VEST Her Podcast: Who Do You Trust?
We’re living through a crisis of trust.
Trust in institutions. Trust in business. Trust in media. Trust in government. Even trust in one another. According to the latest Edelman Trust Barometer, only 54% of Americans trust business to do what is right. Just 44% trust the media. And only 39% trust government.
But perhaps the more troubling number is that 70% of people say they are hesitant or unwilling to trust someone who is different from them.
So what happens when we stop trusting our institutions and increasingly, one another?
How do you build trust in an environment where skepticism has become the default?
That’s what we explore in this episode with Amy Weisenbach, Chief Marketing Officer of The New York Times, and VEST Member Michelle Brobston, Chief Operations Officer at Hunger Free Oklahoma.
Amy has spent nearly a decade thinking about this question from inside one of the most scrutinized institutions in the world. And what she’s learned about trust applies far beyond media.
Whether you’re building a brand, leading a team, stepping into a new role, or simply trying to figure out who and what deserves your trust, this conversation will make you think differently about how trust is earned.
Guest Bios
Amy Weisenbach is Chief Marketing Officer at The New York Times, where she leads brand strategy and marketing across The Times and its portfolio, including Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter, and The Athletic. With more than 20 years of experience, Amy’s career has spanned consumer brands, sports, retail, and media, with previous leadership roles at Wilson Sporting Goods, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Trunk Club, and Unilever. Her work at The Times has earned some of the industry’s highest honors, including two Grand Prix Cannes Lions and a Gold Effie. Amy is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at NYU Stern, where she teaches brand strategy and consumer behavior. Connect with Amy on LinkedIn.
Michelle Brobston is Chief Operations Officer at Hunger Free Oklahoma, where she helps lead the organization’s efforts to end hunger across the state. Since joining the organization in 2017, she has played a key role in strengthening operations, systems, and organizational capacity to support lasting impact. Her background spans nonprofit leadership, project management, data systems, quality improvement, and fundraising, bringing together analytical thinking with a deep commitment to mission-driven work. Michelle was recognized by The Journal Record as one of Oklahoma’s “50 Women Making a Difference” in 2022 and was named to its Power List of Women in Accounting, Banking, and Finance in 2025. Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn.
Show Notes
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