Who Got Me Here

Frederick Riley grew up in Saginaw, Michigan surrounded by eviction notices, food insecurity, and the constant feeling that something might go wrong at any moment. Yet his story is ultimately one of possibility. Along the way, a remarkable network of people — a determined mother, a pastor, a principal, teachers, mentors, and neighbors — helped shape the path that would eventually lead him to become Executive Director of Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute.In this deeply personal conversation, Fred reflects on the moment he met his father for the first time at age eleven, the mentors who helped him see a bigger future, and the painful lessons that ultimately strengthened his commitment to community and service.Fred also shares how his work today focuses on identifying and supporting “weavers,” the everyday people quietly rebuilding trust and connection in communities across America.It is a powerful reminder that none of us gets where we are alone. Our lives are shaped by the people who see us, challenge us, and lift us up along the way.www.whogotmehere.comTime Stamps:00:00 – A Defining Moment: Feeling Seen for the First Time02:20 – Growing Up with Instability04:20 – How High Expectations Shape Young Minds07:00 – Finding Role Models When Few Exist09:00 – Identity, Confidence, and Being “The Collar Boys”12:00 – Teachers Who Change Trajectories15:30 – Purpose Through Service: Building Mentorship Programs18:00 – Investing in Youth: Why Developing the Next Generation Matters21:30 – Joining Weave and Building Community Trust23:30 – The “Weavers” of America25:00 – Volunteering vs. Weaving: Building Relationships27:00 – What Thriving Communities Look Like for Young Boys29:00 – Can Strong Communities Be Built at Scale?30:30 – How Relationships Are Built in Everyday Life32:00 – Learning to Be Honest and Kind to Yourself34:30 – The Power of One Person Reaching Out36:00 – Advice to His 12-Year-Old Self37:30 – The Mentors Who Still Shape Him Today38:30 – Networking as Humanity: Treating Everyone with Equal Dignity39:30 – Three Simple Actions to Rebuild Community Today This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

Geoffrey Garrett, Dean of the Marshall School of Business at USC and former Dean of the Wharton School, has spent his career at the center of some of the world’s most respected institutions. But in this conversation, he makes a compelling case that even the most established business schools must evolve quickly to meet the demands of the AI age.From his unlikely journey growing up in Australia to teaching Rhodes Scholars at Oxford to leading at Yale, UCLA, Wharton, and now USC, Geoff reflects on the mentors, pivotal moments, and leadership lessons that shaped him. Yet the heart of this episode is his vision for the future of higher education.What does it mean to prepare students for a world of “vertical” technological change? Should admissions prioritize technical fluency? How do universities balance AI productivity with deep learning and responsible leadership? And what does “AI for X” (applying artificial intelligence across every discipline) mean for the next generation of business leaders?Geoff shares why AI literacy must become an entry condition, why distinctiveness matters more than ever in admissions, and why the real challenge isn’t adopting AI, it’s doing so responsibly.If you care about the future of business education, leadership, or the role universities will play in shaping the AI era, this conversation is for you.www.whogotmehere.comTime Stamps:00:00 – An Unlikely Beginning03:00 – Leadership Is a People Business04:30 – The Pivot from Scholar to Builder07:00 – Breaking Academic Silos10:30 – Why Relationships Still Matter (Especially in a Digital World)13:50 – The Real Power of Business School Networks17:52 – AI Comes To Campus18:50 – Responsible AI and the Hard Questions22:10 – Designing Curriculum at “Vertical” Speed24:30 – Your Bain on ChatGPT28:05 – Admissions In The Age of AI29:40 – Lightning Round This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

What if a single, well-timed email could change the trajectory of your entire career? In this episode of Who Got Me Here, Annie Riley sits down with Drew Sechrist, one of Salesforce’s earliest employees and the founder & CEO of Connect the Dots. Drew shares how a cold email to Marc Benioff landed him a front-row seat on Salesforce’s rise from pre-revenue to over $1B—and how intentional relationship-building made him a top-performing sales leader.Together, they unpack why meaningful networking isn’t about volume, how to stand out when everyone around you is an A-player, and why imposter syndrome is often a signal, not a weakness. This conversation is a masterclass in being curious, being intentional, and building relationships that compound over decades.www.whogotmehere.comTime Stamps:00:00 - Introduction to Drew Sechrist00:48 - Drew’s Early Career and Salesforce Journey01:45 - The Power of a Well-Timed Cold Email05:48 - Navigating Relationships and Networking at Salesforce08:50 - Mentorship and Early Sales Lessons16:14 - Building Community Across Geographies18:55 - Learning from Mistakes and Iterating20:18 - The Importance of Feedback in Networking23:16 - Tools for Building and Maintaining Relationships27:51 - Final Thoughts on Relationship Building This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

In this episode of Who Got Me Here, Sarah Franklin traces her path from chemical engineer to CEO—and makes a compelling case that relationships, not resumes, are what truly shape a career. Through stories of being rejected 14 times, creatively breaking into tech, and rising from individual contributor to President at Salesforce before becoming CEO of Lattice, Sarah shares how self-awareness, gratitude, and intentional networking quietly compound over time. This conversation goes beyond titles and transitions, exploring how clarity of purpose, generosity toward others, and the courage to ask for help can redefine success and unlock opportunities you can’t see looking forward—but only connect looking back.www.whogotmehere.comTime Stamps:00:00 Introduction: Why Relationships Matter02:04 Defining Fulfillment & Purpose at Work04:54 From Chemical Engineering to Tech07:58 Learning to Translate Tech for Business08:33 How Relationships Actually Create Opportunity10:00 The 14 Rejections That Changed Everything14:14 Salesforce: From IC to President16:01 Leaving, Returning, and Seeing Clearly17:33 Servant Leadership & Helping Others Rise19:08 Goal Setting That Works (V2ME Framework) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

Whitnie Narcisse has built her career around a simple but uncommon truth: the strongest companies—and the strongest careers—are built through real relationships. As a longtime operating partner at First Round Capital, she’s been a quiet force behind some of the most trusted founder and operator communities in tech.In this episode, Whitnie traces her non-linear path from Teach for America and nonprofit work into venture capital, sharing how curiosity, bold outreach, and genuine care opened doors she couldn’t have planned for. Along the way, she unpacks the mindset shifts required to navigate career transitions, advocate for yourself, and move forward—even when you don’t fit the traditional mold.We also dive into the how: practical, creative approaches to networking and mentorship that actually work. From async advice and Loom videos to game nights, curated gatherings, and her FACE framework—Facts, Authenticity, Credibility, and Engagement—Whitnie offers a masterclass in building relationships with intention and generosity.This conversation is a reminder that community isn’t built overnight. But when it’s built well, it compounds—and becomes one of the most powerful forces in a career.www.whogotmehere.comhttps://whogotmehere.substack.comTime Stamps:00:00 – Meet Whitnie Narcisse: From Teaching 8th Grade Science to Venture Capital01:00 – Saying Yes Early: Teach for America, Nonlinear Careers, and Learning by Doing02:45 – The Trivia Night That Quietly Changed Everything07:00 – Breaking Into Venture Without a Straight Line (or a Perfect Plan)09:00 – Networking with Agency: Confidence, Bold Outreach, and Assuming Positive Intent14:00 – Modern Mentorship: Loom Videos, Async Advice, and Protecting Your Time16:00 – Building Community at First Round: Why Relationships Compound Over Time18:30 – What Makes a Great Event: Guest Lists, Small Groups, and Intentional Design20:30 – Rethinking Networking: Game Nights, Poker, and Making Connection Fun22:30 – The FACE Framework: How to Be Memorable, Human, and Credible This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

Michael Palmisano didn’t stumble into success—he earned it through years of uncertainty, persistence, and an unwavering belief that the things worth having take time. In this episode of Who Got Me Here, Michael shares how the collapse of the traditional music industry forced him to rethink everything, ultimately leading him to build a global audience by teaching guitar online and breaking down songs.Guided by his mantra—working hard, getting better every day—Michael reveals how showing up authentically, being vulnerable, and embracing imperfection helped him connect with nearly a million subscribers on a deeply human level. From betting his family’s savings on an unproven idea to launching his next entrepreneurial act with Teleport pedals, this is a powerful story about patience, self-trust, and building a life around what matters most.www.whogotmehere.comhttps://whogotmehere.substack.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@whogotmehere-podcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

In this episode, Kraig Swensrud—3x founder, CEO of Qualified, and former CMO of Salesforce, reflects on the people and pivotal moments that shaped his career. From early bets placed on him as a rookie sales engineer, to mentors who opened doors, to colleagues who pushed him to take bold risks, Kraig shares how relationships powered his path from Oracle to founding three companies.He opens up about the leaders who invested in him, why he now pays it forward by spotting future superstars inside his own company, and the simple practices that build lifelong bonds. Kraig also offers grounded advice for early-career professionals: take more risks than you feel comfortable with, lean into emerging technology, never burn bridges, and remember that today’s peers will be tomorrow’s industry leaders.A candid, inspiring look at how great careers are never built alone, but together.www.whogotmehere.comTime Stamps:* 01:33 - Introduction to Kraig’s Journey* 01:47 - The Salesforce Acquisition Story* 05:04 - Taking Risks and Building Relationships* 06:19 - Breaking into Tech and Early Mentorship* 08:18 - Paying It Forward: Mentorship Today* 10:26 - Forging Relationships Through Work* 11:45 - The Tech Industry Is Smaller Than You Think* 13:56 - Networking Strategies and Building Connections* 18:46 - Leveraging AI and Technology in Networking* 19:50 - Cold Emails and Standing Out* 23:10 - Lessons from Marc Benioff* 25:40 - Final Reflections and Career AdvicePeople That Helped Kraig Along The Way:* 06:19 - Norman Gennaro – One of Kraig’s First Bosses, CRO of Miro* 02:14 - Sean Whiteley – 3x Co-Founder with Kraig, How They Got Their Start* 7:06 - Phillip Merrick – It Started With a Cold Email* 13:59 - Alex Bard – Thanksgiving Ritual That Builds Lifelong Relationships* 15:50 - Dan Darcy – Surround Yourself With a Superconnector* 18:46 Rich Campbell – Grab Onto a Technology To Grow Your Career* 23:10 Marc Benioff – Master Networker and Someone Who Truly Cares This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

We've all heard it a hundred times: Your network is your net worth. Who Got Me Here features leading executives looking back on the relationships that transformed their careers, unearthing lessons that anyone can use to build more meaningful connections and make the most of them.This season, we’ve got a lineup of legends and inspiring guests. They include founders, investors, community builders, and CEOs. By reverse-engineering career paths, we reveal what it really takes to succeed—And the stories of gratitude, risk, and resilience that shape remarkable careers. Join hosts Jamie Grenney and Annie Riley as they reverse-engineer career paths, revealing what it really takes to succeed—And the stories of gratitude, risk, and resilience that shape remarkable careers. Tune in — and hear stories that move you to create more meaningful relationshipswww.whogotmehere.comhttps://whogotmehere.substack.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@whogotmehere-podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/whogotmehere-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

Mark Anderson is the CEO at Alteryx. In a conversation with Annie, Mark talks about his humble beginnings in retail sales that helped him break into the tech world. He shares stories about working with Jeff Bezos and Amazon in the ‘90s, and how learning from John Chambers at Cisco informs his current leadership style. Prior to his role as CEO at Alteryx, Mark was President of Palo Alto Networks, where he and the team grew the company from pre-IPO in 2012 to become one of the largest security companies in the world.---"I used to think that asking for help was a sign of weakness… And it wasn't until I noticed people that I respected asking for help and getting the sensation of joy when you provide help or guidance to others that I realized it was really a sign of strength, and that freed me up to be greedy when it came to asking for help.” - Mark Anderson---Episode Timestamps:*(01:46) - Mark’s background and beginning in sales*(06:59) - Breaking into the world of tech*(09:31) - Key relationships from building connections*(12:22) - Working at Cisco at $600 BN valuation*(19:48) - Working with Jeff Bezos in the ‘90s*(23:32) - Leveraging relationships to overcome obstacles*(30:20) - Working at Alteryx*(35:01) - Final thoughts---Sponsor:Who Got Me Here is brought to you by Connect The Dots, mapping professional relationships so you can find the strongest connections to the people and companies you want to reach. Visit ctd.ai to learn more.---Links:Connect with Mark AndersonConnect with Annie RileyLearn more about Connect The Dotswww.caspianstudios.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

Jeff Epstein is an Operating Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners, a global firm with $4 billion under management that invests in early-stage and hyper-growth startups, partnering closely with entrepreneurs to build durable businesses including innovative companies like Pinterest, Twilio, Box, LinkedIn, Shopify, Yelp, and Skype. Formerly, Jeff was the executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Oracle, one of the world’s largest and most profitable technology companies, with a market value of over $200 billion. Prior to joining Oracle, Jeff served as the CFO at several public and private companies, including DoubleClick (acquired by Google), King World Productions (acquired by CBS), and Nielsen’s Media Measurement and Information Group. Jeff co-teaches the Lean Launchpad class at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Engineering and the CFO Leadership class at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He holds an MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where he was an Arjay Miller Scholar, and a BA from Yale College. In this conversation with Annie Riley, Jeff talks about how he was able to make over 10,000 introductions throughout his career, his experience co-teaching the Lean Launchpad at Stanford, and the path he took to become CFO, leaving us with advice for those aspiring to do the same.---"The great thing about this whole idea of relationships and introductions is, it's not all or nothing, it's easy to start in a small way. No matter how much experience you have or whatever you're doing when you meet with someone, you say, just ask how can I be helpful? And if they say, 'gee, I would love to meet this person', or 'I'd love to look, do this, or learn about that', think about is there someone you know who would make an introduction, would be helpful, and then double opt-in. So, don't immediately introduce them, just email your friend and say, 'I've met person X, Y, Z, I think they're really interesting, here's why I think you might want to meet them'. Do that five or ten times, and see what happens. And if you end up with 10 no's then, you know, maybe you're not thinking about it right, or maybe you don't have the right relationships. But it wouldn't surprise me if you have five or six 'yeses' and one or two people say, 'wow, thank you so much for making that connection'." - Jeff Epstein---Episode Timestamps:*(02:42) - Jeff’s expansive network of 10,000+ connections*(09:03) - Exploring his background in relationship building*(15:56) - Co-teaching Lean Launchpad at Stanford School of Engineering*(22:47) - The biggest networking mistakes to avoid*(27:58) - Jeff’s path to CFO and advice for those aspiring*(34:40) - Idols throughout his career*(39:12) - Final thoughts---Sponsor:Who Got Me Here is brought to you by Connect The Dots, mapping professional relationships so you can find the strongest connections to the people and companies you want to reach. Visit ctd.ai to learn more.---Links:Connect with Jeff EpsteinConnect with Annie RileyLearn more about Connect The Dotswww.caspianstudios.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

Magdalena Yesil was the first investor and founding board member at Salesforce, a company that now has a $200 billion market cap. She is the Founder of Broadway Angles and serves on the SoFi, Smartsheet, and Zuora board. In a conversation with Annie, Magdalena shares her experience breaking into Silicon Valley, including stories about how Steve Jobs and Marc Benioff shaped her career. She describes how persistence and resilience let you take bold steps forward.---“The piece that a lot of people miss is that if you are going to go get advocates and you are asking them to basically be putting their own necks on the line for you, then you need to think, ‘what will I do for them?’ Life is always a two-way street. ‘If you are advocating for me, how do I return the favor?’” - Magdalena Yesil---Episode Timestamps:*(01:19) - Magdalena’s career success with networking*(13:58) - Attending Stanford and breaking into Silicon Valley*(20:46) - Experience working with Apple’s Steve Jobs*(26:57) - First investor and founding board member at Salesforce*(33:29) - Magdalena’s approach to advocates and networking*(37:48) - How to overcome obstacles and earn acceptance*(44:58) - Final thoughts---Sponsor:Who Got Me Here is brought to you by Connect The Dots, mapping professional relationships so you can find the strongest connections to the people and companies you want to reach. Visit ctd.ai to learn more.---Links:Connect with Magdalena YesilConnect with Annie RileyLearn more about Connect The Dotswww.caspianstudios.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

Nick Mehta is the CEO at Gainsight, a company with 1,200+ global employees and 20k growing customers. Their mission is to be living proof that you can win in business while being human first. 99% of the reviewers on Glassdoor approve of their CEO. So what’s Nick’s secret to success? In a conversation with Annie, Nick talks about breaking into the customer success industry, standing out through the details, utilizing LinkedIn as a career-building strategy, and his most important advice for what NOT to do when networking.---“Business is fundamentally about human beings first. It's about human beings in your company and human beings with your customer and not losing sight of the human side of it. And that's something we're really passionate about. Our purpose and our mission statement at Gainsight is to be living proof you can win in business while being human first. So that's actually more than just customer success; it's about this new way of thinking about business.” - Nick Mehta---Episode Timestamps:*(01:42) - How to use LinkedIn as part of a career-building strategy*(09:51) - Celebrating 10 years of Gainsight and reminiscing back to it’s beginnings*(13:50) - Why customer success ignites passion inside Nick*(15:51) - Taking a ‘human-first’ approach in networking and relationship building*(22:24) - Advice for networking calls. Don’t be transactional!*(26:11) - How Nick broke into the customer success industry*(30:15) - Anecdotes of pivotal relationships that lead to Nick’s success*(37:41) - Looking back on his career and learning from mistakes---Sponsor:Who Got Me Here is brought to you by Connect The Dots, mapping professional relationships so you can find the strongest connections to the people and companies you want to reach. Visit ctd.ai to learn more.---Links:Connect with Nick MehtaLearn more about GainsightConnect with Annie RileyLearn more about Connect The Dotswww.caspianstudios.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

Kicking off a job search can feel overwhelming. It takes motivation to put yourself out there, and it’s emotionally draining when you don’t know where to go next. The good news is there are simple techniques to surface new opportunities and set yourself apart from all the other applicants. Who Got Me Here is a podcast about connections, career building, and relationships. In this episode, Annie and Jamie will share advice on tapping your network, making great asks, and acing the interview. If you know someone who has been laid off or is coming to you for career advice, share this link. The recommendation might prove immensely helpful in thinking about their next career move. ---“Don't think about the job search as a one-time campaign. This is really about developing your career. So success in a job hunt and success in your career is about the number of good relationships that you can foster. These are the people that are going to be your advocates and sources of your next career opportunity. Reid Hoffman said this, “if you're looking for an opportunity, you're really looking for a person.” So you want to think about developing good relationships throughout your career and keeping track of those people. The second thing is really about the number of quality touches. It's about how many people you reach out to, how many conversations you're able to set up, and quality means that you're taking the time to craft good asks of different people. And then, finally, acing the interview. You want to make sure that, if it's a company that you love, you are the best candidate and you're going to land that job.” - Jamie Grenney---Episode Timestamps:*(02:11) - Introducing Jamie Grenney, CMO and Head of Product at Connect The Dots*(02:47) - A story about Annie Riley, Host of Who Got Me Here*(05:12) - Advice for first steps and getting tactical with job searching*(14:54) - Building relationships and making good asks *(19:02) - Relationship refreshes as a means of reconnecting the dots*(27:56) - Keeping conversations going by following up on initial connections*(31:02) - A multi-time CMO’s advice for acing the interview process*(37:48) - How to decide which company to accept an offer from*(40:14) - Final piece of advice - don’t think about the job hunt as a one-time campaign; think about relationship building as the key to career success---Sponsor:Who Got Me Here is brought to you by Connect The Dots, mapping professional relationships so you can find the strongest connections to the people and companies you want to reach. Visit ctd.ai to learn more.---Links:Connect with Jamie GrenneyConnect with Annie RileyLearn more about Connect The Dotswww.caspianstudios.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

April Underwood is the former Chief Product Officer at Slack. She was early at Twitter and made great friends at Google. As she describes in the podcast, the collection of people from companies A, B, and C is the foundation of one's network. April picked companies where she loved the product and knew these were people (Stewart Butterfield, Dick Costolo) she'd love building with. At this point in her career, April is an early-stage investor, co-founder of #ANGELS, and serves on the boards of Zillow and Eventbrite. In a fun conversation with Annie, hear April’s recommendations on building relationships, making good asks, and connecting friends. ---“Networking and mentorship oftentimes sounds like something that you can just go do. I think that you have to, in my experience, foster those relationships. You network and you cultivate mentors through both on the job experiences, but also like real personal connection. Those are where I think people can really show up for one another because they know, they know you and you know them.” - April Underwood---Episode Timestamps:*(03:50) - How April’s begnings as an intern at Deloitte Consulting as an intern lead to connections*(05:31) - Why it’s important to foster work relationships outside of the workplace*(07:52) - How April cultivated a relationship with Dick Costolo, former CEO of Twitter*(09:29) - How April made smart choices throughout her career by joining, Google, Twitter, Slack*(12:33) - Let your gut be your guide *(14:57) - Choose the path where you feel at ease and feel like your best self*(17:11) - How April created a relationship with Katie Jacobs Stanton*(23:39) - Why relationships don't get built in a single meeting, but in multiple interactions *(29:27) - The importance of #ANGELS---Sponsor:Who Got Me Here is brought to you by Connect The Dots, mapping professional relationships so you can find the strongest connections to the people and companies you want to reach. Visit ctd.ai to learn more.---Links:Connect with April UnderwoodLearn more about #ANGELSConnect with Annie RileyLearn more about Connect The Dotswww.caspianstudios.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

Pejman is the co-founder and managing director of Pear VC, one of the most successful investment firms in Silicon Valley. Over the past two decades, he has been a seed investor in some of the most iconic tech companies including Doordash, Dropbox, Applovin, Gusto, and many more. An Iranian immigrant, Pejman took an unconventional career path, building up his network while working as a rug salesman in Palo Alto. Hear him share incredible stories—like the time he brought the entire partnership of Sequoia Capital into his rug gallery—and timeless lessons about the value of carefully building a network over time and the power of leaning in to what makes you unique. ---“For me, I realized there is an opportunity. I think I was very lucky. I saw people around me and I wasn't really afraid. I wasn't afraid to jump into a community that I was not part of, ask a lot of questions, and I used my differences as my power.” - Pejman Nozad---Episode Timestamps: *(02:10) - Pejman's beginnings from Iran to Palo Alto*(04:32) - How working at a Rug Gallery gave Pejman access to tech and venture capita entrepreneurs *(06:22) - Have a genuine interest in getting to know people*(07:23) - Using you differences as a power*(10:21) - Cultivating a relationship Lou Montulli founding member of Netscape, from customer to friend*(12:30) - How a relationship with Doug Leone changed the trajectory of Pejman's career*(14:07) - Getting Sequoia Capital to invest in Dropbox early on, with a ROI around $2 billion *(17:38) - How Pear VC is partnering with founders to turn great ideas into category-defining companies.*(29:27) - Understanding the market and product when investing---Sponsor:Who Got Me Here is brought to you by Connect The Dots, mapping professional relationships so you can find the strongest connections to the people and companies you want to reach. Visit ctd.ai to learn more.---Links:Connect with Pejman NozadLearn more about Pear VCConnect with Annie RileyLearn more about Connect The Dotswww.caspianstudios.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

Bob Metcalfe, the godfather of ethernet and namesake of Metcalfe’s Law, knows a bit about networking. His perspective on how connected nodes come together to form a whole greater than the sum of its parts is well-earned after a 50+ year career stretching back to the salad days of Xerox PARC. Hear Bob offer timeless advice on building relationships, making connections, and the value of helping others succeed.---“I was late to this, but you got to learn how to sell. In the course of learning how to sell you have to learn how to communicate, and the way you communicate is to listen. Listening is the secret to communication, which is the secret to selling.”- Bob Metcalfe ---Episode Timestamps: *(02:13) - Bob’s accidental visit to David Rockefeller’s office, and discovering the Rolodex*(05:18) - Bob’s connection to his most famous mentor Steve Jobs *(06:49) - Turing a no in to a long term relationship with Steve Jobs*(08:34) - The importance of providing value to people *(09:20) - Listening is the secret to communication *(11:23) - The secret of happiness is enthusiasm*(13:02) - Bob’s time mentoring as a professor of innovation at the University of Texas*16:27) - How Bob’s conference Agenda helpled him secure relationships with Bill Gates and others in the personal computing industry*(20:53) - Sincerity is a key ingredient to success This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

As Global Head of Recruiting at Notion, Kate has an interesting vantage point on tech career journeys. But her own path is a powerful example of how growth is a jungle gym, not a ladder. Kate launched her career with a cold email to Marc Benioff (at a point when Salesforce had 4,000 employees!) and spent years in sales roles at Salesforce, Dropbox, and Notion, where she rose to become Head of SMB revenue before making a leap into people and recruiting. Kate’s story is full of simple but powerful points on the value of relationships across careers—and she offers priceless advice on how to ask strangers for help. ---I think people often are afraid to reach out to someone up, down, whichever direction they are near you. But at the core, most people I run into, want to help other people or they want to lend a helping hand. Anyone who’s asked me anything on LinkedIn, even if I don't even know them, I'm like sure, why not? Let me help you in some way. I find that's not unique to me asking a favor from someone or reaching out to someone, and not being afraid of what the answer is, and the response. Don't overthink it, just ask someone for help.” - Kate Taylor---Episode Timestamps: *(02:10) - How a cold email to Marc Benioff launched Kate’s carrer*(05:57) - How Kate moved from Salesforce to Dropbox*(07:42) - Why Kate gravitated towards Armando Mann’s leadership style at Dropbox*(11:16) - The importance of having a job that shares your core values*(15:08) - The benefits of building genuine connections and personal relationships*(16:35) - Why you shouldn’t be afraid to reach out to people or to ask for help*(19:55) - Being authentic with your ask*(22:08) - How a personal connection with Kate’s intern came full circle to a job at Notion*(29:15) - People love to be remembered ---Sponsor:Who Got Me Here is brought to you by Connect The Dots, mapping professional relationships so you can find the strongest connections to the people and companies you want to reach. Visit ctd.ai to learn more.---Links:Connect with Kate TaylorConnect with Annie RileyLearn more about Connect The Dotswww.caspianstudios.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

Veere has been recognized numerous times as one of the top interior designers in the world by leading magazines and tastemakers. At the helm of his eponymous firm, Veere has designed interiors across the globe and seen his own homes featured in World of Interiors and Architectural Digest and Vouge, among others. Veere built his career slowly but organically, combining a relentless drive to follow his passions with a strong work ethic and commitment to service. In our conversation, Veere offers timeless and universal insights into how apprenticeship, professionalism, and dedication to craft can weave into a powerful fabric of relationships capable of elevating anyone to the top of their profession.---“I think what lets you down is a preconceived idea of how you have to be, to be that very thing you would like to be, that's punishment. But being a free spirit but never losing sight of the essence of where you want to be or the world you inhabit, that is what you must never leave.” - Veere Grenney---Episode Timestamps: *(02:25) - Why your work should be about service*(06:51) - Being a free spirit and never losing sight of where you want to be *(10:02) - Why travel was important for Veere’s personal and professional career*(15:18) - Planting yourself in an environment that enriches you*(19:40) - Why the person itself is more important than the qualification*(21:10) - The importance of an apprenticeship, growing, developing and mastering*(28:48) - The benefits of having someone who's pragmatic around you*(31:02) - Being brave and taking the risk*(38:31) - There is no timeline for success---Sponsor:Who Got Me Here is brought to you by Connect The Dots, mapping professional relationships so you can find the strongest connections to the people and companies you want to reach. Visit ctd.ai to learn more.---LinksLearn more about Veere Grenney AssociatesConnect with Annie RileyLearn more about Connect The Dotswww.caspianstudios.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

Michael Jaconi is the CEO of Button, with a long career including executive roles at Rakuten and a stint as a presidential campaign aide to John McCain. Authentic, meaningful relationships have been a throughline across his expansive career—and he offers a load of helpful tips on how to build them. Check out this episode for nuggets including the best jobs to get out of college, the three strongest paths to connecting with a VC, and how to avoid a major networking mistake the first time you meet someone.---"I think that a lot of times people just let life go by with their usage of time, and the most finite thing we've got is time. So how you can spend it and who you value is really important." -Michael Jaconi---Episode Timestamps:*(01:37) - Sharing your passions and vulnerability*(04:11) - How Micheal’s fishing passion lead Don Garber to join the board of the Billion Oyster Project*(06:16) - Securing a connection with Mickey (Hiroshi Mikitani), Founder & CEO of Rakuten*(11:03) - Why grit is paramount, and the best transferable skill*(16:20) - How Mark Lore provided a valuable introduction for Michael*(18:18) - Why working for presidential campaign or startup gives you opportunity to ascend ranks *(26:25) - Finding a more intimate way of staying connected *(35:41) - Why its important to listen, be curious, and understand the passions of people---Sponsor:Who Got Me Here is brought to you by Connect The Dots, mapping professional relationships so you can find the strongest connections to the people and companies you want to reach. Visit ctd.ai to learn more.---LinksConnect with Michael on LinkedInConnect with Annie RileyLearn more about ButtonLearn more about Connect The Dotswww.caspianstudios.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

Molly Graham is a technology executive, advisor, and board member whose resume includes helping both Google and Facebook navigate periods of intense scaling, serving as COO of Lambda School, leading operations at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and more. Molly credits relationships for opening doors and catapulting her career forward. Her story is packed with lessons on the outsized power of being a friend, how curiosity can forge meaningful relationships quickly, and how to build and make use of a personal council of advisors.---“You just never know who someone is, who they're gonna become, how they can be useful to your life and how you can be useful to theirs. My version of networking is figure out who someone is, whether you connect with them and then figure out ways to help them. And there will be a moment when they can help you.” - Molly Graham---Episode Timestamps:*(02:30) - Molly’s early experiences of building relationships at Facebook*(04:55) - How Steven Sinofsky set up a meaningful relationship for Molly*(06:36) - Reasons why life is a barter economy *(08:20) - Good networking is about good listening*(11:46) - The importance of being useful: Molly’s time with Quip & the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative*(15:58) - The opportunity of taking risks*(21:37) - Having a council to help with significant decisions---Sponsor:Who Got Me Here is brought to you by Connect The Dots, mapping professional relationships so you can find the strongest connections to the people and companies you want to reach. Visit ctd.ai to learn more.---LinksConnect with Molly on LinkedInConnect with Annie Rileyhttps://mollyg.substack.com/.Learn more about Connect The Dotswww.caspianstudios.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

As a 2x CEO with a $640 million exit and early investments in unicorns AppLovin and Chime on his resume, relationships have been essential to Tod’s success. But for him, “networking” isn’t the right word to describe his strategy. It’s all about genuine, meaningful connections, built by bringing people together around shared interests and passions. Our conversation with Tod was packed with insights about the value of being a host, why curation is a relationship-building superpower, and the importance of reminding people you’re still alive.---"I think the single most important thing is authenticity. Relationship building is the absolute core of human nature, and the absolute worst thing I think you can do to bring to that experience is something that is incongruent with who you are." - Tod Sacerdoti---Episode Timestamps:*(01:20) - Why networking is super- important kryptonite*(02:30) - How Steve Abbot change the trajectory of Tod’s career*(06:21) - The power of ambition, persistence, and tenacity*(10:37) - The role of relationships in Tod’s investing career*(17:18) - Finding the superpower in organizing events*(26:31) - The fundamental mistake of being too transactional *(37:52) - Why authenticity and relationship building are most important---Sponsor:Who Got Me Here is brought to you by Connect The Dots, mapping professional relationships so you can find the strongest connections to the people and companies you want to reach. Visit ctd.ai to learn more.---LinksConnect with Tod on LinkedInConnect with Annie RileyLearn more about PipedreamLearn more about Connect The Dotswww.caspianstudios.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

This is Who Got Me Here: Reverse-engineering the most powerful professional networks in Silicon valley and beyond. Hosted by Annie Riley. Learn how to build your network with Connect The Dots at ctd.ai This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com