From Cold War Diplomat to Toy Entrepreneur: Danny Grossman on Courage, Values, and Leadership
From Cold War Diplomat to Toy Entrepreneur: Danny Grossman on Courage, Values, and Leadership  
Podcast: Expressions of Leadership
Published On: Tue Oct 20 2026
Description: In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, host Michele Kawamoto Perry speaks with Danny Grossman about his extraordinary journey from Cold War diplomat to entrepreneur and nonprofit leader. Danny shares how he advocated for Soviet Jews and dissidents, navigated risk and uncertainty, and later founded Wild Planet Entertainment with social responsibility at its core. Together, they explore what it means to lead with courage and conviction, build a values-driven organization, and empower others to make a difference. Danny reflects on developing leaders, encouraging innovation, knowing when to let go, and his ongoing work supporting refugees through HIAS. He also discusses his memoir, Seeing Red, the legacy he hopes to leave, and the lessons he's learned about leading with integrity, staying true to your values, and creating opportunities for others to make their own mark on the world. Connect with Danny Grossman on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-grossman-2a9124/ Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the Follow and Subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also catch the show on CKMS 102.7 FM Radio Waterloo, Canada. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project's expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Expressions of Leadership with Danny Grossman 02:09 Discovering Russia and Defining Leadership 05:39 Diplomacy and Influence in Leningrad 09:52 Advocating for Soviet Jews and Dissidents 15:22 Risk, Courage, and Diplomatic Boundaries 20:23 Using Senior Support and Diplomatic Latitude 25:03 Expulsion from the USSR, Vladimir Putin, and Leadership Lessons 30:43 From Diplomacy to Values-Driven Business 35:30 Putting Social Responsibility into Practice at Wild Planet 41:46 Empowering Teams and Knowing When to Let Go 48:36 Leadership Legacy, Refugee Advocacy, and Seeing Red 53:42 Wisdom & Whimsy: Navigating Uncertainty and the Toy He Wishes He'd Invented