What drives innovation? Andrew Bialecki, CEO and president of Klaviyo, says it’s people willing to take chances and “embrace the willingness to be wrong.”

“If you surround yourself with a lot of other ambitious, thoughtful people, you're just naturally going to want to try things,” says Bialecki, one of the company’s co-founders. “At Klaviyo, we're not afraid to take risks.”

In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Bialecki not only details the history and philosophy of Klaviyo – a tech company providing an automation platform for email and SMS marketing – but shares a pivotal piece of career advice.

If you're not good at something yet,” he says, “just get your foot in that door, crack it open an inch and then don't ever let somebody stop you from opening it all the way.”

Listen to the episode to hear more from Bialecki about:

• Two milestones not celebrated at Klaviyo (11:15)
• What he finds interesting about AI (16:10)
• His career aspiration as a child (22:43)
• The hobby he pursues in his spare time (24:42)

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The Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund’s goal, says Dr. Makeeba McCreary, is to raise $100 million to support nonprofit leaders of color.

In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, McCreary, president of the fund, delves into how the organization is disrupting the philanthropy sector.

McCreary, born and raised in Boston’s South End, launched her career in service to others, which included working in shelters, and theatrical performances before moving to “education policy.”

“I really wanted to be a part of solutions around systems issues that I thought could have made a real difference for some of my friends who I grew up with that didn't have as many successes, I guess you could say, as I did,” McCreary says.

Listen to the episode to hear more from McCreary about:

• Her guiding principle (12:01)
• Advice to her younger self (13:26)
• What she finds troubling (15:06)
• Why impatience is necessary (22:10)

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The New England Aquarium, says president and CEO Vikki Spruill, is far more than a tourist attraction.

In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Spruill details the scope and significance of the 54-year-old institution’s contributions – research, education and advocacy, among others – to Boston and far beyond the city limits.

As the leader of a marine-based nonprofit with a workforce of 290 and two campuses, Spruill is passionate about climate resiliency, ocean conservation and the role the aquarium plays in furthering those objectives.

The aquarium’s mission is working “for a vital and vibrant ocean for all,” Spruill says. “We hope to inspire everyone to form a deeper connection with the ocean and take action to protect it.”

Listen to the episode to hear more from Spruill on:

• The aquarium’s plastic-free gift shop (6:04)
• “Working at the speed of trust” (9:39)
• The job of a leader (16:56)
• Her wish for Boston (26:21)

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