May Habib
CEO & Co-founder, Writer
Building a legacy through innovation
What’s one recent advancement in the generative AI space that you’re excited about?
On the tech innovation front, I’m excited about something we’re actually developing at Writer — self-evolving models. We shared a first look at this new transformer architecture last year, and it’s going to fundamentally change the game. Unlike traditional models that need constant retraining, these models learn, adapt, and evolve in real time, eliminating the lag, unreliability, and heavy resource use that typically come with updates. This will be the foundation for the next era of agentic AI and completely reshape what scalable AI looks like. With self-evolving models, the agents our customers create will become even more powerful, learning and adapting in real time as workflows evolve. In healthcare, doctors can create agents that remember critical medical knowledge, surface relevant medical insights, and help make care more personalized. In finance, wealth and asset managers will be able to build agents that continuously learn from new data, refine insights in real time, and adapt to shifting market conditions. We’re going to see a fundamental rewiring of how we work, one that’s more inspired and creative. That’s what I’m most excited about.
What led you to co-found Qordoba and subsequently launch Writer?
My co-founder, Waseem AlShikh, and I started Qordoba to automate language localization for companies. We both came from families where English was a second language — mine immigrating from Lebanon to Canada — so we understood firsthand how language can limit opportunity and we wanted to break down that barrier. In 2020, well before generative AI made headlines, we made the decision to pivot and launch Writer. Back then, we could never have predicted that less than five years later, our platform would be trusted by the biggest names in enterprise to transform entire workflows to be AI-first. Over the last four years, we’ve pioneered the enterprise generative AI category, building the industry’s only full-stack platform to build, deploy, and scale powerful and reliable AI agents that transform work. Unlike other AI solutions that leave enterprises stitching together generic third-party LLMs and fragmented RAG stacks just to make AI usable, we built Writer from the ground up to be truly enterprise-ready. Our full-stack platform combines our proprietary state-of-the-art LLMs with our Knowledge Graph, AI guardrails, and the tools that allow anyone to build and use agents. Today, we’re powering mission-critical workflows for hundreds of the world’s most respected companies. We’re helping teams across organizations drive substantial revenue growth, speed up time to market, and dramatically improve productivity. We’re opening up opportunities people didn’t think possible.
What is something new entrepreneurs can do early to set themselves up for success?
As an entrepreneur, how you lead defines everything — your culture, your team, your ability to grow and innovate. In the early days, we’re so often told that speed and competition matter most. But empathy, collaboration, and bridge-building are just as critical. These are qualities that build great companies, laying the foundation for strong teams, a shared purpose, and lasting impact. Leaning into these traits will become your competitive advantage.
How do you define success when it comes to your legacy?
If you ask anyone at Writer, they’ll give you one answer: Our legacy will be defined by the game-changing disruptions we helped our customers create. We have a motto here, “Make our customers famous,” and our commitment to this borders on obsession. We want to help a leading healthcare company bring a lifesaving medical breakthrough to market. We want to help the world’s largest insurance firms set new standards for transparency and fairness in claims. If, 10 or 20 years from now, there’s an entirely new way businesses communicate or operate, we want Writer to have played a part in making it happen. The idea that one day millions of people will use Writer to completely transform work. That’s a real legacy.
Kate Ryder
Founder & CEO, Maven
Driving change in healthcare
What inspired you to found Maven Clinic?
When I turned 30 and I watched my friends start having kids, I knew something had to change. Trying to conceive and then having a child is this monumental event that permanently alters a mother’s body, personal life, and professional life — and yet outside of parental leave, wraparound support is nonexistent and gaps in care are gaping. Technology had reimagined so much in our world, I couldn’t understand why nobody had used it to reimagine a system of care that puts women and families at the center. I now have three kids of my own and was so happy to have used my own product throughout each family-building journey.
What’s one development in the healthcare space that you’re excited about?
Right now we take personalization for granted in consumer technology — whole generations of people have quite literally grown up on technology platforms that anticipate their every need. We consider that level of personalization unthinkable in healthcare, but with the best of AI and automation, that’s exactly what we’re building at Maven. Personalization drives engagement, engagement drives behavior change, and behavior change drives health. I’m excited to deliver that future to women and families.
How do you define legacy and what do you want to pass on to future generations?
I’ve always been attracted to solving problems that leave the world in a better place, and those are the same kinds of problems that people tend to think are unsolvable. You hear a lot of “No,” in this line of work. As someone with three kids, I want them to be proud of the ways I didn’t take no for an answer — both on their behalf, and on everyone else’s behalf too.
What advice would you give someone looking to make a pivot in their career?
Talk to absolutely anybody and everybody you can. I started my career as a journalist, and when I transitioned to becoming an entrepreneur, I didn’t have many connections but what I did have was a knack for talking to people. Research will get you far but the very best way to separate the signal from the noise is to get out there and ask people questions.
Emmanuelle Charpentier
Co-founder, CRISPR Therapeutics & ERS Genomics
Challenging the status quo to move the scientific community forward
How can genome-editing technologies help preserve and protect natural resources?
Genome-editing technologies, such as CRISPR-Cas9, have the potential to significantly improve our ability to conserve and protect natural resources by addressing environmental challenges, on the understanding that they cannot substitute for the measures needed to develop climate change mitigation on a global scale. For example, these technologies can be used to create plants that are more resistant to climate change, pesticides, and diseases. It is also possible to design microbes capable of degrading pollutants or helping to restore ecosystems. By directly modifying the genetic make-up of organisms, but with great care and monitoring, we could create more sustainable agricultural practices, increase biodiversity, and protect endangered species. The promise of precision genome editing offers us a remarkable tool for environmental management.
How is genome editing stimulating and shaping modern medicine?
Genome editing is revolutionizing modern medicine by enabling scientists to target genetic diseases at their root (with the recent example of using Casgevy to treat genetic blood diseases such as sickle cell anemia or beta-thalassemia). Thanks to technologies like CRISPR-Cas9, we now have the ability to modify genes with unprecedented precision, making it possible to treat previously incurable conditions, including certain genetic diseases and cancers. These innovations not only open up new therapeutic possibilities, but also advance our understanding of complex diseases and the search for new molecular targets for the treatment of diseases. In the future, we hope that genome editing will contribute directly or indirectly to curing more genetic diseases and metabolic disorders, providing personalized medicine for certain diseases, and also improving regenerative therapies. This field is still in its infancy, but the potential for improving human health through genome editing, even if only primarily at the research and development level, is considerable.
How do you think about your legacy? What do you want to pass on to future generations?
I hope to pass on to future generations the conviction that scientific curiosity, determination, and focused and solitary work, combined with teamwork, and the willingness to undertake ambitious projects — even if they are a few drops in the ocean of scientific discoveries past and present — contribute to the progress of our humanity and can potentially lead to remarkable breakthroughs. Young scientists must ensure that their ideas and contributions are part of a global effort to acquire more knowledge and find new strategies to meet the challenges of the future. It is essential that we continue to nurture an environment that values creativity and daring in science, while ensuring that science benefits society as a whole. I hope that future generations will build on what we and others have started, and use science responsibly to meet the challenges ahead.
As one of eight women to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, what advice do you have for others looking to break into scientific fields such as biology?
My advice to those seeking a career in science, especially women, is to listen to your intuition and stay true to your curiosity, and passion. Don't let obstacles discourage you, and recognize that setbacks are a natural part of the process. Science isn't always easy, but it's deeply rewarding. Seek out mentors who encourage you, and collaborate with others in a variety of fields, because science thrives in diverse, interdisciplinary environments. You need to be both patient and impatient, persevering, methodological, curious, and dedicated. You need to be able to handle frustration and criticism, and be willing to work hard. Above all, you must not be afraid to challenge the status quo and think outside the box, because the greatest discoveries are often made by people willing to take risks and ask bold questions. Constantly push the boundaries of what is known and simply accepted, and always seek to understand the world in a clear way, so that you can improve it.
Sonia Cheng
CEO, Rosewood Hotel Group; Vice Chairman, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group
The transformative power of luxury brands
What do you look for when choosing a location for a new hotel property?
When seeking new hotel locations for Rosewood Hotel Group, our expansion strategy is deliberately curated, focusing not merely on quantity but on selecting both established and emerging destinations that truly embody our brand philosophy. We carefully evaluate each location through the lens of our core principles: identifying unique market opportunities, building purposeful properties that positively impact communities, and creating distinctive experiences that deepen connections with local culture and heritage. Our purpose-led approach guides us to extraordinary places where we can craft landmark properties through authentic community partnerships, nurturing local talent, preserving cultural traditions, and creating transformative experiences that inspire both our guests and the communities we are in.
How has the luxury market evolved, and how have your business practices adapted to meet these changes?
The overall luxury market has evolved significantly, driven by a fundamental shift in how people perceive and experience luxury today. When I look across industries — from retail to hospitality to lifestyle and beyond — I see a clear transformation where consumers seek authentic connections and transformative experiences rather than simply premium products or services. The modern luxury consumer is drawn to brands that promise discovery and genuine engagement, whether through personalized services that anticipate needs, immersive environments, cultural programs, community-building initiatives, or unique collaborations that evoke emotion and inspire. Our approach has naturally evolved alongside these changes, focusing on creating thoughtful experiences that inspire and connect people, while remaining grounded in authenticity and meaningful interactions.
If you could share some advice with a rising executive, what would it be?
Having faith in yourself while maintaining the humility to continuously learn and grow has been essential to my leadership journey. Going into the Chow Tai Fook Jewellery business was a completely new sector for me after 13 years in hospitality, requiring me to learn very quickly. That pivot taught me that having the humility to learn from others and not being afraid to advance yourself is essential — never stop growing and reinventing yourself! I've found that surrounding yourself with diverse perspectives and experiences enriches both your professional and personal growth — seek out mentors and allies who can guide you, challenge you, and complement your skills, just as I did when I had first taken on leadership responsibilities. I strongly believe that nurturing precious relationships both inside and outside of work provides the perspective, encouragement, and balance needed during both the challenging and triumphant moments of your journey. As both a mother and business leader, these experiences drive my commitment to creating environments where everyone, especially those who might not have traditional support systems, can succeed on their own terms and flourish not just as brilliant professionals but also as parents, partners, and friends — making our organizations and communities stronger for everyone.
Jennifer Morris
CEO, The Nature Conservancy
Collaborating to deliver impact
What about The Nature Conservancy's (TNC) mission has led to it becoming one of the largest environmental nonprofit organizations?
For more than 70 years, TNC has been very fortunate to grow, quite literally, from the ground up. We collaborate with leaders, policymakers, landowners, guardians, stewards, farmers, fishers, and families to create an organization that reflects the communities that we work in. Coming into TNC in 2020, I made it a priority to grow our global presence as well as the diversity on our board. While we may be one of the larger environmental nonprofits, our breadth of leadership experience is much more important to me than a simple measure of size.
Your organization has over 6,000 staff members. Can you talk about your leadership style? What advice do you have for rising leaders?
I place immeasurable value on continuous learning. I believe that witnessing and participating in fieldwork and meeting local staff, partners, and communities that protect nature is fundamental to my success. I also set ambitious unified goals for all staff and invest in robust measurement. My recommendation to rising leaders is to find a way to stay inspired and curious. By investing in learning, you remain equipped to recruit, hire, and empower your team — and then get out of their way.
What’s one accomplishment you’re really proud of?
There are three things that are really hard to do when it comes to meaningful conservation: 1) fund the right work, 2) scale the outcomes, and 3) ensure that the resources needed get to the people who need them the most. When I arrived at TNC, an innovative proof of concept had been initiated in the Seychelles that demonstrated it was possible to help countries restructure sovereign debt and redirect savings to conservation outcomes. We now have six Nature Bonds projects in implementation that are expected to unlock approximately $1 billion for conservation. These projects will leverage private financing to protect or improve the management of over 242 million hectares of ocean, land, and fresh water, and 18,000 km of rivers.
What is unique about TNC's approach to conservation?
With more than 1,000 scientists on staff, we bring a rigor to our work and an ethos of radical collaboration with government, civil society, and private sector partners to address the dual crises of the climate emergency and biodiversity loss. Half of the world’s GDP is dependent on nature thriving. We must bring every financial solution to the table to address a $700 billion funding gap between what we currently invest in nature each year and what we need to be spending. Our scope, scale, and technical expertise enable us to bring every option into the decision-making process.
Amanda Harlan-Maltas
Family Director, Domain HWH
Keeping an eye on the future for your business and community
What advice do you have for someone who is part of a family business?
Communication is everything. If something feels off, address it directly and promptly. Transparency and tackling challenges together are essential for building and maintaining trust. Be open, ask questions, and embrace vulnerability — no one starts as an expert. Family businesses often evolve, and new challenges will always arise, so staying adaptable and fostering continuous learning is key.
What advice would you give to someone looking to make an impact in their local community?
Focus on an issue or cause you’re genuinely passionate about, then leverage every resource available to drive meaningful change. Be proactive in problem-solving, generating ideas, and challenging the status quo. Stay curious, speak up, and embrace opportunities to contribute — your voice and efforts can help shape the evolution of your community.
What’s one trend in the wine industry that you’re watching?
From an early age, we have been encouraged in our family to think in terms of the very long term. I don’t focus much on trends, which tend to come and go and then come back again. While we are very much aware of what is going on in the world of fine wine, and we are always curious and interested to hear different perspectives, we concentrate our energy on our vision and our purpose. We truly strive to remain agile and open. For example, we farm biodynamically because this approach brings us closer to our intention. Our decision not to seek formal certification has less to do with compromise than with the desire to retain the ability to adjust as we learn and grow. We continually strive to achieve a deeper understanding of our land, and although biodynamic principles guide much of what we do, we still leave the door open to other emergent ideas.
What advice do you have for someone interested in starting a wine collection?
If you’re starting a wine collection, focus on what you love. Explore different regions and styles, invest in proper storage, and consider buying in multiples to enjoy bottles at various stages of aging. Keep track of your collection and take notes to refine your palate over time. Most importantly, have fun with it — wine is meant to be shared and enjoyed.
Mary D'Alton
MD, Obstetrician & Gynecologist-in-Chief, NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Collaboration can transform women's health
What’s one recent advancement in maternal-fetal medicine you’re excited about?
I am most excited about the advancement of precision medicine in pregnancy. Currently, there are a number of tests that can screen for a variety of conditions affecting a fetus, and they sort of work like patchwork, each one giving results for a different type of condition. We believe all of them can be replaced with a new technology called whole genome sequencing. Unlike other tests, whole genome sequencing analyzes the fetus’ entire genome, providing the most accurate and specific information possible. Columbia University has been at the forefront of prenatal diagnosis for decades, and I believe whole genome sequencing will change the standard of care for every pregnancy in the near future.
What’s your favorite thing about working with hopeful and expecting mothers?
My favorite thing is identifying risk and minimizing its impact — that’s what I do all day, every day, when I’m seeing patients. Even with significant medical or surgical conditions or complications, a woman can have a healthy pregnancy and baby with the right multidisciplinary care. I often say, “the drive to motherhood is strong,” and to give hope and reassurance to someone who has been told she can’t or shouldn’t become pregnant is enormously rewarding. Professionally, I learn so much from the other subspecialists I collaborate with to care for moms with complex maternal or fetal conditions. I feel enormous pride in seeing our experts come together to deliver an exceptional outcome that changes a family’s life.
How do you define legacy and what do you want to pass on to future generations?
As an academic physician and leader, legacy is the people I have mentored, trained, and supported in their careers. My goal as a leader at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia has been to create models and structures that will meaningfully sustain our missions across women’s health — in education, research, clinical care, and community. A lot of my own work has focused on multidisciplinary care during pregnancy. For example, collaborating with cardiology colleagues to care for a pregnant woman with heart disease or with pediatric surgery colleagues to operate on a fetus diagnosed with spina bifida while still in utero. I hope I have embodied the idea that no one doctor can care for a complex patient — there is enormous strength in collaboration in medicine.
Nancy Twine
Founder, Briogeo
A legacy of opening doors for others
How do you stay up-to-date on ever-changing consumer demands and preferences?
Consumer preferences are always evolving, and I’ve found that staying ahead requires a mix of deep listening and forward thinking. I prioritize direct engagement — whether that’s through social media, customer insights, or conversations with my community. I also keep a pulse on emerging trends by paying close attention to cultural shifts, sustainability advancements, and innovations happening across adjacent industries like beauty, wellness, and even fashion. Additionally, I believe in intuition backed by data — while analytics and consumer research are crucial, I always trust my instinct as a brand builder to see where things are headed before they fully take shape.
With Makers Mindset, my platform for entrepreneurs, I’ve created a space to have these conversations in real time. Through the Makers Mindset Podcast, I speak with successful founders and industry leaders about navigating the ever-changing business landscape, and on March 8 — International Women’s Day — I’m launching the Makers Mindset CPG Brand Accelerator to provide hands-on guidance for emerging consumer brand founders. The best way to stay ahead of evolving consumer demands is to engage in dialogue, share insights, and continuously learn from those shaping the future of their industries.
How did your grandmother and mother influence the creation of Briogeo?
The inspiration behind Briogeo is deeply rooted in my family. My grandmother made many of our family’s personal care products from scratch, and my mother, who was a chemist and physician, carried that tradition forward in her own way. When I was growing up, she would use her background in chemistry to mix up personal care products at home, which gave me an early appreciation for the power of natural ingredients and the science behind effective formulations. Those experiences not only shaped my curiosity about beauty and wellness, but also laid the foundation for Briogeo’s commitment to clean, high-performance haircare.
How do you define legacy and what do you want to pass along to future generations?
For me, legacy isn’t just about what you build — it’s about the impact you leave behind. It’s about creating something that outlives you, whether that’s through the businesses you create, the opportunities you provide, or the people you inspire. I want my legacy to be one of breaking barriers, creating access, and helping more women realize that entrepreneurship is possible. Through my journey with Briogeo, my work with Makers Mindset, and initiatives like the Dream Makers Founder Grant, my goal is to provide not just resources, but also belief — because when people see what’s possible, it changes everything. With the launch of Makers Mindset’s CPG Brand Accelerator, I’m excited to help the next generation of founders build the brands that will define the future.
Marianna Hewitt
Co-founder, Summer Fridays
True, sustainable success takes time
What’s been your approach to expanding your reach and impact beyond the beauty industry?
Our goal with Summer Fridays was to build a beauty brand with longevity and a key part of that was fostering an engaged community. We’ve done this by consistently listening to our audience and identifying ways to add value to their lives — not just through our products, but also through content, partnerships, and in-person experiences. By staying connected to our community, we’ve been able to expand our reach while staying true to our mission. Beyond the brand, I’ve leveraged digital platforms, including my podcast Life with Marianna, to engage in meaningful conversations about entrepreneurship, work-life balance, and personal growth. This has allowed me to connect with a broader audience beyond beauty consumers, such as aspiring founders. Having this platform has been a meaningful way to share knowledge and support the next generation of female founders.
What is one thing you wish you knew when you were starting your business?
The power of patience and long-term thinking is invaluable when building a company. In a fast-moving industry like beauty, there’s often a sense of urgency to get everything right immediately. But true, sustainable success takes time — brands are built over years, not months. I’ve learned that it’s okay to start small, test, iterate, and refine. The key is to trust the process, stay focused on the bigger vision, and not get distracted by short-term wins or external pressures. Some of the best decisions we made for Summer Fridays weren’t the fastest or easiest — they were the ones that aligned with our long-term goals and values.
How do you find good mentors and use counsel when starting and/or running a business?
Early on, I looked to founders, executives, and industry leaders I admired. Some I knew personally, while others inspired me through interviews, books, podcasts, and social media. Many of them may not even realize the impact they had — but simply following their journeys provided invaluable insights. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that mentorship doesn’t always have to be formal. Some of the most impactful guidance I’ve received came from peers who launched their brands around the same time as mine. Having a network of people navigating similar challenges allowed us to exchange tangible advice and support each other through the growing pains of building a business.
Dr. Barbara Sturm
Founder, Dr. Barbara Sturm Molecular Cosmetics
The power of the present
What advice do you have for someone who has an idea for a new venture in the beauty space but has been hesitant to take the leap and get started?
If you have belief, passion, a strong work ethic, conviction, drive, and determination — go for it! Starting a new venture is challenging; it demands courage, resilience, and an unshakable work ethic. You have to be willing to take risks, push through challenges, and stay committed — even when the road gets tough.
What is one thing you wish you knew when starting your business?
Life wouldn’t make sense if we knew everything from the start. It’s the journey — the unexpected twists, the good, and the bad — that shapes our path. I’m here now, which means every choice I made led me to where I was meant to be.
How do you find good mentors and use counsel when starting and/or running a business?
Mentors find you naturally, whether that’s through work, relationships, or your broader network. Seek out people who believe in your vision, uplift and inspire you, and remind you that you can achieve anything.
The participants herein may have relationships with the Firm.
This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is provided solely on the basis that it will not constitute investment advice. While it is based on information believed to be reliable, no warranty is given as to its accuracy or completeness and it should not be relied upon as such. Information and opinions expressed by individuals other than Goldman Sachs employees do not necessarily reflect the view of Goldman Sachs and are as of the date of this material only and are subject to change without notice.
Inclusion of the individuals and entities featured in this material does not constitute or imply an endorsement, recommendation, sponsorship, or affiliation by Goldman Sachs. Services offered through Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC., member FINRA/SIPC.
©2025 Goldman Sachs. All rights reserved.
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as both a broker-dealer and an investment adviser and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”).
© 2025 Goldman Sachs. All rights reserved.