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!