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Peter Polson
CEO, founder @ Tiller - personal finance innovator
Professional Background
Peter Polson is a dynamic entrepreneur and dedicated leader known for his transformative impact on financial wellness through his role as the founder and leader of Tiller. His mission-driven approach centers on empowering individuals to take greater control of their financial lives, fostering confidence and financial literacy among users. Under Peter's stewardship, Tiller has developed innovative tools that simplify personal finance management, making budgeting and financial tracking accessible to all.
In addition to his crucial role at Tiller, Peter has amassed a breadth of experience across various esteemed organizations. He served as the CEO and founder of Dashwire, Inc., where he significantly contributed to enhancing the mobile networking landscape. His foray into technology began at JP Morgan, where as an analyst in Technology Mergers and Acquisitions, he gained critical insights into the financial intricacies of technology companies. His leadership prowess was further showcased during his tenure at Monet Mobile Networks as Director of Product Development, and later, at Nextlink Communications, where he excelled as Manager of Business Development.
Education and Achievements
Peter holds an MBA in General Management from The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, a prestigious institution renowned for its focus on fostering business leadership and innovation. This rigorous academic training equipped him with the strategic insight and managerial acumen required to spearhead impactful organizations like Tiller and Dashwire.
Earlier in his academic journey, Peter graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies, focusing on Economics from Middlebury College. This unique combination of disciplines reflects his commitment to understanding how fiscal principles can influence environmental sustainability and societal welfare. His educational journey also included studies at the Williams-Mystic Maritime Studies Program, which enriched his appreciation for maritime environments and the intersection of industries, including technology and maritime economics. Additionally, the formative years spent at Lakeside School and The Mountain School of Milton Academy fostered his early interests in leadership and academic excellence.
Leadership Roles in Organizations
A testament to his leadership capabilities, Peter has also served prominent roles outside of Tiller. He is notably recognized as a Trustee and board chair at Lakeside School, where he has contributed significantly to the growth and advancement of the educational community. //his influence as Chair has ensured that Lakeside School maintains its commitment to providing quality education and fostering leadership among its students.
Moreover, as President and co-founder of Junxion, Inc. under Sierra Wireless, Peter played a vital role in pioneering innovations in mobile wireless technology that helped shape the landscape of communication as we know it today. His forward-thinking mindset drives him to consistently seek out new opportunities and challenges, leading his teams to embrace innovation responsibly and pragmatically.
Conclusion
Peter Polson is not only a seasoned leader but also a visionary committed to creating positive change through the intersection of technology, finance, and community engagement. His journey, marked by a wealth of experience and a strong academic foundation, positions him as a key figure in financial technology and a role model for future entrepreneurs. With an unyielding belief in the power of business to enact social change, Peter continues to inspire those around him to embrace their financial opportunities with confidence and purpose.
Highlights
Starbucks just announced a new CEO. Again.
While traveling through Anchorage this summer, I waited in line for coffee at a Starbucks. To the left, slightly out of the way, was a pile of fresh supplies. One box of iced lemon loaves caught my eye. The loaves, individually wrapped in plastic, were completely stripped of their magic and looked utterly unappealing. When I asked the baristas about it, they shrugged: it's become impossible to find places to store the supplies, so they do what they can.
I took this photo and started talking shop with our son Samuel, who was with me. I hypothesized to him that I could tell when Howard Schultz is CEO and when he’s not, simply by the appearance of a Starbucks store.
Stores under Schultz’s watch are meticulous. I never saw a store look like this during any of his three tenures running Starbucks. But I’ve seen many in disarray when one of his many successors was in charge.
A practical CEO looks at this store, recognizes the constraints—the lack of storage, the supply chain issues, the stress on employees—and realizes a pile of supplies is inevitable, at least a few days a week. Not ideal, but part of the challenge that comes with managing 30,000 global stores.
But a practical CEO can’t grow Starbucks and preserve the brand. A practical CEO will run it into the ground.
Schultz sees this pile and knows there’s no excuse. Remodel the store. Lease more space. Deliver supplies twice a day. Or close the store. But there are no piles of lemon loaves falling out of cardboard boxes on Schultz’s watch. Ever.
Finding great leaders with impractically high standards is really hard.
This morning's WSJ: Starbucks Ousts CEO, Names Chipotle Boss as Replacement https://lnkd.in/eVkvrgiS
We are looking at upgrading our sales tax tooling that helps us cover the bases with tracking and reporting across 50 states. Any other SaaS companies have recommendations re Avalara (we use currently), Stripe/TaxJar, Anrok, or others? Grateful for your input!
