Esther George: The Economy, the World Cup, and the Decisions Behind Both

What’s the one question a former Federal Reserve President gets asked at every happy hour? “What’s the Fed going to do with interest rates?” According to my guest, Esther George (see bio below)… the honest answer is: “Yes.” In this episode of The Corporate Couch, Esther, former President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and a voting member of the Federal Open Market Committee, pulls back the curtain on the decisions that quietly shape the economy…and our everyday lives. But this isn’t just about economics. It’s about perspective. Esther shares a remarkable journey from growing up on a sixth-generation farm in rural Missouri (with a graduating class of just 50 students) to helping guide the U.S. economy through some of its most turbulent moments. We talk about: • Why inflation feels like “Jaws”… and who it impacts the most • The biggest misconception people have about the Federal Reserve • What it was like leading through the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID pandemic • How innovation, digital payments, and AI are reshaping the financial system • Why the future of finance may be more accessible… but also more concentrated • Her advice to young professionals: think big, but don’t expect a straight line We also shift gears to her role helping Kansas City prepare to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches—what it takes to bring a global event to a “smaller” market, the leadership required to align an entire region, and why the real impact may be the long-term relationships and opportunities that come after the final whistle. Esther also shares powerful leadership lessons from sitting across the table with failing banks, working alongside figures like Paul Volcker and Ben Bernanke, and leading through moments when the stakes couldn’t have been higher. This is a conversation about leadership, humility, decision-making under uncertainty, and the ripple effects of choices that impact millions of people… from interest rates to international stages.   This episode is brought to you by... Ever wish your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder, Jeff Pelaccio, doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on improving your culture, increasing employee engagement, and retention. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.   About Esther: Esther L. George was president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of​ Kansas City and a member of the Federal Open Market Committee from 2011 to 2023. Her Fed service spans more than 40 years, including considerable experience as a bank supervisor. In​ 2009, she served as the Federal Reserve’s acting director of Banking Supervision and Regulation in Washington, D.C.​ George was actively involved in the Federal Reserve’s work to ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of the nation’s payment system, including leading the effort to establish instant retail payments known as the FedNow Service. She hosted the Kansas City Fed’s annual Jackson Hole​ Economic Policy Symposium. As president and chief executive officer, she led a workforce of 2,100 at the Federal Reserve employees serving the seven states of the Tenth Federal Reserve District through the Bank’s headquarters in Kansas City and its branch offices in Denver, Oklahoma City, and Omaha. George is a recipient of the 2023 Harry S. Truman Public Service Award. She currently serves as chair of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and on the boards of the Hallmark Corporation, Peterson Institute for International Economics, the National Bureau of Economic Research, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, American Public Square, and the Kansas City 2026 World Cup.