https://simplecast.com In this weekly series, podcast host Michael Spath will interview CEOs, CFOS, etc. on their career journeys to become the leader they are today. en Tue, 29 Jul 2025 16:25:44 +0000 Tue, 29 Jul 2025 16:25:55 +0000 https://journey-to-the-top-a-c-suite-conversation.simplecast.com https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/06cd1b5b-03f5-4a6a-973e-d475c9da3640/f94557f3-b98d-4e2c-bf02-df732b62b6e8/3000x3000/podcast-20imagine-20called-20journey-20to-20the-20top.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://journey-to-the-top-a-c-suite-conversation.simplecast.com episodic In this weekly series, podcast host Michael Spath will interview CEOs, CFOS, etc. on their career journeys to become the leader they are today. Michael Spath false https://feeds.simplecast.com/UrP7nZqY business leader, career arc, ceo, cfo, cio, commercial business, commercial insurance, coo, cro, hr, insurance, michael spath, personal story, president Michael Spath michael.spath@marshmma.com c7cc0c7c-7f9a-4118-be97-b91c2894ff3e Tue, 29 Jul 2025 16:25:44 +0000 michael.spath@marshmma.com (Michael Spath) https://journey-to-the-top-a-c-suite-conversation.simplecast.com/episodes/ep-8-whisked-to-the-top-DUn_hWqG Ep. 8: Whisked To The Top Michael Spath 00:29:49 Whisker CEO Jacob Zuppke has always loved thinking outside the box, crafting marketing plans that are new and creative. His ability to see opportunity in an uncommon space led to the creation of Whisker, a hugely successful cat litter new technology company. Whisker CEO Jacob Zuppke has always loved thinking outside the box, crafting marketing plans that are new and creative. His ability to see opportunity in an uncommon space led to the creation of Whisker, a hugely successful cat litter new technology company. false full 8 74ba9576-2931-4d01-b522-8d7747b9370a Tue, 29 Jul 2025 16:23:14 +0000 michael.spath@marshmma.com (Michael Spath) https://journey-to-the-top-a-c-suite-conversation.simplecast.com/episodes/ep-7-a-pros-pro-w7Hu7_n3 Ep. 7: A Pro's Pro Michael Spath 00:20:38 Some CFOs end up in their job over a long winding journey, unexpectedly landing in the C-suite role. Greg DeMars, the CFO of CyberMaxx, took a bit more of a direct route and he has plenty of wisdom to share. Some CFOs end up in their job over a long winding journey, unexpectedly landing in the C-suite role. Greg DeMars, the CFO of CyberMaxx, took a bit more of a direct route and he has plenty of wisdom to share. false full 7 0688ca57-5c97-4c0b-a2cd-dc4d57199b32 Wed, 11 Jun 2025 17:08:49 +0000 michael.spath@marshmma.com (Michael Spath) https://journey-to-the-top-a-c-suite-conversation.simplecast.com/episodes/ep-6-an-acquisition-champion-ePV7oAUo Ep. 6: An Acquisition Champion Michael Spath 00:27:47 Ben Travis wanted to be a scientist but as his career unfolded he found himself in a leadership role, one he quickly embraced. Then a new challenge emerged: a merger, followed by acquisitions, and suddenly Ben was very much in charge of making many entities one company. Ben Travis wanted to be a scientist but as his career unfolded he found himself in a leadership role, one he quickly embraced. Then a new challenge emerged: a merger, followed by acquisitions, and suddenly Ben was very much in charge of making many entities one company. cfo, business leaders, business insurance, c-suite, ceo, commercial insurance, coo, leadership false full 6 23574a77-8d95-4459-9ff5-06dc74b4c479 Tue, 27 May 2025 14:41:54 +0000 michael.spath@marshmma.com (Michael Spath) https://journey-to-the-top-a-c-suite-conversation.simplecast.com/episodes/ep-5-from-bollywood-to-ceo-f2mql1_n Ep. 5: From Bollywood To CEO Michael Spath 00:28:18 Jasmit Kaur dreamed of being a Bollywood actor growing up and would practice intensely during her childhood. The celebrity life didn't materialize, but after pivoting, Jasmit has built a successful career in business and academia, and is presently serving as the CEO of Culturebie, a company she founded in 2020. Jasmit Kaur dreamed of being a Bollywood actor growing up and would practice intensely during her childhood. The celebrity life didn't materialize, but after pivoting, Jasmit has built a successful career in business and academia, and is presently serving as the CEO of Culturebie, a company she founded in 2020. data lake, cfo, business leaders, career arcs, ceo, commercial insurance, csuite, coo, business culture, data analysis, career journey, team building, saas false full 5 894bc281-7a41-458a-a348-2d456a16bfe2 Mon, 12 May 2025 20:03:59 +0000 michael.spath@marshmma.com (Michael Spath) https://journey-to-the-top-a-c-suite-conversation.simplecast.com/episodes/ep-4-building-a-franchise-empire-NSZT_san Ep. 4: Building A Franchise Empire Michael Spath 00:27:13 Mohan Kumar had a simple goal - open a neighborhood ice cream shop. What's transpired is a burgeoning empire across multiple states and multiple countries as he has moved from business owner to full-fledged CEO. Mohan Kumar had a simple goal - open a neighborhood ice cream shop. What's transpired is a burgeoning empire across multiple states and multiple countries as he has moved from business owner to full-fledged CEO. cfo, brooklyn, business insurance, ceo, commercial insurance, csuite, ice cream shops, coo, franchise, franchising, small business, new york city false full 4 421d8eb3-17e1-4ac2-8f14-08cbe326e457 Mon, 5 May 2025 16:23:55 +0000 michael.spath@marshmma.com (Michael Spath) https://journey-to-the-top-a-c-suite-conversation.simplecast.com/episodes/ep-3-a-call-to-honor-a-detroit-institution-fwJ0HAy9 Ep. 3: A Call To Honor A Detroit Institution Michael Spath 00:22:56 Desiree Jennings has spent most of her career in the non-profit space, currently serving as the CEO for The Children's Center, a program that overwhelmingly supports the Detroit community and has been since 1929. Desiree Jennings has spent most of her career in the non-profit space, currently serving as the CEO for The Children's Center, a program that overwhelmingly supports the Detroit community and has been since 1929. cfo, non-profit, charity, c-suite, ceo, detroit community, commercial insurance, insurance, helping others, detroit economic development false full 3 6ec82a47-5ddc-41b0-96ed-58cd53631648 Mon, 28 Apr 2025 16:18:01 +0000 michael.spath@marshmma.com (Michael Spath) https://journey-to-the-top-a-c-suite-conversation.simplecast.com/episodes/ep-2-a-ceo-through-through-dITOGtwU EP 2: A CEO Through & Through Michael Spath 00:32:25 TechTown Detroit CEO Ned Staebler joins the program this week to discuss how he has consistently and intentionally added knowledge and experience to be the best Chief Executive Officer he can be for his current roles and for the future. TechTown Detroit CEO Ned Staebler joins the program this week to discuss how he has consistently and intentionally added knowledge and experience to be the best Chief Executive Officer he can be for his current roles and for the future. cfo, technology, economic development, techtown, business leader, ceo, csuite, startup, coo, wayne state, detroit economic development false full 2 ff912a15-a21c-43b4-a08c-3d84253fe44f Wed, 2 Apr 2025 19:48:27 +0000 michael.spath@marshmma.com (Michael Spath) https://journey-to-the-top-a-c-suite-conversation.simplecast.com/episodes/ep-1-a-dramatic-career-change-ldZ4goxN Ep. 1: A Dramatic Career Change Michael Spath 00:30:32 Christine Sermak fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a teacher, eventually rising up to become an athletics director, and then a principal at a high school outside of Lansing, Mich. In this first episode of Journey To The Top, she explains a dramatic career pivot to become the Chief People Officer at Total Security Solutions, and how her role as a teacher, AD and principal has guided her in managing employees and interacting with fellow business leaders. Christine Sermak fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a teacher, eventually rising up to become an athletics director, and then a principal at a high school outside of Lansing, Mich. In this first episode of Journey To The Top, she explains a dramatic career pivot to become the Chief People Officer at Total Security Solutions, and how her role as a teacher, AD and principal has guided her in managing employees and interacting with fellow business leaders. cfo, business leaders, human resources, c-suite, chief of staff, ceo, coo, career change, leadership, commercial business false full 1