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Sofyan Almoayed is the CEO of Almoayed Investments, a versatile family business focused on real estate, travel technology, contracting, transportation, and F&B sectors. Additionally, he will assume the role of Global Chairman for 2024 and 2025. Almoayed Investments has been a beacon of success, consistently delivering value through its commitment to growth and diversification. Sofyan's leadership has propelled the company to thrive in MENA and North American markets, solidifying its position as a prominent player in various industries.

In this episode…

Many YPO members view their membership as a strategic decision. Beyond expanding networks and enhancing business acumen, what additional benefits does joining this global leadership institution offer?

Through YPO forums, incoming YPO Global Chairman Sofyan Almoayed admits he’s gained valuable perspectives from fellow business leaders, enabling him to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities effectively. He attributes much of his leadership growth to forum interactions and discussions. One of Sofyan’s key takeaways has been the universal lessons he’s learned from these diverse perspectives. Regardless of your industry or geography, he emphasizes the importance of adaptability, resilience, and innovative thinking in today's rapidly evolving business landscape.

On the latest episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Marc Reifenrath hosts Sofyan Almoayed, CEO of Almoayed Investments, to explore the advantages of YPO membership. Sofyan shares insights on his motivation for joining YPO, its impact on his business acumen, and offers valuable leadership advice for C-suite executives.

Raymond Watt is the Global Chairman of YPO, an American-based global leadership community, and the Chairman at RIMAR Capital, a tech-driven investment firm. He is also the Co-founder and CEO of Omnislash, a platform that helps gamers capture media and stats while playing their favorite games. With 25 years of experience in software development and enterprise systems, Raymond was a three-time CEO for various companies in South Africa. Beyond his leadership duties, Raymond is a voting member of the Television Academy and a member of the Producers Guild of America.

In this episode…

Clear communication and language are integral to attracting and retaining talented employees, improving team morale, and boosting productivity. Creating a culture aligned with company values starts with using language strategically. 

Your company language is a powerful tool that can shape your organization's culture. Executive leader Raymond Watt affirms that using company-specific vocabulary and creating new words can influence how your employees think, act, and feel. Establishing your company culture on the first day of onboarding is essential for clarifying team expectations. You can accomplish this by creating a behavior code, holding regular meetings to discuss company values, and providing training on using the company language effectively.

In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Marc Reifenrath welcomes Raymond Watt, Global Chairman of YPO, to discuss language's impact on company culture. Raymond shares his inspiration for joining YPO, how the organization impacted his views on company culture and core values, and the responsibilities of an effective CEO.

Thayer Smith is the CEO of YPO, a global leadership community connecting elite chief executives and cultivating extraordinary leaders to improve lives and businesses worldwide. Before joining the C-suite at YPO, Thayer led Bayshore Capital as an Operating Partner. Thayer has lent his expertise in complex manufacturing, financial management, strategic planning, and leadership development. He’s also been a YPO member since 2007, serving as the Chapter Forum Officer for the Florida Chapter and Regional Chair for the Southeast US and Caribbean Region. From 2019 to 2023, he served multiple roles for the Global Board of Directors before accepting his position as CEO.

In this episode…

A company is only as good as its leaders, who are often tasked with making difficult decisions. Where can executives in power go to sharpen their leadership skills and gain support?

Seasoned business leader Thayer Smith recommends joining YPO, which brings together top-tier company heads to brainstorm challenges. Thayer believes that the essence of YPO is the forum itself, the relationships that members build, and the exposure to new ideas. He also recommends that members attend network and chapter events to reap the most benefit from their YPO membership. 

In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast with Marc Reifenrath, Thayer Smith, CEO of YPO, discusses the benefits of being a YPO member. Thayer explains the value of YPO and its influence on members, how the organization helps leaders navigate change and challenges, and shares memorable YPO experiences.

Cynthia Cleveland is a Partner at CEO Coaching International, the leading coaching firm for growth-focused CEOs and entrepreneurs. Cynthia is a five-time CEO and president who led companies generating over $4 billion in worldwide sales in consumer products, entertainment, and retail industries. In her 30-plus-year career, she has overseen popular brands, including Universal Studios, Teleflora, Mattel Toys, and Carnation Foods. Cynthia has been an active member of YPO for over three decades and is the former Chair of the Women’s International Network. In 2015, Real Leaders Magazine named her one of the Top 100 Visionary Leaders.

In this episode…

Workplace culture is the culmination of shared values, beliefs, and behaviors that characterize a company or organization. It’s a doctrine influenced by the company's mission, vision, and values, but how can it be adequately assimilated to create a positive work environment?

As an accomplished company head who guided numerous teams for major corporations, including a Fortune 500, Cynthia Cleveland explains viable workplace culture is only possible with the ideal people. When leadership recognizes employees who negatively impact team dynamics, they’re responsible for placing them in a different department or part ways. Being a leader sometimes includes making difficult decisions — and in these situations, they must learn to trust their instincts. Leaders also create a culture conducive to employee success by establishing boundaries, setting expectations, respecting employees’ opinions, and giving workers autonomy.

In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Marc Reifenrath welcomes Cynthia Cleveland, a Partner at CEO Coaching International, to discuss how leaders create workplace culture. Cynthia shares her insight on company culture and core values, why leaders need to trust their instincts, and why it’s beneficial to respect employees’ personal lives.

Matthew Connor, Founder and CEO of CyberLynx, began his programming career at 12 while working as a coder for his father’s company. His passion led him to develop his own company, which focuses on offering premium IT services — specializing in protecting growing businesses from ransomware.

CyberLynx, previously known as Your IT Department, continues to provide cybersecurity and professional IT and support services for expanding companies. Matthew is on a mission to assist business leaders in increasing their profitability using cutting-edge technology. He served in the US Army for 17 years as a human intelligence officer and received his bachelor’s in business administration and management from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

In this episode…

Whether you’ve graduated with a formal education or not, some of the most valuable lessons learned have been from peers. Peers can be a great source of learning, offering knowledge and experience through workshops, forums, and events.

Entrepreneur Matthew Connor shares that he didn’t obtain success on his own in his entrepreneurial journey. He found participating in peer groups offers advice, encouragement, and a sense of community — sharing in one another’s failures and successes. Business leaders face many challenges when trying to build a successful company. Learning from your peers is a valuable experience, helping you grow and develop. Additionally, peers are essential in providing feedback from a network of like-minded professionals.

Join Kevin Hourigan in today’s episode of the Growth Fire Podcast as he chats with Matthew Connor about the positive influence of peer groups. Matthew reflects on his background and military experience and discusses why his podcast is the source of his inspiration.

And that’s a wrap on Season 3! Thank you to our listeners for tuning in to our best season yet. In our closing episode, we’re taking it back to the basics with a Co-Host Special. Ed and Eva will walk each other through their professional and personal journeys, and uncover hidden gems along the way. After listening to this episode, you will learn about: serial entrepreneur Ed’s current companies, and his best advice for new founders; Eva’s favorite Substack for staying up to date on Africa; Ed’s passion for gardening; and so much more. Happy listening!

Elizabeth Zucker is the Managing Partner at Interior Investments of St. Louis, a contract office furniture dealership providing solutions for professional organizations, including furniture selection, order fulfillment, delivery, and installation. Under Elizabeth’s leadership, the company has successfully scaled to $35 million. Before joining Interior Investments of St. Louis, Elizabeth spent six years climbing the ranks at Herman Miller, a furniture manufacturing company. Beyond her work as a managing partner, Elizabeth contributes her leadership expertise to the YPO St. Louis chapter, holding over seven chapter officer roles. In 2016, she joined the YPO board of directors, and from 2019 - 2020, she served as the organization’s chairman.

In this episode…

Being a leader in the workplace is not only lonely, but challenging. Leaders ranging from managers to directors to the C-suite take on demanding responsibilities, including budgets, meeting deadlines, and motivating employees while navigating a healthy work-life balance. Another strife may be that you’re the only person in your immediate circle in a high-level position. So where can you find a relatable peer group?

For business leader Elizabeth Zucker, she sought camaraderie in YPO, a leadership community connecting chief executives worldwide. YPO is a selective organization that prides itself on attracting leaders of all ages. Aside from fellowship, YPO provides resources for career advancement, diverse leadership training, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, and lifelong friendships.

In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Marc Reifenrath welcomes Elizabeth Zucker, Managing Partner at Interior Investment of St. Louis and former Chairman of YPO, for a riveting conversation about YPO and how membership has implored her to make courageous business decisions. Elizabeth shares her motivation for joining YPO, her crusade to recruit more female members, and how mistakes can improve leadership skills.

In this special episode of The Beyond Capital podcast we are joined by co-founder of Beyond Capital Fund and CEO of Mobility Capital, Hooman Yazhari. In this episode, Hooman talks to Ed and Eva about:

• Why the “investment hungry” world of transport is on the cusp of an industrial revolution (3:10)
• The origins of Mobility Capital and Hooman’s transition from operator to investor (5:18)
• The sustainability opportunity in transportation sectors (8:01)
• How Mobility Capital assesses for and measures impact (20:36)
• The future of carbon credit market - will it truly work for everyone? (23:32)
• The connection between Ted Lasso and the #1 piece of advice Hooman would give his younger self (33:57)

You can't predict everything going on around you. It's like constant chaos. What are the things that you can actually control?  And so the vision for the business has always been to be the most trusted brand for everyday health through this kind of virtualization of products.  Companies like ours are so committed to fight climate change that it's giving me a little bit more hope that the future for our kids isn't so bleak.  This week, we are talking with Katerina Schneider of Ritual.

"I do see a lot of improvement, people pushing for sustainability. People are worried about grid resiliency, not just talking about it, but doing some about it. We understand the heat loads of a building envelope. We understand the capabilities of the cooling equipment inside that building envelope. Everyone will be using optimization technology to reduce their demand to be as efficient as possible, to be grid interactive. "

This week we are speaking with Gary Morsches.  Gary is an energy industry veteran specializing in market deregulation, risk management, supply, asset optimization and technology.  He is the Chief Executive Officer of DemandQ, a Certified B Corp. DemandQ deploys a proven optimization solution for commercial sites that reduces peak electricity demand and electricity bills while providing sustainability benefits without adversely impacting customer comfort. 

If you just think there's a product and a customer and a desire, it's the same everywhere. You just have to answer those great questions. But I think a vast majority of the product will change. I think there's a real opportunity to change and it will make a big, big difference. It was people calling us, asking us for solutions, as opposed to us finding solutions and trying to force them on people.  That made us go into this vertical. 

This week we are speaking with Christian Kemp-Griffin an early investor in CelluComp and is now executive director and CEO.  

Are we engaging in intentionally or passive use? Are we consuming content consciously? And how does that content make us feel whenever we have that kind of constant input? There isn't that quiet time to say, What do we need? What can we create? When you have the clarity, when you have the purpose, when you know what social impact you want to have, that will attract the exact people that you need.

Today on the Beyond Capital Podcast, we are speaking with Nina Hersher, Chief Learning Officer at the Digital Wellness Institute, author of the bestseller Your Playbook for Thriving in the Remote Work Era.

Will this solution reduce the current system, impact on the climate, build healthier communities and or increase generational wealth in diverse communities? We're really interested in building out not only our own platform, but helping other people build out theirs for the community and global impact.

We know that the climate crisis is so big and dire, but that plant based solutions are not the only solutions and that we should think about meat, regenerative life as well.

Today, on Beyond Capital Podcast, we are talking with Noramay Cadena who is the Managing Partner of Supply Change Capital.  Supply Change Capital is a venture capital firm investing in early-stage food tech.

In as much as we are very different as a world. When you take a thousand year perspective, you realize that similar things happen to similar regions across time and space. But we also see telemedicine as a way for us to actually promote some of these behaviors that are positive for the climate. I think before we go ahead and say, let's invest all this money in building something new, we need to look at what we currently have and how can we improve what we currently have.

This week we are speaking with Dr. Sangu Delle, Founder & CEO, CarePoint.

Dillon Baxter is the co-founder and CEO of PlantSwitch, a company providing the highest quality biodegradable alternatives to plastic on the market. 

Dillon started PlantSwitch his senior year at SMU, where he met his co-founder Maxime Blandin. They started PlantSwitch to provide an eco-friendly solution to plastic that felt and functioned like a traditional plastic product, but without the waste and pollution that results from plastic. PlantSwitch began with biodegradable straws and cutlery that are made from the upcycled agave waste from tequila production. In three years, the company calculates it has already displaced more than 375,000 pounds of plastic waste that would have otherwise ended up in landfills. 

On this weeks episode, we are speaking with Jacquelyn Kung, healthcare expert and serial technology entrepreneur passionate about supporting patient health and experiences by developing innovations in Health IT. With more than two decades of experience building and scaling businesses to serve millions of users, Jacquelyn has established a track record of successful exits totaling over $250 million and improving the quality of healthcare for millions of people.

Today's guest is Aeko Ongodia. Aeko hails from Kampala in Uganda. He has a master of science degree in mathematical trading and finance from the Cass Business School in London and a master's in Applied Mathematics and Statistics from Stony Brook University. His experience is vast. Having spent time with Stanbic Bank Uganda, followed by the Bank of Uganda as a research analyst and then head of stress testing and risk modeling.

On this week’s episode, we speak with Hitha Palepu CEO of Rhoshan Pharmaceuticals.  Hitha is a consummate multi-hyphenate - an entrepreneur, author, and speaker. As CEO of Rhoshan Pharmaceuticals, she oversees financing, partnerships, and strategy for the company. She led the raise of a $5M seed round and a licensing agreement with Hyloris Pharmaceuticals for the company's lead product.

Nearly 80% of women experience treatable hormonal imbalances, and 43% of women say hormones have negatively affected their overall well-being, according to new research. 

How do we help women feel better and just increase education around women's health and hormones, which I've said multiple times are just so lacking?

You know, there's nothing better than starting a business to figure out all the demons that you have.

Many of the women who are running these $100 million businesses didn't necessarily have the background in that industry.

In this weeks episode we speak to Yasmin Nouri. Yasmin is the co-founder and CEO of BIA, a wellness company helping women overcome hormonal balances and imbalances using natural food based solutions.

It can be really schizophrenic and doing great things on the one hand and doing terrible things on the other hand. Our job is to take all of that and to consideration. Our whole American culture is really set up to support financial services, but not really to support the individual. There's many studies showing that that companies that do manage their social and environmental risks do better over time.