Thank you, Aaron, for your incredibly generous words, for your unwavering support of TMA and this podcast, and for how you embody what it means to be part of something bigger within the ever-evolving TMA big tent. As you so eloquently expressed, it is this shared purpose that truly makes us better together.
With that, Happy Saturday, and welcome to the 100th episode of CEO Speaks for Saturday, January 25, 2025, sponsored exclusively by Second Wind Consultants, specializing in Article 9, out-of-court transactional restructurings.
When I began my tenure as TMA’s CEO, I was inspired by the incredible energy, passion, and dedication I encountered in our leaders and members across the globe. I struggled, however, with how best to share the immense opportunities and experiences within what I have fondly referred to as TMA Nation. This challenge led to the birth of this podcast.
Initially shared exclusively with members, TMA CEO Speaks has grown tremendously. Now, 100 episodes later, it is available on all major streaming platforms and shared with members through audio and video formats. This evolution reflects the growth and dynamism of TMA itself.
And what have we accomplished since those humble beginnings? We have opened the world of TMA imagination to all corners of the globe. Through this podcast, we’ve shared stories of commonalities, opportunities, challenges, and triumphs. We’ve highlighted how the deep and diverse network of TMA professionals supports and enriches our members in ways unmatched by any other organization in our industry.
Let’s revisit some memorable moments from this journey:
2018: Following my first 100 days as CEO, we launched TMA Talks, a 10-minute podcast designed to keep members connected to leadership and industry developments. However, as I witnessed the power of our members at work across the globe, I realized we needed something more substantial. Thus, TMA CEO Speaks as we know it was born.
2019: During my first international program in Zagreb, Croatia, I shared the incredible collaboration of TMA professionals addressing the largest cross-border insolvency case, Agricor. This exemplified the global strength of TMA.
2020 Pandemic Pivot with Purpose: When the world stood still, TMA came alive virtually. We embraced innovation, from the NOW Summit led by Rachel Jaffe Mauceri and Anne Pichler to virtual meetups in the Mid-Atlantic, lead by Alan J. Brody and Rachel Jaffe Mauceri, Great Lakes lead by Dan DeMarco, Tim Lyster and Christopher Gribble, and beyond. These moments reinforced that TMA is not just a network—it’s a family.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: In 2021, we spotlighted joint programming from TMA Chicago/Midwest and TMA NYC, which brought over 300 virtual attendees together to discuss the vital importance of DE&I in our industry, lead by Chicago-Mid West members Jim Trankina and Drew Perkham, and NYC leaders Kate Aiello and Shanté George.
Acts of Solidarity: This podcast has been a platform for calls to action during times of crisis, from the Australian wildfires in 2019 to the wildfires in Los Angeles this year. It has also been a place to honor those who paved the way for our profession.
As we celebrate this milestone, we also look to the future. TMA CEO Speaks will continue to serve as a platform to tell our collective story—to share, celebrate, and elevate the voices of our members. Together, we will continue to light the way toward a brighter tomorrow for TMA Nation.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
As #TMALightTheWay, your input is critical, your contributions paramount, and your engagement, the foundation that will create a better TMA for all of our members .
A special thanks to Second Wind Consultant for their unwavering support of this podcast, and our mission.
Until next time, I’m Scott Stuart. Be safe, stay resilient, and TMA Proud.