Yale Ventures' Josh Geballe: From Studying at Yale College to Leading Innovation at Yale University in 30 Years

Would you ever consider leaving a secure and high-ranking position as a CEO at IBM Europe to join a startup as merely the 16th employee? Josh Geballe took that exact leap, moving away from the corporate security he knew to embrace the thrills and challenges of a startup, guided by what he describes as his "gut feeling."Josh's openness and straightforward approach are genuinely refreshing, yet it's clear that navigating such significant career shifts involves much more than instinct alone. It requires courage, foresight, and a willingness to face the unknown head-on.Since 2022, Josh has been a pivotal figure at Yale University, leading as the Managing Director of Yale Ventures (official website). In this role, he has been instrumental in spearheading the university's innovation ecosystem, catalyzing growth and collaboration across various disciplines.Reflecting on our days at Yale School of Management, I can't help but feel that having someone like Josh around back then would have been incredibly beneficial. His innovative spirit might have even lured me away from a traditional path in finance to explore the dynamic world of startups.In this podcast episode, Josh generously shares the wisdom gained from his two decades of varied experiences, which have been filled with both formidable challenges and substantial impacts. Here are some highlights from our conversation:As the COO during Connecticut’s COVID-19 health response, Josh faced a public health crisis of unprecedented scale, the likes of which no MBA curriculum could ever anticipate or equip its students to handle. (press conf link)After spending over a decade at IBM in London, Josh made a decisive career shift to a startup in Connecticut that was later acquired by Thermo Fisher. This move exposed him to the intense realities of startup culture, where rapid growth can often be as daunting as it is exhilarating.At Yale, his current role involves driving the campus-wide innovation efforts. He elaborates on how he fosters a culture of innovation that supports the daily pursuits of students, faculty, and the broader university community, helping to translate abstract ideas into tangible, impactful realities.Tune in to this episode to gain insights from Josh's extensive experience with career transformations and his strategic approach to overcoming the obstacles that accompany change. It’s sure to inspire and educate anyone interested in the intersections of innovation, leadership, and personal growth.Josh Geballe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshgeballe/ Vince Chan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thevincechan/Chief Change Officer: Make Your Laws of Change.#1 Careers US on Apple Podcasts. Subscribe and be inspired!

Om Podcasten

Are you paralyzed by the fear and risks that come with considering, designing, and executing a career change? If you're ready to break free from traditional career paths and master your future, you are in the right place!I am your host, Vince Chan. My life story reads like a manual on overcoming risks and fears. Since age 15, I've navigated 18 career transitions over 36 years. I've weathered six economic crises, adapted to life in over 10 cities, and overcome battles with mental illness. I have not only survived but thrived. From managing billion-dollar funds and publishing two books to navigating the academic halls of Yale and Chicago Booth and speaking on global education technology stages, I bring you wisdom not just from my victories but also from the fires I’ve walked through, each time emerging stronger.To help you get unstuck, minimize risks, and overcome fears—so that you can change your career on your own terms, with resilience and intelligence—I created the "Chief Change Officer" podcast.Here, I distill my career success formula into two words: credible and incredible. Always learn from the most credible people; it's these individuals who consistently create incredible work—not the other way around.So, I meticulously select the most credible global figures for you to learn from. This careful curation ensures that every episode enriches your understanding and maximises your ability to enact your own incredible career changes.The centerpiece of the podcast is the learnable career story told by real-life role models, akin to business cases and corporate leaders used in the HBS Case Method, a 100-year-old learning standard still widely adopted in world-class, modern-day business schools.My guests range from the youngest Singaporean parliamentarian at 30, to a trailblazing LGBT tech CEO at 60, a polyglot Russian diplomat turned energy innovator in Cincinnati at 50, and a Parisian lawyer who pivoted to entrepreneurship dedicated to building the youth economy in Senegal at 40. Each has mastered their challenges, offering you time-tested perspectives on how to navigate career changes to succeed with purpose and potential.An added bonus: The podcast features no ads, no political, corporate, or sales talk, ensuring authentic and uninterrupted conversations.Soon, I will launch exclusive resources for subscribers and members—courses, coaching, and consulting tailored to amplify your success and mitigate risks, empowering you to define your career laws of change.Engage with me (@thevincechan) on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Threads. Share your career challenges and aspirations. You could possibly feature in an episode, receiving free, personalized guidance.Chief Change Officer: Make Your Laws of Change. Subscribe today by joining a global community where success stories of career transformation are not just told—they are lived and learnable!