Business Leaders at The Long Play: Strategies for an Unpredictable Era

While the day-to-day operations of figures like Gotham FC’s Carolyn Tisch Blodgett and WeWork’s John Santora differ, they share a common focus on long-term stability amidst broader market volatility. Whether pivoting toward AI integration, as Allbirds-turned-Smartbird CEO Nadia Carlsten is doing, or managing political uncertainty like Nubank cofounder Cristina Junqueira, the underlying pressures remain consistent across sectors.

Barry Diller used the forum to explain why his company, People Inc., pursued MGM in June, citing real-world experiences as a vital hedge against artificial intelligence. Despite the deal collapsing, the 84-year-old remains active, signaling no immediate plans for retirement. Meanwhile, Ashley Graham provided a candid look at the difficulties of securing capital for her alcohol brand, noting that the rejection she faced proved essential to her professional development.

Strauss Zelnick, the Take-Two Interactive CEO behind the Grand Theft Auto franchise, offered a glimpse into the discipline required to maintain his position. He advocates for a management style that emphasizes direct access and rejects toxic discretionary pay structures, pairing these professional views with a strict personal health regimen. Other sessions explored Nubank’s ambitious U.S. expansion plans and the cultural turnaround at WeWork, where a revised dress code and return-to-office flexibility have become central to the company's stabilization efforts.