175: Ever wondered what it’s like to support a global icon like Serena Williams while managing billion-dollar operations behind the scenes? Grant Firestone reveals how he navigated the high-stakes world of elite sports, entertainment, and major infrastructure — without a traditional roadmap.

In this inspiring episode, we explore his path from Chief of Staff to Serena to leading innovation at LAX and Schneider Electric. Packed with honest stories, leadership insights, and career-changing advice, this is a must-watch for aspiring executives, aviation enthusiasts, and curious minds alike.

🎙️ What You’ll learn:
- The real challenges of working with a world-class athlete
- How aviation became an unexpected career passion
- The power of relationships in career building
- Lessons from managing high-pressure environments
- Why unplanned paths often lead to the best destinations

Grant Firestone is a dynamic leader in aviation management and transportation strategy, with a career that bridges the entertainment industry, government, and global aviation. He specializes in stakeholder engagement, partnership development, advising senior leadership, and cross-functional program execution. Prior to joining Schneider Electric, Grant held leadership roles at Los Angeles International Airport, served as Chief of Staff to Serena Williams, and worked at a Beverly Hills talent agency.

Originally from Wilmington, Delaware, Grant studied French and pre-med at Haverford College, where he played men’s lacrosse and earned NCAA All-American honors. He continues to compete with the Beverly Hills Lacrosse Club.

A Los Angeles resident for 13 years, Grant lives with his wife, Olivia, and they are expecting their first child in July. He is fluent in French and is a frequent collaborator in global aviation innovation forums.

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🔴 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3ifST-Mjxc0
Diana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-brandl/
Executive Office Insights Newsletter: https://the-socialista-projects.com/#newsletter
Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3qBSDjTfYOG2x6qos7dKkS
Podcast on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-future-assistant/id1493106661

174: Es geht um Mut, Fokus, Disziplin und Unternehmertum auf höchstem Level. Erfahre, wie eine deutsche Unternehmerin ihre nachhaltige Taschenmarke aus Berlin in die USA bringt, sich ein komplett neues Netzwerk aufbaut und dabei ihre Rolle als Mutter genauso lebt wie das tägliche Business.

Lili Radu ist Gründerin und Geschäftsführerin von VEE COLLECTIVE, der am
schnellsten wachsenden Taschenmarke Deutschlands. Gemeinsam mit
ihrem Mann Patrick Löwe definiert sie das Konzept der modischen
Handtasche völlig neu. Ihre Produkte vereinen Fashion, Funktionalität und
Nachhaltigkeit und sprechen damit moderne, unabhängige Frauen an, die
eine vielseitige Tasche für ihren Multi-Tasking-Alltag suchen. Mit Erfolg.
VEE ist weltweit in den besten Kaufhäusern gelistet, darunter Neiman
Marcus, Saks, Bloomingdale‘s, KaDeWe, Selfridges und Lane Crawford. Vor
kurzem ist Lili mit ihrer Familie nach New York gezogen, um den
amerikanischen Markt zu erobern. Dort haben die ultraleichten Taschen aus
100% recycelten und veganen Materialien bereits eine große Fangemeinde.
Seit 2024 ist VEE COLLECTIVE eine zertifizierte B Corp und damit Teil einer
globalen Bewegung, die für eine integrative, gerechte und regenerative
Wirtschaft steht. Lili setzt nicht nur Trends, sondern will beweisen, dass
Mode „made in Germany“ wieder weltweit erfolgreich sein kann.

Mehr zu VEE COLLECTIVE gibt es hier: https://www.vee-collective.com/

🔴 Folge auf YouTube anschauen: https://youtu.be/4sFjVdeH4g4

Diana auf LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-brandl/

Executive Office Insights Newsletter: https://the-socialista-projects.com/#newsletter

Podcast auf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3qBSDjTfYOG2x6qos7dKkS

Podcast auf Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-future-assistant/id1493106661

173: Discover what it's really like to operate at the top. In this eye-opening conversation with Mackenzie Lee, we explore the evolving role of the Chief of Staff, the transformation of the CEO office, and how AI is reshaping leadership.

Whether you're an Executive Assistant, rising leader, or startup founder, this episode delivers actionable insights on succession planning, strategic decision-making, and the future of executive operations.

Learn how to build a world-class office, improve performance through health checks, and download the top-rated Office of the CEO playbook.

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Mackenzie is the CEO & Founder of Cedar. He helps CEOs and their C-suite teams to let go and do more. He gives leaders the freedom to do things that matter.

Mackenzie fights C-suite distractions, busywork and blockers. He helps his clients to hire a Chief of Staff, build the Office of the CEO, and implement operating systems that turn executives into fast and fearless leaders.

As a former management consultant, startup founder and Chief of Staff, Mackenzie has almost two decades of experience partnering with C-suite to scale new heights, no matter what challenges they face.

Mackenzie has worked with leaders from Fortune 1000 companies, top scaleups, private equity-backed companies, and government organizations, with a particular focus on financial services, technology and healthcare industries. He’s advised executives at Google, Palantir, Citi, Optum and the Department of Energy among other top organizations.

Mackenzie is a sought-after speaker, researcher, and thought leader on all things related to leadership, Chief of Staff and the Office of the CEO. He is a graduate of the Stanford StartX accelerator, proud Stanford management science & engineering alum and Stanford public policy alum. Mackenzie now lives in New York City.

Links

Office of the CEO Playbook:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/636a8c999b042104adda3b25/t/67af97f07853b3570690d08e/1739560946882/Cedar+-+The+Office+of+the+CEO+Playbook%2C+1st+Edition.pdf

Chief of Staff Playbook

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/636a8c999b042104adda3b25/t/67af97e0e4fc9777da84391e/1741362537688/Cedar+-+The+Chief+of+Staff+Playbook%2C+2nd+Edition.pdf

Haufe Chief of Staff Zertifizierung
https://www.haufe-akademie.de/41675

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🔴 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iC_ibB-_wSw

Diana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-brandl/

Executive Office Insights Newsletter: https://the-socialista-projects.com/#newsletter

Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3qBSDjTfYOG2x6qos7dKkS

Podcast on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-future-assistant/id1493106661