Welcome to MENTOR dna

Welcome to MENTOR dna, a leadership podcast hosted by Meesh Pierce. I welcome you to drop in as I talk to my c-suite friends about what makes them tick, lessons they’ve learned through their career successes and failures, and memories we share through the decades spent growing up in our careers. MENTOR dna is your backstage pass to learning how to reach your next career goal - whether as a manager or serving on a board.

Recent podcast guests

Jeff Stotland Hudson Pacific

Jeff Stotland, EVP Hudson Pacific

Jeff and I have known each other since our Wharton days. He was one of the few others who also hailed from the entertainment world prior to business school. I’ve always found him to be such a brilliant thinker who’s willing to take risks, and explore seemingly unsexy verticals.

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Christy Glass Lowe headshot

Christy Glass Lowe :: Capital Strategy Consultant

I’ve known Christy Glass Lowe since my first day in college. We shared all of the fun experiences one does during freshman year. Christy spent 20 years in investment banking helping branded consumer companies with capital strategy. She now advises and invests in firms, supporting founders in their critical decisions about when and how to fundraise for best outcomes.

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Susan Natland, Sr. Partner, Knobbe Martens

Susan Natland, Sr. Partner Knobbe Martens

I’d never given much thought to intellectual property law until one of our investment portfolio companies ran into lawsuits by trademark trolls. I’ve since learned about the subtle nuance of protecting and defending your ideas. Susan Natland is a partner at Knobbe Martens, a law firm specializing in intellectual property and also serves as Vice Chair of the USPTO Trademark Advisory Committee and we had a fantastic chat about staying true to yourself.

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MENTOR dna's host

Meesh Pierce is a former executive who’s worked with fantastic leaders throughout her career in tech, entertainment, and corporate and non-profit boards. MENTOR dna brings these leaders into the spotlight to share their stories. Consider MENTOR dna your VIP coaching session with  hard-to-reach executives across a variety of industries.  

Leadership books

Following is an extensive list of recommended leadership books from my podcast guests. 

  • Getting to Yes

    Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In.

  • The Goal

    The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement

  • Stocks for the Long Run

    Stocks for the Long Run: The Definitive Guide to Financial Market Returns & Long-Term Investment Strategies

  • Team of Rivals

    Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

  • The One Minute Manager

    The New One Minute Manager offers a way for you to succeed sooner with less stress in changing times—both at work and at home.

  • Good to Great

    Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't