and how quick, imperfect updates unlock better decisions– without drowning the team in meetings or messages.


Timestamps:

00:00 Meet Junan Pang

01:58 Learning as a mindset

05:28 Taking intentional steps back

08:48 Growth through manager & IC zigzags

14:32 Building authentic, long-term relationships

18:08 Being in the problem

22:32 Fast, imperfect context sharing 

31:35 Learning through osmosis 

37:26 Feedback as a daily practice


Join us on Substack 

Level up your leadership skills with Fort Light 

Connect with Annie Riley

Connect with Junan Pang

Nominate Your Best Manager Ever


Best Manager Ever is a Production of Fort Light and Now It’s Hear


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]]> Speed beats perfection every time. Annie Riley dives in with Junan Pang, VP of Customer Success at Intercom, to unpack how he gives direct reports the context they need to act independently. He talks through why most leaders under-share, and how quick, imperfect updates unlock better decisions– without drowning the team in meetings or messages.


Timestamps:

00:00 Meet Junan Pang

01:58 Learning as a mindset

05:28 Taking intentional steps back

08:48 Growth through manager & IC zigzags

14:32 Building authentic, long-term relationships

18:08 Being in the problem

22:32 Fast, imperfect context sharing 

31:35 Learning through osmosis 

37:26 Feedback as a daily practice


Join us on Substack 

Level up your leadership skills with Fort Light 

Connect with Annie Riley

Connect with Junan Pang

Nominate Your Best Manager Ever


Best Manager Ever is a Production of Fort Light and Now It’s Hear


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Bad Meetings Are Disrespectful Bad Meetings Are Disrespectful Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT 49:29 69caaa9416bd65d06930efad false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/69caaa9416bd65d06930efad 69caaa9416bd65d06930efad 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 4 3 Meetings can be a real problem when they’re not run well or have the wrong people in them. Julia Bernstein, COO at Brightside Health joins Annie Riley to break down how she audits, redesigns, and even “dress rehearses” meetings to make them actually useful. From cutting unnecessary attendees to auditing recurring meetings regularly, Julia shares her no-BS approach to protecting time and driving results.


Timestamps:

00:00 – Meet Julia Bernstein

02:00 – Translating business into people-first leadership

04:50 – Influencing without authority

06:30 – Managing diverse teams 

07:15 – Building career ladders from day one

16:20 – Being involved vs informed

20:50 – The meeting audit: cutting what doesn’t work

24:50 – Designing better meetings 

26:40 – Giving your team real ownership

27:20 – No one will set your boundaries for you

33:15 – Weekly rituals that keep teams aligned, human, and performing


Join us on Substack 

Level up your leadership skills with Fort Light 

Connect with Annie Riley

Connect with Julia Bernstein

Nominate Your Best Manager Ever


Best Manager Ever is a Production of Fort Light and Now It’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Meetings can be a real problem when they’re not run well or have the wrong people in them. Julia Bernstein, COO at Brightside Health joins Annie Riley to break down how she audits, redesigns, and even “dress rehearses” meetings to make them actually useful. From cutting unnecessary attendees to auditing recurring meetings regularly, Julia shares her no-BS approach to protecting time and driving results.


Timestamps:

00:00 – Meet Julia Bernstein

02:00 – Translating business into people-first leadership

04:50 – Influencing without authority

06:30 – Managing diverse teams 

07:15 – Building career ladders from day one

16:20 – Being involved vs informed

20:50 – The meeting audit: cutting what doesn’t work

24:50 – Designing better meetings 

26:40 – Giving your team real ownership

27:20 – No one will set your boundaries for you

33:15 – Weekly rituals that keep teams aligned, human, and performing


Join us on Substack 

Level up your leadership skills with Fort Light 

Connect with Annie Riley

Connect with Julia Bernstein

Nominate Your Best Manager Ever


Best Manager Ever is a Production of Fort Light and Now It’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> A Manager’s Word Has To Mean Something A Manager’s Word Has To Mean Something Wed, 25 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMT 54:59 69b9851be03672b0c7570db3 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/69b9851be03672b0c7570db3 69b9851be03672b0c7570db3 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 4 2 What if the secret to great leadership is actually learning to say no? Annie Riley sits down with Gautam Prabhu, VP of Engineering at Scribe AI and longtime startup operator, to unpack his lessons from 25+ years of building teams at PagerDuty, Zendesk, and Opentrons. Gautam talks through why leaders should treat every “yes” as a promise, how winning teams are built through systems (not heroics), why a bad decision is better than no decision at all, and how he builds trust through honesty and accountability.


Time Stamps:


00:00 Meet Gautam Prabhu

02:11 From engineer to accidental manager

05:04 Learning leadership the hard way

08:26 The two kinds of trust

12:03 Why intent matters first

15:42 Competence has to follow

19:18 Why great managers say no

23:57 A bad decision beats no decision

28:41 Startups can’t run on heroes forever

33:22 Building systems that scale

39:48 What great leadership really leaves behind


Join us on Substack 

Level up your leadership skills with Fort Light 

Connect with Annie Riley

Connect with Gautam Prabhu

Nominate Your Best Manager Ever


Best Manager Ever is a Production of Fort Light and Now It’s Hear



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> What if the secret to great leadership is actually learning to say no? Annie Riley sits down with Gautam Prabhu, VP of Engineering at Scribe AI and longtime startup operator, to unpack his lessons from 25+ years of building teams at PagerDuty, Zendesk, and Opentrons. Gautam talks through why leaders should treat every “yes” as a promise, how winning teams are built through systems (not heroics), why a bad decision is better than no decision at all, and how he builds trust through honesty and accountability.


Time Stamps:


00:00 Meet Gautam Prabhu

02:11 From engineer to accidental manager

05:04 Learning leadership the hard way

08:26 The two kinds of trust

12:03 Why intent matters first

15:42 Competence has to follow

19:18 Why great managers say no

23:57 A bad decision beats no decision

28:41 Startups can’t run on heroes forever

33:22 Building systems that scale

39:48 What great leadership really leaves behind


Join us on Substack 

Level up your leadership skills with Fort Light 

Connect with Annie Riley

Connect with Gautam Prabhu

Nominate Your Best Manager Ever


Best Manager Ever is a Production of Fort Light and Now It’s Hear



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> COO of Headspace: Why You Should Re-Recruit Yourself COO of Headspace: Why You Should Re-Recruit Yourself Wed, 18 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMT 49:52 69b981dee03672b0c755bad2 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/69b981dee03672b0c755bad2 69b981dee03672b0c755bad2 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 4 1 What does it take to lead through 15 years of pivots, mergers, layoffs, and massive growth— without losing your people (or your mind!) along the way? Annie Riley sits down with Karan Singh, co-founder of Ginger and COO of Headspace, to unpack why great managers win people over through curiosity and genuine connection, how managers need to learn to ride the “J-curve” of change, and why everyone should re-recruit themselves to their role. 


Timestamps:

00:00 Meet Karan Singh

04:30 Learning to manage on the fly

07:20 Winning people over

09:25 The mindset for surviving startup chaos

12:01 The j-curve of change

14:41 Speed vs. Space: giving teams time to process change

18:32 Healthy departures 

22:24 Creating a “Next Play Plan” 

26:49 Why you should re-recruit yourself

38:52 Rethinking PIPs: What most people get wrong 


Join us on Substack 

Level up your leadership skills with Fort Light 

Connect with Annie Riley

Connect with Karan Singh

Nominate Your Best Manager Ever


Best Manager Ever is a Production of Fort Light and Now It’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> What does it take to lead through 15 years of pivots, mergers, layoffs, and massive growth— without losing your people (or your mind!) along the way? Annie Riley sits down with Karan Singh, co-founder of Ginger and COO of Headspace, to unpack why great managers win people over through curiosity and genuine connection, how managers need to learn to ride the “J-curve” of change, and why everyone should re-recruit themselves to their role. 


Timestamps:

00:00 Meet Karan Singh

04:30 Learning to manage on the fly

07:20 Winning people over

09:25 The mindset for surviving startup chaos

12:01 The j-curve of change

14:41 Speed vs. Space: giving teams time to process change

18:32 Healthy departures 

22:24 Creating a “Next Play Plan” 

26:49 Why you should re-recruit yourself

38:52 Rethinking PIPs: What most people get wrong 


Join us on Substack 

Level up your leadership skills with Fort Light 

Connect with Annie Riley

Connect with Karan Singh

Nominate Your Best Manager Ever


Best Manager Ever is a Production of Fort Light and Now It’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Welcome to Season 4 Welcome to Season 4 Wed, 11 Mar 2026 04:03:00 GMT 1:42 69af5d3308944255d57dea85 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/69af5d3308944255d57dea85 69af5d3308944255d57dea85 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f trailer 4 Best Manager Ever shares hard-earned leadership lessons from the very best and most successful managers in startups and tech. But here’s the twist: Every guest is endorsed by their team as the “best manager ever.” We talk to the guest’s direct reports to learn how they *really* lead, and then unpack that feedback live with the guest. 


This season we’re leveling up with world-class experts who have spent their careers studying the science of leadership, including professors, authors, and coaches.


Season 4 kicks off March 18th, with new episodes every Wednesday wherever you get podcasts.


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever shares hard-earned leadership lessons from the very best and most successful managers in startups and tech. But here’s the twist: Every guest is endorsed by their team as the “best manager ever.” We talk to the guest’s direct reports to learn how they *really* lead, and then unpack that feedback live with the guest. 


This season we’re leveling up with world-class experts who have spent their careers studying the science of leadership, including professors, authors, and coaches.


Season 4 kicks off March 18th, with new episodes every Wednesday wherever you get podcasts.


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Santa Best Manager Ever: Santa Wed, 24 Dec 2025 10:00:00 GMT 13:19 694067297e21d19ff2dc4892 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/694067297e21d19ff2dc4892 694067297e21d19ff2dc4892 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f bonus 3 15 In this special holiday spoof episode of Best Manager Ever,  Annie Riley, host and founder of Fort Light, chats with the one and only Santa Claus!


Known for spreading holiday cheer and managing a diverse team at the North Pole, Santa gives a rare interview about life behind the scenes. His direct reports, including elves and reindeer, praise Santa for his leadership, though they note he's their only manager ever ;) 


We will dive into Santa's leadership style, the secrets behind the naughty and nice lists, and the challenges of maintaining the Christmas spirit all year long. Join us for a fun-filled episode with laughter and insight into the man behind the magic.


Connect with Annie Riley

Connect with our hilarious Santa, Jason Gore

Listen to Jason’s podcast 108.9 The Hawk

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this special holiday spoof episode of Best Manager Ever,  Annie Riley, host and founder of Fort Light, chats with the one and only Santa Claus!


Known for spreading holiday cheer and managing a diverse team at the North Pole, Santa gives a rare interview about life behind the scenes. His direct reports, including elves and reindeer, praise Santa for his leadership, though they note he's their only manager ever ;) 


We will dive into Santa's leadership style, the secrets behind the naughty and nice lists, and the challenges of maintaining the Christmas spirit all year long. Join us for a fun-filled episode with laughter and insight into the man behind the magic.


Connect with Annie Riley

Connect with our hilarious Santa, Jason Gore

Listen to Jason’s podcast 108.9 The Hawk

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Top Takeaways From Season 3 Best Manager Ever: Top Takeaways From Season 3 Wed, 17 Dec 2025 08:00:00 GMT 20:24 6940640d443ad98913478246 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/6940640d443ad98913478246 6940640d443ad98913478246 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 3 15 In this recap episode of Best Manager Ever, host Annie Riley reflects on standout lessons from Season 3.


Annie discusses the six things our top manager guests have in common: high standards, clear communication, strong relationships with peers, a relentless focus on their own growth, a unique view of career management, and a human-first perspective. 


It’s a chance to pause, look back, and notice what makes our guests so exceptional— and then think about how to apply those lessons in your own work. 


Whether you're a longtime listener or just tuning in, this episode offers a meaningful recap of the themes that shaped our season. 

Share your feedback and suggestions from the season in this super quick form, so we can make future episodes even better. 


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out:  sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this recap episode of Best Manager Ever, host Annie Riley reflects on standout lessons from Season 3.


Annie discusses the six things our top manager guests have in common: high standards, clear communication, strong relationships with peers, a relentless focus on their own growth, a unique view of career management, and a human-first perspective. 


It’s a chance to pause, look back, and notice what makes our guests so exceptional— and then think about how to apply those lessons in your own work. 


Whether you're a longtime listener or just tuning in, this episode offers a meaningful recap of the themes that shaped our season. 

Share your feedback and suggestions from the season in this super quick form, so we can make future episodes even better. 


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out:  sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Jared Erondu – Hard Mode Leadership Best Manager Ever: Jared Erondu – Hard Mode Leadership Wed, 10 Dec 2025 08:00:00 GMT 52:09 6938aebae521382d959839a3 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/6938aebae521382d959839a3 6938aebae521382d959839a3 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 3 14 Jared Erondu is a seasoned design and startup leader, and is currently the Head of Design at early-stage startup Span. Jared spent eight years at Lattice rising from a solo designer pulling all-nighters in the early days, to leading a 50-person design organization and serving as GM across product and GTM as the company scaled. Earlier in his career, he was a design leader at Teespring and Omada Health. Jared is known for his design mentorship and community-building, and is an active advisor and angel investor. 


Jared brings a calm, steady presence, especially during challenging times, always seeing the long view and providing unwavering support. His team appreciates his high standards, attention to detail, and commitment to craft, but also noted that he balances intensity with humor and approachability.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Jared, and they discuss:


  • Why all managers should master selective transparency
  • The right way to communicate destabilizing intel 
  • How to recondition your mindset for “hard mode” leadership
  • How to build a bench of resources to support yourself  
  • The best way to recruit exceptional talent 
  • Why managing your own mindset is the ultimate leadership unlock 


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out:  sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Jared Erondu

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Jared Erondu is a seasoned design and startup leader, and is currently the Head of Design at early-stage startup Span. Jared spent eight years at Lattice rising from a solo designer pulling all-nighters in the early days, to leading a 50-person design organization and serving as GM across product and GTM as the company scaled. Earlier in his career, he was a design leader at Teespring and Omada Health. Jared is known for his design mentorship and community-building, and is an active advisor and angel investor. 


Jared brings a calm, steady presence, especially during challenging times, always seeing the long view and providing unwavering support. His team appreciates his high standards, attention to detail, and commitment to craft, but also noted that he balances intensity with humor and approachability.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Jared, and they discuss:


  • Why all managers should master selective transparency
  • The right way to communicate destabilizing intel 
  • How to recondition your mindset for “hard mode” leadership
  • How to build a bench of resources to support yourself  
  • The best way to recruit exceptional talent 
  • Why managing your own mindset is the ultimate leadership unlock 


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out:  sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Jared Erondu

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Dana Lawson - Conquering Imposter Syndrome and Fostering Team Resilience Best Manager Ever: Dana Lawson - Conquering Imposter Syndrome and Fostering Team Resilience Wed, 03 Dec 2025 08:00:00 GMT 43:35 692f2b30d6bc23eda2ebab0b false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/692f2b30d6bc23eda2ebab0b 692f2b30d6bc23eda2ebab0b 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 3 13 Dana Lawson is the CTO of Netlify. She’s been a technologist for decades, and was previously the VP of Engineering at Github and the Director of Engineering at New Relic, Heptio, InVision (acquired by Miro), and more. Dana has a diverse background, and served in the military. 


Dana's direct reports praise her for building confidence, providing autonomy support, for bringing honesty and compassion, and for sponsorship that goes beyond mentorship. 


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Dana, and they discuss:


  • How imposter shows up at senior levels– and how to handle it  
  • How to deal with interpersonal conflicts
  • What it takes to be an effective sponsor
  • The importance of embracing change


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out:  sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Dana Lawson

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Dana Lawson is the CTO of Netlify. She’s been a technologist for decades, and was previously the VP of Engineering at Github and the Director of Engineering at New Relic, Heptio, InVision (acquired by Miro), and more. Dana has a diverse background, and served in the military. 


Dana's direct reports praise her for building confidence, providing autonomy support, for bringing honesty and compassion, and for sponsorship that goes beyond mentorship. 


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Dana, and they discuss:


  • How imposter shows up at senior levels– and how to handle it  
  • How to deal with interpersonal conflicts
  • What it takes to be an effective sponsor
  • The importance of embracing change


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out:  sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Dana Lawson

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Amit Shah - Building Trust Through Gratitude Best Manager Ever: Amit Shah - Building Trust Through Gratitude Wed, 26 Nov 2025 08:00:00 GMT 48:46 691e00415e54c6660a295abe false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/691e00415e54c6660a295abe 691e00415e54c6660a295abe 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 3 12 Amit Shah is the COO of Virta Health, where he’s built the company from ~30 team members to over 800 colleagues working to reverse obesity and diabetes. Amit has 10+ years of experience in building and scaling entrepreneurial and high-growth healthcare organizations, with a focus on delivering financial and operational results while aligning on mission and values.


Amit’s direct reports praise his ability to balance the needs of Virta’s members, business, and staff, describing him as incredibly kind, caring, driven, and a fierce protector of his team. He is celebrated for his passion, structured thinking, dedication to his own growth and development, and continuous improvement in leadership.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Amit,

and they cover:


  • How to build a gratitude practice that supports your team – and yourself
  • The importance of emotional awareness and regulation in leadership 
  • Energy management habits and practices   
  • A process to take charge of feedback, learning, and growth 
  • The relationship between execution and strategy in startups


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Amit Shah 

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Amit Shah is the COO of Virta Health, where he’s built the company from ~30 team members to over 800 colleagues working to reverse obesity and diabetes. Amit has 10+ years of experience in building and scaling entrepreneurial and high-growth healthcare organizations, with a focus on delivering financial and operational results while aligning on mission and values.


Amit’s direct reports praise his ability to balance the needs of Virta’s members, business, and staff, describing him as incredibly kind, caring, driven, and a fierce protector of his team. He is celebrated for his passion, structured thinking, dedication to his own growth and development, and continuous improvement in leadership.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Amit,

and they cover:


  • How to build a gratitude practice that supports your team – and yourself
  • The importance of emotional awareness and regulation in leadership 
  • Energy management habits and practices   
  • A process to take charge of feedback, learning, and growth 
  • The relationship between execution and strategy in startups


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Amit Shah 

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Patrick Reynolds - Creating the Conditions for Success Best Manager Ever: Patrick Reynolds - Creating the Conditions for Success Wed, 19 Nov 2025 08:00:00 GMT 39:44 691c9de3295fc6e848be78d2 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/691c9de3295fc6e848be78d2 691c9de3295fc6e848be78d2 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 3 11 Patrick Reynolds is the Co-Founder and Head of Product at Office Hours, an expert marketplace. Patrick started his career as a software engineer, before becoming a self-taught product designer and making the leap into product leadership. He has worked at an array of tech companies and startups including Affirm, Sweep, and Adobe. 


Patrick's direct reports praise him for his exceptional thoughtfulness, noting his ability to remember personal details and small, meaningful actions that remove friction and boost morale. They describe him as a natural coach who not only sets high standards but also provides the necessary support and resources to achieve them. 


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Patrick, and they discuss:


  • The difference between leadership and management  
  • How to prime yourself so it’s easy to spot opportunities to support your team 
  • The difference between a culture that inspires ambition vs. enforces it 
  • How to consume content for maximum ROI 
  • The best way to spot (and stop!) perfectionism 


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Patrick Reynolds

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Patrick Reynolds is the Co-Founder and Head of Product at Office Hours, an expert marketplace. Patrick started his career as a software engineer, before becoming a self-taught product designer and making the leap into product leadership. He has worked at an array of tech companies and startups including Affirm, Sweep, and Adobe. 


Patrick's direct reports praise him for his exceptional thoughtfulness, noting his ability to remember personal details and small, meaningful actions that remove friction and boost morale. They describe him as a natural coach who not only sets high standards but also provides the necessary support and resources to achieve them. 


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Patrick, and they discuss:


  • The difference between leadership and management  
  • How to prime yourself so it’s easy to spot opportunities to support your team 
  • The difference between a culture that inspires ambition vs. enforces it 
  • How to consume content for maximum ROI 
  • The best way to spot (and stop!) perfectionism 


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Patrick Reynolds

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Sophie Ruddock – Showing Up for Your Team During Crisis Best Manager Ever: Sophie Ruddock – Showing Up for Your Team During Crisis Wed, 12 Nov 2025 08:00:00 GMT 40:12 690a334bb27ff20cebc86046 true https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/690a334bb27ff20cebc86046 690a334bb27ff20cebc86046 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 3 10 Sophie Ruddock brings deep expertise in scaling mission-driven tech companies, and is now the COO at Empathy. Sophie was an early employee at Multiverse, where she grew with the company and ultimately became their global COO leading through rapid growth and market expansion. 


Sophie’s direct reports praise her empowering leadership style, her commitment to their development, and her unwavering advocacy. She hires people for their unique expertise and encourages them to bring their full selves to work, and reminds them of their value even in moments of self-doubt.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Sophie, and they discuss:


  • What a “founder mindset” really means for employees 
  • How to earn the right to dissent 
  • How to lead when someone on the team has an unexpected crisis 
  • The mindset shift that enabled Sophie to go from managing 3 to 600+ people 


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out:  sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Sophie Ruddock

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

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]]> Sophie Ruddock brings deep expertise in scaling mission-driven tech companies, and is now the COO at Empathy. Sophie was an early employee at Multiverse, where she grew with the company and ultimately became their global COO leading through rapid growth and market expansion. 


Sophie’s direct reports praise her empowering leadership style, her commitment to their development, and her unwavering advocacy. She hires people for their unique expertise and encourages them to bring their full selves to work, and reminds them of their value even in moments of self-doubt.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Sophie, and they discuss:


  • What a “founder mindset” really means for employees 
  • How to earn the right to dissent 
  • How to lead when someone on the team has an unexpected crisis 
  • The mindset shift that enabled Sophie to go from managing 3 to 600+ people 


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out:  sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Sophie Ruddock

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Behavioral Science as a Leadership Tool Best Manager Ever: Behavioral Science as a Leadership Tool Wed, 05 Nov 2025 05:03:00 GMT 42:02 6900e94caee65e114ac3433b false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/6900e94caee65e114ac3433b 6900e94caee65e114ac3433b 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 3 9 In this expert episode, Annie Riley sits down with Matt Wallaert, an applied behavioral scientist who made the leap into the tech and startup worlds. Matt is currently the CXO at Oceans, and he’s previously held leadership roles at Clover Health, LendingTree, Microsoft, frog design, and more. 


Matt explains why all leaders should know and use the principles of applied behavioral science– because all startup leaders are in the business of behavior change with our customers, our teams, and ourselves. 


They discuss specific tactics that leaders can use to influence their team’s behavior, including the SIDE framework, promoting and inhibiting pressures, iterative experimentation, and more. Matt explains how applied behavioral science can be the key to unlocking lasting and meaningful behavior change, and to achieving a more empathetic and effective leadership style. 


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Matt Wallaert

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this expert episode, Annie Riley sits down with Matt Wallaert, an applied behavioral scientist who made the leap into the tech and startup worlds. Matt is currently the CXO at Oceans, and he’s previously held leadership roles at Clover Health, LendingTree, Microsoft, frog design, and more. 


Matt explains why all leaders should know and use the principles of applied behavioral science– because all startup leaders are in the business of behavior change with our customers, our teams, and ourselves. 


They discuss specific tactics that leaders can use to influence their team’s behavior, including the SIDE framework, promoting and inhibiting pressures, iterative experimentation, and more. Matt explains how applied behavioral science can be the key to unlocking lasting and meaningful behavior change, and to achieving a more empathetic and effective leadership style. 


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Matt Wallaert

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Worst Manager Ever: Annie’s Scariest Manager Stories Worst Manager Ever: Annie’s Scariest Manager Stories Wed, 29 Oct 2025 07:00:00 GMT 16:50 68ff9e42594b659111657056 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/68ff9e42594b659111657056 68ff9e42594b659111657056 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 3 8 ​​In this special Halloween episode of Best Manager Ever, host Annie Riley recounts the top worst manager moments of her career. 


Tune in to hear scary manager stories, from tales of micromanagement to vague (and unsettling!) feedback… and even Annie’s own manager missteps. 


There’s value in learning from the best, and ALSO from the worst! You’ll finish this episode feeling less alone, and even with some actionable lessons to help you avoid the same manager mistakes. 


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> ​​In this special Halloween episode of Best Manager Ever, host Annie Riley recounts the top worst manager moments of her career. 


Tune in to hear scary manager stories, from tales of micromanagement to vague (and unsettling!) feedback… and even Annie’s own manager missteps. 


There’s value in learning from the best, and ALSO from the worst! You’ll finish this episode feeling less alone, and even with some actionable lessons to help you avoid the same manager mistakes. 


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Amy Jenkins - Context and Connection Before Content Best Manager Ever: Amy Jenkins - Context and Connection Before Content Wed, 22 Oct 2025 07:00:00 GMT 37:22 68d177886f2bb8719fbe9b47 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/68d177886f2bb8719fbe9b47 68d177886f2bb8719fbe9b47 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 3 7 Amy Yamner Jenkins is the Chief Operating Officer at Meadow, which is an early-stage fintech startup working to transform the financial experience for students and universities. Amy started her career as a classroom teacher, and pivoted into startups by working at NewSchools Venture Fund. Before Meadow, she had a long and successful chapter building Education Elements, and then led the partnerships team at Outschool. 


Amy’s direct reports describe her as an empowering leader, someone who provides useful and constructive feedback, fosters a high-trust environment, and enables team members to grow.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Amy,

and they discuss:


  • Why connection and context should come before content 
  • How to notice and combat bias in hiring 
  • A simple 2x2 framework to exchange feedback with your team 
  • Why you should avoid using common words like “obviously” and “of course” as a leader 


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Amy Jenkins

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Amy Yamner Jenkins is the Chief Operating Officer at Meadow, which is an early-stage fintech startup working to transform the financial experience for students and universities. Amy started her career as a classroom teacher, and pivoted into startups by working at NewSchools Venture Fund. Before Meadow, she had a long and successful chapter building Education Elements, and then led the partnerships team at Outschool. 


Amy’s direct reports describe her as an empowering leader, someone who provides useful and constructive feedback, fosters a high-trust environment, and enables team members to grow.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Amy,

and they discuss:


  • Why connection and context should come before content 
  • How to notice and combat bias in hiring 
  • A simple 2x2 framework to exchange feedback with your team 
  • Why you should avoid using common words like “obviously” and “of course” as a leader 


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Amy Jenkins

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Adam Fishman - The Right Way to Ask for Feedback Best Manager Ever: Adam Fishman - The Right Way to Ask for Feedback Wed, 15 Oct 2025 07:00:00 GMT 45:16 68e6ee06cf3fb488001a5820 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/68e6ee06cf3fb488001a5820 68e6ee06cf3fb488001a5820 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 3 6 Adam Fishman is a product and growth advisor with 20+ years of experience building and leading startup teams. Adam was on the early team at Lyft, where he served as Head of Growth. He then went on to lead Product & Growth at Patreon and Imperfect Foods, before launching his portfolio career. Adam has been an advisor and fractional leader at ResortPass, Mozilla, HelpScout, Peerspace and more. He is also the creator of FishmanAF newsletter and the host of the Startup Dad podcast. 


Adam’s direct reports praise him for his exceptional support, trust, and empowerment, as is recognized as a catalyst who brings people together across teams, fostering high trust and commitment. His team members appreciate his transparency, proactive communication, and the way he sets clear mutual expectations. 


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Adam, and they discuss:


  • How to build trust quickly as a new leader or fractional executive, and why starting from a place of trust matters.
  • How to get more honest feedback from your direct reports
  • The best way to manage defensiveness when receiving feedback– and how Adam learned it the hard way 
  • Predictions for how AI will impact product leadership roles 
  • Why distributing credit and advocating for your team’s growth leads to higher performance and engagement.


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Adam Fishman

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Adam Fishman is a product and growth advisor with 20+ years of experience building and leading startup teams. Adam was on the early team at Lyft, where he served as Head of Growth. He then went on to lead Product & Growth at Patreon and Imperfect Foods, before launching his portfolio career. Adam has been an advisor and fractional leader at ResortPass, Mozilla, HelpScout, Peerspace and more. He is also the creator of FishmanAF newsletter and the host of the Startup Dad podcast. 


Adam’s direct reports praise him for his exceptional support, trust, and empowerment, as is recognized as a catalyst who brings people together across teams, fostering high trust and commitment. His team members appreciate his transparency, proactive communication, and the way he sets clear mutual expectations. 


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Adam, and they discuss:


  • How to build trust quickly as a new leader or fractional executive, and why starting from a place of trust matters.
  • How to get more honest feedback from your direct reports
  • The best way to manage defensiveness when receiving feedback– and how Adam learned it the hard way 
  • Predictions for how AI will impact product leadership roles 
  • Why distributing credit and advocating for your team’s growth leads to higher performance and engagement.


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Adam Fishman

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Lauren Gold - The Triple Goal: Learning, Contribution, Fun Best Manager Ever: Lauren Gold - The Triple Goal: Learning, Contribution, Fun Wed, 08 Oct 2025 07:00:00 GMT 39:46 68d175c340bbaff2b966a450 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/68d175c340bbaff2b966a450 68d175c340bbaff2b966a450 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 3 5 Lauren Gold is the Chief Customer Officer at Kustomer, an AI-powered CX platform. Lauren began her tech career at Yahoo before joining the early team at Yext, where she rose from individual contributor to SVP of Enterprise Customer Success. 


Lauren’s direct reports and colleagues describe her as a leader who supports without micromanaging, fosters autonomy, and creates an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing, learning, and growing. She’s recognized for her attention to detail, data-driven approach, and willingness to jump in and help, while always encouraging her team to take ownership and develop their own skills.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Lauren to discuss:


  • How to start well in new roles and build trust quickly
  • The art of supporting teams without micromanaging
  • Transitioning from first-line leader to managing managers
  • Spotting and developing leadership talent within your team
  • The importance of over-communication and transparency in leadership
  • Why building relationships and understanding individual motivations matter

If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Lauren Gold

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Lauren Gold is the Chief Customer Officer at Kustomer, an AI-powered CX platform. Lauren began her tech career at Yahoo before joining the early team at Yext, where she rose from individual contributor to SVP of Enterprise Customer Success. 


Lauren’s direct reports and colleagues describe her as a leader who supports without micromanaging, fosters autonomy, and creates an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing, learning, and growing. She’s recognized for her attention to detail, data-driven approach, and willingness to jump in and help, while always encouraging her team to take ownership and develop their own skills.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Lauren to discuss:


  • How to start well in new roles and build trust quickly
  • The art of supporting teams without micromanaging
  • Transitioning from first-line leader to managing managers
  • Spotting and developing leadership talent within your team
  • The importance of over-communication and transparency in leadership
  • Why building relationships and understanding individual motivations matter

If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Lauren Gold

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Charlie Coglianese - The Struggle is Real, But So is the Growth Best Manager Ever: Charlie Coglianese - The Struggle is Real, But So is the Growth Wed, 01 Oct 2025 07:00:00 GMT 48:24 68d170b31215b9b4f6bb35f3 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/68d170b31215b9b4f6bb35f3 68d170b31215b9b4f6bb35f3 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 3 4 Charlie Coglianese is the Chief Technology Officer at Paloma Learning, a VC-backed edtech startup using AI to improve student learning outcomes. Charlie started his career in finance, before making the leap into startups. He was the Founder & CEO of a startup called Schoolrunner, which was acquired by SchoolMint. Charlie served as the CTO at SchoolMint post-acquisition before returning to early-stage building in his current role


Charlie's direct reports describe him as a leader who invests deeply in the growth of his team. He’s recognized for his ability to spot potential, provide the right level of challenge, and create an environment where people feel trusted to take ownership, try new things, and grow. The most common theme in their feedback is that Charlie empowers his team—he’s known for his intellectual honesty, willingness to jump in alongside his team, and his focus on building trust and clarity.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Charlie, and they discuss:


  • How to spot talent through trajectory, instead of outcomes
  • The concept of “productive struggle” and how to balance challenge and support
  • Advice for working with founders and navigating the founder-executive relationship
  • Strategies for retaining top performers and keeping them engaged
  • The importance of clear goals and mission in motivating teams

If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Charlie Coglianese

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Charlie Coglianese is the Chief Technology Officer at Paloma Learning, a VC-backed edtech startup using AI to improve student learning outcomes. Charlie started his career in finance, before making the leap into startups. He was the Founder & CEO of a startup called Schoolrunner, which was acquired by SchoolMint. Charlie served as the CTO at SchoolMint post-acquisition before returning to early-stage building in his current role


Charlie's direct reports describe him as a leader who invests deeply in the growth of his team. He’s recognized for his ability to spot potential, provide the right level of challenge, and create an environment where people feel trusted to take ownership, try new things, and grow. The most common theme in their feedback is that Charlie empowers his team—he’s known for his intellectual honesty, willingness to jump in alongside his team, and his focus on building trust and clarity.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Charlie, and they discuss:


  • How to spot talent through trajectory, instead of outcomes
  • The concept of “productive struggle” and how to balance challenge and support
  • Advice for working with founders and navigating the founder-executive relationship
  • Strategies for retaining top performers and keeping them engaged
  • The importance of clear goals and mission in motivating teams

If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Charlie Coglianese

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Karin Simelaro - Scale Smarter: Building Teams That Thrive at Every Stage Best Manager Ever: Karin Simelaro - Scale Smarter: Building Teams That Thrive at Every Stage Wed, 24 Sep 2025 07:00:00 GMT 40:13 68bb0831f8dc6bde386267e6 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/68bb0831f8dc6bde386267e6 68bb0831f8dc6bde386267e6 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 3 3 Karin Simelaro is the Chief Revenue Officer at SchoolAI, an AI platform that supports teacher and student success. Previously, Karin served as the Revenue leader at BrainPOP, Pathful, and Seesaw. She was an early employee at Nearpod, where started as the first field sales rep when the company was fewer than 30 people and around $10M ARR, and ultimately grew the business to $100M ARR and a successful exit. 


Karin’s direct reports describe her as open, transparent, energetic, and having high expectations for herself and her team. Her unique blend of skills positions her as a key player in the intersection of education and technology, poised to shape the future of learning.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Karin,

and they discuss:


  • How to evaluate performance amid the uncertainty of early-stage building using the “REKS” framework 
  • The importance of a weekly “coffee and contemplation” 
  • How to act like an owner of the business – whether you’re an IC or C-level 
  • Using AI to prepare and clarify your thoughts


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack

Connect with Karin Simelaro

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Karin Simelaro is the Chief Revenue Officer at SchoolAI, an AI platform that supports teacher and student success. Previously, Karin served as the Revenue leader at BrainPOP, Pathful, and Seesaw. She was an early employee at Nearpod, where started as the first field sales rep when the company was fewer than 30 people and around $10M ARR, and ultimately grew the business to $100M ARR and a successful exit. 


Karin’s direct reports describe her as open, transparent, energetic, and having high expectations for herself and her team. Her unique blend of skills positions her as a key player in the intersection of education and technology, poised to shape the future of learning.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Karin,

and they discuss:


  • How to evaluate performance amid the uncertainty of early-stage building using the “REKS” framework 
  • The importance of a weekly “coffee and contemplation” 
  • How to act like an owner of the business – whether you’re an IC or C-level 
  • Using AI to prepare and clarify your thoughts


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack

Connect with Karin Simelaro

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Darius Contractor - Leading Through Frameworks and Analogies Best Manager Ever: Darius Contractor - Leading Through Frameworks and Analogies Wed, 17 Sep 2025 07:00:00 GMT 46:01 68bb0723f8dc6bde3861b3f4 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/68bb0723f8dc6bde3861b3f4 68bb0723f8dc6bde3861b3f4 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 3 2 Darius Contractor is the Chief Growth Officer at Otter AI. Darius has had a long and impactful career in the startup and tech worlds. Prior to Otter AI, he led engineering, growth and product teams at Vendr, Airtable, Facebook, Dropbox, Bebo and more. He is also an investor and advisor in multiple companies and funds. 


Darius’s direct reports describe him as a master of frameworks and analogies, someone who balances detail orientation with a big-picture vision, and a manager who pushes boundaries with unconventional but memorable approaches.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Darius,

and they discuss:


  • How to support your team’s career path in a fast-paced, high-growth environment 
  • The SEEN framework for career development 
  • Designing jobs like dinner plates 
  • How frameworks and analogies make concepts more memorable 


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack

Connect with Darius Contrator

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Darius Contractor is the Chief Growth Officer at Otter AI. Darius has had a long and impactful career in the startup and tech worlds. Prior to Otter AI, he led engineering, growth and product teams at Vendr, Airtable, Facebook, Dropbox, Bebo and more. He is also an investor and advisor in multiple companies and funds. 


Darius’s direct reports describe him as a master of frameworks and analogies, someone who balances detail orientation with a big-picture vision, and a manager who pushes boundaries with unconventional but memorable approaches.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Darius,

and they discuss:


  • How to support your team’s career path in a fast-paced, high-growth environment 
  • The SEEN framework for career development 
  • Designing jobs like dinner plates 
  • How frameworks and analogies make concepts more memorable 


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack

Connect with Darius Contrator

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Stevie Case - Empowering Leaders by Embracing Authenticity and Trust Best Manager Ever: Stevie Case - Empowering Leaders by Embracing Authenticity and Trust Wed, 10 Sep 2025 07:00:00 GMT 43:25 68bb05434629f1c6bebeefd2 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/68bb05434629f1c6bebeefd2 68bb05434629f1c6bebeefd2 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 3 1 Stevie Case is the Chief Revenue Officer at Vanta. Stevie started her career as the world’s first female pro gamer, and then found her way into the tech and startup world through a self-described “winding path”. Prior to Vanta, Stevie had a successful chapter at Twilio, where she started as an individual contributor and then grew to be the VP of Mid-Market Sales.


Stevie’s direct reports consistently describe her as an empowering leader who excels at identifying and nurturing the unique strengths of each individual on her team. They highlight her ability to create an environment where people feel trusted to be themselves, try new things, and take ownership of their work. The most common theme in their feedback is that Stevie makes her team members feel empowered—she is known as a “yes, and…” leader who encourages innovation and supports her team’s ideas, while also setting a high bar for performance and a strong drive to win.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Stevie, and they discuss:


  • How Stevie has moved between IC and manager roles in her career (and why!) 
  • What a manager’s real job is— according to Stevie 
  • Why your direct reports are not your “first team” 
  • How Stevie vetted Christina as a potential CEO and boss 
  • How Stevie’s communication style has evolved as she’s become more senior and Vanta has scaled 
  • Why you should prioritize sharing your own story on LinkedIn, even amid a busy startup schedule 


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack

Connect with Stevie Case

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Stevie Case is the Chief Revenue Officer at Vanta. Stevie started her career as the world’s first female pro gamer, and then found her way into the tech and startup world through a self-described “winding path”. Prior to Vanta, Stevie had a successful chapter at Twilio, where she started as an individual contributor and then grew to be the VP of Mid-Market Sales.


Stevie’s direct reports consistently describe her as an empowering leader who excels at identifying and nurturing the unique strengths of each individual on her team. They highlight her ability to create an environment where people feel trusted to be themselves, try new things, and take ownership of their work. The most common theme in their feedback is that Stevie makes her team members feel empowered—she is known as a “yes, and…” leader who encourages innovation and supports her team’s ideas, while also setting a high bar for performance and a strong drive to win.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Stevie, and they discuss:


  • How Stevie has moved between IC and manager roles in her career (and why!) 
  • What a manager’s real job is— according to Stevie 
  • Why your direct reports are not your “first team” 
  • How Stevie vetted Christina as a potential CEO and boss 
  • How Stevie’s communication style has evolved as she’s become more senior and Vanta has scaled 
  • Why you should prioritize sharing your own story on LinkedIn, even amid a busy startup schedule 


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack

Connect with Stevie Case

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Welcome to Season 3 of Best Manager Ever Welcome to Season 3 of Best Manager Ever Wed, 03 Sep 2025 07:00:00 GMT 2:43 68b0ceb2674c25e0ea14560e false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/68b0ceb2674c25e0ea14560e 68b0ceb2674c25e0ea14560e 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f bonus 3 Best Manager Ever shares unfiltered leadership lessons and actionable advice from the most successful and beloved leaders in the startup and tech worlds. This season, you'll hear honest, insightful interviews with operators who’ve been nominated by their teams as the best manager they’ve ever worked for. And for the first time, we’re adding interviews with experts who’ve gone deep on the leadership topics that matter most to you.


Each episode is designed to share actionable advice that helps you level up as a leader— almost like a seasoned mentor in your pocket and in your corner. All you have to do is show up and hit play, and we’ll give you something valuable that you can apply in your own work and life. 


Season 3 starts September 10th and new episodes drop every Wednesday. 


Subscribe to make sure you never miss an episode, and join the conversation on Substack. 


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever shares unfiltered leadership lessons and actionable advice from the most successful and beloved leaders in the startup and tech worlds. This season, you'll hear honest, insightful interviews with operators who’ve been nominated by their teams as the best manager they’ve ever worked for. And for the first time, we’re adding interviews with experts who’ve gone deep on the leadership topics that matter most to you.


Each episode is designed to share actionable advice that helps you level up as a leader— almost like a seasoned mentor in your pocket and in your corner. All you have to do is show up and hit play, and we’ll give you something valuable that you can apply in your own work and life. 


Season 3 starts September 10th and new episodes drop every Wednesday. 


Subscribe to make sure you never miss an episode, and join the conversation on Substack. 


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Standout Lessons from Season Two Best Manager Ever: Standout Lessons from Season Two Wed, 25 Jun 2025 15:00:00 GMT 13:56 685c15f87cd58072a57f23da false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/685c15f87cd58072a57f23da 685c15f87cd58072a57f23da 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f bonus In this solo episode of Best Manager Ever, host Annie Riley of Fort Light takes a moment to reflect on the standout lessons from Season Two.


Annie revisits the powerful insights shared by this season’s guests—from hiring people who challenge you, to seeking out dissenting views, to nurturing both personal and team growth. It’s a chance to pause, look back, and celebrate the wisdom and warmth these leaders brought to the show.


Whether you're a longtime listener or just tuning in, this episode offers a meaningful recap of the themes that shaped Season Two—like independent thinking, purposeful leadership, and finding joy and meaning in the work we do.


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this solo episode of Best Manager Ever, host Annie Riley of Fort Light takes a moment to reflect on the standout lessons from Season Two.


Annie revisits the powerful insights shared by this season’s guests—from hiring people who challenge you, to seeking out dissenting views, to nurturing both personal and team growth. It’s a chance to pause, look back, and celebrate the wisdom and warmth these leaders brought to the show.


Whether you're a longtime listener or just tuning in, this episode offers a meaningful recap of the themes that shaped Season Two—like independent thinking, purposeful leadership, and finding joy and meaning in the work we do.


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Sruthi Lanka - Hire People That Scare You Best Manager Ever: Sruthi Lanka - Hire People That Scare You Wed, 18 Jun 2025 07:00:00 GMT 40:11 68504869643970a422a56763 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/68504869643970a422a56763 68504869643970a422a56763 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 2 13 Sruthi Lanka serves as CFO of Public, an investing platform that allows everyone to invest in stocks, ETFs, crypto, and alternative assets, like fine art and collectibles—all in one place. Prior to Public, she was VP Finance at MoneyLion, a consumer lending platform that listed on NYSE via SPAC in 2021. Her previous career was in investment banking at the Royal Bank of Canada and technology at Goldman Sachs.


Sruthi's direct reports praise her coaching and context-driven leadership approach, maintaining lean teams while investing heavily in tools and automation, fostering a metrics-driven mindset, and the importance of authenticity and personal connection in leadership.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Sruthi, and they cover:


  • Recruiting 'scary' talent to push the company's boundaries
  • How to build cross-functional expertise
  • Maintaining a strong understanding of company metrics
  • Promoting a culture where lean teams are empowered 
  • How to integrate joy into work


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Sruthi Lanka

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Sruthi Lanka serves as CFO of Public, an investing platform that allows everyone to invest in stocks, ETFs, crypto, and alternative assets, like fine art and collectibles—all in one place. Prior to Public, she was VP Finance at MoneyLion, a consumer lending platform that listed on NYSE via SPAC in 2021. Her previous career was in investment banking at the Royal Bank of Canada and technology at Goldman Sachs.


Sruthi's direct reports praise her coaching and context-driven leadership approach, maintaining lean teams while investing heavily in tools and automation, fostering a metrics-driven mindset, and the importance of authenticity and personal connection in leadership.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Sruthi, and they cover:


  • Recruiting 'scary' talent to push the company's boundaries
  • How to build cross-functional expertise
  • Maintaining a strong understanding of company metrics
  • Promoting a culture where lean teams are empowered 
  • How to integrate joy into work


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Sruthi Lanka

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Asheesh Birla - Embracing Risk and Cultivating Talent Best Manager Ever: Asheesh Birla - Embracing Risk and Cultivating Talent Wed, 11 Jun 2025 07:00:00 GMT 47:37 6847218d22eb752c2fe2b138 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/6847218d22eb752c2fe2b138 6847218d22eb752c2fe2b138 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 2 12 Asheesh Birla is an Entrepreneur, Angel Investor and Ripple Board Member. Asheesh joined Ripple in 2013 when the team was fewer than ten people. He had a decade-long journey of building Ripple on the product team, and he continues to stay connected to the company as a member of the board. 


Asheesh’s  direct reports admire his passion, strategic vision, and ability to cultivate a positive work culture. They praise his direct communication, commitment to personal development, and knack for making tough situations enjoyable


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Asheesh, and they cover:


  • How to set high standards and expectations while maintaining trust and motivation
  • The importance of coaching – for yourself and your team
  • Effective strategies to develop and retain talent
  • The importance of communicating in a direct and caring way
  • Methods to handle difficult situations with positivity


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Asheesh Birla

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Asheesh Birla is an Entrepreneur, Angel Investor and Ripple Board Member. Asheesh joined Ripple in 2013 when the team was fewer than ten people. He had a decade-long journey of building Ripple on the product team, and he continues to stay connected to the company as a member of the board. 


Asheesh’s  direct reports admire his passion, strategic vision, and ability to cultivate a positive work culture. They praise his direct communication, commitment to personal development, and knack for making tough situations enjoyable


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Asheesh, and they cover:


  • How to set high standards and expectations while maintaining trust and motivation
  • The importance of coaching – for yourself and your team
  • Effective strategies to develop and retain talent
  • The importance of communicating in a direct and caring way
  • Methods to handle difficult situations with positivity


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Asheesh Birla

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[ Best Manager Ever: Lauren Rhode - Grit, Teamwork & Humility]]> Wed, 04 Jun 2025 07:00:00 GMT 42:19 683e09502780b226c7b77590 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/683e09502780b226c7b77590 683e09502780b226c7b77590 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 2 11 Lauren Rhode is the VP of Sales at Webflow, and she’s had several interesting chapters to her career. Lauren got her start in public service, working at the Department of Defense. She also played on the national rugby team, and traveled around the world competing for Team USA. She started her tech career in product, before discovering her knack for sales. She has held prior roles at Bablestreet (formerly Vertical Knowledge) and Anaplan.


Lauren's direct reports describe her as a hardworking and empathetic leader. She is known as a “machine”, while also fostering a positive team culture where everyone feels valued and supported.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Lauren, and they cover:


  • Dealing with leadership transitions in scaling companies 
  • How to show up deliberately in virtual interactions
  • Empowering teams with optimistic realism
  • Managing your time and schedule intentionally as a leader


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Lauren Rhode

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Lauren Rhode is the VP of Sales at Webflow, and she’s had several interesting chapters to her career. Lauren got her start in public service, working at the Department of Defense. She also played on the national rugby team, and traveled around the world competing for Team USA. She started her tech career in product, before discovering her knack for sales. She has held prior roles at Bablestreet (formerly Vertical Knowledge) and Anaplan.


Lauren's direct reports describe her as a hardworking and empathetic leader. She is known as a “machine”, while also fostering a positive team culture where everyone feels valued and supported.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Lauren, and they cover:


  • Dealing with leadership transitions in scaling companies 
  • How to show up deliberately in virtual interactions
  • Empowering teams with optimistic realism
  • Managing your time and schedule intentionally as a leader


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Lauren Rhode

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Leanna Nazzisi - From Part-Time to Power Player Best Manager Ever: Leanna Nazzisi - From Part-Time to Power Player Wed, 28 May 2025 07:00:00 GMT 44:08 68363701944c948b9a79933e false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/68363701944c948b9a79933e 68363701944c948b9a79933e 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 2 10 Leanna Nazzisi is the Senior Direct of Customer Experience at Victoria Beckham Beauty, a clean beauty, cruelty-free, digital-first makeup and skincare brand. Leanna launched her startup career as a seasonal contractor with Birchbox, where she rose through the ranks to become a senior CX leader as the company scaled. She also had a chapter as a customer success leader during Zendesk’s growth stage. 


Leanna's direct reports praise her for fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute, highlighting her willingness to embrace change and focus on both personal and professional growth. They describe her as knowledgeable, communicative, in tune with everyday situations, truthful, caring, authentic, and confident.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Leanna, and they cover:


  • How to manage peers and friends-turned-direct reports 
  • Proactively eliciting ideas and really listening 
  • Matching the business needs with the strengths and needs of the individuals on the team 
  • Creating a culture of transparency, honesty, and clarity 


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Leanna Nazzisi

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Leanna Nazzisi is the Senior Direct of Customer Experience at Victoria Beckham Beauty, a clean beauty, cruelty-free, digital-first makeup and skincare brand. Leanna launched her startup career as a seasonal contractor with Birchbox, where she rose through the ranks to become a senior CX leader as the company scaled. She also had a chapter as a customer success leader during Zendesk’s growth stage. 


Leanna's direct reports praise her for fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute, highlighting her willingness to embrace change and focus on both personal and professional growth. They describe her as knowledgeable, communicative, in tune with everyday situations, truthful, caring, authentic, and confident.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Leanna, and they cover:


  • How to manage peers and friends-turned-direct reports 
  • Proactively eliciting ideas and really listening 
  • Matching the business needs with the strengths and needs of the individuals on the team 
  • Creating a culture of transparency, honesty, and clarity 


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Leanna Nazzisi

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Best Manager Ever: Amit Shah - Harnessing Energy, Gratitude & Learning]]> Wed, 21 May 2025 07:00:00 GMT 47:53 6823753514bdee61417879e9 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/6823753514bdee61417879e9 6823753514bdee61417879e9 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 2 9 Amit Shah is the COO of Virta Health, where he’s built the company from ~30 team members to over 800 colleagues working to reverse obesity and diabetes. Amit has 10+ years of experience in building and scaling entrepreneurial and high-growth healthcare organizations, with a focus on delivering financial and operational results while aligning on mission and values.


Amit’s direct reports praise his ability to balance the needs of Virta’s members, business, and staff, describing him as incredibly kind, caring, driven, and a fierce protector of his team. He is celebrated for his passion, structured thinking, dedication to his own growth and development, and continuous improvement in leadership.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Amit, and they cover:


  • How to build a gratitude practice that supports your team– and yourself
  • The importance of emotional awareness and regulation in leadership 
  • Energy management habits and practices   
  • A process to take charge of feedback, learning, and growth 
  • The relationship between execution and strategy in startups 


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Amit Shah 

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Amit Shah is the COO of Virta Health, where he’s built the company from ~30 team members to over 800 colleagues working to reverse obesity and diabetes. Amit has 10+ years of experience in building and scaling entrepreneurial and high-growth healthcare organizations, with a focus on delivering financial and operational results while aligning on mission and values.


Amit’s direct reports praise his ability to balance the needs of Virta’s members, business, and staff, describing him as incredibly kind, caring, driven, and a fierce protector of his team. He is celebrated for his passion, structured thinking, dedication to his own growth and development, and continuous improvement in leadership.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Amit, and they cover:


  • How to build a gratitude practice that supports your team– and yourself
  • The importance of emotional awareness and regulation in leadership 
  • Energy management habits and practices   
  • A process to take charge of feedback, learning, and growth 
  • The relationship between execution and strategy in startups 


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Amit Shah 

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Liz Ludwig - Leading with Momentum and Empowerment Best Manager Ever: Liz Ludwig - Leading with Momentum and Empowerment Wed, 14 May 2025 07:00:00 GMT 44:03 6823731a5d93800ff63c47d6 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/6823731a5d93800ff63c47d6 6823731a5d93800ff63c47d6 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 2 8 Liz Ludwig is the co-founder of Takes, a game for sports fans. Liz started out working in Fortune 500 companies, before moving into the startup world. She had a successful career building and scaling marketing functions at Sungevity, OhmConnect, and more. 


Liz’s direct reports describe her as a high-energy manager who builds momentum, trusts her team quickly, empowers them, and balances results with human connection. They appreciate her transparent communication, ability to align teams, and willingness to mentor and support even past their tenure.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Liz,

and they cover:


  • Approaching the ambiguity of early-stage building as a management advantage 
  • The importance of hiring and firing fast – especially at the early stage 
  • How to help direct reports find their best role
  • Tactics for smooth team transitions 
  • Communication tips  


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Liz Ludwig 

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Liz Ludwig is the co-founder of Takes, a game for sports fans. Liz started out working in Fortune 500 companies, before moving into the startup world. She had a successful career building and scaling marketing functions at Sungevity, OhmConnect, and more. 


Liz’s direct reports describe her as a high-energy manager who builds momentum, trusts her team quickly, empowers them, and balances results with human connection. They appreciate her transparent communication, ability to align teams, and willingness to mentor and support even past their tenure.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Liz,

and they cover:


  • Approaching the ambiguity of early-stage building as a management advantage 
  • The importance of hiring and firing fast – especially at the early stage 
  • How to help direct reports find their best role
  • Tactics for smooth team transitions 
  • Communication tips  


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Liz Ludwig 

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Luis Duarte - Build Your Own Mold Best Manager Ever: Luis Duarte - Build Your Own Mold Wed, 07 May 2025 07:00:00 GMT 42:56 681aa5e8eb146d8e354e94ad false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/681aa5e8eb146d8e354e94ad 681aa5e8eb146d8e354e94ad 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 2 7 Luis Duarte is the CEO and co-founder of Amoofy, an AI-guided storytelling platform. Luis has a rich background as a three-time entrepreneur, and a leader in philanthropy and impact investing. 


Luis's direct reports describe him as an amazing listener, who is able to bring a sense of calm to chaos. They praise his willingness to take on short-term challenges for long-term gains and his focus on building trust.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Luis,

and they discuss:


  • Luis’ unique approach to leadership that emphasizes empathy, risk-taking, and redefining success beyond traditional metrics
  • How and when to take on short-term pain for the long-term vision 
  • Values-driven hiring 
  • Living by your own definition of success 
  • How to find roles that are the right fit – or build something where you will be the best fit 


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Connect with Luis Duarte

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Luis Duarte is the CEO and co-founder of Amoofy, an AI-guided storytelling platform. Luis has a rich background as a three-time entrepreneur, and a leader in philanthropy and impact investing. 


Luis's direct reports describe him as an amazing listener, who is able to bring a sense of calm to chaos. They praise his willingness to take on short-term challenges for long-term gains and his focus on building trust.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Luis,

and they discuss:


  • Luis’ unique approach to leadership that emphasizes empathy, risk-taking, and redefining success beyond traditional metrics
  • How and when to take on short-term pain for the long-term vision 
  • Values-driven hiring 
  • Living by your own definition of success 
  • How to find roles that are the right fit – or build something where you will be the best fit 


If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com


Connect with Luis Duarte

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Carol Mahoney - Human First Leadership Best Manager Ever: Carol Mahoney - Human First Leadership Wed, 30 Apr 2025 07:00:00 GMT 43:34 681103556ac0e5213b46bfe3 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/681103556ac0e5213b46bfe3 681103556ac0e5213b46bfe3 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 2 6 Carol Mahoney is a seasoned Chief People Officer. She’s well known for her work operationalizing the famously beloved company culture at Gainsight. She’s also served as the SVP of People and Culture at Zoosk and SVP of HR at LivingSocial, among others.


Carol's direct reports praise her ability to get things done, while creating a positive culture and showing up as her authentic self. She is recognized for setting high standards and being a strong yet supportive leader, and for adapting to the needs of her team and org. 


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Carol,

and they cover:


  • What human first leadership actually means
  • The importance of co-creating mutually beneficial working relationships 
  • Operationalizing values and intentions into a consistent culture
  • Fostering a safe space for concerns and doubts 


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Carol Mahoney 

Check out Carol’s new venture, élan Talent Management

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Carol Mahoney is a seasoned Chief People Officer. She’s well known for her work operationalizing the famously beloved company culture at Gainsight. She’s also served as the SVP of People and Culture at Zoosk and SVP of HR at LivingSocial, among others.


Carol's direct reports praise her ability to get things done, while creating a positive culture and showing up as her authentic self. She is recognized for setting high standards and being a strong yet supportive leader, and for adapting to the needs of her team and org. 


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Carol,

and they cover:


  • What human first leadership actually means
  • The importance of co-creating mutually beneficial working relationships 
  • Operationalizing values and intentions into a consistent culture
  • Fostering a safe space for concerns and doubts 


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Carol Mahoney 

Check out Carol’s new venture, élan Talent Management

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Helen Min - Scaling Impact Through Effective Management Best Manager Ever: Helen Min - Scaling Impact Through Effective Management Wed, 23 Apr 2025 07:00:00 GMT 44:01 6807b339d841fa6edc4e68a0 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/6807b339d841fa6edc4e68a0 6807b339d841fa6edc4e68a0 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 2 5 Helen Min is a venture partner at True Ventures, and an investor and advisor to over 50 early-stage enterprise software and fintech companies. Helen has a notable background leading global marketing and communications at companies like AngelList, Plaid, and Quora and was an early marketing leader at Dropbox and Facebook. 


Helen’s direct reports highlight her genuine care for the team, her support for their growth and development, her polished approach to communication, and her ability to involve the team early in strategy and planning. 


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Helen,

and they cover:


  • Helen’s background, from joining the early marketing team at Facebook to leading global marketing and comms teams, and now ultimately investing and advising
  • Good vs. bad reasons to want to be a manager 
  • The most rewarding and hardest parts of being a manager 
  • Long-term benefits of authentic relationship-building 
  • When and how to bring the team into project planning 
  • Making the most of 1:1s 
  • Inquiry as an under-utilized manager superpower 
  • Helen’s transition into VC, and how she leverages operating experience as an investor 


Connect with Helen Min

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Helen Min is a venture partner at True Ventures, and an investor and advisor to over 50 early-stage enterprise software and fintech companies. Helen has a notable background leading global marketing and communications at companies like AngelList, Plaid, and Quora and was an early marketing leader at Dropbox and Facebook. 


Helen’s direct reports highlight her genuine care for the team, her support for their growth and development, her polished approach to communication, and her ability to involve the team early in strategy and planning. 


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Helen,

and they cover:


  • Helen’s background, from joining the early marketing team at Facebook to leading global marketing and comms teams, and now ultimately investing and advising
  • Good vs. bad reasons to want to be a manager 
  • The most rewarding and hardest parts of being a manager 
  • Long-term benefits of authentic relationship-building 
  • When and how to bring the team into project planning 
  • Making the most of 1:1s 
  • Inquiry as an under-utilized manager superpower 
  • Helen’s transition into VC, and how she leverages operating experience as an investor 


Connect with Helen Min

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Seif Salama - Mastering Your First Manager Role Best Manager Ever: Seif Salama - Mastering Your First Manager Role Wed, 16 Apr 2025 07:00:00 GMT 40:29 67fd4ae0d5ed0d5b9db38f1f false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/67fd4ae0d5ed0d5b9db38f1f 67fd4ae0d5ed0d5b9db38f1f 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 2 4 Seif Salama is the Senior Director of Product Marketing at Fanatics. Seif previously held marketing roles at Carta, AngelList, Affirm, and more. 


Seif’s direct reports praise his ability to maintain high standards while ensuring the team's morale and his talent for building a diverse and talented team dynamic. They describe him as a leader who, through authenticity and open communication, created an environment where team members felt proud, motivated, and connected.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Seif, and they cover:


  • Navigating the challenges and surprises of leadership
  • Hiring effectively, including competency-based hiring tactics and when to let go 
  • Setting high standards while fostering a positive team culture


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Seif Salama

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Seif Salama is the Senior Director of Product Marketing at Fanatics. Seif previously held marketing roles at Carta, AngelList, Affirm, and more. 


Seif’s direct reports praise his ability to maintain high standards while ensuring the team's morale and his talent for building a diverse and talented team dynamic. They describe him as a leader who, through authenticity and open communication, created an environment where team members felt proud, motivated, and connected.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Seif, and they cover:


  • Navigating the challenges and surprises of leadership
  • Hiring effectively, including competency-based hiring tactics and when to let go 
  • Setting high standards while fostering a positive team culture


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Seif Salama

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Hank Taylor - Unconventional Hiring, Learning, and Leading Best Manager Ever: Hank Taylor - Unconventional Hiring, Learning, and Leading Wed, 09 Apr 2025 07:00:00 GMT 31:49 67f40bc847643545ed592283 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/67f40bc847643545ed592283 67f40bc847643545ed592283 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 2 3 Hank Taylor is Head of Marketing at Laravel. Hank has been on the ground floor of Marketing and Rev Ops functions at Vercel, Lambda School, GitLab, Neo Technology, and more. He has also been an advisor and fractional marketing leader at several companies through his company, GrowthSprint. 


Hank’s direct reports describe him as an unconventional leader who cares deeply for his people, encourages creative risks, and invests in his team’s development.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Hank, and they cover how to: 


  • Set up a strong hiring process 
  • Build trust and set expectations, starting with the hiring process
  • Foster an innovative, high-trust team culture 
  • Break away from conventional methods to take risks and achieve outstanding results  


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Hank Taylor

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Hank Taylor is Head of Marketing at Laravel. Hank has been on the ground floor of Marketing and Rev Ops functions at Vercel, Lambda School, GitLab, Neo Technology, and more. He has also been an advisor and fractional marketing leader at several companies through his company, GrowthSprint. 


Hank’s direct reports describe him as an unconventional leader who cares deeply for his people, encourages creative risks, and invests in his team’s development.


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Hank, and they cover how to: 


  • Set up a strong hiring process 
  • Build trust and set expectations, starting with the hiring process
  • Foster an innovative, high-trust team culture 
  • Break away from conventional methods to take risks and achieve outstanding results  


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Hank Taylor

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Jully Kim - Influencing, Building a Professional Brand, and Communicating Proactively Best Manager Ever: Jully Kim - Influencing, Building a Professional Brand, and Communicating Proactively Wed, 02 Apr 2025 07:00:00 GMT 46:02 67eb057702e789100f1d644f false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/67eb057702e789100f1d644f 67eb057702e789100f1d644f 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 2 2 Jully Kim is the Senior Director of Technology Excellence at Autodesk and was previously the Senior Director of Engineering Practices at Zendesk. Jully has a track record of excellence in technology enablement and engineering program management. 


Jully’s direct reports describe her as unique, action-oriented, extremely transparent, and deeply caring. 


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Jully, and they cover: 


  • How Jully builds a unique and memorable personal brand at work 
  • Tactics for influencing effectively, especially to senior leaders 
  • Proactive communication to promote transparency and trust among the team, especially as it scales 


Connect with Jully Kim

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Jully Kim is the Senior Director of Technology Excellence at Autodesk and was previously the Senior Director of Engineering Practices at Zendesk. Jully has a track record of excellence in technology enablement and engineering program management. 


Jully’s direct reports describe her as unique, action-oriented, extremely transparent, and deeply caring. 


In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Jully, and they cover: 


  • How Jully builds a unique and memorable personal brand at work 
  • Tactics for influencing effectively, especially to senior leaders 
  • Proactive communication to promote transparency and trust among the team, especially as it scales 


Connect with Jully Kim

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Anthony Sottile - Embracing Failures and Celebrating Success Best Manager Ever: Anthony Sottile - Embracing Failures and Celebrating Success Wed, 26 Mar 2025 07:00:00 GMT 46:46 67e2f52b7cf166247a3bc970 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/67e2f52b7cf166247a3bc970 67e2f52b7cf166247a3bc970 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 2 1 Anthony Sottile is the VP of Partner Success at Freewill, a startup that enables free estate planning and has helped individuals commit more than $11B to charity. 


Anthony's direct reports describe him as down-to-earth and accessible, and emphasize his ability to lead through humor and celebration. 


In this episode, Annie Riley sits down with Anthony to discuss his insights on creating a transparent and honest workplace culture, celebrating team successes, and the importance of approachability in leadership. 


Connect with Anthony Sottile

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the show

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Anthony Sottile is the VP of Partner Success at Freewill, a startup that enables free estate planning and has helped individuals commit more than $11B to charity. 


Anthony's direct reports describe him as down-to-earth and accessible, and emphasize his ability to lead through humor and celebration. 


In this episode, Annie Riley sits down with Anthony to discuss his insights on creating a transparent and honest workplace culture, celebrating team successes, and the importance of approachability in leadership. 


Connect with Anthony Sottile

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the show

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Welcome to Season 2 of Best Manager Ever Welcome to Season 2 of Best Manager Ever Wed, 19 Mar 2025 09:00:00 GMT 2:35 67d9a383d79e9e1991fa5c45 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/67d9a383d79e9e1991fa5c45 67d9a383d79e9e1991fa5c45 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f bonus 2 Best Manager Ever shares the secrets of building and leading winning teams from the most successful and beloved leaders in the startup and tech worlds. All guests have been nominated as the “best manager ever” by their direct reports. Before each interview, we collect feedback and stories from their team about how the guest *actually* shows up as a leader. Each episode unpacks that feedback and explores the guest’s leadership playbook and lessons learned. Our goal is honest, actionable conversations that help you build your own leadership playbook and serve as an expert mentor and friend in your pocket. 


This season, we’ll continue delivering leadership lessons and management advice that you can apply immediately. We’ll go into more specific stories, and chat with leaders from new industries and functions, including Customer Support, People Ops, and Finance.


Season 2 drops March 26th, with new episodes every Wednesday.


Subscribe to make sure you never miss an episode, and join the conversation on Substack. 


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever shares the secrets of building and leading winning teams from the most successful and beloved leaders in the startup and tech worlds. All guests have been nominated as the “best manager ever” by their direct reports. Before each interview, we collect feedback and stories from their team about how the guest *actually* shows up as a leader. Each episode unpacks that feedback and explores the guest’s leadership playbook and lessons learned. Our goal is honest, actionable conversations that help you build your own leadership playbook and serve as an expert mentor and friend in your pocket. 


This season, we’ll continue delivering leadership lessons and management advice that you can apply immediately. We’ll go into more specific stories, and chat with leaders from new industries and functions, including Customer Support, People Ops, and Finance.


Season 2 drops March 26th, with new episodes every Wednesday.


Subscribe to make sure you never miss an episode, and join the conversation on Substack. 


Join us on Substack 

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Amanda Richardson Best Manager Ever: Amanda Richardson Wed, 22 Jan 2025 08:00:24 GMT 41:01 6769cfb22931d58818321ca6 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/6769cfb22931d58818321ca6 6769cfb22931d58818321ca6 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 1 13 Amanda Richardson is the CEO of CoderPad, a technical interview and assessment platform. Amanda built her career in Product, and previously led the product teams and played a critical role in scaling the company at HotelTonight and Prezi. 


Amanda has built a reputation as a dynamic and direct leader. Her direct reports describe her as transparent, authentic, and someone who fosters trust and vulnerability within her teams.


In this final episode of season one (!), Annie Riley, Founder of Fort Light sits down with Amanda to dive into her leadership principles, discussing how Amanda builds and monitors team health, the importance of clear expectations, and how to take responsibility as a leader. Amanda emphasizes curiosity, direct communication, and the importance of diving into conflict head-on.  


Connect with Amanda Richardson 

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Looking to create a podcast email our producer Alexis

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for Season 2

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Amanda Richardson is the CEO of CoderPad, a technical interview and assessment platform. Amanda built her career in Product, and previously led the product teams and played a critical role in scaling the company at HotelTonight and Prezi. 


Amanda has built a reputation as a dynamic and direct leader. Her direct reports describe her as transparent, authentic, and someone who fosters trust and vulnerability within her teams.


In this final episode of season one (!), Annie Riley, Founder of Fort Light sits down with Amanda to dive into her leadership principles, discussing how Amanda builds and monitors team health, the importance of clear expectations, and how to take responsibility as a leader. Amanda emphasizes curiosity, direct communication, and the importance of diving into conflict head-on.  


Connect with Amanda Richardson 

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Looking to create a podcast email our producer Alexis

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for Season 2

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Namrata Ganatra Best Manager Ever: Namrata Ganatra Wed, 15 Jan 2025 08:00:56 GMT 49:45 6769ce712931d5881831d924 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/6769ce712931d5881831d924 6769ce712931d5881831d924 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 1 12 Namrata Ganatra, is the Chief Product and Technology Officer at Pipe. She has a notable career in tech and startups, including roles at Facebook, Coinbase, BloomTech Lambda School, PayPal, and Microsoft. 


Namrata's direct reports praise her for balancing technical expertise with empathetic leadership, and highlight her as a hardworking and inspiring leader with a strong focus on accountability and growth.


In this episode, Annie Riley, founder of Fort Light, sits down with Namrata to discuss her approach to quickly building trust within teams, her unique strategy for managing transitions during chaotic periods, and her method for balancing technical expertise with people management. Namrata also shares insights on fostering innovation and staying ahead of industry trends, providing valuable lessons for both startup leaders and aspiring managers.


Connect with Namrata Ganatra

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for Season 2

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Namrata Ganatra, is the Chief Product and Technology Officer at Pipe. She has a notable career in tech and startups, including roles at Facebook, Coinbase, BloomTech Lambda School, PayPal, and Microsoft. 


Namrata's direct reports praise her for balancing technical expertise with empathetic leadership, and highlight her as a hardworking and inspiring leader with a strong focus on accountability and growth.


In this episode, Annie Riley, founder of Fort Light, sits down with Namrata to discuss her approach to quickly building trust within teams, her unique strategy for managing transitions during chaotic periods, and her method for balancing technical expertise with people management. Namrata also shares insights on fostering innovation and staying ahead of industry trends, providing valuable lessons for both startup leaders and aspiring managers.


Connect with Namrata Ganatra

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for Season 2

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Mari Nazary Best Manager Ever: Mari Nazary Wed, 08 Jan 2025 08:00:48 GMT 35:44 6769cc4540480c1d95925c03 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/6769cc4540480c1d95925c03 6769cc4540480c1d95925c03 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 1 11 Mari Nazary is the CEO of App Academy, and brings a strong background working at the intersection of product, operations, and learning science at several ed tech companies across different stages. 


Her team praises her as the best leader they’ve ever had, citing her strengths in systems, process, and talent development. 


In this episode, Annie Riley, Founder of Fort Light dives into Mari’s unique approach to building trust and rapport quickly, and how she seamlessly blends high expectations with extensive support for her team. They also discuss frameworks for assessing team members’ competencies, the significance of feedback and tools in management, and maintaining personal relationships while navigating professional growth and performance challenges.


Connect with Mari Nazary

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for Season 2

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Mari Nazary is the CEO of App Academy, and brings a strong background working at the intersection of product, operations, and learning science at several ed tech companies across different stages. 


Her team praises her as the best leader they’ve ever had, citing her strengths in systems, process, and talent development. 


In this episode, Annie Riley, Founder of Fort Light dives into Mari’s unique approach to building trust and rapport quickly, and how she seamlessly blends high expectations with extensive support for her team. They also discuss frameworks for assessing team members’ competencies, the significance of feedback and tools in management, and maintaining personal relationships while navigating professional growth and performance challenges.


Connect with Mari Nazary

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for Season 2

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Work Self Ever in 2025 Best Work Self Ever in 2025 Wed, 01 Jan 2025 10:00:41 GMT 15:21 6769cadba5aeb35e7c12bc21 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/6769cadba5aeb35e7c12bc21 6769cadba5aeb35e7c12bc21 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f bonus 1 In this special New Year's episode of Best Manager Ever, Founder of Fort Light, Annie Riley dives into self-management for leaders. Drawing from personal experience and past interviews with top managers, Annie shares insights on how to set yourself up for success in 2025. Key strategies include taking necessary breaks to avoid burnout, identifying daily activities that bring joy and recharge you, preparing for inevitable workplace chaos, and investing in healthy work relationships. This bonus episode offers invaluable advice for leaders aiming to thrive in their roles and foster a positive work environment this year.


Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Looking to create a podcast email our producer Alexis

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for Season 2

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this special New Year's episode of Best Manager Ever, Founder of Fort Light, Annie Riley dives into self-management for leaders. Drawing from personal experience and past interviews with top managers, Annie shares insights on how to set yourself up for success in 2025. Key strategies include taking necessary breaks to avoid burnout, identifying daily activities that bring joy and recharge you, preparing for inevitable workplace chaos, and investing in healthy work relationships. This bonus episode offers invaluable advice for leaders aiming to thrive in their roles and foster a positive work environment this year.


Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Looking to create a podcast email our producer Alexis

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for Season 2

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Santa Best Manager Ever: Santa Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:00:30 GMT 13:19 67631abf6ba7599e648ca8bb false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/67631abf6ba7599e648ca8bb 67631abf6ba7599e648ca8bb 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f bonus In this special holiday spoof episode of Best Manager Ever, Annie Riley, host and founder of Fort Light, chats with the one and only Santa Claus! Known for spreading holiday cheer and managing a diverse team at the North Pole, Santa gives a rare interview about life behind the scenes. His direct reports, including elves and reindeer, praise Santa for his leadership, though they note he's their only manager ever. 


We dive into Santa's leadership style, the secrets behind the naughty and nice lists, and the challenges of maintaining the Christmas spirit all year long. Join us for a fun-filled episode with laughter and insight into the man behind the magic.


Connect with Annie Riley

Connect with our hilarious Santa, Jason Gore

Listen to Jason’s podcast 108.9 The Hawk

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for Season 2

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this special holiday spoof episode of Best Manager Ever, Annie Riley, host and founder of Fort Light, chats with the one and only Santa Claus! Known for spreading holiday cheer and managing a diverse team at the North Pole, Santa gives a rare interview about life behind the scenes. His direct reports, including elves and reindeer, praise Santa for his leadership, though they note he's their only manager ever. 


We dive into Santa's leadership style, the secrets behind the naughty and nice lists, and the challenges of maintaining the Christmas spirit all year long. Join us for a fun-filled episode with laughter and insight into the man behind the magic.


Connect with Annie Riley

Connect with our hilarious Santa, Jason Gore

Listen to Jason’s podcast 108.9 The Hawk

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for Season 2

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[ Best Manager Ever: Alan D'Souza]]> Wed, 18 Dec 2024 08:00:48 GMT 39:11 675c985c7e8c28e6aa43642e false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/675c985c7e8c28e6aa43642e 675c985c7e8c28e6aa43642e 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 1 10 Alan D'Souza is the Director of Analytics at Credit Karma, and formerly led teams at Lending Club and Upgrade Inc. 


Known for fostering a culture of fun, hard work, and results, Alan's direct reports recall his empathetic and direct feedback style, along with his ability to inspire and motivate with humor. 


In this episode, Annie Riley, founder of Fort Light sits down with Alan to discuss his transition from startups to larger organizations, the distinction between managing small and large teams, and how he channels humor appropriately in different work contexts. He also shares his views on encouraging experimentation and innovation, the importance of transparency and radical accountability, and the necessity of maintaining a collaborative and engaging work environment to achieve team success.


Connect with Alan D'Souza

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for Season 2

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Alan D'Souza is the Director of Analytics at Credit Karma, and formerly led teams at Lending Club and Upgrade Inc. 


Known for fostering a culture of fun, hard work, and results, Alan's direct reports recall his empathetic and direct feedback style, along with his ability to inspire and motivate with humor. 


In this episode, Annie Riley, founder of Fort Light sits down with Alan to discuss his transition from startups to larger organizations, the distinction between managing small and large teams, and how he channels humor appropriately in different work contexts. He also shares his views on encouraging experimentation and innovation, the importance of transparency and radical accountability, and the necessity of maintaining a collaborative and engaging work environment to achieve team success.


Connect with Alan D'Souza

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for Season 2

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Sara Romero-Heaps Best Manager Ever: Sara Romero-Heaps Wed, 11 Dec 2024 08:00:37 GMT 39:01 6744b26a31b12b5319a722d3 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/6744b26a31b12b5319a722d3 6744b26a31b12b5319a722d3 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 1 9 Sara Romero-Heaps is the Chief Product Officer at Seesaw Learning. She has built her career at the intersection of education and technology, and previously led product and content at Nearpod.


Sara is known for aligning her team's individual aspirations to business goals, and her direct reports describe her as a visionary and empathetic leader.


In this episode, Annie Riley, Founder of Fort Light, discusses with Sara the importance of discovering where employees want to grow and identifying how that aligns with the company's needs.


If you're looking to understand how to effectively foster growth in a way that benefits both individuals and organizations, this episode provides valuable perspectives and practical advice.


Connect with Sara Romero-Heaps

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for Season 2

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Sara Romero-Heaps is the Chief Product Officer at Seesaw Learning. She has built her career at the intersection of education and technology, and previously led product and content at Nearpod.


Sara is known for aligning her team's individual aspirations to business goals, and her direct reports describe her as a visionary and empathetic leader.


In this episode, Annie Riley, Founder of Fort Light, discusses with Sara the importance of discovering where employees want to grow and identifying how that aligns with the company's needs.


If you're looking to understand how to effectively foster growth in a way that benefits both individuals and organizations, this episode provides valuable perspectives and practical advice.


Connect with Sara Romero-Heaps

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for Season 2

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

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]]> Best Manager Ever: Thianh Lu Best Manager Ever: Thianh Lu Wed, 04 Dec 2024 08:00:01 GMT 40:46 6744b0c0c11fbabc61b56c6d false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/6744b0c0c11fbabc61b56c6d 6744b0c0c11fbabc61b56c6d 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 1 8 Thianh Lu is the Chief Product Officer at Autograph and is a 3x founder, with one company acquired by WordPress and another by Blockchain.com.


He has a unique and well-rounded perspective on leadership, having been in the roles of early employee, later-stage executive, and founder/CEO. 


Thianh's direct reports praise his empowering and collaborative style, and remember him for building high-trust teams with a rapid tempo of learning and development. 


In this episode, Annie Riley, Founder of Fort Light  sits down with Thianh to discuss the importance of specific feedback, fostering a culture of learning, and balancing speed with thoughtful decision-making. Tune in to learn how Thianh's unique blend of curiosity and rigor drives both personal and team growth in dynamic startup environments.


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]]> Thianh Lu is the Chief Product Officer at Autograph and is a 3x founder, with one company acquired by WordPress and another by Blockchain.com.


He has a unique and well-rounded perspective on leadership, having been in the roles of early employee, later-stage executive, and founder/CEO. 


Thianh's direct reports praise his empowering and collaborative style, and remember him for building high-trust teams with a rapid tempo of learning and development. 


In this episode, Annie Riley, Founder of Fort Light  sits down with Thianh to discuss the importance of specific feedback, fostering a culture of learning, and balancing speed with thoughtful decision-making. Tune in to learn how Thianh's unique blend of curiosity and rigor drives both personal and team growth in dynamic startup environments.


Connect with Thianh Lu

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for Season 2

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Katie Corder- Paul Best Manager Ever: Katie Corder- Paul Wed, 27 Nov 2024 08:00:13 GMT 41:39 672bcbcb5095c9add9e11663 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/672bcbcb5095c9add9e11663 672bcbcb5095c9add9e11663 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 1 7 Katie Corder-Paul is a beloved leader. She’s currently building a portfolio career, as the Head of Operations and Customer Success at early-stage startup levelheaded and the first-ever Executive in Residence at Fort Light. Previously, KCP was an early employee at Guild Education and held leadership roles in ops and customer success at Proof, Nomad, and Sondermind. 


Katie’s past direct reports LOVE her, and we think you will too. They praise her for being a fierce advocate for her team, a warm and empathetic leader, and a champion of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. 


In this episode, Annie Riley and Katie discuss her methods for fostering a strong team culture, and her strategies for driving success. Tune in to learn more about Katie's impact on her team and the broader organization.


If you want to learn more from Annie and Katie, check out Fort Light’s group coaching programs at www.fortlight.com 


Connect with Katie Corder-Paul

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Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for Season 2

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]]> Katie Corder-Paul is a beloved leader. She’s currently building a portfolio career, as the Head of Operations and Customer Success at early-stage startup levelheaded and the first-ever Executive in Residence at Fort Light. Previously, KCP was an early employee at Guild Education and held leadership roles in ops and customer success at Proof, Nomad, and Sondermind. 


Katie’s past direct reports LOVE her, and we think you will too. They praise her for being a fierce advocate for her team, a warm and empathetic leader, and a champion of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. 


In this episode, Annie Riley and Katie discuss her methods for fostering a strong team culture, and her strategies for driving success. Tune in to learn more about Katie's impact on her team and the broader organization.


If you want to learn more from Annie and Katie, check out Fort Light’s group coaching programs at www.fortlight.com 


Connect with Katie Corder-Paul

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for Season 2

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Doug Hanna Best Manager Ever: Doug Hanna Wed, 20 Nov 2024 08:00:17 GMT 40:56 6716a6b2c054f53907db4be8 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/6716a6b2c054f53907db4be8 6716a6b2c054f53907db4be8 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 1 6 Doug Hanna, President & COO at Kustomer and former COO at Grafana Labs, is renowned for his expertise in customer service and operational excellence, having significantly contributed to the growth of companies like Help.com and Zendesk. During his tenure, he helped scale Grafana Labs from a team of 70 to over a thousand employees. 


Doug's direct reports praise his hyper-rationality, exceptional context-switching abilities, and a balanced approach to management that marries analytical rigor with empathy.


In this episode, Annie Riley, founder of Fort Light, sits down with Doug to discuss his strategies for addressing system failures during scaling, his approach to effective delegation and building scalable structures, and the art of maintaining responsiveness and understanding team motivations in a fast-paced environment. Tune in for a deep dive into Doug's dynamic leadership techniques and operational insights that drive success at Kustomer.


Connect with Doug Hanna

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Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

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]]> Doug Hanna, President & COO at Kustomer and former COO at Grafana Labs, is renowned for his expertise in customer service and operational excellence, having significantly contributed to the growth of companies like Help.com and Zendesk. During his tenure, he helped scale Grafana Labs from a team of 70 to over a thousand employees. 


Doug's direct reports praise his hyper-rationality, exceptional context-switching abilities, and a balanced approach to management that marries analytical rigor with empathy.


In this episode, Annie Riley, founder of Fort Light, sits down with Doug to discuss his strategies for addressing system failures during scaling, his approach to effective delegation and building scalable structures, and the art of maintaining responsiveness and understanding team motivations in a fast-paced environment. Tune in for a deep dive into Doug's dynamic leadership techniques and operational insights that drive success at Kustomer.


Connect with Doug Hanna

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Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for Season 2

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]]> Best Manager Ever: Lauren Werner Best Manager Ever: Lauren Werner Wed, 13 Nov 2024 08:00:41 GMT 36:32 6716a407e16fb75ed51b364a false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/6716a407e16fb75ed51b364a 6716a407e16fb75ed51b364a 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 1 5 Lauren Werner is the COO of Shop Shops, a live stream shopping app with a talented team of 50-60 employees across five countries. She is an experienced operations executive with a record of piloting, scaling, and managing new businesses and marketplaces.


Lauren is lauded by her direct reports as a stabilizing force with an unflappable presence, known for her empathy, clear communication, and methodical approach to managing and scaling distributed teams.


In this episode, Annie Riley, Founder of Fort Light, sits down with Lauren to discuss her leadership strategies, the importance of maintaining composure and stability in high-pressure startup environments, and effective communication and prioritization in managerial relationships. Tune in to explore Lauren's experience in navigating multicultural leadership and her journey as a woman leader in tech.


Connect with Lauren Werner

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]]> Lauren Werner is the COO of Shop Shops, a live stream shopping app with a talented team of 50-60 employees across five countries. She is an experienced operations executive with a record of piloting, scaling, and managing new businesses and marketplaces.


Lauren is lauded by her direct reports as a stabilizing force with an unflappable presence, known for her empathy, clear communication, and methodical approach to managing and scaling distributed teams.


In this episode, Annie Riley, Founder of Fort Light, sits down with Lauren to discuss her leadership strategies, the importance of maintaining composure and stability in high-pressure startup environments, and effective communication and prioritization in managerial relationships. Tune in to explore Lauren's experience in navigating multicultural leadership and her journey as a woman leader in tech.


Connect with Lauren Werner

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for Season 2

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

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]]> Best Manager Ever: Sean Twersky Best Manager Ever: Sean Twersky Wed, 06 Nov 2024 08:00:18 GMT 39:16 6716a27483ac9fccac7dc432 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/6716a27483ac9fccac7dc432 6716a27483ac9fccac7dc432 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 1 4 Sean Twersky is Head of Business Operations at Even Up, and previously Instacart. He has 15+ years of experience that thrives on bringing structure to even the most chaotic situations and scaling for long term success. 


Sean’s direct reports across various companies describe him as a bright, adaptable leader and a great equalizer who successfully manages diverse teams.


On this episode, host Annie Riley, Founder of Fort Light, explores Sean's methods for helping  direct reports grow in ambiguous environments, his approach to effective feedback, and how he maintains a motivating and fun team culture. Tune in to learn from Sean’s  playbook on how to  draw out strengths from team members, turn ambitious tasks into enjoyable challenges, and ask for feedback in a structured and actionable way.


Connect with Sean Twersky

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Sean’s blog General Practitioner

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

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]]> Sean Twersky is Head of Business Operations at Even Up, and previously Instacart. He has 15+ years of experience that thrives on bringing structure to even the most chaotic situations and scaling for long term success. 


Sean’s direct reports across various companies describe him as a bright, adaptable leader and a great equalizer who successfully manages diverse teams.


On this episode, host Annie Riley, Founder of Fort Light, explores Sean's methods for helping  direct reports grow in ambiguous environments, his approach to effective feedback, and how he maintains a motivating and fun team culture. Tune in to learn from Sean’s  playbook on how to  draw out strengths from team members, turn ambitious tasks into enjoyable challenges, and ask for feedback in a structured and actionable way.


Connect with Sean Twersky

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Sean’s blog General Practitioner

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Brittney Hall Best Manager Ever: Brittney Hall Wed, 30 Oct 2024 07:00:04 GMT 39:12 671166f80c127cea51048216 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/671166f80c127cea51048216 671166f80c127cea51048216 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 1 3 Brittany Hall is the Head of Customer Experience at ReMatter, a series A startup. She is also known for her notable work at companies like GoGuardian, People.ai and DataGrail. Over the past decade, Brittney has built a reputation for her outstanding ability to build and scale customer-facing teams from scratch. 


Brittany's direct reports describe her as an exceptional leader who is clear, honest, and genuinely caring. They highlight her ability to build high-performing teams and manage early-stage company challenges. 


In this episode Annie Riley, Founder of Fort Light, sits down with Brittney, to discuss the framework for hiring non-traditional candidates, her strategy for timely feedback and team communication, and her approach to self-advocacy and prioritizing tasks. Tune in to learn how Brittany's leadership style and execution mindset drive startup success.


Connect with Brittney Hall

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Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for Season 2

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]]> Brittany Hall is the Head of Customer Experience at ReMatter, a series A startup. She is also known for her notable work at companies like GoGuardian, People.ai and DataGrail. Over the past decade, Brittney has built a reputation for her outstanding ability to build and scale customer-facing teams from scratch. 


Brittany's direct reports describe her as an exceptional leader who is clear, honest, and genuinely caring. They highlight her ability to build high-performing teams and manage early-stage company challenges. 


In this episode Annie Riley, Founder of Fort Light, sits down with Brittney, to discuss the framework for hiring non-traditional candidates, her strategy for timely feedback and team communication, and her approach to self-advocacy and prioritizing tasks. Tune in to learn how Brittany's leadership style and execution mindset drive startup success.


Connect with Brittney Hall

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for Season 2

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Zayd Badwan Best Manager Ever: Zayd Badwan Wed, 23 Oct 2024 07:00:00 GMT 38:42 6711660f0c127cea51043254 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/6711660f0c127cea51043254 6711660f0c127cea51043254 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 1 2 Zayd Badwan is a founding team member and VP of Enterprise at Uplimit. Before joining Uplimit, Zayd scaled the Customer Success team at Coursera. With 15+ years of experience in learning and development startups, he brings insights from working closely with global governments and nonprofits, and industry-leading companies including Google and Salesforce. 


Zayd is described by his direct reports as a positive leader with a knack for building trust, making work fun, and bringing relentless energy in the face of challenges. 


In this episode, Annie Riley sits down with Zayd to discuss the highs and lows of building teams from scratch, prioritizing learning as the best way to win in early stage company-building, and managing burnout and building emotional resilience. Zayd also highlights the importance of authenticity and candor in work relationships, and shares strategies for communicating across the company. Tune in for valuable insights on leadership, especially in very early-stage startup environments.


Connect with Zayd Badwan

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for Season 2

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear


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]]> Zayd Badwan is a founding team member and VP of Enterprise at Uplimit. Before joining Uplimit, Zayd scaled the Customer Success team at Coursera. With 15+ years of experience in learning and development startups, he brings insights from working closely with global governments and nonprofits, and industry-leading companies including Google and Salesforce. 


Zayd is described by his direct reports as a positive leader with a knack for building trust, making work fun, and bringing relentless energy in the face of challenges. 


In this episode, Annie Riley sits down with Zayd to discuss the highs and lows of building teams from scratch, prioritizing learning as the best way to win in early stage company-building, and managing burnout and building emotional resilience. Zayd also highlights the importance of authenticity and candor in work relationships, and shares strategies for communicating across the company. Tune in for valuable insights on leadership, especially in very early-stage startup environments.


Connect with Zayd Badwan

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for Season 2

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever: Morgane Palomares Best Manager Ever: Morgane Palomares Wed, 16 Oct 2024 07:00:26 GMT 37:22 670d5281aaedc4eac0ec4db2 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/670d5281aaedc4eac0ec4db2 670d5281aaedc4eac0ec4db2 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f full 1 1 Morgane Palomares is the VP of Marketing at Vercel, and is known for her significant roles at GitHub, Zendesk and Change.org. 


Morgane's direct reports praise her exceptional leadership, high standards, and ability to create a trusting and safe environment. They describe her as 'superhuman,' 'aggressive,' and 'a winner,' highlighting her unique ability to balance high demands with personal care for her team.

 

In this episode, Annie Riley, the founder of Fort Light, talks with Morgane about strategies for setting high expectations, creating space for emotions, and fostering team camaraderie. Learn about Morgan's approach to continuous learning, her unique lingo, and her emphasis on early career coaching. Morgan also talks about balancing work-life commitments, organizing her time effectively, being proactive about personal growth, and the importance of sharing information openly with her team.


Connect with Morgane Palomares

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for Season 2

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]]> Morgane Palomares is the VP of Marketing at Vercel, and is known for her significant roles at GitHub, Zendesk and Change.org. 


Morgane's direct reports praise her exceptional leadership, high standards, and ability to create a trusting and safe environment. They describe her as 'superhuman,' 'aggressive,' and 'a winner,' highlighting her unique ability to balance high demands with personal care for her team.

 

In this episode, Annie Riley, the founder of Fort Light, talks with Morgane about strategies for setting high expectations, creating space for emotions, and fostering team camaraderie. Learn about Morgan's approach to continuous learning, her unique lingo, and her emphasis on early career coaching. Morgan also talks about balancing work-life commitments, organizing her time effectively, being proactive about personal growth, and the importance of sharing information openly with her team.


Connect with Morgane Palomares

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for Season 2

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Introducing Best Manager Ever Introducing Best Manager Ever Tue, 08 Oct 2024 19:18:29 GMT 2:21 67040f8ec88f09c3e00350f0 false https://shows.acast.com/best-manager-ever/episodes/67040f8ec88f09c3e00350f0 67040f8ec88f09c3e00350f0 67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f Best Manager Ever with Annie Riley bonus 1 Best Manager Ever reveals the secrets of successful management and empowers leaders to build winning teams. Join a community dedicated to sharing insights and stories from the most successful and beloved leaders in the startup world. All guests have been nominated as the “best manager ever” by a recent direct report. Before each interview, we go behind the guest’s back to collect feedback and stories from their team about what they’re *actually* like to work for. Then we sit down with the guest to unpack that feedback and to dig into their leadership playbook and lessons learned. Tune in, learn from the experts, and enhance your management skills while building meaningful connections throughout your career.


Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Best Manager Ever reveals the secrets of successful management and empowers leaders to build winning teams. Join a community dedicated to sharing insights and stories from the most successful and beloved leaders in the startup world. All guests have been nominated as the “best manager ever” by a recent direct report. Before each interview, we go behind the guest’s back to collect feedback and stories from their team about what they’re *actually* like to work for. Then we sit down with the guest to unpack that feedback and to dig into their leadership playbook and lessons learned. Tune in, learn from the experts, and enhance your management skills while building meaningful connections throughout your career.


Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]>