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The ERic RIES Show
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At the Long-Term Stock Exchange, we are dedicated to creating a world where businesses are empowered to achieve lasting impact and long-term prosperity.
To foster meaningful conversations, we curate conversations from an ecosystem of leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries.
The Eric Ries Show, a podcast produced by Founder and Chair of LTSE Services, Eric Ries, reflects our mission.
The show features thought-provoking conversations with world-class technologists, thought leaders, executives, and others who are working to create a new ecosystem of organizations committed to growth with purpose.
To foster meaningful conversations, we curate conversations from an ecosystem of leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries.
The Eric Ries Show, a podcast produced by Founder and Chair of LTSE Services, Eric Ries, reflects our mission.
The show features thought-provoking conversations with world-class technologists, thought leaders, executives, and others who are working to create a new ecosystem of organizations committed to growth with purpose.
Disclaimer: Information contained in this podcast was obtained in part from publicly available sources (including the Eric Ries Show) and not independently verified. The Long-Term Stock Exchange and its affiliated companies do not make any representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and do not sponsor, approve, or endorse any of the content herein, all of which is presented solely for informational and educational purposes. Nothing herein constitutes an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy any security, or a recommendation of any security or trading practice.
Some portions of the podcast may have been edited for the purpose of length or clarity.
From the Eric Ries Show:
The Hidden Costs of Pay Inequality, And How Leading Companies are Solving It | Maria Colacurcio (Syndio)
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In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, Eric Ries is joined by Maria Colacurcio, Co-Founder and CEO of Syndio, a workplace equity analytics platform. Syndio helps companies close pay gaps and build high-trust organizations. Maria has had a long career in leadership, previously co-founding Smartsheet and serving as a senior leader at Starbucks, where she focused on global communications and social impact.
In our conversation, we discuss how to scale with integrity, navigate the complexities of equity, and lead with both data and principle.
We cover:
• The surprising insight that 1 in 5 pay remediations at Syndio benefit white men
• The distinction between expanding opportunity and enforcing quotas
• Why taking bias out of promotions makes companies stronger
• The role curiosity and passion played in opening doors for Maria
• Why “the reservoir of trust” is both the right thing to do and a smart business strategy
• Syndio’s commitment to transparency through annual pay gap and equity disclosures
• Why strategy and culture need to change as you scale
• And much more!
—
Brought to you by:
• Vanta – Automate compliance, manage risk, and prove trust—continuously. Save $1,000 today.
• Wilson Sonsini – Wilson Sonsini is the innovation economy’s law firm. Learn more.
• Gusto – Gusto is an easy payroll and benefits software built for small businesses. Get 3 months free.
—
Where to find Maria Colacurcio:
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcolacurcio/
• X: https://x.com/mcolacurcio
—
Where to find Eric:
• Newsletter:https://ericries.carrd.co/
• Podcast:https://ericriesshow.com/
• YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@theericriesshow
—
In This Episode We Cover:
(00:00) Intro
(02:19) The executive order against DEI: what's changed, what hasn’t, what remains uncertain
(07:20) The benefits and limitations of DEI programs
(08:37) What is opportunity equity
(10:20) How biases in performance reviews advance incompetent people
(11:22) Syndio’s comp consistency analytics solution for pay consistency and pay equity
(13:18) The importance of pay being tied to the company’s stated values
(18:47) Why some CEOs are eager to abandon DEI
(21:46) How to tell if a company is serious about fair treatment
(25:00) Maria’s path to becoming the CEO of Syndio
(32:09) Tech for solving a problem vs. for the sake of tech
(35:12) Maria’s experience becoming a founder at Smartsheet and Syndio
(38:22) The reservoir of trust and other learnings from Maria’s time at Starbucks
(40:10) How Maria’s curiosity led to meeting Zev and founding Syndio
(49:25) Syndio’s pivot and why Maria hired a lawyer to lead sales
(52:15) An explanation of how Syndio’s software works
(54:46) Syndio’s AI chatbot, Syndi
(55:22) The current state of Syndio
(57:02) How Syndio maintains alignment with its core values
(1:02:14) Lightning round
—
Referenced:
- Syndio: https://synd.io/
- Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/ending-radical-and-wasteful-government-dei-programs-and-preferencing/
- Elevance Health: https://www.elevancehealth.com/
- Howard Schultz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardschultz/
- National Museum of American History: https://www.si.edu/museums/american-history-museum
- Onyx Software: https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/onyx-software
- Smartsheet: https://www.smartsheet.com/
- Zev Eigen on X: https://x.com/zevdatascience
- Crossing the Chasm: Marketing and Selling Disruptive Products to Mainstream Customers: https://www.amazon.com/Crossing-Chasm-3rd-Disruptive-Mainstream/dp/0062292986
- Rob Porcarelli on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-porcarelli-080ab57/
- Syndi: https://synd.io/syndi/
- What Is A Spot Bonus? Understanding On-The-Spot Incentives: https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecenizalevine/2023/12/11/what-is-a-spot-bonus-understanding-on-the-spot-incentives/
—
Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
Eric may be an investor in the companies discussed.
Show Notes
In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, Eric Ries is joined by Maria Colacurcio, Co-Founder and CEO of Syndio, a workplace equity analytics platform. Syndio helps companies close pay gaps and build high-trust organizations. Maria has had a long career in leadership, previously co-founding Smartsheet and serving as a senior leader at Starbucks, where she focused on global communications and social impact.
In our conversation, we discuss how to scale with integrity, navigate the complexities of equity, and lead with both data and principle.
We cover:
• The surprising insight that 1 in 5 pay remediations at Syndio benefit white men
• The distinction between expanding opportunity and enforcing quotas
• Why taking bias out of promotions makes companies stronger
• The role curiosity and passion played in opening doors for Maria
• Why “the reservoir of trust” is both the right thing to do and a smart business strategy
• Syndio’s commitment to transparency through annual pay gap and equity disclosures
• Why strategy and culture need to change as you scale
• And much more!
—
Brought to you by:
• Vanta – Automate compliance, manage risk, and prove trust—continuously. Save $1,000 today.
• Wilson Sonsini – Wilson Sonsini is the innovation economy’s law firm. Learn more.
• Gusto – Gusto is an easy payroll and benefits software built for small businesses. Get 3 months free.
—
Where to find Maria Colacurcio:
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcolacurcio/
• X: https://x.com/mcolacurcio
—
Where to find Eric:
• Newsletter:https://ericries.carrd.co/
• Podcast:https://ericriesshow.com/
• YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@theericriesshow
—
In This Episode We Cover:
(00:00) Intro
(02:19) The executive order against DEI: what's changed, what hasn’t, what remains uncertain
(07:20) The benefits and limitations of DEI programs
(08:37) What is opportunity equity
(10:20) How biases in performance reviews advance incompetent people
(11:22) Syndio’s comp consistency analytics solution for pay consistency and pay equity
(13:18) The importance of pay being tied to the company’s stated values
(18:47) Why some CEOs are eager to abandon DEI
(21:46) How to tell if a company is serious about fair treatment
(25:00) Maria’s path to becoming the CEO of Syndio
(32:09) Tech for solving a problem vs. for the sake of tech
(35:12) Maria’s experience becoming a founder at Smartsheet and Syndio
(38:22) The reservoir of trust and other learnings from Maria’s time at Starbucks
(40:10) How Maria’s curiosity led to meeting Zev and founding Syndio
(49:25) Syndio’s pivot and why Maria hired a lawyer to lead sales
(52:15) An explanation of how Syndio’s software works
(54:46) Syndio’s AI chatbot, Syndi
(55:22) The current state of Syndio
(57:02) How Syndio maintains alignment with its core values
(1:02:14) Lightning round
—
Referenced:
- Syndio: https://synd.io/
- Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/ending-radical-and-wasteful-government-dei-programs-and-preferencing/
- Elevance Health: https://www.elevancehealth.com/
- Howard Schultz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardschultz/
- National Museum of American History: https://www.si.edu/museums/american-history-museum
- Onyx Software: https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/onyx-software
- Smartsheet: https://www.smartsheet.com/
- Zev Eigen on X: https://x.com/zevdatascience
- Crossing the Chasm: Marketing and Selling Disruptive Products to Mainstream Customers: https://www.amazon.com/Crossing-Chasm-3rd-Disruptive-Mainstream/dp/0062292986
- Rob Porcarelli on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-porcarelli-080ab57/
- Syndi: https://synd.io/syndi/
- What Is A Spot Bonus? Understanding On-The-Spot Incentives: https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecenizalevine/2023/12/11/what-is-a-spot-bonus-understanding-on-the-spot-incentives/
—
Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
Eric may be an investor in the companies discussed.
Disclaimer
The information is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and nothing contained herein should be construed as investment advice, either on behalf of a particular security or an overall investment strategy. Information about the company is provided by the company, or comes from the companies’ public filings and is not independently verified by LTSE. Neither LTSE nor any of its affiliates makes any recommendation to buy or sell any security or any representation about the financial condition of any company. Statements regarding LTSE-listed companies are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investors should undertake their own due diligence and carefully evaluate companies before investing. Advice from a securities professional is strongly advised.
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