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

Sarah Franklin, CEO of Lattice and former Salesforce leader, shares a career shaped by relationships and relentless curiosity. She recounts bold pivots from engineering to tech, 14 rejections that led to creative breakthroughs, and rising from individual contributor to CEO. Short, practical takes on serving others, intentional networking, and goal-setting frame the conversation.

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